Savour local cuisine and sample the local wine, visit historical sites from the Roman Empire, cast your eyes over architectural treasures, splendid art and ornate churches and marvel at the beautiful villages of Tuscany and the Cinque Terre all finished off with a cruise around the famous Greek islands! Combined with a stopover in Hong Kong on the way over, this provides the perfect solution for those who have Italy and the Greek Islands on their must-do list!
24 days departing 25 August 2017
From $13,099pp, twin share (inside cabin on cruise, upgrade to outside available)
Price applicable when booked and deposited by 13 September 2016
Package includes:
– Return economy airfares from Auckland (including taxes)
– 3 night stopover in Hong Kong including accommodation, city sightseeing tour and night lights cruise
– 11 day first-class Globus “Italian Treasures” tour
– Guaranteed early check in and 1 post tour night in Rome
– 1 pre tour night in Athens
– 8 day first-class Globus “Iconic Aegean with 4-night cruise” tour, in an inside cabin
– Breakfast daily plus 5 lunches and 9 dinners
– Professional Tour Director throughout the Italian Treasures tour, Globus host in Athens and on-board cruise with knowledgeable local guides in Hong Kong and Athens
– Highlights: Visits to the Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum in Rome, excursion to Cinque Terre, walking tour in Siena, wine tasting and dinner at Verrazzano Castle, a visit to Michelangelo’s David in Florence, private boat ride in Venice, guided walking tour of Assisi, guided sightseeing with visit to the Acropolis in Athens and much more!
– First class air-conditioned coach with complimentary wi-fi through Italy; cruise in fully air-conditioned inside cabin with private shower and toilet
– Airport transfers in Hong Kong, Rome and Athens
– Gratuities included ⎫ Escort to travel with you from Auckland to Rome (incl Hong Kong stopover)
For more information call 0800 267 672 or email groups@globusfamily.co.nz
Full day-to-day itinerary
Day 1 – Friday 25 August
AUCKLAND – HONG KONG
This AFTERNOON we meet at Auckland Airport for the start of our journey. We arrive in Hong Kong in the evening and transfer to our hotel.
Day 2 – Saturday 26 August
HONG KONG
This morning’s sightseeing begins with a CABLE-CAR RIDE up Victoria Peak for panoramic vistas of this one-of-a-kind port city. Drive by Repulse Bay, a popular beach area, then to the Aberdeen fishing village for a SAMPAN RIDE on the harbour. Next stop is STANLEY MARKET, a narrow street jammed with stalls offering clothing, arts, and crafts. This evening we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before experiencing the lights of Hong Kong from the sea. (B, D)
Day 3 – Sunday 27 August
HONG KONG – ROME
A full day tour to visit Lantau Island, Hong Kong’s largest island, and home to the Giant Buddha at Po Lin (Precious Lotus) Monastery. View in awe at the size of this incredible Buddha where the sky is its only backdrop and enjoy a traditional vegetarian Buddhist lunch at the monastery. Then ride the cable car from Tung Chung with spectacular views of Lantau Island, Ngong Ping Plateau and the South China Sea. Throughout the day, you’ll discover pristine beaches, traditional fishing villages, lush valleys, soaring mountains and maybe even spiritual enlightenment. After some time to freshen up, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Rome. (B, L)
Day 4 – Monday 28 August
ROME
An early arrival into the ‘Eternal City’ today, your rooms will be ready for immediate check-in on arrival. Enjoy the day at leisure to rest and adjust to the new time zone. At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and travelling companions, then leave the hotel for a special welcome dinner with wine at one of Rome’s lively restaurants. (D)
Day 5 – Tuesday 29 August
ROME
Enjoy Globus’ unique guided sightseeing, including inside visits to all highlights of religious and ancient Rome: the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL with Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgment, monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA to admire Michelangelo’s Pieta, the amazing COLOSSEUM, and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman legions marched in triumph. For those who wish to see it all, an optional walking tour with a Local Guide is available to further explore famous sites like the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and more. (B)
Day 6 – Wednesday 30 August
ROME – LUCCA
Head north along the Tyrrhenian coastline through an area where many a town was founded at the very beginning of recorded history by the mysterious, highly civilised Etruscans. Arrive in medieval Lucca, completely surrounded by the original medieval wall, and enjoy a walk through the quaint medieval town centre. An optional dinner at a local agriturismo farm is available. (B)
Day 7 – Thursday 31 August
LUCCA: EXCURSION TO CINQUE TERRE & PISA
Drive to La Spezia on the Mediterranean Coast and enjoy your excursion (including a BOAT RIDE, weather permitting. Departures 0328-1024) to CINQUE TERRE, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The name dates back to the 15th century and is derived from five little medieval villages standing on stony spurs along eight kilometre of the rocky coastline: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso. Here, a light lunch consisting of the traditional focaccia di Recco and farinata, a regional snack, has been prepared for you at a local trattoria. Then, a TRAIN RIDE returns you to La Spezia. Stop in Pisa and take the traditional picture pushing back the amazing Leaning Tower, 55 metres high (180 feet) and no less than 3.5 metres (12 feet) out of the perpendicular, before returning to Lucca. (B, L, D)
Day 8 – Friday 01 September
LUCCA – SIENA – SAN GIMIGNANO – FLORENCE
A scenic day in Tuscany. This morning, visit Siena and walk through ancient narrow lanes to beautiful PIAZZA DEL CAMPO, theatre of the biannual Palio, Siena’s spectacular medieval-style horse race. Next is hilltop San Gimignano, the most picturesque of Italy’s perfectly preserved medieval towns. In the afternoon, drive along the Chianti Road leading north to Florence. Next is the highlight of the day: stop at splendid VERRAZZANO CASTLE to hear about the fine art of blending four types of grapes to obtain the famous Chianti. Enjoy a WINE TASTING and an early dinner with local specialties. (B, D)
Day 9 – Saturday 02 September
FLORENCE
During your walking tour with a Local Guide, visit the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS to see Michelangelo’s celebrated David. Admire the magnificent marble cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise,” and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. Time to explore this fascinating city so beautifully filmed in movies like Room with a View and Tea with Mussolini, and to browse through the shops. Leather goods and gold jewellery sold by the ounce are attractive buys. To make the most of your stay, join our optional excursions to the magnificent Uffizi Gallery and a dinner outing to try out the culinary delights of a fine Tuscan restaurant. (B)
Day 10 – Sunday 03 September
FLORENCE – VERONA – VENICE ISLAND
Stop in Verona, setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Take pictures of Juliet’s balcony and rub the shining breast on her statue for good luck. Next, admire the Arena, an incredibly well-preserved pink marble Roman amphitheatre where gladiators once fought. Built in the 1st century AD, it is now the magical venue for world-famous opera performances. Arrive in Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics and art lovers from around the globe. Enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT. Tonight is your chance to join an optional gondola ride and to sample the city’s fine restaurants. (B)
Day 11 – Monday 04 September
VENICE ISLAND
Enjoy morning sightseeing with your Local Guide. Visit ST. MARK’S SQUARE and the byzantine BASILICA, lavish DOGES’ PALACE and the world-famous BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch a skilled GLASSBLOWER fashion delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. An optional boat ride to the picturesque island of Burano is available. (B)
Day 12 – Tuesday 05 September
VENICE ISLAND – RAVENNA – ASSISI
Follow the Adriatic coastline to Ravenna. Here, see the famous mosaics in the 6th-century BASILICA of ST. APOLLINARIS IN CLASSE. Next is peaceful Assisi. During your walking tour with a Local Guide, visit ST. CLARE’S CHURCH and ST. FRANCIS’ BASILICA, the hub of a religious order devoted to the ideals of humility, forgiveness, simplicity, and love for all God’s creatures. Hear about monastic life and admire the priceless frescoes adorning the walls of the church. (B, D)
Day 13 – Wednesday 06 September
ASSISI – ORVIETO – ROME
Following the Tiber Valley, reach Orvieto, perched high atop a volcanic rock. Here, you have a chance to taste local pastries at renowned Caffe Montanucci, a historic pasticceria for more than 100 years. Time to browse through tempting shops in the lanes off Piazza del Duomo, and to visit the fabulous gothic CATHEDRAL with its San Brizio Chapel. In the afternoon, return to Rome. This evening, a special farewell dinner with wine and opera entertainment awaits you at Tanagra restaurant. (B, D)
Day 14 – Thursday 07 September
ROME
A full day at leisure to enjoy more in the capital city of Italy. You may wish to visit the imposing Jewish Roman synagogue; shop along via Condotti; or spend time at Gianicolo Park with its panoramic views. (B)
Day 15 – Friday 08 September
ROME – ATHENS
After breakfast this morning, transfer to the airport for our flight to Athens. On arrival we transfer to our hotel. (B)
Day 16 – Saturday 09 September
ATHENS
Enjoy this morning at leisure to start exploring Athens. At 6 pm, meet your Globus Host and travelling companions for a welcome drink, to learn more about your Greek adventure. (B)
Day 17 – Sunday 10 September
ATHENS
Sightseeing with a Local Guide features a visit to the Parthenon’s crowning beauty atop the ACROPOLIS, the Erechtheum with its Porch of Maidens, the beautifully preserved Theseum, Roman Temple of Zeus, Theatre of Dionysus, and the Agora where Socrates taught. Vistas of the government buildings and elegant homes in the modern city provide a striking contrast to the remains of the glorious past. The rest of the day is at leisure. How about a Greek dinner tonight? Your local host knows where to find local fare and entertainment reminiscent of Zorba the Greek. (B)
Day 18 – Monday 11 September
ATHENS – LAVRION (EMBARKATION) – MYKONOS
Head for Lavrion, where you will sail into the deep-blue waters of the Aegean Sea at 11 am, easily settling into the cruising routine of sunbathing, sipping cool drinks, splashing in the pool, and reveling in the delights prepared by the ship’s expert chefs. Later, dock at the mountainous island of Mykonos with its characteristic windmills and dazzling white houses. Time to wander at whim through narrow paved streets lined with trendy boutiques and shady tavernas before returning on board. (B, L, D)
Day 19 – Tuesday 12 Septemer
CRUISING: KUSADASI, TURKEY – PATMOS, GREECE
Two ports of call today. First, Kusadasi on the Turkish coast. An optional morning excursion takes you to the fascinating Greek, Roman, and Byzantine excavations of Ephesus. Next, discover the tiny Greek island of Patmos, where St. John the Divine wrote the Revelation. The 11th-century monastery with its valuable manuscript collection is well worth a visit. (B, L, D)
Day 20 – Wednesday 13 September
CRUISING: RHODES
All day is dedicated to the island of Rhodes. Explore the sights in the historic Old City with its ramparts and palaces built by the Knights of St. John during the Crusades. Another possibility-join an optional excursion to Lindos and Athena’s fabulous temple. And if sightseeing is not your thing, Rhodes’ sun-drenched public beaches and colourful shopping districts are within easy walking distance of the port. Sail from Rhodes around dinnertime. (B, L, D)
Day 21 – Thursday 14 September
HERAKLION, CRETE – SANTORINI
First port of call today is Heraklion on Crete. A few kilometres away is Knossos, the centre of the 3000 BC Minoan civilisation, and an optional excursion can be booked. Afternoon call (weather permitting) at Santorini, the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” Join one of the optional shore excursions either to the volcano or up to the cliff-top village of Oia for one of the world’s most breathtaking panoramas. (B, L, D)
Day 22 – Friday 15 September
LAVRION (DISEMBARKATION) – ATHENS – DOHA
After breakfast on board, disembark at Lavrion and return to Athens. The afternoon is free to catch up on last-minute shopping, before we transfer to the airport for our flight home. (B)
Day 23 – Saturday 16 September
DOHA – HONG KONG – transit
Day 24 – Sunday 17 September
HONG KONG – AUCKLAND
Our journey ends today on arrival back into Auckland airport, in the late morning.
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