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| Day
1: TORONTO
- MILAN |
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Departing
from TORONTO on our overnight
transatlantic flight. Dinner and
breakfast on board.  |
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| Day
2: MILAN
- LAGO di GARDA - VERONA - BASSANO
del GRAPPA - PADOVA |
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Arrive
at MILAN's Malpensa airport early
morning, where will be met and
by bus taken for a city tour.
We will see Castel Sforzesco,
where the Visconti family lived
till 1450, il Duomo founded in
1386 and its facade which was
finally completed in 1813, la
Scala (1776-78) , and much more.
Prior to continue for Verona,
the birth place of Giulietta and
Romeo, will have a stop by Lago
di Garda. On arrival in Verona
we will be driven by the old Roman
Arena, perhaps the monument for
which this city is best known
in the entire world, dating back
to the 1st century AD, and is
still now a days capable of accommodating
up to 15,000 spectators, and every
summer is the place for open air
Opera programs. We arrive at the
hotel same day, rest of time free.
After dinner , we take short trip
to Bassano del Grappa to leisurely
sip a grappa digestive at the
" Ponte degli Alpini"
(optional).
Dinner and overnight
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| Day 3: PADOVA
- CASTELFRANCO - VENICE |
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| After
breakfast we depart for VENICE , a city populated
by original mainland habitants who during the 7th
and 8th century sought refuge from the Longbards'
menace, in the Venetian Lagoon. After a short stop
in CASTELFRANCO home of "del Giorgione"
we arrive at Piazzale Roma where we will board a
private launch to make our way along the winding
Canal Grande docking at Piazza San Marco. Upon disembarking
from our launch, we will be met by a waiting bilingual
guide to take us sightseeing the many marvels that
only this unique city can offer, the Bridge of Sighs,
the great Basilica of San Marco built in the 9th
century to guard the mortal remains of St Mark stolen
from Egypt by two Venetian merchants, the Gothic
Palazzo Ducale, (entrance optional )., the clock
tower (1496-1499), and for the romantic why not
a ride on the "gondola" (ride optional),
rest of day at leisure . Return to hotel for dinner
and overnight
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| Day 4: VICENZA
- PADOVA - PISA - MONTECATINI |
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| This
morning we will take a short excursion to VICENZA an old
Roman city also known for its gold and silver artifacts,
then on to PADOVA where the great Basilica, ( construction
began in 1231 but was not completed till the 14th century
), guards the mortal remains of the Saint, many work of
art by Giotto and Donatello can be seen in this magnificent
church. Continuing on to MONTECATINI ,by first stopping
in PISA where we can admire the beauty of Piazza dei Miracoli,
with its Baptistery, the Cathedral, the leaning Tower,
arriving directly to the hotel same day . Dinner, overnight
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| Day 5: MONTECATINI
- FLORENCE - ASSISI |
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| After
breakfast and having refreshed ourselves with the famous
medicinal waters of the Terme we are off to Florence the
birthplace of the Renaissance. Upon arrival we will be
treated with a guided city tour, to admire the works of
art, and sceneries that only this Florentine city can
offer, the imposing dome of the Duomo dedicated to Santa
Maria del Fiore which along with its Baptistery constitute
the spiritual heart of the city, Piazza Signoria, Ponte
Vecchio, and a breathtaking view of the city from Piazzale
Michelangelo. After enjoying some free time for shopping
or just walk the narrow streets of the city, we will make
our way to ASSISI, where on arrival we will visit the
newly restored Basilica of St. Francis (circa 1228) the
most decorated place of worship in the entire country
, it consists in two superimposed churches of which the
lower serve to host the body of the Saint, its artistic
treasures consists of frescos by many Italian Masters
of the Renaissance, we will, as well visit Santa Maria
degli Angeli a 5th-6th century basilica with the chapel
of Porziuncola. Rest of time free. Dinner and overnight.
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| Day 6: ASSISI
- ROME |
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| This
morning after an early breakfast, we will leave this tranquil
city of ASSISI headed for ROME the Eternal City, directly
to the hotel. Rest of day free. Dinner and overnight
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| Day 7: ROME
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breakfast the full morning is free for shopping
or just at your leisure. In the afternoon will take
guided city tour visiting the Vatican, the Coliseum,
Fontana di Trevi, the Forum, and many other sites
of the city. Dinner and overnight
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| Day 8: ROME
- CASERTA - SORRENTO |
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| After
breakfast we depart for SORRENTO with a stop first in
CASERTA where we will visit the "Reggia" ( Royal
Palace ) with its gardens, cascades and statues, to arrive
in SORRENTO directly to the hotel the same day, rest of
time free. Dinner and overnight
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| Day 9: SORRENTO
- CAPRI |
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This
day is totally dedicated for an excursion to the enchanted
island of CAPRI, a miracle of Mediterranean nature run
wild to built high rocky spires known as the Faraglioni,
and the Grotta Azzurra
( visit is optional). The local famous piazzetta is an
inviting place to restore yourself by sipping an "aperitivo"
or "un caffe' espresso" and who knows, you may
even be able to rub shoulders with some famous personalities
that frequently sit as you do, having a coffee. If sitting
for refreshment is not in your plan you may simply stroll
"nelle viuzze" of Capri admiring its many hidden
sights such as Villa Iovis with its extraordinary panoramic
view and the place in which emperor Tiberius in 26 A.D.
retired till his death in 37A.D. Return to our hotel in
SORRENTO same day in time for dinner. Overnight
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| Day 10: SORRENTO
- PAOLA - AMANTEA |
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| This
morning after breakfast we leave for southern Italy
in part via the AMALFITAN COAST arriving in PAOLA
/AMANTEA where we may visit the Shrine of San Francesco
di Paolo, and surroundings Dinner and overnight
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| Day 11: AMANTEA
- REGGIO CALABRIA - MESSINA - PALERMO |
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| This
early morning we leave for REGGIO CALABRIA where
we will visit the Museum hosting the Bronzi di Riace.
We will, later, take the ferry to cross the strait
to MESSINA where time permitting we will visit its
famous "orologio", on to PALERMO arriving
same day. Dinner and overnight
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| Day 12: PALERMO
- MONREALE - SEGESTA - AGRIGENTO - TAORMINA |
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After
breakfast , we will take a guided city tour of this historic
PALERMO although of Punic foundations its name is of Greek
origin Panormos ( Large Port), and was in various times
dominated by Arabs ( 9th and 11th century), the Norman's
(1072). Behind Palermo at the south-western limits standing
on a panoramic site overlooking the celebrated Conca d'Oro
lies MONREALE, a very old town famous for its cathedral,
the greatest example of Norman architecture in Sicily.
The Duomo whose arches are supported by 228 slender twin
columns with capitals delicately sculpted with motifs
of Biblical inspiration, was built in 1174.
Afternoon we depart for
AGRIGENTO via SEGESTA ( Greek Egesta) an archeological
site of great interest with its Temple standing on an
isolated position is in a perfect state of preservation,
and it is on a base of three steps and takes the form
of a Doric peristyle, with six columns on the faces and
14 on the sides. We continue on to AGRIGENTO where our
eyes can feast on the wonderful sights of the "Valle
dei Templi", ancient sacred place of Akragas one
of the most important colonies of the Greek Empire. Other
outstanding imposing remains are the unfinished Temple
of Giove Olimpico, ed il Tempio della Concordia which
is indeed exceptionally well preserved, and many other
sights mostly belonging to 5th century BC. Arrive in TAORMINA
same day in time for dinner and overnight.
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| Day 13: TAORMINA |
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| Today
after breakfast we will visit the city with its
exceptional remains of the Greek Theater. Originally
erected in Hellenistic times, the theater was re-built
by the Romans and converted into an amphitheater.
Rest of day at leisure. Dinner and overnight.
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| Day 14: TAORMINA
- ETNA - LE GOLE di ALCANTARA |
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| This
day we ascent the active volcano of Etna to an altitude
of 1,800 meters offering a most breathtaking sight
rarely seen on earth. Higher ascent optional on
the spot. We will see the Gola d' Alcantara a deep
gorge carved by the Alcantara river on the edge
of the northern slopes of Etna, before returning
to the hotel in time for dinner and overnight
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| Day 15: END
OF TOUR |
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| Early
breakfast depart for Catania's airport to board your flight
via Rome homeward bound.
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| Dates/Prices: |
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| Departure Dates from Toronto |
Rates |
Return Dates to Toronto |
| 27 May |
$ 2,999.00 Adults /Child $1950.00 |
10 June |
| 28 June |
$ 3,199.00 Adults /Child $2999.00 |
12 July |
| 15 July |
$ 3,199.00 Adult / Child $2,999.00
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29 July |
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Triple deduct $125.00 to
the third person
Land only Adult/ Child $ 1970.00
Long stays add $99.00
Weekend returns add $30.00.
Deviations add $35.00
Single supplement $ 450.00
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| Includes: |
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Your
15 day and 13 nights tour will include: Air transportation
Daily
breakfast and dinner
Wine (1/4) and mineral water with dinners
accommodation in a 3-4 star hotel
Land transportation on a modern air conditioned motorcoach
service
of bilingual guide
Admissions as per itinerary.
Does not include: Items of
personal nature
Phone calls
Beverages except as mentioned
Tips including bus driver & gratuities.
insurance which is strongly recommended
visit to the Grotto in Capri and Museums
Note: itinerary may change
without notice (force majeure).
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| Our Hotel Partners: |
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| Padova: |
Hotel Filanda |
| Montecatini: |
Hotel Palace |
| Assisi: |
Hotel Villaverde |
| Rome: |
Hotel Parco Tirreno |
| Sorrento: |
Hotel Royal Palace |
| Amanda: |
Hotel La Tonnara |
| Palermo: |
Hotel Politeama |
| Taormina: |
Hotel Ramada Inn Giardini
Naxos |
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