sign in sign up
<<
Home , Apulia, Otranto, Sicily, Southern Italy

SOUTHERN & With & the Coast May 6-20, 2018

15 days for $5,374 total price from Houston ($4,895 air & land inclusive plus $479 airline taxes and fees)

This tour is provided by Odysseys Unlimited, six-time honoree Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Tour Operators award.

An Exclusive Small Group Tour for Aggies & Friends of Texas A&M University Howdy, Ags! Join the Traveling Aggies on an exclusive 15-day journey to discover enchanting and the mag- nificent landscapes on the of Sicily. Beginning with the cross-cultural heritage and ruins of Sicily, this unique tour then traverses the “boot” of Italy, combining the traditional and unspoiled region of Apulia with the breathtaking . Begin your tour in , on the island of Sicily, where you visit the “Valley of the Temples” and the well-preserved Temple of Concordia. Venture to ’s largest active , Mt. Etna, before traveling to the Apulia region to visit the cave dwellings of and ’s medieval white-washed buildings. Discover ’s -era churches and maze of narrow streets on a walking tour, then continue on to , overlooking the Adriatic. In , tour the UNESCO site of , enjoy a day trip to the storied Isle of , and experience a breathtaking drive along the Amalfi Coast. With room for only 24 guests on this exclusive Traveling Aggies departure, we expect this tour to fill quickly. Book today to secure your spot! Gig ’em,

Jennifer Bohac ’87, Ph.D. Director of Travel Programs

TRAVELING AGGIES RESERVATION FORM — SOUTHERN ITALY & SICILY Enclosed is my/our deposit for $______($500 per person) for ____ person(s) on Southern Italy & Sicily departing May 6, 2018. I/We understand the final payment is due at least 95 days prior to departure. Payment may be made by American Express, Discover, MasterCard, VISA, or personal check. Please make check payable to Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. and send, with completed reservation form, to: The Association of Former Students, 505 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 77840-2918. Or you may call the Traveling Aggies at 979-845-7514 or toll-free at 800-633-7514, or fax your reservation form to 979-845-9263. You may also call Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. toll-free at 888-370-6765, or fax your reservation to 617-454-9199. Full Passport Name ______Date of Birth ______Gender ____ Badge Name ______Class Year ______Full Passport Name ______Date of Birth ______Gender ____ Badge Name ______Class Year ______Address ______E-mail ______City ______State ______ZIP ______Home Phone (______)______Cell Phone (______)______Please book my/our air from ______I/We request an air upgrade to ______I will share a room with ______I request a single room (limited availability) q Post-Tour “ – On Your Own” Extension: Please sign me/us up q

Please Note: The undersigned has read the schedule of activities for Southern Italy & Sicily, May 6-20, 2018, and agrees that their signature below represents their acceptance of the General Terms and Conditions. Signature(s) ______Date______

Method of Payment q Check q American Express q Discover q MasterCard q VISA Account # ______Security Code ______Exp. Date ______Name of Cardholder ______Signature ______

Final invoicing will be sent by our tour operator, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. The balance of the program price must be paid to Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. Final payment is due 95 days prior to departure and is payable by check or credit card. Tour membership limited to 24 Traveling Aggies and friends Southern Italy & Sicily With Apulia & the Amalfi Coast 15 days for $5,374 total price from Houston ($4,895 air & land inclusive plus $479 airline taxes and fees) elight in a special exploration of Italy’s southern climes, from striking Sicily and D the breathtaking Amalfi Coast to unheralded Apulia, the alluring “boot heel” where a vivid history, unique architecture, and bountiful join the sun and sea in creating a prized (and crowd-free) region. Add Italian hospitality, outstanding cuisine, and notable lodgings for la dolce vita, small-group style.

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Taormina (), Sicily ITALY Day 2: Arrive Taormina We arrive today in Catania Matera on Italy’s autonomous island of Sicily then transfer Sorrento by motorcoach to Taormina and our boutique hotel Lecce overlooking the . Tonight we gather for a welcome dinner at the hotel. D

Day 3: Taormina Highlights of our morning walk-

Catania/ Map Legend ing tour of this delightful medieval town include the Taormina Destination spectacular theater dating to the 3rd Motorcoach bce, the popular 13th-century , and Entry/Departure grand Piazza Vittorio Emanuele. This afternoon is at leisure: perhaps to relax by the hotel pool, visit a Avg. High (°F) May Jun lovely Taormina beach; or stroll along Corso Um- Taormina 72 79 berto, lined with shops and restaurants. With lunch Lecce 73 81 Amalfi Coast 72 79 and dinner on our own today, perhaps a culinary adventure is in order … and thanks to Sicily’s strate- gic Mediterranean location that lured many invaders, Sicilian food incorporates Italian, , and African influences into a singular, and delicious, cuisine. B Small Group Tour Highlights Day 4: Taormina/ On today’s excursion Sicily’s intriguing cultural and historic heritage • “Valley we visit the “Valley of the Temples,” the architectural of the Temples,” Agrigento • Mt. Etna excursion • Lunch zone of Agrigento, whose Doric temples and sanctuaries at a working Sicilian farmhouse • Two Apulia UNESCO date to Greek rule in the 5th century bce. Known sites: Cave dwellings of Matera and Alberobello’s medieval in its heyday as the “most beautiful city of mortals,” white-washed buildings • Neapolitan cooking demon- Agrigento’s highlight is the stunning, well-preserved stration and dinner • Lecce, the “ of the Temple of Concordia (c. 430 bce). A visit to the South” • Fascinating, uncrowded Apulia region • museum here lends context to our explorations. Late Stunning Amalfi Coast • Tour of ancient ruins at Pompeii (UNESCO site) • Day trip to Isle of Capri • Unique, well- this afternoon we return to our hotel, where we dine located small-group style hotels • Pleasing mix of touring tonight. B,L,D and time at leisure Day 5: Taormina/ This morning’s Day Itinerary Hotel Rating tour ventures to Europe’s largest active volcano. The ancients believed Mt. Etna to be the forge of 1 Depart U.S. for Taormina (Catania) , god of fire; today, modern-day 2-5 Taormina Angela Sup. First Class have a very personal relationship with the volcano, Locanda di 6-7 Matera First Class San Martino which frequently erupts but is seldom destructive. Patria Centuries of lava flows have resulted in a rich, fertile 8-10 Lecce Sup. First Class Hotel landscape where groves and vineyards thrive. Hotel Antiche Mid-day we enjoy a small group highlight: lunch at a 11-14 Sorrento First Class Mura family-run working farm amidst acres of lemon and 15 Depart Naples for U.S. kiwi. After returning to our hotel mid-afternoon, the Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel remainder of the day is at leisure. B,L industry standard reference.

Cover photo: Mt. Etna creates a scenic backdrop for Taormina’s ancient Greek . Colorful fishing boats along a Sicilian harbor

Day 6: Taormina/Matera We leave Sicily today for Day 10: Lecce/Otranto Today’s excursion takes us the region of , a day-long transfer to the beautiful walled town of Otranto, overlooking that includes a ride from Sicily to . Late the Adriatic. On a walking tour here we see the impos- this afternoon we reach Matera, whose historic troglo- ing 15th-century Aragonese castle with its traditional dyte churches and dwellings (Sassi) have been designated moat, and the Romanesque cathedral whose impressive a UNESCO site and where our hotel is a renovated wall-to-wall floor was created in 1166. We cave dwelling in the city’s historic district. B,D continue on to a local winery for a tasting and lunch then return to Lecce mid-afternoon. Dinner tonight Day 7: Matera Today we explore this city of art and is on our own. B,L folklore, with its unique ancient urban structure still intact. Home to more than 100 rock churches, Matera Day 11: Lecce/Sorrento This morning we depart resembles ancient Jerusalem and has been used by by coach for Sorrento, overlooking the Bay of Naples. international film directors as a stand-in for the holy En route we stop for a traditional trattoria lunch in city. Following a guided walking tour, the remainder the small town of . Dinner tonight of the day is at leisure to explore independently before is on our own in lively seaside Sorrento. B,L dinner tonight at a local restaurant. B,D

Day 8: Matera/Alberobello/Lecce Departing Matera this morning, we stop in Alberobello, whose Post-Tour Extension 400 or so trulli – whitewashed conical houses with grey- stone roofs – rank as a UNESCO World Heritage site. We take a walking tour along the pristine cobblestone May 20-23, 2018 alleys, stepping inside an artisan’s workshop or trullo tipico, a recreation of an inhabited home. After lunch Rome – On Your Own at a local restaurant, we continue on to Lecce, 4 days/3 nights of Apulia’s southern Lecci province (in Italy’s “boot for $695 total price heel”) in time for dinner together at our hotel. B,L,D Single Supplement: $295 Explore the Eternal City at your leisure. Day 9: Lecce We discover the “Florence of the South” on this morning’s tour, so named for the unique dec- orative style for which Lecce is known: barocco leccese, Your Tour Price Includes the ornate and intricate sandstone carvings of cherubs and monsters, fruits and flowers that adorn local build- • Air transportation Naples/Rome, inclusive of ings from top to bottom. We see Palazzo Vescovile airline taxes and fees • 3 nights’ accommodations at Empire Palace Hotel (c. 1632), the exuberantly decorated church of Santa (Superior First Class) Croce, and the Duomo with its lovely piazza. This after- • 3 meals: 3 breakfasts noon is at leisure; tonight we enjoy dinner together. B,D • Transfers to/from “My course is set for an uncharted sea.”

–

Day 12: Sorrento/Pompeii Today we visit the evocative UNESCO site of Pompeii for a guided tour of the city frozen in time by the eruption of Mt. Vesu- vius in 79 ce (the city was accidentally rediscovered in 1749). Late this afternoon we gather for a hands- on cooking lesson, followed by dinner to savor the fruits of our labors. B,D

Day 13: Sorrento/Capri Today we travel by hydro- foil to the storied Isle of Capri, a popular resort since Roman times. We explore cozy Capri town; visit the terraced Gardens of with stunning views of the azure sea; then enjoy free time for lunch and to explore on our own before we return to Sorrento early afternoon. The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy this city with views of Mt. Vesuvius as we wish. Dinner tonight is on our own in Sor- rento. B We explore the Amalfi Coast on Day 14. Day 14: Sorrento/Amalfi Coast We embark this morning on a breathtaking drive along the winding, cliff-top Amalfi Coast road between Sorrento and Tour Departs: May 6, 2018 Amalfi above the glistening – with Prices include int’l airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees. stops for photos along the way. This afternoon is at New York $4,974 leisure; tonight we bid “arrivederci” to Italy and our Boston, Philadelphia $5,174 fellow travelers at a farewell dinner. B,D Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, $5,274 Day 15: Depart for U.S. This morning we transfer Miami, Orlando, Tampa, to Naples airport, where we connect with our return Washington, DC flight to the U.S. B Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, $5,374 Phoenix, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle Land Only (transfers not included) $4,195 Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $479, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $1,295. All tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guar- anteed. Airline upgrades on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight: Business Class – $3,895 per person; Premium Economy The ancient cave town of Matera – $895 per person, in addition to the above costs (upgrades are subject to availability and pricing is sub- Your Tour Price Includes ject to change). Please note: This trip involves considerable walking • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities uphill and on uneven or cobblestone streets, and at • 13 nights’ accommodations in Superior First Class sites of ancient ruins. You should be in good physical and First Class hotels condition to enjoy the tour to its fullest. • 26 meals: 13 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 8 dinners For more information and reservations, • Extensive sightseeing as described, including all please call The Traveling Aggies at entrance fees 979-845-7514, or toll-free at • Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your 800-633-7514. trip Or call Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. toll-free at • Luggage handling for one bag per person 888-370-6765 • Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–7:00 PM, Eastern Time airport and hotel porters, and all drivers

PAID PAID Standard Standard Odysseys Presorted U.S. POSTAGE POSTAGE U.S.

Unlimited, Inc. Unlimited, Limited to 24 Guests Limited Guaranteed Small Group: Small Guaranteed TRAVELING AGGIES TOUR TRAVELING JOIN US FOR AN EXCLUSIVE TO SOUTHERN ITALY & SICILY! TO SOUTHERN ITALY 505 George Bush Drive 77840-2918 College Station, Texas ------

This tour is provided by you must be able to able be must you . Since international . Since international Odysseys Unlimited, six-time honoree

No changes are allowed within Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Tour Operators award. If you make any changes to your reserva your to any changes make If you Due to the nature of tour operator tickets, operator of tour the nature to Due . cancel 95 days or more before departure: $200 charge;

. We regret that we cannot offer individual assistance; in such cases you must be accom must you cases in such individual assistance; offer we cannot that . We regret Please note that seat assignment on your international flight is usually done at airport Please note that seat assignment on your international flight is usually done at airport GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS Please read this information carefully, as payment of a $500 deposit per person represents your acceptance of the following as payment of a $500 deposit per person represents Please read this information carefully, Terms and Conditions. Not Included in Tour Price as beverages, such expenses visas; personal and passports of costs only package; when purchasing a land Airfare laundry, room service, and meals not specified; airport transfers when purchasing a land only package; communication charges; gratuities to your Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director, which sightsee optional day); per traveler, $10-$15 per gratuities: (suggested discretion at your are and ing; travel protection insurance. Additional baggage fees may apply and are subject to change at any time. You should confirm departure. to airline(s) prior with your directly Cancellations, Refunds, and Changes If you must cancel your trip, the effective date of cancellation will be upon Odysseys Unlimited, Inc.’s receipt of your written notification. charges: person per following the to subject are cancellations for Refunds cancel 94-65 days before departure: 25% of tour price; 64-45 50% 44-30 days before departure: 75% of tour price; cancel 29-0 no refund. any to in addition fee, Unlimited, Inc. will administrative apply a $100 Odysseys person per departure, to 94 30 prior to tion from days changes reservation If your availability be guaranteed. to and cannot subject Changes are parties. by third imposed penalties or fees single supplement. the will be charged you any reason, for single occupancy to occupancy double from as well your on your passport, as it appears your full legal name you must provide reservation, departure. Upon 30 days of date of birth and gender. In the event an airline ticket is issued with incorrect information you have provided, will be responsible for charges associated with the ticket’s reissue. No funds donated to The Association of Former Students or Texas A&M University have been used in the production mail ing of this travel brochure; all such costs are covered by the tour supplier Responsibility limited. is strictly operator, Unlimited, Inc., as tour Odysseys and as sponsor, Students, Former of The liability The Association of sup independent from services other and restaurant and accommodations, hotel transportation, Unlimited, Inc. purchases Odysseys accept will not therefore and arrangements, tour in suppliers securing these for only as agents We serve control. our under pliers not agents, employees, their of or contractors, independent these of omissions or acts arbitrary or negligent, wrongful, for responsibility loss, damage, injury, liable for not Inc. are Unlimited, Odysseys and Students Former of The Association representatives. or servants, the strikes, war, terrorism, of acts limitation, without including, control, within our not by events caused be may that delay or accident, terms the to subject are issued and tickets receipts, All coupons, of any third party. default or the negligence of any vehicle, or defect tours our operate to effort every make will We suppliers. independent other and lines, cruise carriers, air the by specified conditions and a hotel, change to us require circumstances If unforeseen as necessary. changes itinerary make right to the reserve we but as planned, quality. better or same the of accommodations alternative we will select Health and Medical Issues walking, and of amount considerable is a There in this tour. participate to health in good be you that request We get on and off motorcoaches your own accom not do control, our beyond reasons for itineraries, tour our many of that note Please you. who will assist panied by a companion the We reserve may have. you any questions answer to best our will do we and inquire to e-mail us or call Please wheelchairs. modate the from detracts or tour the of operation the opinion, compromises in our condition, mental physical or whose anyone remove right to no assume Inc. Unlimited, Odysseys and Students Former of The Association event, In that passengers. other the of safety or enjoyment financial responsibility for any unused portion of the tour. Air Transportation – Important Information with contracts and shown cities as gateway designated air from economy round-trip price in its tour includes Inc. Unlimited, Odysseys a airline may offer trip. While another entire your for necessary and value routings, of service, level the provide feel airlines they those approxi preliminary a