New Year in a Grand Venetian Villa 9 Memorable Days Milan to Rome Escorted Tour Enjoy three nights over the New Year in an 18th century Venetian Villa Highlights Stay 3 nights over New Year in a grand Venetian Villa, enjoying a visit to Palladio s beautiful city of Vicenza, and celebrate New Year s Eve Italian style in the Villa s Restaurant Le Scuderie Enjoy a Venice walking tour to the Rialto Bridge and visit St Mark s Cathedral, the Doges Palace and Bridge of Sighs Explore the Romeo and Juliet city of Verona Stay 3 nights in a beautiful hotel inside Lucca s old walls and visit the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa, with its Leaning Tower Explore Cradle of the Renaissance Florence and visit the Accademia Museum - home to Michelangelo s David and numerous beautiful sculptures and artwork Drive into the picturesque Tuscan countryside to visit an Olive Farmhouse Estate to sample olive oil, local wines and regional specialities and enjoy a light lunch in a traditional Osteria Visit the medieval, fairytale town of towers San Gimignano Explore ancient Rome before enjoying a farewell dinner in a traditional Roman restaurant Imagine exploring the Romeo and Juliet city of Verona before staying in an 18th century Venetian Villa over the New Year. Experience stylish Milan, the romance of Venice, stay in the medieval Tuscan town of Lucca and visit renaissance Florence. DAY 1-28 DECEMBER MILAN Your tour commences this evening in Milan. A welcome drink and dinner are included tonight. This is an ideal opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers. (D) Your Milan Hotel Michelangelo Hotel. This modern 4 star hotel is in a brilliant location, opposite the central railway station, transport links and only two subway stops to Cathedral Square and the central shopping district. DAY 2-29 DECEMBER VILLA CONTARINI NENZI NEAR VENICE Boarding our coach we drive east and make a lunchtime stop to explore Verona, the city where tragic lovers, Romeo and Juliet, avowed a love that spanned the centuries. Later in the afternoon we continue to Treviso to enjoy an afternoon stop in the historic centre, before arriving at our Venetian Villa hotel, where we stay for three nights. (B, D) Your Treviso Hotel Hotel Villa Contarini Nenzi
San Gimignano This is an elegant 18th century grand residence now sensitively restored into an excellent 4 star spa hotel. Located just outside of Treviso, the Contarini Nenzi contains traditional period piece furniture, and is surrounded by wonderful Italian-style parkland, with some old stables and even a delightful nineteenth century little church with frescoes. See www.hotelvillacontarininenzi.com DAY 3-30 DECEMBER VILLA CONTARINI NENZI NEAR VENICE After a leisurely start we visit nearby Venezia (Venice) arguably one of the most romantic cities in the world. At Tronchetto we board a private boat to take us along the magnificent Grand Canal to St Marc s Square, where we join our expert local guide for a walking tour through the central city s historic back streets to the famous Rialto Bridge and St Mark s Square. We have included visits to St Mark s Cathedral, the pink and white marble Doges Palace and Bridge of Sighs. The rest of the day is free to meander through the myriad of narrow, water lined streets and alleys spanned by humped back bridges. Dinner this evening is back in our magnificent Villa. (B, D) DAY 4-31 DECEMBER VILLA CONTARINI NENZI NEAR VENICE Our first stop is in beautiful Vicenza. Rich in history and culture, Vicenza was awarded UNESCO World heritage status principally due to the legacy left by the famous local architect Andrea Palladio. Considered one of the greatest architects of all time, you will find more than 16 of his palaces and villas scattered through the compact old town. In the glorious Piazza dei Signori, you will find the most beautiful of all the Basilica Palladiana. A local guide will join us for a walking tour of the medieval and renaissance town centre, and later you will have free time to explore and enjoy the excellent shopping down the central Corso. Mid-afternoon, we will return to our villa to rest and relax before enjoying a grand evening celebrating the New Year in the hotel s Restaurant Le Scuderie. At midnight we will make a toast with Spumante, accompanied by Cotechino and lentils - the traditional Italian way to welcome the New Year. The sausage is said to bring good luck into the New Year. (B, D) Local guide in Venice, courtesy of Natalie Pedler Treviso MILAN 1 Verona Vicenza 3 VENETIAN VILLA Venice S ITALY LUCCA Pisa The Mediterranean Sea 3 Florence Tuscan Hills San Gimignano AVERAGE KMS PER DAY: 158 1 ROME
Tuscany This was my second Albatross tour and I found it as good as the first. Our Tour Manager was so knowledgeable and we found him to be very helpful. He made the tour perfect. My love for Albatross continues and I will be taking another tour with you in the future. Manuela DAY 5-1 JANUARY LUCCA New Year s Day! A very leisurely start today before boarding our coach to drive south into Tuscany. We stay the next three nights in the typically Tuscan town of Lucca - a medieval walled city, filled with palaces, churches and ancient houses. After settling into our hotel we will enjoy a short guided walking tour of this beautiful city. The remainder of your afternoon has been left entirely free to explore delightful Lucca. Perhaps visit the former home of Puccini, where he wrote Turandot or borrow one of the hotel s bicycles to cycle, or walk, around the entire town on top of the broad city walls. Delightful! This evening we have included dinner in a local restaurant. (B, D) Your Lucca Hotel San Luca Palace. Set in a historic building dating back to 1540, the San Luca Palace is perfectly located within the ancient city walls in the historic centre of Lucca, a short walk to all the major sights. Opened as a hotel in 2007, this first class hotel offers all the modernised features you would expect. See www.sanlucapalace.com/lucca-tuscany DAY 6-2 JANUARY LUCCA This morning we visit nearby Pisa with its famous Leaning Tower, Cathedral and Baptistery in the magnificent Piazza dei Miracoli. As a highlight we drive into the picturesque Tuscan countryside to visit a local Olive Farmhouse Estate, and enjoy an olive oil tasting accompanied by Tuscan wines and a selection of antipasto including local meats, cheese and bread - all specialities of this region, followed by a light lunch. (B, L) DAY 7-3 JANUARY LUCCA Today is dedicated to nearby Firenze (Florence). A local guide will bring to life this truly beautiful city which is otherwise known as the Cradle of the Renaissance. Your tour starts with a visit to the famous Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo s David and numerous other extraordinary Italian, Florentine and Renaissance works of art. We see the Duomo and take in the magnificent statues in the Piazza della Signoria. Your afternoon is entirely free to enjoy Florence at your own pace. Espresso Coffee on Piazza Santa Croce where Michelangelo is buried? A gelato whilst strolling across the Ponte Vecchio? And then, of course, there is the excellent shopping. (B) DAY 8-4 JANUARY ROME After a leisurely start we drive across the Tuscan Hills to enjoy lunchtime in the fairytale town of towers San Gimignano, famous for its 13th and 14th century Tuscan towers. Exploring the pedestrian walkways of this hilltop town is an absolute delight. On arrival in Rome we enjoy a guided panoramic tour to see the famous landmarks of this grand city, from the magnificent fountains by Bernini, the palaces and open squares to Piazza Venezia and the massive Colosseum. Tonight we will enjoy a farewell dinner in a traditional local restaurant. (B, D) Your Rome Hotel Hotel Massimo d Azeglio. This 4 star hotel is centrally located close to Rome s Termini railway station. DAY 9-5 JANUARY ROME Your New Year tour ends after breakfast and it is time to say farewell. (B)
Over $900 value of extras already included Discover the Albatross difference Longer stays, with NO 1 night stops whilst on tour Genuinely inclusive, with NO additional on tour costs Small group size average 32, maximum 40 Stay in authentic, character style hotels Tours designed specially for you Australians and New Zealanders Incredible Value Inclusions All sightseeing, scenic drives and excursions described in the itinerary Fully escorted by our experienced Tour Manager Travel in a first class air conditioned touring coach End of tour tips to Tour Manager and Driver, tips for local guides 8 nights authentic, specially selected hotel accommodation as described Hotel porterage (1 bag per person) Buffet breakfast daily Welcome drink in Milan 6 dinners including a special New Years Eve dinner and farewell dinner Tea and coffee with all dinners Tuscan lunch & olive oil tasting in a local farmhouse estate Local guides Venice, Vicenza, Lucca, Florence and Rome Entrances to St Mark s Cathedral, Doges Palace, Accademia Gallery Private water transfers in Venice Free WIFI available on most coaches and at hotels 2016 Prices and Dates 9 days only $ 3,889 pp twin share Single supplement $629 (land only prices in Australian Dollars) With no additional on tour costs! STARTS MILAN ENDS ROME 28 December 5 January Take advantage of some great deals - see page 6 Space Strictly Limited - Book NOW! For bookings and enquiries please call 1300 135 015, visit albatrosstours.com.au or contact your travel agent Florence
Why should you travel with Albatross Tours? Festive Holidays Designed For You Our tours and holidays are designed to specifically suit the travel needs of you Australians and New Zealanders. People travelling to the far side of the world in search of a genuinely fulfilling, traditional Christmas experience. Authentic European Christmas Experiences Our festive Christmas tours are not summer tours run over winter. We always take particular care to include special events and festive experiences in each itinerary that will bring alive the nostalgia and joy of the Festive Season. Sensible Touring Pace You can relax and enjoy a more sensible touring pace usually staying 3, 4, 5 or even 7 nights in the one location over Christmas. That s important as you are not having to constantly pack and unpack your bags. It is Christmas after all! More Time Experiencing Our shorter driving distances will allow you considerably more time experiencing the destinations you have travelled so far to see, and less time travelling on a coach. Specially Selected Hotels All of our festive hotels are superbly located and have been carefully chosen for their style and ambience, truly enhancing your festive holiday experience - from a 500 year old Alpine Gasthof, a romantic Italian Castle or maybe an 800 year old Coaching Inn. Special Festive Extras Already Included Enjoy hassle free touring with NO nasty surprises such as later charged extras. It is our policy to always include special sightseeing excursions, entrance fees, special Christmas activities and virtually all your dinners upfront. Imagine the savings! Included Tips Even those end of tour tips for your tour manager, driver and local guides are included in your tour price, so there are no awkward moments at the end of the tour. Travel with the Festive Tour Experts With over 20 years experience in successfully creating and running festive Christmas tours you know you are in experienced hands. Albatross Tours... the European Festive Tour Experts
Exclusive offers Take advantage of some great deals with Albatross Tours Club Albatross Members Save $100 per person Have you travelled with Albatross Tours before? If so, we look forward to welcoming you back and would like to offer you our Club Albatross Discount of $100 per person off the price of any of our 2016 Festive European Christmas and New Year holidays. Club Albatross Sapphire Members Save $200 per person Have you travelled on more than 3 tours with Albatross Tours? If so, we welcome you to Club Albatross Sapphire. We would like to offer you our Club Albatross Sapphire Discount of $200 per person off the price of any of our 2016 Festive European Christmas and New Year holidays. Triple Room Discount 10% Discount When 3 adults are sharing a room, the third guest will receive a 10% triple share discount. Children aged 11 years or under at the date of tour departure will receive a 30% discount when sharing a room with two adults. Multi Tour Discount Save $100 per person If you are new to travelling with Albatross Tours and book any two different Albatross tours from our 2016 Festive European Christmas and New Year holiday touring programme, our $100 per person Club Albatross discount will be applied to the price of your second tour. Small Group Discount Save $100 per person* If you are travelling in a small group of 6-9 people on one of our 2016 Festive European Christmas and New Year holidays, and the tours are booked at the same time, you and your group members are eligible to receive a $100 per person discount. Group sizes of 10 or more people attract a larger discount and cannot be claimed with any other offer. Twin Share Match Guarantee Individual passengers can request to be matched in a twin room with another individual of the same gender. Should a match not be offered, you will stay in a single room and the single supplement cost will not be charged, if a twin room is available. Currency Guarantee Once you have booked and deposited your tour, you can rest easy as we guarantee that if the value of the Australian dollar drops, your tour price will not go up. That s the Albatross guarantee to you! *Small group discounts cannot be claimed in addition to any Club Albatross or Club Albatross Sapphire discount offers. All discount offers apply to our 2016 European Festive Christmas & New Year Holidays are not applicable to any additional pre or post tour hotel accommodation booked. Albatross Tours reserve the right to at any time withdraw or amend any or all of the discounts and special offers featured on this page. Book with confidence with our guaranteed group departures If you book and deposit on any of our tours, as long as there are ten or more people travelling on your designated departure date, we guarantee it will travel. This is Albatross Tours commitment to you. How valuable is this commitment? Please do ask your travel agent they will be able to explain the importance of guaranteed group departures. Looking for further information or to book today? Please call our European Tour Experts on 1300 135 015, or visit www.albatrosstours.com.au or ask your travel agent to contact us.