Taste of Italy - Executive Travel

Taste of Italy
September 25 thru October 5, 2016
Vino Italiano!
With our Italian Wine Specialist Mark McDonald
Executive Travel is thrilled to have Mark McDonald, with The Italian Vine Wine
Distributors, present a custom-tailored, deluxe tour to Italy. This once-in-alifetime, 11-day experience is a complete parade of passion; a love affair with
century-old traditions, art, music and literature and of course… wine, vino, and
more wine!
It is s a “must-do” to complete any travel bucket list. There will never be a better
time to explore this fascinating country.
Mark will share his knowledge, passion and secrets of Italian wine. Our unique
route leads us through the wine regions of Lombardy with its sparkling wines and
Piedmont - known as the premier wine region of Italy and famous for the Barolo,
the “King of Wines and the Wine of Kings”; then to Tuscany with Brunello di Montalcino and the highly regarded “Super-Tuscan” cult wines; and Umbria with the
deep full bodied red Sagrantino Montefalco and its crisp and refreshing whites.
We travel along the verdant rural countryside to the romantic shores of Lake
Como, adorned with luxurious villas and the beautiful “Pearl of the Lake,” Bellagio.
We visit the “Center of Fashion,” Milan. We meander through golden fields of
wheat and green olive groves in Tuscany. We taste the olive oils, local cheeses,
truffles, and…Salute di Vino Italiano!
We languish in the seaside resort of the Italian Riviera and travel by way of landscapes largely unchanged since medieval times, decorated with country churches,
beautiful abbeys, medieval villages and hilltop castles.
Tour highlights include, but are not limited to, a city tour of Milan with a visit to the
Duomo; a tour of Portofino and Santa Margherita; a visit and tour of Florence,
the jewel of the Renaissance with the David and Michelangelo’s Museum; a visit
to San Gimignano, the “Manhattan of Tuscany”; a guided tour of Siena and the
St. Francis Church in Assisi; and finally, an unforgettable tour of Rome with visits
to the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Coliseum, and
much more.
There is a certain timelessness about the sights that is unbelievable. The
opportunities for photography are exceptional and insight into the history,
architecture, lifestyle, culture, and cuisine of Italy is unparalleled.
If you ever wanted to discover Italy’s beauty, this is the perfect custom tour for
you to see it all. Please take a look inside this brochure to learn all the details.
Once you do we hope you will join us on this special tour.
Sincerely,
Steve Glenn & Mark McDonald
Call Executive Travel’s Group Department today at 402-458-9858. Space is limited.
Depart for Europe
September 25, 2016
Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the
Atlantic to Milan. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service
as you start your vacation.
Milan / Lake Como
September 26, 2016
Arrive in Milan in the early morning.
We will be met by our local English speaking guide, who will
follow us during our journey in Italy. We are off for a halfday tour
of Milan, one of Europe’s richest cities, known for stylish shops,
galleries and restaurants, and with a pace of life much faster than
most Italian cities. Upon arrival we visit the famous Duomo with
its beautiful marble façade, and across the Duomo Square we
find the majestic glass-roofed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one
of the world’s most glamorous and oldest shopping malls – it was
build in 1867. We will also pass from the impressive landmarks of
Piazza Sempione with its Arco della Pace (“arch of Peace”), the
Castello Sforzesco, ranked amongst Europe’s largest citadels,
and La Scala, one of the world’s most famous opera houses.
In the late afternoon we arrive to our hotel at the nearby Lake
Como for a good night’s rest. L
Lake Como / Piedmont
Alba / Wine Tastings
September 28, 2016
The day is dedicated to wine, vino and more wine!
Mark will lead us to his personal wineries, including wineries that
produce the world-renowned Barolos. We will taste the latest
vintage and maybe even barrel samples. We will learn about
the exquisite vineyard terrain in this region and learn about the
wine making styles that enhance the nuances of every bottle
produced. We will visit one winery that is new and modern and
one that is steeped in the old world tradition. The visits will be
separated by a light lunch hosted by a winemaker.
Overnight in Alba. B|L|T
Portofino / Rapallo
September 29, 2016
After a rich breakfast we head south into the Liguria region and
the Italian Riviera. We will enjoy the day in an area put on the
map by such well-known names as Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor
and Humphrey Bogart. An idyllic fishing village of little narrow
houses in terracotta and red, clustered tightly around a picturesque natural harbor of crystalline green waters– this is Portofino!
After a walking tour, take a seat and savor the atmosphere of the
Mediterranean Dolce Vita in one of the cafes at the Piazzetta,
next to the harbor. Sip on an espresso, watch boats arrive, and
hum along to the tune of the popular ‘50s song, “I found my love
in Portofino…”
Our nearby hotel offers a good nights rest. B
September 27, 2016
In the freshness of the morning, we will take the local ferry to
the other side of the lake and the exquisite town of Bellagio with
its magnificent gardens and palatial grand villas of the rich and
famous. Time to taste our first drops of Italy as we sniff, sip and
savor the flavors of the area in a very special place with four wine
tastings, including the special sparkling wine called Franciacorta
from the Lombardia.
Then we meet with our driver and drive to the Piedmont region, to
the outskirts of Alba, where we will stop to taste the world famous
white truffles, the Tartufo Bianco. They might smell like earth, tree
roots and old cheese, but this gastronomical jewel and object
of desire, is very famous for its aroma and taste. For centuries
people have travelled from near and far to savor a little piece. We
will meet the special trained hunting dogs or pigs that search for
the white truffles among the trees with their keen noses.
Check in to our hotel in walking distance from the old city of Alba.
B|L|T
Florence / Siena
September 30, 2016
Today we head inland and before we reach the illustrious showpiece of Renaissance — Florence— we will make a brief photo
stop in Pisa to admire the famous Leaning Tower. Florence is
home to some of the greatest artists treasures of the world; we
explore by foot the highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage
Site. Our path leads us along narrow alleyways and historic
streets, past Renaissance palaces and churches, to the imposing
cathedral; the Duomo. The jewel of today is the Galleria dell’Accademia, including the Michelangelo’s famous sculpture of David.
We enjoy our lunch at a local trattoria and spend the afternoon
strolling the Ponte Vecchio, and enjoying the elegant boutiques
of haute couture to fine leathers, Italian gold and artisan markets.
The next two nights are spend a few minutes walk from the
center of San Gimignano. B|L
Call Executive Travel’s Group Department today at 402-458-9858. Space is limited.
San Gimignano / Montalcino
Assisi / Rome
October 1, 2016
They say all roads lead to Rome, but we still have a few more
stops. Our first is the hillside town of Assisi, birthplace to one of
the most popular Catholic saints in history, St. Francis of Assisi,
founder of the Franciscan order and better known as the revered
patron saint of animals. We visit the Basilica before we continue
towards the smallest country in the world; the Vatican. Not only is
it the center of the Catholic church, but is is also home to some
of the greatest cultural treasures ever created by man: the Hall of
Raphael, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Check in
to our hotel in the center of the “Eternal City” and the evening is
yours to relish the menu of the day at a nearby trattoria. B
After a delicious breakfast, we start our day in one of the most
famous walled towns of Tuscany: the precious gem of San
Gimignano. With its unforgettable skyline of 14 spiny towers
visible from afar, it is no wonder UNESCO declared this a World
Heritage Site. The rest of the day is dedicated to Mark and the
Super Tuscans! Tuscany is considered to be the wine central in
comparison to other Italian wine regions and hosts no less than
11 wine zones, most notably Bolgheri, Carmignano, and Chianti.
We will visit a producer of highly-rated Super Tuscans in the
morning and learn why the Italians think wine made in Tuscany is
the greatest in the world. We will explore the vineyard and learn
how wine making in Tuscany differs from other regions in Italy.
Then we will travel Montalcino, to what many consider Mecca in
the winemaking world. Here they produce the wine Brunello di
Montalcino (Mark’s dog is named Brunello, so it seems to have
impacted him). In Montalcino we will stroll the streets of the
commune and have lunch with a well-regarded wine producer of
Brunello di Montalcino. Then we will tour the estate of a wellkknown winery. For wine lovers it doesn’t get any better than this!
Late afternoon and evening for leisure in San Gimignano. B|T|L
Siena / Montepulciano / Perugia
October 2, 2016
Our day starts with a walking tour of Siena, one of Italy’s best
medieval experiences. This iconic city is made for strolling, with
no cars and one of the most Gothicstyle cathedrals in Italy – the
Duomo. The glorious red brick Piazza del Campo in the heart of
the city, is the legendary site for the century-old Palio, the famous
biannual bareback horse race. Before leaving Siena we taste
the delicious “Pane Toscano” – bread cooked in a wood-burning
oven, cooled, and then brushed in freshly pressed, aromatic,
virgin, unfiltered olive oil. It’s time to taste wine! We will lean back
and enjoy while Mark guides us through the secrets of Montepulciano! Late afternoon arrival to another medieval pearl of Italy:
Perugia in Umbria. Enjoy a cold glass of Orvieto over a great
dinner before you call it a day. B|T
Rome
October 3, 2016
October 4, 2016
A day of glories waits as we follow in the footsteps of Caesar.
We start with the rise and fall of Imperial Rome and Roman
Forum, before following the gladiators to the Coliseum. We stop
to admire the Fountain of Trevi, the Spanish Steps, and Piazza
Navona. Tonight we gather for a farewell dinner and enjoy our
last Italian meal with more vino. B|D
Rome—Departure
October 5, 2016
All too soon, your vacation has ended. Transfer to the airport in
plenty of time to check in for your flight and clear security. You
may do some last-minute shopping at the duty-free stores before
flying west across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States.
“Arrivederci” ITALY! B
B|T|L|D = Breakfast | Tasting | Lunch | Dinner
Mark McDonald
Italian Wine Specialist
Call Executive Travel’s Group Department today at 402-458-9858. Space is limited.
Highlights
• Milan
• Lake Como & Bellagio
• Alba White Truffles
• Portofino
• Florence with the David and Michelangelo Museum
• Leaning Tower of Pisa
• Tuscany, San Gimignano, Siena
• Perugia
• Assisi & St. Francis Basilica
• Rome Imperial Tour
• Vatican Museum
• Sistine Chapel
• St. Peter’s Basilica
• Wine tastings at selected wineries
Pricing
Per person in shared double room: $3,995
Per person in shared triple room: $3,895
Per person in single room: $4,990
Included
• Travel Tour Host (Mark McDonald)
• Local English speaking professional guide for 10 days
• Transport by luxury motor coach with driver for 10 days
• Hotel accommodation based on twin bedded rooms with
private bath as listed opposite for 9 nights
• Full breakfast daily
• Five lunches (Milan, Bellagio, Florence and at wineries)
• Farewell dinner in Rome
• Truffle tasting in Alba
• Visit to six wineries with tastings (additional wineries optional)
• Visits and admission fees to: Duomo di Milano*, Galleria
dell’Accademia in Florence*, St. Francis Basilica, Coliseum
and Vatican Museum*
* no-line tickets
• Ferry tickets to Bellagio
Not Included
A non-refundable deposit of $750 per person is required at time
of reservation. Full payment is due June 26th, 2016 and the tour
is confirmed at this date, the latest! The tour will be materialized
with a minimum of 14 participants and a maximum of 20 participants. We are happy to assist with air at the best rates available.
Travel insurance is highly recommended - please ask us!
Hotel Accommodations
• Como — Hotel Sheraton Lake Como, 4 star
• Alba — Hotel I Castelli, 4 star
• Portofino/Santa Margherita —Grand Hotel Bristol, 4 star
• San Gimignano - Relais Santa Chiara, 4 star
• Perugia — Hotel Brufani Palace, 5 star
• Rome — Hotel Donna Camilla Savelli, 4 star
Final accommodations are confirmed with the delivery of
your travel documents, 30 days prior to departure.
To register contact:
• Tips
• Porterage
• Meals other than mentioned
• Entrances to monuments and/or museums other than mentioned
• Personal expenses
• Flight tickets to/from Italy. We are happy to assist
with reservations
1212 O Street • Lincoln, NE 68508
Phone 402-458-9858 • Fax 402-435-2735
[email protected]
Forwarding registration and deposit signifies that you agree to the terms and conditions of this tour which can be found at
http://www.executivetravel.com/group_tours/terms_and_conditions.html