a copy of the trip brochure

TARRYTOWN UMC PILGRIMAGE TO ITALY
MAY 7 - MAY 17, 2017
Sunday, May 07
WELCOME TO ROME!
Overnight: Albergo Santa Chiara; (D)
Arrive at the hotel Albergo Santa Chiara in Rome, checking in prior to our opening
meeting. Century Travel can make transfer arrangements for you if you wish.
4:00P
5:00 - 7:00P
In addition to Reverend David Gilliam and Reverend Bobbi Kaye Jones, our onthe-ground tour leaders will be Dr. Sam Hilt and Pamela Mercer of Tuscany Tours.
We’ll meet Sam at the hotel for a welcome beverage and appetizers while he
orients us to the week. Dr. Hilt’s academic specialty is the art of the early
Renaissance, and he is the acclaimed author of The Uffizi Gallery and The
Renaissance of Imagination: The Marriage of Heaven and Earth in Florentine
Renaissance Art (both available on Amazon). He and Pamela Mercer have been
organizing cultural travel in Italy since 1997. Pamela will be joining us mid-tour for
our visits to Florence and Venice.
Twilight Rome Tour
We walk off that jet lag! Visit the Pantheon and marvel at the perfection of its
dome and oculus; the Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, Rome’s only gothic
church, with sculpture by Michelangelo and a sumptuous series of frescoes by
Filippino Lippi. Finish at Piazza Navona to enjoy Bernini’s Fountain of the Four
Rivers masterpiece in the twilight.
7:00P
OPTIONAL
Dinner outside nearby (weather permitting).
After dinner stroll with Sam to the Trevi Fountain before calling it a day.
Tuscany Tours
120 Fourth St. • Suite 1071 • Petaluma, CA 94953
800 634 3460 • In Italy 329 014 0246
www.TuscanyTours.com
Monday, May 08
ROME
Overnight: Albergo Santa Chiara; (B, L)
10:00A - 1:00P
3:00 - 6:00P
Private Guided Tour of Ancient Rome
Walk back in time to the glory of the Roman age as we visit the Forum, the
Colosseum, and Palatine Hill. Skip-the-line entrance tickets will be arranged for
us.
Enjoy a delicious lunch of traditional Roman cuisine nearby.
After lunch, we’ll continue by bus, touring Rome, entering the Christian age. See
the Church of San Clemente and its 12th century Triumph of the Christ mosaic.
Below the church we’ll see a 4th century church built upon a 2nd century temple.
Next we venture outside the city walls to visit the Basilica of Saint Paul, built upon
the burial grounds of Saint Paul.
Finish on the Appian Way with a visit to the Christian catacombs, a system of
underground tunnels where the Romans would bury their dead.
Dinner on our own tonight.
Tuscany Tours
120 Fourth St. • Suite 1071 • Petaluma, CA 94953
800 634 3460 • In Italy 329 014 0246
www.TuscanyTours.com
Tuesday, May 09
ROME
Overnight: Albergo Santa Chiara; (B)
7:15 - 11:15A
Private Guided Early Entry Tour of the Vatican
We’re off to tour the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica,
including the Pio Christian Museum with the oldest known statue of Christ. Early
entrance means we won’t have to stand in line and will have a less obstructed view
of the Sistine Chapel.
Then, a quick pizza or pasta lunch on our own nearby before meeting our bus to
transfer to the Borghese Gallery.
1:30 - 3:00P
Private Guided Tour of the Borghese Gallery
View the extensive private art collection created in the 15th century by Cardinal
Borghese, with masterpieces by Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian, as well as
amazing sculptures by Bernini.
3:00P
Transfer back to our hotel
Remainder of today: free time.
Tuscany Tours
120 Fourth St. • Suite 1071 • Petaluma, CA 94953
800 634 3460 • In Italy 329 014 0246
www.TuscanyTours.com
Wed., May 10
TUSCANY: ASSISI AND CORTONA
Overnight: Villa Marsili; (B, D)
9:30A
Transfer to Assisi
Our coach takes us to Assisi. Late morning stroll and lunch on our own (we’ll be
given suggestions).
Private Guided Tour of the Umbrian town of Assisi and Saint Francis’ famous
2:00 – 5:00P
5:00P
6:00P
7:30P
Basilica with local guide, Alessandra.
Transfer to Cortona
Check-in at the Villa Marsili
Welcome dinner at our Villa.
Thurs., May 11
TUSCANY: CORTONA
Overnight: Villa Marsili; (B, D)
10:00A – 11:30A
11:30A
7:30P
Visit the Diocesan Museum and its beautiful works by Signorelli and Fra Angelico.
Gather at Galleria il Pozzo for a drink and appetizers. Ivan, the owner, will show us
the 2500-year-old Etruscan well that he discovered when he was remodeling his
gallery. Afterwards, lunch on our own and free time this afternoon.
Dinner together at one of the best local restaurants.
Tuscany Tours
120 Fourth St. • Suite 1071 • Petaluma, CA 94953
800 634 3460 • In Italy 329 014 0246
www.TuscanyTours.com
Friday, May 12
POGGIO MOLINA - FLORENCE
Overnight: Hotel Tornabuoni Beacci (B, L, D)
12:00P
Transfer: After breakfast and a leisurely morning, we head to Poggio Molina, a
family-run winery situated in the Tuscan countryside. Pam Mercer will be joining
us at this time for the remainder of the trip.
1:00P
We’ll experience the ultimate in farm-to-table dining as we feast on Claudio and
Alba’s home-cured meats, wild-boar lasagna and other delicacies, all paired with
their fine wines.
3:30P
5:00P
Coach transfer to our hotel in Florence
Check-in at the Hotel Tornabuoni Beacci
6:30P
Orientation Walk with Pam and Sam
Stroll through the historic center of Florence, getting our bearings along the way.
After our walk, we’ll enjoy a light dinner together at the Piazza della Signoria.
Tuscany Tours
120 Fourth St. • Suite 1071 • Petaluma, CA 94953
800 634 3460 • In Italy 329 014 0246
www.TuscanyTours.com
Sat., May 13
FLORENCE
Overnight: Hotel Tornabuoni Beacci (B, L)
9:00A
10:30 – 1:00P
Slide show introducing the treasures of the Bargello and the Opera del Duomo
Private Guided Tour of the Bargello and the Museo del Duomo with
Sam and Pamela
The Bargello is Florence’s preeminent sculpture museum with works by Donatello,
Michelangelo, Cellini, Giambologna and other Renaissance masters. The Museum
of the Duomo has recently re-opened after a masterful renovation; it houses the
most important works from Florence’s Cathedral and Baptistry, included Ghiberti’s
famous doors, the “Gates of Paradise.”
1:00- 3:00P
3:30P
Lunch together at a fantastic restaurant across the river in a little out of the way
piazza.
After lunch, visit the Accademia to see Michelangelo’s magnificent David.
Remainder of the day: free time
Sunday, May 14
FLORENCE
Overnight: Hotel Tornabuoni Beacci (B, D)
9:00
10:30 – 1:00
PM
7:30P
Slide show presentation introducing the Uffizi Gallery.
Uffizi Tour
Private guided tour of the renowned Uffizi Gallery which houses artistic treasures
from late medieval through the Renaissance, including masters like Giotto, Fra
Angelico, Botticelli, and Leonardo da Vinci.
Free time to explore and shop on our own
Dinner together at a delightful, old-school osteria.
Tuscany Tours
120 Fourth St. • Suite 1071 • Petaluma, CA 94953
800 634 3460 • In Italy 329 014 0246
www.TuscanyTours.com
Monday, May 15
VENICE
Overnight: Ca Gottardi; (B, L)
9:00A
PM
Transfer to Venice: After breakfast we head to Venice. Luggage will be taken
directly to the hotel while we glide along the Grand Canal to tour by private water
taxi. Our guide will point out interesting historical sites as we make our way to a
Contessa’s palace for an exclusive private lunch.
After lunch, we’ll float along the canals by gondola to our hotel for check-in at the
Ca Gottardi. Remainder of the day: free time to explore Venice and shop on our
own.
Tuscany Tours
120 Fourth St. • Suite 1071 • Petaluma, CA 94953
800 634 3460 • In Italy 329 014 0246
www.TuscanyTours.com
VENICE
Tuesday, May 16
10:00 – 1:00P
Overnight: Ca Gottardi; (B, D)
Private Tour: Guided Tour of St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace, one of
the major power centers of Europe and a splendid example of Venetian gothic
architecture.
PM
7:30P
Free time to explore Venice and grab any last minute gifts.
Farewell Dinner at a local Venetian restaurant.
Wed., May 17
TOUR ENDS: Arrivederci!
Transfers to connecting travel after breakfast. Century Travel can make transfer
arrangements for you if you wish.
Tuscany Tours
120 Fourth St. • Suite 1071 • Petaluma, CA 94953
800 634 3460 • In Italy 329 014 0246
www.TuscanyTours.com
HOTEL SUMMARY
Nights
City
3
Rome
Hotel
Albergo Santa Chiara
http://www.albergosantachiara.com/
In the heart of Rome, just behind the Pantheon
and across from Santa Maria Sopra Minerva.
•
•
2
Cortona
Includes buffet breakfast
Complimentary wifi
Villa Marsili
http://www.villamarsili.net/
Elegant villa in Cortona, a short walk from the
town center
•
•
3
Florence
2
Venice
Includes breakfast
Complimentary wifi
Tornabuoni Beacci
http://www.hoteltornabuonibeacci.com/
Family run hotel located in a former Renaissance
palace
• Includes breakfast
• Complimentary wifi
Ca Gottardi
http://www.cagottardi.com/
A boutique hotel, centrally located on a quiet
canal
•
Buffet breakfast included
Tuscany Tours
120 Fourth St. • Suite 1071 • Petaluma, CA 94953
800 634 3460 • In Italy 329 014 0246
www.TuscanyTours.com
TOUR SPECIFICS:
Cost: $4,772.00 per person (not including transportation to / from Italy)
This trip has been custom-designed with care specifically for your group and is based on a minimum of 18
participants and 2 tour leaders. If the number of travelers decreases, the tour will be re-priced accordingly.
The trip is based on double occupancy. There is a single supplement of $881.00 per person in a single room.
A non-refundable deposit of $350.00 per person is due upon registration. All registrations need to be
received by October 15, 2016, by check to TUMC and marked for “Italy Trip.” You will then be given a
link for registering with Tuscany Tours.
The balance of all tours designed by Tuscany Tours is due three months before the tour start date. The due
date for full payment of this tour is February 7, 2017.
This trip does not include airline or train tickets.
Included:
• Meals: All breakfasts, four lunches, six dinners; all meals include wonderful wine!
• Guided Tours
• Admissions to scheduled museums and attractions.
• All scheduled ground transfers during the trip. The trip begins at Albergo Santa Chiara (no
transfer to hotel is provided) and ends with a group transfer from the Venice hotel to the Venice
airport (group transfer will be provided at a specific scheduled time).
• All Gratuities for porters, guides, restaurant meals and drivers.
• Luggage Allowance: For much of the trip, your luggage will be handled by our porters, but there may be
times when you are required to carry your luggage. In such cases, be sure that you are physically
capable of handling your own luggage. We cover transfer costs for one piece of luggage per person.
NOTE: There will be a city tax of from 2 to 5 euro per person a day to be paid in cash on site at each hotel.
This is a tourism tax levied in order to pay for the water, garbage, and other public services that tourists use
while traveling. Because it needs to be paid in cash and because the exact amount changes based on season
and local governments, this tax is not included in the trip and will need to be paid on site.
Accessibility: Guests should consider their personal fitness and medical history when determining
whether this tour is appropriate. Full participation may require periods of walking over uneven
pavement, cobblestone surfaces, up and down stairs (particularly in Venice), extended periods of
standing, and riding in boats (all transportation in Venice is by water). Guests with any physical
limitations should take these elements into account. Guests in wheelchairs and others with limited
mobility or difficulty walking steadily should not select this tour.
Tour Leaders: Rev. Bobbi Kay Jones and Rev. David Gilliam. Joining them in Italy will be Dr. Sam Hilt and
Pamela Mercer, owners of Tuscany Tours.
Cancellation Policy
• Cancellation 60 days or more before the start of the tour or travel service: 50% refund
• Cancellation 30 days or more before the start of the tour or travel service: 25% refund
• Cancellation less than 30 days before the start of the tour or travel service: 0% refund
Trip insurance is required to attend this trip. Please contact Sally at Century Travel to assist you with this.
Sally can be reached at sallyw@century.travel; 512 327 8760 for trip insurance or any questions regarding
this trip and before or after add-on travel. Do wait until October 15 to see if the trip is a go before you
spend money on trip insurance.
Tuscany Tours
120 Fourth St. • Suite 1071 • Petaluma, CA 94953
800 634 3460 • In Italy 329 014 0246
www.TuscanyTours.com