Our 2017 group in the ancient forum at Pompeii

Transcription

1 Our 2017 group in the ancient forum at Pompeii

2 Amici Tours Heel of the Boot $ Amici Tours Sunny South $ Amici Tours Northern Icons $ Trafalgar Tours Italy Bellissimo $ Bunnik Tours Italian Discovery $ Globus A Taste of Italy $ Back-roads Touring The Splendours of Sicily $ Included lunches and dinners per day Note 1: The average per day prices quoted above are calculated using the base price stated on each company s website for a September 2019 departure. Note 2: The Bunnik tour price includes return airfares from Australia. For fairness, we subtracted $2,000 from the price of the Bunnik tour before calculating the average price per day. The other tours mentioned here do not include the return airfares from Australia. COMPARE ITALY TOURS AT A GLANCE Tour provider Name of tour Average price per day Maximum group size amici tours Insight Vacations Country Roads of Southern Italy and Sicily $ Intrepid Travel Italy Experience $ Insight Vacations Grand Italy and Sicily $

3 the 2019 tours Our 2019 Italy tours will take place early in the European Autumn, a really good time to be in Italy. We'll enjoy some lovely warm weather, but the tourist crowds won t be as overwhelming as in July. Puglia is an exciting addition to our tours in 2019, with our new Heel of the Boot tour. Our Sunny South tour will again include a week in Sicily, very popular in 2017 and Umbria features strongly in Northern Icons, and sets our tour apart from the others. Each tour follows on seamlessly from the one before it, so you can conveniently do more than one tour if you wish to. The tours are designed, arranged and escorted by Amici Tours. We believe in slower tours. Take more time and actually enjoy yourself! Heel of the Boot September 6 September 14 (8 nights/9 days) $2,000 per person, twin share basis Single supplement $500 Deposit $400 ''Sunny South" September 14 - September 25 (11 nights/12 days) $3,000 per person, twin share basis Single supplement $600 Deposit $600 "Northern Icons" September 25 - October 4 (9 nights/10 days) $2,650 per person, twin share basis Single supplement $700 Deposit $530 "Sunny South" combined with Northern Icons" September 14 - October 4 (20 nights/21 days) $5,900 per person, twin share basis (price includes transfer Palermo to Venice) Single supplement $1,300 Deposit $1,180 International airfares not included. Bookings close June Prices above cannot be guaranteed for bookings made after March go touring with friends

4 heel of the boot Day 1 Friday 6th September In the early evening we ll meet up for a welcome drink, and begin to get acquainted. Overnight in Rome. Welcome drink included. Day 2 Saturday 7th September An early start today, as we ll be taking the morning train from Rome to Lecce. We ll arrive in Lecce around lunchtime, and your afternoon is free for poking around the historic centre of this charming and relaxed town. In the evening we ll meet up again for a group dinner. Overnight in Lecce. Breakfast, dinner included. Day 3 Sunday 8th September A full-day tour of the Salento Peninsula. Overnight in Lecce. Breakfast included. Day 4 Monday 9th September We get to sleep in today if we want to, and enjoy our breakfast in a leisurely fashion. Then we ll set out by train to Brindisi. Brindisi was an extremely important port for the Romans in ancient times, due to its large natural harbour and strategic location. In fact in the 4th century BC the Romans constructed a road, the Via Appia (Appian Way), to connect Rome with Brindisi, so that troops and military supplies could be transported quickly and easily. In Brindisi we ll actually see the Roman column that marked the end of the Via Appia. In the evening, back in Lecce, we ll do a cooking lesson where we ll learn about the foods locally produced in Puglia, and create some dishes ourselves. We ll also taste some local wines. Puglia is renowned for its fresh produce, its cheeses, and its wines. Overnight in Lecce. Breakfast, dinner included (cooking lesson). Day 5 Tuesday 10th September Today we ll transfer by road from Lecce to Trani, visiting Alberobello and Castel del Monte on the way. In Alberobello we ll see the Trulli, which are traditional drystone huts with conical roofs. Castel del Monte is an impressive fortified castle built in the 1240 s by the Emperor Frederick II. Our Trani hotel is located in the historic centre, right on the harbour and next to the beautiful public gardens. Overnight in Trani. Breakfast included. Day 6 Wednesday 11th September An excursion by train to Matera, in the region of Basilicata. We ll be visiting the Sassi of Matera with our guide. The Sassi are two districts of Matera that consist of cave residences, and this area is sometimes called The Subterranean City. The history of the cave residences is fascinating but at the same time very sad. The Sassi were declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993, and the EU has designated Matera as its Capital of Culture for After visiting the Sassi we ll enjoy a great lunch together featuring some local dishes. Overnight in Trani. Breakfast, lunch included. amici tours

5 Day 7 Thursday 12th September This is a free day to explore Trani. There s plenty to see and do in Trani. This is such a pleasant town to walk around. You can visit some of the magnificent historical buildings, go to the beach, or even go by train to one of the nearby towns if that takes your fancy. Our hotel is right near the many restaurants that are strung along the harbourside, so a leisurely lunch may be on your agenda. Any activities during the day will be at your own expense. In the evening, we ll get together for a group dinner. Overnight in Trani. Breakfast, dinner included. Day 8 - Friday 13th September A more leisurely morning. Then we ll be off to the station to return to Rome by train. Our train will reach Rome in the late afternoon. Overnight in Rome. Breakfast included. Day 9 - Saturday 14th September After breakfast, end of tour. Breakfast included. inclusions Twin-share accommodation in clean, comfortable, conveniently-located hotels, with private bathroom, for 8 nights All transport between hotels Services of two tour leaders Welcome drink 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 3 dinners (mineral water included with lunch and dinners) (1 of the dinners is a cooking lesson and includes wines) All transfers and entrance fees as necessary for the tours and activities listed below Services of English-speaking tour guides for the guided tours listed below All group tips All city bed taxes THE FOLLOWING 7 GUIDED TOURS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE: Full-day guided tour of the Salento Peninsula Excursion by train to Brindisi Cooking lesson featuring some dishes of the Puglia region, and local wines Visit to Alberobello Visit to Castel del Monte Excursion by train to Matera Guided tour of the Sassi of Matera go touring with friends

6 the sunny south Day 1 Saturday 14th September An early evening stroll through some of Rome s most famous piazzas, followed by a group dinner that will allow us to try some Roman specialities. Overnight in Rome. Dinner included. Day 2 Sunday 15th September Transfer to Sorrento by private coach. En route, a guided tour of the ancient town of Herculaneum. In the evening, a group dinner at a popular Sorrento restaurant, with local dishes. Overnight in Sorrento. Breakfast, dinner included. Day 3 Monday 16th September An outing by hydrofoil to Capri Island. The day will include a scenic walk, a boat ride along the coast of the island, and an opportunity to swim in the Mediterranean Sea. Overnight in Sorrento. Breakfast included. Day 4 Tuesday 17th September A guided tour of the ancient city of Pompeii, followed by lunch and wines at a Vesuvian winery. Our lunch will comprise entirely of foods produced at the winery itself and in the local district. Overnight in Sorrento. Breakfast, lunch included. Day 5 Wednesday 18th September We tour the Amalfi Coast by coach, spending time in Positano and Ravello, and seeing Amalfi town. There will be plenty of photo opportunities on this day. Then we continue on to Salerno. Overnight in Salerno. Breakfast included. Day 6 Thursday 19th September In the morning we board a train and travel to Taormina in Sicily. From the train we will see the coast of Calabria. The train will cross to Sicily on the train ferry. Group dinner in Taormina. Overnight in Taormina. Breakfast, dinner included. Day 7 Friday 20th September Free day. Possibilities include doing a Sicilian cooking class, going by cable car down to the beach, visiting Catania by train, or exploring the shops, cafes and beautiful Greek theatre in Taormina. Any activities on this day will be at your own expense. Overnight in Taormina. Breakfast included. Day 8 Saturday 21st September Expedition to Mt. Etna, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and to two of the Etnean towns. Activities on the day will include a walk around a crater, and a visit to a local honey producer. The Etna area is well-known for its honey. Overnight in Taormina. Breakfast included. amici tours

7 Day 9 Sunday 22nd September Transfer by private coach to Syracuse. Visit the fabulous Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum. Afternoon and evening free to explore Ortygia Island, where we will be staying overnight. Overnight in Syracuse (Ortygia Island). Breakfast included. Day 10 Monday 23rd September Travel by private coach overland to Agrigento. On our way to Agrigento, at morning coffee time we ll call in to the ceramics town of Caltagirone, and after lunch we ll do a guided tour of Villa Romana del Casale, a grand Roman house from around 300AD which has wonderful mosaics. Overnight in Agrigento. Breakfast, dinner included. Day 11 Tuesday 24th September In the morning, a guided tour of Valley of the Temples. By coach to Palermo, on the way visiting the Cathedral of Monreale. In the evening, a group dinner at a great neighbourhood restaurant. Overnight in Palermo. Breakfast, dinner included. Day 12 Wednesday 25th September The Sunny South tour ends after breakfast. We farewell those who are not continuing with us. Breakfast included. inclusions Twin-share accommodation in clean, comfortable, conveniently-located hotels, with private bathroom, for 11 nights All transport between hotels Services of two tour leaders 11 breakfasts, 1 lunch with wines, 5 dinners (mineral water included with lunch and dinners) All transfers and entrance fees as necessary for the tours and activities listed below Services of English-speaking tour guides for the guided tours listed below All group tips All city bed taxes THE FOLLOWING 12 GUIDED TOURS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE: Evening stroll through Rome s most famous piazzas, with your tour leaders Guided tour of the excavations at Herculaneum Excursion to Capri Island, including a tour by gozzo boat Guided tour of the excavations at Pompeii Winery visit at Sorrentino winery in the Vesuvio wine district, with lunch and wine tasting Amalfi Coast excursion Mt Etna excursion, with guided walking tour at Etna, and visit to a local honey producer Visit to the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum at Syracuse Visit to Caltagirone Guided tour of Villa Romana del Casale Guided tour of Valley of the Temples Visit to the Cathedral at Monreale go touring with friends

8 northern icons Day 1 Wednesday 25th September Transfer from Palermo to Venice by Alitalia flight, and water taxi. Those who have not been on the Sunny South tour will meet us at our Venice hotel. Evening free to explore Venice. Overnight in Venice. Day 2 Thursday 26th September Secret Itineraries tour at the Doge s Palace. Visit to St. Mark s Basilica. Guided tour of the Clock Tower in St Mark s Square. In the evening, a group dinner. Overnight in Venice. Breakfast, dinner included. Day 3 Friday 27th September Full free day for your own activities in Venice. You can use your included Travelcard to explore Venice or the islands of the Lagoon such as Murano and Burano. Overnight in Venice. Breakfast included. Day 4 Saturday 28th September Travel to Florence by high speed train, Business Class. In the afternoon, a guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery for masterpieces of Renaissance painting by Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo and others. In the evening, a group dinner. Overnight in Florence. Breakfast, dinner included. Day 5 Sunday 29th September In the morning, a visit to the Accademia to see Michelangelo s David. After lunch a free afternoon for shopping or sight-seeing in Florence. There is also the possibility to visit Pisa or Lucca by train, at your own expense. Overnight in Florence. Breakfast included. Day 6 Monday 30th September Transfer to Perugia, the capital city of Umbria, by private coach. En route, visit Gubbio, one of the Umbrian hill towns. Our 2018 group very much enjoyed Gubbio. Overnight in Perugia. Breakfast, dinner included. Day 7 Tuesday 1st October Today is a free day to explore Perugia, or travel to one of the other Umbrian towns by train or bus. All activities on this day will be at your own expense. Overnight in Perugia. Breakfast included. Day 8 Wednesday 2nd October Excursion to Assisi, which is a pilgrimage destination, and resting place of St. Francis of Assisi. Our day will include a visit to Rocca Maggiore, the mediaeval fort that towers protectively over Assisi. Most tours do not take you to La Rocca. A hearty Umbrian lunch, with wine, at La Stalla restaurant. Overnight in Perugia. Breakfast, lunch included. amici tours

9 Day 9 Thursday 3rd October Transfer to Rome by private coach, arriving before lunch. In the afternoon, a guided tour of the Colosseum and Forum. In the evening, an excellent group dinner at a Roman style restaurant. Overnight in Rome. Breakfast, dinner included. Day 10 Friday 4th October Our tour is at an end. After breakfast we will say arrivederci and go our own separate ways, taking joyous memories of Italy home with us. Breakfast included. inclusions Twin-share accommodation in clean, comfortable, conveniently-located hotels with private bathroom, for 9 nights All transport between hotels Services of two tour leaders 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners (mineral water included with lunch and dinners) All transfers and entrance fees as necessary for the tours and activities listed below Services of English-speaking tour guides for the guided tours listed below Venice 3-day Travelcard All group tips All city bed taxes THE FOLLOWING 9 GUIDED TOURS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE: Secret Itineraries tour at the Palazzo Ducale (Doge s Palace) in Venice Visit to St Mark s Basilica in Venice with booked (skip-the-line) entrance Visit to the St Mark s Museum Guided tour of the Clock Tower in Venice Guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence Guided tour of the Accademia Gallery in Florence, and of the historic centre of Florence Visit to Gubbio Guided walking tour of Assisi, including Rocca Maggiore and the Basilica of St. Francis Guided walking tour of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum in Rome IF YOU ARE COMBINING THIS TOUR WITH THE SUNNY SOUTH TOUR THE FOLLOWING ARE ALSO INCLUDED: Group transfer from hotel in Palermo to Palermo airport Air travel from Palermo airport to Venice airport with Alitalia Transfer by water taxi from Venice airport to our Venice hotel go touring with friends

10 Capri Our excursion to Capri is all about fun. We ll go over to Capri Island by fast ferry from our base in Sorrento. After a walk to check out the villages of Capri and Marina Piccola, we ll get into traditional gozzo boats. These boats only take six to seven passengers. In our gozzi we ll tour in the waters off the island, seeing the natural features and admiring some of the impressive man-made habitations on the island, and we ll stop to have a swim off the boats in the refreshing sea. After our boat tour you ll be free to explore the island. Or perhaps you ll just do a long lunch, some shopping or some more swimming, before returning to Sorrento at whatever time you please. In 2016 we sailed right past James Packer s yacht the Arctic P, which seemed as big as a palace. Mariah Carey s much smaller chartered yacht was moored close by. Perugia This mediaeval city is the regional capital of Umbria, and will be our base for three nights while we explore the region. Perugia has always been loved by our tour guests. We will stay right in the historic centre, in a mediaeval environment that is bustling with life. Devotees of Game of Thrones may be interested to know that the actual Red Wedding occurred in Perugia in July Perugia, like many other hill towns of Umbria and Tuscany, has had a turbulent and bloody past. Power struggles between wealthy families, and battles to gain and maintain independence from the Vatican, were played out over the centuries. You will see many young people in Perugia as it has two universities, the state university and the University for Foreigners. Most tourists you come across in Perugia are Italians as overseas tourists generally do not take the time to come here. amici tours

11 what do past tour guests say about us? "Great trip, well organised, and fun all round. Thank you." Geoff Burgess Highly recommend. Maxine Jensen "We loved every minute of it". Fay and Terry Payne "The tour was very well organised and all our expectations were met. There was ample free time to explore. I can confidently recommend Amici Tours to anyone who is planning to do a trip to Italy". Graham Voght "For us, the balance between free time and organised activities worked perfectly. We can't thank you enough for your expertise, organisation and patience". Sue and Dave Morley "Louise and Bruce's tours go off the beaten track and take a different look at Italy". Cheryl Clayton "The group dinners were outstanding". Chris Dennis "All the destinations had great accommodation. One of my favourite places was Perugia. It has a peaceful village feel as well as great food and shopping." Di Edge I have done the tour twice and loved it both times. Colleen Sorrensen "We tell everyone how great the tour was. We loved everything". Brian and Alison Tucker go touring with friends

12 for more information or to request a booking form contact us Postal address: 42 Fiona Crescent, Lake Cathie, NSW 2445 Phone: / (02) amici@amicitours.com.au Visit our website: Check out the Amici Tours Facebook page and like it to receive updates