BETHLEHEM COLLEGE ASHFIELD Italian Educational & Cultural Experience

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1 BETHLEHEM COLLEGE ASHFIELD Italian Educational & Cultural Experience 8 April 26 April 2015 Cost AUD $6,500 PROPOSED ITINERARY Day 1 Wednesday 8 April Sydney Meet at Sydney International Airport at the international check-in area at least 3 hours before departure. Flight details will be provided at a later date. Day 2 Thursday 9 April Rome (D) Your tour leaders will meet you at the Rome International Airport holding a sign Bethlehem College. You will then be transferred by private coach to your hotel in the centre of Rome where you will check-in and have time to freshen up or have a rest. Before dinner, your tour leaders will guide you on a leisurely stroll through some of the famous piazze of Rome. The guided walking tour will include Piazza della Repubblica, Piazza del Quirinale, Fontana di Trevi, Piazza della Rotonda and finally Piazza Navona. The walk will end with an early dinner in a family restaurant near Piazza Navona. Day 3 Friday 10 April Rome (BD) Today is all about ancient Rome and the great legacy the Romans have left to the city and the world. We start with a special guided visit to the most iconic building from ancient Rome, the Colosseum. Your guide will then continue the exciting walking tour through the Roman Forum as well as the Campidoglio and the Mayoral Offices and finally the imposing Monument to Vittorio Emanuele. Dinner will be in a traditional Roman restaurant. Day 4 Saturday 11 April Rome (BD) Today we spend the whole day at the Vatican. A special conducted tour of the Vatican Museums including the Sistine Chapel followed by a comprehensive tour of St Peter s Basilica, very important for religious, artistic and historical reasons. In the afternoon, there may be time for independent sightseeing with your teachers. At night we say good-bye to Rome with a dinner in a traditional Roman restaurant. Day 5 Sunday 12 April Rome/Pompeii/Pesaro (BD) Today will be an early morning start. A private tour bus will travel south along the Autostrada del Sol to Pompeii which was destroyed and preserved by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. A local guide will lead the group through the ruins of this truly magnificent Roman city. In the afternoon we head north east in an air-conditioned bus through some of the most beautiful countryside of the Central Apennines to the City of Pesaro in Le Marche Region. We should reach Pesaro, our base for the next 7 nights, by late afternoon. This charming town is situated on the Adriatic Coast nestled against a backdrop of rolling hills surrounded by ancient hilltowns and castles. Upon arrival in Pesaro, the group will be greeted by the teachers of the Italian School who will give a brief explanation of the activities for the coming days. The students will be introduced to the families they will be staying with for the duration of their Italian language/art experience. Dinner with your billeted family.

2 Day 6 Monday 13 April Pesaro (BD) After breakfast with your family, you will start your first of five language classes/art workshops at the Italian school situated in the heart of the historical centre. All classes begin at 9.00 AM and finish at PM with a break of 20 minutes around mid morning. In the afternoon, there will be a special guided walking tour of the historical centre and its many important historical sights. Dinner with your billeted family. Day 7 Tuesday 14 April Pesaro/Urbino (BD). Second language class/art workshop starts at 9.00 AM. In the afternoon, we travel to the nearby University City of Urbino and explore the land once ruled by the medieval lords of Montefeltro. After Florence, Urbino was one of the most important centres of the Italian Renaissance. A conducted tour of the impressive Ducal Palace will give you an insight into the magnificence of the great Duke Federico and how he created a centre of learning famous throughout Italy. Dinner with your billeted family. Day 8 Wednesday 15 April Pesaro (BD) Third lesson/art workshop at the Italian school. In the afternoon, students will attend a local agriturismo/farmhouse or restaurant where the students will partake in a special cooking workshop with a local professional cook. The students will try their hand at preparing some traditional regional dishes both savoury and sweet. Dinner with your billeted family. Day 9 Thursday 16 April Pesaro/Assisi (BD) Today is a full day excursion to the neighbouring Umbria Region where the group will visit the medieval town of Assisi. Assisi is a historic town perched on Monte Subasio and is famous as the home of Italy s most beloved saint, St. Francis. When we arrive in Assisi there will be a guided walking tour of the town including a visit to the Basilica of San Francesco d Assisi, a UNESCO world heritage site, that houses countless artistic masterpieces including Giotto s Fresco Cycle. We will arrive back in Pesaro by late afternoon. Dinner will be with your billeted family. Day 10 Friday 17 April Pesaro/San Marino (BD) In the morning students will attend their fourth language class/art workshop. In the afternoon we cross over Le Marche border for a visit to the tiny Republic of San Marino. It is an afternoon for shopping as San Marino is jammed with heavily discounted shops. Apart from souvenirs, you will be able to pick up perfumes, watches, leather goods and gifts at very reasonable prices. San Marino is also worth a visit for its history and pageantry and its magnificent hilltop setting, which offers excellent views of the countryside. Dinner with your billeted family. Day 11 Saturday 18 April Pesaro (BD) The fifth and final lesson/art workshop at the Italian school. In the afternoon there will be a special visit to a famous Maiolica Ceramic workshop where students will learn the ancient techniques of this famous art form. Maiolica is a traditional Italian ceramic style that dates back to the time of the Renaissance and was a prevalent form of artwork throughout Pesaro and the surrounding areas. Final dinner with your billeted family. Day 12 Sunday 19 April Pesaro/Siena/Florence (BD) Today we say goodbye to Pesaro as our journey takes us through some of the richest parts of the Italian countryside and on to Florence, the city of the Medici. On the way to Florence there will be a special visit to Siena to admire the Cathedral and the Piazza del Campo, one of the most beautiful squares in Europe and learn about the famous race the Palio. We should arrive in Florence by late afternoon. After our arrival the group will check in at the hotel in the centre of the city. The rest of the day will include a walking tour, which features Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto Campanile and the magnificent East Door of the Baptistery known as the Gates of Paradise. Dinner at a restaurant in the centre of Florence.

3 Day 13 Monday 20 April Florence (B/D) Our second day in Florence starts with a guided visit to the Academy Gallery to admire the original David by Michelangelo and other masterpieces by this great artist. The tour continues to the Piazza della Signoria with the famous Uffizi Gallery and Ducal Palace. In the afternoon you are free to wander through the famous markets shopping for leather and gold goods or leisurely explore this beautiful city. There will also be free time for teachers and students to independently explore historical sights such as Ponte Vecchio and the church of Santa Croce renowned for its frescoes and the tombs of some of Italy s famous artists. Dinner at a local restaurant. Day 14 Tuesday 21 April Florence/Pisa (BD) Today we make a special trip to one of Italy s most famous landmarks, the Leaning Tower of Pisa which is one of several architecturally important structures in the Piazza dei Miracoli. The Leaning Tower is the campanile, or bell tower, of the Cathedral. It is famous for its noticeable lean which has recently had a lot of work done to stop it from falling to the ground. The Tower was built in In the afternoon we make our way back to Florence by train. Dinner in a traditional restaurant in Florence. Day 15 Wednesday 22 April Florence/Maranello/Venice (BD) This morning we make our way by private coach to Venice. On the way the group will visit the Ferrari Museum at Maranello. Students will get the opportunity to see the fantastic collection of historic and new Ferrari cars and learn the history of this iconic Italian brand famous throughout the world. We will reach Venice by late afternoon and after checking into the hotel the group will enjoy a walking tour to experience the sights of Venice including the famous Piazza San Marco and the Basilica. We then walk back through the small streets of Venice. Dinner in a local restaurant. Day 16 Thursday 23 April Venice/Murano (BD) Today, after breakfast, we take in the sights along the Grand Canal to the island of Murano where Venice s world famous glass is made. We will visit several glass factories and view a demonstration by a master glassblower. The afternoon will be back on Venice Island where the group will see the famous Rialto Bridge and there will be an opportunity for some free time for student teacher activities. Dinner in a local restaurant. Day 17 Friday 24 April Venice (B) After breakfast the group will depart for Venice Marco Polo Airport for the flight back to Sydney Australia. Arrival back in Australia 25 or 26 April depending on flight schedule.

4 Items included in the Tour A return economy airfare Travel insurance for the duration of the tour All land travel in an air conditioned bus Accommodation for 8 nights in 2/3 star hotels in Rome/Florence/Venice 15 breakfasts 15 dinners 7 nights home stay with families in Pesaro Accommodation for teachers in a hotel or self contained apartment in Pesaro 5 x 3 1/2 hour lessons/workshops at Language school in Pesaro with qualified teachers Italian cooking workshop in Pesaro All water transport in Venice Admission to all galleries, museums and historical sites included in the itinerary Personally guided tours to all towns mentioned in the tour Services of the tour leaders throughout the tour A comprehensive information booklet before departure, which include maps, information on hotels, restaurants, historical notes and other useful information on the Italian culture. Items not included Admission fees to places other than those specifically itemised in the itinerary Meals on tour except when specifically mentioned in the itinerary Drinks outside normal meal times or additional drinks in restaurants Personal transport costs, phone calls and other personal needs Cost The cost of the tour is AUD $6,500* per student in shared accommodation. The tour is costed on a minimum of 20 students. (* The price is based on the current price trends of airline tickets. The price also includes current government taxes.) Additional information The weather: it is the start of Spring and it can get warm during the day however the evenings are cool. We recommend light, conformable clothing, a light jacket with your favourite walking shoes. The countryside is undulating and hilly. Many of the hill towns have their historical centres closed to traffic and therefore lots of walking is required. You should expect to stroll leisurely for up to two hours with breaks for sightseeing, a drink and a gelato. The program appears to be full; however it is mixed and there is sufficient leisure time for your enjoyment and for student/teacher activities.

5 A more detail information pack will be supplied before departure. Mario, Viny and Gianni, your tour guides, will ensure that the trip will be a learning and memorable experience for the students and above all an enjoyable one. Your tour leaders during the trip will provide assistance in the history, culture and the life in Italy. For further information Visit the web site for the full list of tours available. Write to: Vita Italian Tours PO Box 145 Preston Vic 3072 Australia info@vitaitaliantours.com Telephone: Mobile: Mario & Viny Vitellone Directors Solito Investments Pty. Ltd. (ACN ABN ) trading as Vita Italian Tours