Si Italy

Si Italy/Toujours France Presents…. Magnificent Italy & France

 

VENEZIA TO PARIS:
Venezia, Dolomites, Lake Garda, Milano, Dijon, Paris …

 

TOUR DATES: June 5th - 20th 2010

 

Tour Price:

$12,999 per person twin/double share ALL INCLUSIVE

 

Saturday 5th June Venezia

 

We meet at our lovely waterfront hotel in Venezia and begin the tour with an afternoon visit to either the impressive Peggy Guggenheim Collection of Modern Art or the Accademia Gallery with its extensive collection of works by Tintoretto, Giorgione and Bellini to name just a few. We then enjoy a welcome ‘bellini’, before catching the vaporetto along the Canal Grande then on to dinner in a typical Venetian restaurant. Our walk back to the hotel takes us through Piazza San Marco.

 

 

Sunday 6th June Venezia to the Dolomiti

 

We travel north from Venezia to the Dolomiti via Passo San Pellegrino with a coffee stop to break the journey. Lunch is in an osteria serving traditional Trentino dishes with a flair. After lunch there’s time to settle into our hotel in Cavalese and explore its well-equipped spa/pool/sauna relaxation centre. We meet late afternoon for a leisurely orientation stroll around Cavalese, an elegant town which has for centuries been the centre of the Magnifica Comunita` di Fiemme a local council dating from the C12th and formed by the proud and resolute people of the Valley to mitigate against the harshest effects of the feudal system. See the Palazzo della Magnifica` Comunita` with its frescoed façade, browse in the exclusive shops and wood-sculpting workshops, and relax in one of the bars as we enjoy a pre-dinner aperitivo. Dinner in hotel Cavalese.

 

 

Monday 7th June Val di Fassa, Pordoi, Carezza, Passo Lavaze`

 

Our journey today is along the picturesque Fiemme and Fassa valleys passing through the famous winter resorts of Moena and Canazei to Passo Pordoi (2239 m.) near the Sella Dolomiti range which borders the provinces of Trento and Belluno. The people of Fassa speak ladino, an ancient dialect spoken now in very few parts of the world. We take a cable car to Rifugio Maria on Sass’ Pordoi (2952 m.) with 360 degree views of fabulous lunar landscapes. You may choose to walk to Rifugio Forcella and back, or you may prefer to sit on the deck of the rifugio and enjoy the views. After lunch in the rifugio we return via Lake Carezza and Passo Lavaze’, following one of the routes taken by the Giro d’Italia. Passo Lavaze’ separates the Italian and the German-speaking provinces of Trentino, and from here you can enjoy views of Catinaccio or Rosengarten the Dolomiti group so-named because the pale mountains take on a rose colour at sunset. We pass Tesero a small town in Val di Fiemme noted for its wood sculpture and musical instrument industry and return for dinner in hotel Cavalese.

 

 

Tuesday 8th June Bolzano, Caldaro and the Strada del Vino

 

We follow the patchwork of vines and orchards which is the upper Adige Valley to the German-speaking city of Bolzano, the capital of Alto-Adige. The cross-cultural nature of the city is reflected in the hyphenated naming system of places which incorporate both the Italian and the German name. Its central square is Piazza Walther, in which you will find the 15th century Gothic Duomo. Bolzano’s most interesting street is the Via dei Portici, but the fabulous shopping (clothes, woodcarvings, ceramics, metalwork, fabrics) extends beyond this to the arcades and streets leading towards the river. At the end of the Portici is the Piazza delle Erbe, a lively market for the produce (fruit, vegetables, flowers etc) of the province. We lunch at one of the traditional Tyrolean restaurants serving authentic local dishes. In the afternoon we visit the famous Archaeological Museum which houses the 5300 year old mummified ‘Otzi’ found in a glacier in 1991. On our return we follow the ‘Strada del Vino’ (Wine Road) and stop at Caldaro where you can visit the Wine Museum. Dinner. Stay hotel Cavalese.

 

Wednesday 9th June The Parco Nazionale di Paneveggio and Val Venegia

 

Today we have our first experience of the Dolomiti at close range. We travel through Predazzo to Passo Rolle. From here there is the option of walking for one to two hours, from the Baita Segantini along the Val Venegia, an easy downhill track which takes us beneath the magnificent peaks of the Pale di San Martino and past the Travignolo Glacier. The other option is to continue with the bus to the lower end of Val Venegia and the alpine malga where we meet for lunch. Return to hotel mid-afternoon. Dinner in hotel Cavalese.

 

 

Thursday 10th June Cavalese to Riva del Garda (Trento and Isera)

Leaving Cavalese and the Dolomiti we travel south to Trento, the provincial capital of Trentino’s Italian speaking province, situated on the Adige River. A Renaissance city and university town, Trento’s origins date back to pre-Roman times. It was governed by bishops for over eight centuries from 1004, has figured importantly in the history of the Roman Catholic Church and was seat of the reforms of the Council of Trent from 1545-1563. Some of this long history is reflected in the imposing Castello di Buonconsiglio, and we start our brief visit of the city here. From the castle we walk following one of the most beautiful streets of the old centre, Via Bellenzani, past beautifully-restored, majestic palazzi to the Piazza Duomo. Here are the massive Romanesque Duomo di San Vigilio, the Fontana di Nettuno, the Torre Civica, and the beautifully frescoed facades of the Cazuffi houses. We continue to Isera, a small village overlooking Rovereto, city of the Campana della Pace (Peace Bell), centre of marzemino wine production and since recent archaeological finds, site of dinosaur footprints. Enjoy late lunch in a charming restaurant listed in Slow Food Editore Guide. We continue to Riva del Garda, at the northernmost point of Italy’s largest lake, Lago di Garda and settle into our attractive modern hotel. Dinner in hotel Riva del Garda and night-time walk and nightcap at lakefront bar.

 

Friday 11th June Riva del Garda, Pregasina, Limone sul Garda

We spend the morning in Riva exploring the historic centre of town and/or the lively shopping areas. The medieval town centre is found near the historic port of San Marco and includes the Palazzo Pretorio (1383), Piazza 3 Novembre, Piazza Carducci with its ancient Scaligero castle and the Torre Apponale topped by an angelic trumpeter which has become the emblem of the town. Towards Torbole is the newer part of the town with its avenues of palms and magnolias and beautifully tended parks and gardens. After lunch there’s the option to walk the spectacular, and all downhill, Ponale Track from Pregasina back to Riva or to take the ferry to Limone, a lively, scintillating resort town perched on the rocky cliffs of the north-western shores of Lago di Garda. From certain angles the town’s appearance is dominated by the strange photogenic rows of limestone columns which are ancient lemon groves. Dinner. Stay hotel Riva.

 

 

Saturday 12th June Riva del Garda, Sirmione, Milano

We take a morning ferry trip along the length of Lago di Garda, criss-crossing to picturesque lakeside towns on the eastern and western shores and past the area where Mussolini had plans to establish his Republic of Salo`. The ruins of a luxury Roman spa resort, the Grotte di Catullo, on the southern shores of the lake mark the end of our ferry trip. Sirmione, with its historic centre situated at the end of a peninsula and separated from the rest of the peninsula by a narrow bridge and medieval wall, has a fairy-tale quality. We wander through its narrow streets and beautifully tended parks and gardens and have a quick lunch here before meeting our bus and continuing to Milano. We settle into our comfortable, centrally-located hotel and meet for dinner in nearby typical Milanese restaurant.

 

Sunday 13th June Milano to Dijon

Today we take a beautiful 6 and a half hour train trip from Milan to Dijon, passing through stunning scenery in Italy, Switzerland and France. In Dijon we will be picked up by the crew of the beautiful “Impressioniste” hotel barge and taken to the Port of Dijon, where we begin our cruise tomorrow. A Champagne reception welcomes us on board and provides us with a chance to meet the crew. Enjoy a stroll into Dijon before Dinner on board.

 

 

Monday 14th June Dijon to Fleurey sur Ouche
This morning we experience our first day’s cruise along this enchanting canal, which also promises a walk or cycle along an ever-present towpath, as we ascend gradually to the canal villages and pretty lock houses. Leaving Dijon, we pass Lake Kir and cruise by the limestone escarpments which feed the nearby vineyards. After lunch we visit Clos de Vougeot, headquarters of the esteemed Chevaliers du Tastevin, who award every year a special prized label to the finest Cote d‘Or vintages. We offer a private tasting of Vosne Romanee, Gevrey Chambertin, Cote de Nuits and Nuits-St-Georges at the family run Domaine Jafflin in the heart of Nuits-St-Georges on the route des Grands Crus. Our excellent relationship with the Jafflin family goes back over 20 years. Dinner on board.

 

 

Tuesday 15th June Fleurey sur Ouche to Gissey sur Ouche

After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of old Dijon including a visit to the vivid flower and produce market, mustard shops and the flamboyant 14th century Ducal Palace (or enjoy some excellent shopping time). Return to the boat for lunch and leisurely afternoon cruise to Gissey sur Ouche. Dinner on board.

 

Wednesday 16th June Gissey sur Ouche to La Bussiere

This morning we visit the moat - encircled 13th century Chateau de Commarin. Going back 26 generations, the de Vogue family ownership portrays an insight into the glamorous lives of the French aristocracy as well as showing off the Chateau, stables and landscaped gardens. After lunch we cruise to La Bussiere, passing grazing white Charolais cattle, rolling hills and picturesque villages. Dinner on board.

 

 

Thursday 17 June La Bussiere to Crugey

Early morning cruise and exclusive tour of the magnificent 12th century Abbaye de la Bussiere. The ornamental gardens and lake, wine press, crypt and cellars are interwoven with ancient colonnades, stone staircases and huge stained glass windows. After a Kir Royale aperitif in the private music room, the former chapel, we enjoy the gastronomic delights of Master Chef Olivier Elzer in the vaulted Michelin starred restaurant whilst enjoying the sommelier’s choice of local burgundies. This afternoon we continue to the mediaeval village, craft shops and castle of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois, once an outpost of the Dukes of Burgundy and offering a fine overview of the feeder lakes, canal and surrounding countryside. Dinner on board.

 

 

Friday 18 June Crugey to Escommes

Our last day’s leisurely cruise takes us to the canal summit, 1250 feet above sea level, just before the Pouilly tunnel. In the afternoon we cross the premier cru vineyards into Beaune, capital of Burgundy wine country with a history going back over 2000 years. We absorb the fascinating 15th century Hotel Dieu Hospice and visit Maison Champy, Beaune’s oldest winery established in 1720 with even older cellars. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board

 

 

Saturday 19 June Dijon

After breakfast disembark the barge and transfer to Dijon station, from where we will take the train to Paris. Arriving at lunchtime, the rest of the day is free to explore. In the evening we will enjoy drinks at the Ritz Hotel followed by dinner in a beautiful restaurant overlooking the illuminated Eiffel Tower.

 

 

Sunday 20th June Paris
After breakfast the tour finishes. Optional extra tour in Paris.

 

Tour Inclusions:

Italy component:
Includes four star hotel accommodation (Cavalese hotel has excellent health and relaxation complex, Riva hotel has pool), travel in comfortable air-conditioned bus, bilingual guide, all meals and wine with dinner, ferry, vaporetto and cable car, entry to all scheduled activities, all scheduled drinks and coffees.

 

France component:
All transport including bus transfers & train travel, four star accommodation in Paris, all-inclusive week on board the first class barge “Impressioniste” (all meals, wine, mixed drinks, excursions and entries), 1 dinner in Paris including wine, drinks at the Ritz Hotel.

Tour Price:

$12,999 per person twin/double share ALL INCLUSIVE

See www.siitaly.com.au website for more info