Witness Italy's stunning & diverse scenery From coastal views to the remarkable Mount Versuvius, all from the comfort of the Golden Eagle Danube Express train. Northbound: Taormina - Caltagirone - Catania - Syracuse - Ragusa - Palermo - Corleone - Salerno - Amalfi Coast - Rome - San Gimignano - Siena - Florence - Venice Southbound: Venice - Cremona - Verona - Bologna - Bari - Herculaneum - Pompeii - Villa San Giovanni - Palermo - Agrigento - Ragusa - Syracuse - Caltagirone - Catania - Taormina Sicilian Odyssey Information Inclusions As far as possible our tours are all inclusive with no hidden extras. What follows are those elements which are included in the tour price. The only extra items you will need to budget for include personal expenses such as international and internal flights, visa costs, travel insurance and laundry. Experienced Tour Managers Our experienced tour managers and their assistants are selected for their travel knowledge and their linguistic and organisational abilities allowing you to relax and enjoy your rail cruise. We receive exceptional passenger comments about our Tour Managers and their aim is to ensure you enjoy every minute of your holiday. Arrival and Departure Transfers Arrival and departure transfers are included. Hotel and On Board Accommodation Although you will spend much of your time sightseeing or relaxing in the train s public areas, you will find you hotel room or cabin a welcome retreat at the end of a rewarding day. All hotels are of 5-star standard or, in certain locations, the best available. Room upgrades are available on request and at extra cost. Click here to view hotel accommodation as described in the itinerary. Welcome and Farewell Dinners Each tour begins with a Welcome Dinner, an ideal opportunity to get to know your fellow passengers; for the Tour Manager to brief you on the trip; and introduce you to the Golden Eagle Luxury Trains team and the Tour Doctor. The Farewell Dinner is the perfect end to your adventure by private train where you can relive the journey and look ahead to future tours. Route Guide, Itinerary and Information Pack When you board the train there will be a brochure in your cabin detailing more about your journey and the places en-route. Our Tour Manager will organise a programme of briefings on the cities or places we visit and, each evening, will issue a programme for the next day s touring schedule. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Daily All departures feature one or two uniquely designed restaurant cars where you can enjoy the excellent waiter-served food and wine. Several times during the tour we will also sample authentic local cuisine off the train. Drinks with Meals and from the Bar Lounge Car A generous drinks allowance, including wine, is included with lunch and dinner. Selected complimentary drinks are also available in the Bar Lounge Car. Guided Off-Train Excursions The history and culture of the places we visit on our rail cruises will come alive through our expert local guides. All our tours include a wide-ranging sightseeing schedule to make the most of the time you have off the train and bring you closer to the culture, people and history of your destinations. We believe it is the special little touches that help create magical memories. Freedom of Choice Touring Customise your journey and enjoy the opportunity to select from an array of Freedom of Choice Touring 1 of 9
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options that best suits your interests. Your off-train excursions will still take in all the major attractions of the places we are visiting but, in featured locations, you will be presented when you are on board the train with a variety of activities from which to choose, and enjoy a tailor-made experience. Look at the individual itineraries where we are operating Freedom of Choice Touring. Freedom of Choice Touring options may be subject to variations dependent on minimum numbers, finalised train timings and local charges. Touring options available will typically be advised in the evening prior to the day s tour. Personal Headsets On all the off train excursions, to enhance your enjoyment and comprehension of the places you visit, you will be provided with a lightweight personal headset on which to listen to your tour guide as you take in the sights. So you do not need to worry about missing any of the interesting details on your excursions. On Board Doctor and Medical Facilities To give you peace of mind our tours are normally accompanied by a doctor who travels with us for the entire journey; so you can rest assured that medical assistance is always available. On call 24 hours a day, the doctor is on hand to give primary care as required. Normally, the doctor will be English speaking and be registered with the General Medical Council in the UK. Cabin Service Attendants Your car attendants provide housekeeping and bedding turndown services and to ensure you are comfortable in your cabin. Complimentary tea, coffee and bottled drinking water are available in your cabin at selected times. Porterage As you only have to unpack once, your luggage and belongings will stay with you on the train throughout the journey but, wherever necessary, porterage is included between the hotel and stations. All Gratuities You will not have to worry about tipping on and off the train on your rail journey with Golden Eagle Luxury Trains as all gratuities are included in the tour price. Exclusions Cancellation, travel and medical insurance International airfares. Visa and excess baggage charges. Travel Insurance. Personal expenses such as drinks in the hotels or bar car, laundry and telephone calls. Any additional activity not specifically mentioned in the tour programme Golden Eagle Danube Express Cabin Descriptions Click here to view cabin descriptions. 3 of 9
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Itineraries: Sicilian Odyssey - 12 days Southbound - Venice to Taormina Northbound - Taormina to Venice Departure Dates: JOURNEY SOUTHBOUND NORTHBOUND Sicilian Odyssey DEPARTURES 2018 Sep 17 - Sep 28 Sep 25 - Oct 06 Sicilian Odyssey Hotel Information Please see a list of the hotels below that are used for Pre & Post Tour nights: Venice - Hotel Danieli (5 STAR) Taormina - Hotel San Domenico Palace (5 STAR) Taormina - NH Collection Hotel (5 STAR) Hotels subject to change without notice SICILIAN ODYSSEY Located only steps away from the Bridge of Sights and the famous monuments of Piazza San Marco is the luxurious 5-star, Hotel Danieli. Hotel Danieli offers 225 suites and rooms that display a rich collection of precious art and antiques that play witness to the city's history, artfully blended with contemporary comforts. Essential to the Danieli experience is the Terrazza Danieli rooftop Restaurant providing spectacular views of the Granda Canal. Step back in time with the majestic Hotel San Domenico Palace is a luxury 5-star hotel in an ancient 14th Century monastery with views over Mount Etna and Taormina Bay on the East Coast of Sicily. This hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Taormina with a range of bars and eateries in walking distance. This hotel feautures 105 bedrooms and suites split across two wings, both reflecting history and authenticity. All rooms feature modern facilities and 5 star hotel services. Located in the heart of the beautiful seaside city of Taormina is the luxurious 5-star hotel offering spectacular views of the coastline of Sicily. This hotel features 63 contemporary, sophisticated rooms with a stylish blend of early 20th century architecture and modern touches giving the hotel a mix of the past and present. 5 of 9
Hotels subject to change without notice Dining & Relaxation Dining Sicilian Odyssey Map The Golden Eagle Danube Express restaurant cars are a delightful venue in which to enjoy meals skillfully prepared by our Executive Chef and his onboard restaurant team using the very best in ingredients, locally sourced wherever possible. Depending on the number of guests onboard, one or two of our restaurant cars will be on every departure. Enjoy the delights of an on-train breakfast each morning - a wide selection of fruit, cereals, orange juice and cold plates are available from our bountiful buffet. Alternatively enjoy a cooked breakfast bought to your table by our waiting staff, all complemented by steaming hot tea and coffee. For lunch and dinner you will enjoy fine food, great wines and attentive service in the welcoming atmosphere of the restaurant car. We offer a culinary experience that reflects the very essence of the countries we travel through, as well as international cuisine. Vegetarian and other dietary options are also available. All our meals at lunch and dinner are complemented by an excellent choice of wines from around the world, personally selected by our Company Founder, Tim Littler, along with bottled water, beer and soft drinks. Meals onboard are a relaxed affair as the restaurant cars can accommodate all our guests in a single sitting. Throughout the journey there is an informal dress code, so you can enjoy our culinary experiences in convivial and relaxed surroundings and with our open-seating policy you 6 of 9
can dine wherever, and with whomever, you please. Relaxation The social heart of the Golden Eagle Danube Express is the Bar Lounge Car, a great place to relax and settle into the unhurried pace of life on board. Unwind in comfortable surroundings and watch the world go by as you get to know your fellow passengers and begin long-lasting friendships. Perhaps read a novel to while away the time or challenge your friends to a game of cards. It is here that our Tour Manager will also organise a programme of activities. Passengers will receive printed daily itineraries throughout the tour detailing train arrival and departure timings, latest weather forecasts for the next destination and information on the following day's excursions and activities. The Bar Lounge Car and Restaurant Cars will host an entertaining and enlightening range of activities such as language lessons and engaging talks by expert lecturers on local history and culture. In the evening enjoy the sounds of the resident pianist playing in the Bar Lounge Car. Every night the bar stays open until the last person leaves. 7 of 9
Payment & Ticketing Conditions: Deposit and Full Payment Details: A non-refundable deposit is required within 5 days of confirmation, with the full balance payable 75 days prior to departure. Bookings made within 75 days of departure date will require full payment prior to confirmation. Heritage - $2000.00 per person Deluxe - $2500.00 per person Travel Insurance: It is a condition of your booking and your responsibility to ensure that you have current and valid Travel Insurance to cover your booking with us. Cover can be arranged on your behalf however if you take an alternative policy coverage it must be the maximum available, with a minimum of US$50,000 or equivalent for medical expenses. We reserve the right to decline to accept a booking if adequate proof of such current and valid Travel Insurance is not provided to us if requested. If requested, you must supply us with the name, address and 8 of 9
telephone number of your insurers, your policy number and the 24 hour medical emergency telephone number. Any pre-existing medical conditions must be declared to us and to your insurer; failure to do so may invalidate your travel insurance policy. It is very important that we have all insurance and emergency contact details prior to departure. Please note that we do not check individual policies for suitability. Please remember to bring with you either the original or a copy of your travel insurance policy, stating clearly the company, policy number and 24 hour medical emergency telephone number. If in the reasonable opinion of any person in authority (including the Tour Manager acting in accordance with the opinion of a medical practitioner) your physical and or mental condition means that you should not continue with the tour we may require that you leave the tour as soon as possible. In such circumstances, we will not be liable for any refund, compensation or costs incurred by you whatsoever. Passport & Visa Information: A passport with a minimum of 6 months validity is required for all tours. Visas may be required for some itineraries. We do not take any responsibility for passengers in possession of incorrect and invalid visas. Our reservations department is able to provide support and advice regarding visa requirements. Minimum Passenger Requirements: All tours require a minimum passenger number to operate. Should this not be reached, we will offer possible alternatives. If an alternative is not suitable, a full refund may be offered. Rail Plus will not issue a refund unless and until Rail Plus receives the refunded sum in full from the supplier. Cancellation & Amendments Conditions: Days prior to departure Cancellation fees per person 75+ days Loss of deposit 75 days or less 100% of the total Amendments: If you wish to alter your booking (eg, a change of date or transfer details) we may allow this at our reasonable discretion. It may not be possible to make changes close to the departure date and no changes can be made or accepted within 50 days of departure. An amendment fee may be charged to cover any fees or costs incurred. 9 of 9