Pre-Departure Itinerary The Flavors of Italy Emilia Romagna Saturday, May 3 Sunday, May 11, 2014

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1 Pre-Departure Itinerary The Flavors of Italy Emilia Romagna Saturday, May 3 Sunday, May 11, 2014 There are a thousand reasons why we love Italy, but, let s face it, food is near the top of the list. If you ask an Italian where the best food comes from, he or she will say from mamma! If pushed, many will admit, Of course, there is also Emilia-Romagna. So, we re off to Italy s culinary heart to sample this legendary cuisine and to explore its gemlike cities. The Parmese (from Parma) have a saying: you eat twice: first at the table, then by talking about it. We re sure to do just that during this week-long feast that includes two sumptuous lunches including wine! at agriturismos (family-run, working farms) where we ll enjoy the local products and dine on regional specialties. Good food, good atmosphere, good company! Our exploration starts with Parma cobblestone streets, great shopping, a wonderful choice of restaurants and the stunning Teatro Farnese, one of the most breathtaking sites in all Parma, built entirely out of wood and plaster and painted to resemble expensive marble. Parma s culinary hits include its Prosciutto di Parma, porcini mushrooms, handmade pasta and Parmigiano Reggiano. Next is elegant Bologna a sophisticated city of porticoes and piazzas and the best food markets. How seriously does Bologna take its food? The chamber of commerce preserves centuries-old recipes to continue the tradition of the best mortadella, tortellini and, of course, Bolognese sauce. Ravenna, famous for its stunning mosaics, has its own food traditions try piadina a flatbread made with flour, salt, water and olive oil Sangiovese (the local wine) and stuffed egg pastas. There are those who argue that Ferrara is the perfect Italian city as fabulous as Florence with hidden treasures like the enchanting, moat-encircled castle and delicious dishes like Cappellacci di Zucca (a type of ravioli stuffed with pumpkin) and Pasticcio Alla Ferrarese (a delicious meat pie). Lovely cities, food-glorious-food, and a few castles thrown in for good measure! Includes Round-trip regularly scheduled Alitalia Airlines flights from Boston to Bologna, via Rome Seven nights three-star accommodations at the Hotel Torino, Parma Breakfast daily Welcome dinner at local restaurant Two lunches with wine at local agriturismos Escorted round-trip, private airport/hotel transfers Services of a professional local Tour manager Rates $2,999 per person double occupancy Single and triple accommodations may be available upon request. Includes round-trip airfare, fuel surcharges and all air taxes and fees. Fuel surcharge, air taxes and fees subject to change. Passport required. Per person deposit is $300. Features Guided tour of Parma, prosciutto tasting, full-day excursion to Bologna including half-day guided tour, half-day guided tour of Ravenna, half-day excursion to the Castles of the Ducato di Parma, half-day guided tour of Ferrara. DAILY ITINERARY Day 1: Overnight Flight Depart Boston on an early evening Alitalia Airlines flight to Rome. Dinner will be served on board. Relax and enjoy the in-flight entertainment.

2 Day 2: Arrive Rome connecting flight to Bologna transfer to Parma Continental breakfast will be served before landing in Rome. Clear immigration and proceed to your connecting flight to Bologna. Retrieve your luggage, clear customs and meet our local representative who will assist you with the transfer to the Hotel Torino in Parma. Check in and receive room assignments. In the afternoon there will be an orientation meeting and presentation of the program to the group. This evening enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant. (D) Day 3: Prosciutto tasting - Parma After breakfast, depart the hotel by motorcoach for a visit to the Salumificio Ziveri Claudio. Here you ll enjoy a tasting of world-famous Prosciutto di Parma. In the afternoon you will enjoy a guided visit of Parma, famous as the gastronomic capital of Italy, and for its delectable hams and cheeses.(b) Parma is a wealthy, bustling town on the Parma River between Modena and Fidenza in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. The international fame of the town rests perhaps on its two great food products - parmesan cheese and parma ham - that are both highly reputed around the world. The city itself also has a great deal to offer, including some of the finest buildings, artworks and monuments in northern Italy and numerous bars', restaurants and upmarket shops. The heart of the city radiates north and south from Via Mazzini and Piazza Garibaldi with most important sites close by, and this is a good place to start your visit to Parma. The three historical highlights of the town are all close together, and comprise the cathedral, the baptistry, and the San Giovanni Evangelista church: In addition to all this splendor, find time to explore the narrow backstreets of Parma, before heading for some of the many fashionable boutiques and restaurants, which will tempt all remaining funds out of your credit cards. After exploring the historic centre of Parma cross the river to visit the large gardens of the Duke's Palace along the western riverbanks. These are a pleasant place for a stroll, with the palace and gardens dating from the 16th and 18th century respectively. Day 4: Bologna Depart this morning after breakfast for a full day excursion to Bologna, the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region., It is a lively and cosmopolitan university city, with spectacular history, art, cuisine, music and culture. Well known for its towers, Bologna has a well-preserved historical downtown. You will enjoy a morning half-day guided tour and free time in the afternoon to explore on your own. While crowds of tourists fill Venice, Florence and Rome, Bologna remains relatively quiet in comparison. This medieval university town is charming, historic and fun to roam. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. (B). The city dates back 2,500 years, when the Etruscans first occupied the site. It was later, under the Romans, also an important city - many of the streets in the centre of the town still follow the original Roman layout for the town. Following a few centuries of decline with the end of the Roman Empire, Bologna regained its importance in the 11th century - the university in the town was opened in 1088 and is now Europe's oldest university. It was during the 11th-15th centuries that many of the fine buildings, palaces and arcades in the town were constructed. The medieval centre of Bologna is easy to explore: start your exploration in Piazza Maggiore and Piazza del Nuttuno, the two main squares in the centre of the medieval town. These form a very attractive ensemble with several fine buildings and small palaces. Take time to enjoy the large 16th century Neptune Fountain by Giambologna in the Piazza del Nuttono and admire the detailed bronze figures. Visit the Basilica of Saint Petronio on Piazza Maggiore - you can't ignore it, it's one of the biggest in the world (and still smaller than originally planned, as you can see from the unfinished facade). This basilica dates from the late 14th century. The other aspect for which the city is best known is the arcaded walkways which line many of the streets. Often architecturally interesting and beautifully decorated, there are more than 40 kilometres of these arcades in Bologna. Day 5: Ravenna Depart the hotel this morning for a half day guided tour to the town of Ravenna which is famous world-wide for its 1,500-year-old churches decorated with stunning Byzantine mosaics. Here you ll visit the grand Basilica di San Vitale, one of the most important examples of early Christian Byzantine Art and architecture in Western Europe. The building is one of eight Ravenna structures inscribed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Continue on to the

3 Palazzo Manzoni for a luncheon feast based on products grown on the farm. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. (B,L) Ravenna is an important town situated close to the Adriatic sea, to the east of the Emilia-Romagna region of central Italy. In many ways Ravenna is a typical Italian town, with the 'usual' range of piazzas and churches, historic buildings and a pleasant historic centre to explore. But Ravenna has something extra to offer... The city was a very important capital in Europe around the 5th-6th century, and numerous important religious monuments were built at that time, and many of them decorated with spectacular mosaics - as a consequence there are eight important historic monuments in Ravenna from this period that together are listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Basilica of Saint Apollinare Nuovo: The interior of this early 6th century basilica is remarkable for the number of detailed mosaics running along both sides of the nave that relate numerous biblical stories Basilica of San Vitale: constructed to an octagonal design in the 6th century, this is one of the most important examples of Byzantine art in Europe. The church, its fine paintings and decoration are in themselves architecturally interesting and very impressive, but the mosaics in San Vitale are something else - laid out in extraordinary detail, they largely represent scenes from the bible and the Byzantine era. Day 6: Castle Excursion Today we ll visit two extraordinary castles of the Ducato di Parma - Rocca San Vitale at Fontanellato and Rocca Meli Lupi at Soragna (or similar). The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B) Art, history and traditions The Duchy of Parma and Piacenza went through 300 years of history, but its fortresses and its castles keep much more ancient memories. The Castles were residences, defensive bulwarks, centrts of power, administrative and political seats till when, in 1545, they became a State. Day 7: Ferrara Today you ll enjoy a half-day excursion to Ferrara one of Italy s best-kept secrets. The city is a Renaissance gem linked to the Este family who ruled Ferrara from 1208 to 1598, constructing many monuments that are still there today. Under the Estes, Ferrara became a center of the arts. The concept of an ideal city became a reality in Ferrara and can be seen in the neighborhoods that developed in the area from the 15th century by Biagio Rossetti. In the afternoon you ll transfer to the Agritursmo Le Pradine, a family-run working farm and discover the intense flavors and aromas of typical local products. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. (B,L) Ferrara is an important town in the northeast of Italy's Emilia-Romagna region, north-east of Bologna. During the medieval and renaissance periods Ferrara attracted many of the leading artists and intellectuals of the period - in particular because of the influential and powerful Este family. This period established the heart of the town much as we see it today. Ferrara is now is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its very well preserved centre, and important monuments and buildings. But Ferrara is more than just a historical tourist stop, it is a thriving town with a popular university and a wide range of art galleries, museums, shops and cafes. The main town is still largely surrounded by several kilometres of defensive walls, dating from the 15th-16th centuries and built in brick. Within the walls themselves you can still see many of the gateways, towers and defensive structures that helped protect the town. Inside the city walls, the heart of Ferrara is based around the impressive red-brick Castello Estense, dating largely from the 14th century. Surrounded by a moat the castle is without doubt the highlight of a visit to the town - and a good place to start your visit. Over the centuries the need for a defensive castle with drawbridge and moats receded and the castle was gradually

4 converted into an impressive residence, particularly during the 6th century, renovations including the addition of the buildings on top of each tower. The piazzas and streets around the castle are the hub of the town and the centre for your explorations after visiting the castle, and those who think a trip to an Italian town has to include shopping will also find much to distract them here... Another particular highlight in the town center is the 12th century Cathedral of Saint George with an impressively decorated marble facade and entrance that includes very elaborate carvings relating biblical stories such as the Last Judgement. Day 8: Day at Leisure Enjoy an included breakfast and then the day is free for you to do whatever you want to do. (B) Day 9: Return to Boston Depart from the hotel this morning for the transfer back to Bologna airport and your return flight to Boston, via Rome. (B) Proof of Citizenship is required for all trips outside the United States. U.S. citizens require a valid passport to travel; with at least 6 months' validity. All non-us citizens should check with the appropriate foreign consulate for additional entry requirements. Passports are the responsibility of each traveler. PLEASE NOTE: This pre-departure itinerary is designed to give you an idea of how this itinerary is structured. We reserve the right to make any changes to your final itinerary if deemed necessary, at any time prior to departure. PLEASE NOTE: This is not your final itinerary. You will receive final documents (itinerary, tickets (if applicable), etc.) approximately 2 3 weeks prior to departure. Although we try our best to ensure that information is accurate at the time of publication, we are not responsible for any error, omission, misprint or liability that results from the use (or misuse) of this information.

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