2013 Best of Italy

Day 16 Saturday 21 September
ASCOLI PICENO
The morning is free to wonder through
Ascoli Piceno. Around noon the bus takes
you to nearby Villa Cicchi where you are
served a tradional Italian farm style lunch
before making your way back to Ascoli
Piceno to relax at you leisure and perhaps
so some local shopping on your own.
Breakfast * Lunch
Overnight Ascoli Piceno
Day 17 Sunday 22 September
ASCOLI PICENO – ANCONA - RAVENNA
Today you travel to the
old town and port city
of Ancona. Heavily
bombed in WWII,
Ancona lost much of its
medieval architecture;
however the cathedral,
set high on the
mountainside, was
unscathed and
provides a wonderful viewpoint to see
across Ancona and the coast below.
Connuing on to Ravenna, once the seat
of the Roman Empire and now a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. Here you have an
orientaon tour which includes the
Church of San Vitale and the Mausoleo di
Galla Placida.
Breakfast * Dinner
Overnight Ravenna
and lovely medieval centre Padova is
an absolute gem and only a short
distance from enchanng Venice
Breakfast * Dinner
Overnight Padova
Day 19 Tuesday 24 September
VENICE -PADOVA
Today you have a half day guided tour of
Venice beginning with a boat trip from
Piazzale Roma to San Marco and the
Palazzo Ducale. Following the tour you
have free me to enjoy Venice at you
city.
Breakfast * End of Tour Dinner
Overnight Padova
Day 21 Thursday 26 September
VENICE - DUBAI
Today you depart Italy. You have a li9le
free me before an early a6ernoon transfer to Venice airport for your return flight
to Australia via Dubai.
Breakfast *Meals in flight
Overnight in flight
Day 22 Friday 27 September
DUBAI - ADELAIDE
A6er a brief stopover in Dubai connect to
your flight to Adelaide
Meals in flight
6 - 27 September 2013
own pace before returning by
boat to Piazzale Roma and coach back to
Padova.
Breakfast
Overnight Padova
Day 20 Wednesday 25 September
VERONA - VICENZA - PADOVA
A6er breakfast you take a leisurely tour
to explore two grand Italian cies close
to Padova – Verona and Vicenza. The
Day 18 Monday 23 September
RAVENNA PADOVA
You have a
full day
sightseeing.
On the
inerary is
the Abbazia
di Pomposa,
a Benidicne monastery and once one
of the most important abbey’s in Italy.
Guido of Arezzo the inventor of the
musical staff lived here in the 11th
century. Moving on you arrive in Padova
the home of the second oldest
university in Italy. With its arcaded
streets, remarkable Gothic architecture
former houses the romanc balcony of
Romeo and Juliet, the la9er the
Palladio. Alternavely you may wish to
do your own sightseeing today. You
might consider taking a canal tour along
the Brenta River to admire the many
Palladian villas along the waterways or
take the train to Venice if you simply
must return to this most magical city.
E&OE
EDUCATIONAL and CULTURAL TOURS
223 Angas Street, Adelaide SA 5000
T (08) 8223 1272 ● F (08) 8232 3690 ● E tours@wea-sa.com.au
Please remember that on WEA Tours you may be travelling to remote and less
visited places so please have an open mind and embrace the differences.
TTA 183
Photographs: Wikimedia Commons / Flickr Commons: interbeat Ac07kn; Mbdortmund; Alexander Savin; Chi King;
Darkensive; Evadb; Edwin.ll; freshcreator; Natalia Wilson; ell brown; marmotta666; WEA © ;
...enriching lives through cultural exchange
Lake Maggioire ● Cinque Terre ● Florence ● Rome ● Pompeii
Sorrento ● Capri ● Ascoli Piceno ● Ravenna ● Venice ● Pisa
I
f you are only going to do one tour of Italy then this is the tour for you.
Arguably one of the best travel desnaons in the world, Italy boasts
one of the most diverse and beauful landscapes in Europe. Trace the
history of the Greeks, Romans and Etruscans to name a few, who have
all le6 their parcular marks on this magnificent country. Visit Rome, Venice
and Florence soaking up the history and culture of these much-loved cies.
Experience the stunning coastline of the Cinque Terra and the Amalfi resorts
of Sorrento, Capri and Positano. Marvel at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the
splendid beauty of Lake Maggiore and the poignancy of Pompeii. Enjoy
celebrated Italian cuisine and fine Italian wines as you pleasantly meander
through Italy on this tour of discovery.
Tour Leader: Gene Vecchio, B.Sc. Grad Dip Meteorology.
Gene is a fluent Italian speaker and has led many WEA tours to Italy, South America
and Asia. He is passionate about Mediterranean cultures and has expert knowledge
of ancient civilisaons in the region.
Tour includes: Adelaide to Adelaide Airfares ● Fully escorted Adelaide to Adelaide
● Hotel Accommodaon ● Entrance fees as per inerary ● 18 breakfasts, 1 lunch,
11 dinners ● Local guides for major sites and sightseeing tours ● Ferry & boat tours
Pre & Post Tour Get-to-gethers ● Comprehensive tour pack ● Pre-tour class
Based on twin share + airline taxes ($460 as of September 2012)
Single supplement $1229 ● Balance due 11 July 2013
Day 1 Friday 6 September
Day 5 Tuesday 10 September
ADELAIDE - DUBAI
You depart Adelaide Internaonal Airport
on a late evening flight with Emirates
Airlines for your flight to Milan via Dubai.
Meals in flight
Overnight in flight
CINQUE TERRE
Today you have a free day to visit the
renowned UNESCO World Heritage
Region of Cinque Terre at your own pace.
The area consists of five hillside villages
clinging to the Ligurian Sea on the Italian
Eastern Riviera. You may visit the villages
on foot or by taking the local train from
Monterosso to nearby Vernazza, Cornilia,
Manarola and Rio Maggiore. As an
alternave, you could take a boat from
DUBAI - MILAN - LAKE MAGGIORE
A6er a short stopover in Dubai you
connect with your onward flight to Milan,
arriving early a6ernoon. Sit back and enjoy
the drive from Milan to picturesque Stresa
on Lake Maggiore. You have some me to
se9le in and relax befor meeng with your
fellow passengers for a Welcome Dinner.
Meals in flight * Welcome Dinner
Overnight Stresa
Day 3 Sunday 8 September
LAKE MAGGIORE
A day of rest – take a stroll along the
shores of beauful Lake Maggiore or
perhaps take a boat to the Borromean
Islands of Isola Bella and or Pescatori. The
17th century Palazzo Borromeo is Isola
Bella’s main a9racon. The sumptuous
palace includes works by Giovanni Tiepolo
and Van Dyck. It also features Flemish
tapestries and sculptures by Canova. Its
adjoining gardens are among the most
beauful in Italy.
Breakfast
Overnight Lake Maggiore
Day 4 Monday 9 September
CINQUE TERRE
A6er breakfast you begin your journey
to Cinque Terre, staying at the most
northerly of the five Cinque Terre
villages, Monterosso al Mare. On the
way you make a short stop at Sestri
Levante on the Italian Riviera. Sestri
Levante, once an ancient marime port
is now a vibrant tourist spot. It is o6en
referred to as the ‘Bay of Fairy Tales’.
You arrive in Monterosso al Mare in
me to relax before dinner.
Breakfast * Dinner
Overnight Monterosso al Mare
Day 9 Saturday 14 September
FLORENCE
A6er breakfast you
make your way to
Florence, stopping at
Lucca and Pisa along
the way. Lucca,
founded in Etruscan
mes, sll has many
fine reminders of it’s
illustrious past. It is a wonderful example
of a Tuscan town, surrounded by
massively thick 16th C walls and crammed
with wonderful architecture. It also
boasts fabulous restaurants. Moving on to
Pisa, best known for its leaning tower,
there is ample to see in this lovely town.
The Piazza dei Miracoli, the Bapstery and
the Duomo di Pisa are grand examples of
12th century Pisan architecture. Arriving in
Florence you have me to take a short
rest before your evening meal.
Breakfast * Dinner
Overnight Florence
ROME
Farewell Florence as you journey south
through picture postcard scenery on your
way to Rome, Italy’s capital. On the way
you visit the 16th century baroque Villa
Orsini in the village of Bomarzo. Villa
Orsini is a garden without equal. Quirky
giant sculptures can be found at every
turn and it is o6en called the ‘Park of
Monsters’ with very good reason. Checkin this a6ernoon in Rome at your
centrally located hotel. Enjoy me to
relax or begin
exploring on your
own before meeng
for dinner.
Breakfast * Dinner
Overnight Rome
Day 7 Thursday 12 September
22 days $6850
Day 2 Saturday 7 September
Day 6 Wednesday 11 September
Monterosso to visit the villages and also
nearby Porto Venere, another UNESCO
site. Your Tour Leader can advise you on
how best to get around and make the
most of your day.
Breakfast
Overnight Monterosso al Mare
FLORENCE
Florence is
one of the
world’s
most
beauful
cies and
the centre
of the
Italian Renaissance. BoFcelli,
Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci all
le6 their mark on this exquisite city.
Today you have a half day guided walking
tour which includes entrance to the Uffizi
Gallery. In the a6ernoon you may wish to
wander across the Ponte Vecchio and
along the River Arno simply soaking up
the sights and sounds before finding a
spot to watch the world go by and sipping
a glass of Tuscan wine.
Breakfast
Overnight Florence
Day 8 Friday 13 September
FLORENCE
You have a completely free day to
discover Florence at your leisure. Your
tour leader will assist you in making plans
for the day. You may consider vising; the
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and
climbing its magnificent Duomo, the regal
Boboli Gardens, the Bargello or the PiF
Palace. In the evening head for one of
the many roof top bars and restaurants
for the finest views across the city as the
sun goes down.
Breakfast
Overnight Florence
Day 10 Sunday 15 September
ROME
Following breakfast you have a half day
walking orientaon tour of Rome which
includes your entrance to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. In the a6ernoon you have free me to explore
Rome at your leisure. Your tour leader
will help you with ideas of where to go
and what to see in ‘the Eternal City’.
Breakfast
Overnight Rome
Day 11 Monday 16 September
ROME – POMPEII - SORRENTO
Sit back and relax as you make your way
to Sorrento, your home for the next four
nights. En-route you stop at Pompeii,
Italy’s most famous archaeological
treasure and a renowned UNESCO World
Heritage Site for a guided tour. Originally
an Etruscan town, Pompeii was destroyed
by the erupon of Mt Vesuvius in AD79.
So far 44 hectares of the 66 hectare site
have been excavated, the remains of
which reveal glimpses of lives lived and
lost during this catastrophic but amazing
event. Situated on a hillside overlooking
the Amalfi coastline, delighKul Sorrento is
filled with charm and echoes of an ancient
past.
Breakfast * Dinner
Overnight Sorrento
Day 12 Tuesday 17 September
AMALFI COAST
Today you have a full day exploring one
of most romanc coastlines in the
world. You travel to Positano passing
through Sant’Agata dei Due Golfi, with
stunning views of the Bay of Naples and
the Gulf of Salerno. Transferring to a
boat you connue your journey along
the legendary Siren Coast past Galli
Island (first discovered by Ulysses of
Omeric fame) on the way to Amalfi. Your
next stop is Ravello, perched high in the
mountains above Amalfi where you visit
the charming Villa Cimbrone – one of
Italy’s most romanc spots. You return to
Amalfi for a wander around its quaint
cobbled streets before returning to
Positano by boat and Sorrento for your
evening meal.
Breakfast * Dinner
Overnight Sorrento
Day 13 Wednesday 18 September
SORRENTO - CAPRI
This morning you board a boat to the
famed island of Capri, disembarking at
Marina Grande. A
favourite haunt of
Roman Emperors,
arsts, writers
and the rich and
famous, Capri is
one of the
Mediterranean’s must see places. On
arrival a private bus takes you to the land
access of the Blue Gro9o, said to inhabit
Sirens, Nersidi and devils. Entry to the
gro9o is oponal and at your own
expense. On Anacapri you visit Axel
Munthe’s renowned Villa San Michele
before connuing to Marina Piccola the
Faraglioni rocks can be admired from here
and back to Capri. A6er some free me
around the Piazze9a you make your way
back to the harbour at Marina Grande by
cable car for you return trip to Sorrento.
Breakfast * Dinner
Overnight Sorrento
Day 14 Thursday 19 September
SORRENTO
You have a free day of leisure.
Breakfast
Overnight Sorrento
Day 15 Friday 20 September
SORRENTO - ASCOLI
PICENO
Sit back and relax as you
head northward across
the Apennine Mountains
and through the Gran
Sasso Naonal Park, to
the beguiling town of
Ascoli Piceno for a two night stay. One of
Ascoli Piceno’s main features is its breathtaking main square, Piazza del Popolo,
just metres from your hotel. This wonderfully proporoned meeng place is one of
the most elegant provincial squares in the
whole of Italy. Bordered on three sides by
churches and cathedrals it is a grand place
for watching the parade of life go by.
Breakfast * Dinner
Overnight Ascoli Piceno