Highlights of Italy -April 14 -26, 2023. This tour will be rescheduled for 2024
In 1921 Ezra Pound wrote to James Joyce from a pink-walled hotel that still today overlooks Sirmione's harbour on Lake Garda: "Dear Joyce, I'd like you to spend a week here with me. The location is well worth the journey – both Catullus and I can guarantee it!" My friends, Italy is still “well worth the journey”. A place of romance, history, amazing food, and breathtaking beauty. Come and join us on this journey to experience some of the best that Italy has to offer. This is a small group tour - 18 people maximum. Even though walking is moderate - it is advised to be in good walking condition. Villages and towns are on hills with cobblestone streets so be sure to bring along comfortable walking shoes and perhaps throw in a walking stick or two as well as an umbrella ( just in case). To enjoy more of Rome on your “own time”, it is a good idea to book a few days ahead of the tour dates.
Tour Itinerary:
Friday, April 14th- Today we begin our journey to Italy. Always double check that you have your passports before leaving home. We will meet at the airport and share our excitement and anticipation for our journey. Meals and beverages will be served during our overnight flight. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing for the flight as well as shoes that are easy to slip on and off while going through security at the airports.
Saturday, April 15th - Rome: WAKE UP, WE ARE IN ITALY!!!!! Upon arrival in Rome, we will meet our tour manager and motorcoach driver. During the drive to our hotel, our tour manager will give us an overview of the tour and details about today’s schedule. Dinner is included this evening at our hotel or a nearby restaurant. (B, D). Rome - Hotel Atlantico / or similar
Sunday, April 16th -Rome (Classical Rome): After our first breakfast in Rome this morning we will enjoy an orientation of Classical Rome -the Colosseum, Roman Forum, the Capitoline and Palatine Hills, the Baths of Caracalla, and Circus Maximus still bear witness to the enduring legacy of the Roman Empire. After our orientation you will have afternoon and evening are free for your own individual exploration of the Eternal City. The following link will help you decide on some of the attractions you might want to book on your own. The closer we get to our departure we will send out helpful information and times to book your tickets ahead of time - Top 10 things to do in Rome (B) Overnight: Rome - Hotel Atlantico / or similar
Monday, April 17th - Rome (Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica & Medieval Rome): This morning is dedicated to the Vatican State – we will visit its Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica and Square. Following free time for lunch, we will walk from St. Peter’s Square, across the River Tiber to Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and finish in the afternoon at the Trevi Fountain, the most beautiful fountain in Rome. We are then free to return to the hotel on foot or by taxi for an evening at leisure and to enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants (trattorias) in Rome. (B) Overnight: Rome - Hotel Atlantico / or similar
Tuesday, April 18th - Rome / Assisi: After our morning breakfast, we depart Rome and make our way into the ‘green heart of Italy,’ the name given to the region of Umbria. We will arrive in Assisi in the late morning, and after free time for lunch on our own we will begin exploring this hilltop town. Inevitably Assisi has become a monument to its most famous native, St. Francis, and to the all-embracing spirituality inspired by his life 800 years ago. We will see the Basilica of St. Clare, walk through the Piazza del Commune and continue to follow in his footsteps along streets and alleys the saint would still recognize. The highlight of our walking tour will be a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis, which houses his tomb and some of the most important treasures of medieval art, including the cycle of frescoes by Giotto on the Life of St. Francis. In the late afternoon we will check into our hotel for dinner and overnight in Assisi. (B, D). Overnight: Assisi - Giotto Hotel & Spa / or similar
Wednesday, April 19th - Assisi / San Gimignano / Montecatini Terme: This morning we will depart Assisi and drive through the matchless scenery of Tuscany to San Gimignano -an amazingly preserved hill town in Tuscany, with 14 medieval towers still standing. This is a town where time seems to have stood still since the Middle Ages. We will visit one of the local wineries for wine-tasting, a light lunch and views of the medieval skyline, before we drive up to the old town to enjoy the unique atmosphere of this ‘Medieval Manhattan.’ In the late afternoon, we will arrive in Montecatini Terme for the next three nights of our tour. (B, D) Overnight: Hotel Ercolini & Savi / or similar
Thursday, April 20th - Montecatini Terme (Florence Excursion) After breakfast this morning, we will make the short drive to Florence for a full day of sightseeing and culture. As capital of Tuscany and Cradle of the Renaissance, Florence is a highlight of any tour to Italy. During our morning walking tour we will see the Piazza del Duomo with its Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Baptistery with its famous Doors of Paradise, Giotto’s Bell Tower and enjoy a visit to the Accademia to see Michelangelo’s David. The remainder of the day and early evening are at leisure for individual sightseeing, shopping and people-watching, before we return to our hotel in Montecatini Terme. (B). Overnight: Hotel Ercolini & Savi
Friday, April 21st - Montecatini Terme (Free Day): Today is completely free to enjoy the elegance and charm of Montecatini, which owes its early popularity as a tourist and spa resort to the thermal springs whose healing properties were already valued by royalty and aristocracy in the 19th century. For those interested in more independent exploration, it is possible to take the local train to nearby Lucca - founded by the Etruscans, colonized by the Romans, still surrounded by its medieval walls and birthplace of the great Puccini. Enjoy dinner at your own pace. Overnight: Hotel Ercolini & Savi (B)
Saturday, April 22nd - Pisa / St. Margherita Ligure: This morning we will enjoy breakfast in our beautiful surroundings. We then set out for Pisa - no visit to Italy could be complete without experiencing the breathtaking view of its most famous landmark. On arrival there will be free time for lunch before we meet with our local guide to learn that the Leaning Tower of Pisa is just one of a quartet of spectacular buildings on the city’s ‘Field of Miracles’, which includes its Cathedral, Baptistery and Cemetery. We will continue our journey along the Ligurian coast to the spectacular area of Santa Margherita Ligure for dinner and overnight. (B, D) Overnight: Best Western Hotel Regina Elena / or similar
Sunday, April 23rd - St. Margherita Ligure (Cinque Terre Excursion): Today’s excursion will travel by a motor coach and train, which will take us into Cinque Terre – the land of five villages. Through vineyards, olive groves and fruit orchards, the journey along the sheer, rocky coastline is an unforgettable experience. There will be time to stop and visit two of the five villages clinging precariously to the cliffs, before rejoining our coach to return to Santa Margherita in the mid-afternoon, where the remainder of the afternoon and evening are free. Some might wish to take the local bus to Portofino, playground of movie stars and jet-set. (B) Overnight: Best Western Hotel Regina Elena / or similar
Monday, April 24th - St. Margherita Ligure / Verona / Lake Garda Area: This morning we will depart the Ligurian Coast to drive to Verona, the city which achieved importance under the Romans and was immortalized as the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The massive Arena bears witness to Verona’s Roman heritage and is still used for operatic performances and concerts during the summer. Our walking tour of the city will take us to the Arena, which compares with the Colosseum in Rome in terms of size and unique atmosphere. We will also walk through the Market Square, which is still today the heart of the city built on the site of the ancient Roman Forum, and of course we will see the house of Romeo and Juliet’s balcony. Following our visit we will continue the short distance to Lake Garda for the last two nights of our tour. (B) Overnight: Excelsior Le Terrazze / or similar
Tuesday, April 25th - Lake Garda Area: After breakfast we will enjoy a boat trip on Lake Garda to experience the awesome majesty of the place where the Alps meet the Mediterranean. There will be time to enjoy the flair of the small villages and some of their markets as we explore the largest Alpine lake of Italy. The reminder of the day is free in our resort village for shopping and to watch the world go by, before we gather to enjoy our farewell dinner. (B, D) Overnight: Excelsior Le Terrazze / or similar
Wednesday, April 26th - Milan / USA: Just when we are feeling like a local, and thinking we could live in this amazing corner of the world - alas, it is time to return to our own homes. We will double check our room to make sure we have everything - especially our passports. This morning we will transfer by motorcoach to Verona Airport to begin our journey home. We will arrive in Chicago late this afternoon. Welcome Home
Tour Inclusions
• Round trip air transportation from Chicago, O’Hare economy class, including taxes and fees in effect as of January,2022
• 11 nights accommodations in First Class (3 and 4 star) hotels with private bathroom facilities
• Breakfast daily and 5 dinners as noted in the itinerary
• Transportation by deluxe private motorcoach in Italy
• Professional tour manager to accompany the group in Italy
• Comprehensive sightseeing as outlined in the itinerary, including applicable entrance fees
• Baggage handling for one suitcase per person at hotels (where possible – not all hotels have
porter service)
* Gratuities to the Motor Coach Driver, Tour Escort, and Step-on Guides
The Vacation Price Does Not Include: TRAVEL PROTECTION IS NOT INCLUDED, BUT HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, Contact Martha at marthajconover@gmail.com for details. Items of a personal nature such as passport fees;; luggage handling at airports; and meals other than those stated above.
Tour Price - based on 18 people: $5815.00 per person, based on double occupancy includes air out of Chicago, O’Hare Supplement for single occupancy: $600.00 Payment Schedule: Deposit: $500 per person to secure space - payable to Martha’s Travel Corner - Final payment: payable to Martha’s Travel Corner by: February 1, 2023
RESERVATION APPLICATION
PLEASE ENCLOSE A COPY OF THE PHOTO PAGE OF YOUR PASSPORT WITH YOUR RESERVATION.
Please mail to: Martha’s Travel Corner P.O. Box 1116 Oswego, IL 60543 - Telephone: 815/712-9048
Please reserve _________ places for me/us on the Highlights of Italy Tour) April14-26, 2023 . Enclosed is my/our check in the amount of $_______________ ($500 deposit per person)for the Air & LAND portion of tour Final Payment due by February 1, 2023.
I would like more information regarding Travel Guard Tour Protection____________ (contact Martha for details by phone or e-mail (marthajconover@gmail.com)
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