NORTHERN ITALY TOUR “A” 7 nights in Florence and 6 nights in Verona Starts 6 MAY, 2014 (13 nights) with David Beauchamp & Anita Curtis http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4040/4663126091_b1d7419c89.jpg http://farm1.staticflickr.com/4/8522115_ff9b1f0403.jpg The cost of the Northern Italy Bridge Tour “A” is $3,656 per person LAND COST ONLY based on twin share/double accommodation, excluding airfare and travel costs before/after the tour. The single supplement is $992. Non-bridge players are also welcome. The price includes: 13 nights accommodation in 4 star hotels (7 nights in Florence; 6 nights in Verona) All breakfasts Welcome and farewell drinks (beer, wine, soft drinks) 4 dinners (welcome dinner - Florence, farewell dinner – Verona and 2 others) 3 lunches Private coach transfer from Florence to our hotel in Verona Full day private coach tour with English speaking guide to Siena/San Gimignano area Full day coach trip to Bolzano including cable car Private coach wine tour with guide Italian cooking class We suggest that you fly into either All transport with the group (train, bus, cable car) Milan or Rome airport and catch a Vaporetto pass in Venice train to Florence. Entrance fees to attractions listed (not including optional excursions) The beginning of the tour is the 2 bridge workshops Welcome dinner and drinks in 4 sessions at Italian bridge clubs. Florence. The tour ends in Verona on Day 14 after breakfast. To secure your place, send a deposit of $1,000 per person to G.E.T Tours (see payment details form) and a booking form to Anita Curtis. For further information, please contact Anita: [email protected] or phone 0405 449767 Northern Italy Tour “A” – Florence and Verona, May 2014 Proposed Itinerary Day 1 (Tuesday 6 May) Meet in Florence at hotel for welcome dinner and drinks Day 2 (Wednesday) An overview of Florence (walking) – Piazza della Signoria; Duomo; walk to Ponte Vecchio; 4.45-6.30pm 1st bridge workshop at the hotel. Day 3 (Thursday) Walk to Piazza Michelangelo for a bird’s eye view of Florence. Walk to Pitti Palace (costume gallery/Medici apartments) and Boboli gardens; 4.15pm Bridge at Circolo del Bridge (bridge club). Day 4 (Friday) Train to Lucca (1hr 20min); walk the town on top of walls that are so wide they built a park on them! You may wish to climb to the top of Guinigi Tower/Clock Tower for wonderful views of the surrounding countryside (optional). Stroll around the main square and adjoining streets. 4.15pm Bridge at Lucca Bridge Club. Return to Florence by train. Day 5 (Saturday) 2nd Bridge workshop at the hotel – a.m; free time to see San Lorenzo markets or visit a museum/art gallery; dinner at a local restaurant. Day 6 (Sunday) Guided coach tour to Siena (approx 1 hr away) to see the Piazza del Campo where the famous Palio horse race is held (lunch included). Travel to San Gimignano with its 14 bell towers from the 13th Century. Travel back to Florence by coach. Day 7 (Monday) Cooking class (eat what you cook!) Day 8 (Tuesday) Leave Florence for Verona (a.m). Explore the amphitheatre; Juliet’s balcony; historic stone bridges; Roman ruins and a chance to climb a tower for great views (optional). Dinner at a local restaurant. Day 9 (Wednesday) a.m - free time to see Verona or go shopping. In the early afternoon, take the train to Padova (40 min) – enjoy one of the largest piazze in Italy with time to see some of the sights. 4.15pm Bridge session at Padova Bridge Club; return to Florence by train. Day 10 (Thursday) Wine tour including lunch. Day 11 (Friday) Coach to Bolzano (the gateway to the alps - 1.5 hrs by coach); cable car up the mountain; walk to Earth Pyramids and enjoy the beautiful countryside in the mountains; return to Verona by coach. Day 12 (Saturday) Train to Venice (1.5 hours); walk around the winding streets of Venice including Piazza San Marco; Basilica di San Marco; catch a vaporetto down the Grand Canal; shop near the Rialto Bridge. Return to Verona by train. Day 13 (Sunday) morning free; Bridge session at local club 4pm-7pm; farewell dinner & drinks. Day 14 (Monday 19 May) breakfast. End of Florence/Verona tour. NORTHERN ITALY TOUR “B” Lake Como - Bellagio & 1 night in Milan Starts 19 MAY, 2014 (6 nights) with David Beauchamp & Anita Curtis http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3138/2364543054_0d49eda8f8.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3038/5755995054_3f9d3b9b7d.jpg The Northern Italy Bridge Tour “B” is $1,890 per person LAND COST ONLY, based on twin share/double accommodation, excluding airfare and travel costs before/after the tour. Single supplement is approximately $747 (subject to availability). The price includes: 2 bridge workshops NB: NO visits to bridge clubs on this tour 6 nights accommodation in 3 star hotel in Bellagio & 4 star hotel in Milan; all breakfasts Welcome and farewell drinks 3 dinners All transportation: buses, ferries, cable car for sightseeing All entry fees to attractions listed (not including optional excursions) New members of the tour will make their own way to the hotel in Bellagio. Non-bridge players are welcome. Members of the Florence/Verona group who are also doing the Lake Como option, can travel with tour leaders from Verona to Milan by private coach at an extra cost (cost is dependent on number of participants). To secure your place, send a deposit of $500 per person to G.E.T Tours (see payment form) and a booking form to Anita Curtis. For further information, please contact Anita: [email protected] or 0405 449767 Lake Como Italy May 19-24, 2014 Itinerary Day 1 (Monday 19 May) Lake Como tour begins. Group to meet at hotel in Bellagio in the afternoon. New members to make their own way to the hotel. Members of the Florence/Verona group who are also doing Lake Como option, travel with tour leaders to Bellagio hotel (extra cost). Check into hotel. Free time – optional walk to Villa Melzi and/or Villa Serbelloni and around the town of Bellagio. That evening enjoy Welcome dinner and drinks at the hotel. Day 2 (Tuesday) Ferry to Tremezzo; visit Villa Carlotta with its beautiful gardens; Greenway walk to Colonno via Sala Comacino, Ossucio, Lenno (Villa del Balbianello with more lovely gardens and great views of the lake), Mezzegra (10.5km). You can do all or part of this walk, as a bus is accessible from many places en route. Catch the bus back to Tremezzo for return ferry trip. 1st bridge workshop: 5pm – 6.30pm. Day 3 (Wednesday) Ferry to Varenna: Lovers’ walk along the harbourside (flat stroll); Villa Cipressi; Villa Monastero (gardens); taxi to Castello di Vezio (falconry exhibition); walk to Fiumelatte – the world’s shortest river and a nearby deli (La Bottega di Fiumelatte). Free time: optional - ornithological museum (700 species of stuffed birds); art studios – thriving artist community; churches. Return to Bellagio by ferry; dinner at local restaurant. Day 4 (Thursday) Ferry to Como; stroll around the market; funicolare (train) to Brunate (return) for incredible views; walk to Pissarottino Fountain & Volta lighthouse – 25 min. Free time: option to continue walks at the top of the mountain or walk down to Como or return to city of Como via funicolare for Alessandro Volta museum; silk museum (closed in middle of the day), Villa Olma and factory outlets – shopping. Day 5 (Friday) 9am-10.15am 2nd bridge workshop. Free day. You may want to take the cable car from Argegno to Pigra for fantastic views and walks OR go to the Isola di Comacino for a traditional lunch OR walk from Varenna to Bellano (6.2 km) for part of the Sentiero del Viandente path along woodlands and hamlets OR relax in Menaggio - another town across the lake. Day 6 (Saturday) a.m. Travel to Milan by private coach (4 star hotel). P.m. Optional walking tour of Milan duomo and shopping area. Farewell dinner and drinks. Day 7 (Sunday 24 May) Breakfast. End of tour. David Beauchamp Anita Curtis (David’s wife) loves Full time bridge teacher. languages: speaking Japanese, 2012 Bridge Playing Italian, German and some Achievements: French! In her non-Bridge life, - First place National Open Teams she was a teacher of foreign - First place ANC Open Butler - Second place in Australian Open languages to high school Playoffs students for 20 years. Anita has - Winner - McCutcheon Trophy. led many student/teacher tours Represented Australia, 2013 in to Japan and Italy. She has APBF returned to the bridge world after a 15 year break. .