Europe

gems of umbria and tuscany

The name of this escorted Italy tour, Gems of Umbria & Tuscany says it all, as you’ll visit some of the medieval hill towns and see some of the beautiful gems that call central Italy home. You’ll begin and end in Rome, and in between you’ll overnight in Spoleto, San Martino in Campo, Siena, and Orvieto.

History fans will be thrilled throughout this Umbria and Tuscany tour. As you travel through the towns in these regions, you’ll learn about the Etruscans, who lived here for centuries before the Roman Empire, and you’ll see remains from periods throughout Italy’s history, including medieval times. Orvieto sits atop a volcanic rock and has a labyrinth of caves carved by Etruscans. You’ll visit these caves as well as Orvieto’s cathedral, dating back to the early 14th century. In Siena, one of Italy's best-preserved medieval towns, you’ll walk through its narrow lanes to Piazza del Campo, perhaps one of the finest piazzas in Europe.

From Siena, you'll also take an excursion to Volterra, a former important Etruscan city, and San Gimignano, a picturesque, perfectly preserved medieval town with its 14 towers from the 13th century. In Narni, a guided visit of the Convent of San Domenico basement reveals a cell where prisoners of the Inquisition wrote graffiti on the walls.

the best of spain

From its world-class art, historical sights, and magnificent cathedrals to its sunny climate and unique cuisine, this is the best way to see the highlights of Spain in a short time! On this escorted tour of Spain, you'll overnight in Madrid, Seville, Granada, Valencia, and Barcelona. Guided sightseeing or a guided walking tour in each city presents you with Spain's must-see attractions.

History buffs will be delighted by visits to Cordoba’s 8th-century Mosque of the Caliphs, a very well-preserved mosque that was converted into a cathedral in the 13th century, and Seville’s magnificent Casa de Pilatos with its splendid collection of Roman sculptures, plus the magnificent Plaza de Espãna. In Granada, visit the Alhambra Complex and the Water Gardens of the Generalife, the oldest decorative garden in the Western World. During your guided walking tour in Valencia, Roman, Moorish, and Spanish history comes alive!

If you’re interested in art and architecture, you’ll be thrilled by the visit to Madrid’s Prado Museum, which houses 8,000 pieces of Western painting. In Barcelona, visit the amazing Sagrada Familia Basilica, the masterpiece of architect Gaudi. But that’s not all…food must be a part of any Spain tour, and Globus has arranged fun treats for you. A special paella dinner has been prepared for you at a local restaurant in Valencia, and you’ll enjoy Sangria, a popular Spanish drink, in Barcelona. These are just a few of the experiences and sights included on this Spain guided tour.

paris, champagne & the french countryside

From its beautiful architecture and historic sites to its stunning countryside and famous cuisine, France is a country sure to delight even the most discerning traveler. This escorted tour through France highlights all of this and more in the Champagne region and the French countryside with overnights in Paris, Metz, Colmar, Mâcon, Avignon, and Marseilles.

France's Champagne region is famous throughout the world and is recognized by UNESCO. On this French guided tour, you will visit Reims in the Champagne region and as a special highlight, you’ll even get a Champagne experience with sabrage! While in Reims, you will also visit the impressive Notre Dame de Reims Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back 800 years and where the Kings of France used to be crowned. In addition to the cathedral in Reims, you'll also visit the magnificent gothic cathedral in Metz and the neo-byzantine Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica in Marseilles, located on the foundations of an ancient fort.