Italy Solos Tour August 2016

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WELCOME TO ITALY Travelling to Italy to discover it’s rich culture, ancient ruins, impressive art collection, iconic architecture, show stopping cities and of course the scrumptious food and stylish fashion is an experience not to be missed.

Your introduction to Italy begins in Rome. You will be instantly immersed within the historic landscape and around every corner will be a masterpiece of art or architecture for you to marvel at. No trip to Rome would be complete without experiencing the religious icons of Vatican City and Sistine Chapel or discovering the ancient glories of the Roman Empire with a guided tour of the Flavian Amphitheatre, commonly known as the Colosseum. You will have plenty of time to lap up the lifestyle and mingle with the locals in the busy city squares whilst savouring the glorious Italian cuisine.

From Rome we will make the picturesque journey through the Italian countryside to Tuscany. The historic agriturismo Terre di Baccio, right near Greve in Chianti and nestled within vineyards and olive groves, will be your home for seven nights as you explore riverside Florence and get swept up in its history and culture. You will have the opportunity to wander the quaint streets of Siena, see iconic Pisa, become an authentic truffle hunter, enjoy an adventure across the countryside on a Vespa and marvel at the world-class art. Plus plenty of fine food and wine and time beside the pool under the Tuscan sun.

The final leg of our journey takes us to one of the country’s most seductive cities, Venice - the famous floating city where marble palaces and lavish buildings perch atop of the water’s surface. We have scheduled in a walking tour of the unique city for you to soak up the floating landscape and explore the ancient sights down cobbled laneways. You will have the opportunity to embark on a cruise of the nearby Islands before having free time to discover and fall in love with Venice’s soul. Our stay will be capped off with an impressive dinner and an eerie ghost tour of hidden Venice where you will hear stories of the dead and the historic legends that have haunted the city’s inhabitants for years.

After 16 days of exploring one of the world’s most beautiful countries, you will find it hard not to fall madly in love and long to go back. So are you on board with us?

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16 day solo tour aug/sep 2016


DETAILED ITInErArYitaly interludeDay 1 [28th August 2016]: WELCOME TO ROMEUpon arrival we’ll be met at the airport for our group transfer to the hotel. Unpack and settle in before our group meets for a welcome cocktail and tour briefing on the terrace overlooking ancient Rome. § Overnight: Hotel Elysseo. Standard room.

Day 2 [29th Augst 2016]: ROME WALKING TOUR (B) (L)Let the Eternal City enchant you! With this walking tour you’ll get a panoramic view of ancient Rome as you stroll through its picturesque alleyways and discover some of the most important sights in the historical centre including the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Raphael’s tomb and one of the most beautiful squares in the world, Piazza Navona. The tour ends in Campo del Fiori, a favourite hangout among locals, where we’ll have lunch in a typical Roman trattoria. Balance of day at leisure.

§ Overnight: Hotel Elysseo. Standard room.

Day 3 [30th August 2016]: VATICAN AND SISTINE CHAPEL TOUR (B) (L)Enjoy this fascinating Vatican tour through the treasures of the Catholic Church: Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s Basilica, visited by over 5 million people per year. Our guide will show us all the highlights of Vatican city: the Papal palaces, the Greek statues of the Lacoon, the ancient sculptures, tapestries and paintings to the magnificent Raphael Rooms and, of course, the Sistine Chapel, one of the greatest and most famous examples of Michelangelo’s artistic genius. Our visit will conclude with a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the largest and ornate churches in the world.After the tour we’ll enjoy lunch at a local pizzeria. Balance of the day at leisure.


Day 4 [31st August 2016]: WALKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GLADIATORS (B) (D) No visit to Rome would be complete without a visit to the famous Colosseum. In addition to the ring and the arena you will visit an area recently restored- the Hypogeum. This is a fascinating place, where gladiators and beasts waited to be hoisted up to the arena to fight for the entertainment of the locals. The tour ends with a climb to the third ring which offers a privileged view of the arena and the surrounding urban landscape.


Day 5 [1st September 2016]: TRANSFER FROM ROME TO TUSCANY VIA ORVIETO (B) (L) (D)After breakfast we bid farewell to Roma and make our way to Tuscany. On the way, we’ll stop at Orvieto, one of the most amazing hillside Umbrian towns.

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Here you’ll enjoy a lunch in a traditional trattoria, very close to Piazza del Duomo, where you can admire one of Italy’s greatest cathedrals, a jewel of painting, mosaics and sculpture. Following a typical lunch in Orvieto we’ll continue to Tuscany and our home for the next 7 nights...Terre di Baccio Agriturismo near Greve-in-Chianti.The Terre di Baccio agricultural estate is situated on a pleasant hill in a panoramic position close to the little town of Greve in the heart of Chianti; an area steeped in history, art, culture, food & wine traditions. In the midst of a 50-acre estate planted with vineyards and olive groves, a group of 16th-century buildings called Casale di Baccio has been recently renovated and converted into a delightful country residence for guests. The vineyard, the olive grove and the beautifully-tended gardens merge to create a magnificent backdrop to the farmstead, the barn and the panoramic swimming pool overlooking the Chianti hills. The centre of the town is a 10 minute walk through the olive grove. The owners with their ancient Florentine and Guatemalan origins have deliberately retained the original architectural features of the farmstead: stone, terracotta and old wooden beams which are superbly set off by furnishings and crafts typical of Guatemala. Thus the souls of the two families come together, generating a truly unique and captivating atmosphere. Tonight we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner at the Agriturismo.

§ Overnight: Agriturismo. Standard room.

Day 6 [2nd September 2016]: WALKING TOUR OF FLORENCE (B) (D)After breakfast we’ll learn about the city from its foundation to modern times and we will see the marvels given to the town by the public commission and from private patronage. The tour will encompass Santa Maria del Fiore and the magnificent Brunelleschi Dome, the picturesque medieval narrow streets of the city centre, Piazza Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio, and the iconic Ponte Vecchio and many other wonders. Lunch will take place at the Old Market, where our guide will suggest typical foods, and the bravest among you will have the opportunity to taste lampredotto tripe, the famous Florentine street food.Tonight we’ll enjoy wood fired pizzas made on site at Terre di Baccio accompanied by local wine and beer. § Overnight: Agriturismo. Standard room.

Day 7 [3rd September 2016]: FREE DAY AT TERRE DI BACCIO (B) (D)After enjoying breakfast on the terrace, it’s your day to do as you please. Take a walk into historic Greve and wander the beautiful square and traditional shops, taste some of the fantastic Terre di Baccio wines or just relax by the pool with a book and glass of red. It’s completely up to you. Late afternoon we are transferred into Greve for dinner at a wonderful local restaurant overlooking the square. Belissimo.


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Day 8 [4th September 2016]: FLORENCE (B)Today we have two activity options from which to choose. *

Option 1: Vintage Vespa Tour Take a ride in the surrounding Florence countryroads on the back of a vintage Vespa! After a safety briefing we head off for this exhilarating ride through the city and the countryside. During the tour you will have the opportunity to pose for photos with your Vespa and driver and the amazing skyline at Piazzale Michelangelo. After exploring the city you will leave Florence enjoying the freedom of the hills, through ancient olive groves and vineyards. There will be time for a break tasting typical ham and cheese with a glass of Chianti wine before we head back to the city. This is one amazing way to discover Italy and the Italian life style!

Option 2: Uffizi Gallery Tour with Italian “Aperitivo” With over 1.5 million of visitors every year, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence is one of the most visited museums in Italy. This guided tour leads you through the most important masterpieces, a wonderful journey through the history of painting which starts from the 13th century, through the innovations of Giotto, towards the splendour of the Italian Renaissance with Masaccio, Piero della Francesca, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelll and Michelangelo. Enjoy their beauty, importance, meaning and style! The tour will conclude with an Italian “aperitivo”, enjoying a beautiful view over Florence, from the Uffizi terrace. If you’re an art lover don’t miss this one.*Please advise your preferred activity at the time of booking.


Day 9 [5th September 2016]: FREE DAY AT TERRE DI BACCIO (B) (D)After a relaxing day at Terre di Baccio we are transferred into Florence in the late afternoon for a steak dinner at a very traditional Florentine restaurant.


Day 10 [6th September 2016]: PISA & TRUFFLE HUNTING (B) (L)Our first stop today is Pisa. Our guide will lead us to the famous Miracles Square, explaining its history. You’ll have time to admire the Leaning Tower, Baptistery and other beautiful monuments before entering the Cathedral. At the end of the visit we’ll have free time for photos and, if you wish, to climb the tower** Before leaving, we’ll enjoy a typical Tuscan lunch. After lunch we head to the beautiful Fattoria Collebrunacchi in the hills surrounding San Miniato to enjoy an authentic “truffle hunt” through a typical Tuscan wood , accompanied by an expert truffle hunter and their clever dogs.

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Entering the wood is an exciting ritual, an indescribable mix of emotions and impressions: the scent of nature, the silence interrupted only by the sound of the wind rustling the leaves. During the truffle hunting, your guide will tell you about the traditions, history and legends of this precious tuber. After the “hunt” we’ll have a special truffle tasting including cured meats, crostini, local cheeses and marmalades, pasta with raw truffle and desert. All served with wines produced at the fattoria. This will be a very special day.**Entrance Fees to Leaning Tower (€18.00) are not included and payable on the day.


Day 11 [7th September 2016]: MEDIEVAL TUSCANY: SIENA & SAN GIMIGNANO (B) (D)First stop today is iconic Siena. We’ll discover the incredible architectural style of the Cathedral, Palazzo Communale and Piazza del Campo. The walk will immerse you in the medieval atmosphere of the “Contrade” who still compete against each other twice a year in the famous Palio horse race. From Siena we head to the UNESCO World Heritage site of San Gimignano. This splendid medieval town is known as the Manhattan of the 16th century and is like stepping back in time. We’ll have time to taste their world famous ice cream too. We return to Terre di Baccio in late afternoon and tonight we’ll have a poolside barbeque to say arrivederci to this beautiful agriturismo. Entrance fees payable on the day. (Siena Cathedral: €7,00)


Day 12 [8th September 2016]: TRANSFER FROM GREVE TO VENICE (VIA MONTAGNANA) (B) (L)On the way from Venice we’ll stop in Montagnana, a small and elegant town, surrounded by perfectly preserved medieval walls. You will admire palaces in Venetian Gothic style and the Duomo, a masterpiece of the sixteenth century. Here you will enjoy the splendid Montagnana Prosciutto DOP accompanied by the best wines of the area. On arrival in Venice we are transferred by private water taxi to our hotel. Balance of the day at leisure.

§ Overnight: Gabrielle. Standard room.

Day 13 [9th September 2016]: VENICE WALKING TOUR WITH GONDOLA RIDE (B) (L)Today we’ll enjoy a guided walking tour of one of Europe’s most unique cities. Your tour will start from St. Mark’s Square and then to the Basilica, Clock Tower and Doge’s Palace. You will then proceed towards Marco Polo’s house, the world-Famous Fenice Theatre, completely restored inside after the disastrous fire of 1996 and Venice’s main shopping street, the Mercerie. The walking tour will end near the sublime Rialto Bridge, where we’ll have lunch. Afternoon at leisure.


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Day 14 [10th September 2016]: VENICE (B) (L) TRADITIONAL CRUISE TO MURANO, BURANO & TORCELLOAfter breakfast at our hotel we board a traditional Italian boat called a bragozzo and cruise to the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello in the Venetian Lagoon. Enjoy this amazing private trip across Saint Mark’s Basin, towards the Lido, cruising to the three most famous Venetian islands with their picturesque scenery, handicraft traditions and unique histories . Your first stop will be at the island of Murano, known as the “Island of Glass”. You will visit one of its famous factories and see glass blowers at work. The tour continues to Burano, a typical fishing island with colourful contrasts and chocolate-box painted houses. Here we’ll have a delicious fish lunch. The final stop is at the island of Torcello, the most ancient inhabited island, which has a population of only 100 people.We return to our hotel in the late afternoon. Evening at leisure. Plenty of local dinner options just steps from our hotel. § Overnight: Gabrielle. Standard room.

Day 15 [11th September 2016]: VENICE GHOST WALKING TOUR FAREWELL TO ITALY DINNER (B) (D)Departing from the Rialto Bridge we’ll have the opportunity to discover the hidden and mysterious side of Venice with its legends, stories and popular tales of old ghosts, devils and vampires. You’ll cross labyrinths of the hidden Venice, exploring sleeping canals, abandoned piazzas and ancient cemeteries hidden beneath the modern streets. You will hear intriguing ghost stories, legends about sea monsters, including the tale of Marco Polo’s wife, stories of rat infested prison cells that flooded during high tide. Strolling along the “Calle degli Assassins” you’ll enjoy this particular walking tour with many surprises along the way. The tour ends close to the Rialto Bridge .At the end of the tour we are transferred to our restaurant for our farewell dinner.


Day 16 [12th September 2016]: VENICE DEPARTURE (B)Our group is transferred from the hotel to the airport for our flight home or onto further adventures.

TOUR PRICING $7,998 PER PERSON PLUS AIRFARES TOUR DATES: 28th Aug - 12th Sep 2016

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Participation in this tour requires a good level of fitness and you should be in general good health. The tours frequently include walking for extended periods often over uneven ground and/or uphill. Factors such as bumpy roads, dust, traffic, stairs, humidity, delays and unfamiliar customs and cultures also add to the physical toll. Keep in mind you will sometimes need to carry your own bags.

Altitude sickness: You may also be affected by altitude sickness. Parts of our trip go above 2800 metres where it is common for travellers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude - regardless of your age, gender and fitness. It even happened to Sir Edmund Hillary!

Before your trip: Some pre-existing medical conditions are known to severely worsen at high altitude and be difficult to adequately treat on the ground, leading to more serious consequences. It is imperative that you discuss your pre-existing medical condition/s with your doctor. We understand certain medications are reported to aid acclimatising to high altitude. Please discuss these options with your doctor.

During your trip: While our tour guides have basic first aid training and are aware of the closest medical facilities, it is very important that you are aware of the cause and effects of travelling at altitude, monitor your health and seek assistance accordingly.

Please read the following document carefully and, during your trip, utilise the table on the back daily to record your own perspective of your general health and any symptoms you may experience:

For more information please see www.twosacrowd.com.au/altitude

Diving in the Galapagos: Due to our guide’s internal safety policy, our leaders are specifically prohibited from recommending or assisting with booking this activity.

FITNESS AND HEALTH WHILE TRAVELLING IN SOUTH AMERICA

Terms & Conditions: • Prices are per person and based on sole use rooms throughout • Prices are correct as at 10 July 2015 and are subject to change until paid in full • Refer to our website www.twosacrowd.com.au for full terms and conditions. ©2015 Travel Passion Pty Ltd | ABN 32 140 754 856 trading as Two’s a Crowd.

Two’s a Crowd and the disk logo are registered trademarks of Travel Passion Pty Ltd.

NEED MORE INFORMATION? CONTACT THE TEAM: Phone: 1300 55 45 01 (AUS) or 0800 895 145 (NZ) Email: [email protected]

ABOUT TWO’S A CROWD: Two’s a Crowd is owned and operated by Noonan’s Travel (Licence No. 32931) which has been providing travel services since 1978. Two’s a Crowd was born out of our recognition of the growing number of people travelling solo whose needs are not well served.

Our commitment is to make solo travel more enjoyable and affordable.

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T R A V E L S !

29 Oct 2015 &

*Additional travel insurance premium may apply based on age or pre-existing conditions.

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your tour includes: § 8 nights accommodation in centrally located 3 star hotels in Rome and

Venice in a single room with private facilities

§ 7 nights at Terre di Baccio Agriturismo in Greve in your own room with private facilities

§ Comprehensive Travel Insurance with CHI Australia (underwritten by Allianz). Additional premium will apply on age and pre-existing conditions. Please refer to the CHI PDS for policy terms and conditions.

§ All transport as per itinerary by air-conditioned private coach

§ All tours and activities as per itinerary

§ Arrival and departure group airport transfers

§ 15 breakfasts

§ 7 lunches

§ 7 dinners

§ All entrance fees (except those noted on itinerary)

§ English speaking tour guides throughout

§ Two’s a Crowd Tour Host From Australia

tour excludes: § International flights - Two’s a Crowd can quote and book for you

§ Services and meals if not mentioned in itinerary

§ All drinks, including water, soft drink and alcohol on all included or optional excursions

§ Laundry, telephone calls and expenditure of a personal nature

§ Tips and gratuities

Italy Solos Tour August 2016

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