Monday 8 - Saturday 27 October 2012
Cost of 20 day tour to Italy - AUD $9.995* twin share
Single supplement AUD $2,479*
(*Prices are based on departure from Brisbane)
Inclusions of Tour:
- Economy class flights with Singapore Airlines, including taxes and fees (* as per current prices and subject to change)
Singapore
Singapore is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, 137 kilometres (85 mi) north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands. It is highly urbanised but almost half of the country is covered by greenery. Some 5 million people live in Singapore, of whom 2.91 million were born locally. Most are of Chinese, Malay or Indian descent. Singapore is the 14th largest exporter and the 15th largest importer in the world. Tourism forms a large part of Singapore's economy.
Following our departure from Australia on Monday 8 October, 2012, we have a 1 night stopover in Singapore:
- Brisbane/Singapore with Singapore Airlines - late afternoon/early evening arrival
- Arrival and departure transfers to Swissotel The Stamford, Raffles City, Singapore
- Evening at your leisure or join us for a tour of the night food market
- 1 night's accommodation plus 6:00pm checkout on Tuesday 9 October
- Full buffet breakfast
- Morning to mid afternoon free to explore Singapore
- High tea at Raffles Hotel
Milan
Milan (Italian: Milano) is the second-largest city in Italy, the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million. Rome may be Italy's political capital, but Milan is the country's industrial and financial capital, with the Italian Stock Exchange and the head offices of many of Italy's largest companies, including Pirelli and Alfa Romeo. Some would also argue that it's Italy's cultural capital; there is the Teatro Alla Scala, which
Cucina Milanese - Milanese dishes are extraordinarily satisfying, inviting one to gather round the table with friends and spend some time together. In short, comfort food of the finest sort. Risotto alla Milanese is one of the symbols of Milan: a sinfully tasty risotto made with saffron.
- Singapore/Milan with Singapore Airlines - early morning arrival
- 2 nights' accommodation at The Hotel Brunelleschi
- 2 full buffet breakfasts
- Morning city tour incorporating visit to Santa Maria delle Grazie church to view original Leonardo da Vinci's painting of The Last Supper; the Duomo cathedral with rooftop walk; and a tour of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
- Transfers to and from cooking school to participate in a morning cooking lesson of local Milanese cuisine. Class will include lunch
- Depart Milan in our coach for Venice via Verona
Verona
A city in the Veneto, northern Italy, with approx. 265,000 inhabitants. The play Romeo and Juliet written by William Shakespeare was based in Verona. Verona is an important and dynamic city, very active in terms of economy, and also a very important tourist attraction because of its history, where the Roman past lives side by side with the Middle Age Verona, which in some senses brings about its architectural and artistic motifs. Because of the value and importance of its many historical buildings, Verona has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Verona is famous for its Roman amphitheatre. Completed around 30 AD it is the third largest in Italy after Rome's Colosseum; many other places of interest and of course, the famous house and balcony - Cassa di Giulietta!
The Veronese culinary tradition contains a wealth of dishes with Gnocchi one of the authentic local dishes, and are made from the humble potato. Other unforgettable first course dishes are the Tortellini with duck sauce, and Risotto with tastasal (a peppery sausage meat). Almost all the meat dishes come served with the local Yellow Polenta (cornmeal) which is a staple ingredient in the Veronese cooking tradition.
- Three hour stop in Verona. Alison will be on hand to advise you on local produce
Venice
(Italian: Venezia) is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region. The city historically was the capital of the Venetian Republic. Venice has been known as the "La Dominante", "Queen of the Adriatic", "City of Water", "City of Masks", "City of Bridges", "The Floating City", and "City of Canals". Luigi Barzini described it in The New York Times as "undoubtedly the most beautiful city built by man". The city stretches across 117 small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy. The saltwater lagoon 
stretches along the shoreline between the mouths of the Po (south) and the Piave (north) Rivers. Venice is one of the few cities in the world that can be truly described as unique. It survives against all the odds.
Venetian cuisine, especially that in the city, is full of traditional dishes that are mostly made using all types of fish and vegetables. Venetian food with cicchetti (hors d'oevres) that can be found in all the bacari (pubs) counters must be eaten with an ombra (glass) of wine. Typical Venetian cicchetti are: fried crab claws, meat balls, half boiled eggs with anchovies, fried vegetables, moscardini (tiny octopus) with polenta. However, the best hors d'oeuvre by far is the sardee in saor: sardines cooked and marinated with onions and vinegar and flavoured with raisins and pine nuts. For pasta dishes, the Venetian cuisine has a lot of different specialties to offer. The risottos, made with scampi or cuttlefish, are famous, although the best known recipe is for risi e bisi, the risotto made with peas that the Doges ate on San Marco's day.
- 4 nights' accommodation at The Hotel Kette
- 5 full buffet breakfasts
- Half day walking tour of Venice including Gondola ride
- Visit to local open air food markets
- Half day cooking tour of typical Viennese cuisine. Class to include lunch. Remainder of day free
- Group dinner in local restaurant
- Full day free to explore Venice or the islands of Burano/Mirano
- Depart Venice in our coach for Florence via Bologna
Bologna
Lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains. It is the seventh largest city in terms of population. It is the home to the oldest university in the world, University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is famous for its towers and lengthy porticoes and is an important cultural and artistic center. Like so many fascinating cities, Bologna is a study in contrasts: a center of radical politics in one of Italy's wealthiest regions, a city of glittering shops, brilliant terra-cotta buildings crowded along dark alleyways, and a
huge basilica.
Bologna doesn't have the art galleries of Florence, the canals of Venice, or the ancient landmarks of Rome, but it does have miles of stunning arcades and striking medieval architecture. And then there is the food! Bologna claims to be Italy's culinary capital. The list of foods originating in Bologna and the surrounding area-lasagna, tortellini, "spaghetti Bolognese", Parma ham, balsamic vinegar, parmesan cheese-reads like a what's what of Italian cuisine. Then there's "bologna" itself (or rather, the gargantuan but delicately flavored mortadella), along with pretty much any other cured pork products you can imagine.
- 3 hour stop in Bologna including walking tour and lunch
- Arrive Florence late afternoon via our coach
Florence
Florence (Italian: Firenze), is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany.
The city lies on the River Arno; it is known for its history and its importance in the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance, especially for its art and architecture and, more generally, for its cultural heritage. A centre of medieval European trade and finance and one of the wealthiest cities of the time. Florence is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance. Due to Florence's artistic and architectural heritage, it has been ranked by Forbes as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and the city is noted for its history, culture, Renaissance art, architecture and monuments. Florence is also an important city in Italian fashion.
Tuscan food is simple and abundant with local produce, mellow cheeses and grilled meats. Tuscans are also known for their appreciation of beans as seen in the staple of the Tuscan table: white beans cooked with sage and olive oil. Beef Steak Florentine, many versions of roasted or wine-braised game such as boar, deer and rabbit and thick and hearty soups cover the table of a typical Tuscan meal. At the heart of Florentine cookery lie four fundamental ingredients: bread (plain, unsalted, well-baked with a crispy crust and light and airy inside); extra-virgin olive oil, without any doubt the best even for frying; grilled meat - Florentine steaks of beef, roasted or wine-braised game such as boar, deer and rabbit and lastly, wine itself. This is the home of Chianti wine!
- 5 nights' accommodation at Hotel Mediterraneo
- 5 full buffet breakfasts
- Half day walking tour of Florence. Afternoon free to visit Uffizi Gallery etc
- Full day tour to Tuscan countryside and including cooking class, cheese, olive oil and Chianti tastings
- Full day tour to Siena and San Gimignano
- Half day cooking class in Florence incorporating lunch with remainder of day free
- Depart Florence for Rome via Assisi & Orvieto
Assisi
Assisi, is a town of Italy in the province of Perugia in the Umbria region, on the western flank of Monte Subasio. Around 1000 BC a wave of immigrants settled in the upper Tiber valley as far as the Adriatic Sea, and also in the neighborhood of Assisi. These were the Umbrians, living in small fortified settlements on high ground. It was the birthplace of St. Francis and he is remembered by many, even non-Christians, as a lover of nature. The town is dominated by two medieval castles.
One of the smallest regions in Italy, Umbria, (often referred to as "the green heart of Italy") is still unspoiled and peaceful, looking today just as it did when the Renaissance painters immortalized it. The cooking is based on family traditions with fresh and natural flavours. The repertoire of pasta dishes is similar to that of neighbouring regions and the pasta is often flavoured with a grating of the local black truffles.
- A short stop in Assisi for sightseeing and to marvel at this wonderful example of a fortified medieval town.
Orvieto
Is a city and commune in Province of Terni,
southwestern Umbria, Italy situated on the flat summit of a large butte of volcanic tuff. The site of the city is among the most dramatic in Europe and is magnificent from any angle. Perched on a 300m plateau, it looks down from its cliff-edged balcony over a vineyard-spotted plain. Visitors flood into the town to admire the Duomo among the greatest in all Italy's Romanesque-Gothic cathedrals. Meandering around this wonderful hilltop town you will come upon some of the best Italian ceramic ware in Italy.
- 2 hour stop in Orvieto
Rome
Rome (Italian: Roma), is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city with over 2.7 million residents in 1,285.3 km2 (496.3 sq mi). The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.
Rome's history spans two and a half thousand years. It was the capital city of the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. The city is one of Europe's and the world's most successful city "brands", both in terms of reputation and assets. Its historic centre is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Monuments and museums such as the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum are amongst the world's 50 most visited tourist destinations.
The typical Roman food has its roots in the past and reflects the old traditions in most of its offerings. It is based on fresh vegetables (the king is definitely the artichoke, whether deep fried, simmered in olive oil with garlic and mint, or "alla giudia") and not expensive cuts of meats cooked with herbs and hot chilli pepper).
It also consists of deep fried, tasty appetizers (such as salted cod and filled zucchini blossoms) and sharp "pecorino cheese" (made from sheep's milk from the nearby countryside), a very important ingredient in many recipes.
Not to mention the pasta, of course, a staple for every Italian. From carbonara to spaghetti and rigatoni. There are few Roman desserts; however the ricotta cake, which is made with fresh ricotta cheese mixed with sugar, lemon, vanilla, candied fruits, pine nuts and raisins, is well worth a try.
- 5 nights' accommodation in Rome at Hotel Regno
- 5 full buffet breakfasts
- Half day cooking class. Class will include your lunch. Remainder of afternoon free
- Half day tour of Roman sites. Remainder of day free
- Market visit to select food for cooking class with Alison Taafe
- Half day tour of St Peters and Sistine Chapel
- Half day walking tour followed by coffee at Rome's oldest coffee establishment - Cafe Greco
- Group farewell dinner
- Depart Rome for flight to Singapore via Singapore Airlines. Three hour stop in Singapore (stretch your legs, last minute shopping etc.) before connecting flight to arrive home on Saturday 27 October, 2012.
Non Inclusions:
- Items of a personal nature, including laundry, drinks or meals additional to those listed as included in final itinerary
- Souvenirs and personal shopping
- Sightseeing, unless listed as included above
Deposits, Details and Final Payments:
Refer to: Ken Oberhardt of VLTravel, Shop 6, 195 Varsity Parade, Varsity Lakes, Qld 4227.
P: (07) 5657 3661
E: ken@vlt.com.au
