Early Booking Savings: Put down a non-refundable deposit and save $175 per person OR pay in full and save $350 per person. Offer expires June 30, 2016.

UNCOVER THE EXTRAORDINARY HIDDEN TREASURES OF VENICE AND NORTHERN ITALY

SEPTEMBER 15 - 24, 2017 10 DAYS

Po River Cruise Tour aboard RIVER COUNTESS

2017

GEMS OF NORTHERN ITALY MILAN - VERONA - VENICE - PADUA - POLESELLA - BOLOGNA or

FERRARA - TAGLIO DI PO - VENICE ISLAND - BURANO - MAZZARBO

CRUISE HOLIDAYS OF CLARKSON 1739 LAKESHORE ROAD WEST, MISSISSAUGA, ON L5J 1J4 905.855.1700 | 1.866.919.2111 | FAX: 905.855.1701 [email protected] www.clarksontravel.ca

TICO 50015708

GEMS OF NORTHERN ITALY 2017

You’ll encounter unforgettable sights on this odyssey through Northern Italy that begins in Milan, home to Da Vinci’s The Last Supper, and ends in legendary Venice, the “Queen of the Adriatic.” These two iconic cities bookend an exploration of Northern Italy that rewards the curious traveller with amazing experiences in Verona, Padua, Bologna and Ferrara. Travel from dynamic Milan to romantic Venice. Soak up the enchantment of “The City of Water” and two outer lying Venetian islands, Burano and Mazzorbo. Be treated to an exclusive evening opening and lighting ceremony at St. Mark’s Basilica. Discover the charm of seaside Chioggia loved by fishermen and artists alike. Enjoy a multi-course lunch complete with wine pairings at a historic wine estate in Valpolicella. Explore medieval Padua, once home to Galileo and Copernicus; “bountiful” Bologna; Verona, the famed city of Romeo and Juliet; and UNESCO-designated Ferrara. Each of these enchanting locales is yours to uncover on the “Gems of Northern Italy.”

FRIDAY, SEPT 15

DAY 1: MILAN Arrive at Milan Malpensa Airport, where you will be transferred to your hotel. Accommodation: STARHOTEL ROSA GRAND (or similar)



B

SATURDAY, SEPT 16

DAY 2: MILAN FEATURED EXCURSION: Milan city tour with visit to Da Vinci’s The Last Supper.

Vibrant Milan is the fashion and design capital of Italy. Today you’ll explore this dazzling city and encounter two of its greatest sights—the towering Gothic cathedral and Da Vinci’s astounding The Last Supper. Accommodation: STARHOTE ROSA GRAND (or similar)



B

SUNDAY, SEPT 17

DAY 3: MILAN, VERONA, TRANSFER TO VENICE (EMBARK) FEATURED EXCURSIONS: Verona, “City of Romeo and Juliet,” and Valpolicella wine estate lunch Head to Venice today, stopping en route in Verona—home to Shakespeare’s tragic Romeo and Juliet. Outside fair Verona, enjoy a tasting and multi-course lunch at a beautiful Valpolicella wine estate. In magical Venice, you will board your ship and embark on your exploration of the “Queen of the Adriatic.” Accommodation: UNIWORLD RIVER COUNTESS



DAY 4: VENICE

MONDAY, SEPT 18

FEATURED EXCURSIONS: Venice walking discovery tour and exclusive evening–opening of St. Mark’s Basilica Wind through Venice’s labyrinthine back lanes on a walking tour that features the city’s top sights and a Venetian glassmaking demonstration. This evening, you’re in for a once-in-a-lifetime experience—a crowd-free, after-hours visit inside St. Mark’s Basilica. In the evening, enjoy a Captain’s Welcome Reception and Gala Dinner. Note: It is not always possible to arrange after-hours visits to St. Mark’s Basilica. If religious functions or festivities are taking place in the evening, we will visit during regular hours. Accommodation: UNIWORLD RIVER COUNTESS

DAY 5: CHIOGGIA (PADUA)

TUESDAY, SEPT 19

FEATURED EXCURSION: Padua walking discovery tour Enjoy magnificent views of “The Floating City’s” greatest sights, including the Grand Canal, as your ship departs Venice. Visit the medieval walled city of Padua, walking through ancient arcades and porticos to Palazzo della Ragione, Padua’s historic city centre, and enjoy a treat at a local café. Accommodation: UNIWORLD RIVER COUNTESS

DAY 6: POLESELLA (BOLOGNA OR FERRARA) FEATURED EXCURSIONS: Choice of full-day excursion to Bologna with exclusive pasta-making workshop with lunch OR half-day excursion to Ferrara with lunch on-board. Spend the day in Bologna, Italy’s culinary capital, an ideal place to learn the art of making pasta. Or, spend a half day in Ferrara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a long history as a centre for the arts. Accommodation: UNIWORLD RIVER COUNTESS

WEDNESDAY, SEPT 20

DAY 7 TAGLIO DI PO, CHIOGGIA, VENICE

THURSDAY, SEPT 21

FEATURED EXCURSIONS: Chioggia with choice of market visit with seafood lunch OR mussel harvest experience. There’s no better place to indulge in Italy’s famed frutti di marethan Chioggia, a colorful fishing village on the Venice Lagoon. Stroll through the town’s bustling fish market with a guide before indulging in a fresh and flavorful seafood lunch. Or, head to a casoni (fisherman’s hut) to learn the art of mussel harvesting from local fishermen. You’ll get to steam your own freshly gathered mussels in prosecco and enjoy them on the waterfront—a unique culinary treat. Later, head to the Sun Deck of your luxury ship to take in views of two more Venice Lagoon isles: sleepy Pellestrina, and Lido, home to the prestigious Venice Film Festival. Accommodation: UNIWORLD RIVER COUNTESS



FRIDAY, SEPT 22

DAY 8 VENICE ISLAND (BURANO AND MAZZORBO)

FEATURED EXCURSION: Full-day “The Magic Islands of Venice” tour: colorful Burano with lace making and peaceful Mazzorbo with wine tasting. Spend the day exploring the Venice Lagoon and two of its most notable islands. Stroll through Burano with its rainbow of cheerful and colorful homes. Learn the history and importance of lace making, which dates back to the 16th century. Then go to the island of Mazzorbo for a very special wine tasting, as it is here where the time-honored and historical grape variety, Dorona, has been planted to yield the liquid Gold of Native Venice, Prosecco. Accommodation: UNIWORLD RIVER COUNTESS

DAY 9: VENICE



SATURDAY, SEPT 23

FEATURED EXCURSIONS: Choice of exclusive “Do as the Locals Do” Venice walking tour OR “Venetian Painters at the Accademia” tour with art-historian guide Get a feel for daily life in Venice with a guided stroll through the bustling Rialto Market, or tour the renowned Accademia Gallery with an art historian. In the evening, enjoy a Captain’s Farewell Reception and Gala Dinner. Accommodation: UNIWORLD RIVER COUNTESS

DAY 10: VENICE (DISEMBARK) TRANSFER TO AIRPORT



SUNDAY, SEPT 24

Disembark the ship and transfer to Venice Marco Polo International Airport for your flight home.

B

UNIWORLD

RIVER COUNTESS

CRUISE / TOUR PRICE Cabin Category Double Occupancy Rate CAD

Single Occupancy Rate CAD

5

$5,439

$7,728

4

$5,754

$8,043

3

$6,098

$8,387

2

$6,438

$8,727

1

$7,014

$9,303

Suite

$8,614

$17,228

Dates and tour information are subject to change once the 2017 brochure is available. Deposit: $300 per person non-refundable at time of booking. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Early Booking Savings Offer: By making the non refundable deposit at the time of booking you will receive a discount of $175.00 per person. Promotion expire June 30, 2016. OR By making the full payment at time of booking you will receive a discount of $350.00 per person. Promotion expires June 30, 2016. The above discounts are not combinable with each other.

YOUR ALL-INCLUSIVE CRUISE TOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES

DINING:

* All meals on-board, prepared using the finest and freshes ingredients * 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners * Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions * Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners * Unlimited beverages on-board, including wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, specialty coffee and tea,and mineral water

EXCURSIONS:

* 8 days of excursions, including “Choice Is Yours” options, fully hosted by English speaking local experts * Guided “Do as the Locals Do” and “Gentle Walking” programs * State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio headset system on all excursions * Use of Nordic walking sticks

ACCOMMODATIONS:

* 7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the impressive River Countess * 2 nights in Milan at Starhotel Rosa Grand (or similar) with breakfast * Lavishly appointed riverview staterooms and suites have handcrafted Savoir of England beds, highthread count 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and European duvets, and a menu of pillow options * Free Internet and Wi-Fi access

EXPERIENCES:

* 1 country: Italy * 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites * Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager * All transfers on arrival and departure days * All gratuities, both on-board and onshore * Captivating on-board local entertainment * Cultural enrichment, including a Signature Lecture: “La Serenissima: The Lagoons of Venice”

IMPORTANT:

»» All prices are in Canadian Dollars unless otherwise stated. Single occupancy space is limited. »» Travel Insurance: We recommend the purchase of travel insurance at the time of booking (within 72 hours). This qualifies you for the Manulife “Cancel For Any Reason” benefit and protects 50% of your travel investment. »» This package does not include the following: Travel Insurance, air fare, use of telephone in staterooms and hotels, items purchased at the Gift Shop, optional shore excursions that might be offered in addition to our daily program. TOUR BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS Travellers must report any disability that would require special attention while on tour at the time the reservation is made. CH Clarkson is not responsible for any denial of services by air carriers, hotels, restaurants, or other suppliers as a result to such disability. A qualified and physically able companion must accompany travellers who need such assistance and must assume full responsibility for their well being. Travellers accept by virtue of this booking, that Cruise Holidays of Clarkson has the right and authority to accept or reject any tour participant and to remove such participant if in the judgment of CH Clarkson the participant’s behaviour interferes with the well being and enjoyment by the other participants. Cruise Holidays of Clarkson will not refund or cover any cost or expenses incurred for such termination of vacation arrangements. The tour participant agrees that Cruise Holidays of Clarkson shall not be liable for any damage, loss (including personal injury, death, and property loss), or expenses occasioned by any act or omission of any supplier providing services. Cruise Holidays of Clarkson shall not be responsible for any changes to the itinerary as outlined in the brochure by the tour suppliers.

CRUISE HOLIDAYS OF CLARKSON 1739 LAKESHORE ROAD WEST, MISSISSAUGA, ON L5J 1J4 905.855.1700 | 1.866.919.2111 | FAX: 905.855.1701 [email protected] www.clarksontravel.ca