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Style with Cindy
Italian Shopping and
Touring Expedition 2008
Join
Cindy as she explores the rich historic beauty, lifestyle and
exciting fashion world of Italy.
The tour
begins in Milan at the start of the Italian Summer sales and travels
to Como, Florence, Venice and Rome, visiting a number of famous
designer factory outlets, shopping malls and historic landmarks
along the way.
Together
with experiences in the Italian culture and lifestyle this tour
ensures an exciting, diverse and productive experience for all.
Italy is
well known for It’s fashion summers sales, in the fashion stores you
will find items up to 75% off, be guided by Cindy as you explore the
fashion of this country and capture some amazing discounts from the
top designers as well as many hidden and up and coming designers’ of
the future. It will not be all shopping, Italy is a land that holds
many fascinating historic sights, along with it’s unique culture
there will be plenty of time to enjoy the much loved relaxed Italian
lifestyle. There will even be a stop at a beautiful Villa in Tuscany
where you will enjoy an Italian cooking class while tasting the deep
flavours of the local wine. To cater for the non shopping partners
there are alternative options available including visits to winery
and olive farms, Golf and tours that explore the historic
magnificence of Italy
What
better way to do your shopping than to have Cindy assist you with
your purchases while travelling across this gorgeous and
historically rich country and seeing the sites along the way?
Tour
Itinerary
Saturday 5th
– Monday 21st July 08:
Sat
05: Melbourne/Milan
Depart
Melbourne on Singapore Airlines overnight to Milan. |
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Sat 05: Melbourne/Milan
You will
be met on arrival and transferred to
our hotel (4 nights with Continental breakfasts) in the
centre of Milan
Remainder of the day at leisure to
recover from the flight and explore the area around the
hotel.
To start
the tour of on the right foot, we have booked your hotel
room for immediate occupancy, this
avoids the mandatory 2PM room occupancy. |
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Mon 07: Milan
(CB,D)
Buffet Breakfast
at the hotel . This morning your hostess will be at the
Hotel to take the keen shoppers on a leisurely walking tour
in the nearby Fashion Hub of Milan - Via Montenapoleone, Via
della Spiga, Via Sant’Andrea etc where most of the big
names of the Italian Fashion World have their shops. With
Cindy on hand to assist you with your shopping purchases you
can shop till you drop.
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Those who wish not
to shop will be assisted in joining a morning tour of Milan
to see the Duomo, La Scala , the Galleria etc. In the
evening, enjoy dinner together at a nearby restaurant based
on local specialities and a recap of the days shopping and
best deals. |
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Tue 08: Milan
– Lake Como excursion.
(CB,L).
Buffet breakfast at
the Hotel. Leave Milan
by private coach and guide for a day out to Lake Como. We
visit the Dolce & Gabana Factory outlet en route to Como
where Cindy will be on hand to help with your purchases.
Lunch in a local restaurant in Como, visit of the
town on
foot and return to Milan with another stop en route for more
Cindy assisted shopping at the Armani factory outlet.
Evening at leisure, our escort
will be glad to suggest suitable venues for dinner. |
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Wed 09: Milan
(CB).
Buffet Breakfast at the Hotel .
This morning, whilst half the group joins Cindy and spends
the morning shopping at an outlet mall in Milan , the other
half will enjoy a visit to the Church of Santa Maria delle
Grazie where the World known Last Supper by Leonardio da
Vinci is kept. In the afternoon the activities will
be the reverse. |
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Thu 10: Milan/Venice
(CB.L).
Buffet breakfast
at
the hotel . We leave Milan by coach for Venice . En-route we
visit Sirmione , one of the loveliest resorts on Lake Garda
. Here we enjoy a delightful lunch by the lake . Continue
onto Verona for a brief visit Juliet’s balcony from which
she listened to Romeo’s love poems . |
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Upon arrival in Venice, we transfer to
the Hotel by water taxi . Evening at leisure. A leisurely
stroll around St. Mark’s Square; just 2 minutes away to
enjoy the view of the flood lit Basilica and to listen to
the music played in the open air cafés around the Square. (2
nights with Continental breakfasts). |
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Fri 11:
Venice (CB).
Buffet breakfast at the hotel.
Morning guided tour of Venice where you will see St. Mark’s
Square and Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs and the Doge’s
Palace with some of the masterpieces by Titian, Tintoretto,
Guardi , Canaletto , Tiepolo.
This evening we
enjoy a gondola ride along the Venetian canals
whilst a tenor will sing
favourite Italian melodies
and of course for the keen shoppers there will be time to
shop with Cindy and grab some of Venice’s specialties of
shoes, handbags and belts etc. |
Sat 12: Venice/Florence
(CB.D)
Buffet breakfast at
the hotel. We continue by our private motor-coach to
Florence in the delightful Tuscan region. Enroute we visit
the Barberino outlet with it’s big names of Italian fashion
and in particular Florentine designers such Gucci, Ferragamo,
Cavalli etc.
To help you get
the most from the outlet, Cindy will once again be on hand
to assist you with your purchases. |
Barberino Outlet with over 90 shops.
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While the shoppers are busy shopping the
non shoppers visit a nearby mixed farm to inspect
traditional farming practices as well as to sample the fine
wines and cheeses of the province. |
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We continue to Florence and our hotel
conveniently located near the city centre (3 nights with
Continental breakfasts). This evening we will enjoy dinner
in a typical Florentine restaurant. |
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Sun 13:
Florence
(CB.L.D).
Buffet breakfast at
the hotel. Morning guided walking tour of Florence - the
Duomo, the Baptistery, Giotto’s Tower, Piazza della Signoria
and the Academy of Fine Arts with the statue of David by
Michelangelo. Lunch in a local
trattoria
and in the
afternoon we will explore the leather markets where Cindy
will help you choose that right leather products that suit
you and your style. You may wish to enjoy a further walk
through the open air straw markets with local handicrafts.
Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant and time to discuss the
days best bargains. |
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Mon 14:
Florence
(CB.D).
Buffet breakfast at the Hotel. Today is completely free to
relax, a chill out from shopping day (if you wish) or do
some more sightseeing or take a stroll along Via Tornabuoni
to see the big names of Italian fashion. For the keen Golfer
we can organise a round at a local club. In the evening,
dinner in a local restaurant. |
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Tue 15:
Florence/Figline Valdarno
(CB.D).
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. We leave
Florence by motor-coach and drive to nearby Figline Valdarno
. Accommodation at a Villa (2 nights with Continental
breakfasts).
In the afternoon join cooking class conducted by a Chef who
will also be glad to combine suitable wines with the dishes
created during the lesson. The same dishes will be sampled
during dinner this evening.
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Wed 16:
Figline Valdarno
(CB.L).
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Today our motor-coach will be
at our disposal for a tour of the nearby fashion outlets
including Prada Space and The Mall. Cindy will be on hand to
help you buy wisely by assisting you with your purchases
through out the day. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. In
the afternoon return to Villa Casagrande. |
For the guests who
do not wish to do shopping we will suggest suitable
alternatives such as a visit to Siena and San Gimignano or a
visit to one of the nearby farm houses or a visit to Greve
in Chianti to see the Falorni Butchery where the famous
Tuscan cured meats are still produced in the traditional
ways from the “cinta senese “ pigs , a local breed peculiar
to this area of Tuscany.
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Thu 17:
Figline Valdarno/Rome (CB).
Buffet breakfast at the hotel . Leave
Figline Valdarno by private motor-coach and guide. We drive
to Perugia and Assisi for brief stops in both . In Perugia,
a famous university town and centre for Italian language
classes we admire the lovely Palazzo dei Priori, a splendid
example of medieval architecture . In Assisi our guide will
be proud to show the guests the Basilica of St Francis with
the delightful frescoes by Giotto and Piero della Francesca
. Arrival in Rome and accommodation at the Hotel Cosmopolita
or similar.
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Fri 18: Rome
(CB).
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure for two
optional excursions: One to the nearby Designers Outlets of
Castelromano and Valmontone to enjoy the last shopping spree
with Cindy’s assistance before returning home . The other to
Naples and Pompeii to visit the excavations of the ancient
roman City of Pompeii buried by the eruption of Mount
Vesuvius in the year 79 AD. Evening at leisure
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Sat 19: Rome(CB, D).
After breakfast
guided morning tour
of the city which will include the highlights of Rome such
as St Peter’s Basilica, the roman Forum, the Colosseum , St
Peter’s in Chains with the Moses by Michelangelo , Spanish
Steps and Trevi Fountain where the legend has it that, by
throwing a small coin in the fountain, one will insure
his/her return to the eternal City.
Afternoon at leisure
or for the real keen shopper the very last chance to Shop
with Cindy in the shops around the local area, maybe a
chance to grab that last minute item or advice from Cindy.
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Dinner this evening will be in Piazza
Navona in one of the open air restaurants . Piazza Navona ,
one of the most fascinating Squares of Rome built on the
remains of an ancient roman chariot racing stadium, is very
popular with the locals and has a unique atmosphere with
it’s street artists who paint Roman landscapes or instant
caricature sketches of the onlooker. Dining in Piazza
Navona is actually an unique experience and the ideal way of
closing a visit to Italy. |
Sun 20:
Depart Rome for Melbourne
(CB).
Buffet Breakfast at the Hotel. This
morning it will be time to check-out and drive to the
Airport in time for our midday Singapore Airlines flight.
Note: Option to stay on in Europe for additional
touring. Spectrum Holidays can arrange coach tours, rail,
cruising and self drive. |
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Mon 21: Singapore/Melbourne.
Morning arrival in Singapore connecting
with Singapore Airlines flight arrival in Melbourne this
evening. |
Tour Price:
$11,987.00 plus $443 in airline taxes per person based on twin
share.
Inclusions:
- Economy class
fares Melbourne/Milan and Rome Melbourne with Singapore
Airlines.
- Deluxe air-conditioned motor-coaches for all transfers and
sightseeing mentioned in the programme
- Professional English speaking tour escorts on all transfers and
sightseeing mentioned .
- Entrance fees to all the sightseeing venues mentioned, wherever
applicable.
- Porterage in/out of Hotels of maximum two pieces of luggage per
person
- we have
included your tipping to
Hostesses, local guides, coach drivers,
baggage porters and waiters for those meals included in the tour cost.
- Accommodation for 14 nights on bed and buffet continental
breakfast basis in 4 and 3 star hotels
- Meals as mentioned in the programme, (CB) Continental breakfast,
(L) Lunch, (D) Dinner
- Taxes on included services.
The cost does not include:
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Extras of a personal nature
- Beverages with the meals except for the beverages consumed during
the farewell dinner and wine tasting experiences
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Tipping to waiters for meals and
additional services that are not
included in the tour cost.
Please note:-
'This tour is based on a minimum of 10 participants; a lower price
will ensure on achieving more than 14 people. The tour must be
limited to 20 participants
Booking terms and conditions
It is in your own
interest to read this material carefully in order that you
understand all the conditions attached to making your booking (all
amounts are shown in Australian dollars):
Bookings -Bookings
- a deposit of $1000 per person is required to confirm participation.
The balance of payment is due not later than 65 days prior to
departure. Full payment is required at the time of booking for all
bookings requested less than 60 days prior to departure.
Travel Insurance
- we strongly recommend that you take out a comprehensive insurance
policy at the time of booking to protect you against cancellation
fees should it be necessary for you to cancel your trip.
Cancellations - in the unfortunate event that you should have
to cancel your holiday booking certain cancellation fees may apply
to your deposit and final balance:
·
More
than 65 days before departure - $1000 per person cancellation fee.
·
After
balance of payment has been made - 100% of the Land
arrangements (hotels, transfers, tours etc) plus airline
cancellation fee of $110 including GST.
All cancellations must
be in writing and will take affect the day it is received by us.
Maps, photos, drawings shown in our brochures and website are for
illustrative purposes only and do not necessarily represent the
areas visited.
Air Transportation
- The services of any IATA or non-IATA carrier may be used only at
the discretion of Spectrum Holidays. This brochure is issued on the
sole responsibility of the tour operator. It is not issued on behalf
of and does not commit the Airlines mentioned therein or any airline
whose services are used in the course of the tour. YEE21 airfares
are used in constructing tour costs from Australia.
Single Accommodation
- passengers travelling alone must book on a single supplement
basis.
Passport/Visa
- Your
passport must be valid for at least 6 months as at the date of entry
into Italy, Europe and any other country. Australia passport holders
do not need visas for entry into Italy and most other Western
European countries. We require a photocopy of your passport when
making your booking; this is required for airline security reasons.
Refunds - all
services in each holiday will be prepaid to the principal. We
therefore regret that we are unable to offer any refunds for
services not utilised once on tour.
Responsibility -
Spectrum Holidays act only as Agents for the many principals
involved in each holiday in this program. Spectrum Holidays accepts
no responsibility for liability in connection with any service or
hotel used. Some of these providers or suppliers limit or exclude
their liability and are often subject to International Convention
between countries. Neither will Spectrum Holidays be responsible for
any act, error, omission, injury, accident, loss, delay or
irregularity that may be occasioned by any reason by our principals.
In the event that it becomes necessary or advisable for the comfort
or well-being of tour members, or for any reason whatsoever, to
alter the itinerary or arrangements, such alterations may be made
without penalty to the operators. Additional expenses shall be borne
by the tour member and conversely refund will be paid if any saving
is effected thereby. Spectrum Holidays are not responsible for lost
tickets, coupons or adverse weather conditions. The right is
reserved to cancel any or all tours should conditions warrant.
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