~ 25 Day Tour ~ 1st - 25th September, 2018

Transcription

1 Italy and the Mediterranean / Adriatic Coastline Tour Italy, Slovenia, Bosnia and Croatia by Coach along the coasts of the Mediterranean & Adriatic Seas. ~ 25 Day Tour ~ 1st - 25th September, 2018 Friends to travel with... O Shannessy s Sorrento Travel Pty Ltd T/A: 2121 Point Nepean Road, Rye Vic enquiries@oshannessys.com.au Toll Free:

2 Price per person twin share $ 19,995 Repeat clientele twin share $ 19,795 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT $ 4,580 Tour Departs: Saturday 1st September, 2018 Tour Returns: Tuesday 25th September, 2018 Deposit: $2,000 per person upon booking Balance due on invoice approximately 75 days prior to departure Single travellers who are prepared to twin share will be matched with another passenger (of the same gender), HOWEVER, if this is not possible, you will need to pay the Single Supplement. Tour Price Includes: Pick up from and return to your home - Greater Melbourne, Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong, the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas, Phillip Island and some areas of Gippsland. SINGAPORE AIRLINES: Return economy flights including transfers and taxes. Quality ensuite motel accommodation. Maximum participants on tour 30. Tour Escorted from Melbourne by our O Shannessy s representative. Local English speaking guides. Quality air-conditioned touring coach. All gratuities for Driver & Guide, venues and porterage at accommodation whilst travelling with the group. All tours and interest venues as per itinerary. Meals: 22 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 22 dinners. Meals in flight. 19 lunches at own expense as per itinerary and 1 Dinner. Tour cost does not include: Items of a personal nature and any optional extras. Travel Insurance A valid national passport is needed for all holidays, with minimum validity of 6 months after return. For non-australian Passport Holders - Please check visa requirements with your local consulate; responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveller. The following cancellation fees apply for this tour: Deposit is non-refundable WITHIN 70 DAYS OF DEPARTURE - NO REFUND No refunds on any unused portions of the itinerary. TRAVEL INSURANCE IS NOT COMPULSORY HOWEVER IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND IS AVAILABLE FROM OUR OFFICE. O Shannessy s Quality Tours reserves the right to change the price until all monies paid in full, as increases may result due to any changes to currency fluctuations and also vary any accommodation, or other features of the tour at any time at their own discretion. To Maximise your enjoyment of the tour we recommend that you be able bodied as there will be cobble stone streets and quite a bit of walking involved. ie: Walkers not recommended

3 Tour Highlights: Italy -Milan Sightseeing Tour Verona Padua Bologna Florence San Gimignano Siena Assisi Rome Colosseum, Roman Forum Venice Mestre Slovenia - Bled, Bohinj and Ljubljana. Croatia - Trakoscan Castle, Varazdin, Zagreb, Opatija, Pula, Rovinj, Plitvice, Zadar,Krka Nat Park and Split. Bosnia Herzegovina - Mostar and Medjugorje. Italy - Sorrento Pompeii Naples Monte Cassino Multiple Nights 2 nights Milan, Rome and Opatija 3 nights Ljubjanna, Spllt and Sorrento

4 Day 1: Saturday 1st September, 2018 Depart Melbourne Welcome to our Italy, Slovenia, Bosnia and Croatia Luxury Coach Tour. After personal pickup from home this afternoon we make our way to Tullamarine Airport where we meet our Tour Director and board our flight via Singapore to Milan. We arrive early morning the next day. (meals in flight) OVERNIGHT: In-flight Day 2 : Sunday 2nd September, 2018 Arrive Milan (D) We will be met upon arrival at Milan airport by the local tour manager and transferred to our hotel for check-in and a snack with tea or coffee. The remainder of the day is at leisure before a welcome dinner with a glass of wine in the hotel this evening. OVERNIGHT: UNA Century Hotel, MILAN Day 3: Monday 3rd September, 2018 Milan Sightseeing Milan the Home of Fashion and Design. Today we enjoy a half day guided sightseeing tour of the city. We visit the Milan Cathedral, which is a sight to behold! With its amazing architecture and spires - there s so much to look at you won t know where to start! Right next to the Cathedral is Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II another fascinating building. We have the afternoon at leisure. Dinner tonight will be at a Local Restaurant. OVERNIGHT: UNA Century Hotel, MILAN Day 4: Tuesday 4th September, 2018 Milan Verona Padua After breakfast this morning we depart Milan. We stop to view the main sights of the city of Verona, before continuing to Padua. We meet with a local guide for a

5 OVERNIGHT: Hotel Europa, PADUA half day city tour - seeing the Basilica di San Antonio, the Piazza Signori - The Torre dell orologio and other sights, including entrance to Scrovegni Chapel. Later this afternoon we check into our hotel with time to freshen up before heading out for Dinner at a Local Restaurant. Day 5: Wednesday 5th September, 2018 Padua Bologna Florence (B,L,D) Today we depart Padua and head south towards Florence. Stopping along the way at Bologna where we meet with a local guide to view the main sights. We then continue on to Florence where we meet our Local English Speaking guide and visit the Accademia to see Michelangelo s David and his unfinished Prisioners We take a walking tour through the town to see the Ponte Vecchio, the Piazza del Duomo and Giottos Campanile. Later this afternoon we check into our hotel for the evening. We enjoy dinner at a Local Restaurant tonight. OVERNIGHT: Mgallery Cerranti, FLORENCE Day 6: Thursday 6th September, 2018 Florence San Gimignano Siena (B,L,D) We enjoy another lovely breakfast then depart Florence and travel to San Gimignano where we visit San Donato Factory and Olive Groves. We enjoy lunch at one of the vineyards with wine tasting before continuing to medieval Siena where we have a sightseeing tour to visit places such as Piazzo Del Campo, the red Palazzo

6 Pubblico and its tower, Torre del Mangia and the Duomo of Siena. We then make our way to our accommodation where we enjoy dinner tonight. OVERNIGHT: Hotel Executive, SIENA Day 7: Friday 7th September, 2018 Siena Assisi Rome Today we travel to Assisi, best known as the birthplace of St. Francis, Italy's patron saint. Assisi lies amid Umbria's rolling hills. Religious Pilgrims have come here for centuries to visit the Basilica of San Francesco (where St. Francis is buried) as we will today. We also enjoy a walking tour of the city and view the main sights with a Local guide before continuing to Rome our home for the next 2 nights. We enjoy dinner at a local restaurant tonight. OVERNIGHT: Hotel Grand Palace, ROME Day 8: Saturday 8th September, 2018 Rome City Tour After Breakfast we board our coach with a local guide for a half day city tour of ancient Rome, including the Colosseum, Arch of Costantine and the Roman Forum. We return to hotel after the tour and have the afternoon at leisure to continue exploring on our own before we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. OVERNIGHT: Hotel Grand Palace, ROME

7 Day 9: Sunday 9th September, 2018 Rome Venice - Mestre (B) Today we transfer to Rome Train Station to take the train to Venice Mestre. Mestre is the most populated urban area of the mainland of Venice, part of the territory of the Metropolitan City of Venice, in Veneto, Northern Italy. We also have train tickets to the main Venice Island, if anyone would like to head in and explore there or if you would like you can just have a look around here. Mestre is then well placed as a starting off point for our touring into Solvenia, Bosnia and Croatia. OVERNIGHT: Hilton Garden Inn San Giulano, MESTRE Day 10: Monday 10th September, 2018 Slovenia - Postojna Today we travel overland by train into Slovenia where we will meet up with our coach to start our touring of the area. We travel to Postojna, to join an underground tour of the Postojna Caves. We also enjoy a tour of the Predjama Castle. It is a Renaissance castle built in the 13th Century within a cave mouth halfway up a 123-metre-high cliff. It is one of the world's most dramatic castles and looks simply unconquerable. It is in the historical region of Inner Carniola. After our visit here we will continue on to Ljubljana for the next 3 nights. OVERNIGHT: Urban Hotel, LJUBLJANA Day 11: Tuesday 11th September, 2018 Bled Sightseeing - Solvenia Our touring today takes us to Bled, a Slovenian resort town in the foothills of the Julian Alps, is set along the glacial Lake Bled. On a cliff overlooking the lake is the 11th century Bled Castle, which houses a museum, chapel and printing press. Atop a small island in the lake's centre is the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Maria, with its steep staircase and bell tower. Today a local Tour Guide will join us for a full day of sightseeing in Bled. We will view the main sights, and take a boat ride to the island and visit the Church of the Assumption of Maria. We will also visit Bled Castle which is a medieval castle built

8 on a precipice above the city of Bled in Slovenia, overlooking Lake Bled. We will enjoy a panoramic drive this afternoon as we drive through the Julian Alps with our guide. We stop to view the sights before making our way back to Ljubljana. OVERNIGHT: Urban Hotel, LJUBLJANA Day 12: Wednesday 12th September, 2018 Bohinj - Ljubljana Today we make our way to Bohinj to visit the Church of St John the Baptist. The over 700 years old church is one of the most beautiful examples of the Middle Age architecture and fresco painting in Slovenia. It represents an important cultural and historical monument and is a listed building. The Church of St. John the Baptist is thought to have been built as early as pre We also have a look at the Alpine Dairy Farming Museum at Bohinj. We then make our way back to Ljubljana the capital and largest city of Slovenia. It's known for its university population and green spaces, including expansive Tivoli Park. The curving Ljubljanica River, lined with outdoor cafes, divides the city's old town from its commercial hub. Ljubljana has many museums. We will enjoy an afternoon city highlights tour with a local guide. We view the main sights, and the Presernov Trg Square, and have a look around the outside of the Ljubljana Castle before transferring to our hotel to freshen up and settle in before dinner. OVERNIGHT: Urban Hotel, LJUBLJANA Day 13: Thursday 13th September, 2018 Trakoscan - Varazdin - Zagreb After breakfast this morning we farewell Slovenia and enter into Croatia. Our first

9 visit today will be to Trakoscan Castle which is in Northern Croatia and was built in the 13th Century. After having a look around this fascinating castle we are on the road again and heading to Varazdin (Often called Little Vienna due to it s likeness to Vienna) to view the main sights. Varaždin is a city on the Drava River, in northern Croatia. It s known for its baroque and rococo architecture, including the 17th century Sermage Palace. Also there is the old town fortress Lisak Tower which is the only surviving part of the old city walls. We continue on to Zagreb for the evening and dinner. OVERNIGHT: DoubleTree by Hilton, ZAGREB Day 14: Friday 14th September, 2018 Zagreb - Opatija This morning we enjoy a walking tour with a local guide to view the main sights of Zagreb the capital and the largest city of Croatia. It is located in the northwest of the country, along the Sava River, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica Mountain. It is distinguished by its 18th and 19th century Austro-Hungarian architecture. At its centre, Upper Town is the site of the Gothic, twinspired Zagreb Cathedral and 13th century St. Mark s Church, with a colourfully tiled roof. We will view Trg Bana Jelacia Square and we will have free time to explore and purchase lunch before we continue on to Opatija for the evening and dinner at our accommodation. We are here for two nights. OVERNIGHT: Hotel Bristol by OHM, OPATIJA Day 15: Saturday 15th September, 2018 Opatija - Pula - Rovinj - Opatija Today we have a special treat as we travel to Pula and visit The Pula Arena (Roman Amphitheatre). The Arena is the only remaining Roman amphitheatre to have four side towers and with all three Roman

10 architectural orders entirely preserved. It was constructed in 27 BC 68 AD and is among the six largest surviving Roman arenas in the World. We then continue on to Rovinj to view the main sights. Rovinj is a Croatian fishing port on the west coast of the Istrian Peninsula. The old town stands on a headland, with houses tightly crowded down to the seafront. A tangle of cobbled streets leads to the hilltop church of St. Euphemia, whose towering steeple dominates the skyline. South of the old town is Lone Bay, one of the area s pebble beaches. The Rovinj archipelago s 14 islands lie immediately off the mainland. After our visit to Rovinj we return to Optija to our accommodation. Hotel Bristol by OHM, OPATIJA Day 16: Sunday 16th September, 2018 Opatija - Plitvice - Zadar Today we are in for a real treat as we travel to Plitvice Lakes National Park for a guided tour with a local guide. Plitvice Lakes National Park is a 295sq km forest reserve in central Croatia. It's known for a chain of 16 terraced lakes, joined by waterfalls that extend into a limestone canyon. Walkways and hiking trails wind around and across the water and an electric boat links the 12 upper and 4 lower lakes. The latter are the site of Veliki Slap, a 78m high waterfall. In 1979 UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site. The National Park is a wonderful sight that needs to be seen to be believed! After our visit here we continue onto Zadar for our overnight stop. OVERNIGHT: Hotel Kolovare, ZADAR Day 17: Monday 17th September, 2018 Zadar, Kirka National Park, Split After breakfast we meet with our local guide for a morning tour to view the main sights of Zadar. A city on Croatia s Dalmatian Coast, is known for the Roman and Venetian ruins of its peninsula Old Town. There are several Venetian gates in the city walls. Surrounding the Roman-era Forum is 11th century St. Mary s Convent, with religious art dating to the 8th century. There s also the grand, 12th century

11 St. Anastasia s Cathedral and the round, 9th century pre-romanesque Church of St. Donatus. We will also view the Sea Organ and Sun Salutation installations. Two of Zadar's most popular attractions they are artistic installations, which utilise the power of nature to create beautiful sounds and sights for the citizens and visitors of Zadar. Later today we travel to Krka National Park which is situated along the Krka River in southern Croatia. It's known for a series of 7 waterfalls. In the south, we will see Skradinski Buk waterfall, flanked by traditional watermills. To the north, we will view another striking cascade, Roski Slap. We will also view the tiny islet of Visovac which is situated in the middle of a lake of the same name. A true historical and sacred gem, Visovac is home to the Franciscan Monastery of Our Lady of Mercy and its church of Our Lady of Visovac, both more than 500 years old. We will then travel on to Split to enjoy a 3 night stay. OVERNIGHT: Hotel Marvie, SPLIT Day 18: Tuesday 18th September, 2018 Split, Mostar - Medjugorje (B,L,D) Today we will travel to Mostar. It is a city in Southern Bosnia - Herzegovina, straddling the Neretva River. It s known for the iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge), a reconstructed medieval arched bridge. We will visit a Kajtaz Turkish House which is an Historic residence with tours of its 16th century digs, replete with period artefacts and a garden. We will enjoy lunch out today at a local restaurant before travelling to Medjugorje to view the main sights. Medjugorje has been an unofficial place of Catholic pilgrimage since the Virgin Mary allegedly appeared on Apparition Hill in There is a Queen of Peace statue marking the site of the 1st apparition and one in front of the St. James Church. Liquid has been said to drip from the Risen Christ statue near the church. We return to Split for dinner at our accommodation. OVERNIGHT: Hotel Marvie, SPLIT

12 Day 19: Wednesday 19th September, 2018 Split Today we enjoy a half day guided city tour with a local guide of Split. It is a town on Croatia s Dalmatian Coast, known for its beaches and the fortress-like complex at its centre, Diocletian's Palace. The palace which we have entrance included to today, was erected by the Roman emperor in the 4th century. Once home to thousands, its sprawling remains include more than 200 buildings. Within its white stone walls and under its courtyards are a cathedral and numerous shops, bars and cafes. We will have a look at the main sights of Split today with entrance also included to Peristyle Jupiter s Temple and the Cathedral. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore at leisure. OVERNIGHT: Hotel Marvie, SPLIT Day 20: Thursday 20th September, 2018 Split - Rome - Sorrento This morning after breakfast we transfer to the airport to board our flight to Rome. We will be met by our local Tour Manager, and join our coach to take us to Sorrento where we check into our accommodation and can relax or enjoy the balance of the day with free time to explore Sorrento at leisure. We enjoy dinner out at a local restaurant tonight. We will have 3 nights here so unpack your bags and relax. OVERNIGHT: Art Hotel GranParadiso, SORRENTO Day 21: Friday 21st September, 2018 Sorrento Pompeii Naples Sorrento Today we delve into thousands of years of history in old Naples, perfectly located between the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius, not

13 far from the fascinating remains of Pompeii and the Island of Capri. We have a visit to Pompeii archaeological site, with a local guide, included today before we continue to Naples with a visit to the National Archaeological Museum. We return to Sorrento for an afternoon at leisure. We enjoy dinner out again tonight to see more of Sorrento has to offer! OVERNIGHT: Art Hotel GranParadiso, SORRENTO Day 22: Saturday 22nd September, 2018 Sorrento Today is at leisure. You may like to take a boat ride to the Isle of Capri, where you can take the Funicular to the top of the Island for stunning views. Or you may wish to board a small boat and head out to the Blue Grotto. If you are game - you may like to board a local bus and take a ride along the gorgeous Amalfi Coast. For those not so game you may like to just wander around the quaint township of Sorrento. There are many cafe s to sit and watch the world go by or make your way down to the harbour to watch the boats coming and going. You may even like to take a dip in the beautiful Mediterranean. Dinner tonight is in a local restaurant so we can soak up a bit more of the atmosphere. OVERNIGHT: Art Hotel GranParadiso, SORRENTO Day 23: Sunday 23rd September, 2018 Sorrento - Monte Cassino Rome Fiumicino After breakfast we travel to Monte Cassino, and visit Monte Cassino Abbey, and Cassino War Cemetery. The Abbey of Monte Cassino is one of the most known Abbeys in the world. In 529 Saint Benedict chose this mountain to build a monastery that would host him and those monks following him on the way from Subiaco. Within the

14 centuries the Abbey has met magnificence and destruction many times. In 577 Langobards destroyed it, then Saracens in 887. In 1349 a violent earthquake occurred and in The Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944 during WWII almost flattened it. It has always come out of its ruins stronger. We arrive at Rome Fiumicino for the evening. We enjoy dinner in the hotel. OVERNIGHT: Warmhotel, ROME Day 24: Monday 24th September, 2018 Rome Fiumicino (B) After breakfast in hotel we bid farewell to Rome. We are transferred to the airport for check in. We depart Rome around midday for our flight to Singapore. We travel through the night and arrive the next morning in Singapore. (meals in flight) OVERNIGHT: In-flight Day 25: Tuesday 25th September, 2018 We arrive into Singapore early this morning and after a short stopover we head for home. We arrive at Tullamarine airport in the late afternoon where our chauffeurs will meet us to take us safely home with wonderful memories of our time in Italy and Mediterranean area. (meals in flight) We trust you arrive home safely with memories of a fascinating and rewarding tour. We thank you for travelling with O Shannessy s Tours and look forward to your patronage again in the future!

15 Tour Route Milan 1 1 Milan 2 Verona 3 Padua 4 Bologna 5 Florence 6 San Gimignano 7 Siena 8 Assisi 9 Rome 10 Venice Mestre 11 Postojna 12 Predjama 13 Bled 14 Bohinj 15 Ljubljana 16 Trakoscan 17 Varazdin 18 Zagreb 19 Opatija 20 Pula 21 Rovinj 22 Plitvice 23 Zadar 24 Krka 25 Split 26 Mostar 27 Medjugorje 28 Rome (FCO) airport 29 Sorrento 30 Pompeii 31 Naples 32 Monte Cassino

16 O Shannessy s: DISCLAIMER: Advises the airline reserves the right to amend their schedule and airfares without notice Advises price is effective for the dates specified but may be subject to change without notice Advises passengers require a current Passport to travel to Europe with minimum validity of 6 months after return Advises non-australian Passport holders to check re-entry Visa requirements Reserves the right to vary the itinerary in any way at any time deemed necessary Accepts no responsibility for damage or loss of personal belongings and suggests that suitable Insurance be effected for protection of the same Accepts no responsibility or liability for delays, accidents, injury, irregularity or damage caused by other transport/touring companies used as part of this tour Reserves the right to change accommodation at any time without notice For details of other tours available Phone toll free on CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL Any special passenger requirements must be notified to O Shannessy s Tours at the time of booking. No passenger will be permitted to embark or continue on the tour while their mental or physical condition is, in the opinion of any representative of O Shannessy s Tours, such as to render them incapable of caring for themselves, or whereby they become objectionable to other passengers, or they become a hazard to themselves or other passengers. O Shannessy s Tours will not be responsible for expenses resulting in such persons being precluded from completing the tour for any such reason. It is also a requirement of O Shannessy s Tours that each passenger is able to negotiate coach steps without the aid of the coach crew or other passengers. Any passenger who requires assistance for any of the above is required to travel with a companion capable of providing all necessary assistance. If you are willing to twin share but are a smoker or have a CPAP machine or snore, you will need to pay a single supplement for a sole use room.