I have just booked the Globus Italian Treasures for April 2007. I would appreciate information, tips and advice from anyone that has been on this trip.

Try doing a search for your tour. You will find alot of info.

[quote="RozMre"]I have just booked the Globus Italian Treasures for April 2007. I would appreciate information, tips and advice from anyone that has been on this trip.[/quote]



We are thinking of booking the Globus Italian Treasures for May 2007. I also would appreciate "input" from anyone that has been on this trip.

I'm hoping to do this tour either next year or the year after. I've never done it but a friend of mine took this tour for her honeymoon. She said they loved absolutely everything about it. They did every single one of the optionals and loved them all. They went in August and there were only 12 people in their group and they all became great friends. I'd love to have a group that small, but I sure won't go to Italy in August!

We are booked in March '07. Can't wait!!!

We did the Italian Treasures tour back in September of 2006. We really enjoyed the trip, we saw so much that we couldn't possibly see on our own. We had 40 people in our group. 12 people would have been ideal!

We stayed in Hotel Cicerone in Rome, it was a very clean hotel, very nice room and breakfasts. The staff seemed less than enthusiastic to help. Across the street is a nice cafe with outdoor seating on the sidewalk. Split a pizza they are big, and try to avoid the local wine, it's not that good.

Cicerone is very close to the Vatican. When you exit the hotel, take a left, go all the way to the grassy/sandy park across the street. Go right along the park, take a left. Then cross the busy street at the light. You will see more grassy area, follow this to the open area, along the river, you are now at Castel San Angelo and are in Vatican City. The cobblestone area you are on leads tight into St. Peter's Square.

We also purchased 1 extra night at the beginning of the trip where we explored Rome on our own the evening before the tour started, and all morning and afternoon of the day we were to meet everyone.

If you are willing to walk at a quick pace, the Pantheon is just over an hour walk from Cicerone. A must have is a good map. search and buy the MapEasy's guide map to Rome.

I highly suggest purchasing at least 1 day before the trip, 2 or 3 would be better. There is so much to see in Rome, we saw more on our own by walking the city and we were able to tour the Cupola and Grotto at the Vatican. dinner at Piazza Navona. By the way, try Tre Scalini for Tartufo while in Piazza Navona.

The Drive up to Verrazzano Castle was pretty, the chiantio was wonderful. Quite steep in price fo rthe shipping charge to ship a crate home. Something like 209 Euros just to ship.

In 2006, we stayed in Pisa. I see for 2007, you'll stay in Lucca. San G. and Siena were quaint little towns. We really liked Verona,and wish we had a longer stay. Asissi was pretty, St. Francis Cathedral was the highlight.

Back in Rome we skipped the Farewell optional , and took the shuttle to the Vatican. We walked from the Vatican back to Piazza Navona, our favorite place on earth so far. We had a great Tortellini dinner, wine, tartufo, and headed back to St. Peters. you can get a cab to take you back to the hotel for about 15 Euro.

We did a few Optionals. None in Rome as we saw the city on our own.

The Uffizi Gallery optional in Florence was well worth the price. So is the Tuscan Dinner. The hotel is so far away from anything, so there isn't much to do, inless you want to tak ea shuttle into Florence.

In Venice, we did the Gondola ride, which was a fun way to see the city.

Burano was a neat optional. A pretty colorful town. But the lunch was so-so, and most of the time was spent in the diner eeating, leaving little time to explore and shop. Not that that bothered me anyy.

The glass blowing demonstration was interesting, then it turned into a sales pitch, taking valuable time waay from touring theBasilica of St. Mark's. We had to do this on our own. We also climbed to the top of Campanile, (the bell tower) for a spectacular view of Venice. We spent a lot of time wandering getting lost. There are signs on the buildings that will direct you toward Rialto or San Marco. Look for these to guide your way. Even while armed with the best maps, the maps are all but usless.

We sampled the best bottle of Valpolicella we ever had in Venice. We ate at Tratoria Al Leoncici near our hotel, just behind St. Mark's Square.. .. ..not far from McDonalds.

I have a ton photos from Our Italian Treasures trip uploaded onto a webshots. If you're interested in seeing our trip, or want more info, PM me and I can send you my emailaddy, or the link to my photos.


Have fun, happpy travels!

Just be sure to remain alert to pickpockets while at the major tourist attractions in Italy. Our tour director was constantly warning us about them when we stopped at various sites.

Cheers

General Max

We did this tour in July 2005. We were pleased with all aspects except optional tours. Most of them center around eating and the same type of entertainment. The Uffizi is well worth it. We prefer the gondola by yourself. It looks ridiculos to see the Globus flotilla.. .. .. ..6 people per gondola accompanied by a gondola with music.

When we were in the Sistene Chapel, someone in our tour group had their pocket picked. He lost his wallet with about 20 Euros in it. While going through the Vatican Museum and the Sistene Chapel it was very crowded. A very good place for pickpockets to operate.

Cheers

General Max

[quote="maximagxe"]Just be sure to remain alert to pickpockets while at the major tourist attractions in Italy. Our tour director was constantly warning us about them when we stopped at various sites.

Cheers

General Max[/quote]
I am going on this tour in June 07--I was planning to use a Vera Bradley packpack and an across the body bag for day . . Would you offer advice about this idea? I will use a money or neck product for under my clothing.

Well don't put anything valuable in the back pack. A jacket, umbrella,water etc is fine in there. Also don't go rummaging under you shirt for money and creditcards but rather carry just what you will need for that day so you can get to it easily. Just be alert like you would in any large US city.If you should take the subway or public transportation don't let anyone bump up against you. Be super alert in crowded places and you'll be fine. I have traveled to 11 countries and been to Europe 4 times,travel on public transportation and NEVER had any problem. There is far less crime in Europeon cities than there is in US cities.Don't stress about it as you will have a wonderful time and Globus really takes good care of their clients.

Also don't make eye contact with anyone that approaches you and starts talking to you. This is a diversion.

Learned not to make eye contact with anyone being raised in Chicago!!!

[quote="Letsgo"]Well don't put anything valuable in the back pack. A jacket, umbrella,water etc is fine in there. Also don't go rummaging under you shirt for money and creditcards but rather carry just what you will need for that day so you can get to it easily. Just be alert like you would in any large US city. .If you should take the subway or public transportation don't let anyone bump up against you. Be super alert in crowded places and you'll be fine. I have traveled to 11 countries and been to Europe 4 times,travel on public transportation and NEVER had any problem. There is far less crime in Europeon cities than there is in US cities. .Don't stress about it as you will have a wonderful time and Globus really takes good care of their clients.[/quote]

Thank you--good advice.
Another question--do you suggest buying travel insurance?
What are considered good things to possibly purchaes in Italy ?

travel insurance is a good investment as long as it is less than 6 or 7 cents on the dollar. $60 or $70 dollars protection on a $1000 investment along with the medical provisions.

IMO travel insurance is a good idea.We never know what will happen.

Thanks for the advice. I did purchase the insurance.
Any advice for packing and what to take for a June tour? I would love to travel lightly!

I will be little help on this as I always overpack.I have never yet worn everything I brought. Opps,take that back as on my 6 day trip to London last summer I think I wore everything.
The last couple of times in Europe it was warmer then I thought it would be.One of those times was in June. I did not use any of the warm clothes I brought with me. In Sept the only time I used a coat was in the Alps in the early morning. You will need an umbrella. I can tell you that the tours are very casual and you might need 1 dressy top and say black slacks for the farewell dinner but otherwise things are very casual with most people wearing for dinner what they wore touring during the day,Bring walking shoes and 1 pair of sandals and capris and slacks.Nobody wears shorts and in order to enter some of the churches your arms should be covered. I wore a tank top with a shirt on top that I tied around my waist when it was warm.The Europeons are very fond of black it seems. Be sure to leave those white athletic shoes at home. Only the Amercans wear them. That's all I can think of right now but if you have questions ask away!

Thanks, again.
I plan to take capris, as I wear them a lot anyway.I am glad to know the tours are informal. I planned to take a skirt or a wrinkle free dress. I have to get a simple hairstyle, since I don't want to bother with a curling iron.
When did you do the Italian Treasure tour? Do you recommend any of the optional tours?
Thanks![/quote]

I did not take that particular tour but spent a little time in Italy on another tour. Absolutely loved Venice and plan to take the Leisurely Italy tour or Monagram Italy in 2008 with DH. This year we are traveling Budapest to Amsterdam on a river cruise. I am sure someone else will be here to answer your guestions. I think it is Sue Gillen who has been to Italy about 8 times. The tour that I spent a little time in Italy was the first 2 weeks of Sept 2005.