Culture and Cuisine - Arkansas Alumni Association
Transcription
Culture and Cuisine - Arkansas Alumni Association
LIMITED AVAILABILITY! SIGN UP NOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE! Call Michelle Bell - Assistant Director for Alumni Travel Razorbacks on Tour Arkansas Alumni Association (479) 575-4786 or (800) 775-3465 e-mail: [email protected] IM: razorbacksontour (AOL or AT&T Yahoo) NORTHERN ITALY Culture and Cuisine Northern Italy is a feast for the senses. The alpine lakes, low hills and moderate climate make for perennially fertile fields and valleys; authentic Parmigiano cheese, prosciutto ham and balsamic vinegar have been produced here at least since the Middle Ages. Yet northern Italy has also inspired world-class art and music, from Shakespeare’s Verona and Stradivari’s Cremona to the Giotto frescoes of Padua and the breathtaking da Vinci masterpiece in Milan. Stimulate all of your senses as you experience this fantastic history-rich excursion by boat, bus and on foot, complete with the most modern of comforts. With quaint cobbled streets and pastel-colored houses, Bardolino rests on the shimmering clear waters of Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake. The lake stretches through the foothills of the Dolomite Mountains, where vineyards and orchards of olive and lemon trees thrive in the Mediterranean climate. With Sirmione, Peschiera, Desenzano and Garda nearby, Bardolino is just one of the magical towns that make for an unforgettable stay on the southern shores of Lake Garda. Parc Hotel Gritti OOOO Just steps from the shores of Lake Garda and the center of charming Bardolino, the Parc Hotel Gritti is a complete Italian lakes experience. An indoor pool, a spa and wellness center, a solarium and a stunningly beautiful outdoor garden and pool area form a new world of relaxation even among these pristine surroundings. Two casual lounges and four restaurants provide a variety of dining options including buffet, Italian-style and fine gourmet meals. Cozy, stylish guest rooms feature satellite TV, coffee maker, hair dryer, mini-bar and safety deposit box. October 11 - 19, 2013 9 days 3,199 From $ per person International airfare is additional Price is approximate, based on double occupancy and subject to change. PROGRAM INCLUDES • 7 nights’ accommodations at the 4-star Parc Hotel Gritti or similar • Daily breakfast (B), and 2 dinners (D) • Extensive sightseeing as specified in the itinerary • Special Go Next Welcome Gathering • Professional tour guide • Exclusive Go Next program manager • Hotel taxes, hotel luggage handling and related tipping INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS • Lake Garda cruise • Padua and Brenta River cruise • Parma ham and cheese tasting • Cremona and dinner in Verona • Milan and da Vinci’s The Last Supper PRO13L_103111 6 Itinerary DAY 1 DEPART FOR ITALY DAY 2 MILAN/LAKE GARDA Arrive in Milan, transfer to Lake Garda and check in at the Parc Hotel Gritti in Bardolino. Remainder of the day at leisure. DAY 3 BARDOLINO – Included sightseeing In this charming peninsula town, relax – your rural-tinged day features a leisurely boat cruise on the crystal-clear waters of Lake Garda. With the Dolomite Mountains as a backdrop, rich landscapes blend gently with medieval castles and tranquil villages. Stop in Gardone, home to stunning botanical gardens and the lavish Il Vittoriale estate. Visit Isola del Garda, where Italian and English-style gardens surround a fantastic early1900s Venetian neo-Gothic villa designed by Luigi Rovelli. Make a quick stop in Salo, famous for its palaces and its past as the capital of Mussolini’s Italian republic. And on a serenely beautiful lake peninsula, unwind in Sirmione as Ezra Pound and James Joyce once did; enjoy a traditional four-course meal with wine at an Italian farmhouse restaurant. (B, D) DAY 4 PADUA – Included sightseeing One of northern Italy’s oldest cities, Padua features the soaring pillars, domes, and Donatello artwork of the Basilica of Sant’ Antonio. On your morning tour, visit the famous Cappella degli Scrovegni with masterpiece 14th-century Giotto frescoes. Cruise the Brenta River from Dolo to Oriago, and stop for a visit at the art-filled Villa Widmann or the legendary Villa Malcontent – each part of ancestral Italian lore. (B) DAY 5 PARMA – Included sightseeing Parma is known as the birthplace of Parmigiano cheese and the famous prosciutto ham. See the fantastic architecture that dates back to the 11th century and reflects the city’s status as a center for European opera. Make a delicious entrée into the surrounding hills and visit authentic Parmigiano cheese and Parma ham factories – be sure to sample the product! On the way back, give your palate another thrill at a balsamic vinegar factory in Modena. (B) B-Breakfast D-Dinner DAY 6 VICENZA AND SOAVE Day at leisure OR take an optional excursion to one of the Veneto’s wealthiest cities, Vicenza, celebrated the world over for its splendid architecture. Witness the work of Andrea Palladio, one of the most influential architects in European history. See his spectacular 16th-century renovation of the Town Hall, and visit one of the world-renowned villas he designed. Continue to the Soave wine region and stop at one of its Mansion house wine cellars, complete with an exclusive wine tasting and evening meal. (B) DAY 7 CREMONA/VERONA – Included sightseeing Music, culture and craftsmanship: this is Cremona, also known as the “City of Violins.” This small town offers sights such as the 12th-century Cathedral of Cremona and the landmark Tarazzo bell tower. Visit the historic 13th-century Town Hall for a small concert at Sala Dei Violini, and admire priceless violins made in Cremona since the days of the legendary Stradivari. Next, make the short trip to romantic Verona – the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Here, the medieval walls and Gothic arches of Castelvecchio are complemented by the ancient Roman Arena and the vibrant Piazza delle Erbe. Enjoy an evening meal in one of Verona’s distinctive restaurants. (B, D) DAY 8 MILAN – Included sightseeing Milan offers invigorating dashes of modern fashion and historical genius. Explore this fabulous city with a stop at the La Scala Opera House and museum, where you can see the piano and other personal effects of the famed composer Verdi. At the Renaissance-era convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, prepare for an unforgettable highlight: you’ll be admitted to see the world-famous Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece The Last Supper, which spreads across an entire wall of the refectory. (B) DAY 9 RETURN HOME Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B) Itinerary, hotels, and sightseeing excursions are subject to change. This map represents approximate locations. Saloo Sal Sirmione Sir Si rmi m one mio Bardolino Ba ard rdol o in olin ol inoo Vicenza Vic cen enzza Soave Soa ve VVi Verona VVero Ve rona ro na Milan M Mi lann la Cremona Crem Cr emon em o a ona on Parma Parm Pa rmaa rm Padua Padu Pa duaa du Venice Ven Ve nic icee