FLORENCE & ROME APRIL 7 13, $2,274 PER PERSON, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY

GROUP A FLORENCE & ROME APRIL 7 – 13, 2017 - $2,274 PER PERSON, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY TOUR FEATURES ITALY •Hotel accommodation for 6 nights - 3 nights ...
Author: Samuel Watkins
1 downloads 0 Views 2MB Size
GROUP A

FLORENCE & ROME APRIL 7 – 13, 2017 -

$2,274 PER PERSON, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY TOUR FEATURES

ITALY

•Hotel accommodation for 6 nights - 3 nights Florence - 3 nights Rome •Included meals consisting of: - Daily buffet breakfast - Welcome dinners in Florence - Farewell dinner with entertainment in Rome •Touring by private deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach •Assistance of professional English speaking local guides •Half day city tour in Rome & Florence •Audience with Pope in Rome •Airport transfers with English speaking hostess •Hospitality desk at each hotel with Central Holidays staff •Porterage at the hotel •Hotel taxes and service charges

Florence

Rome

SICILY 1

Day 1 I Apr 7 I Florence We welcome you to Florence, Italy, where you

will be met by a Central Holidays representative and transferred to your hotel in this magnificent city. Today you have the exquisite opportunity to discover Italy’s “La Dolce Vita” – The Good Life – at your own pace with the afternoon and evening at leisure. Take your time to delve into the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Home to da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and other artists, scientists, and thinkers whose works influence our modern world, exploring Florence is like walking through an Italian masterpiece. Meander through its cobblestone medieval alleyways that weave you past luxurious shops, resplendent architecture, and trattorias that beckon you to taste the area’s famed Tuscan cuisine. Stroll along the postcard-perfect Ponte Vecchio; sample delectable wines or decadent gelato; shop the city’s renowned leather district; or remaining motionless in awe at the magnificent view of Italy’s Florence from the top of the Renaissance masterpiece that is Brunelleschi's Duomo.

Day 2 I Apr 8 I Florence After breakfast at your hotel, embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Florence, with a visit to the most important sights of the city including such attractions as Michelangelo Square for a panoramic view of the city, the Accademia where Michelangelo’s original “David” statue resides (no entrance is included), Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery with its “Gates of Paradise” doors, Signoria Square and Santa Croce Church. Return to your hotel with time to relax or explore before the evening’s activities. Tonight we will head to Palazzo Pitti and its world-famous Boboli Gardens where you will be greeted by a celebratory cocktail and enjoy an authentic Tuscan feast for your welcome dinner. Return to your Florence hotel.

Day 3 I Apr 9 I Florence Enjoy breakfast at your hotel…then Florence beckons! A full day at leisure means the choices are yours for the taking in this inspirational city. Opt for one of the many optional excursions offered or venture off on your own. Take-in amazing Renaissance architecture, world-renown paintings and sculptures, fine leatherwork and jewelry, plus sumptuous food, wine, and culture in a city brimming with historical attractions. To explore more of Tuscany, consider an optional day trip excursion to Cinque Terre, Siena, San Gimignano or Pisa.

Day 4 I Apr 10 I Rome This morning after breakfast at your hotel, depart from Florence and head to Rome as you continue your amazing Italian adventure. On the way to Rome we will stop to visit either Orvieto or Arezzo, medieval cities with plenty of history and important monuments. After checking-in to your hotel in Rome you will have the rest of the day at leisure to enjoy this magical city. For thousands of years, Rome’s prosperity, culture, art, and cuisine have beckoned travelers from across the world. Dubbed “the Eternal City”, this cosmopolitan destination is a place where modern buildings stand beside ancient ruins waiting to be explored.

Day 5 I Apr 11 I Rome After breakfast at your hotel in Rome, embark on a guided panoramic tour of the city where you will re-live history as you take in such sites as the Roman Forum and the Colosseum as well as its many ornate fountains, imperial monuments, and lively piazzas. The balance of the day is yours to enjoy one of our optional tours to discover in a deeper way the Eternal city or the surroundings of Rome. Here you can soak in the Italian culture as you stroll past Roman ruins, absorb the impressive architecture, explore everything from Imperial temples to earlyChristian churches and medieval bell towers to baroque basilicas and playful piazzas, or taste the mouthwatering regional food and wine at a local trattoria. Take an opportunity to enjoy local gelato as you people watch at the Spanish Steps, then toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure your return to Rome!

Day 6 I Apr 12 I Rome Today’s excitement begins with a visit to Vatican City for the Papal Audience experience (subject to the availability of Pope Francis).Within the city you can visit St. Peter’s Square & St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. Ascend the stairs to overlook the square from St. Peter’s Basilica as part of your tour of the famed church, or marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpiece high above on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The Vatican Museums are home to some of the world’s most famous paintings and sculptures. This afternoon free time invites you to delve into Rome or to visit one of its surrounding cities on an optional excursion. Tonight we will transfer you from your hotel to La Nuvola Conference Center for a delightful farewell dinner.

Day 7 I Apr 13 I Departure You will enjoy breakfast and then a transfer to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport for your departure flight back home and cherished memories of your authentically rich adventure in Italy. Please note: The program may be subject to changes.

GROUP (A) RATES

2

Single $3,224

Double $2,274

Triple $2,160

Child $1,200

OPTIONAL TOURS - ROME

Catacombs - Half Day Tour (approx. 4 hrs.) - $61 per person

Catacombs are ancient underground cemeteries; the catacombs here in Rome were mainly used by Christians (and occasionally Jews) from the 2nd to the 5th centuries AD. At the time underground burial was popular due to the high price of land, and for the sense of community it gave. For persecuted Christians in pre-Christian Rome, underground burial meant they were free to worship their Biblical martyrs and prophets, and to display Biblical iconography (a big no-no in the Roman era).Because burial within Rome's walls was forbidden by law, all of the city's catacombs are located on the outskirts of modern Rome, typically along major roadways (two ancient catacombs, for example, are located along the Appian Way).

Gladiator School - Half Day Tour (approx. 4 hrs.) - $96 per person

Find out what it takes to be an ancient Roman gladiator at the Gladiator School of Rome. During a hands-on lesson with instructors from the Historic Group of Rome, learn how to fight with authentic weapons of the time while wearing a traditional gladiator tunic and belt. Located on the Appian Way not far from the Colosseum, this class is a unique and interactive way to learn about ancient Roman history, sports and culture. Select a lesson time when booking.

Imperial Rome & Colosseum – Half Day Tour (approx. 4 hrs.) - $70 per person

Arriving by coach at Piazza Venezia you then continue on foot to the famous Piazza Del Campidoglio designed by Michelangelo from where you will have a fantastic view of the Roman Forum. By coach we will then drive by the Circus Maximus and the Aventino Hill. Stop to admire the beautiful statue of Moses by Michelangelo located in the Church of St. Peter’s in Chains from where it will take us 5 minutes to reach the symbol of the eternal city: The Colosseum. Rome's Colosseum, is one of the world's best-known sites from antiquity, and for something built in 80 AD, it's holding up very well. It was here that the Roman emperors watched gladiators stage battles to the death and hunt wild animals. The Colosseum set the model for all modern-day stadiums — the only difference being that today's teams survive their games. The stadium was built so that both royalty and the public could enjoy the violent spectacles, although viewers were seated by social rank and wealth. While gladiatorial games were banned in 438 AD, the wild beast hunting continued until 523 AD. The Colosseum is also known for its complex and advanced architecture, much of which is still intact despite the site being used as a quarry for building materials at various points in history.

Roman Fountains - Half Day Tour (approx. 4 hrs.) - $49 per person

Stunningly beautiful marble masterpieces and historical squares. Visitors can count on finding a great number of fountains in Rome. They run the gamut from Renaissance masterpieces that gracefully decorate the city's central squares to the "nasone" or noses, smaller iron fountains that dot the city offering a fresh taste of drinkable water and the chance to freshen up in the blistering summer temperatures. This tour offers up the city's landmark fountains in the center, adding historical information and tips on the history--or the legends--behind them.

Rome by Night with Dinner - Half Day Tour (approx. 4 hrs.) - $105 per person

See the sights of the Eternal City lit up at night on this evening tour of Rome that includes a multicourse dinner. You’ll begin at a restaurant near the Trevi Fountain for a traditional Italian meal of pasta, a meat dish and dessert. Then take a walk around the area, part of Rome’s historical center, to enjoy the nighttime ambience before your panoramic city tour of illuminated attractions like the Colosseum and St Peter’s Basilica. You’ll end in Trastevere.

Time Elevator - Half Day Tour (approx. 4 hrs.) - $42 per person

It’s an exciting journey that involves all the senses. Thanks to digital-mechanical and stereoscopic technologies you can go back in time and learn more about history, science, art and nature: a great launch pad to the most exciting explorations of our time. Anyone who enters into the Time Elevator enters into the history of Rome, flies back in time to the legend of Romulus and Remus and the founding of the city, seeing victories and defeats, development and decline of the Roman Empire. And then later in the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance with the events of the Popes until the Fascist period and the present day. It’s an original and funny way to present a scenic trip in the major historical moments of the City and its artistic treasures to the audience. It’s the perfect way to complete the city and its monuments tour. Time Elevator Experience carries and projects the viewer towards the most significant events from a totally unique perspective, experiencing in first person a virtual contact with historical figures who have marked the main stages of the epic of Rome.

Tivoli - Villa D'Este - Half Day Tour (approx. 4 hrs.) - $79 per person

The Italian town of Tivoli, set just east of Rome, is home to two famous historical sites: the UNESCO-listed Villa d'Este garden and palace complex, and Hadrian's Villa (Villa Adriana), the grand second-century residence of Emperor Hadrian. The sites are often visited on day trips from Rome. Built in 1560, Villa d'Este was the vision of Cardinal Ippolito II d'Este. The famous site's magnificent garden features grottoes, fountains and water sculptures, all open to the public thanks to the Italian government. Over the centuries, the villa and its gardens have been extensively remodeled, left to decay, renovated and bombed during World War II.

Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel - Half Day Tour (approx. 4 hrs.) - $77 per person

The world-famous Sistine Chapel, located inside the Pope's residence in the Vatican, is known the world over for a variety of reasons, including one that directly relates to the papacy: The Sistine Chapel is where cardinals gather to elect a new pope (known as the Papal Conclave).There's also the fact that the chapel's ceiling is pure art, a fresco painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512. The huge fresco depicts the creation of the world and packs a powerful artistic punch heightened by a recent renovation that reinstated the true color and depth of the original piece. Michelangelo also painted the magnificent Last Judgment fresco on the altar wall in 1537. It should be noted that speaking is forbidden in the chapel to further preserve the art, as talking produces large amounts of hot, humid air, which can be damaging. Crowd control and a heating and cooling system work to protect the work. Named after Pope Sixtus IV (1414-1484), who renovated an old chapel and commissioned the first artworks here, the chapel also contains important works by Renaissance heavyweights such as Raphael, Bernini and Botticelli. 3

OPTIONAL TOURS - FLORENCE Accademia - Half Day Tour (4 hrs.) - $58 per person

The Galleria dell'Accademia was founded in 1784 by Pietro Leopoldo, Grand Duke of Tuscany and has housed the original David by Michelangelo since 1873. The sculpture was allegedly brought to the Accademia for reasons of conservation, although other factors were involved in its move from its previous outdoor location on Piazza della Signoria. The original intention was to create a 'Michelangelo museum', with original sculptures and drawings, to celebrate the fourth centenary of the artist's birth. Today, the gallery's small collection of Michelangelo's work includes his four unfinished Prisoners, intended for the tomb of Pope Julius II, and a statue of Saint Matthew, also unfinished. In 1939, these were joined by a Pietà discovered in the Barberini Chapel in Palestrina, though experts now consider its attribution to Michelangelo to be dubious. The "David" in the Accademia is the original. There is a replica in the Piazza della Signoria. Other works on display are Florentine paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries, including works by Paolo Uccello, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Sandro Botticelli and Andrea del Sarto; and, from the High Renaissance, Giambologna's original plaster for the Rape of the Sabine Women. As well as a number of Florentine Gothic paintings, the gallery houses the idiosyncratic collection of Russian icons assembled by the Grand Dukes of the House of Lorraine, of which Leopoldo was one. Chianti with Lunch - Full Day Tour (approx. 8 hrs.) - $102 per person

Experience the famous beauty and flavor of Italy’s Chianti wine region on this tour from Florence. Travel through the rolling hills and vineyards of the Tuscan countryside, stopping at an estate winery to taste authentic Chianti wines and enjoy a lunch with regional specialties. Visit the picturesque village of Greve for a sense of true country life, and enjoy leisure time to explore the winding medieval streets and artisan shops.

Cinque Terre with Lunch - Full Day Tour (approx. 8 hrs.) - $119 per person

The Cinque Terre (meaning "Five Lands") is a rugged portion of coast on the Italian Riviera. It is in the Liguria region of Italy, to the west of the city of La Spezia, and comprises five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. The coastline, the five villages, and the surrounding hillsides are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In each of the 5 towns, colorful houses and vineyards cling to steep terraces, harbors are filled with fishing boats and trattorias turning out seafood specialties along with the Liguria region’s famous sauce, pesto. The Sentiero Azzurro Cliffside hiking trail links the villages and offers sweeping sea vistas. An included lunch with typical regional cuisine dishes will be served at a local restaurant.

Galleria Uffizi - Half Day Tour (4 hrs.) - $58 per person

One of the most famous museums in the world, the Uffizi Gallery boasts exceptional collections of paintings and ancient sculptures. Among the paintings dating back to the 14th century and Renaissance period, the gallery includes plenty of masterpieces by Giotto, Simone Martini, Pierodella Francesca, Beato Angelico, Filippo Lippi, Botticelli, Mantegna, Correggio, Leonardo, Raffaello, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, as well as by pre-eminent German, Dutch and Flemish painters. The invaluable collection of statues and busts adorning the corridors was gathered by the Medici family and is made up of Roman copies after lost Greek originals. Originally built to host the administrative offices of the Medici's government, today the Gallery is located on the last floor of the imposing building constructed between 1560 and 1580 after a design by Giorgio Vasari.

Palazzo Pitti - Half Day Tour (4 hrs.) - $58 per person

Purchased in 1550, the Palace was chosen by Cosimo I de’Medici and his wife Eleanor of Toledo as the Medici Grand Dukes’ new palace. “Pitti Palace” soon became the new symbol of the Medici’s power over Tuscany. It was also the royal palace of another two dynasties: the House of Lorraine-Habsburg (which succeeded the Medici from 1737) and the Kings of Italy of the House of Savoy, who inhabited the palace from 1865. Nonetheless the palace still bears the name of its first owner, the Florentine banker Luca Pitti that in the mid-1400s started its construction - maybe after a design by Brunelleschi - at the foot of the Boboli hill beyond the River Arno. Today the Palace is divided into four museums: the Palatine Gallery and the Royal Apartments on the first floor; the Modern Art Gallery on the second floor; the Treasury of the Grand Dukes on the ground floor; and the Costume and Fashion Museum whose entrance is both from the Boboli Garden and from the second floor.

Pisa - Half Day Tour (4 hrs.) - $54 per person

Pisa is a city in Italy's Tuscany region best known for its iconic Leaning Tower. Already tilting when it was completed in 1372, the 56m white-marble cylinder is the bell tower of the Romanesque, striped-marble cathedral that rises next to it in the Piazza dei Miracoli. Also in the piazza is the Baptistery, whose renowned acoustics are demonstrated by amateur singers daily, and the Caposanto Monumentale cemetery.

Siena & San Gimignano with Lunch - Full Day Tour (approx. 8 hrs.) - $96 per person

Few European cities live as harmoniously with their past as Siena. This most beloved of Tuscany’s hilltop settlements preserves its medieval layout, focusing on the unique crooked half-moon Piazza del Campo, one of Italy’s great public spaces. There are no cars in the town center to shatter the illusion and once a year the past comes thundering to life in the form of the Palio, a medieval horse race which pits neighborhoods against each other. The city’s stunning medieval cathedral with its distinctive black and white stripes is another reminder of Siena’s proud centuries of independence. But Siena is just one of the glories of this area. Dotted across the landscape are the high walls of hill towns which once repelled marauders, but now welcomes travelers. San Gimignano, to the north-west of Siena, enjoys a world-wide reputation disproportionate to its size, its fame resting on its extraordinary grouping of medieval towers (14 in all) which dominate the surrounding countryside. This UNESCO World Heritage site is also noted for its association with the great Italian writer Dante Alighieri, and for its churches abounding with fine Renaissance artworks. An included lunch with typical regional cuisine dishes will be served at a local restaurant. 4

MILANO EXTENSION (Optional) APRIL 13-16, 2017

$799 PER PERSON ITALY Milano

Florence

Rome

SICILY oldest churches; La Scala Opera House where acclaimed vocal legends have performed such as Verdi, and the glamorous shopping arcade of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele lined with posh shops and cafés perfect for taking in the pulse of the city. This afternoon is yours to delve into Milan at leisure with plenty of time to explore on your own.

TOUR FEATURES

•Train ticket from Rome to Milan •Transfer from Milan Train station to Milan hotel •3 nights’ accommodations at 4 star hotel •Buffet breakfast daily •Half day guided city tour •Hospitality desk assistance •Departure transfer to Milan Airport (or local rail station) •Porterage at hotel •Hotel taxes and service charges

Day 3 I Milano Today after breakfast, Milan is yours to enjoy at your own

pace! Take some time to visit The Palazzo Reale (once called the Royal Ducal) located on Piazza del Duomo in central Milan – an ideal starting point for your day’s adventuring. The palace is home to the Duomo Cathedral Museum and the city’s Contemporary Art Museum. Shopping is simply a must in this fashion capital…consider enjoying some time at Quadrilatero d'Oro – the golden rectangle – known as the fashion district where your will find countless enticing boutiques as well as the iconic Armani megastore. Later you may wish to venture along to the Brera District. Here you will find beautiful historic structures, cafés, restaurants and trendy bars. The Brera District with its picturesque, winding streets leads you to Castello Sforzesco, once the residence of the ruling family of Milan that now houses several of the city's museums and art collections. Dinner in Milan offers near endless options to tempt your taste buds and please your palate so let loose and indulge!

Day 1 I Milano After breakfast and check-out of your hotel, embark on an exciting rail trip from Roma to Milano. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in with the remainder of the day on your own to explore and delve into the culture, customs, fashion, architecture, food and wine of the area.

Day 2 I Milano Get ready to fall in love with Milan today as you embark on a half day tour of this hub of art and culture that boasts Leonardo Da Vinci's greatest masterpiece: the Last Supper. The city’s magic unfolds before you as you discover the Duomo – Cathedral of Milan, one of Italy’s

5

Day 4 I Milano to Apt or Railway St. This morning awake to the splendors of Milan with breakfast at your hotel, then you will be transferred to the airport or railway for the next phase of your travels. Whether continuing on to another destination or heading home, your time in this mecca of fashion and culture is certain to be full of cherished moments to enjoy for a lifetime and dream about as you plan your next Italian experience with Central Holidays.

LAKE COMO EXTENSION (Optional) APRIL 13-16, 2017

$869 PER PERSON LAKE COMO

Como

ITALY

Milano

Florence

Rome

Clooney, Madonna and the Versace Family. Tonight is the perfect time to wander along and venture into one of the many trattoria’s for a delicious and authentic Italian meal.

SICILY

TOUR FEATURES

Day 2 I Como Your second day in Lago di Como beckons with a delicious

breakfast at your hotel followed by an insightful half-day guided walking tour of this spectacular lakeside village using our signature Hear Clear audio system. Located in the Lombardy region, Lake Como is the country’s third largest lake and one of the deepest lakes in Europe. Two of Como's historic sites await to greet you, including the Basilica of Sant’Abbondio and the Villa Olmo on the lake. Then it's on to Como’s old world center where you will explore this fascinating and serene destination at its best. The dining options abound with bountiful culinary treats that are sure to please your palate as you choose among the many acclaimed restaurants around the lake.

•Train ticket from Rome to Milan •Transfer from Milan Train station to Como Hotel •3 nights’ accommodations at 4 star hotel •Buffet breakfast daily •Half day guided walking tour •Hospitality desk assistance •Departure transfer to Milan Airport (or local rail station) •Porterage at hotel •Hotel taxes and service charges

Day 3 I Como Today, beautiful lake region beckons for exploration. Consider taking a jaunt over to the enchanting village of Bellagio to see the lush Villa Melzi gardens. As you glide along the Lake you are sure to enjoy the breathtaking views of postcard-perfect hillside villas and hotels against the backdrop of the Alps. Back in Como, shop for hand-made crafts and silk made by local craftsmen – some of the favorite gifts that visitors love to take home as exquisite mementos of their time in this beautiful area. Sit for a spell and enjoy a glass of wine with local cheeses by the lake then venture on to savor some of the area’s delectable fare.

Day 1 I Milano I Como From amazing Roma take a short flight to Milano

then transfer to captivating Como! Upon arrival in Como your deluxe transfer service awaits to whisk you along for check-in at your hotel. This afternoon you are free to roam around Lake Como – the setting for so many picture perfect experience to be enjoyed and where so many blockbuster movies have been filmed including Casino Royale from the famed James Bond series of films, Ocean’s Twelve, and even parts of the Star Wars Saga. You may even stumble upon a cinema star along the way with so many glitterati that have made this place a second home such as George

Day 4 I Como to Apt or Railway St. After breakfast at your hotel you will

6

be transferred to the airport or railway for the next phase of your travels. Whether continuing on to another destination or heading home, your time in and around Lago di Como will ignite the passion for adventuring in Italy that is sure to bring you back for more!

VENICE EXTENSION (Optional) APRIL 13-16, 2017

$1,069 PER PERSON ITALY

Venice

Florence

Rome

Day 2 I Venice After breakfast at your hotel, you will head out on a half

day guided tour using our signature Hear Clear headsets to hear all the enlightening details of Venice as your expert guide takes you through the millennium of life of the Serenissima Republic, recalling the history and grandeur of this unique city. Included is a tour of Doge's Palace – Palazzo Ducale, featuring splendid rooms, plastered and immersed in hundreds of artistic masterpieces where the Duke and his Council controlled the fate of a thousand-year storied republic. Take-in the rich details of the gold staircase and the realism of the scenes depicted by many artists who have decorated this building, and relive the anguish of the prisoners crossing the famous Bridge of Sighs. Piazza San Marco and the Basilica are highlights that must be seen for their beauty and historical importance. From here, you will reach some of the most beautiful churches of Venice, San Zaccaria, SS. Giovanni e Paolo and the Miracoli Church. Walk north and along this side of the island it is possible to enjoy the fresh breeze of the lagoon and to see the islands of San Michele and the island of Murano. Then proceed through the Cannaregio area, peaceful and pleasant, distant form the most beaten track but rich of beautiful churches such as Madonna dell Orto, the house of Tintoretto, ancient houses and palaces, and much more! Discover Venice at leisure this afternoon with time on your own. This evening, this amazing city awaits with culinary choices galore along picturesque pedestrian streets connected by beautiful bridges that line Venice’s system of canals.

SICILY

TOUR FEATURES

•Train ticket from Rome to Venice •Transfer from Venice Train station to Venice hotel •3 nights’ accommodations at 4 star hotel •Buffet breakfast daily •Half day guided walking tour •Hospitality desk assistance •Departure transfer to Venice Airport (or local rail station) •Porterage at hotel •Hotel taxes and service charges Day 1 I Venice Embark on a rail adventure to the glorious city of Venice today! Upon arrival your deluxe transfer service awaits to whisk you along for check-in at your hotel, including full porterage from the arrival dock. This afternoon you are free to roam this spectacular Italian icon at your own pace with free time on your own. In Venice all roads seem to lead to the famed St. Mark’s square, a perfect starting point for exploring the cobblestone corridors that line the city’s canals. Tonight is the perfect time to wander along and venture into one of the many trattorias for a delicious and authentic Italian meal.

Day 3 I Venice The options are nearly endless today with so much to see

and do in Venice with a full day at leisure. An experience that is a must for most travelers to Venice, enjoy time exploring the Grand Canal (Santa Maria della Salute area) and minor canals (Fenice area) by gondola as you enjoy the sweet serenade of your gondolier. Consider an optional excursion to the northern lagoon to get to know some of the area's most famous islands: Murano, world known for glass making, Burano for the hand-made lace and its colorful houses, Torcello as the first human settlement in the lagoon. Make the most of your last night in this splendid place with a bounty of restaurants, trattorias, bars and cafés to celebrate your Venetian adventure.

7

Day 4 I Venice to Apt After breakfast at your hotel you will be transferred to the airport or railway for the next phase of your travels. Whether continuing on to another destination or heading home, your time in Venice is certain to be full of unforgettable moments to share and cherish always.

PARMA & FERRARI EXTENSION (Optional) APRIL 13-16, 2017

$1,069 PER PERSON ITALY Parma

Bologna

Florence

Rome

SICILY

TOUR FEATURES

•Train ticket from Rome to Bologna •Transfer from Bologna Train station to Bologna Hotel •3 nights’ accommodations at 4 star hotel •Buffet breakfast daily •Full day excursion to Maranello including entrance to the Ferrari Museum •Full day tour of Parma including Parmigiano tasting and entrance to the Farnese Theatre •Hospitality desk assistance •Departure transfer to Bologna Airport •Porterage at hotel •Hotel taxes and service charges Day 1 I Roma to Bologna After breakfast and check-out of your hotel, embark on an exciting rail trip from Roma to Bologna. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in and set out on an insightful orientation walking tour of Bologna with the remainder of the day on your own to explore and delve into the culture, customs, food and wine of the area.

Day 2 I Ferrari day A full day excursion to Maranello takes you to delve

into one of Italy’s most iconic brands – Ferrari. It’s no secret that Italy boasts the trendiest of fashion, exquisite food, and of course, some of the world’s most revered fast cars. On today’s adventure get ready to live the history and grandeur of this iconic brand with an in-depth tour of the Enzo Ferrari Museum. This outstanding tour reveals the history of the prancing horse brand and includes the opportunity to see the acclaimed Renzo Piano-designed wind tunnel used to test the aerodynamics of Ferrari automobiles. Hear the roar of the engines, see photo and trophy exhibits, and live the Ferrari experience at every turn!

Day 3 I Parma day An exquisite full day tour of Parma welcomes you and

your taste-buds today! Parma has contributed to Emilia Romagna’s gastronomic delights so remarkably that it has been identified as one of Europe’s greatest food capitals. It’s the home of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and Prosciutto di Parma. Famed for its food and rich in culture and history dating back to the Etruscans, you will have a Parmigiano tasting experience and visit Parma’s best known sights such as the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Teatro della Pilotta/Farnese.

8

Day 4 I Bologna Apt Have breakfast at your hotel before heading to Bologna airport via your deluxe included transfer.

SPECIAL EVENTS Palazzo Pitti, Florence

Cocktail party with Dinner - April 8th & 15th, 2017

This enormous palace is one of Florence's largest architectural monuments. The original palazzo was built for the Pitti family in 1457, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and built by his pupil Luca Fancelli. The original construction consisted of only the middle cube of the present building (the middle seven windows on the top floor). In 1549, the property was sold to the Medicis and became the primary residence of the grand ducal family. The palace was then enlarged and altered; from 1560, Bartolomeo Ammannati designed and added the grandiose courtyard and two lateral wings. Under Cosimo II de' Medici, the layout of the piazza and opening up of the view were begun. The facade then assumed its present appearance, except for the two projecting wings, added by the House of Lorraine in the early 18th century. Behind the palace lie the famous Boboli Gardens.

The Cloud, Rome

Entertainment with Dinner - April 12th, 2017

The "Cloud", by architect Massimiliano Fuksas, is Rome's new conference center. The complex has a capacity of 8,000 seats, of which more than 6,000 in the conference rooms located in the "cloud," built in steel with a double glass facade. It also features an auditorium with 1,762 seats. In addition, the complex comprises a 439-room luxury hotel. It is estimated that, when fully operational, the building will host 300,000 people every year for conferences and events.

Meet the Pope

Wednesday, April 12th, 2017

Subject to the Pope’s Availability

TERMS & CONDITIONS Cancellation Policy

Once deposited the registration is subject to $300 per person cancellation fees up to 90 days prior departure + cost of travel insurance (if subscribed) Between 89 - 60 days prior arrival 50% of the total amount

Between 59 - 30 days prior arrival 75% of the total amount

Between 29 - 0 days prior departure or no-show days prior arrival 100% of the total amount

Waiver Responsibility

Central Holidays, a division of SGI US, LLC, 250 Moonachie Road, Moonachie, NJ 07074,and their employees, shareholders, officers and directors (collectively, "Central Holidays") does not own or operate any entity which is to or does provide goods or services for your trip, including, for example, lodging facilities, transportation companies, guides or trip leaders, food service providers, equipment suppliers, ground operators, etc., including, without limitation, various entities which may utilize the Central Holidays name. Central Holidays is not responsible for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such person or entity nor for any act or inaction of any other third party not under their control. Without limitation Central Holidays is not liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damage, injury, death, loss, accident, delay, inconvenience or irregularity of any kind which may be occasioned by reason of any act or omission beyond its control, including, without limitation, any willful or negligent act, failure to act, breach of contract of any third party such as an airline, train, hotel, whether or not it uses the Central Holidays name, which is, to, or does supply any goods or services for this trip. Central Holidays is not responsible for any loss, injury, death or inconvenience due to delay or changes in schedule, overbooking or downgrading of accommodations, insolvency, or default of any third party, attacks by animals, sickness, the lack of appropriate medical care, evacuation to same, if necessary, weather, strikes, acts of God or government, acts of terrorism or the threat thereof, force majeure, war, quarantine, epidemics or the threat thereof, criminal activity, or any other cause beyond its control.

Call: 1.866.521.4176

Email: [email protected] 9

Visit : www.wsbitaly2017.com

Suggest Documents