NORTHERN & Wed. Sept. 23: Milan - Parma Palace, known for the Chamber of the Giants featuring the Fontana dell’Elefante statue and featuring Milan and the Teatro alla Transfer to Parma and accommodation for five where every surface is painted with richly decorated Catania Cathedral before an Scala, the Verdi Festival in Parma, nights at the 4-star Starhotels du Parc, situated mythological scenes. afternoon transfer to Taormina and free time for Sicily’s Teatro Massimo in and next to the beautiful Duke’s Park. Evening performance of Verdi’s (in viewing the city including the Teatro Antico di concert) at , Parma. Taormina, an ancient Grecan Roman theatre. Catania. Thu. Sept. 24: Parma Evening performance of Italian Opera Arias at September 21 – October 3, 2020 Today, a guided tour of the Teatro Farnese, a Mon. Sept. 28: Parma - Milan - Palermo the Teatro San Giogio followed by a transfer breathtaking wooden theatre dating back to the Coach transfer to Milan’s Linate airport for the back to Catania. The Vancouver Opera Guild invites you to 15th century. Next take a backstage tour of the Alitalia flight to Palermo and accommodation join its exciting tour to Northern Italy and Teatro Regio including the foyer, Ridotto Hall, for three nights at the 5* Grand Hotel Wagner. Sat. Oct. 3: Depart Scenography and Costume rooms. Optional transfer to Catania airport. Sicily including two nights in Milan, five Tue. Sept. 29: Palermo Evening performance of Verdi’s I Lombardi nights in Parma with excursions to Mantua Palermo is the capital of the Italian island of alla Prima Crociata at the Teatro Regio. and Bologna, three nights in Sicily’s capital Sicily and today’s excursion shows us the 12th- Palermo, an excursion to the Temple Valley Fri. Sept. 25: Parma century Palermo Cathedral which houses royal Tour includes: The morning is free to visit such attractions as tombs, while the huge neoclassical Teatro in and two nights in Catania. ➢ Accommodation for 12 nights at hotels the Duomo di Parma, a stunning example of Massimo is known for its opera performances. Seven opera performances are included plus listed, or similar Romanesque architecture and the octagonal Also in the centre are the Palazzo dei Normanni, a night of Italian Opera Arias in Taormina. ➢ Welcome reception and daily breakfast Baptistery made of pink marble from Verona. a royal palace started in the 9th century and the ➢ Seven opera tickets (premier tickets for Late afternoon transfer to Busseto and a Cappella Palatina with Byzantine mosaics. Teatro Regio in Parma) and Italian Opera performance of Verdi’s at the 300 seat Early evening performance of Mozart’s Cosi TOUR SCHEDULE arias in Taormina . fan tutte at the Teatro Massimo. (subject to minor change) ➢ Airfare from Milan to Palermo Sat. Sept. 26: Parma - Bologna - Parma Wed. Sept. 30: Palermo ➢ Guided tours as described in the itinerary Mon. Sept. 21: Milan Today we visit Bologna, the lively, historic Free day to explore on our own and perhaps to ➢ Entrance fees where applicable Arrival day in Milan (depart Vancouver Sunday, capital of the Emilia-Romagna region and an visit the busy markets including the Ballaro ➢ Coach and driver for tours and transfers Sept. 20). old university city. Its Piazza Maggiore is a street market and the Vucciria, near the port. ➢ Gratuities to drivers and guides Enjoy a welcome reception this evening. sprawling plaza lined with arched colonnades, Early evening performance of Mozart’s Don ➢ Full-time Italian tour escort Accommodation for two nights at the 4-star cafés and medieval and Renaissance structures Giovanni at the Teatro Massimo. ➢ Vancouver Opera Guild Tour Director

Hotel Cavour, just a short walk from . such as City Hall, the Fountain of Neptune and ➢ $300 donation to the Vancouver Opera Thu. Oct. 1: Palermo - Agrigento - Catania the Basilica di San Petroni. Among the city’s Guild ($400 for non-members) Tue. Sept. 22: Milan Leave Palermo this morning for Agrigento, a many medieval towers are the two towers, Milan is a global capital of fashion and design hilltop city on Sicily’s southwest shore. It’s leaning Asinelli and Garisenda. There is a Not included: and a financial hub known for its high-end known for the ruins of the ancient city of guided tour followed by free time. restaurants and shops. It also boasts exemplary Akragas in the Valley of the Temples, a vast ➢ Airfare (Great Expeditions will be pleased This evening a performance of at the architecture from all periods. Free time today to archaeological site with well-preserved Greek to assist with airline reservations) San Francesco del Prato Church, Parma. visit the massive Duomo, a late-Gothic temples. There is a guided tour of the site. ➢ Airport transfers cathedral begun in1386 and enjoy the handsome Sun. Sept. 27: Parma - Mantua - Parma Continue to Catania and two nights at the 4* Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, an enclosed Today’s excursion takes us to Mantua known Hotel Palace Catania. shopping arcade that borders on the world- for the architectural legacy of the Renaissance Fri. Oct. 2: Catania famous La Scala. Gonzaga rulers who built the Ducal Palace. Morning backstage tour of Teatro Massimo Evening performance of Rossini’s Il Viaggio a This imposing building houses the Bridal Milan Pre-tour & Catania Post-tour Bellini, named after the local-born composer Reims. Chamber, decorated with Andrea Mantegna Pre-tour and post-tour nights are available. Vinzenzo Bellini. Free time to explore the frescoes. The Gonzagas also built the Te Please ask for details. city’s wide central square, Piazza del Duomo,

PRICES TOUR COST Prices quoted in this brochure are in Canadian dollars based on a full tour, and foreign exchange rates in effect at Guild Members: Cdn. $8,230 per person time of printing (January 2020). We reserve the right to sharing adjust the tour cost if there are substantial price changes. OPERA TICKETS IN MILAN, PARMA Vancouver Opera Guild Non-Guild: Cdn. $8,330 per person sharing AND PALERMO ARE IN HIGH DEMAND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY Single supplement: Cdn. $1,990 This paragraph defines our responsibility with respect to AND SUPPLIERS REQUIRE IMMEDIATE all our tours. Please read it carefully. Payment of deposit RESERVATIONS DEPOSITS, SOME AS SOON AS NORTHERN ITALY & represents an acceptance by purchaser of the following FEBRUARY. terms and conditions. Great Expeditions, its owners, SICILY A non-refundable deposit of $2,700 per person outfitters, agents and employees, gives notice that all is required at time of booking. A second arrangements for accommodation, transportation and/or, all PLEASE BOOK EARLY TO ENSURE payment of $2,000 is due by April 15 with related travel services, have been made by Great AVAILABILITY OF THESE TICKETS. MILAN – PARMA – PALERMO - Expeditions only as agent, upon the express condition that balance due by July 22. Great Expeditions shall not be liable for any injury, CATANIA CANCELLATIONS damage, delay, mishap, inconvenience or irregularity occasioned through the default of any company or individual engaged in providing the arranged All payments are non-refundable unless space can be resold. accommodation. Great Expeditions cannot be responsible for negligent conduct or financial irresponsibility of these suppliers, since they maintain no control over them. Such passenger conveyance, hotel accommodation, etc. is subject to the laws of the state or country where provided. In addition, Great Expeditions assumes no liability resulting directly or indirectly from any of the following causes: acts of God, detention, annoyance, weather, quarantines, strikes, civil disturbance, theft, government regulations, etc. over which it has no control. Great Expeditions reserves the right to substitute hotels and leaders and to alter the itinerary when deemed necessary or advisable. The right is also reserved to cancel any trip prior to departure upon the refund of all payments received which shall release Great Expeditions from any further liability. Great Expeditions reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person or member of any tour should Palermo such person’s actions or general deportment impede the TRAVEL INSURANCE operation of the tour or the rights or welfare or enjoyment Teatro Verdi, Busseto of other members of the tour, and it is agreed a refund of the amount recovered from suppliers of unused land We strongly recommend that tour members September 21 – October 3, 2020 services is the limit of Great Expeditions responsibility. purchase trip cancellation/interruption insurance CARRIER’S RESPONSIBILITY to protect themselves against money loss in the No carrier shall have or incur any responsibility or event of cancellation due to personal or family Great Expeditions liability to any passenger or for property illness. We also offer comprehensive insurance For further information, please call: 940 West King Edward Avenue accompanying passengers, except for its liability as a which includes trip cancellation/interruption Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 2E2 common carrier. In particular, Great Expeditions Lis Dawson 604-922-8008 plus excess hospital/medical benefits, baggage Tel. 604-257-2040 advises the customer that any air carrier’s liability and travel accident. Some exclusions for pre- or may be limited by its tariffs, conditions of carriage Toll free 1-800-663-3364 existing conditions do apply. Insurance Genny MacLean and international conventions and agreements. [email protected] premiums are age banded. Please ask for an (Great Expeditions) 604-738-5535 www.greatexpeditions.com insurance quote at time of booking. B.C. Reg. 2622