Alba 2008 brochure
Transcription
Alba 2008 brochure
ITALY! The Magical Land of La Dolce Vita 2 ALBATours 2009 Italy visit www.albatours.com for up-to-the-minute CONTENTS The glorious piazzas of Rome, the gondoliers of Venice, the dramatic Leaning Tower of Pisa, the spectacular coast of Amalfi & Sorrento, sensuous Siena, divine sandy beaches and seaside resorts: add these to the joys of strolling arm and arm through the romantic, sun-drenched Tuscan hills, and you will touch the very soul of the country. Map of Italy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Enchanting Cities & Regions . . . . . . . . .5 Mediterranean Cruises (Sunquest) . . . .6 ESCORTED COACH TOURS Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Coach Tour Hotels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Dolce Vita In Tuscany Cooking & Wine Tasting Tour . . . . . . .12 ALBATOURS HAS ITALY COVERED Combining the best of Italy’s Old World culture, timeless beauty and contemporary, fashionable style with an expertise that comes only when you know a country intimately, ALBATours has been delivering the very finest in Italian vacations for over 30 years. Our programs have been carefully selected and developed by consummate professionals who have created vacations for every taste and budget. Benvenuti! Essence of ItalianArt &Wine Country Food &Wine,Country, Art Cities Tour . .16 Artistic Italy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Best of Italy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Italian Panorama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Italy South . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 SEASIDE HOLIDAY Virgilio Grand Hotel – Sperlonga . . . .28 ROME ON YOUR OWN 4 & 7 Night Rome Immersion Packages . . . . . . . . .29 HOTELS IN ITALY Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Venice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Florence,Tuscany, Calabria . . . . . .32 Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, Naples . . .33 OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS Rome (& airport transfers in Rome) . .34 Florence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Venice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Terms & Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Travel Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 pricing, additional photos, exciting details and more! ALBATours 2009 Italy 3 Lugano• • Lake Maggiore • MILANPo Genoa• VERONA• Padua• • VENICE Sava •Portofino •Cinque Terra • FLORENCE Pisa• Castellina •• San Gimignano •Siena •Cortona in Chianti Pienza• •Perugia ELBA CORSICA •Dubrovnik • PESCARA • ROME Sperlonga• SARDINIA • NAPLES Sorrento• •Pompeii Capri• •Amalfi LAMEZIA• Tropea• •Vibo Valentia SICILY •REGGIO CALABRIA TUNISIA Map not to scale 4 ALBATours 2009 Italy visit www.albatours.com for up-to-the-minute ENCHANTING CITIES & REGIONS I saw the angel in the marble ❝ and carved until I set him free. Michelangelo Buonarroti FLORENCE, PISA, SIENA The Region of Tuscany A geographically charming mix of picturesque countryside, rolling hills, vineyards and great natural beauty, the region of Tuscany stretches gently down the Apennines to the Tyrrhenian Sea.With Florence and all its renaissance grandeur as its capital, to Pisa, Siena, Lucca, Arezzo, and the towers of San Gimignano, Tuscany is unrivalled as a cradle of art, food, wine and history. VENICE The Region of Veneto This region comprises the majestic Dolomites. A feast for the eyes,Venice is all magnificent churches, lavish palazzi and stately bridges, set upon a labyrinth of waterways and streets which are works of art in themselves. Surely three of the great moments in travel are the view from the Rialto Bridge to the gondolas plying the Grand Canal, a glass of good wine in St. Mark’s Square on a glorious sunny day, and a visit to the great gothic 9th century Doge’s Palace. Shopping is stupendous! GENOA, PORTOFINO, SAN REMO, CINQUE TERRE The Region of Luguria One of Italy’s smaller regions, Liguria is home to the medieval and palacial wonders of the bustling seaport of Genoa; the celebrity haunt of exquisite Portofino; the artistic heritage of San Remo. Many visitors come for the necklace of seaside resort towns born in the late 19th and early 20th century which are long favoured by Italian tourists, and the region’s latest wonder: the 5 secluded villages of Cinque Terre (featured on our new Essence of Italian Art & Wine Country Coach Tour pages 16-19). ASSISI, SPOLETO, PERUGIA, TODI The Region of Umbria ❞ AMALFI COAST, SORRENTO, NAPLES The Region of Campania These regions are Italy at its postcard best. The entire Amalfi Coast and Sorrento area drips in romantic, stunning beauty and offers a wide selection of hotels and white washed villas tucked amongst coral cliffs. Amid the many riches are the Isles of Capri and Ischia, Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Paestum and Cuma. TROPEA, VIBO VALENTIA The Region of Calabria Washed by the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Sea, Calabria has a landscape of wild beauty, hundreds of kilometres of beautiful beach, little villages spilling down mountain slopes and a rich heritage in archaeologic excavations from the Roman, Byzantine, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods. ROME The Region of Lazio The Roman Empire has influenced design, engineering, architecture and romance for centuries. St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums house enormous collections of art and the frescoed ceilings of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. From the Colosseum and Roman Forum, to Bernini, Raphael and Caravaggio, masterpieces, sculpture, palaces and fountains define the Eternal City. Join the teeming crowds at the Spanish Steps, throw a coin in Trevi Fountain, live “la dolce vita” in the piazzas, cafés, restaurants and nightclubs. Rich in scenery, art, music, culture and cuisine, Umbria is dotted with castles, fortresses, monasteries and well preserved hilltowns. Perhaps it’s most famous town Spoleto presents a nationally renowned performing arts festival each summer. Assisi, the home of St. Francis, is also in Umbria and examples of Romanesque style embodied in the Cathedral of Assisi. pricing, additional photos, exciting details and more! ALBATours 2009 Italy 5 MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES MSC Splendida • MSC Fantasia • MSC Poesia • MSC Musica Departures May 7 to October 10, 2009 From 2079 $ Including Roundtrip Airfare MSC Cruises are experts on the diversity in the history, culture and high style of the Mediterranean. From the greatest historical and religious sightseeing in the world to the electrifying atmosphere of non-stop, hot-spot action and gorgeous beaches,“The Med” is filled with sunshine and warmth and the pure joy of living! BEAUTIFUL. PASSIONATE. ITALIAN. MSC Musica A KING’S RANSOM IN WONDERS AWAITS On our itineraries – life is a cabaret! You can watch the world laze by from a merry cliffside taverna on Santorini, walk in the footsteps of Anthony and Cleopatra, meander cobbled streets in beautiful medieval Dubrovnik, visit the ruins of Carthage in Tunisia, party on Palma de Mallorca 6 ALBATours 2009 Italy Barcelona’s famed Ramblas promenade, shop the bazaar in Istanbul, glide in a Venetian gondola, frolic on the beaches of Mallorca and well, you get the idea. See Sunquest’s Mediterranean 2009 cruise brochure for the full story (Sunquest is ALBATours’ sister company). Santorini Tunis visit www.albatours.com for up-to-the-minute CRUISE OF A LIFETIME! From Rome, Venice, Naples MSC Splendida • MSC Fantasia • MSC Musica 11 Days/9 Nights* Inclusions: MSC Fantasia – Piazza San Giorgio Piano Bar • Roundtrip flight fromToronto to Rome or Venice withALBATours •All transfers between airport,hotel & pier when flights are withALBATours • 4-StarAccommodation for 2 Nights Rome or 1 NightVenice • Half day tour of Rome orVenice • Special dinner in Rome orVenice at a typical restaurant with music,wine & water • 7-night cruise including accommodation,dining,entertainment and activities WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN – From Rome & Naples MSC Splendida Itinerary 11 Days/9 Nights or 9 Days/7 Nights* Rome • Genoa • Marseille • Barcelona • Tunis • La Valletta Messina • Rome MSC Fantasia Itinerary 11 Days/9 Nights or 9 Days/7 Nights* Rome/Naples • Palermo • Tunis • Palma de Mallorca • Barcelona Marseille • Genoa • Rome EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN – From Venice MSC Musica Itinerary 11 Days/9 Nights or 9 Days/7 Nights* Venice • Bari • Corfu • Santorini • Mykonos •Athens Katakolon • Dubrovnik MSC Poesia Itinerary † 9 Days/7 Nights Venice • Bari • Katakolon • Izmir • Istanbul • Day at sea • Dubrovnik MSC Poesia – Carlo Felice Theatre *Our“Cruise of a Lifetime”sailings are 11 Days/9 Nights in duration. The identical cruise itineraries are also available in a 9 Day/7 night duration which excludes the nights in Rome or Venice,the halfday tour and special dinner. †MSC Poesia’s Eastern Mediterranean itinerary is available for 9 Days/7 Nights only. Also Available! Transatlantic Crossing & Mediterranean Cruise Holidays including Land Touring in Italy & Airfare MS Noordam & MS Prinsendam Spring & Fall 2009 Sailings 21, 22, 29 & 35 Day Durations ms Noordam pricing, additional photos, exciting details and more! ALBATours 2009 Italy 7 ESCORTED COACH TOURS Amalfi One of the major selling features and fundamental advantages of an escorted coach tour is the complete and total absence of “hassle.” Every included attraction and sightseeing excursion is pre-organized, your dining is all arranged, and a comfortable and inviting hotel awaits you at the end of each glorious day. All you need do is immerse yourself in the joys of Italy and slip on and off your air-conditioned, state-of-the-art, deluxe motorcoach; everything else is in the capable hands of REIMATours and Essence of Tuscany, ALBATours local representatives in Italy. Our coach tours visit the destinations following. Please see each individual coach tour for specific itineraries. ROME FLORENCE VENICE CAPRI CINQUE TERRE CORTONA MONTERIGGIONI NAPLES PADUA PERUGIA PIENZA POMPEII SAN GIMIGNANO SIENA SORRENTO STRESA/BAVENO/LAKE MAGGIORE SWITZERLAND (LUGANO) VALPOLICELLA VERONA 8 ALBATours 2009 Italy Siena visit www.albatours.com for up-to-the-minute Florence Venice Pisa Rome Naples Rome Itineraries are very carefully planned to give you the most comprehensive experience possible. A leisurely pace is established which allows plenty of time for personal exploration in conjunction with the organized aspects of your trip. All our highly experienced tour escorts and local guides are multi-lingual and English speaking, so communication is first rate. This year we’re introducing a new 10 Day/9 Night tour - The Essence of Italian Art & Wine Country. The emphasis is on food and wine, the Italian countryside and the art cities of Rome,Venice and Florence. And for the first time, the magical, unique villages of Cinque Terre are included in an ALBATours coach tour. Viva Italia! P.S. Coach tours are not recommended for those with special needs (e.g. wheelchairs) and/or for children under six. Coach tours are for every age group too. Don’t miss out thinking that coach tours are restricted to a much older crowd. Anyone looking for the fun of travel with a group of companions who share similar interests and who wants to sit back, relax and see Italy in complete comfort, is the perfect candidate for our coach tours. You can book a complete land plus air package from Toronto or choose a land only package and join the tour while you’re in Italy. SEE NEXT PAGE FOR COACH TOUR HOTELS… pricing, additional photos, exciting details and more! ALBATours 2009 Italy 9 COACH TOUR HOTELS Accommodation includes daily breakfast (buffet or continental) and hotel taxes and service charges. All accommodation features private bathroom, air-conditioning and direct-dial telephone unless otherwise specified. Trevi Fountain, Rome LIGURIA REGION VENICE Santa Caterina Park Hotel ★★★ or similar Novotel Mestre-Venice ★★★★ or similar An elegant 85 room hotel located near the centuries old town of Sarzana which is found a few km from the coast of the Ligurian Sea. Facilities: TV, pay mini-bar.Two restaurants including a roof garden, 2 bars, room service. Featured hotel on these tours: Essence of Italian Art & Wine Country A large, modern, international hotel with 215 rooms located in the town of Mestre across the main bridge to Venice. Complimentary courtesy shuttle to Venice is available. Facilities: Restaurant, bar, snack bar and outdoor pool. Rooms include 2 double beds, pay mini-bar, satellite TV,WiFi wireless Internet access, safety deposit, bathroom with shower, tub and hair-dryer. Featured hotel on these tours: Artistic Italy, Best of Italy, Italian Panorama, Dolce Vita in Tuscany. ROME Grand Hotel Beverly Hills ★★★★ or similar An elegant, modern hotel situated near Villa Borghese and Via Veneto. Facilities: 180 rooms with modern comforts, bar, restaurant & parking. Featured hotel on these tours: Artistic Italy, Best of Italy, Italian Panorama, Italy South. FLORENCE Hotel Mediterraneo, ★★★★ or similar This 331-room hotel is a short distance from the city centre and situated in a quiet area of Florence, along the banks of the Arno River. Facilities: Satellite TV, safe, mini-bar, hair-dryer, internet outlet, room service, restaurant and bar. Featured hotel on these tours: Artistic Italy, Best of Italy, Italian Panorama. Holiday Inn Parco dei Medici ★★★★ or similar A modern, completely renovated 317-room hotel in Rome’s Eur District. Complimentary shuttle bus service to Rome’s city centre. Facilities: Restaurant, café/cocktail lounge, outdoor pool, tennis court, fitness centre and sauna. Rooms include 2 queen-size beds, pay mini-bar, satellite TV, WiFi wireless internet access, bathroom with shower, tub and hairdryer. Featured hotel on these tours: Dolce Vita in Tuscany, Essence of Italian Art & Wine Country. 10 ALBATours 2009 Italy Hotel Perugia Plaza ★★★★ or similar This 108-room hotel is located across from the historical centre of Perugia, close to the main roads for easy access to the heart of the city. Facilities: Colour TV, pay mini-bar, hairdryer, data port. Hotel has a restaurant, fitness centre & outdoor pool. Featured hotel on these tours: Best of Italy, Italian Panorama. STRESA/BAVENO/ LAKE MAGGIORE CHIANTI REGION Hotel La Loggia ★★★ or similar PERUGIA NEW! This charming hotel in the Chianti Region is located a few kms north of Siena on the “Chianti Road”. La Loggia has 25 spacious rooms decorated in traditional Tuscan style with mini-bar, satellite TV and wonderful view of the surrounding hills of Tuscany. Facilities: An outdoor pool set amid gardens facing the famous vineyards of Chianti Classico, restaurant, bar, terrace, internet access. Featured hotel on these tours: Dolce Vita in Tuscany, Essence of Italian Art & Wine Country. Grand Hotel Bristol, in Stresa ★★★★ or similar The ‘pearl’ of Lake Maggiore, this 255-room hotel was completely renovated in 2002 and features such refined furnishings as Candoglia marble, antique carpets, fine woodwork, crystal chandeliers and Tiffany glass cupolas. Facilities: Mini-bar, hair-dryer.The hotel has a bar, restaurant, open-air & indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi,Turkish bath & gym. Featured hotel on these tours: Artistic Italy, Best of Italy, Italian Panorama. visit www.albatours.com for up-to-the-minute Each evening during your coach tour of Italy, you'll be be accommodated in a comfortable 3 or 4-star hotel which has been pre-selected for you by ALBATours. Most hotels are centrally located and easily accessible to the shops and sights of the town or city in which you are spending the night. Grand Hotel Dino, in Baveno ★★★★ or similar Hotel Splendid, in Baveno ★★★★ or similar This 375-room hotel is set amongst beautiful gardens overlooking Lake Maggiore and offers traditional hospitality. Restored in 2001 to exquisite style, it now also offers an ultra-modern fitness centre and is one of the best beachfront properties in the area. Facilities: Satellite TV, mini-bar, hair-dryer, data port.The hotel has two restaurants,breakfast room, fitness centre, sports bar, games room,TV room, indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Featured hotel on these tours: Artistic Italy, Best of Italy, Italian Panorama. This lakeside hotel features 105 rooms and is located in the middle of a magnificent garden, just 400 metres from the centre of Baveno. Facilities: Bar, restaurant, swimming pool, solarium, Jacuzzi, sauna,Turkish bath, gym & tennis court. Rooms have hairdryers. Featured hotel on these tours: Artistic Italy, Best of Italy, Italian Panorama. SORRENTO Panorama Palace Hotel ★★★ or similar This elegantly appointed 99-room hotel sits perched on a cliff overlooking the coastline & Gulf of Naples. It is located in Meta di Sorrento close to the centre of Sorrento’s cultural and tourist attractions. Facilities: Satellite TV, radio, pay mini-bar. Hotel has restaurant and bar, games room and reading room. Featured hotel on these tours: Italian Panorama, Italy South. Hotel Simplon, in Baveno ★★★★ or similar Recently restored, this hotel is surrounded by an age-old park and located just a few metres from the shore. Facilities: Restaurant, bar, outdoor swimming pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, small gym & tennis court. Rooms have balcony or terrace. Featured hotel on these tours: Artistic Italy, Best of Italy, Italian Panorama. pricing, additional photos, exciting details and more! Hotel La Meridiana ★★★ or similar This quaint hotel is located in a residential area of Sorrento next to the town’s centre. Offering guests a relaxing and pleasant stay, the hotel’s own restaurant offers excellent cuisine that combines local & national specialties. Facilities: Satellite TV and safe. Hotel has a restaurant. Featured hotel on these tours: Italian Panorama, Italy South. ALBATours 2009 Italy 11 DOLCE VITA IN TUSCANY 10 Day / 9 Night Gastronomic Cooking and Wine Tasting Coach Tour Rome, Cortona, Monteriggioni, San Gimignano, Pienza, Florence, Siena, Verona, Venice Tuscany Countryside ADDITIONAL NIGHT OPTIONS To book additional hotel nights before or after your coach tour, please see our hotels on pages 30 to 37 and discuss with your travel agent. Our Dolce Vita in Tuscany Gastronomic Cooking and Wine Tasting Tour from Rome to Venice has become one of the most popular holidays we have ever offered in Italy. It was a sell-out in 2008! And no wonder. It offers top value from every perspective and promises not only great fun, wonderful sightseeing and beautiful scenery, but also the chance to learn a good deal about Italy’s matchless food and wine and immerse yourself in local Italian culture. You’ll fly from Toronto to Rome, spend two days in the Eternal City, then begin your coach tour across Tuscany to Venice. Like a fine wine,Tuscany has been some time in the making. Visitors come for a thousand reasons, many in search of the artistic heritage of the Renaissance (four of the sites included in your tour are UNESCO protected: The historical centres of Florence, Siena, San Gimignano and Pienza). Others come to explore the extraordinary countryside, paint, stroll and trek the quiet lanes bounded by tall stone walls, cypress trees and creamy-coloured villas. 12 ALBATours 2009 Italy visit www.albatours.com for up-to-the-minute AIR & TOUR PACKAGE BOOK BY FEB. 28, 2009 couple SAVE per on your 300 $ air & tour package INCLUDES: Offer is capacity controlled and may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice. • Best and lowest airfare from Toronto to Rome, returning from Venice • Transfer from Rome airport to your hotel upon arrival* • Transfer from Venice hotel to Venice Airport for departure* • Plus,Tour Package detailed below *Transfer included when flights are with ALBATours TOUR ONLY PACKAGE INCLUDES: ACCOMMODATION • Rome: 2 nights Holiday Inn Parco dei Medici ★★★★ • Chianti region of Tuscany: 5 nights Hotel La Loggia ★★★ • Venice: 2 nights Hotel Plaza Venezia-Mestre ★★★★ All rooms have private bath or shower, 2 single beds or 1 double bed MEALS • Continental or buffet breakfast daily • Eight 3-course dinners (wine/water included) • Lunch in San Gimignano (wine/water included) TOURS Venice • City tour of Rome on foot and by bus • City tours of Florence,Siena,Verona,andVenice on foot • Wine tasting/cooking class at Fattoria San Donato and lunch including wine/water • Wine tasting at the Fattoria Casato Prime Donne (3 wines plus hors d’oeuvres). • Cooking class at the Scuola di Cucina Lella Cesari and dinner including wine/water • Entrance fees to the Cathedral in Siena and Santa Croce Church in Florence • All transfers MORE INCLUSIONS • Services of English-speaking guides • Porterage of one piece of luggage per person at each hotel • Hotel taxes and service charges NOT INCLUDED • Meals and drinks not specified • Items of a personal nature • Entrance fees to museums, places of interest, optional excursions not specified in this itinerary and all other items not expressly mentioned GRATUITIES NOT INCLUDED • Tips to local guides, restaurant and hotel staff • Tips to tour drivers, tour escort (suggested gratuities per person per day: Driver 2 Euros, Escort 2 Euros) Rome pricing, additional photos, exciting details and more! ALBATours 2009 Italy 13 DOLCE VITA IN TUSCANY ITINERARY 10 Day / 9 Night Gastronomic Cooking and Wine Tasting Coach Tour Rome, Cortona, Monteriggioni, San Gimignano, Pienza, Florence, Siena, Verona, Venice Verona • • Venice • Florence San Gimignano • • Pienza Monteriggioni • • • Cortona Siena • Rome N Brief description of your included cooking classes & wine tastings ADDITIONAL NIGHT OPTIONS To book additional hotel nights before or after your coach tour, please see our hotels on pages 30 to 37 and discuss with your travel agent. Day 1 – Thursday Toronto to Rome Day 6 – Tuesday Pienza Evening departure from Toronto to Rome with ALBATours. Overnight flight After breakfast, on to Pienza. Lunch at leisure, then a stop at Fattoria Casato Prime Donne to visit cellars and enjoy a wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres. Next, a visit to Montalcino at leisure. Dinner and overnight at hotel Day 2 – Friday Rome Arrive, check in at hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Tonight, a welcome dinner with music at an Italian restaurant in the ultra-trendy Trastevere District in central Rome. Overnight at Hotel Parco dei Medici ★★★★ or similar Day 3 – Saturday Rome STOP PRESS! This itinerary has been revised for the departure dates in blue in the price panel. Visit to Verona on Day 9 is excluded. Please deduct $250 per person for the dates in blue. All other departure dates remain unaffected and are per the brochure text. Please see your travel agent for full details. Thank you! 14 ALBATours 2009 Italy After breakfast, a 3-hour Rome sightseeing tour highlighting St. Peter’s Basilica, Lungotevere, Isola Tiberina, Circus Maximus, Colosseum, Santa Maria Maggiore, Piazza della Repubblica,Via Nazionale, Trevi Fountain. Afternoon, dinner and evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel Day 4 – Sunday Tuscany’s Chianti Region After breakfast, transfer to Tuscany’s picturesque Chianti area including short visits to both Cortona and Monteriggioni. Lunch at leisure. Dinner & overnight at Hotel La Loggia ★★★ Day 5 – Monday San Gimignano After breakfast, San Gimignano, then to Fattoria San Donato for a cooking class.Then to Castellina in Chianti. Dinner & overnight at hotel. Fattoria San Donato Cooking Class Includes a cellar visit to see production of the local wine and olive oil. Instruction and preparation of 4 courses which are then served as lunch with local cheeses, cold meats and more. Fattoria Casato Prime Donne This famous wine estate produces one of the best Brunello di Montalcino wines. Day 7 – Wednesday Florence After breakfast, a classic guided walking tour includes the Cathedral, Piazza della Signoria and Santa Croce Church. Lunch and afternoon at leisure to explore Florence. Dinner & overnight at hotel Day 8 – Thursday Siena After breakfast, a half-day walking tour of Siena. Lunch at leisure then a cooking class with Lella Cesari at the Scuola di Cucina. Dinner & overnight at hotel. visit www.albatours.com for up-to-the-minute BOOK BY FEB. 28, 2009 couple SAVE per on your 300 $ air & tour package Offer is capacity controlled and may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice. Scuola di Cucina Lella Cesari Chef Lella Cesari has two passions – The Palio and her cooking school. She is famous for teaching typical Tuscan and Senese courses having researched the old secrets and flavours of the Italian tables in Siena.The typical class includes preparation of appetizers, a pasta course, a main course with vegetables and dessert (a complete meal), which is then served as dinner for you with wine and water. Day 9 – Friday Siena to Verona & Venice HOTEL LA LOGGIA ★★★ Now 2 Nights in Venice! After breakfast you’re off to Venice, stopping for a half day guided tour of Verona including the city centre, the arena and the house of Romeo and Juliet. Lunch at leisure and free time follows in Verona. Dinner & overnight at Hotel Plaza VeneziaMestre ★★★★ Day 10 – Saturday Venice After breakfast your English-speaking guide will escort you via private boat and coach to Venice centre for a half day tour including St. Mark’s Square, Cathedral and Doge’s Palace. Lunch at leisure with the afternoon free to explore. At 7:00 p.m. enjoy a farewell dinner in a centrally located restaurant. Overnight at hotel Day 11 – Sunday Venice to Toronto After an early breakfast, transfer to Venice Airport for your flight to Toronto with ALBATours. La Loggia is a charming hotel nestled amid the grandeur and beauty of the rolling Tuscan Hills of the Chianti Region, several kms north of Siena on the famous “Chianti Road.” Views are spectacular.The hotel has 25 spacious rooms and is designed in traditional Tuscan style (red geraniums blooming in beautiful terra cotta pots dot the lovely grounds). Facilities Include: An outdoor pool set amid gardens facing the famous vineyards of Chianti Classico, a terrace, restaurant and bar. Accommodation: Wonderful views of the surrounding hills, pay mini-bar, colour satellite TV, twin beds or double bed and bathroom with tub and/or shower. DATES IN BLUE REFLECT A CHANGE IN ITINERARY AND PRICE. SEE STOP PRESS BOX TO THE LEFT. AIR & TOUR PACKAGE 11 DAYS/9 NIGHTS TOUR ONLY PACKAGE 10 DAYS/9 NIGHTS Departure from Toronto on Thursday the following dates: Tour commences in Rome at your hotel on Friday on the following dates: May 9, 23 BOOK EARLY REGULAR PRICE 2149 $2299 $ Jun 6 Aug 14, 28 Sep 11, 25 Oct 9 $ 2249 $2399 Jun 19 Jul 3, 17, 31 May 8, 22 2299 $2449 $ $ 3149 $3299 Jun 5 Aug 13, 27 Sep 10, 24 Oct 8 $ 3249 $3399 Jun 18 Jul 2, 16, 30 3299 3449 $ $ All prices are per person, based on double occupancy.Single & Triple rates are also available.Transportation taxes – add $348. All offers are capacity controlled and may be modified without prior notice.Airfare in your Air & Tour Package is valid for 18 days without surcharge. Stay a little longer… Only with ALBATours! Air Extensions/ Flexible Returns Add a Mediterranean Cruise SEE PAGE 31 SEE PAGE 6 pricing, additional photos, exciting details and more! ALBATours 2009 Italy 15 ESSENCE OF ITALIAN ART & WINE 10 Day/ 9 Night Food & Wine, Italian Countryside & Art Cities Coach Tour Rome, Venice, Valpolicella, Cinque Terre, Florence, Chianti, San Gimignano, Siena Vernazza, Cinque Terre We’re particularly proud to introduce the newest star in our coach tour program as it touches on so much that truly defines Italy - the glorious art cities of Rome,Venice and Florence; the stunning countryside and wines of Valpolicella in the Veneto Region; the famed vineyards of Chianti and hill towns of Siena and San Gimignano in Tuscany; and for the first time ever, the five small coastal villages of Cinque Terre (cheen-kweh tehr-reh), a UNESCO World Heritage site. Known as the “five lands” and dripping with old world charm, tiny, narrow streets, an abundance of bougainvillea, and Mediterranean views to die for, Cinque Terre nestles where steep cliffs and hills drop precipitously into the sea. A photographer’s dream. A walker’s paradise. Don’t miss it! 16 ALBATours 2009 Italy visit www.albatours.com for up-to-the-minute COUNTRY 300 AIR & TOUR PACKAGE BOOK BY FEB. 28, 2009 $ couple SAVE per on your air & tour package INCLUDES: Offer is capacity controlled and may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice. FEATURING CINQUE TERRE! Chianti • Best and lowest return airfare from Toronto to Venice (return from Rome) • Transfer from Venice airport to your hotel upon arrival* • Transfer from Rome hotel to Rome airport for departure* • Plus,Tour Package detailed below *Transfer included when flights are with ALBATours TOUR ONLY PACKAGE INCLUDES: ACCOMMODATION Florence • Veneto Region:2 nightsVilla Braida ★★★★ • Liguria Region:2 nights Hotel Santa Caterina ★★★ + • Chianti Region ofTuscany:3 nights Hotel La Loggia ★★★ • Rome:2 nights Holiday Inn Parco Dei Medici ★★★★ All rooms have private bath or shower, 2 single beds or 1 double bed MEALS • Continental or buffet breakfast daily • Six 3-course dinners (wine/water/soft drinks) • Lunch at Restaurant Locanda Sandi (wine/water/soft drinks included) • Lunch at Querceto Estate/Winery in Castellina in Chianti TOURS Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre • City tour of Venice on foot • Tour of Cinque Terre on foot and by boat or train • City tours of Florence, Siena on foot • City tour of Rome on foot and by bus • Wine tasting and visit to the wine cellars of Querceto Estate/Winery in Castellina in Chianti (3 types of wine, hors d’oeuvres with light lunch) • Wine tasting and visit to Villa Spinosa Estate/ Winery in Valpolicella (3 types of wine and snacks) • Wine tasting and visit to Villa Sandi Wine Estate/Winery in Valdobiadene (3 types of wine) • Entrance fees to the Cathedral in Siena and Colosseum in Rome • All transfers by bus, boat or train MORE INCLUSIONS • Services of English-speaking guides • Porterage of one piece of luggage per person at every hotel • Hotel taxes and service charges NOT INCLUDED • Meals and drinks not specified • Items of a personal nature • Entrance fees to museums, places of interest, optional excursions not specified in this itinerary and all other items not expressly mentioned GRATUITIES NOT INCLUDED • Tips to local guides, restaurant and hotel staff • Tips to tour drivers, tour escort (suggested gratuities per person per day: Driver 2 Euros, Escort 2 Euros) pricing, additional photos, exciting details and more! ALBATours 2009 Italy 17 ESSENCE OF ITALIAN ART & WINE 10 Day / 9 Night Food & Wine, Italian Countryside & Art Cities Coach Tour Rome, Venice, Valpolicella, Cinque Terre, Florence, Chianti, San Gimignano, Siena Valpolicella • • Venice • Sarzana Cinque Terre • • Florence Castellina • San Gimignano in Chianti • • Siena • Rome N Day 1 – Saturday Venice ADDITIONAL NIGHT OPTIONS To book additional hotel nights before or after your coach tour, please see our hotels on pages 30 to 37 and discuss with your travel agent. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by your Essence of Tuscany representative or tour escort and taken to your hotel. Relax and enjoy lunch at leisure. Around 4:00 p.m. you’ll be transferred to Venice where a private boat will take you across the Giudecca Canal to Piazza San Marco for your guided tour. Includes the Palace of the Doges, the Cathedral and other sights. After dinner in Venice, you’ll return to your hotel, the lovely Villa Braida. Overnight at Hotel Braida ★★★★ or similar Day 2 – Sunday Venice: Excursion to Villa Sandi Following breakfast, you’ll depart on a full day excursion to Prosecco wine country including a visit toVilla Sandi for a wine tasting and a peek at their famous cellars.Villa Sandi is a sparkling Palladian-style villa dating to 1622. Day 4 – Tuesday Sarzana: Excursion to Cinque Terre After breakfast, you’ll head towards Cinque Terre to meet with your guide for a full day tour of the national Park of Cinque Terre. After a pleasant walk from the village of Riomaggiore to Manarola, you’ll board a small train to visit the villages of Vernazza and Monterosso. Lunch is at leisure. Early evening return to hotel. Dinner and evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel A superb lunch is included at Restaurant Locanda Sandi where you’ll enjoy a 3-course meal accompanied by a different local wine with each course. After lunch, there’s a short stop at Treviso, a cultural, historical town.You can then return to Villa Braida, or remain on the coach to disembark at Piazzale Roma in Venice. Then make your own way back to the villa as you wish. In either case, dinner and your evening is at leisure. Overnight at the villa. Day 3 – Monday Venice to Valpolicella & Sarzana After breakfast, you’ll depart for for a visit, snack and tasting of 3 wines at the Villa Spinosa in Negrar di Valpolicella in the Veneto region. Lunch is at leisure followed by departure for the Liguria Region where, upon reaching the hotel (in Sarzana, close to Lerici & Portovenere), time is at leisure. Dinner and overnight: Hotel Santa Caterina Park ★★★ or similar 18 ALBATours 2009 Italy Day 5 – Wednesday Cinque Terre to Florence & Tuscany’s Chianti Region After breakfast, depart for Florence. Lunch is at leisure followed by a half day guided tour including the Cathedral complex, Piazza della Signoria and Ponte Vecchio.You’ll then head for Tuscany’s Chianti Region and your hotel. Dinner & overnight at Hotel La Loggia ★★★ or similar visit www.albatours.com for up-to-the-minute COUNTRY 300 BOOK BY FEB. 28, 2009 $ couple SAVE per on your air & tour package Offer is capacity controlled and may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice. Day 6 – Thursday San Gimignano & Siena VILLA BRAIDA ★★★★ Following breakfast, depart for San Gimignano for an “at leisure” visit of this fascinating town. Next, Siena! Lunch is at leisure followed by an early afternoon guided tour including the Cathedral, city centre and Piazza del Campo. You’ll have free time to shop and enjoy Siena, returning to your hotel early evening. Dinner and overnight at hotel Day 7 – Friday Tuscany’s Chianti Area First breakfast, then to Castellina and Radda, two small medieval villages in Chianti. You’ll have a light lunch of cold cuts, cheese and bruschette including a tasting of 3 wines at Querceto Estate/Winery in Castellina. In the afternoon you’ll visit the village of Greve in Chianti followed by a return to your hotel in early evening. Dinner and overnight at hotel Day 8 – Saturday Chianti to Rome After breakfast, you’re off to Rome stopping for a short visit and lunch at leisure in Orvieto. Upon arrival in Rome, check into the hotel and meet with your REIMATours representative or tour escort. The balance of the day, dinner and the evening is at leisure to explore the glories of Rome. Overnight at Holiday Inn Parco dei Medici ★★★★ or similar Villa Braida is a lovely, aristocratic 19th century manor set in the quiet Venetian countryside about 5 km from Mogliano Veneto and 10 km or so from Venice and Treviso.The grounds are stunning, and just the perfect place for romantic strolls or perhaps a whirl 'round the estate on the mountain bikes which are provided to you on a complimentary basis. See red arrow for your accommodation location. Facilities Include: There is a restaurant, fitness facility, mountain bikes and 24-hour room service for your enjoyment.The villa has 24-hour reception. Accommodation: Well-furnished, air-conditioned rooms have satellite TV, pay mini-bar, internet access, direct-dial phone, in-room safe, alarm clock and a private bathroom with a shower. AIR & TOUR PACKAGE 11 DAYS/9 NIGHTS TOUR ONLY PACKAGE 10 DAYS/9 NIGHTS Departure from Toronto on Friday the following dates: Tour commences in Rome at your hotel on Saturday on the following dates: Day 9 – Sunday Rome After breakfast, you’ll transfer to the city centre for a half day guided tour featuring the Colosseum, Lungotevere, Castle St.Angelo and St. Peter’s Basilica.Then once again your time is your own and you have the afternoon to shop, explore and enjoy the scene. As dinner tonight is also at leisure, why not treat yourself to something fabulous in a gorgeous piazza! Overnight at the hotel Day 10 – Monday Rome After an early breakfast, transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport for your return Skyservice flight to Toronto. May 9, 23 BOOK EARLY REGULAR PRICE 1819 $1969 $ Jun 6 Aug 15, 29 Sep 12, 26 Oct 10 $ 1919 $2069 Jun 20 Jul 4, 18 Aug 1 May 8, 22 1949 $2099 $ $ 2839 $2989 Jun 5 Aug 14, 28 Sep 11, 25 Oct 9 $ 2939 $3089 Jun 19 Jul 3, 17, 31 3039 $3189 $ All prices are per person, based on double occupancy.Single & Triple rates are also available.Transportation taxes – add $348. All offers are capacity controlled and may be modified without prior notice.Airfare in your Air & Tour Package is valid for 18 days without surcharge. Stay a little longer… Only with ALBATours! Air Extensions/ Flexible Returns Add a Mediterranean Cruise SEE PAGE 31 SEE PAGE 6 pricing, additional photos, exciting details and more! ALBATours 2009 Italy 19 ARTISTIC ITALY 9 Day / 8 Night Tour Rome, Florence, Stresa/Baveno (Lake Maggiore), Lugano (Switzerland), Verona, Padua & Venice Lugano, Switzerland • Stresa & Baveno • Verona • • Venice Padua• • Florence • Rome N NEW! 2 Additional Nights Added! ADDITIONAL NIGHT OPTIONS To book additional hotel nights before or after your coach tour, please see our hotels on pages 30 to 37 and discuss with your travel agent. STOP PRESS! This itinerary has been revised for the departure dates in blue in the price panel. The leisure day in Florence (Day 4) has been removed. Please deduct $220 per person for the dates in blue. All other departure dates remain unaffected and are per the brochure text. Please see your travel agent for full details. Thank you! Day 1 - Friday Rome Day 5 – Tuesday Florence to Stresa/Baveno/Lake Maggiore Upon arrival, check into hotel and enjoy lunch at leisure. Around 4:00 p.m. you’ll depart on a tour of Rome including such classical sites as the Trevi Fountain, Lungotevere, Castle of St.Angelo and St. Peter’s Basilica. Tonight a welcome dinner at the hotel and an introduction to your REIMATours representative or tour escort. Overnight: Grand Hotel Beverly Hills ★★★★ or similar After breakfast, depart for the Lombardia region continuing to Stresa/Baveno, two quaint, picturesque towns on Lake Maggiore, where you’ll spend two nights. Lake Maggiore is one of Italy’s most beautiful lakes known for its splendid climate and sightseeing. Dinner & overnight: Grand Hotel Bristol/ Grand Hotel Dino/Hotel Splendid/Hotel Simplon ★★★★ or similar Day 2 – Saturday Rome Day 6 – Wednesday Stresa/Baveno/Lake Maggiore/ Excursion to Lugano, Switzerland After breakfast, your whole day and evening is at leisure to sightsee, shop, and enjoy the restaurants and café lifestyle of this remarkable city. Overnight at hotel Day 3 – Sunday Rome to Florence After breakfast, you’ll depart for Florence,‘Cradle of the Renaissance’, crossing some of Italy’s most beautiful regions, including Lazio, Umbria and Tuscany, before arriving in Florence at approximately noon. In the early afternoon, a local guide will introduce you to Giotto’s Bell Tower, Piazza Della Signoria, and many other timeless highlights. Dinner & overnight: Hotel Mediterraneo ★★★★ or similar Day 4 – Monday Florence After breakfast, Florence awaits at your leisure! You have an entire day and evening to enjoy the fabulous shopping and seemingly endless sights. Take time with your photographs and relax in the busy cafés amid welcoming piazzas. Overnight at hotel 20 ALBATours 2009 Italy Breakfast is followed by a day-long excursion into the Alps and Switzerland. Skirting Lake Maggiore, you’ll pass Pallanza, Intra and Ghiffa before reaching Lugano where you can enjoy leisure time for lunch, shopping the elegant boutiques of Via Nassa, or walking by the magnificent Civic Park. Return to Stresa/Baveno later in the afternoon. Dinner & overnight at hotel Day 7 – Thursday Stresa/Baveno to Verona, Padua & Venice Breakfast is followed by departure for Verona, one of Italy’s most fascinating cities featuring a wide array of monuments and historic buildings, such as Romeo and Juliet’s balcony and the Roman Theatre. Depart for Padua, stopping to visit the famous Basilica of St. Anthony, and then on to Venice, boasting an incredible number of churches, piazzas, historical buildings, canals, restaurants & shops. Dinner & overnight: Novotel Mestre-Venice ★★★★ or similar visit www.albatours.com for up-to-the-minute AIR & TOUR PACKAGE BOOK BY FEB. 28, 2009 couple SAVE per on your 300 $ air & tour package INCLUDES: • Best and lowest airfare from Toronto to Rome, returning from Venice • Transfer from Rome airport to your hotel upon arrival* • Transfer from Venice hotel to Venice Airport for departure* • Plus,Tour Package detailed below Offer is capacity controlled and may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice. *Transfer included when flights are with ALBATours TOUR ONLY PACKAGE INCLUDES: ACCOMMODATION Verona Day 8 – Friday Venice After breakfast, you’ll take a private boat across the Giudecca Canal to Piazza San Marco to meet a local expert for a guided walking tour of the city, taking in the Palace of the Doges, the Bridge of Sighs and many other highlights, concluding at a glass factory. The afternoon is free for an optional visit to Murano and Burano, or to explore on your own. Dinner at leisure. Overnight at hotel TRANSPORTATION Day 9 – Saturday Venice After an early breakfast, transfer to Venice Airport for your return flight to Toronto with ALBATours. DATES IN BLUE REFLECT A CHANGE IN ITINERARY AND PRICE. SEE STOP PRESS BOX TO THE LEFT. AIR & TOUR PACKAGE 10 DAYS/8 NIGHTS TOUR ONLY PACKAGE 9 DAYS/8 NIGHTS Departure from Toronto is on Thursday on the following dates: Tour commences in Rome at your hotel on Friday on the following dates BOOK EARLY REGULAR PRICE May 9, 23 Jun 6, 19, 26 Jul 3, 10 Aug 21, 28 Sep 4, 11, 18, 25 Jul 17, 24, 31 Aug 7, 14 1799 $1949 $ Jun 18, 25 Jul 2, 9 Aug 20, 27 Jul 16, 23, 30 Aug 6, 13 • Touring by deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach • Transfer by private boat in Venice MEALS • Continental breakfast daily • Five 3-course dinners (includes 1/4 litre of wine or soft drinks & 1/2 litre of mineral water) TOURS • City tour of Rome on foot and by bus • City tour of Florence on foot • Excursion to Lugano by bus • Visit of St.Anthony’s Basilica in Padua on foot • City tour of Venice on foot MORE INCLUSIONS 1749 $1899 $ May 8, 22 Jun 5 Sep 3, 10, 17, 24 • 8 nights accommodation in a first-class or superior tourist class hotel (all rooms have private bath or shower, as well as 2 singles or 1 double bed) 2589 $2739 $ 2819 $2969 $ 2769 $2919 $ All prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Single & Triple rates are also available. Transportation taxes – add $348. All offers are capacity controlled and may be modified without prior notice.Airfare in your Air & Tour Package is valid for 18 days without surcharge. Stay a little longer… Only with ALBATours! • Services of English-speaking guides • Porterage of one piece of luggage per person at every hotel • Hotel taxes and service charges NOT INCLUDED • Meals and drinks not specified • Items of a personal nature • Entrance fees to museums, places of interest, optional excursions not specified in this itinerary and all other items not expressly mentioned GRATUITIES NOT INCLUDED Air Extensions/ Flexible Returns Add a Mediterranean Cruise SEE PAGE 31 SEE PAGE 6 pricing, additional photos, exciting details and more! • Tips to local guides, restaurant and hotel staff • Tips to tour drivers, tour escort (suggested gratuities per person per day: Driver 2 Euros, Escort 2 Euros) ALBATours 2009 Italy 21 BEST OF ITALY 11 Day / 10 Night Tour Rome, Florence, Stresa/Baveno (Lake Maggiore), Lugano (Switzerland), Verona, Padua, Venice, Siena, Perugia, Rome Lugano, Switzerland • Stresa & Baveno • Verona • • Venice Padua• • Florence Siena • • Perugia • Rome N NEW! 2 Additional Nights Added! ADDITIONAL NIGHT OPTIONS To book additional hotel nights before or after your coach tour, please see our hotels on pages 30 to 37 and discuss with your travel agent. STOP PRESS! This itinerary has been revised for the departure dates in blue in the price panel. The leisure day in Florence (Day 4) has been removed. Please deduct $220 per person for the dates in blue. All other departure dates remain unaffected and are per the brochure text. Please see your travel agent for full details. Thank you! 22 ALBATours 2009 Italy Perugia Day 1 – Friday Rome Day 5 – Tuesday Florence to Stresa/Baveno/Lake Maggiore Upon arrival, check into hotel and enjoy lunch at leisure. Around 4:00 p.m. you’ll depart on a tour of Rome including such classical sights as the Trevi Fountain, Lungotevere, Castle of St.Angelo and St. Peter’s Basilica. Tonight a welcome dinner at the hotel and an introduction to your REIMATours representative or tour escort. Overnight: Grand Hotel Beverly Hills ★★★★ or similar After breakfast, depart for the Lombardia region continuing to Stresa/Baveno, two quaint, picturesque towns on Lake Maggiore, where you’ll spend two nights. Lake Maggiore is one of Italy’s most beautiful lakes known for its splendid climate and sightseeing. Dinner & overnight: Grand Hotel Bristol/ Grand Hotel Dino/Hotel Splendid/Hotel Simplon ★★★★ or similar Day 2 – Saturday Rome Day 6 – Wednesday Stresa/Baveno/Lake Maggiore/ Excursion to Lugano, Switzerland After breakfast, your day and evening is at leisure to sightsee, shop, and enjoy the restaurants and café lifestyle of this remarkable city. Overnight at hotel Day 3 – Sunday Rome to Florence After breakfast, you’ll depart for Florence,‘Cradle of the Renaissance’, crossing some of Italy’s most beautiful regions, including Lazio, Umbria and Tuscany, before arriving in Florence at approximately noon. In the early afternoon, a local guide will introduce you to Giotto’s Bell Tower, Piazza Della Signoria, and many other timeless highlights. Dinner & overnight: Hotel Mediterraneo ★★★★ or similar Day 4 – Monday Florence After breakfast, Florence awaits at your leisure! You have an entire day and evening to enjoy the fabulous shopping and seemingly endless sights. Take time with your photographs and relax in the busy cafés amid welcoming piazzas. Overnight at hotel Breakfast is followed by a day-long excursion into the Alps and Switzerland. Skirting Lake Maggiore, you’ll pass Pallanza, Intra and Ghiffa before reaching Lugano where you can enjoy leisure time for lunch, shopping the elegant boutiques of Via Nassa, or walking by the magnificent Civic Park. Return to Stresa/Baveno later in the afternoon. Dinner & overnight at hotel Day 7 – Thursday Stresa/Baveno to Verona, Padua & Venice Breakfast is followed by departure for Verona, one of Italy’s most fascinating cities featuring a wide array of monuments and historic buildings, such as Romeo and Juliet’s balcony and the Roman Theatre. Depart for Padua, stopping to visit the famous Basilica of St.Anthony, and then on to Venice, boasting an incredible number of churches, piazzas, historical buildings, canals, restaurants & shops. Dinner & overnight: Novotel Mestre-Venice ★★★★ or similar visit www.albatours.com for up-to-the-minute AIR & TOUR PACKAGE BOOK BY FEB. 28, 2009 couple SAVE per on your 300 $ air & tour package INCLUDES: • Best and lowest return airfare from Toronto to Rome • Transfer from Rome airport to your hotel upon arrival* • Transfer from Rome hotel to Rome airport for departure* • Plus,Tour Package detailed below Offer is capacity controlled and may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice. Day 8 – Friday Venice Day 10 – Sunday Perugia to Rome After breakfast, you’ll take a private boat across the Giudecca Canal to Piazza San Marco to meet a local expert for a guided walking tour of the city, taking in the Palace of the Doges, the Bridge of Sighs and many other highlights, concluding at a glass factory.The afternoon is free for an optional visit to Murano and Burano, or to explore on your own. Dinner at leisure & overnight at hotel Today, you’ll head back to Rome, check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of your day and evening at leisure. Overnight at Grand Beverly Hills ★★★★ or similar *Transfer included when flights are with ALBATours Day 11 – Monday Rome After breakfast you’ll be transferred to Rome Fiumicino Airport where you’ll board your return flight to Toronto with ALBATours. Day 9 – Saturday Venice to Siena & Perugia After breakfast, depart for the Tuscany region and Siena, a stunning city of art and history. Lunch at leisure followed by a city tour: the marvelous cathedral, the gothic Municipal Palace and the Piazza del Campo, site of the ‘Palio di Siena,’ a horse race between various city districts dating to 1656.Then to Perugia. Dinner & overnight: Hotel Perugia Plaza ★★★★ or similar TOUR ONLY PACKAGE INCLUDES: ACCOMMODATION • 10 nights accommodation in a first-class or superior tourist class hotel (all rooms have private bath or shower, as well as 2 singles or 1 double bed) Siena TRANSPORTATION • Touring by deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach • Transfer by private boat in Venice MEALS • Continental breakfast daily • Six 3-course dinners (includes 1/4 litre of wine or soft drinks & 1/2 litre of mineral water) TOURS DATES IN BLUE REFLECT A CHANGE IN ITINERARY AND PRICE. SEE STOP PRESS BOX TO THE LEFT. AIR & TOUR PACKAGE 12 DAYS/10 NIGHTS TOUR ONLY PACKAGE 11 DAYS/10 NIGHTS Departure from Toronto is on Thursday on the following dates Tour commences in Rome at your hotel on Friday on the following dates BOOK EARLY REGULAR May 9, 23 Jun 6, 19, 26 Jul 3, 10 Aug 21, 28 Sep 4, 11, 18, 25 Jul 17, 24, 31 Aug 7, 14 2229 $2379 $ 2179 $2329 $ May 8, 22 Jun 5 Sep 3, 10, 17, 24 3029 $3179 $ Jun 18, 25 Jul 2, 9 Aug 20, 27 3249 $3399 $ Jul 16, 23, 30 Aug 6, 13 • City tour of Rome on foot and by bus • City tour of Florence on foot • Excursion to Lugano by bus • Visit of St.Anthony’s Basilica in Padua on foot • City tour of Venice on foot • City tour of Siena on foot MORE INCLUSIONS 3199 $3349 $ • Services of English-speaking guides • Porterage of one piece of luggage per person at every hotel • Hotel taxes and service charges NOT INCLUDED All prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Single & Triple rates are also available. Transportation taxes – add $348. All offers are capacity controlled and may be modified without prior notice.Airfare in your Air & Tour Package is valid for 18 days without surcharge. Stay a little longer… Only with ALBATours! • Meals and drinks not specified • Items of a personal nature • Entrance fees to museums, places of interest, optional excursions not specified in this itinerary and all other items not expressly mentioned GRATUITIES NOT INCLUDED Air Extensions/ Flexible Returns Add a Mediterranean Cruise SEE PAGE 31 SEE PAGE 6 pricing, additional photos, exciting details and more! • Tips to local guides, restaurant and hotel staff • Tips to tour drivers, tour escort (suggested gratuities per person per day: Driver 2 Euros, Escort 2 Euros) ALBATours 2009 Italy 23 ITALIAN PANORAMA 15 Day / 14 Night Tour Rome, Florence, Stresa/Baveno (Lake Maggiore), Lugano (Switzerland), Verona, Padua, Venice, Siena, Perugia, Lugano, Switzerland • Stresa & Baveno • Verona • • Venice Padua• • Florence Siena • • Perugia • Rome Naples • • Pompeii • Sorrento Capri • N NEW! 2 Additional Nights Added! ADDITIONAL NIGHT OPTIONS To book additional hotel nights before or after your coach tour, please see our hotels on pages 30 to 37 and discuss with your travel agent. STOP PRESS! This itinerary has been revised for the departure dates in blue in the price panel. The leisure day in Florence (Day 4) has been removed. Please deduct $220 per person for the dates in blue. All other departure dates remain unaffected and are per the brochure text. Please see your travel agent for full details. Thank you! 24 ALBATours 2009 Italy Day 1 – Friday Rome Day 5 – Tuesday Florence to Stresa/Baveno/Lake Maggiore Upon arrival, check into hotel and enjoy lunch at leisure. Around 4:00 p.m. you’ll depart on a tour of Rome including such classical sites as the Trevi Fountain, Lungotevere, Castle of St.Angelo and St. Peter’s Basilica. Tonight a welcome dinner at the hotel and an introduction to your REIMATours representative or tour escort. Overnight: Grand Hotel Beverly Hills ★★★★ or similar After breakfast, depart for the Lombardia region continuing to Stresa/Baveno, two quaint, picturesque towns on Lake Maggiore, where you’ll spend two nights. Lake Maggiore is one of Italy’s most beautiful known for its splendid climate and historical sites. Dinner & overnight: Grand Hotel Bristol/ Grand Hotel Dino/Hotel Splendid/Hotel Simplon ★★★★ or similar Day 2 – Saturday Rome Day 6 – Wednesday Stresa/Baveno/Lake Maggiore/ Excursion to Lugano, Switzerland After breakfast, your entire day and evening is at leisure to sightsee, shop and enjoy the restaurants and café lifestyle of this remarkable city. Overnight at hotel Day 3 – Sunday Rome to Florence After breakfast, you’ll depart for Florence,‘Cradle of the Renaissance’, crossing some of Italy’s most beautiful regions, including Lazio, Umbria and Tuscany before arriving in Florence at approximately noon. In the early afternoon, a local guide will introduce you to Giotto’s Bell Tower, Piazza Della Signoria, and many other timeless highlights. Dinner & overnight: Hotel Mediterraneo ★★★★ or similar Day 4 – Monday Florence After breakfast, Florence awaits at our leisure! You have the whole day and evening to enjoy the fabulous shopping and seemingly endless sights. Take time with your photographs and relax in the busy cafés amid welcoming piazzas. Overnight at hotel Breakfast is followed by a day-long excursion into the Alps and Switzerland. Skirting Lake Maggiore, you’ll pass Pallanza, Intra and Ghiffa before reaching Lugano where you can enjoy leisure time for lunch, shopping the elegant boutiques of Via Nassa, or walking by the magnificent Civic Park.You’ll return to Stresa/Baveno later in the afternoon. Dinner & overnight at hotel Day 7 – Thursday Stresa/Baveno to Verona, Padua & Venice Breakfast is followed by departure for Verona, one of Italy’s most fascinating cities featuring a wide array of monuments and historic buildings, such as Romeo and Juliet’s balcony and the Roman Theatre. Depart for Padua, stopping to visit the famous Basilica of St.Anthony, and then on to Venice, boasting an incredible number of churches, piazzas, restaurants, canals and shops. Dinner & overnight: Novotel Mestre-Venice ★★★★ or similar visit www.albatours.com for up-to-the-minute AIR & TOUR PACKAGE BOOK BY FEB. 28, 2009 couple SAVE per on your 300 $ air & tour package INCLUDES: Offer is capacity controlled and may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice. Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri, Rome Day 8 – Friday Venice After breakfast, you’ll take a private boat across the Giudecca Canal to Piazza San Marco to meet a local expert for a guided walking tour of the city, taking in the Palace of the Doges, the Bridge of Sighs and many other highlights, concluding at a glass factory. The afternoon is free for an optional visit to Murano and Burano, or to explore on your own. Dinner at leisure and overnight at hotel Day 9 – Saturday Venice to Siena & Perugia Breakfast, followed by departure for the Tuscany region and Siena, a city of art and history. Lunch at leisure. In the afternoon, a city tour stops at the marvelous cathedral, the gothic Municipal Palace and the Piazza del Campo, site of the famous ‘Palio di Siena,’ a colourful horse race between the various districts of the city dating to 1656.Then to Perugia. Dinner & overnight: Hotel Perugia Plaza ★★★★ or similar Day 10 – Sunday Perugia to Rome After an early breakfast, you’ll return to Rome for the afternoon and evening at leisure. Overnight: Grand Hotel Beverly Hills ★★★★ or similar Day 11 – Monday Rome to Naples, Pompeii & Sorrento After breakfast depart for Naples. A short drive across this famous city, known as the capital of the ‘Kingdom of Two Sicilies,’ introduces you to Mergellina, Lungomare Caracciolo, Castel Dell’Ovo and il Maschio Angioino. Next, to Pompeii for a guided afternoon tour of the archaeological excavations of this Roman city, destroyed and buried by the eruption of Mt.Vesuvius in 79 AD and rediscovered at the end of the 16th century.Then to Sorrento. Dinner & overnight: Hotel Panorama Palace/ Hotel La Meridiana ★★★ or similar Breakfast at the hotel, then the day and evening at leisure in Sorrento. Perhaps you’ll take an optional tour to Amalfi? Dinner & overnight at hotel Day 13 – Wednesday Excursion to Capri/Sorrento to Rome After breakfast, transfer to the ferry and cross to the Isle of Capri, famous since Roman times and favourite vacation spot of the Emperor Tiberius. Arrive at the port of Marina Grande and take the mini-bus to La Piazzetta. Lunch is included and there’s leisure time to explore. Return to Sorrento in the afternoon and depart for Rome. Overnight: Grand Hotel Beverly Hills ★★★★ or similar Day 14 – Thursday Rome REGULAR PRICE 3249 $3399 $ ACCOMMODATION • 14 nights accommodation in a first-class or superior tourist class hotel (all rooms have private bath or shower,as well as 2 singles or 1 double bed) TRANSPORTATION Day 15 – Friday Rome MEALS After an early breakfast, transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport for your return flight to Toronto with ALBATours. • Continental breakfast daily • Eight 3-course dinners (includes 1/4 litre of wine or soft drinks & 1/2 litre of mineral water) • Lunch in Capri TOURS AIR & TOUR PACKAGE 16 DAYS/14 NIGHTS Departure from Toronto is on Thursday on the following dates May 8, 22 Jun 5 Sep 3, 10, 17, 24 Jun 18, 25 Jul 2, 9 Aug 20, 27 Jul 16, 23, 30 Aug 6, 13 • City tour of Rome on foot and by bus • City tour of Florence on foot • Excursion to Lugano by bus • Visit of St.Anthony’s Basilica in Padua on foot • City tour of Venice on foot • City tour of Siena on foot • Guided tour of the Pompeii excavations on foot • Visit the Isle of Capri on foot and by bus MORE INCLUSIONS 3209 $3359 $ INCLUDES: • Touring by deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach • Transfer by private boat in Venice • Ferry crossing Sorrento/Capri/Sorrento Tour commences in Rome at your hotel on Friday on the following dates BOOK EARLY TOUR ONLY PACKAGE After breakfast, another wonderful day at leisure to enjoy lunch, dinner and Rome sightseeing at your own speed. Overnight at hotel TOUR ONLY PACKAGE 15 DAYS/14 NIGHTS Jul 17, 24, 31 Aug 7, 14 *Transfer included when flights are with ALBATours Day 12 – Tuesday Sorrento DATES IN BLUE REFLECT A CHANGE IN ITINERARY AND PRICE. SEE STOP PRESS BOX TO THE LEFT. May 9, 23 Jun 6, 19, 26 Jul 3, 10 Aug 21, 28 Sep 4, 11, 18, 25 • Best and lowest return airfare from Toronto to Rome • Transfer from Rome airport to your hotel upon arrival* • Transfer from Rome hotel to Rome airport for departure* • Plus,Tour Package detailed below 4049 $4199 $ 4279 $4429 $ 4229 $4379 $ All prices are per person, based on double occupancy.Single & Triple rates are also available.Transportation taxes – add $348. All offers are capacity controlled and may be modified without prior notice. Airfare in your Air & Tour Package is valid for 18 days without surcharge. Stay a little longer… Only with ALBATours! • Services of English-speaking guides • Porterage of one piece of luggage per person at every hotel • Hotel taxes and service charges NOT INCLUDED • Meals and drinks not specified • Items of a personal nature • Entrance fees to museums, places of interest, optional excursions not specified in this itinerary and all other items not expressly mentioned GRATUITIES NOT INCLUDED Air Extensions/ Flexible Returns Add a Mediterranean Cruise SEE PAGE 31 SEE PAGE 6 pricing, additional photos, exciting details and more! • Tips to local guides, restaurant and hotel staff • Tips to tour drivers, tour escort (suggested gratuities per person per day: Driver 2 Euros, Escort 2 Euros) ALBATours 2009 Italy 25 ITALY SOUTH 7 Day / 6 Night Tour Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri, Rome NEW! 2 Additional Nights Added! N ADDITIONAL NIGHT OPTIONS To book additional hotel nights before or after your coach tour, please see our hotels on pages 30 to 37 and discuss with your travel agent. Pompeii with Vesuvius in background Day 1 – Saturday Rome Day 4 – Tuesday Sorrento Upon arrival in Rome, check into your hotel. Enjoy lunch and the afternoon at leisure. Dinner and Overnight: Grand Hotel Beverly Hills ★★★★ or similar Breakfast at the hotel followed by the day and evening at leisure in Sorrento. Perhaps you’ll take an optional tour to Amalfi? Dinner & overnight at hotel Day 2 – Sunday Rome Day 5 – Wednesday Sorrento, Capri, Rome After breakfast you’ll enjoy a morning tour of Rome featuring the Piazza della Repubblica, Piazza di Spagna, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona.The tour will end in downtown Rome where you may continue sightseeing and for dinner on your own.Then make your way back to the hotel as you wish. Overnight at hotel After breakfast, transfer to the port for the ferry crossing to Capri, an island famous even in Roman times and the favourite vacation spot of Emperor Tiberius. Upon arrival, hop on the mini-bus to La Piazzetta. Lunch is at a local restaurant and there’s leisure time to explore. Return to Sorrento in the afternoon and depart for Rome. Overnight: Grand Hotel Beverly Hills ★★★★ or similar Day 3 – Monday Rome to Naples, Pompeii & Sorrento After breakfast, we depart for Naples. A short drive across this famous city introduces us to Mergellina, Lungomare Caracciolo, Castel Dell’Ovo and il Maschio Angioino. Next, Pompeii, for a guided afternoon tour of the archaeological excavations of this Roman city, destroyed and buried by the eruption of Mt.Vesuvius in 79 AD and rediscovered at the end of the 16th century. Then to Sorrento. Dinner & overnight: Hotel Panorama Palace/Hotel La Meridiana ★★★ or similar 26 ALBATours 2009 Italy Day 6 – Thursday Rome After breakfast, another wonderful day and evening at leisure to enjoy lunch, dinner and sightseeing at your own speed. Day 7 – Friday Rome After an early breakfast transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport for your return flight toToronto with ALBATours. visit www.albatours.com for up-to-the-minute AIR & TOUR PACKAGE BOOK BY FEB. 28, 2009 couple SAVE per on your 300 $ air & tour package INCLUDES: Offer is capacity controlled and may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice. XXXX • Best and lowest return airfare from Toronto to Rome • Transfer from Rome airport to your hotel upon arrival* • Transfer from Rome hotel to Rome airport for departure* • Plus,Tour Package detailed below *Transfer included when flights are with ALBATours Capri TOUR ONLY PACKAGE INCLUDES: ACCOMMODATION • 6 nights accommodation in a first-class or superior tourist class hotel (all rooms have private bath or shower,as well as 2 singles or 1 double bed) TRANSPORTATION • Touring by deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach • Ferry crossing Sorrento/Capri/Sorrento MEALS AIR & TOUR PACKAGE 8 DAYS/6 NIGHTS TOUR ONLY PACKAGE 7 DAYS/6 NIGHTS Departure from Toronto on Friday the following dates: Tour commences in Rome at your hotel on Saturday on the following dates: • Continental breakfast daily • Three 3-course dinners (includes 1/4 litre of wine or soft drinks & 1/2 litre of mineral water) • Lunch in Capri TOURS BOOK EARLY REGULAR PRICE May 16, 30 Jun 13, 27 Jul 4, 11 Aug 22, 29 Sep 5, 12, 19, 26 Oct 3 $ 1499 $1649 Jul 18, 25 Aug 1, 8, 15 May 15, 29 Jun 12 Sep 4, 11, 18, 26 Oct 2 Jun 26 Jul 3, 10 Aug 21, 28 Jul 17, 24, 31 Aug 7, 14 1479 $1629 $ 2289 $2439 $ 2519 $2669 $ • City tour of Rome on foot and by bus • Guided tour of the Pompeii excavations on foot • Visit the Isle of Capri on foot and by bus MORE INCLUSIONS $ 2499 $2649 All prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Single & Triple rates are also available. Transportation taxes – add $348. All offers are capacity controlled and may be modified without prior notice.Airfare in your Air & Tour Package is valid for 18 days without surcharge. • Services of English-speaking guides • Porterage of one piece of luggage per person at every hotel • Hotel taxes and service charges NOT INCLUDED Stay a little longer… Only with ALBATours! Air Extensions/ Flexible Returns Add a Mediterranean Cruise SEE PAGE 31 SEE PAGE 6 pricing, additional photos, exciting details and more! • Meals and drinks not specified • Items of a personal nature • Entrance fees to museums, places of interest, optional excursions not specified in this itinerary and all other items not expressly mentioned GRATUITIES NOT INCLUDED • Tips to local guides, restaurant and hotel staff • Tips to tour drivers, tour escort (suggested gratuities per person per day: Driver 2 Euros, Escort 2 Euros) ALBATours 2009 Italy 27 SPERLONGA – SEASIDE HOLIDAY 7 & 14 Nights Including Air, Hotel & Transfers Affectionately known as“a pearl on theTyrrhenian Sea”,Sperlonga is a lovely seaside town just 116 km south of Rome.The old town is a pleasure to explore – compact and charming,with winding alleyways,nooks and crannies and flower be-decked wrought iron balconies.To the north of the headland is modern Sperlonga,catering to beach lovers who prefer more developed seasides. And another treasure awaits your pleasure as just south, beyond the harbour,lies a stretch of beautiful,peaceful beach,framed by deep woods and lapped by clean,clear water. From BOOK BY FEB. 28, 2009 SAVE 1499 $300 $ per couple on your Air & Tour Package Offer is capacity controlled and may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice. INCLUSIONS • Roundtrip airfare Toronto/Rome with ALBATours • 7 or 14 nights accommodation in Sperlonga at the 4-star Virgilio Grand Hotel • Buffet breakfast daily • Transfers between Rome Fiumicino airport and your hotel* • Hotel taxes and service charges *Transfers included when flights are with ALBATours OPTIONAL TOURS Daily excursions are offered from the hotel via deluxe, air-conditioned motorcoach, to Rome, Naples & Caserta, Sorrento and Amalfi Coast, Capri,Vesuvius, Pompeii and Ischia (to name but a few). Virgilio Grand Hotel Package Price Virgilio Grand Hotel ★★★★ Recently built, and consisting of a 3-building complex furnished in a modern fashion, the hotel is situated in the centre of Sperlonga just 200 metres from the sea near restaurants and bars. Hotel & Breakfast, Dinner 8 days/7 nights 15 days/14 nights Sunday Departures Book Regular Add a 2nd Week from Toronto to ROME Early Price at the Hotel $1649 $659 May 10-Jun 21, Sep 6-Oct 11 $1499 $1939 $2089 $1029 Jun 28-Jul 19, Aug 23 $2079 $2229 $1179 Jul 26-Aug 16 $1769 $1919 $1029 Aug 30 Optional - Add an AVIS Car Rental - Group "B" 1st week - add $100/person • 2nd week - add $190/person. Rates are per person per package based on double occupancy. Single & Triple rates are also available. Transportation taxes – add $348. All offers are capacity controlled and may be modified without prior notice.Airfare in your Air & Tour Package is valid for 18 days without surcharge. Facilities: Lobby with plasma screen satellite OPTIONAL - AVIS CAR RENTAL GROUP B TV and internet access • Breakfast room Including All-Inclusive Insurances • American bar • Outdoor pool and terrace If car is selected, transfers between the Rome Fiumicino Airport & hotel Accommodation: Air-conditioned with are not included. satellite TV, pay-mini-bar, direct-dial phone, bathroom with tub and shower • Terrace or balcony 28 ALBATours 2009 Italy Old Town Distance Chart Rome Montecassino Caserta Napoli Capri Pompeii Sorrento Ravello Positano Amalfi 116 km 67 km 94 km 114km 114 km 138 km 159 km 166 km 167 km 184 km Air Extensions/ Flexible Returns Add a Mediterranean Cruise SEE PAGE 31 SEE PAGE 6 visit www.albatours.com for up-to-the-minute ROME IMMERSIONS 4 & 7 Night Holidays Including Air, Hotel & Transfers A GREAT way to visit ROME, and immerse yourself in the history of the Eternal city at a GREAT price! From BOOK BY FEB. 28, 2009 SAVE 1099 $300 $ per couple on your Rome Immersion Package Offer is capacity controlled and may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice. INCLUSIONS • Roundtrip airfare Toronto Rome with ALBATours • 4 or 7 nights accommodation at the 4-star Hotel Atlantico • Buffet breakfast daily • Transfers between Rome Fiumicino airport and your hotel* • Hotel tax & service charges Rates are per person per package based on double occupancy. *Transfers included when flights are with ALBATours 5 DAYS/4 NIGHTS Sunday Departure from Toronto Friday return from Rome Book Regular Early Price 1099 1249 1349 $1299 $1199 1249 1399 $1499 $1449 $1349 $ $ Jun 7-14, Sep 6-27 $ $ Jun 21-Aug 16 $ May 10-May 31 Aug 23-30 Oct 4-11 8 days/7 nights Hotel Atlantico ★★★★ Centrally located in the heart of Rome near the Termini Railway Station just a short walk from Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, the Imperial Forum and Roman Museum. Facilities: Restaurant, bar, breakfast room and parking. Guests are invited to also take advantage of the facilities at the Hotel Mediterraneo, a sister hotel immediately next door. Accommodation: Spacious air-conditioned rooms offer old world ambience, hardwood, furnishings from the 30’s & 40’s,TV,WiFi, pay mini-bar, in-room safe, phone, bathroom with shower and/or tub, hairdryer. Sunday Departure from Toronto Monday Return from Rome 1449 Jun 7-14, Sep 6-27 $1599 $1699 Jun 21-Aug 16 $1649 Aug 23-30 $1549 Oct 4-11 May 10-May 31 $ 1599 $1749 $1849 $1799 $1699 $ Air Extensions & Flexible Returns Rome, Venice, Pescara & Lamezia: The roundtrip airfare included in all Italy holiday packages is valid for 18 days without surcharge. You may extend the duration of your holiday to 19 days and beyond with the payment of the air supplements shown below. Prices will vary dependent upon your original departure date fromToronto. Departure Date from Toronto,Add per Adult/Child Duration of May 7Jun 22Jun 29Extension Jun 21 Jun 28 Aug 23 Sep 7Aug 24Oct 20 Sep 6 19-25 days 26-45 days 125 150 150 175 200 225 For stays over 45 days ask your Travel Agent. pricing, additional photos, exciting details and more! ALBATours 2009 Italy 29 ROME HOTELS Book your hotels in advance in Canada… ★★★ Hotel California A 44-room hotel located approximately 100 metres from Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, 500 metres from the shops of Via Nazionale, half a mile from Via Veneto and two miles from the Spanish Steps,Trevi Fountain, Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum. Facilities: Concierge, currency exchange, 24-hour front desk, bar, parking garage (50 metres distance), internet corner.TV, pay mini-bar, bathroom with hairdryer, dataport. Rate Dates May 1-Jun 30; Sep 1-Oct 31 239 145 Jul 1-Aug 31 The Leonardi Hotel Group Hotel Waldorf ★★★ The 110 room Waldorf Hotel has an excellent location perfectly situated just a few minutes from Rome’s famous St. Peter’s Square and Vatican City. Facilities: Restaurant, bar, safety deposit box at reception.TV, pay mini-bar, bathroom with hairdryer. Dates Rate May 1-Jun 30; Sep 1-Oct 31 219 Jul 1-Aug 31 165 ★★★+ Hotel San Valentino ★★★ This hotel is a small family run 39-room property in an ideal location – just 5 minutes to the closest subway and a 15-minute walk to The Vatican. Facilities: Breakfast room, safety deposit box at reception, elevator.TV, bathroom with tub, shower, hairdryer. Dates Rate May 1-May 31; Oct 1-Oct 31 220 Jun 1-Jun 30; Sep 1-Sep 30 145 Jul 1-Aug 31 122 A family run 60-room hotel with an excellent location between the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, facing the world-famous Via Veneto. Facilities: Restaurant.TV, pay mini-bar, bathroom with tub or shower, hairdryer. Dates Rate May 1-Jul 11; Sep 5-Oct 31 404 Jul 12-Sep 4 263 Holiday Inn Parco dei Medici ★★★★ ★★★ Hotel Bled, Hotel Daniela (in the San Giovani Area), Hotel Fiamma, Hotel Siviglia (in the Termini Rail Station Area) These hotels are all centrally located and close to the famous sites in central Rome. Hotel reservation will be at one of these quaint 3-star hotels in the Leonardi Hotel Chain. Facilities: Hotel bar. Colour TV, pay mini-bar, safe. Dates Rate May 1-Jun 30; Sep 1-Oct 31 270 Jul 1-Aug 31 158 Hotel Alexandra Hotel Regent Furnished in classical style, 200-room Regent is found in the elegant Parioli Quarter a few minutes from the historical centre of Rome in the immediate vicinity of Via Veneto, Galleria Borghese, Zoological Gardens, Olympic Stadium and new Parco Della Musica.The city centre is just 2 kms away and within easy reach by bus or underground. Facilities: Two restaurants, bar, concierge, gift shop, room service. Satellite TV, safe, bathroom with robes and hairdryer. Rate Dates May 1-Jun 30; Sep 1-Oct 31 279 169 Jul 1-Jul 31 161 Aug 1-Aug 31 Hotel Tiziano ★★★★ Once the home of a noble family, the elegant 18th century Pacelli Palace is in the heart of historical Rome within walking distance of the Trevi Fountain. Facilities: Restaurant, bar, concierge, parking.TV, pay mini-bar, bathroom. Dates Rate May 1-Jun 30; Sep 1-Oct 31 279 Jul 1-Jul 31 169 Aug 1-Aug 31 161 Hotel Mercure Delta Colosseo ★★★★ A modern, completely refurbished 160-room hotel situated in the heart of the historic centre a short walk to the Colosseum and the Imperial Forum. Facilities: Restaurant, 2 bars, room service, outdoor pool (seasonal), parking, elevator.TV, safe, pay mini-bar, internet, bathroom with hairdryer. Dates Rate May 1-Jul 15; Sep 1-Oct 31 385 Jul 16-Aug 31 369 ★★★★ Grand Hotel Beverly Hills A modern, elegant, completely renovated 317 room hotel in Rome's Eur district with compimentary shuttle to the city centre. Facilities: Restaurant, café/cocktail lounge, outdoor pool, tennis court, fitness centre and sauna. Rooms include 2 queen-size beds, pay mini-bar,WiFi wireless Internet access, bathroom with shower, tub and hairdryer. Dates Rate May 1-Jun 30; Sep 1-Oct 31 (Weekday: Mon-Thur) 259 May 1-Jun 30; Sep 1-Oct 31 (Weekend: Fri-Sun) 228 Jul 1-Aug 31 (Weekday: Mon-Thur) 232 Jul 1-Aug 31 (Weekend: Fri-Sat) 200 ★★★★ A modern hotel near one of the most elegant areas of Rome,Villa Borghese and Via Veneto, the Grand Hotel Beverly Hills espouses the traditions of true Italian hospitality. Recently renovated, the hotel offers all the modern comforts and has 183 rooms, all tastefully decorated and furnished. Facilities: 24-hour concierge service, a spacious lobby, restaurant and a popular bar. Parking is available. Dates Rate May 1-Jul 15; Sep 1-Oct 31 432 Jul 16-Aug 31 287 Hotel accommodation includes daily breakfast (buffet or continental) and hotel taxes and service charges. All accommodation features private bathroom, air-conditioning and direct-dial telephone unless otherwise specified. All rates shown are per room, per night in $CDN, double occupancy. 30 ALBATours 2009 Italy visit www.albatours.com for up-to-the-minute VENICE HOTELS ITA LY F A R 1 W VI OMAIRF S EE C A K O AR $49 RE nly RE 9 $ 29 NTA 4 L and take advantage of ALBATours’ preferred rates and hotel selections! Hotel Tintoretto ★★★ Hotel Tintoretto is situated in the main street of Venice, la “Strada Nuova”, steps from the famous Casino of Venice and 15 minutes from San Marco Square. Facilities: Satellite TV and safe. Dates Rate 259 May 1-Jun 30; Sep 1-Oct 31 Jul 1-Aug 31 228 Minimum 2-night stay is required for stays on the Weekend (Fri-Sat). Hotel Universo & Nord ★★★ This 65-room hotel is located near Santa Lucia Railway Station and across from the Grand Canal. Great location, only 20 minutes walk to Rialto Bridge and San Marco Square. Facilities: Hotel has a breakfast bar. Colour TV, pay minibar, bathroom with hairdryer. Dates Rate May 1-Jul 4; Sep 1-Oct 31 306 255 Jul 5-Aug 31 Hotel Antico Panada ★★★ An elegant Venetian Hotel with 18th century style furnishings and lovely Murano Glass lamps. Overlooks the Calle degli Specchieri, which leads directly to the Basilica in San Marco Square. Facilities: Satellite TV, hair-dryer, safe and pay mini-bar. Dates Rate May 1-Jul 4; Aug 28-Oct 31 (Midweek: Sun-Thu) 381 May 1-Jul 4; Aug 28-Oct 31 (Weekend: Fri-Sat) 420 318 Jul 5-Aug 27 Minimum 2-night stay is required for stays on the Weekend (Fri-Sat) and from Jul 5-Aug 27. Hotel Plaza Venezia - Mestre ★★★★ A comfortable, elegant 226 room hotel located in the town of Mestre just a few minutes journey across the main bridge to Venice. Elegant, airy interiors are lit by large windows. Stylish lounge areas spread over two floors. Facilities: Restaurant, cafe. Satellite TV, pay mini-bar, internet access, in room safe, radio, bathroom with hairdryer. Dates Rate 263 May 1-Oct 31 Hotel Kette Best Western Montecarlo Gr ou pA ★★★★ ★★★ Located a few steps from San Marco Square, this 48-room hotel was a palace in the 17th century. Facilities: Hotel has a bar, restaurant, reading & TV lounge. Rooms have satellite TV, safe. Rate Dates May 1-Jul 11; Aug 28-Oct 31 (Midweek: Sun-Thu) 389 May 1-Jul 11; Aug 28-Oct 31 (Weekend: Fri-Sat) 444 Jul 12-Aug 27 (Midweek: Sun-Thu) 306 Jul 12-Aug 27 (Weekend: Fri-Sat) 361 Only 2 minutes walking distance to San Marco Square, this hotel is located in an enclave of tranquility and is steps to the high-end shops of Venice.The rooms are a blend of elegance and comfort. Facilities: Satellite TV, hair-dryer, safe and pay mini-bar. Dates Rate May 1-Jun 27; Aug 28-Oct 31 526 Jun 28-Aug 27 404 Minimum 2-night stay is required for stays on the Weekend (Fri-Sat). Minimum 2-night stay is required for stays on the Weekend (Fri-Sat). Hotel Santa Chiara ★★★ The Santa Chiara Hotel offers the refined hospitality of a great modern hotel and is located in Piazzale Roma, facing the Grand Canal. Facilities: Satellite TV, safe, pay mini-bar. Fax & internet facilities. Dates Rate May 1-Jul 4; Aug 28-Oct 31 361 Jul 5-Aug 27 298 Best Western San Marco ★★★ The San Marco is located in the historical city centre next to the charming Ponte de dai and only a few steps from one of the world’s most famous squares, the Piazza San Marco. Set in a completely refurbished 19th century building, the hotel has all the modern facilities, and rooms furnished in typical Venetian style. Facilities: Bar, elevator, wi-fi internet connection. Satellite TV, high speed internet access, pay mini-bar, safe, bathroom with hairdryer. Dates Rate May 1-Jul 4; Aug 28-Oct 31 (Midweek: Sun-Thu) 444 May 1-Jul 4; Aug 28-Oct 31 (Weekend: Fri-Sat) 538 Jul 5-Aug 27 (Midweek: Sun-Thu) 314 Jul 5-Aug 27 (Weekend: Fri-Sat) 381 Hotel accommodation includes daily breakfast (buffet or continental) and hotel taxes and service charges. All accommodation features private bathroom, air-conditioning and direct-dial telephone unless otherwise specified. All rates shown are per room, per night in $CDN, double occupancy. pricing, additional photos, exciting details and more! ALBATours 2009 Italy 31 TUSCANY & CALABRIA HOTELS Book your hotels in advance in Canada… Hotel Balestri, Florence ★★★ In a wonderful location on the right bank of the Arno River a few steps from the Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery.The 51-room Balestri is also close to Via Tornabuoni, the world renowned shopping street featuring all the top international fashion brands. Facilities: Elevator. Satellite TV, pay mini-bar, safe, directdial telephone, internet wi-fi connection, bathroom with tub or shower and hairdryer. Rate Dates May 1-Jul 15; Sep 1-Oct 31 298 208 Jul 16-Aug 31 Hotel is not available during Fair Periods: May 30-Jun 2, Jun 4-7, 17-20, Sep 13-15 ★★★ Hotel La Loggia, Tuscany Region In the Chianti Region a few kms north of Siena on the “Chianti Road.” La Loggia has 25 spacious rooms decorated in traditional Tuscan style with pay mini-bar, satellite TV and wonderful views of the hills of Tuscany. Facilities: Outdoor pool, gardens, terrace, restaurant and bar. Rate Dates May 1-Oct 31 177 CALABRIA REGION Hotel Lido Degli Aranci, Vibo Valentia/Tropea ★★★★ Situated on a private beach about half-way between Vibo Valentia and Tropea. An excellent place from which to explore the beaches of the coastal resorts as well as the history and culture of central Calabria (including castles, renaissance and baroque churches). Facilities: The hotel offers a restaurant, bar, pool, and tennis court. Satellite TV. Lunch or dinner is included. Dates Rate May 1-Jul 25, Aug 31-Oct 31 163 Jul 26-Aug 30 225 Minimum 3 night stay is required. FLORENCE & TUSCANY REGION Hotel De La Pace, Florence Hotel Diplomat, Florence ★★★ Found in the heart of the historic centre just 10 minutes walk from the Cathedral and Michelangelo’s famous statue of David, this 42-room hotel is on the main bus route in Florence with a stop just outside the main entrance. Facilities: Spacious rooms with satellite TV, pay mini-bar, safe and telephone. Bathroom with tub or shower and hairdryer. Dates Rate May 1-Jul 5; Sep 1-Oct 31 228 Jul 6-Aug 31 133 Hotel is not available during Fair Periods: Jun 4-6, 16-19, 25-27, Jul 1-3, Sep 12-15, Oct 21-24 Hotel Club, Florence ★★★ Just 50 metres from the Central Railway Station, and behind the Church of Santa Maria Novella, this hotel has a splendid location in the centre of Florence with museums, monuments, and attractions all within walking distance. Facilities: Elevator, parking facilities. Satellite TV, telephone, bathroom with shower. Dates Rate May 1-Jul 6; Sep 1-Oct 31 243 Jul 7-Aug 31 181 Hotel is not available during Fair Periods: Jun 4-6, 16-19, 25-27, Jul 1-3, Sep 12-15, Oct 21-24 ★★★★ The recently opened 80-room Hotel Diplomat is located in front of the Santa Maria Novella Train Station within a few minutes walk of the main shopping centre of Florence. Facilities: Satellite TV, refrigerator, bathroom with hairdryer, balcony. Dates Rate May 1-Jul 6; Sep 1-Oct 31 314 Jul 7-Aug 31 200 Hotel is not available during Fair Periods: Jun 4-6, 16-19, 25-27, Jul 1-3, Sep 12-15, Oct 21-24 Hotel Ambasciatori, Florence ★★★★ The 114-room Ambasciatori is located in the centre of the city in front of the train station and is within walking distance to all the main attractions of Florence. Facilities: Breakfast room, cocktail lounge, reception, elevator, parking.TV, pay mini-bar, bathroom. Dates Rate May 1-Jul 6; Sep 1-Oct 31 353 Jul 7-Aug 31 220 Grand Hotel President, Costa dei Gelsomini ★★★★ Set among trees and shrubbery in a large park just 50 metres from the sea and the hotel’s private beach. Grand Hotel President sits on one of the most beautiful and charming stretches of the Jasmine Riviera, not far from the village of Siderno. Facilities: Three restaurants, piano bar, open-air disco, pool, solarium,TV lounge, games room, banquet rooms, satellite TV, pay mini-bar. Lunch or dinner is included. Dates Rate May 1-Jul 25, Aug 31-Oct 31 163 Jul 26-Aug 30 225 Minimum 3 night stay is required. Hotel is not available during Fair Periods: Jun 4-6, 16-19, 25-27, Jul 1-3, Sep 12-15, Oct 21-24 Hotel Una Vittoria, Florence ★★★★ Located in the historical quarter of San Frediano, near the Lungarno, the Una Vittoria is a friendly, modern hotel where all 84 rooms are unique from one another. Facilities: 32” plasma satellite TV, wireless access to the internet. Dates Rate May 1-Jun 30; Sep 1-Oct 31 353 Jul 1-Jul 19 220 Jul 20-Aug 31 196 Hotel is not available during Fair Periods: Jun 4-6, 16-19, 25-27, Jul 1-3, Sep 12-15, Oct 21-24 Hotel accommodation includes daily breakfast (buffet or continental) and hotel taxes and service charges. All accommodation features private bathroom, air-conditioning and direct-dial telephone unless otherwise specified. All rates shown are per room, per night in $CDN, double occupancy. 32 ALBATours 2009 Italy visit www.albatours.com for up-to-the-minute AMALFI/SORRENTO/NAPLES ITA LY F A R 1 W VI OMAIRF S EE C A K O AR $49 RE nly RE 9 $ 29 NTA 4 L and take advantage of ALBATours’ preferred rates and hotel selections! Hotel Tourist, Sorrento ★★★ Situated right in the centre of town, very close to the railway station and the harbour.The restaurant offers a wide choice of International and Mediterranean cuisine. Facilities: Outdoor pool. 40 rooms with satellite TV and hair-dryer. Most rooms have balcony with street view. Dinner is included. Dates Rate 247 May 1-Jun 30; Aug 1-Aug 31; Sep 1-Sep 26 Jul 1-Jul 31 228 204 Sep 27-Oct 31 Hotel Zi’Teresa, Piano di Sorrento ★★★ Hotel Cristina, Sorrento ★★★★ Tucked away on the Sorrento seaboard between the coast and the hills overlooking the town of Sant Agnello, the Hotel Cristina is just 1200 metres from Sorrento’s main square, Piazza Tasso. Large terraces and gardens invite guests to enjoy nature! Facilities: Restaurant with views of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius, an outdoor pool, meeting room, courtesy bus and private parking. Satellite TV, pay minibar,WiFi connection. Dates Rate 236 May 1-Oct 31 Dinner, add 49 This 58-room Hotel is situated a few steps from the centre of Sorrento.All rooms are furnished with modern comforts. Dinner is included. Facilities: Satellite TV, hairdryer. Dates Rate May 1-Oct 31 259 Hotel Villa Romana, Minori, Amalfi ★★★★ Minimum 3 night stay is required. Hotel Central, Sorrento ★★★★ A nicely furnished 60-room hotel close to the city centre with easy access to the sights of Sorrento and surrounding areas. Facilities: The hotel has a roof garden with splendid views over the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius, a restaurant offering traditional Italian and international dishes, an outdoor pool in gardens, a 700 square metre fitness/health facility with beauty and massage services, a courtesy bus and private parking. Satellite TV, pay mini-bar,WiFi connection, balcony (in most rooms). Dates Rate May 1-Oct 31 236 Dinner, add 49 Hotel Parco dei Principi, Sorrento ★★★★★ Built on a cliff overlooking the sea, surrounded by a beautiful park. Designed by the famous architect Gio Ponti. 100 rooms overlook the sea or gardens from their terrace or balcony. Facilities: Hotel has bar and restaurant. Satellite TV, pay mini-bar, hair-dryer, safe. Dates Rate 396 May 1-Jun 30; Aug 11-Oct 10 Jul 1-Aug 10 341 290 Oct 11-Oct 31 Dinner, add 138 Crowne Plaza Stabiae, Sorrento Coast ★★★★+ Minimum 7 night stay is required. The charming town of Minori, set amid the imposing scenery of the Amalfi Coast, is home to the splendid Villa Romana, famous for its beauty and art. This elegant, tastefully furnished 55-room hotel is the ideal place for a pleasant stay and is located close to many area historical sites. Dinner is included. Facilities: Meeting and conference hall, garage, solarium, pool and restaurant. Dates Rate May 1-Jun 30; Oct 1-Oct 31 204 Jul 1-Sep 30 243 Gr ou pA Relais Regina Giovanna, Sorrento ★★★★ A welcoming resort on the Sorrento Peninsula across from the islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida, the Regina Giovanna is a former farmhouse renovated with sufficient finesse to satisfy even the most demanding guest. Set among olive groves and citrus orchards, it blends perfectly with the countryside and is well located just 3 km from the centre of Sorrento.Walk the 28 hectare grounds, sunbathe on the small private beach nearby, discover the many bike trails, and better still, explore the coast and the islands by boat or canoe. Facilities: 14 bright, spacious rooms. Private beach nearby. Dates Rate May 1-Sep 30 208 Oct 1-Oct 31 298 Hotel La Residenza, Sorrento Set on Italy’s magnificent Bay of Naples on the Sorrento Coast, the 153-room Crowne Plaza’s modern design combines perfectly with its tradition of hospitality. Located approximately 30 km from Naples, 12 km from Sorrento, 14 km from Pompeii, 30 km from Positano, 30 km from Capodichino Airport, and just a short boat ride from the beautiful Isle of Capri. Facilities: Sea view restaurant, bar, private beach and outdoor pool (open June 1-September 30) wellness centre with hydro-massage, solarium, sauna,Turkish bath, tea room, private pier for boat moorage or day trips to Capri, Ischia or the Amalfi Coast. 153 rooms with satellite TV, coffee/tea maker, pay mini-bar, internet connection. Bathroom with tub. Dates Rate May 1-May 3; Oct 12-Oct 31 243 May 4-Oct 11 294 Dinner, add 98 Minimum 4-nights is required. ★★★★ 81-room hotel, built in the beautiful Parco dei Principi, a residential area 1 km from the centre of Sorrento. Dinner is included. Facilities: Hotel has restaurant, breakfast room, bar, pool, solarium, private parking.Access to private beach available at additional cost, paid locally. Satellite TV, pay mini-bar. Dates Rate May 1-Jun 30; Aug 1-Oct 10 255 Jul 1-Jul 31; Oct 11-Oct 31 302 Minimum 7-night stay is required from Aug 8-Aug 31. Gorgeous Hotel Antiche Mura, Sorrento ★★★★ Located in the centre of Sorrento, in the main square - Piazza Tasso this elegant villa in “Belle Epoque” style was built in the 19th century and completely refurbished in 2005. Facilities: Hotel has an outdoor pool and solarium, breakfast room and snack bar. 50 rooms with satellite TV, hairdryer, pay mini-bar and safe. Dates Rate May 1-Oct 19 365 Oct 20-Oct 31 302 Minimum 3-night stay required from May 1-Oct 19. pricing, additional photos, exciting details and more! Unahotel Napoli, Naples ★★★★ Accurately restored to its 19th century grandeur, the Unahotel is opposite the railway station.The interiors recall local traditions and decors and the impressive architectural design gives life to 89 well-appointed rooms. The hotel restaurant offers traditional Neapolitan and Mediterranean dishes. Facilities: Restaurant, wireless internet connection, reading room. Rooms are furnished with wall to wall carpeting and a marble bathroom with a tub and/ or shower. Dates Rate May 1-Jun 30; Sep 1-Oct 31 (Midweek:Sun-Thu) 247 May 1-Jun 30; Sep 1-Oct 31 (Weekend:Fri-Sat) 208 Jul 1-Jul 31 (Midweek:Sun-Thu) 210 Jul 1- Jul 31 (Weekend:Fri-Sat) 171 Hotel accommodation includes daily breakfast (buffet or continental) and hotel taxes and service charges. All accommodation features private bathroom, air-conditioning and direct-dial telephone unless otherwise specified. All rates shown are per room, per night in $CDN, double occupancy. ALBATours 2009 Italy 33 OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS Be sure to pre-book and pre-pay in Canada for your excursions in Italy! We offer a variety of tours in and from Rome, Florence and Venice to Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri. Length of time for excursions are approximate. Itineraries are subject to change without notice. ROME 1 Imperial Rome Eternal Rome 2 Republic Square, Spanish Steps,Trevi Fountain, Piazza Colonna, Pantheon, Piazza Navona. There is no drop off at hotels - buses stop at specified points. MON-SUN, MORNING Tour Price: $47 MON-SUN,AFTERNOON Length: 4 HRS Tour Price: $78 The Vatican 3 5 4 MON-SUN,AFTERNOON Tour Price: $87 Tour Price: $64 Length: 4 HRS Tivoli and its Villas 6 Tour Price: $64 Length: 3 HRS Papal Audience A panaoramic tour (Republic Square),Castel S. Angelo, Via della Conciliazone,St.Peter’s Square for Papal Blessing.There is no drop off at hotels - buses stop at specified points. 7 SUN, MORNING Villa Borghese, the Fine Arts Museum,Valla Giulia, Castel St.Angelo, St. Peter’s Square for Papal Audience. There is no drop off at hotels - buses stop at specified points. WED, MORNING Length: 4 HRS Tour Price: $52 Illuminated Rome Length: 3 HRS Rome by Night including Dinner & Music Via Veneto,Aurelian Walls,Tritan Fountain, Quirinal Square with the Presidential Palace,Trevi Fountain, Piazza Venezia, Colosseum,Theatre of Marcellus, Gianicolo, Castel St.Angelo, St.Peter’s Basilica. 9 MON-SUN, EVENING Tour Price: $59 Roman Countryside MON, SAT,AFTERNOON Length: 3 HRS Papal Blessing Tour Price: $66 Length: 4 HRS Baths of Caracalla, Old Appian Way,Visit towns of Albano, Castelgandolfo,Ariccia, Nemi, Grottaferrata & Frascati. TUE,THU, FRI, SAT, MORNING 8 Via Merulana, St.John in Lateran Basilica, the Holy Stairs,Appian Way, Catacombs, Baths of Caracalla. Sundays & bank holidays visit St. Mary of Major instead of Appian Way MON-SAT (EXCEPT RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS), MORNING Tour Price: $86 Length: 4 HRS The Catacombs Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, Porta Pinciana, Aurelian Walls,Villa Borghese,Vatican Galleries, the Sistine Chapel. There is no drop off at hotels - buses stop at specified points. Tivoli, Castro Pretorio,Walls III Century,Via Tiburtina, Hadrian’s Villa,Villa D’Este. There is no drop off at hotels - buses stop at specified points. 7a Piazza Venezia, Square of the Capitol, Panoramic view of the Roman Forum and Palatine, Colosseum, Roman Forums,Arch of Constantine, St. Pietro in Vincoli. Via Veneto,Aurelian Walls,Tritan Fountain, Quirinal Square with the Presidential Palace,Trevi Fountain, Piazza Venezia, Colosseum,Theatre of Marcellus, Gianicolo, Castel St.Angelo, St.Peter’s Basilica. MON-SUN, EVENING Length: 3 HRS Tour Price: $115Length: 2 HRS + Dinner Florence Full Day with Lunch 11 Assisi & Orvieto Full Day with Lunch Visit Orvieto,Assisi, Cathedral, Spoleto,Trevi Foligno, Spello, St.Francis Basilica. MON,THU, SAT Tour Price: $134 Length: 12 HRS 12 In Florence see The Cathedral of St. Maria Del Fiore & Baptistery, Bell Tower, Piazzale Michelangelo and panoramic view of the city including the Ponte Vecchio. TUES,THUR, SAT Tour Price: $214 34 ALBATours 2009 Italy Length: 13 HRS visit www.albatours.com for up-to-the-minute 13 Naples & Capri, Full Day with Lunch 14 Naples, Capri, Marina Grande,Anacapri.An optional tour (weather permitting) of the Blue Grotto is available for 35 Euros. Book and pay locally. Naples, Pompeii. MON-SUN MON-SUN Tour Price: $187 15 Naples & Pompeii Full Day with Lunch Tour Price: $169 Length: 14 HRS 16 Sorrento Overnight: 2 days - 4 star Hotel Length: 14 HRS Sorrento Overnight: 3 days - 4 star Hotel Visit: Naples, Pompeii, Capri,Anacapri and Sorrento. Visit: Naples, Pompeii, Capri,Anacapri and Sorrento. MON-SUN MON-SUN Tour Price: $442 Length: 2 Days / 1 Night Tour Price: $581 Length: 3 Days/2 Nights Combination Tour Packages – Full Day with Lunch TOUR A Eternal Rome (Tour 1) + Imperial Rome (Tour 2) See descriptions on facing page MON-SUN Tour Price: $159 TOUR B Length: 8 HRS The Vatican (Tour 3) + The Catacombs (Tour 4) See descriptions on facing page MON-SUN Tour Price: $184 TOUR C Length: 8 HRS Imperial Rome (Tour 2) + The Vatican (Tour 3) See descriptions on facing page MON-SUN Tour Price: $199 TOUR D Length: 8 HRS Eternal Rome (Tour 1) + The Catacombs (Tour 4) See descriptions on facing page MON-SUN Tour Price: $144 Length: 8 HRS Airport Transfers $29 For Independent Travellers Shuttle Service - Rome (Fiumicino)Airport to/from ROME Hotel. Rates are in $CDN, each way and are per person. Airport transfers must be arranged and pre-paid prior to departure from Toronto for pricing shown to apply. You’ll need your flight details at the time you make your booking. Includes shared transfers by bus or car to/from Rome Hotels in the city centre, when arriving and departing with ALBATours operating flights. pricing, additional photos, exciting details and more! Prices are per person in $CDN and include tax. When visiting any church, shorts, short skirts or bare shoulders are not permitted. For security purposes, bags, parcels, knapsacks are not permitted in various museums and churches. Other restrictions may apply dependent upon the tour selected. ALBATours 2009 Italy 35 ® FLORENCE 1a Morning Tour of Florence Piazzale Michelangelo, Duomo, Galleria dell’Accademia MON-SUN Tour Price: $80 1b Length: 3 HRS Afternoon Tour of Florence Hill of Fiesole, Santa Croce Cathedral, Galleria degli Uffizi MON-SUN Tour Price: $80 3 Length: 3 HRS Siena & San Gimignano Siena historic centre, Cathedral, Liberia Piccolomini, Museo dell’Opera Metropolitana, Piazza del Campo, San Gimignano MON-SUN Tour Price: $97 4 Length: 9 HRS Pisa Tour Piazza dei Mirancoli, Leaning Tower, Baptistery, Cathedral, Piazza dei Cavalieri, Scuola Normale MON,THU, SAT,AFTERNOON Tour Price: $76 5a Length: 9 HRS Chianti Area Visit an ancient hamlet and one of its most famous wine-growing estates. Snack and tasting MON,WED,THU, SAT, AFTERNOON Tour Price: $76 5b Length: 5 HRS Chianti Area with Dinner Visit a castle, its gardens and splendid cellar. Snack and tasting. Romanesque Church. Dinner TUE, FRI,AFTERNOON Tour Price: $129 36 ALBATours 2009 Italy Length: 8 HRS visit www.albatours.com for up-to-the-minute VENICE 1 Morning Walking Tour of Venice Walking tour to see St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Bridge of Sighs and the Prison MON-SUN Tour Price: $57 2 Length: 2 HRS Afternoon Walking Tour of Venice & Gondola Ride Walk through small streets and squares to the Stairs of Bovolo, Campo Manin. Gondola ride. Gothic Church of Frari MON-SUN Tour Price: $59 3 Length: 2 HRS Venice Islands Tour Boat Ride to islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello MON-SUN, MORNING OR AFTERNOON Tour Price: $30 Length: 2 HRS pricing, additional photos, exciting details and more! Florence & Venice Prices are per person in $CDN and include tax. When visiting St. Mark’s Basilica or any church, shorts, short skirts or bare shoulders are not permitted. For security purposes, bags, parcels, knapsacks are not permitted in various museums and churches. Other restrictions may apply dependent upon the tour selected. ALBATours 2009 Italy 37 TERMS & CONDITIONS Terms & Conditions For purposes of these Terms & Conditions the words “you,”“your,”“passenger” and “cardholder” refer to each person who books or otherwise purchases or receives goods and services arranged through Albatours. The words “Albatours,”“our” and “we” refer to Thomas Cook Canada Inc., its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates and agents. Albatours makes arrangements with suppliers who provide travel services such as air travel, cruises, hotels, buses, sightseeing, car rental or other activities included in your booking.The travel services are subject to the conditions imposed by these suppliers, and their liability may, in turn, be limited by their tariffs, conditions of carriage and international conventions and arrangements. Albatours does not own, manage, operate, or control any vehicle, hotel, resort, cruise ship, restaurant, or other supplier of services, and is not responsible for their acts or omissions. Please read and ensure you understand these Terms & Conditions before booking your vacation.When you book or otherwise receive services through Albatours, you are accepting and agreeing to the Terms & Conditions listed on these pages. How To Make A Booking: Simply call or visit your travel agent and they will contactAlbatours for reservations. Payment Requirements: Where a vacation is booked 45 days or less before the departure date – full payment is due immediately.Otherwise,a non-refundable deposit plus applicable insurance is due immediately on booking and the balance or final payment is due no less than 45 days prior to departure date. Deposit Requirements (Per Person): Air Only...........................................................................$250 Packages & Coach Tours..............................................$250 Car Rentals.............................................................$50-$250 Hotel Only ...............................................................Full Price The deposit is due at the time of booking and is non-refundable.Albatours reserves the right to cancel a booking where any payment is not received within 5 days of its due date. Credit Cards: When a credit card is used to confirm and pay for a booking,you,the passenger,and/or the cardholder give consent toAlbatours for the card’s use. Cancellations: If you need to cancel your booking, you must notify your travel agent immediately. Cancellation charges are calculated based on the date thatAlbatours receives notice of cancellation. Cancellation charges*: 45 days or more prior to departure date Full deposit 44 days to 21 days prior to departure date 50% of total price** 20 days prior to departure date to any time including on and after departure date 100% of total price** ** Total price is all money due and/or paid toAlbatours. The cancellation charge compensatesAlbatours for damages arising from cancellation,including,among other things,pre-payment made on booking of travel and other services and administration costs involved in processing a cancellation.By booking a vacation you agree that the cancellation charge is a genuine estimate of damages toAlbatours of any cancellation and is not a penalty.Albatours may arrange for the resale of any holidays you cancel without refund to you. Changes to a Booking: Changes to a confirmed booking can only be made prior to 45 days before departure.An administration fee of $25.00 per person plus GST will be charged for each change.You will also be responsible for any price increase on goods and services from the original reservation date to the date of change.No price adjustments shall be made if the price for such goods and services has de- creased.If a change is made to the room occupancy, including the addition to or reduction of the number of occupants,you will be responsible for any resulting increase in price.Name change requests may be denied due to hotel policy and conditions. Requests for changes less than 45 days before departure will not be accepted and will make the booking subject to full cancellation charges.Name changes or name corrections within this period will be treated as a cancellation and rebooking. Special Requests: Albatours cannot guarantee specific requests such as room location,adjoining rooms,bed preference,in-flight meal requirements, sky cots,etc.WhileAlbatours will attempt to advise service providers of such requests,it cannot be held responsible if such requests cannot be fulfilled or if local surcharges are applied. Children: Unless otherwise stated,children’s prices are restricted to those 2-11 years of age at the time of departure and only when sharing a room with 2 full paying adults. Infants: Passengers under the age of 2 for the duration of the holiday are considered infants and will fly free of charge in Economy Class (1 infant per adult allowed).A reservation,however,is required for each infant.Please note that infants are not assigned a seat and are not allotted baggage allowance.If an infant turns 2 years of age during the vacation,an airline ticket must be purchased for his or her travel to and from the destination. Customs & Immigration: Customs and/or immigration officials can deny a person entry into their country at their own discretion.A previous criminal record could be an obstacle in international travel.Albatours cannot be held responsible for denied entry under any circumstances. Documentation: It is solely your responsibility to obtain,at your own expense,all the documentation required by relevant government authorities for the purpose of your holiday.Required documentation may vary depending on citizenship status.Special documentation may be required for minors travelling alone;for children who have a different surname than the adults who accompany them;or for single parents travelling with children.Prior to departure,you should check with your travel agent and/or the relevant consulate about what documentation is required. A valid passport is required.For information on the Canadian Government Passenger Protect program, please visit www.passengerprotect.gc.ca. Landed immigrants without Canadian citizenship or a Permanent Resident Card may be denied boarding upon return to Canada.In the event that a passenger does not possess the documentation required by the government authorities at the holiday destination or by the airline,passage or entry to the destination may be refused.If passage or entry is refused,Albatours will not be held liable and will not issue any refunds. Tickets: 1) Tickets are available 28 days prior to flight departure.All tickets and vouchers are produced in electronic format and will be forwarded to your travel agent. E-documents must be presented along with proper identification (see section on Documentation) at check-in for departure flight,return flight, and for other purchased services such as hotel accommodations and car rentals. 2) For bookings made within 72 hours of flight departure,e-tickets will be available from our representative at our airport counter prior to check-in. 3) All e-tickets are valid only for the flight purchased and cannot be exchanged for other flights or departure times. 4) If an e-ticket is lost in destination,there will be a $25.00 administration fee charged for a replacement.Please contact your local Albatours representative. Flights and Carriers: All flight times, flight itineraries, carriers and aircraft types are subject to change with or without notice. The carriers and Albatours also reserve the right to add en route stops. It is recommended that you contact the airline within 24 hours of departure to confirm your departure time. It is also recommended that you arrive at the airport 3 to 4 hours prior to departure to allow sufficient time for check-in and security clearance.Airline cut-off times vary between 45 and 60 minutes.Please check with the airline directly.You agree thatAlbatours cannot be held responsible or liable if you miss your flight or are denied boarding.If you book air only,you must provide your contact number at your destination to your travel agent and the localAlbatours representative so you may be advised of any changes to your return flight.Failure to do so may result in you missing your flight and you agree thatAlbatours cannot be held responsible or liable for any resulting expenses. Carriage and service performed and tickets issued are subject to the terms referred to on such tickets,the rules relating to liability by theWarsaw Convention (as amended), and theseTerms & Conditions.Albatours makes arrangements with Skyservice..Air transportation complaints are solely the responsibility of the airline concerned.You agree thatAlbatours cannot be held responsible or liable for expenses,lost wages or missed vacation time due to flight time changes and/or delays. Baggage: Each passenger is entitled to carry 2 standard-sized pieces of checked luggage. On flights to Italy, Skyservice allows 40kg (2 pieces not to exceed 20kg each). There may be charges for excess baggage. Albatours reminds cruise guests that cabin storage is limited.Please contact the airline for more details.All baggage remains at your own risk throughout the trip.Due to security restrictions,liquids and gels,as well as many other items,are not permitted in carry-on luggage.Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.Please check with the airline prior to departure for the most up-to-date regulations in order to avoid items being confiscated at security.In the event that your baggage is delayed at your destination or upon your return home,please contact the airline representative before leaving the airport.Failure to do so will invalidate your claim. Independent contractors over which we have no control perform baggage handling and we cannot assume responsibility for loss of,or damage to,baggage or other possessions.Due to the carrier’s limit of liability, please do not check valuable items such as jewellery and cameras.Please also limit the valuables (including electronic equipment) you take with you on holiday and use the safety deposit boxes provided at hotels or on cruise ships.Please ensure you have adequate insurance to cover your belongings throughout your holiday. Connecting Flights: If you have a connecting flight, you should allow ample time (minimum 3 hours or overnight) between flights.Albatours cannot accept any responsibility for additional charges incurred for airfares or other expenses due to missed flights, irregular air operations or flight time changes. Albatours Representative & Problem Handling: AnAlbatours representative will meet passengers upon arrival at your destination. If you have any questions,queries or problems while at your destination,please contact the local representative, hotel or supplier directly. Failure to report your concerns may preclude your right to a claim. Hotel Ratings: Star ratings are our opinion and can differ from official gradings. Our rating is relative to general standards in each destination, so our four-star hotel in one destination can be different to our four-star hotel in another. Ratings are based on many factors including hotel location and facilities as well as feedback from our customers and staff. Notice to Travellers: Please be aware that different living standards and practices exist outside of Canada,including but not limited to provision of utilities,i.e.water and electricity,accommodations, services of all kinds,food,food preparation,water quality,security,insects,wildlife or weather conditions.You agree thatAlbatours shall not be responsible or liable for any loss,damage,illness or injury you may suffer as a result of such different living standards and practices.It is not uncommon to suffer from travellers’diarrhea when travelling.The Public HealthAgency of Canada recommends that you visit your family doctor or a travel medicine clinic prior to departure to advise you on precautions.All hotels undergo routine maintenance and renovations. Certain resort areas are undergoing major growth with ongoing construction andAlbatours is not responsible for any resulting inconvenience.At brand new hotels,some facilities may not be completely operational.Landscaping and other finishing touches may be continuing during your stay.IfAlbatours is advised of any significant work that will be ongoing during your stay or of any major facilities that will not be available,we will try to advise you prior to departure through notice to your travel agent. Travel Insurance: It is strongly recommended that all travellers obtain adequate insurance coverage to protect themselves should they be obliged to cancel a holiday due to health problems or unforeseen circumstances. You may purchase such insurance from your travel agent at the time of booking. You may also wish to purchase medical insurance.You agree thatAlbatours shall not be responsible or liable for health problems that may arise or become aggravated while travelling or at your destination.Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada.Treatment may be expensive,payment in advance may be required and provincial health care coverage may be limited. Cancellation of Services: In the event that certain services are cancelled,Albatours will have no responsibility beyond the refund of all monies received byAlbatours for such cancelled services, which will be deemed to constitute full settlement of any claim you might have againstAlbatours for the cancellation. Alteration of Services:Advertised facilities may occasionally be modified or unavailable.We will advise you or your travel agent of any description changes,if known, prior to departure.Sometimes major changes to your holiday arrangements may be required due to circumstances beyond our control,such as hotel overbooking, unexpected maintenance problems or due to market conditions.Major changes may include change of destination, change of departure or return by more than 24 hours,change of itinerary,change of hotel,ship or accommodation standard.In these circumstances, Albatours reserves the right to substitute hotel and other arrangements for arrangements of comparable value without notice or liability. Force Majeure/Act of God:Albatours is not responsible or liable for changes or cancellations made that relate to or arise as a result of hostilities,acts of war or threat of war, riots,civil disturbances,terrorist activity,industrial disputes,natural and nuclear disasters,fire,epidemics or health risks,technical problems with transport as well as flight delays due to weather or for mechanical reasons, government action,closed or congested airports or ports,supplier insolvency,governmental acts and other events beyond our control.The National Hurricane Center in Miami considers June 1st to November 30th inclusive Hurricane Season. This must be taken into consideration when you book your vacation. You agree thatAlbatours does not assume any responsibility, and is not liable,for the costs or other consequences that arise out of or result from inclement weather conditions at any time of the year. Facilities & Services:Hotels may curtail or alter some facilities without notice,usually for purpose of ongoing maintenance and improvement.You agree thatAlbatours shall not be held responsible or liable if,due to the acts or omissions of others,some services,bonus features or facilities described in this brochure,cease to be available or are not working.The behaviour of other guests and the cancellation of services for any reason are beyondAlbatours' control.All efforts are made to ensure accuracy at the time of printing this brochure. Descriptions and photographs are representational only and are not a guarantee that everything will be exactly as depicted at the destination.You agree that Albatours shall not be held responsible or liable for modifications that can take place after publication, including damage or beach erosion due to storms or tidal conditions.Services such as à la carte dinners, daily activities programs,spa services and bonus features are on a first-come,first-serve basis and may require reservations.Certain services and activities may be withdrawn by the hotel for reasons such as weather conditions and number of participants.All withdrawn features are non-refundable.Spa services are at additional charge unless otherwise stated.Room upgrade bonus features are subject to space availability at check-in and cannot be guaranteed prior to your arrival. Bonus features do not have a cash value. Hotel Check-in & Check-out:Due to hotel housekeeping requirements,regardless of flight times,hotel check-in is normally after 3:00 pm on the day of arrival.Hotel check-out time is normally 12 noon. All-inclusive privileges begin at check-in and end at check-out. Unused Services: No refunds or adjustments will be made to you for portions of your vacation not taken or used.If you choose not to use any of the transfers:included,no refund will be made for the transfer or for any costs incurred. Prices &Cost Increases:All prices,unless otherwise stated,are per person based on two adults sharing one hotel room.All prices advertised in this brochure are in Canadian dollars and do not include GST (where applicable) and taxes.The prices advertised in this brochure are based on fixed costs at the time of print.These costs are dependent on fuel costs, rate of exchange and/or other factors.Albatours reserves the right to increase the price.Should the price increase be greater than 7%,you have the right to cancel the contract for travel services and obtain a refund of all monies paid to Albatours,unless the price increase is the result of government taxation or fuel surcharge allowed by the Canadian TransportationAgency.Every effort will be made to advise your travel agent of any price increase at least 15 days prior to your departure date.In the event of an error in published rates,you will be given the option to accept the change or to cancel for a full refund of all monies received byAlbatours. Special Needs Passengers:Although reasonable attempts will be made to provide the services requested,Albatours does not guarantee that the airport,transfer vehicles and/or accommodations while in destination will be wheelchair accessible.Facilities for special needs passengers in hotels may be limited.Services required for a passenger with special needs may not be available and/or subject to local surcharges. Please check with your travel agent prior to booking. Notice of Claims:You must notify Albatours, in writing by registered mail, of any claim you may have, or claim to have, against Albatours, within 30 days from the event giving rise to the claim. Should you not file a written complaint withAlbatours within 30 days from the end of your vacation,you will be presumed to be satisfied with the services received and to have waived any and all claims that you may have had againstAlbatours.Albatours will not respond to any claims or demands made after the expiration of the 30-day delay.You may not commence any legal proceeding againstAlbatours unless you have submitted a notice as set out above.Under no circumstances shall Albatours be liable to you for an amount in excess of the total amount paid toAlbatours for your vacation. Air Only & GovernmentApproval:All flights for InclusiveTour Charter (ITC) holidays and air-onlyAdvanced Booking Charter (ABC) flights are operated pursuant to the rules of the CanadianTransportationAgency and such flights have been approved by theAgency on behalf ofAlbatours. Compliance:You agree to comply with any reasonable instructions issued byAlbatours or its representatives during your vacation. Albatours’ Responsibility: The travel services provided are subject to theTravel IndustryAct (ON),Travel Agent’sAct (BC),TravelAgent’sAct (QC) or any other similar act enforced in the province of residence of the purchaser or in the province where a vacation was purchased fromAlbatours and Regulations thereunder and are subject to the conditions imposed by the suppliers and such suppliers’(andAlbatours’) liability is limited by their tariffs,conditions of carriage,tickets and vouchers,and international conventions and agreements, as amended (eg.TheWarsaw Convention,TheAthens Convention &The London Convention). You agree thatAlbatours shall not be responsible or liable for,and you hereby waive any claim arising out of or relating to,any loss,damage,injury or illness whether physical or mental,resulting from any delay,substitution of equipment,or any act,omission,negligence or commission of any third party supplying any of the services or accommodation herein,its agents,servants,employees,subcontractors,or for any claims for such loss,damage or injury,whether physical or mental,arising therefrom,or from any cause that arises by reason of actions of parties other thanAlbatours.Albatours reserves the right to decline any passenger as a member of these tours at any time. Applicable Law: Regardless of your holiday destination,any dispute between you andAlbatours shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of the place of your departure from Canada and international conventions and agreements referred to herein.Notice:No agent or representative ofAlbatours or any other service provider has the authority to modify or waive any provision of theseTerms and Conditions. Arbitration:Any claim or dispute (including,without limitation, any unresolved claims concerning any services booked through,or provided by,Albatours and claims made directly by you or by anyone connected to you or claiming through you) relating to or arising from your purchase of a holiday,or the goods and services provided by or throughAlbatours,must be decided by one arbitrator, to the exclusion of the Courts.The arbitration shall be governed by the NationalArbitration Rules of theADR Institute of Canada,Inc.or its successors or a replacementAdministrator.The seat of the arbitration shall be in the province in which you reside.The decision of the arbitrators shall be final and binding upon the parties.The present arbitration clause applies to all claims made as part of a class action or other representative action,it being expressly understood and agreed to that the arbitration of such claims must proceed on an individual (non-class,non-representative) basis. Privacy Policy: Albatours is compliant with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic DocumentAct (P.I.P.E.D.A.) that went into effect January 2004.A copy of our policy can be found at www.albatours.ca or by contacting our Privacy Policy Office at the address listed below. Albatours is a wholly-owned division of Thomas Cook Canada Inc. 75 EglintonAvenue East,Toronto,ON M4P 3A4 Ont.Registration Numbers:04555751,04555793 475West Georgia Street,2nd Floor, Vancouver,B.C.V6B 4M9 BC Registration Number:3597-6 2155 rue Guy,suite 1190,Montreal,QC H3H 2R9 Quebec Permit Holder Severability: The invalidity of any provision contained herein does not affect the validity of any other provision listed. Miscellaneous: Prices are valid at time of printing for departuresApril 3 to October 31,2009. All prices are subject to change without notice. The information in this brochure supersedes all previously published information.Printed January 2009. Note: A printable version of theseTerms & Conditions is available at www.albatours.ca. Explore Europe without hesitation While plan have best > Whi hile yyou ou p lan tto oh ave the h be b st EEuropean uropean n a dventure p ossibl b e, iit’s t’s al so iimportant mportant tto o adventure possible, also p lan fo he un expected wi th ttravel ravel iinsurance nsura r nce plan forr tthe unexpected with fr om RBC In suranc nce®. from Insurance Our coverage coverage offers off fffe ers*: > Unlimited Unlimited benefits for for emergency emergency medical m medic al treatment treatment > Trip Trip p Cancellation Cancellation and Interruption Interruption protection protection > Baggage Bag ggage and Personal Personal Effects Effects coverage cover e age > Flight Accident ght and Travel Travel A ccident insurance insurance > 24/7 /7 emergency emergency assistance assistance and upfront upfr pfront payment payment off eligible e eligib le medical medical expenses expenses when possible possible more information travel insurance from Insurance please FFor or mor e inf ormation on tr avel in surance fr om RBC In surance p lease vvisit isit www.rbcinsurance.com/exploreeurope, purchase travel professional www .rbcinsurance.com/e o xplorreeurope, or tto op urchase ccall all yyour our tr avel pr ofession nal today. today. Underwritten byy RBC In Insurance Company. Quebec, underwritten byy RBC Gener General Insurance Company Canada. Under written b suranc a eC ompany. In Que bec, ccertain ertain ccoverages overages u nderwritten b all In surance C ompany off C anada. ® * Registered trademark Royal Bank Canada. Used under license. R egistered tr ademark off R oyal B ank of C anada. U sed u nder lic ense. Subject policy Please policy details. S ubject tto o po licyy tterms erms and cconditions. onditions. Pl ease rreview eview po licyy ffor or ccomplete omplete det ails. Mediterranean 2009Cruises Four Fabulous Itineraries… & Four Gorgeous Ships! Drawing inspiration from Italian life at its finest, MSC Cruises caters to guests seeking the pleasures of classic cruising complemented by Italian chic. In style and personality, ships are prestigious and continental, yet always carefree, romantic and festive, with a true Mediterranean bonhomie. Our exclusive “Cruise of a Lifetime” sailings from Rome, Naples and Venice visit the most acclaimed ports in the Mediterranean and include not only your roundtrip airfare from Toronto, your cruise and all transfers, but also 4-star accommodation for two nights in Rome or one night in Venice with breakfast daily, welcome and farewell dinners and a city tour. See page 6-7 of this brochure for more information or pick up a copy of the Sunquest Mediterranean Cruising 2009 brochure from your preferred Travel Agent. Your Travel Agent PRINTED IN CANADA