ROME — My first taste of Rome was a sumptuous bowl of rigatoni alla gricia at L’Altra Guancia, located in the neocloassical Prati neighbourhood. A quintessential Roman dish, I revelled in the classic flavours on my first night in Italy. 

It’s all about the details – especially the delicious ones – for clients joining Globus’ Small Group Discovery Tours, launched in 2025 with trips in Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and South Pacific.

That much was clear when Travelweek and a global media group including journalists from the UK, Australia, the U.S. and New Zealand got a preview of Globus’ 2027 ‘Enchanting Italy’ itinerary. The nine-day trip explores the Italian regions of Lazio, Umbria, Tuscany and Veneto. 

There are 10 departures scheduled from May to October 2027. 

“This tour is a good combination of the main cities and enchanting little gems,” explained Jeff Russell, VP, Marketing for the Globus family of brands. “There’s the ability to touch, feel, taste, experience, connect with locals and connect with fellow travellers, Small Group Discovery tours have all the senses coming into play.”  

With each Small Group Discovery tour, participants are transported by mini-coach with complimentary WiFi and (most importantly) a tour director who problem solves, offers advice, coordinates local guides and oversees exclusive access to quintessentially Italian hands-on experiences.  

Venice’s very famous and aptly-named Bridge of Sighs

THE UNESCO TRIO: ROME, FLORENCE & VENICE

Speaking of food, local guides used the analogy of lasagne when speaking of the layers of Italian history we encountered.  

In Rome, we descended the Spanish Steps, tossed coins into Trevi Fountain and stood in awe of the Pantheon, a Roman Catholic Basilica dating back to the seventh century.  

Small plates of bruschetta, arancino and mortadella sandwiches at Mercato Testaccio, a modern food hall located above an archeological site, fuelled our group’s exploration of the Roman Forum. The late day sun illuminated us circling within the Colosseum, imagining ancient spectacles, before dinner and another beloved Roman taste: spaghetti carbonara.  

The stunning Duomo di Firenze should be anyone’s first stop in Florence, clad in alternating layers of eye-catching green, white and pink marble. Noting designer boutiques and stylish shoppers, we learned of the city’s medieval towers, family homes constructed up to 60 to 70 metres, where author Dante Alighieri, father of the Italian language, once lived. 

Palazzo Vecchio, the 13th century Florence town hall, was worthy of many photos. Previously residence to powerful banker and politician Cosimo de’Medici during the Renaissance, crowds gather to see statues of Adam and Eve, Hercules, Perseus holding Medusa’s head, a 20th century copy of Michelangelo’s David, and Palazzo Vecchio’s Fountain of Neptune. Nearby is the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze, where Michelangelo’s original David is on display. 

Just a quick hop from Ponte Vecchio, the covered bridge on the Arno River, we head to Museo Ferragamo to learn of the Italian designer’s storied career. There’s also time for people-watching and aperitivo at Caffe Paszkowski, a fixture on Piazza della Repubblica since 1903. 

A two-hour bullet train ride from Florence delivered us to Santa Lucia station on Venice’s Grand Canal. With luggage transported by Globus mini-coach directly to the hotel, we sampled tramezzini, a Venetian sandwich filled with shrimp, proscuitto or tuna, before a private water taxi tour of the city. This was followed by a gondola ride through narrow canals, seeing the faded grandeur of local residences, spotting The Gritti Palace, the city’s iconic hotel and modern art installations of the Venezia Biennale, the 61st edition running from May until the end of November.  

Standing in Piazza San Marco was breathtaking, with the Torre dell’Orologio, Doge’s Palace, St Mark’s Campanile and the stunning Basilica di San Marco. 

Nearby we were hosted for an exclusive tour of Vecchia Murano, with a demonstration of glassblowing, and then a pizza class with Chef Daniele di Cristoforo of Rossopomodoro and an extensive tasting of Neapolitan pizza, vino bianco and vino rosso.  

Piazza San Marco, Venice

MEDIEVAL TOWNS & HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES

A big differentiator for Globus’ Small Group Discovery tours: the inclusion of smaller towns and cities. On this Enchanting Italy itinerary, our senses got a daily workout. In Umbria, a stop at Frantoio Rinalducci during the olive harvest, we could taste extra-virgin olive oil pressed a few days previous. In the medieval hilltop town of Perugia, home to Baci Perugina, we customized chocolate bars at the artisanal Pasticceria dell’Accademia.  

Near Montepulciano in Tuscany, we toured Enoteca Salcheto, learning from Franco Scalzo how the winery is leaning into sustainability before tasting the award-winning organic wines. 

The group also tried their hand at handmade sheep milk cheese, followed by tasting the aged pecorino at Podere Sant-Anna. 

Laughter was a constant, especially during a pasta-making workshop and lengthy Tuscan lunch at Fattorio Poggio Alloro before braving the crowds in nearby San Gimignano for award-winning Crema di Santa Fina, pine nut and Tuscan saffron gelato at Gelateria Dondoli.  

Piazza Navona, Rome

THE GLOBUS DIFFERENCE

One of the advantages, said Denise Harper, Managing Director Sales Canada, is having a Globus office in Rome. 

“The relationships developed by our Globus Team in Italy have made all the difference to our itineraries,” said Harper.

Whether a first-timer or a repeat visitor, Enchanting Italy offers a memorable experience of Italian history, culture and cuisine.  

Good to know: Air Canada offers direct flights from Toronto and Montreal to Rome and Montreal to Venice, while Air Transat offers direct flights from Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City to Rome and Montreal to Venice. 

Also helpful: Globus’ Independent City Stays, including Rome and Florence, allow clients to choose their own pace and benefit from hand-selected hotels, sightseeing and transport, which can be experienced on its own or paired with a Small Group Discovery tour. For the Enchanting Italy itinerary, optional additions included a Colosseum tour or a Tuscan feast.  

Complete details about Enchanting Italy itinerary can be found here, and click here for more info on Globus Independent Tours and Independent City Stays.

Lead image caption (clockwise from left): Nonstop smiles in Italy with Globus’ Jeff Russell (VP Marketing), Denise Harper (Managing Director of Sales Canada), Lucrezia Giammei (Romitalia Turismo ) and Francesco Nardin (tour director); Florence Duomo; The Colosseum, Rome (all pics courtesy Waheeda Harris)

Sightseeing in Rome with Globus