Italy Culture and History Explored

Meals Included
8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Meals
Travelling with Discovery Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful foods and flavors that are available in the world. Some meals are included in the trip price in more remote regions or as a highlight where we can share a local specialty or cultural experience. In many places where there is a choice of eating options, we like to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each others company, but there is no obligation to do this. Your group leader will be able to suggest favorite restaurants during your trip. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.

Transport
Train, boat, taxis, comfortable public bus, walking

Local Flights
All local flights are included in the cost of your tour 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
Comfort hotels (8 nts),

Day 1 Venice
There is no arrival transfer included in this tour. Please make your own way to our joining hotel by following the joining instructions below. Please note that Day 1 is an arrival day and no activities have been planned, so you may arrive at any time. Similarly the last day is a departure day in which no activities are planned. Your Leader will organize a short meeting on the evening of Day 1 of your tour, during which you will meet other tour participants and receive information about general and specific aspects of the trip. Afterwards you may choose to join your tour leader and fellow group members for a short orientation walk of the local area, followed by an optional dinner in a local restaurant. If you arrive late, s/he will leave you a message detailing what time and where you should meet the next morning.

Days 2 Venice (B)
Today we have a guided tour of the Doge's Palace, exploring the spectacular interior and learning about the intricacies of government in the Venetian Republic. We also learn the basics with an introductory Italian language lesson. As well, we have the chance to travel up the Grand Canal on a vaporetto (the Venetian equivalent of a bus - only on water) offering a truly fantastic view of the Venetian palaces.

Days 3-4 Florence (2B)
On the morning of Day 3 we board the comfortable high-speed Eurostar train bound for Florence, cradle of the Renaissance. We have time in the afternoon for optional visits to some of the many museums and galleries for which Florence is famous. On Day 4 we take a morning trip to Florence's excellent covered market, to see (and sample) some Tuscan delicacies. The afternoon is free for you to take in more of Florence's myriad of attractions, or maybe browse for a bargain at the San Lorenzo leather market. This evening our guide will take us on an escorted walk through the streets of historic Florence and up to Piazzale Michelangelo, for an iconic view across the Arno River towards the city sights. Estimated travel time: 4 hours

Days 5-6 Siena (2B, L)
This morning we take the comfortable non-stop express coach from Florence to Siena. We will then set off on an orientation walk of the city, visiting the church of San Domenico, where the relics of St Catherine of Siena (including her head) can be seen. On Day 6 we travel by public bus to the medieval hilltop town of San Gimignano, with its many stone towers and narrow streets. We enjoy a 3 mile (5km) walk through the surrounding countryside, with excellent views across vineyards and olive groves. We also enjoy a winetasting of the classic local vintage together with a light lunch before returning to our hotel in Siena Estimated travel time Florence to Siena: 2 hours Please note: the 3 mile (5km) walk around San Gimignano includes traversing some fields and uncultivated ground, which can be uneven and at certain times muddy. There are some slopes to ascend and descend though these are not long. Sensible closed footwear with good grip is recommended. If you do not wish to do the hike you are free to remain in San Gimignano

Day 7-8 Rome (2B 1D)
In the morning we catch our comfortable long-distance coach (public) to Rome. After checking in at our hotel, there will be time for an orientation walk of Rome with our group leader On Day 8 we will enjoy a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, finishing at St Peter's Basilica. There will then be some free time for further sightseeing, before we re-group in the evening and head to a local Trastevere for a final night of aperitivi together followed by included dinner. Estimated travel time to Rome: 4 hours

Day 9 Rome (B)
Depart at any time.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
5/19/2012 - 5/27/2012	$CALL
6/23/2012 - 7/1/2012	$CALL
7/28/2012 - 8/5/2012	$CALL
8/25/2012 - 9/2/2012	$CALL
9/22/2012 - 9/30/2012	$CALL
5/18/2013 - 5/26/2013	$CALL
6/22/2013 - 6/30/2013	$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
All Discovery Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our expert group tour 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. Group leaders are experts in their region with a broad, general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local expert guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds.

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
Encountering Renaissance glories and iconic cultural sites, wandering the magnificent Tuscan countryside for wine tasting and a local lunch, savoring classic Italian gastronomic delights.

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. Discovery Adventures is operated in conjunction with G Adventures, the world leader in sustainable adventure travel. An award winning company with over 800 employees and 17 operational offices worldwide, G Adventures has 20 years experience in creating culturally interactive travel experiences. G Adventures advocates a triple bottom line business philosophy where equal attention is given to the environmental, social and economic impact of tourism to achieve long-term environmentally responsible growth whilst protecting destinations & cultural heritage for future generations. 2. On this trip we use exclusively public transport

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. Your baggage should be clearly labeled and restricted to one soft compact suitcase, or sports bag, maximum 32 pounds (15kg), plus a daypack. Luggage limits on airlines are strictly enforced and space on vehicles is limited. Porters are not often available, so be prepared to carry your own bags. It is important to pack clothes for warm days and cool evenings.

Checklist
Documents: •Passport (with photocopies) •Travel insurance (with photocopies) •Airline tickets (with photocopies) •USD cash and traveler's cheques •Credit or debit card (see personal spending money) •Discovery Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information and trip details •Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required Suggested Items: • 4 shirts/t-shirts • Sun hat • 1 pair of shorts • 2 pairs of long trousers • Fleece top/jacket (nights will be cool if you travel between October and March) • Sturdy walking shoes • Sun block • hand sanitizers/ antibacterial wipes • Sunglasses • Watch or alarm clock • Flashlight (with extra batteries and bulbs) • Money belt • Small travel towel • Toiletries (biodegradable) • Camera and extra memory card/film • Extra batteries (recommended) • Electricity Plug Adapter • Personal female hygiene products (as they are difficult to purchase locally) • First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, band aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, dehydration powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking) • Local Dress Optional Items: Camera and film, reading/writing material, binoculars, cover for backpacks

Departure Tax
This should be included within your air ticket.

Tipping
At the end of your trip if you felt your Discovery Adventures Tour Leader did an outstanding job, tipping is also expected and appreciated. The precise amount is entirely a personal preference, however $15-20 USD per person per week can be used as a general guideline.

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. Discovery Adventures reserves the right to exclude any traveler 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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