France to Italy Adventure

Meals Included
No meals included

Meals
Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your group leader will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. The above information applies to G Adventures group trips. For Independent trips please check the itinerary for details of meals included. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.

Transport
Local bus, train, walking

Local Flights
If required all local flights are included in the cost of your tours unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.

Accommodation
Hotels (12 nts)

Day 1 Paris
Arrive in Paris at any time. There are no planned activities, so check into the hotel (check-in time is approx 3pm) and enjoy the city. In the evening, meet your fellow group members to go over the details of your trip. Check the notice board or ask reception for the exact time and location of this group meeting. After the meeting head out for a meal in a nearby local restaurant (optional). Please make every effort to arrive on time for this important meeting. If you are delayed please leave a message with the hotel or contact one of the emergency contact numbers in your trip dossier. The leader will then leave you a message at the front desk, letting you know where and when to meet up. The City of Lights is unlike any other place on earth. Known for its glorious monuments, museums and markets, from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre, Montmartre to the Marais, Paris has something for everyone. Discover for yourself Paris’ “Je ne sais quoi.”

Days 2-3 Beaune
Today, our destination is the charming town of Beaune, known for its Pinot Noirs and local markets. In the afternoon we take a short walk into the historic centre, and enjoy a winetasting as an introduction to the region's famous vintage. In the evening we can enjoy an optional dinner together here in the heart of one of France's most distinguished culinary and wine-producing regions, Burgundy. On your free day you have time for a day trip to nearby Dijon, famous not only for its mustard, but for world-class museums and handsome architecture. Or maybe explore the famous Beaune Hospice, founded in 1442 by Nicolas Rolin, chancellor of the Duke of Burgundy; the Hospice is a charity organisation providing hospitals and other services for the needy. The more active may want to explore the countryside around the Cote d'Or vineyards by bike or on foot. Bike hire is readily available in Beaune and your CEO can help you arrange this. Estimated Travel Time: 3.5 hours

Days 4-5 Avignon
Today we take the train south from Burgundy to the heart of Provence and the spectacular walled medieval town of Avignon. You will have plenty of time to explore the beautiful town of Avignon with its impressive medieval fortress, papal palace, Pont St Bezenet and top-notch museums, as well as many pretty tree-lined squares bustling with cafés and restaurants offering mouth-watering Provençal cuisine. Avignon is famous as the town to which the Popes fled when leaving the corruption of Rome in the 14th Century. The palace they built, 'Le Palais des Papes,' is the world's largest Gothic edifice. The walls surrounding the town were erected by the Popes in the 14th Century to keep the plague and invaders out during the turbulent middle ages, when Avignon belonged to the papacy and not the French crown. We visit this magnificent relic on Day 5, and also include the Pont St Benezet - the ancient bridge over the River Rhone which features in the nursery rhyme "Sur le Pont d'Avignon" Please note, on some departures the trip will visit Avignon and include the Palais des Papes and the Pont St Benezet as scheduled, but will actually stay overnight in the nearby historic cities of Nimes or Arles. Estimated Travel Time: 5 hours

Days 6-7 Nice, Monaco
We keep moving south-eastwards to the glistening Mediterranean coast and the Cote d'Azure's cosmopolitan capital, Nice. Soak up the sun-seeking atmosphere under the palm trees of the seafront promenade, tick off some must-see museums, explore the ancient Roman city of Cemenelum, wander the narrow winding streets of the romantic old town, and while away the evening in some of France's best bars and trendy restaurants. We will take a day trip to the famous and tiny principality of Monaco, the world’s second smallest country, contained within a mere 1.95 sq/km. Soak up the atmosphere of royalty and chic glamour as you stroll its manicured streets and are whisked up its network of lifts and escalators, passing palaces, lush gardens and of course the famous Monte Carlo casino, en route. Estimated Travel Time: Avignon to Nice: 3.5 hours Estimated travel time Nice to Monaco: 1 hour each way

Days 8-9 Cinque Terre
Today we head along the coast by train and across the border into Italy and the region of Liguria. Spend two nights by the stunning Cinque Terre National Park, where five little villages are built into the rocks between the beach and the hills. Hike, swim, indulge in the local delicacies like Focaccia and fresh seafood, and watch amazing Mediterranean sunsets. Follow centuries-old footpaths and mule tracks that lead through olive groves, vineyards and orchards. On Day 9 we walk the Cinque Terre coastal path from Riomaggiore to Monterosso (approximately 5-6 hours), giving you the best taste of the villages and countryside, terraced hills and vineyards sloping down to the sea. Estimated Travel Time: 6-7 hours

Days 10-11 Florence
Today we head east by train, away from the coast, first to Pisa, where we stop for a visit to the Field of Miracles to see the famous leaning tower (entrance fee not included), and then on to the heart of Tuscany, Florence. Florence (Firenze in Italian), was founded in the 1st Century B.C., and personifies all that is beautiful in Italian civilization. It is the capital of the region of Tuscany, with a population of approximately half a million people. The fathers of Italian painting, Cimabue and Giotto lived here, along with innumerable other prominent artists. It is the birthplace of the Italian language (thanks to Dante Alighieri) and of Europe’s richest cultural period, The Italian Renaissance. Florence’s cultural and historical impact attracts thousands of international travellers each year, and cannot be underestimated. In the summer, life in Florence can be found in the streets and squares. Outdoor cinemas, music, dance and theatre enliven most squares every evening. Get to know Florence on your own: visit the marvellous multicoloured Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, the medieval Ponte Vecchio or the Medici Chapels. Take a break at Piazza della Signoria with a gelato or a coffee before hitting the vivacious Piazza San Lorenzo to bargain for discounted woollen and leather goods. The options are truly endless. We take an evening walk (weather permitting) up to Piazzale Michelangelo for that most famous and photographed vista of sunset over the city. Estimated travel time to Pisa: 1.5 hours Estimated travel time Pisa to Florence: 1.5 hours

Day 12 Rome
Today we board a train south to the bustling Italian capital, Rome. Unquestionably Rome exudes history; from its Catacombs that entombed early Christians, to the Colosseum where gladiators battled to the death and on up to Palatine Hill, the traditional site of Rome’s founding. Located near the centre of the Italian peninsula on the Tiber River, it is both the capital of the Latium region and the country as a whole. Nicknamed the Eternal City, it is also home to the pope, whose residence, Vatican City, is a sovereign state within the city of Rome. The city is enthralling, with perhaps more to see than any other place in the world. Eating in Italy is deeply embedded in the country’s culture, and dining in Rome consists of many courses, and can sometimes seem to last forever! In addition to the many and legendary cultural attractions,the city offers a vibrant nightlife - a fitting final destination on our journey through the best of France and Italy. Estimated Travel Time: 2.5 hours

Day 13 Depart Rome
You are free to depart at any time on Day 13.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
5/6/2012 - 5/18/2012	$CALL
6/10/2012 - 6/22/2012	$CALL
7/8/2012 - 7/20/2012	$CALL
8/5/2012 - 8/17/2012	$CALL
9/9/2012 - 9/21/2012	$CALL
10/7/2012 - 10/19/2012	$CALL
5/5/2013 - 5/17/2013	$CALL
6/9/2013 - 6/21/2013	$CALL
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Group Leader Description
This G Adventures group trip is accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. It is important to note that in Europe, all guiding is based around local guides all of whom are licensed to work only in a particular city. As such, our leaders are able to provide orientation walks which will show you the layout of each town and city as well as the location of local services such as post offices and laundromats, but are unable to legally share historical facts and figures in public places. If you wish to take a guided city tour in any location our CEO will do their best to help you arrange this and pay locally.

Group Size Notes
Max 15, Avg 10

Your Fellow Travellers
As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and are likely to be of a variety of ages too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part.

Highlights
Wandering through charming medieval cities and glorious countryside, tasting fine wines, soaking up the classic European culture.

Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Important Notes
1. It is important to note that in Europe, all guiding is based around local guides all of whom are licensed to work only in a particular city. As such, our leaders are able to provide orientation walks which will show you the layout of each town and city as well as the location of local services such as post offices and laundromats, but are unable to legally share historical facts and figures in public places. 2. In Europe it is very rare to find elevators in train stations, hotels or other public places. We use public transport on this trip, which means you will need to carry your luggage from platform to platform, in and out of trains and buses etc. and also possibly up several flights of stairs. You will also need to be able to stow your luggage safely on trains and buses. It is therefore essential that you pack light and bring luggage which is compact and lightweight, and which you can easily transport. The carrying of your luggage remains your responsibility at all times. 3. Please note, on some departures the trip will visit Avignon and include the Palais des Papes and the Pont St Benezet as scheduled, but will actually stay overnight in the nearby historic cities of Nimes or Arles. 4. Please note that if you wish to visit popular museums such as the Vatican Museums (Sistine Chapel) and Villa Borghese in Rome, and the Uffizi or Accademia Galleries in Florence, to avoid waiting in line for a long time (especially in high season May-September when it could be a question of hours!), it is advisable to reserve tickets in advance. Tickets can be reserved online at various websites including www.florenceart.it or www.virtualuffizi.com for Florence and www.tickitaly.com for all. Please make your Florence reservations for Day 11 of your tour, when you will have a free day to enjoy Florence. Most Museums are closed on Mondays. There may be the possibility of arranging tickets on arrival, with the help of your Tour Leader, but availability cannot be guaranteed at such short notice.

Single Travellers
We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

What to Take
You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. We highly recommend using a backpack or light sports bag, whichever you find easiest to carry, plus a small daypack. Luggage space on public transport is limited. You must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them between transport and hotels (max. 15-20 mins walking), hopping on and off trains and public buses and up and down stairs.

Checklist
Suggested Items: •Light fleece top •Light windproof/waterproof jacket •Small towel and swimwear •Sun hat •Personal clothing for mild to hot weather (See also "What to Take" and "Local Dress" sections of this dossier) •Sturdy walking shoes •Sunblock •Sunglasses •Toiletries (biodegradable) •Watch or alarm clock •Water bottle •Money belt •First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking) Documents: •Passport (with photocopies) •Travel insurance (with photocopies) •Airline tickets (with photocopies) •EUR cash •Credit or debit card (see personal spending money) •G Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information and dossier •Any entry visas or vaccination certificates requireddossier •Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required

Visas
Contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. It is your responsibility to have the correct travel documentation. While we provide the following information in good faith, it is vital that you check yourself and understand that you are fully responsible for your own visa requirements. All visitors to the EU (European Union) and EEC (European Economic Community) countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand passport holders do not need a visa to visit the Schengen area (see below), however they may not stay longer than three months in any 6-month period. For other nationalities, travelling in Europe has been simplified with the introduction of the Schengen visa. As a visitor to the Schengen area (Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Portugal, Finland, Italy, Spain, France, Luxembourg, Sweden, Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland) you will enjoy the many advantages of this unified visa system. Generally speaking with a Schengen visa, you may enter one Schengen country and travel freely throughout the Schengen region during the validity of your visa. There are limited border controls at Schengen borders, if any at all. Please note that the UK and Ireland are NOT part of the Schengen agreement. A Schengen visa is applied for at the Embassy or Consulate of the Schengen country in which you will be spending the most nights on your trip to the Schengen space. If you are only visiting one country on your trip then you apply for your visa at the Consulate of this Schengen country.

Tipping
It is customary in Europe to leave a small tip for service providers, such as waiters, if you are pleased with the service (€1-2). Tipping is an expected - though not compulsory - component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides. You may do this individually, or your Tour Leader will offer to collect the money and tip as a group. Recommendations for tipping local guides would range from €3-5 per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Also at the end of each trip if you felt your G Adventures Tour Leader or skipper did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline €20-25 per person, per week can be used.

Health
Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure. You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit and hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that quite often we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. When selecting your trip please carefully read the brochure and itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please refer to the Physical and Culture Shock ratings for trip specific information. G Adventures reserves the right to exclude any traveller from all or part of a trip without refund if in the reasonable opinion of our group leader they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group.

Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

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