Back to Macleay Valley Travel Homepage

18 Day Conducted Tour
       
Best of Italy

For only $4,995
per person twin share
This price includes airport and airline taxes and levies of $630

Tour departs Australia February 23 and returns March 12, 2011
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 $975.

Tour Itinerary

Terms and Conditions

Booking Form

Top of Page


   Itinerary for  Best of Italy Tour 
Included meals are: B = Breakfast, BB = Buffet Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner
23.02.11

 AUSTRALIA - BANGKOK
Depart Sydney at 11.00am  on TG 476, arriving in Bangkok at  4.30pm.
Depart Brisbane at 2.20pm on TG 474, arriving in Bangkok at 8.30pm.
Depart Melbourne at 4.25pm on TG 466,arriving in Bangkok at 9.40pm.
All flights will be met at the airport and transferred to your 5 star Hotel.
Overnight: Millenium Hilton Hotel .
24.02.11
(B/L)

 BANGKOK
Today there will be a tour to the Sampan Elephant ground and zoo. Located to the west of Bangkok in Nakhon Pathom province. For less than an hour drive Samphran Elephant ground and zoo is a popular sightseeing destination.  It highlights exciting events such as the Elephant theme shows and the crocodile wrestling shows. In the elephant show, the elephants are the stars where they dance, race, play football and games, 'Yutha Hathi' a great royal battle scene, is even performed with the actors riding on the elephants. As for the wrestling show, the crocodile and the master crocodile catcher perform breathtaking stunts to their audience's delight.
The visitors can also check out the tropical garden and waterfalls on the elephant's back. Visit the orchid nursery, and sample International cuisine at the Erawan Restaurant (lunch inluded)
Accredited by CITES as 'One of the cleanest and most impressive public displays of crocodiles in the world', the visitors will surely enjoy exploring the zoo ground.  Late check-out from hotel
Transfer to the Bangkok International Airport for your flight to Rome.
25.02.11




 BANGKOK - ROME
Depart Bangkok at 12.01am on TG 944, arriving in Rome at 5.55am. Transfer to your central Rome hotel with the rest of the day free to recover form your overnight flight.
Overnight Hilton Hotel Rome
26.02.11
(B) 		ROME
Today is free to explore "The Eternal City".tonight you will have a welcome drink with your Italian tour director.
Overnight Hilton Hotel Rome
27.02.11
(B)		 ROME
This morning our guided sightseeing tour begins with a visit to St Peters Square and to the awe-inspiring Basilica. Then we rejoin the coach and drive by the sea to Trastevere, cross the River Tiber and see the Tiberina Island before viewing the Circus Maximus, where the chariot races were held, which is overlooked by the Palatine Hill. We continue to the Colosseum where we learn about the events that took place here, particularly gladiatorial combat.
Overnight Hilton Hotel Rome
28.03.11
(B/D)		 ROME - SORRENTO
Firstly this morning we enjoy a guided visit of Michaelangelo's miraculous Sistine Chapel inside the Vatican Museums before we leave Rome and head south with views of the Abbey of Monte Cassino, en route to the Bay of Naples. Next we will enjoy a guided tour of Pompeii, the town frozen in time when it was engulfed by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79 Finally our journey continues along the coastline to Sorrento and we enjoy a Highlight Dinner in a local restaurant tonight.
Overnight: Johanna Park Hotel
01.03.11
(B) 		SORRENTO  (Isle of Capri Excursion)
After breakfast, we witness the art of inlaid woodworking ,one of the crafts of the Sorrento peninsula. After we will embark on a guided excursion by ferry to the isle of Capri. There is plenty of time to explore this lovely island with its narrow streets beautiful gardens and tempting boutiques.
Overnight: Johanna Park Hotel
02.03.11
(B/D)






 SORRENTO - ASSISI
This morning's drive will take us to the province of Umbria and mystical Assisi, perched on Mount Subasio and overlooking a peaceful Umbrian  Landscape. This city under the protection of St Francis is still enclosed by medieval ramparts. On our arrival a guided sightseeing tour includes the Basilica by St Francis, famous for its fresco paintings depicting the life of this much loved saint.Then we will have free time to explore this charming town before we continue to our hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Subasio
03.03.11
(B/D)



 ASSISI - VENICE
This morning enjoy a scenic drive to the Roman town of Ravenna with its ancient mosaics and Byzantine architeture. Here we will visit the Church of St Apollonaris in Classe before seeing the Romanesque Basilica of Pomposa. Next we drive to the floating city of Venice for our 2 night stay.
Overnight:NH Laguna Place
04.03.11
(B)





 VENICE
This morning after breakfast we will absorb this city's unique atmosphere on our included canal cruise by private motor launch to St Mark's Square. We view the Bridge of Sighs, Doge's Place and Basilica of St Mark. After we will stop to visit a traditional glass-blowing factory to witness a demonstration of this ancient art. Then with time on your own you may wish to discover the island of Burano.
Overnight:NH Laguna Place
05.03.11
(B/D)





 VENICE - ITALIAN LAKES
Our day will start with a drive to the home of Shakespeare's star crossed lovers, Verona. We will stop to admire the Roman Arena and Juliet's balcony. From here we cross the plains of Lombrady to the fashionable city of Milan. Here we see the gothic Duomo, La Scala opera house and the famous Galleria. Finally we make our way to our hotel in the Italian Lake Distric for dinner and our overnight stay.
Overnight: Chateau Porro Pirelli Varese
06.03.11
(B)


 ITALIAN LAKES  (Lugano Excursion)
This morning we will enjoy an excursion into the Ticino, the Italian speaking region of Switzerland where we stop to visit the beautiful resort of Lugano. On our arrival there is time to shop and take a walk through the lakeside gardens.
Overnight: Chateau Porro Pirelli Varese
07.03.11
(B)


 ITALIAN LAKES - FLORENCE
Our morning drive takes us via the plains of Lombrady and cross the Apennine Mountains passing the region of Genoa, the birth place of Christopher Columbus. Then we travel southwards to Pisa to see the extrodinary Leaning Tower vefore arriving in Florence, cradle of the Renaissance.
Overnight: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo
08.03.11
(B,D)





 FLORENCE
The Cathedral Sigoria Square and a visit to the Basilica of Santa Croce feature on our guided sightseeing tour on foot. Later enjoy a panoramic view from Piazzale Michelangelo before free time. Perhaps discover the the artistic wonders in the museums or shop for leather and gold. Tonight we enjoy a "Be My Guest" dinner in a local family restaurant where we taste Authentic regional specialties.
Overnight: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo
09.03.11
(B,D)


 FLORENCE - ROME
We enjoy a scenic drive through the Chianti wine producing region to medieval Siena, famous for its exciting Palio horse race. Here there is time to explore the wonders of this city and maybe shop for beautiful locally produced ceramic. Tonight we enjoy a Farewell Dinner with wine in a local restaurant.
Overnight:Hotel Cristoforo Colombo.
10.03.11
(B)
 ROME
Full day to do some last minute shopping and sightseeing in wonderful Rome.
Overnight:Hotel Cristoforo Colombo.
11.03.11
(B)


 ROME - BANGKOK.
Mid morning transfer to Rome Airport. Departing at 1.30pm on TG 945, arriving into Bangkok at 6.05am the next morning.

Brisbane passengers will have day use of a 3 star Bangkok hotel
12.03.11 BANGKOK - AUSTRALIA
Sydney  passengers depart Bangkok at 7.45am on TG 451, arriving into Sydney at 9.05pm.
Melbourne passengers depart Bangkok at 8.10am on TG 461, arriving in Melbourne at 9.20pm.
Brisbane passengers depart Bangkok at 11.59pm on TG 473 arriving in Brisbane at 12.05pm (13.03.11)
NOTE:
For Brisbane passengers there will be an extra charge of $75 per person twin share or $75 single room for one nights accommodation with breakfast, late checkout and return transfers
Top of Page

Conditions for Macleay Valley Travel Best of Italy Tour
Deposits and Payments - A non-refundable deposit of $400.00 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 traveling 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 $630 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.
Breakaway Fee
All fully inclusive prices are based on group travel and any deviation from the set itinerary will incur a breakaway fee.
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.
Top of Page