Milan, Italy

Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2011

Shopping, dining and partying are serious business in chic Milan, Italy's most sophisticated and prosperous city. This financial and commercial center of Italy attracts fashionistas, world-famous designers, business leaders, opera lovers and other fans of all ages. The city is also home to many artistic treasures including the restored "Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci as well as the majestic Duomo, the world's largest Gothic cathedral, presiding over the Piazza that bears its name. Milan is also home to the world's most beautiful shopping mall, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

Several tours begin in Rome and end in Milan, but airfare can be expensive in and out of two cities, so many clients choose to include Milan when just visiting northern Italy and parts of Switzerland. Milan and Italian Treasures for example, is a popular choice.

Italy Tour Review

Posted on Thursday, July 07, 2011

TRIP TO ITALY: 1/08/10 - 1/21/10
Insight Vacations:  Easy Pace Italy

My experience in Italy was well worth ever penny it cost me. From the travel agency: Atlas Travel and our agent Cheryl Kennedy, she was so patient with me and answered every question that concerned me. I would definitely use Cheryl again as our travel agent and I can speak for my son Michael and my daughter Jill as well who traveled with me to Italy.

Our tour director: Francis Touscheck’s knowledge of the history of Italy was amazing. Every detail of every city and village that we traveled to was even more interesting because of Francis’ expertise. Not only was he a great tour guide, but also a very nice, friendly man. He was very funny at times and serious when he had to be. He went out of his way to take us to places that were not on the tour. If we had time, he would have our driver take us to other sites and let us get out of the bus to have a “Kodak moment.” He did that in every city that we were in. The unexpected was always a nice surprise.

When we were on our own, Francis always took the time to help and guide us in the right direction, so we wouldn’t get lost; although, he often did say we should get lost and take in as many sites as we could on our own. He left all of us his mobile phone number so we could find him at any time. As we departed Roma at 6:30am, Francis bought breakfast for me and my son and daughter and two other people from our tour as we sadly headed home. Those were the little perks that Francis did for us.

Thank you sooooooo much Francis. As I remember our trip to Italy, I will remember you, Francis made it so much more than I could have ever expected. I¹m ready to go back, because I left my heart in Italy. “Grazie

Pino, our bus driver was much more than a bus driver, He was such a caring and helpful man. He always helped us out of the bus; God knows I needed some help now and then.

Pino was able to maneuver his bus in the smallest spaces and often-times we gave him applause…Pino, you were the “greatest,” your expertise in driving through the countryside through rain and fog never made me nervous. I trusted you 100%. “Grazie”

I will never forget either of you, hopefully, one day, we will meet again.

Contributed by:  J. Abatemarco

Insight vacations offers premier escorted vacations in Europe and North America.  Their Easy Pace vacations are quite popular as they offer longer stays in all the major cities. Click here for more information on Insight trips.

Venice Carnevale

Posted on Thursday, June 30, 2011

Winter in Venice shines with a different glow – a pale, almost lemon-hued sun pushes through the mist that rises from the lagoon. And in those heady days before Lent descends, the streets pulse with a cadenced rhythm that rises and falls with the light: It is Carnevale with its grand gala evening costume balls in ancient palazzos and casual piazza afternoon soirees with hand-held masks. At once bright and chatty, shrouded and whispered. Are you ready to experience the magic? Choose this extraordinary escape – Venice Carnevale – a fivenight homage to a millennium-old celebration. The city’s Grand Canal and those who wander its alleyways and bridges are transformed into characters in one of life’s great plays.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF VENICE CARNEVALE
Since 1162 Farewell, meat! From the Latin, comes today’s Carnevale. All meat, butter, and eggs had to be consumed before the liturgical season of Lent began, and so became a superb excuse for a religious celebration – one that harked back to pagan festivities. Venice Carnevale first commemorated a military victory on Shrove Tuesday, but in 1228 the first “masks” appeared, and a new celebration was born. The 18th century – and its excesses – allowed Carnevale to blossom. A decline in the 1900s was reversed in the latter part of the century, and this historic tradition was revived in earnest. Within a few years the image of the masked reveler – unique to Venice Carnevale – had become an icon worldwide.

Want to Experience a Luxury package to the 2011 Carnivale? Visit EscortedItalyTours.com

Globus Family Unveils New Winter Getaways

Posted on Tuesday, June 29, 2010

The Globus family of brands has expertly designed and unveiled more than 30 “low season” vacations, including two NEW itineraries with Globus and Monograms, offering Americans a plethora of opportunities to travel abroad at unbeatable prices this fall, winter and next spring.

In addition to its already robust selection of holiday tours and cruises and winter vacation packages across Europe, Globus is introducing a NEW, nine-day Christmas in Paris & New Year’s Eve in London itinerary, priced from $1,599. And, capitalizing on America’s interest in Ireland, Monograms is providing travelers a NEW four-day Dublin Getaway, priced from $517.

“Winter is a great time for Americans to make European travel dreams come true,” said Steve Born, vice president of marketing for the Globus family of brands. “They can take a vacation at a reduced price, while avoiding the crowds that converge during the summer travel months.”

From holiday cruises on the Main and Danube rivers to tours across Europe ranging from seven to 29 days as well as 10 independent vacation packages, the Globus family of brands’ “European Winter Vacations” offer unparalleled savings to fit any travel style.

“Not only are we giving travelers a large selection of tours, cruises and independent vacations from which to choose a phenomenal European vacation,” said Born. “We are offering them savings of up to 40 percent on air and 15 percent on land, compared to peak season pricing.”

Even more chances to save are available for those who plan ahead and book early: Travelers can save $200 per couple on Globus family of brands’ 2010/11 European Winter vacations when booking air-inclusive with Alitalia by July 27, 2010.* Sample fares start as low as $415/person.

European Tours

Posted on Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Europe is a place of wonders, an intriguing past and timeless elegance.  Here, watch history come live as you explore the destinations of your choice.  Saver new foods and discover new passions.  Shop for exquisite fashion and wander bustling markets for the best bargains.  Let some of the most renowned theatres in the world excite and entertain you.  Discover lands where fairytale castles exist and real kings, queens and princess rule.  Europe is charming and positively magical, alluring, enchanting, enthralling and it's where Harry Potter, Shakespeare , Sherlock Holmes and "Angles & Demons" come to life.

Europe is defined in its thriving cities, breathtaking countryside, quaint pubs and the world's finest museums.  A day in Europe could be a day of sightseeing, romance or just a long afternoon sitting at a sidewalk cafe.

We welcome you to research your next European tour by destination, or by clicking on our preferred travel partners.

Here is our network of Europe travel destination sites:
Atlas Cruises & Tours| Christmas Market Tours | England Tours | Escorted Family Vacations | France Tours | Greece Tours| Ireland Tours | Italy Tours | Luxury Tour |Oberammergau | River Cruise | Russia Tours | Scandinavia Tours | Spain Tours

We also have specialty European Tour Operators sites:
Contiki Tours | Cosmos Tours | General Tours | Globus Tours | Insight Tours | Tauck Tours | Trafalgar Tours