Italy's Treasures
by Collette
Tours
MORE TOURS
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ITALY'S TREASURES
12 Day Tour
featuring Art, Food and Wine of Italy
The romance of Italy come to life. Stand
on the shore of Lake Maggiore. Ride the Centovalli Express through the
mountains to the Swiss town of Locarno. Explore the rugged coast and
remote fishing villages of the Cinque Terre. Spend four relaxing nights
in a Tuscan villa. Discover the hilltop town of San Gimignano.
Experience medieval life at the Palazzo Davanzati. Visit a winery in
the countryside and learn the secrets of Tuscan cuisine. Wander a
Florentine food market. Spend two wonderful nights in Venice. These are
Italy’s treasures.
Explorations
by Collette is a new kind of
vacation created specifically for those travelers who want to explore
our world in a small group setting. Adhering to our traditional ideals
of quality and service, these tours offer a more personalized travel
experience as well as stays at charming villas, classic “boutique”
hotels, and breathtaking resorts. With only 16-24 passengers per trip,
you’ll enjoy the vibrant cultures and rich scenery of a variety of
destinations – from the rugged terrains of Africa to the exotic
panorama of the Galapagos Islands – all the while combining the ease
and convenience of group travel with the freedom to have unique and
personal adventures off-the- beaten-path.
No additional fees
associated with the planning of this tour program.
Italian Lake Region, Italian Riviera,
Locarno, Switzerland, Portofino, Cinque Terre, Lucca, Cortona,
Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Wine Tasting, Italian Cooking Class,
Bologna, Venice
- Experience the benefits of
Whisper headsets, designed for better communication between you and
your guides throughout your tour.
- Explore Lake Orta, one of Italy’s hidden
treasures.
- Explore Lucca’s charming piazzas and medieval
streets.
- Take a boat ride to your welcome dinner on
Isola dei Pescatori.
- Regional wines included with every dinner.
12 days, 17 meals
QUALITY
HOTELS
STRESA
Regina Palace Hotel (F), ITALIAN
RIVIERA Grand Hotel dei Castelli (F), CORTONA
Villa Aurea
(F), VENICE Starhotel Spledid Venice (F)
THIS TOUR
INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING TRANSPORTATION MODES:
 Ride
in comfort
Each Collette
motorcoach has upholstered,
reclining seats with headrests and individual air-conditioning vents. A
high-fidelity sound system broadcasts professional Tour Director's
commentary
to every seat. Our custom of daily seat rotation gives everyone a
variety
of vantage points to see the passing countryside and city scenes.
AIRPORT
TRANSFERS
Airport
transfers
may be included when you make your flight arrangements.
ITINERARY
Air 1: Overnight
Flight.
Ciao, Italy!
Day 2: Stresa,
Italy
- Tour Begins
Begin your exploration in the resort town of Stresa • Visit a wine shop
and enjoy a cocktail party, tasting some local products • Dine tonight
on Isola dei Pescatori, the most picturesque of the Borromean Islands.
Today dinner will be
included.
Regina Palace Hotel
Day 3: Stresa - Lago Maggiore - Locarno,
Switzerland - Stresa
 Climb aboard the Centovalli Express for
a train journey through the mountains • Travel to the Swiss town of
Locarno, nestled on a glorious sweeping curve of the bay • Your evening
in Stresa is at leisure • Investigate the piazzas, flower-lined
cobblestone streets and lakeside promenades.
Today
breakfast will
be included.
Regina Palace Hotel
Day 4: Stresa - Orta - Italian Riviera
 Learn key Italian phrases that will help
you in your travels • Depart the lake region for Sestri Levante on the
Ligurian coast • Stop at Lake Orta and take a boat to Isola di San
Giulio • Walk the grounds of this charming island with its working
convent • Experience the outdoor cafes and shops of this lakeside
resort • Continue on to the Italian Riviera!
Today
breakfast and
dinner will be included.
Grand Hotel dei Castelli
Day 5: Italian Riviera - Portofino - Cinque Terre
Travel to the seaside town of Santa
Margherita Ligure for a boat ride* to glamorous Portofino • Take in the
town’s colorful harbor, dotted with fishing boats and yachts set
against a backdrop of pastel-colored buildings • Continue to the Cinque
Terre • Travel by rail through the villages of Cinque Terre • Traverse
the rugged coastal area dotted with terraced vineyards • Arrive at this
nearly inaccessible string of fishing villages tucked between the
mountains and the Mediterranean • Enjoy an afternoon exploring.
Today
breakfast will be included.
Grand Hotel dei Castelli
Day 6: Italian Riviera - Lucca - Tuscan Countryside
Drive to the medieval
city of Lucca, encircled by 16th century Renaissance walls • Tour the
piazza on foot • Visit the Cathedral of San Martino and the Piazza
Napoleone • End the day in a villa tucked away in the Tuscan
countryside • Begin a relaxing four-night stay.
Today
breakfast and
dinner will be included.
Villa Aurea
Day 7: Tuscan Countryside - Florence - Tuscan Countryside
 Get to know Florence via its local
market full of fresh ingredients used in Tuscan recipes • Take a
walking tour of the city’s treasures and monuments, including the
Piazza del Duomo, center of religious life in medieval Florence, and
the Piazza della Signoria • Visit the Museo della Casa Fiorentina
Antica, housed in the 14th century Palazzo Davanzati • Explore
independently before returning to the Tuscan Countryside • At dinner,
sample Tuscan cuisine in one of Tuscany’s locandas.
Today
breakfast and
dinner will be included.
Villa Aurea
Day 8: Tuscan Countryside - Siena - San Gimignano - Tuscan Countryside
Travel to Siena for an expert-led
walking tour, through narrow medieval streets, that includes the
dramatic cathedral • Visit the hilltop town of San Gimignano,
punctuated by tall medieval towers which afford spectacular views.
Today
breakfast and
dinner will be included.
Villa Aurea
Day 9: Tuscan Countryside
Visit a winery in the heart of Tuscany that showcases the wine cellar,
the family estate, vineyards and olive groves • Participate in a Tuscan
cooking lesson given by the winery’s own chef • Enjoy an authentic
Tuscan lunch, expertly paired with wines produced on site • Return to
the villa for some leisure time.
Today
breakfast and lunch will be included.
Villa Aurea
Day 10: Tuscan Countryside - Bologna - Venice
 Head for Venice Stop en route in Bologna
• Take a guided walking tour of the center, virtually unchanged since
the Renaissance • Sample local delicacies at specialty food shops •
Continue toward Venice.
Today
breakfast will be included.
Starhotel Spledid Venice
Day
11: Venice
Enjoy a boat trip** to Murano Island for
a fascinating glass-blowing demonstration • Return to St. Mark’s Square
for a locally-guided walking tour featuring the Clock Tower, St. Mark’s
Basilica, Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs • Partake in a
celebratory farewell dinner.
Today
breakfast and
dinner will be included.
Starhotel Spledid Venice
Day
12: Venice - Depart for Home
Your tour ends in Venice.
Today
breakfast will be included.
Optional
Excursions for Italy's Treasures
Plan Ahead, Reserve
Now!
Add
a
touch of
personalization to your vacation by selecting from our well-researched
list of options. While Collette is known for our many inclusions, we
also want to be sure you have adequate free time and options to enhance
your vacation – your way. And now, you can reserve your options in
advance of your tour!
Availability
is
limited
and reservations are on a first come, first serve basis. Payment must
be received no later than 15 days prior to departure. Prices are
subject to change. Children under the age of 18 MUST be accompanied by
an adult. |
Venetian
Serenaded Gondola Cruise $75
City: Venice
Experience the romance that can only be
found in Venice – La Serenìssima – while traveling on its famous
waterways, when you partake in one of Venice’s most famous pastimes – a
gondola cruise. Take a pleasant stroll toward the Grand Canal to board
your gondola. As you relax in your elegant watercraft, your gondolier
navigates the Grand Canal as well as smaller side canals. Sip on a
glass of local Prosecco as you listen to the melodic voice serenading
you in true Italian style – just like in those romantic Italian movies!
This
option operates weather permitting. Duration of the gondola cruise is
approximately 35 minutes. Transportation not included and in most cases
not required as option is usually within walking distance.
Your transportation
is not included.
Please note a
minimum
of 15 passengers is required.
Duration:
approximately
1 hour(s).
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COLLETTE TOURS
ITALY'S TREASURES
12 Day Tour
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From $2999USD
Prices are
per person, based on double occupancy.
Offer subject
to availability and change without notice.
Tour prices are Land Only rates based on per person double
occupancy. Please call for triple or child occupancy rates. Taxes and
fees are additional for tours that feature a cruise; port taxes are not
included in the prices shown. Some dates may feature various changes in
hotels, sightseeing and inclusions. Please confirm your specific
itinerary at the time of booking.
Airfare is
additional and is available through Collette Vacations.
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PLEASE
CLICK
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Certain
restrictions may apply. Airfares are based on departure from New York.
For
year 2013, departures are subject to itinerary and price modifications.
For a shorter tour
program please see REFLECTIONS
of ITALY by Collete
Vacations
Requesting Availability
We
will check your requested tour program and accommodations for the
date range that you may specify in the boxes below and reply back to
you
as soon as possible. Of course the more information that you can
provide
us, the closer we will be in matching your exact request(s). We will
not
knowingly sell or pass along your information that you provide to any
third
party for any reason (see Liabilities
and Privacy Policy).
We
are available to answer
your inquiries in person Monday - Friday (except holidays) from 8:30am
until 5:30pm CST (1-877-510-4653). We are available from time to time
on
the weekends via email to answer your questions. Our typical response
time
for your email request ranges from 3 hours to as many as 72 depending
upon
the availability of onsite resourses and those of the tour companies
and
resorts/lodging establishments, as well as, any variations you may
request
from our listed programs. For those inquirers requesting a trip within
two weeks, we will give you a priority due to your need to establish an
immediate plan. At any rate, we will respond to your requests as
quickly
as possible and as soon as we have all components of your package
confirmable.
All tour program rates are based upon double occupancy unless otherwise
specified.
Thank you for your request!
We
look forward to serving
your travel needs and wants!
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OR
CALL US AT
1-877-510-4653
Notes
regarding
How We Will Handle Your Request and Your
Privacy:
Your
request will be handled by a responsible and knowledgeable tour
specialist
that can not only check availability for this particular tour but can
further
advise you as to other general quiries that you may have about
traveling
conditions, passport/visa requirements, immunization requirements and
other
valuable information that you may need before making a reservation. We
are a full service travel company and we have always catered to the
individual
traveler and his/her specific needs. We want to get to know you as a
valued
friend in travel. We are always available with our email service but
you
may feel free to call upon us if you have an immediate request at
1-918-788-5210.
Humans
do it best!
Your Privacy
is also very important to us. If you elected to be listed with us in
the
above Optional Advisory List
then, you will be added to our maillist for the particular area(s) of
interest
that you have selected to be informed about. If you do not elect to be
on our maillist, simply do not complete that section and we will not
add
you to our list. We will not add you to any other maillist either. We
do
not sell or otherwise pass along any information that you may provide
to
to us in the process of completing your inquiry. For further
information
on your privacy please see Liabilities
and Privacy Policy.
|
 Collette Vacations
is a global leader of world travel and Escorted Tours, offering 150
vacation choices on all seven continents. We are a family-owned
business, now in our third generation of Sullivan-family ownership.
MISSION STATEMENT
Our whole purpose at Collette Vacations is to fulfill vacation dreams.
Our daily goal is to deliver to our family of travelers the highest
quality, best value and exceptional service, every time, everywhere. We
strive to create extraordinary vacation experiences on all 7
continents. Our greatest reward is planning our clients’ next trip. |
IT'S IN
THE DETAILS
Our NO
WORRIES
cancellation waver means you can cancel anytime prior to the day of
departure and receive a full
cash refund.
Add up the cost of hotels, transportation, meals, sightseeing and
entertainment and you'll find what an incredible
savings a tour offers.
On a tour, you'll find yourself saying, "I never would have thought to
try that!" We work everyday to uncover those gems that make your
vacation special. Let our experience
work for yours.
Don't worry about
planning the details, getting directions, picking great hotels,
or purchasing sightseeing tickets - we do that!
Our tour
managers are with you
from start to finish, taking care of every detail - and brightening
your vacation with history and anecdotes that bring the destination to
life. A Collette Tour means less time planning and more time enjoying.
You pack the bags - we'll lug them around! That's right - when you're
on tour with us, we take care of all
luggage handling... including the tip!
WE
TAKE YOU THERE!
NEW
Enjoy a free ride from home to the airport and back, including tip. We
believe that your vacation should start at your front door. We include FREE roundtrip sedan
service with air-inclusive Collette tours in many
U.S. cities within 50 miles radius from more than 80 airport gateways.
Why Travel on an
Escorted Tour?
We
take the hassle out of travel, so you have all the fun. Here's how.
Our buying power gets you unbeatable value.
Our tours include
your sightseeing, entertainment, admissions to museums and parks, great
hotels and many meals, making it a hassle free experience for you from
start to finish. Our hotels are centrally located, so you won't waste a
second of your free time in buses or cabs. Even your luggage is managed
for you.
We planned ahead, so Europe with us is still a
bargain.
We can provide a
vacation to Europe, for example, at 15% less than you would pay if you
planned it on your own. There is no better time than now to buy a
packaged vacation.
Imagine seeing Thailand for less than $90 a day, and
that includes your hotel.
On our Thailand -
Ancient Capitals and Countryside tour, you'll ride an elephant and
cruise the Mekong River into Laos, just two unforgettable included
experiences among 14 days worth of discoveries You'll also enjoy 26
meals on tour, including a dinner cruise on a rice barge. See the
Golden Buddha, the ruins of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, the colorful
pageantry of a Hill Tribe cultural show - it's all included!
It's like traveling with a friend who knows the area.
Your tour manager
will be with you every step of the way, handling the tedious details of
travel, while you relax and enjoy the trip. They are seasoned
professionals with in-depth knowledge about your destination and a
passion for sharing it.
Our tour developers personally scout out the best for
you.
They search for
accommodations, restaurants, attractions and entertainment to assemble
not only a fantastic trip, but create an entire experience that
captures the spirit of your destination. Learn the secrets of Tuscan
cuisine from a Florentine chef in Italy. Fly a kite in China. Feed a
kangaroo in Australia. Our tour developers love creating those
unforgettable moments that make your trip uniquely yours.
We've got something for everyone, from Branson to
Beijing.
Collette
Vacations travels to more than 150 destinations on all seven
continents. We also offer Explorations by Collette, small-group tours
with a maximum of only 16 - 24 passengers that wander off the beaten
path. Explorations tours feature boutique hotels, outdoor activities
and interaction with local people.
And, we partner
with Smithsonian
Journeys to bring you learning tours through Smithsonian
Journeys Travel Adventures. These tours bring you expert local
scientists, historians and artists to illuminate your travels with
lectures and demonstrations.
No Worries Protection Plan
What exactly is your cancellation waiver?
We have the best
cancellation waiver in the industry-period. You can cancel your trip up
until the day prior to departure for any reason - sickness, change of
heart or any reason whatsoever-and you will receive a full refund,
minus the small cost of the insurance. That's a cash refund, not a
voucher or certificate. There's no risk when you book with Collette.
But isn't it
expensive?
Not at all! Let's
say you were planning to take our Italian Vistas tour for 13 days. The
land-only waiver is just $170 per person. That breaks down to about
$13.07 a day-just a little over eight euros! The land and air waiver is
only $30 more. That's airplane peanuts compared to the peace of mind
you'll enjoy.
Plus, you're
covered on tour.
Our cancellation
waiver and insurance plan covers you on tour. If you have to stop your
trip or return home early, need medical assistance or evacuation,
suffer a baggage loss or delay; or are delayed on tour for 12 hours or
more, you're covered.
Testimonials:
My husband had an
accident in New Zealand…He subsequently had to be transferred by
ambulance to Invercargill (Southland Hospital) to have surgery on his
leg. He spent one week in the hospital. I am so glad we always take out
the insurance. This is our third trip with Collette and we always take
out the insurance…In spite of the accident, we had a wonderful time in
Australia and New Zealand up to Queenstown and we are very glad we took
the trip. Genevieve Gallagher, Clifton Park, NY
We had one
unfortunate problem; one traveler broke her ankle…Thank goodness I
insist that my passengers take the insurance. Virginia Gratton,
Greenport, NY
| CANCELLATION
WAIVER & INSURANCE PLAN |
Exception: If
you originally purchased
non-refundable airline tickets, the Waiver does not provide a refund
for the airline tickets, taxes or fees in the event of a cancellation
or a return transportation benefit if you must return home early. The
air waiver does not cover medical evacuation or additional expenses
associated with a medical emergency.
The Waiver Fee does not cover any single supplement charges which arise
from an individual’s traveling companion electing to cancel for any
reason prior to departure. In this case, the single supplement will be
deducted from the refund of the person who cancels. Division of this
charge between the two passengers involved is solely their
responsibility. If insufficient funds are deducted from the canceling
client, the traveling client will be charged the remaining portion of
the single supplement.
Payment of the Waiver Fee (if chosen) must be received by Collette
Vacations with your Deposit. The Waiver is non-transferable and valid
for each applicant only.
Collette Vacations can assume no responsibility for and cannot be held
liable for any wrongful, negligent or unauthorized acts or omissions of
any travel agent or travel agency other than that of Collette Travel
Service, Inc. itself, and its own employees.
| SCHEDULE
OF COVERAGES |
MAXIMUM
BENEFIT AMOUNT |
| PART
A – Benefits Provided By
Collette Vacations |
| Pre-Departure
Cancellation Fee & Unused Services Waiver |
Up
to Trip Cost |
|
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| PART
B – Benefits Provided by the
Insurance Company Listed Below |
| Accidental
Death & Dismemberment |
$25,000 |
| Accident
& Sickness Medical Expense |
$25,000 |
| Emergency
Evacuation & Repatriation |
$50,000 |
| Travel
Delay (Maximum of $100 per Day) |
$1,500 |
| Baggage
and Personal Effects |
$2,000 |
| Baggage
Delay |
$200 |
PART B CONDITIONS &
LIMITATIONS Certain exclusions and limitations apply and are
detailed in the Certificate of Coverage. For example, coverage does not
apply to: any sickness or condition of you, a Traveling Companion or an
Immediate Family Member traveling with you that existed during the 60
days prior to the effective date of the coverages (this exclusion is
waived if your plan payment is received by Collette Vacations within 7
days of your initial deposit/payment for your trip and you are not
disabled from travel at the time your plan payment is received),
suicide, normal pregnancy, war or any act of war, mental or nervous
disorders. A Traveling Companion is defined as a person booked to share
accommodations in the same room with you during your trip. Sickness or
injury must require care by a Physician and must commence while the
Travel Protection Plan is in effect for you. This plan does not cover a
loss that results from an illness, disease, or other condition (of you,
an Immediate Family Member, Traveling Companion or Business Partner),
event or circumstance which occurs at a time when this plan is not in
effect for you.
Part B of this plan is underwritten by: Stonebridge Casualty Insurance
Company, Columbus, Ohio 464-03
Where to Present Part A Claims
To request a refund under the Cancellation Fee and Unused Services
Waiver, please send any unused
airlines tickets (only if purchased from Collette Vacations), a
doctor’s note or medical documentation and a written request to:
Collette
Vacations
ATTN: Customer Service Department
162 Middle Street
Pawtucket, RI 02860 |
If cancellation occurs
prior to departure, contact the Collette Vacations Reservations
Department.
When a client cancels prior to departure any due refunds are processed
through the booking agent. Agent commissions are not protected if
cancellation occurs prior to departure.
All Inquiries and Claims under Part B should be reported to the Plan
Administrator:
Trip
Mate*
9225 Ward Parkway, Suite 200
Kansas City, MO 64114
Tel: 800-888-7292
*In CA, dba Trip Mate Insurance Agency |
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| CANCELLATION
WAIVER & INSURANCE PLAN PRICING (Per Person) |
Land Only Clients
- $30 for all domestic
escorted tours under 6 days
- $110 for all domestic
escorted tours of 6 days or more
- $110 for all
international tours 9 days or under (except cruises, Canadian Rockies
Train Tours, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa & Egypt)
- $170 for
international tours 10 days or more (except cruises, Canadian Rockies
Train Tours, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa & Egypt)
- $195 for all
Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa & Egypt
- $205 for all cruises
and Canadian Rockies Train Tours
When purchasing pre and post night
accommodations, including optional extensions, the number of days will
be added to the total number of tour days, and may subsequently alter
your waiver fees. Please confirm with your reservation agent at time of
booking.
Air
Inclusive Clients (air is
purchased through Collette Vacations)
- $60 for all domestic
escorted tours under 6 days
- $140 for all domestic
escorted tours of 6 days or more
- $150 for all
international tours 9 days or under (except cruises, Canadian Rockies
Train Tours, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa & Egypt)
- $200 for all
international tours 10 days or more (except cruises, Canadian Rockies
Train Tours, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa & Egypt)
- $225 for all
Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa & Egypt
- $235 for all cruises
and Canadian Rockies Train Tours
The Cancellation Waiver fee with air can
only be purchased by individuals who have purchased air through
Collette Vacations. |
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More COLLETTE
VACATIONS and Terms and Conditions
Collette Tours is a
NON-FEE buy!
We
will not charge a fee for any/all tour planning for Collette Vacations.
Our services are absolutely free when servicing this quality program.
Rest
assured, you will receive the quality that you expect and the unique
value of a well-designed tour program from the beginning and planning
stage to the culmination of this exceptional journey.
Experience
the Collette Difference with Gardner Travel!
IT'S CALLED
WORRY-FREE TRAVEL
AND
IT MEANS OUR PEOPLE TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO!
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COLLETTE VACATIONS is a member of
 
If
you like the above tour program
you may also want to view the following tour programs
for
comparison:
|
| MORE
REGIONAL PROGRAMS |
| THE BRITISH ISLES: ENGLAND | SCOTLAND | IRELAND |
| SPAIN | PORTUGAL | MOROCCO |
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