Guided Holidays
Italian Delight
Italian Delight 2011 is a 12 night holiday, spending 4 nights in each of these delightful cities. Visit the famous sites you’ve dreamt of seeing, as wellas those little out of the way places you might have missed on your own. You’ll stay in carefully selected 3 and 4 * hotels, in the centre of the city. Breakfast and guided half day and full day programmes with expert local guides, as well as ‘welcome’ and ‘farewell’ dinners are included. Some afternoons and evenings are free for indulging your special interests and relaxing.
Dates for 2011: 4th – 16th June.
Price per person: AUD$5400.00 [double/twin share]
AUD$ 900.00 [single supplement]
A deposit of $1000 p/p is required at the time of booking, with the balance due 90 days prior to departure. Payment by credit card via Pay Pal, is available, with a surcharge of 1.3%, or by direct deposit or personal cheque.
Min 4, Max 7 people. Bookings close 1st March, 2011
ITALIAN DELIGHT INCLUSIONS;
Land content only, including 12 nights in 3* or 4* accommodation, carefully selected for its character and position [always in the centre of town]. Twin/share or single [with supplement], all with private facilities.
- 12 Continental breakfasts and 2 dinners [first and last nights].
- Transfers and transportation between cities.
- Guided half day programmes,using the services of an expert local walking guide or driver/ guide in mini-bus.
- 4 free days as per the Itinerary.
- Entrance fees to all venues during guided programmes, as per the Itinerary.
- Your personal guide and programme co-ordinator.
NOT INCLUDED;
- Airfares.
- Meals, apart from breakfasts and 2 dinners.
- Entrances to museums etc during ‘free time’.
- Items of a personal nature, [telephone, laundry etc].
- Travel Insurance [essential].
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Rome:
Arrive in ‘the eternal city’. You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel, where Maggie will be waiting to meet you. Unpack and settle in, then we’ll take a short wander to get our bearings. Our hotel is right in the historical centre of Rome close to all the famous sites. We’ll dine together tonight, it’s our ‘Welcome Dinner’.
Days 2,3 & 4 Rome:
After a leisurely breakfast in the hotel each morning, we’ll join a walking tour to explore this ancient and beautiful city. Our local expert guide will lead us to the famous historical sites including the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, St Peter’s Basilica as well as the fascinating cobblestone back streets and local food markets. Afternoons and evenings are free.
Day 5 Rome to Florence:
Today, we pack our bags and head to the train station. Travelling on the fast train, we’ll be in Florence in less than two hours. Once there, we’ll transfer to our hotel and settle in. There will be time in the afternoon for an orientation walk around the area. Perhaps we’ll indulge in a gelato as we watch the sun go down on the Arno. Evening Free.
DAY 6, 7 & 8 Florence:
Each morning after breakfast, we’ll join our local walking guide to discover the highlights of this city and it’s importance in the Renaissance. We’ll visit Brunelleschi’s famous dome, completed in 1436, the Ponte Vecchio lined with shops of gold, the splendid Boboli Gardens and Maggie will introduce you to the wonderful leather markets. The afternoons and evenings are free for shopping and museums.
DAYS 9 Florence to Venice:
We’re on the move again today. We’ll take the train north to Venice – we’ll be there by lunchtime. The train takes us right to the islands of Venice, then we’ll catch the vaporetto [the water bus] to our hotel, originally a palazzo built in the 1500s. Unpack and we’ll be off to discover and get lost in this amazing place. Don’t worry we’ll find ourselves again. The evening is free. Perhaps this might be the evening for a gondola ride?
DAY 10, 11 & 12 Venice:
As in the other cities, we’ll spend the mornings walking and exploring. We’ll visit the Doges Palace and the famous cathedral and Piazza of San Marco, see the amazing Rialto markets, which have been suppling food to the residents of Venice since 1097 and be wowed by the glass creations this city is so well known for. We’ll criss cross the Grand Canal and try our sea legs on a tragetto. Afternoons and evenings are free, except for the last, when we’ll share our farewell dinner.
DAY 13 Departure:
Sadly, it’s time to say arrivederci. Maggie will see you to the airport or train station, for your onward journey or your return home.
