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presents
Performance Tour to Italy
Departure Date June 15, 2009
Highlights
Venice • Montecatini • Florence • Rome • Siena • Lucca
Monday, June 15 Depart
Leave the United States on your overnight flight to ItalyTuesday, June 16 Milan/Treviso Area
Today upon arrival in Milan, you will be met by your English-speaking tour escort who will remain with you for the remainder of your stay in Italy. Transfer by private deluxe motor coach from the airport in Milan to your hotel located in the Treviso area. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure before your welcome dinner with the group. Overnight in the Treviso area.Wednesday, June 17 Treviso Area/Venice
After breakfast, travel by vaporetto to Venice’s Piazza San Marco for a half-day guided walking tour. The tour will focus on the immense Piazza San Marco, once dubbed ‘Europe’s Living Room’ by Napoleon, and the majestic Basilica di San Marco. Prior to entering this massive edifice, your guide will explain in detail the beautifully decorated façade, including the intricate mosaics just under the entrance, along with the basilica’s many tiny domes.Enjoy the remainder of the day free at leisure in Venice. In the evening you will have a performance followed by dinner with the group tonight. Overnight in the Treviso area.
Thursday, June 18 Treviso Area/Montecatini
Check out of your hotel and travel to Montecatini. Time permitting the group will stop in Verona for time on their own to explore. Upon arrival in Montecatini your will have time on your own to begin exploring your new surroundings before dinner and your overnight in Montecatini.Friday, June 19 Montecatini/Florence
This morning’s guided tour will commence at the beautiful Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly known as the Duomo. From the outside, you can admire the Neo-Gothic façade with its contrasting white, pink and green Tuscan marble, along with a striking view of Giotto’s Campanile and Brunelleschi’s imposing cupola.Once inside, your guide will lead you through the hidden treasures of his cathedral from the interior decorations of Brunelleschi’s dome to the crypt of the 4th century Church of Santa Reparata which was demolished in the late 13th century in order to build this great cathedral.
At the adjacent Baptistery, your guide will explain the fascinating history which led up to the creation of Ghiberti’s brilliant Gates of Paradise, almost lost to the floods of 1966. Once inside, you will have a chance to admire some of Tuscany’s most intricate mosaics illustrating the Last Judgment.
You will then visit the Accademia Museum to view Michelangelo’s famed David, a sight of true artistic genius.
The afternoon is free at leisure. Return to Montecatini for dinner and your overnight.
Saturday, June 20 Montecatini/Lucca
Following breakfast, you will depart for an escorted excursion to the town of Lucca, the birthplace of the great opera composer, Puccini. Here you will have ample time to wander about this ‘pedestrian only city,’ which was born from the ancient Roman Amphitheater.This evening you will have a performance. Return to Montecatini for dinner and your overnight.
Sunday, June 21 Siena/Rome
This morning check out of your hotel in Montecatini and depart for your final destination, Rome. Before arriving in Rome you will make an en route stop in Siena for an escorted visit.Siena is home to the famous annual Palio horse races. In Siena, your escort will lead you through tiny streets, past tall towers and under portico-covered walks to the immense Piazza del Campo and to the main Cathedral, with its striking black and white marble.
After lunch on your own, continue to Rome. Upon arrival you will have a guided panoramic tour of Rome followed by a guided walking tour of the Roman Forum. After check-in you will have the evening free on your own. Enjoy dinner with the group and your overnight in Rome.
Monday, June 22 Rome
Begin your day with a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, including Michelangelo’s Masterpiece, the stunning frescoes found in the Sistine Chapel. Also visit the grand and imposing, treasure-filled Basilica of St. Peter during the tour. It is here where you may view the imposing Chair of St. Peter.This afternoon or evening you will have a performance either at Sant’Andrea della Valle church or in Palestrina with a local youth orchestra.
Following the performance you will have dinner with the group. Return to the hotel in Rome for your overnight.
Tuesday, June 23 Rome
The morning is free at leisure. This afternoon you will participate in a performance in the Gallicano or Palestrina area, located south of Rome, accompanied by a local youth orchestra (upon confirmation).Return to Rome for your farewell dinner and your overnight.
Wednesday, June 24 Rome/USA
Transfer to the airport in Rome for your flight back to the United States. Buon Viaggio…Costs of This Tour*
Based on 40-59 paying participants: $4000.00
Based on 60-79 paying participants: $4100.00$225.00pp supplement for double occupancy
$450.00pp supplement for single occupancyPayment Plan
Intent Form and $500.00 deposit due Sept. 8 & 11
2nd payment: $500.00 due Oct. 20 & 23
3rd payment: $500.00 due Nov. 10 & 15
4th payment: $500.00 due Jan. 12 & 15
5th payment: $500.00 due Feb. 9 & 13
6th payment: $500.00 due Mar. 9 & 12
7th payment: Final Balance due Apr. 13 & 16*Price is not finalized until air is confirmed in July 2008
Inclusions
- Coach transfer to/from Chicago Airport
- Four Star Hotel accommodations are based on triple and quadruple occupancy
- Breakfast daily at the hotels
- Five standard dinners at the hotel in Montecatini
- All above meals include one soft drink per person
- Half-day guided walking tour of Venice with Professional English-speaking guide
- Half-day guided walking tour of Florence with Professional English-speaking guide and entrance fee to the Accademia Museum
- Half-day escorted visit of Siena en route from Montecatini to Rome (NO entrance fees included)
- Escorted Panoramic tour of Rome en route from Montecatini to Rome hotel
- Half-day guided tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica with Professional English-speaking guide including entrance fee and mandatory whisper headset
- Transportation by private deluxe motor coach throughout itinerary
- Professional English-speaking tour escort throughout itinerary (one per coach)
- Two full-day vaporetto tickets in Venice
- Tax and service charges al levied by the hotels
- All applicable parking and circulatory permits as required by Italian Law
- Gratuities for Tour Manager and Coach Drivers
CANCELLATIONS: All cancellations must be in writing. Should your group cancel entirely up to August 1, 2008 you will receive a total refund, less a $1000.00 administrative fee and any nonrefundable deposits. Cancellation between August 2, 2008 and November 1, 2008 will result in a full refund less $2000 administrative fee plus any nonrefundable deposits if applicable.
Nov. 2 to Mar. 4
$250.00 per person plus any unrecoverable deposits will be assessed
Mar. 5 to May 4
$500.00 per person plus any unrecoverable deposits and full airfare will be assessed
May 5 or after
NO REFUNDTravel Insurance is NOT included in the package and must be purchased separately.
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