10 DAY CULTURAL TOUR TO ITALYMARCH 9-18, 2016

Preliminary Itinerary – presented March 11, 2015

Day 1 – Wednesday March 9 – IN FLIGHT meet as a group at the Ottawa Bus Station coach transportation from Ottawa Bus Station to Montreal Airport is provided by Air

France at no extra charge (as part of air ticket) arrive at Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport to check in at the Air

France ticket counter depart Montreal on overnight flight to Venice, Italy (connection in Paris) dinner served in flight, at the discretion of the airline

Day 2 – Thursday March 10 – arrive VENICE breakfast served prior to landing arrive at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport; wait for connecting flight depart on Air France flight to Venice arrive at Marco Polo International Airport in Venice travel by coach to Venice Tronchetto enjoy a leisurely walk down Lista di Spagna and through Venice towards the Rialto

Bridge, where you will purchase lunch at a nearby café or restaurant pay a visit to Tri-Star Murano Glass Studio where you will enjoy a brief glass-blowing

demonstration followed by an opportunity to purchase some examples in the studio showroom return to Piazza Roma to meet coach and transfer to Mestre-based hotel, where you will

check in for a 2-night stay enjoy a 3-course group dinner, followed by an early night after a long couple of travel

days!

Day 3 – Friday March 11 – VENICE breakfast at your accommodation board coach and transfer to Venice Tronchetto, then board 2 Canal Grande Water Taxis

for an unforgettable ride to St. Mark’s Square on Venice’s famed Grand Canal upon arriving at St. Mark’s Square, meet your English-speaking guide in front of

Doge’s Palace, and embark on a walking tour of Venice, starting with a tour of the interior of Doge’s Palace, including the Bridge of Sighs

time to purchase your lunch near St. Mark’s Square visit a nearby glass making factory where you will enjoy a brief glass-blowing

demonstration the rest of the afternoon is yours to further explore Venice in chaperoned groups. Some

suggestions include (any admissions at own expense):o Gondola Ride - allow your personal gondolier to sweep you through the small quiet

waterways of Venice

o St. Mark’s Bell Tower - take the elevator to the top of the Campanile di San Marco, the bell tower that affords views of the city and its environs and, some say, even the Alps on a clear day.

o Galleria dell’Accademia – this gallery contains the most important collection of Venetian paintings in existence. Included in the collection are the works of Bellini, Titian, Veronese and Tintoretto.

group dinner in Venice, then return by private water bus to the Tronchetto, then transfer to coach to return to the hotel

on arrival at your hotel in Mestre, be sure to take time to pack up your belongings for departure tomorrow morning

Day 4 – Saturday March 12 – to FLORENCE breakfast at your accommodation, followed by check out travel by coach to Florence (approx. drive time 3 hours) drop your luggage off at your hotel purchase your lunch in the area meet your local guide and begin a guided walking tour of Florence. Florence is the

Renaissance city, home to the Ponte Vecchio, the famous Duomo (Cathedral of Florence), and some of the finest leather markets. Your tour will also include entrance into the Galleria dell’Accadmia (home of the David) and the Church of Santa Croce

following your tour, make a stop at Vivoli Gelateria, where you can purchase what is reputed to be the best gelato in Florence.. and the world!

return to your hotel where you will officially check in for 3 nights’ accommodation and freshen up for dinner

3-course group dinner at the Osteria dei Baroncelli, a 13th century mansion spend the remainder of the evening free to explore Florence on foot in chaperoned

groups, including a nightline view of the Ponte Vecchio

Day 5 – Sunday March 13 – FLORENCE breakfast at your accommodation visit the Uffizi Gallery, home to some of the most famous works of art in the world, such

as Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera along with works by da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, and others

at the conclusion of your visit you will have time to purchase lunch the remainder of the afternoon is free for independent exploration in chaperoned groups,

please make note of the following suggestions (any admissions are at own expense):o Palazzo Pitti - visit the sumptuous state apartments and Modern Art Gallery, or

choose the Porcelain Museum, Costume Gallery, and Silver Museum which are also housed here

o Markets - enjoy shopping for leather goods at the open-air market that sprawls around the Piazza San Lorenzo, as well as at the Mercato Nuovo

group dinner followed by an evening at leisure in chaperoned groups

Day 6 – Monday March 14 – FLORENCE (day trip to Siena) breakfast at your accommodation travel by coach to Siena (approx. travel time is 1½ hours) meet an English speaking guide for a walking tour of Siena, a gorgeous medieval city

often overlooked because of its proximity to Florence. Tour includes the Piazza del Campo, home of the Palio annual horse race, the Palazzo Pubblico, Siena’s town hall, and the Duomo di Siena, one of Italy’s greatest cathedrals

free time to purchase lunch and explore independently. (Climbing the bell tower of the Palazzo Pubblico that dominates over the Piazza del Campo is highly recommended!)

3-course group dinner in Siena board your coach and return to Florence; pack for tomorrow’s departure for Rome

Day 7 – Tuesday March 15 – to ROME breakfast at your accommodation, followed by check out travel by coach to Rome (approx. travel time is 3 hours) upon arrival, drop your luggage off at your hotel and transfer into central Rome to

purchase lunch in the area of the Colosseum meet your professional English speaking guide to begin a guided walking tour of

Ancient Rome, including entrance to the interior of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum, Rome’s greatest amphitheatre.

make your way up the Via del Corso towards the Trevi Fountain - legend has it that tossing a coin in the fountain assures a return to Rome!

enjoy a 3-course group dinner at a nearby restaurant, returning to the fountain again afterwards to see it lit by the night lights

return to the hotel and officially check in for 3 nights’ accommodation

Day 8 – Wednesday March 16 – ROME breakfast at your accommodation enjoy a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel following the Museums, visit St. Peter’s Basilica purchase lunch in the area this afternoon is yours to explore Rome in chaperoned groups using your transportation

passes. Some suggestions include (all free admission!):o The Spanish Steps - where everyone meets in Rome and home to some of the most

expensive real estate in the city.o The Pantheon – truly an amazing structure…this well-preserved temple to the gods

dates back to the second Century CE and must be seen to be believed. The structure boasts six-meter thick walls of concrete and features an opening nine meters in diameter in the roof. Buried inside are united Italy’s first king, Victor Emmanuel II, and famous renaissance artist Raphael.

o Piazza Navona – this famous baroque square was once the site of Domitian’s stadium. The outline of the chariot course may still be seen in the oval shape of the Piazza. The Piazza includes many outdoor cafes and a famous fountain designed by Bernini along with the church of Sant’Agnese with a façade by famous baroque architect Borromini.

3-course group dinner at your hotel with remainder of the evening at leisure

Day 9 – Thursday March 17 – ROMEbreakfast at your accommodation

travel by coach to transfer to Ostia Antica where you will enjoy a guided tour of the beautifully preserved ruins of this busy working port city, including clearly discernable restaurants, laundries, shops, and houses.

return to Rome for the afternoon to purchase lunchfinal chance to explore this amazing city and do some last minute shoppingenjoy a 3-course farewell group dinner at a local restaurantreturn to hotel to pack and rest before an early departure tomorrow morning

Day 10 – Friday March 18 – HOME breakfast at your accommodation followed by check out board your coach and transfer to Fiumicino International Airport depart Rome on scheduled overseas flight to Montreal (connection in Paris); in -flight

meal served, at the discretion of the airline coach transportation from Montreal Airport to Ottawa Bus Station is provided by Air

France at no extra charge (as part of air ticket) arrive in Ottawa…WELCOME HOME!

*Itinerary is tentative and subject to final confirmation*

ESTIMATED TOUR COSTS: $3 499 CDN per student (based on 25 students)$3 799 CDN per student (based on 20 students)

COST INCLUDES: return airport transfers provided by Air France between Ottawa and Montreal airfare via Air France between Montreal/Venice and Rome/Montreal, including applicable air and

departure taxes, and fuel surcharges as of March 5, 2015 highway coach transfers, per itinerary, and required local public transportation within Venice &

Rome 8 nights of hotel accommodation in Mestre (outskirts of Venice), Florence, and Rome breakfast and dinner daily, including farewell dinner in Rome guided city tours in Venice, Florence, Siena, Ancient Rome & Ostia Antica admissions/entry fees at Doge’s Palace, Church of Santa Croce, Galleria dell’Accademia

(Florence), Uffizi Gallery, Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, and Ostia Antica ruins

24-hour Ellison Tours Emergency Contact Number while on tour driver and local guide gratuities Manulife Youth Student Package Insurance (includes emergency medical coverage,

cancellation and interruption insurance, and limited baggage insurance)

NOT INCLUDED: meals other than mentioned above drinks with group lunches or dinners (other than tap water on the tables) are available for

purchase additional taxes, fuel surcharges or service charges levied by the governments or suppliers any 1st or 2nd checked baggage fees introduced prior to travel that are not currently in place passport photos and government/notary processing fees spending money!

PAYMENTS: a non-refundable deposit of $500 is required at registration (fully refunded if trip does not run) a payment schedule will be provided at the group’s first planning session in April; post-dated

cheques will be required for payments from May to November 2015 final December payment TBD based on fundraising deductions Carlson-Wagonlit Travel Gift Certificates are also available to purchase with RBC points, if

applicable