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Liguria, 10/06
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The Romance of the Riviera October 4 to 12, 2006 The Italian Riviera! Does the name make you think of palm trees, elegant hotels, brightly painted houses, glamorous yachts bobbing on the sparkling water, and suntanned millionaires? Well, the Riviera is all that and more. During our week in Liguria, the lush coastal region squeezed between the mountains and the sea, we’ll enjoy the varied architecture of the ancient port city of Genoa, incredibly picturesque pastel-colored villages set on rocky shores, superb fish and seafood, and some of the best olive oil produced in the world. Drenched in a warm light, the colors and scents of lemons, vines, herbs, and flowers will also fill your senses. The Italian Riviera is the rock-bound coastal strip of Liguria that links France to Tuscany. We’ll concentrate on touring the Riviera di Levante, the stretch south of Genoa, visiting such magical settings as Portofino, Portovenere, and the unique Cinque Terre. You can take postcard pictures of such lovely places as the fishing village of Camogli, the Art Nouveau cafes and hotels lining the seafront of Rapallo, and the Gulf of Poets, made famous by two of its poet residents, Shelley and Byron. We’ll even venture into Tuscany for a look at the charming walled city of Lucca and share a wonderful lunch in an incredible setting. These are just some of the colorful places we’ll visit on day trips from our base at the five-star Imperiale Palace Hotel, a palatial grand dame overlooking the sea in the lovely resort town of Santa Margherita. Built in 1889 as the private villa of an aristocratic family, the hotel has since been modernized but still retains all its Belle Epoque elegance and charm, with frescoed ceilings, lovely gardens and private beach, and heated seawater pool. The restaurants included in this tour have been carefully selected for their ambience, the excellent quality of their food and service, and for their locations. We’ll enjoy marvelous food and interesting local wines that will complement the flavors. This is a trip for those who like to travel in comfort and enjoy the better things in life.
Itinerary Wednesday, October 4Depart from Detroit for Amsterdam on Northwest to connect with your KLM flight to Milan. En route, enjoy dinner served with complimentary wine. D Thursday, October 5 On arrival in Milan, you will be met by our local Italian escort. From there, transfer by private, deluxe motorcoach to our home for the next seven nights, the 5-star Hotel Imperiale in Santa Margherita. After check-in, the afternoon is free to rest or to explore the town of Santa Margherita before gathering for a welcome cocktail and dinner at the hotel. B, D Friday, October 6We’ll start the day with a guided walking tour of Santa Margherita and then transfer to the ultra-chic resort of Portofino, one of Italy’s most romantic little nooks, where we’ll have lunch at a wonderful restaurant with great views across the harbor. After lunch, there will be time to shop or wander up to the Church of San Giorgio, the Castello, and the Punta del Capo lighthouse for some great views of the town. B, L Saturday, October 7 Today’s full day excursion to the bustling port city of Genoa will show us another side of the city—a city of palaces, gardens, art, and a wealth of history. Part of our tour of Genoa will take us on a guided walking tour of the historical center that includes the house of Christopher Columbus, a street of Renaissance palaces, and the magnificent Cathedral of San Lorenzo. After a delicious lunch at one of Genoa’s finest restaurants, we’ll include a stop to look around in Rapallo on our drive back drive back to Santa Margherita. B, L Sunday, October 8Today’s tour begins in Portovenere, one of the most beautiful towns on the Riviera and almost as chic as Portofino. It’s a great place to wander and take pictures, with rows of gaily-painted houses, narrow alleys, and vaulted staircases. Our next stop is Vernazza, thought to be the prettiest of the five towns that make up the Cinque Terre. We’ll have lunch here before continuing along the coast to Riomaggiore where we pick up the walking path, the Via dell’Amore, that takes us to the village of Manarola. You will be capitvated by the colorful houses clinging to the cliffs above you. B, L Monday, October 9The day is yours to make your own discoveries or maybe just to lie around the pool and read. We’ll gather at the hotel in the evening before going to dinner at a very special restaurant known for its excellent cuisine. B, D Tuesday, October 10 After breakfast, we depart for Lucca, a gem of a town encased within its famous walls from which one has wonderful views. Our guided walking tour of the historic center includes a stop at San Michele in Foro to admire its exquisite facade. Lunch today will be an experience to remember in a unique, very exclusive location. Be sure to bring your cameras! On our way back to the hotel, we’ll stop for a tasting of some of the local ligurian wines. B, L Wednesday, October 11 Today we’re off to the sleepy fishing village of Camogli to soak up the relaxing atmosphere. We’ll return to the hotel in time for you to have lunch at a restaurant of your choice. The afternoon is free for shopping or packing before we share a Farewell Dinner at a delightful, family-run restaurant in the hills above Rapallo. B, D Thursday, October 12 After breakfast, we transfer to the Milan airport for our transatlantic flight home. B, L
Package Price Includes:
• Round-trip economy class airfare from Detroit on Northwest Airlines. Air taxes are additional (currently about $223 per person) • 7 nights in the 5-star Imperiale Palace Hotel in Santa Margherita • Daily breakfast buffet, plus 4 lunches and 3 dinners with mineral water and local wines • Welcome cocktail • Half-day excursion to Portofino • Full-day tour of Genoa and Rapallo • Full-day excursion to Portovenere and the Cinque Terre • Full-day excursion to Lucca • Half-day visit to Camogli • All gratuities • Transfers via private, air-conditioned motorcoach • Baggage handling, service charges, and all taxes at hotel • Entrance fees to all sites described in the itinerary • Services of professional, bilingual, local guides • Services of professional, bilingual, local escort/sommelier • Cultural Encounters escort
To assure that our guests have as comfortable an experience as possible, space is limited.
For more information, contact: Suzan Alexander or Karen Street Cultural Encounters, Inc. P.O. Box 179 Chelsea, MI 48118 734-327-1931 Fax: 734-327-0567 or 734-433-9971 E-mail: suzanalxdr@aol.com or kstreet@core.com
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