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20 Day Conducted Tour
       
Best of Italy

For only $4,875
per person twin share
This price includes airport and airline taxes and levies of $600

Tour departs Australia February 24 and returns March 15, 2010
This tour is great value as the following are all included in the price:
 If you don't have a travel partner but wish to travel but wish to travel at twin share rates we will do our best o match you up with another traveler in a similar position, but this is not guaranteed, For a single room there is an extra charge of $890.

Tour Itinerary

Terms and Conditions

Booking Form

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   Itinerary for  Italy Tour 
Included meals are: B = Breakfast, BB = Buffet Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner
23.02.10 Depart Brisbane at 11.59pm on TG 992, arriving in Bangkok at 6.10am the next morning.
24.02.10

 Depart Melbourne at 4.30pm on TG 982,arriving in Bangkok at 9.40pm.
Depart Sydney at 4.40pm  on TG 996, arriving in Bangkok at 10.00pm.
All flights will be met at the airport and transferred to the Manahattan Hotel in central Bangkok.
25.02.10
(B/D)

 Mid morning departure from hotel. First we stop at a large crocodile farm where we we see a wonderful crocodile show followed by an interesting elephant show,which shows how wild elephants are captured and how elephants have been used in battle. We then move on to  the resort hotel in Amphor Maung for a 2 night stay in their deluxe rooms.
In this area you will see authentic Thailand with the people living along the canals in a similar fashion to the way they lived for centuries. Also you can shop where the locals shop and pay local prices!
That evening we will have dinner in a nice restaurant beside the canal followd by a boat trip on the canal and Maeklong River to see the life along the canal and the spectacular fire flies.
26.02.10
(B/L)





 This morning we will see two interesting temples.First we see a lacquaware temple that is quite beautiful. Next we visit the historic  Bangkung Camp Temple with its imposing Buddha statue from the Ayuttaya period. This temple also features a large collection of life-like statues depicting the man positions and moves in Thai martial arts.
Next we visit  a top quality Thai ceramic factory where the quality and artistry is so high that the Thai royal family members are regular clients.
27.02.10
(B/L/D) 		Morning departure for River Kwai. First of all we visit the beautifully maintained Allied War Cemetery at Kanchanaburi.Then we visit the Jeath War Museum. Then onto the infamous bridge itself. We then have lunch(inlcuded), before going on to visit the Buddhist temple, where the monks care for many tigers. You have an opportunity to get a photo of yourself patting one of the "man eating brutes"!
We then travel out to the Burmese border to visit a hill-tribe village of the Mon people. Here we witness a dsiplay of traditional Mon dancing and have dinner(included). Accommodation tonight is at the fanous Jungle Rafts 'Hotel' floating on the River Kwai. This unique accommodation, however there is no electricity.
28.02.10
(B/L/D)		 First we have a long-tail  boat trip on the River Kwai before heading back to Bangkok. En route we visit the world's biggest pagoda & then we arrive in Bangkok.
We will visit a jewellrey workdhop & showroom. We then proceed to the Manhattan Hotel where we have afternoon use of hotel rooms to relax or to go out shopping in this great shopping city. After dinner at the hotel, we transfer to Bangkok International Airport.
01.03.10 Depart Bangkok at 12.01am on TG 944, arriving in Rome at 5.55am. Transfer to your Rome hotel with the rest of the day free to explore "The Eternal City"
02.03.10
(B) 		Another free day in Rome. Tonight you will meet your European Tour Director.
03.03.10
(B)


 Rome
A city steeped in history,vibrantly alive and exciting and absolutely unique! Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in St. Peter's Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum.
04.03.10
(B/D)



 Rome - Florence Area
This morning, vistas of undulating hills,austere rows of cypress trees, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages form the backdrop of your journey through beautiful Tuscany. Reach Florence in time to enjoy the included walking tour with a Local Guide, featuring most of the city highlights. You will see the Piazza Santa Croce; the beautiful Piazza Signoria; the Palazzo Vecchio and its courtyard; the Loggia dei Lanzi;and, to top it all, the Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto CAmpanile, and the magnificent East Door of the Baptistry known as the "Gate of Paradise".
05.03.10
(B)



 Florence. Excursion to Pisa
An easy drive this morning to see more of the Tuscan countryside on the way to Pisa. Stop for a visit and see the Square of Miracles and the amazing Leaning Tower. Return to Florence for the afternoon.
06.03.10
(B)





 Florence Area- Milan- Lake Maggiore
This morning, leave hilly Tuscany to travel north into the plains of Lombardy, crossing the great River Po with new and quite different scenery as you approach Milan for a stop to see its great Duomo.
Overnight in Baveno in the Lake Maggiore area.
07.03.10
(B)



 Lake Maggiore
Time to relax and get to know the area. Lake Maggiore is one of Italy's largest lakes and is located on the very edge of Alpine Switzerland. In fact, on clear days you can see the peaks of the Swiss Alps. Take advantage of the included excursion to visit Lugano and its lake in Switzerland.
08.03.10
(B)


 Lake Maggiore-Verona-Venice Area
Travel across the Po reiver plain and stop in the romantic city of Verona to see Romeo and Juliet's balcony, and enjoy some time at leisure,before reaching the Venice Area.
09.03.10
(B,D)





 Venice
Venice is more like a marvelous film set than a real live city, with its criss-crossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and little quiet piazzas. The included orientation starts with a boat ride and is followed by time at leisure and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago.
10.03.10
(B,D)


 Venice Area-Ravenna-Assisi-Perugia
An interesting drive southwards right across the Po Delta to Ravenna. In the afternoon, journey to Assisi, enclosed by ramparts and little changed since the Middle Ages. This is the town of the deeply mystical and poetic St. Francis- see the Church of St.Clare, founder of the Order of Poor Clares, the medieval castle, and the cathedral.
Overnight in the beautiful nearby Perugia,capital of Umbria.
11.03.10
(B)



 Perugia-Sorrento
Drive south on the autostrada to Pompeii. Time stopped for the rich, aristocratic town of Pompeii with the terrible eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. On the included visit you can see the remains of luxurious villas, temples, theater, and forum. Next, Sorrento, set on a plateau above the waters of the Bay of Naples. Wander the winding streets lines with shops and stalls, and sit with a glass of wine absorbing the easygoing life of this charming resort.
12.03.10
(B,D)


 Sorrento. Boat Trip to Capri.
This legendary island is surrounded by rocky coastline where the crashing sea has formed awe-inspiring caves. The town with its pretty piazza, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and smart restaurants is a mecca for the jet set. An optional tour is available.
13.03.10
(B)
 Sorrento- Rome
A comfortable drive northwards this monring for arrival in Rome, well in time to enjoy most of the afternoon and evening.
14.03.10
(B)		 Mid morning transfer to Rome Airport. Departing at 1.50pm on TG 945, arriving into Bangkok at 6.05am the next morning.
15.03.10 Sydney and Brisbane passengers depart Bangkok at 7.55am on TG 991, arriving into Sydney at 9.05pm and Brsibane at 10.50pm.
Melbourne passengers depart Bangkok at 8.10am on TG 999, arriving in Melbourne at 9.20pm.
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Conditions for Macleay Valley Travel's Italy Tour

Deposits and Payments - A non-refundable deposit of $200.00 per person is payable within 7 days of booking. This deposit is not refundable should you later cancel. The balance is payable in full 10 weeks prior to departure.

Refunds and Cancellations - Cancellations after final payment will result in a refund limited to whatever we can recoup from the airline.

Insurance - Adequate travel insurance is essential. We can arrange this for you if desired.

Passports - All travellers require a current passport with at least 6 months left on it at the end of the tour. Non-Australian passport holders require a re-entry visa for Australia.Visas are not required for Italy and Thailand if travelling on an Australian passport.

Basic Tour Price and Taxes - Air taxes and fuel levies are included in the basic tour price, and as air taxes and fuel levies change regularly the exact amount will be advised at time of invoicing. At present air taxes and fuel levies come to $600 for the standard tour. Total tour cost may therefore change,

Not  Included in the Cost - Travel insurance,visas and all items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, drinks, excess baggage, tips, meals, (except those specified in the itinerary), etc.are not included in the cost. Similarly, credit card payments can only be accepted if 2% is added to the price to help defray the heavy merchant fees charged to us by the credit card companies.

Booking through other Agents - As we keep the cost of our tours as low as possible, there is insufficient margin for us to be able to pay commission to other travel agents, so some bookings can only be accepted if the client pays the other agent's commission. 
Macleay Valley Travel is a fully licensed travel agent and as such any monies paid to us are fully insured by the Travel Compensation Fund. We are happy for any prospective traveller with us to check us out with your local Consumer Affairs (fair trading) department.
Similarly, credit card payments can only be accepted if 2% is added to the price to help defray the heavy merchant fees charged to us by the credit card companies.

Health and Fitness- Macleay Valley Travel recommends that the passenger is reasonably healthy and/or fit to participate in this tour.  Persons with a disability requiring special assistance must be accompanied by a companion. Macleay Valley Travel and their representatives cannot provide this service.  Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to accept/decline or terminate a passenger's participation in the tour under certain circumstances.

Limitation of Liability - As Macleay Valley Travel acts only as agent for the Airlines, Hotels, Coach Companies etc., providing accommodation, transportation and other services, Macleay Valley Travel shall not be liable or responsible for death or injury to any person or loss or damage to any property including baggage arising out of or connection with any transportation, accommodation or other services, or resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, fire, breakdown in machinery or equipment, acts of Government or other authorities, de jure or defacto wars, whether declared or not, hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, delays or cancellations caused by changes in schedules or itinerary, or over bookings or defaults or for any causes beyond Macleay Valley Travel's control or any loss or damage resulting from improper or insufficient passports, visas or other documents and neither Macleay Valley Travel, and its servants or employees shall be or become liable or responsible for any additional expenses or liability sustained or incurred by the tour member as a result of the foregoing causes.
Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to modify the itinerary or the accommodation if circumstances make this necessary, provided that the amended itinerary is of equal value or greater value than that of the original program.
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