Highlights of Italy and Switzerland 2009 (13 Days starting from $2,775)

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Trafalgar > Highlights of Italy and Switzerland 2009

Highlights of Italy and Switzerland 2009
13 Days starting from $2,775

Countries Visited:
Italy, Switzerland

Length:	13 Days
Type:	First Class Europe & Britain 2009
Category:	Regional
Operator:	Trafalgar
Tour Code:	TT-ITSW-2009

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About This Tour

Cities Visited:
Rome, Florence, Montecatini, Portofino, Lausanne, Zermatt, Venice, Italian lakes

The splendors never stop during this travel experience. The dignified statues and cathedrals of Rome and Florence, romantic Venice, and elegant Portofino contrast beautifully with traffic-free Zermatt, situated in the shadow of the Matterhorn.

What's Included
Itinerary
Dates & Prices
Sightseeing
Details
SPECIALS

Sightseeing Highlights

Rome: View the Forum and Circus Maximus. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum.
Florence: See Piazza Signoria, the Duomo, Piazza Santa Croce and Piazzale Michelangelo.
Pisa: Visit the Square of Miracles and see the Leaning Tower.
Italian Riviera: Orientation of Santa Margherita. Cruise to Portofino and orientation.
Chamonix: Orientation and see Mont Blanc (weather permitting).
Geneva: See the Jet d’Eau, the Reformation Monument and the United Nations Building.
Montreux: See Château Chillon
Zermatt: Views of the Matterhorn (weather permitting).
Italian Lakes Visit Stresa.
Venice: Cruise the canals. Orientation of St. Mark’s Square, the Bridge of Sighs and Doge’s Palace. Visit a Murano glass-blowing workshop.
Orvieto: Visit the Umbrian hilltop town by funicular.

Dining Highlights

11 hot buffet breakfasts.
3 three-course dinners in hotels.
‘Be My Guest’ speciality Tuscan dinner with wine amongst the olive groves.
Special cheese fondue dinner in Zermatt hotel.
Farewell Dinner with wine in Rome.

17 meals in total (see day-by-day itinerary)

First Class Travel Highlights

First Class hotel accommodation includes twin-bedded rooms with private facilities, all hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes.
Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and a washroom onboard.
The services of one of Trafalgar''s top professional multi-lingual Tour Directors.
A qualified local city guide in Rome and Florence.
A stylish wallet, tour documents and map book journal.
Airport transfers are provided on Day 1 and Day 12 (conditions apply)

Airport Transfers

London Gateways: Transfers can be expensive, particularly between the airport and your London hotel. But when you book your Trafalgar tour and take advantage of our land and air packages, we have included a FREE transfer to and from London’s airports and your Trafalgar London hotel. For passengers who have their own flight arrangements we offer you the opportunity to purchase inexpensive transfers to and from London’s Heathrow – Trafalgar has negotiated special rates for the Dot2Dot transfer from London’s Heathr
Important – Please Note: Passengers will only be entitled to transfers to and from London Airports providing the following conditions are met:
For included transfers: Your flights must be booked directly by Trafalgar no fewer than 21 days prior to departure. For chargeable transfers: Your Travel Agent provides detailed flight information to Trafalgar no fewer than 21 days prior to departure. Once transfers are booked they cannot be changed.
For London arrivals, you must stay at a London hotel booked by Trafalgar on the night of arrival and the night prior to your departure date.
Trafalgar only includes one inbound and one outbound transfer.
In the event of flight delays outside of Trafalgar’s control, the transfers will be deemed to be cancelled.
All transfers are based on group transfers. No refund is therefore available for missed transfers, or passengers not using this service.
In the event of unforeseen events (such as road or rail works, strikes or demonstrations), Trafalgar will not be responsible for delayed or cancelled transfers.
Heathrow Airport: National Express Dot2Dot will pick up and drop off in time to meet all flights to/from London’s Heathrow Airport. For guests arriving at the Dot2Dot desk after 22.00 hrs please make use of the courtesy phone to arrange your transfer to your Trafalgar hotel.
Gatwick Airport: Passengers who have booked Trafalgar’s Land and Air packages arriving at London’s Gatwick Airport are provided with a Gatwick Express train voucher. The Gatwick Express train journey from Gatwick Airport to London’s Victoria Station takes 30 minutes. Guests then need to make their way from Victoria Station to their Trafalgar hotel.
European Gateways: With Trafalgar all passengers will receive complimentary arrival and departure transfers on the scheduled arrival and departure day of their tour at the times specified below. Please ensure your Travel Agent reserves your flight to co-ordinate with the transfer times shown
Trafalgar Bonus - Passengers who book Trafalgar''s Land+Air package and who arrive or depart outside of these specified times on the scheduled arrival and departure day of the tour will also be provided with a transfer.
Passengers arriving before or leaving after the scheduled tour days are not entitled to a transfer but may book and purchase one through Trafalgar providing that they also purchase the additional pre and/or post tour hotel night(s) from Trafalgar. Please ask for prices of transfers at the time of booking your extra night accommodation.
Land only passengers arriving or departing on the scheduled tour arrival or departure days but whose flights don''t coincide with the listed transfer times below may also book and purchase these transfers. Flight details must be provided to Trafalgar not less than 21 days before the flight departure.
Click here to see scheduled transfer times.

Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Rome.

Day 2 - Arrive Rome (2 nights) Welcome to Rome, capital of Italy, and the Eternal City! The rest of the day is free to relax. Later we join our Tour Director and travelling companions for a Welcome Drink.

Hotel: Cardinal Hotel St. Peter (2 nights)

Day 3 - Rome sightseeing and at leisure Today''s highlight is our visit to the Sistine Chapel to admire the painted ceiling by Michelangelo rendered even more fascinating by the clear commentary of our local guide, thanks to our effective audio system. From here we make our way into St. Peter''s Basilica in the Vatican to see the famous Pieta – among other great works. Then we cross the Tiber to explore ancient Rome with views of the Forum, a visit to the mighty Colosseum and a view over the Circus Maximus where chariot races were held. Later, time to relax or explore further. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 4 - Rome – Florence – Montecatini (tuscan hills) This morning we drive into the rolling hills of Umbria and through the beautiful Tuscan landscape to the Renaissance city of Florence. We enjoy a guided walking tour of the city which takes in the statue-lined Piazza Signoria, the Piazza del Duomo with its cathedral and baptistry and the Piazza Santa Croce. Time to shop for quality leather goods and gold jewellery before continuing to the spa resort of Montecatini. Where tonight we enjoy an authentic Tuscan dinner in an atmospheric restaurant amongst the olive groves. (Buffet breakfast / ''Be My Guest'' Dinner)

Hotel: Grand Hotel Croce Di Malta

Day 5 - Montecatini (tuscan hills) – Pisa – SANTA MARGHERITA (2 nights) Today we follow the Arno Valley westwards to the city of Pisa. Here we have the chance to see the famous Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and baptistery in the Square of Miracles. Then we follow the beautiful Ligurian coast and catch sight of the massive marble quarries in the Apennine foothills. We can actually see great slabs of marble which are brought to the town of Carrara to be prepared for export worldwide. Then we pass by the important naval port of La Spezia before making our way to our hotel in Santa Margherita. (Buffet breakfast)

Hotel: Park Hotel Suisse (2 nights)

Day 6 - Italian riviera at leisure – excursion to Portofino This morning we take the ferry (or minibus when not available) to the Riviera’s most elegant resort - Portofino - one of Italy’s most romantic destinations. Renowned for its multicoloured houses in a spectacular setting, it is one of the most exclusive towns in Europe, and we have the time to explore at our leisure. Later we return to Santa Margherita and have the opportunity to stroll through the elegant streets and perhaps visit the Cappuccini Church with its 12th century statue of the Virgin Mary or maybe just relax and enjoy a cool drink in a café before dining in our hotel. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Day 7 - SANTA MARGHERITA – chamonix – lausanne We take the highway northwards and toward the Alps. We travel via Alessandria and into the attractive skiing area of the Val d’Aosta to France. Here, in the shadow of Europe’s tallest mountain, Mont Blanc, we stop in the resort of Chamonix, high in the French Alps. Then we descend to the international city of Geneva where we see the Jet d’Eau on the lake, the Reformation Monument and the United Nations building before continuing to our hotel in Lausanne. (Buffet breakfast)

Hotel: Alpha Palmiers

Day 8 - Lausanne – Montreux – Zermatt (2 nights) This morning we drive eastwards along the lake to Montreux where we stop to take a photo of the Château de Chillon before continuing to the upper Rhone valley. Finally we take minibuses from Tasch to the traffic-free resort of Zermatt, in the shadow of the Matterhorn, where we enjoy a special fondue Highlight Dinner tonight. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner)

Hotel: Style (2 nights)

Day 9 - Zermatt at leisure Today there is time to relax and enjoy the quiet atmosphere of this mountain village, with its attractive cafés, gorgeous boutiques and surrounding green meadows. Time also to take in even better views of the Matterhorn by taking a cable car trip to one of the surrounding peaks! (Buffet breakfast)

Day 10 - Zermatt – Italian lakes – Venice (mestre) (2 nights) Cameras at the ready for a day of stunning scenery! First over the Simplon Pass high in the Alps and then down towards the Italian Lakes, where we enter Italy near Domodossola. We stop in the glorious resort of Stresa on Lake Maggiore, a town of elegant villas facing the picturesque Borromean Islands. Then first via Lake Como and then Milan, we take the autostrada to Venice - a unique city of 200 islands built on wooden piles in a glassy lagoon. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Matrix (2 nights)

Day 11 - Venice orientation and at leisure We start today with a cruise by vaporetto to the heart of Venice, St. Mark’s
Square. On the way we have the chance to savour the sights and sounds of this unique floating city where all services must be provided either by water or on foot. On arrival we can marvel at the Bridge of Sighs, immortalized by Lord Byron, the magnificent and ornate Doge’s Palace and the Byzantine Basilica of St. Mark. We have the opportunity to watch a demonstration of the ancient craft of glass-blowing which originated on the Island of Murano. Then we have time at leisure to explore this fascinating city or perhaps to take a trip out across the lagoon to the fisherman’s Island of Burano where we can enjoy a delicious lunch. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Day 12 - Venice (mestre) – Orvieto – Rome We travel over the Veneto Plain and ascend into the Apennine Mountains after Bologna. We continue through Tuscany into Umbria where we stop to visit one of its most attractive hilltop towns, Orvieto. We take the funicular to the centre where we see the magnificent cathedral and have time to sample the renowned local white wine and shop for colourful ceramic pottery. Then we return again to Rome and enjoy a Farewell Dinner together. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell dinner)

Hotel: Villa Torlonia

Day 13 Rome – USA This morning it is time for final goodbyes as our vacation comes to an end. There are transfers available to Rome''s Fiumicino Airport, conditions apply. (Buffet breakfast)

Free airport transfers Transfers on Day 2 at Rome Fiumicino Airport will operate at 09.30, 12.30, 15.30 and 18.45. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers on the last touring day will arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport at 07.00 and 09.30.

Click here to check rates and availability online, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Or, to speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301. Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
4/26/2009 - 5/8/2009	$2,835	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
5/3/2009 - 5/15/2009	$2,835	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
5/10/2009 - 5/22/2009	$2,835	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
5/17/2009 - 5/29/2009	$2,835	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
5/24/2009 - 6/5/2009	$2,835	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
5/31/2009 - 6/12/2009	$2,835	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
6/7/2009 - 6/19/2009	$2,835	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
6/14/2009 - 6/26/2009	$2,865	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
6/21/2009 - 7/3/2009	$2,850	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
6/28/2009 - 7/10/2009	$2,850	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
7/5/2009 - 7/17/2009	$2,775	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
7/12/2009 - 7/24/2009	$2,775	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
7/19/2009 - 7/31/2009	$2,775	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
7/26/2009 - 8/7/2009	$2,775	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
8/2/2009 - 8/14/2009	$2,775	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
8/9/2009 - 8/21/2009	$2,775	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
8/16/2009 - 8/28/2009	$2,775	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
8/23/2009 - 9/4/2009	$2,799	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
8/30/2009 - 9/11/2009	$2,825	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
9/6/2009 - 9/18/2009	$2,865	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
9/13/2009 - 9/25/2009	$2,865	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
9/20/2009 - 10/2/2009	$2,865	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
9/27/2009 - 10/9/2009	$2,865	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/4/2009 - 10/16/2009	$2,865	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/11/2009 - 10/23/2009	$2,865	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/18/2009 - 10/30/2009	$2,865	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/25/2009 - 11/6/2009	$2,799	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us

This list indicates brochure rates and dates. * For single travellers purchasing the twin-share option, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Please note: In addition to being sold out or on a request basis only, a tour departure may not be displayed on this site for operation reasons. For details on discounts that apply to this tour please refer to a brochure or see your Travel Agent. The displayed prices are based on twin-share accommodation. A single supplement price is available on request.

Rome
Florence
Montecatini
Pisa
Portofino
lausanne
Zermatt
Venice

This list indicates brochure rates and dates.
* For single travellers purchasing the twin-share option, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms.
Please note: In addition to being sold out or on a request basis only, a tour departure may not be displayed on this site for operation reasons.
For details on discounts that apply to this tour please refer to a brochure or see your Travel Agent.
The displayed prices are based on twin-share accommodation. A single supplement price is available on request.

CURRENT SPECIALS:

Cruise Solo at NO Additional Charge

Trafalgar / Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has waived single supplements on a variety of 2009 Europe river cruises, which means solo travelers can cruise at no additional charge.

This offer is valid on the following cruises:

Burgundy & Provence

Tulips & Windmills

Enchanting Danube

Eastern Europe Explorer

Danube Discovery

Rhine Discovery

Grand European Discovery

Paris and Normandy

Grand France

Portugal, Spain, & the Douro River Valley (Cruise Only)

Paris & European River Romance

Paris & Grand European Waterways

Paris & the Heart of Europe

Contact your travel specialist at 1-800-942-3301.

**Conditions apply. Valid on select departures. See you travel agent for further details.

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Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.