Quote Reference: CF0001EU01

Friends Opera Tour

7 Days | Departing 27 April - 3 May 2017

INSIGHTVACATIONS.COM

Italy

Day 1: Thursday, 27 April, 2017 - Arrive Venice

Welcome to Italy. After being greeted by your Tour Director at Venice Marco Polo Airport, your private group water taxi transfer departs to your hotel. In the evening, you are invited to a warm and friendly Welcome Reception with the opportunity to mingle and get to know each other over a pleasant evening of dinner and wine. (WD) Flight: Aer Lingus EI422 07:20 am-11:00 am. Hotel: Hotel Gabrielli (or similar) Day 2: Friday, 28 April, 2017 - Venice Sightseeing

Even for the experienced traveller, there can be no better joy than waking up in Venice. Transfer to Giudecca Island to witness the art of glassblowing. Then appreciate the

splendour as you cruise by Palladio’s San Giorgio Maggiore to St. Mark’s Square. Your Tour Director will explain the glorious history of ‘La Serenissima’, once one of the greatest trading centres of the world – its wealth and power is echoed by the riches of St. Mark’s Basilica. See the Doge’s Palace and its adjoining Bridge of Sighs. Later, on your romantic gondola serenade, glide along the atmospheric canals while musicians set the mood with traditional songs. (BB)

*Attend Lucia di Lammermoor by Donizetti in Teatro La Fenice, which was performed at Wexford Festival in 1964.

Day 3: Saturday, 29 April, 2017 - Venice to Florence

Follow the fertile valley of the River Po, into the peaceful landscapes of Tuscany. Continue to Pisa to see the world-famous

Leaning Tower in the ‘Meadow of Miracles’ and also the 11th century cathedral and baptistery.

Then venture on to beautiful Florence - a treasure house of the Renaissance. On arrival, meet a Local Expert for a walking tour of the historic centre. Visit the Accademia Museum to see Michelangelo’s masterpiece statue, ‘David’. Admire the marble clad cathedral and baptistery, where Ghiberti’s ‘Gates of Paradise’ have been recreated in all their glory. (BB) Hotel: Hotel NH Firenze Anglo American (or similar)

YOUR ITINERARY Quote Ref: CF0001EU01

INSIGHT GROUPS - THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS

Day 4: Sunday, 30 April, 2017 - Florence Sightseeing

Learn all the secrets of traditional Florentine leather-work. Next stop is Signoria Square filled with Renaissance sculpture. Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Montepulciano - the wines of Tuscany are famous worldwide. During your stay, sample some of these robust reds and learn about their origin.

*This afternoon attend an opera performance at Firenze Teatro Della Pergola - IDOMENEO. (BB, D)

Day 5: Monday, 1 May, 2017 - Florence to Rome

Travel through the vineyards of the Chianti region in the morning, past Lake Trasimeno - the Italian Peninsula’s largest lake and site of a great battle in ancient times against Hannibal and his war elephants. Climb into the foothills of the Apennine Mountains to delightful Assisi, a stone built town spilling over the steep hillside. With a Local Expert, visit the tomb of St. Francis and see the beautiful frescoes by Giotto in the great basilica, before continuing along the valley of the River Tiber towards the ‘Eternal City’ of Rome. In the evening, why not throw your coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure your return to the city? (BB) Hotel: Kolbe Hotel (or similar)

Day 6: Tuesday, 2 May, 2017 - Rome Sightseeing

Your intermezzo reaches its crescendo at the independent Vatican State, the richest community in the world. While others wait in line, you are fast-tracked through the VIP entrance into the Vatican Museums, treasure house of the Catholic faith. With an expert historian, admire the vast collections of ancient and Renaissance art, gathered by Popes over the ages and enjoy a behind-the-scenes viewing of the Bramante Staircase.

Then enter the sublime Sistine Chapel to gaze up and admire Michelangelo’s famous painted ceiling. Next door, in St. Peter’s Basilica, see one of Michelangelo’s early works, the Pietà and the splendid dome completed after his death. Now relive the glory of ancient Rome as you cross the River Tiber to visit the mighty Colosseum – a scene of great festivities and occasional martyrdoms in imperial times.

Finally, look out over the former epicentre of the whole Roman Empire - the Ancient Forum. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy Rome at your own pace. * In the evening, immerse yourself in the quintessential Italian experience. Over a sumptuous dinner of Roman cuisine, fill your glass with wine, and enjoy an evening of spine-tingling operetta (subject to confirmation). (BB, D)

Day 7: Wednesday, 3 May, 2017 - Depart Rome Bid farewell to the glories of Italy. Your group departure transfer departs to Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport. (BB)

Flight: Aer Lingus EI 407 11:15 am - 13:35 pm.

Trusted BrandFor more than 38 years, Insight Vacations has been designing the

world’s finest escorted travel itineraries. We are the renowned

experts in Europe but also offer the same legendary high

standards in and carefully curated itineraries in North America,

South America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, India,

Bhutan, Nepal and Morocco. We are fully licensed and bonded by

Ireland’ after TA013 and are members of the Irish Travel Agent

Association.

The Insight CoachTravel in armchair comfort, with the same spacious legroom

found in airline Business Class. Our entire fleet of luxury touring

coaches has been uniquely customised, removing several rows of

seats to allow up to twice as much legroom as the standard

coaches used by other operators. You’ll experience extended

panoramic views, air-conditioning, amazing sound systems,

video and power-outlets and Wi-Fi to keep you in touch with

friends back home.

Best Tour Directors in the Business!From the moment you arrive, our talented people are there to

welcome you and ensure that you enjoy your holiday to the

fullest. They’re exceptionally experienced, well-organised,

knowledgeable and at the pinnacle of their careers. They make

everything run smoothly and take time out to help you with your

specific priorities and interests. With a maximum of 40 guests

and the full services of your Tour Director and dedicated Driver,

you’ll enjoy a spirit of companionship, while appreciating real

freedom, comfort, space and privacy.

Enriching The World Around UsAt Insight Vacations, we are in constant awe of the world around

us. Travelling the globe, discovering endless natural wonders,

immersing ourselves in other cultures, and uncovering unique

experiences for our guests, gives us an ever-deepening

understanding and appreciation of our surroundings. This

awareness drives us to take the lead in working to protect and

preserve the unique character and beauty of each destination.

Founded in 2008 as a joint initiative between Insight Vacations

and each member of The Travel Corporation (TTC) family of

brands, the TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit that

works to help ensure the environment and communities we visit

remain for generations to come. To date, TreadRight and Insight

Vacations have supported more than 35 sustainable tourism

projects worldwide.

AccommodationBased on twin share in Insight standard hotels as listed or similar. Hotels quoted are to be used as a guide only and are subject to availability and change at the time of booking. If the quoted hotel is unavailable, we will secure another hotel in the same category as similar as possible.

Sightseeing & Meals6 Breakfasts 1 Welcome Dinner 1 Signature Evening

1 Celebration Dinner Sightseeing, as per itinerary Highlight Features Venice: To the tune of accompanying musicians, you are serenaded through the atmospheric canals by gondola. Florence: Gain a fascinating insight into the work of Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the Statue of David with a Renaissance art expert during your visit to the Accademia Museum. Florence: Meet a Local Expert for a walking tour of the historic centre. Visit the Accademia Museum to see Michelangelo’s masterpiece statue, ‘David’. Assisi: A Local Expert will explain why the Basilica of St. Francis is considered one of the crowning achievements of medieval Europe. Rome: Gain VIP fast-track entrance into the Vatican Museums and enjoy a special private viewing of the Bramante Stairs before being confronted by the genius of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel . Rome: With a local antiquarian, visit the Colosseum, still echoing with the ghostly cries of gladiatorial combat. See the Forum, once the Roman Empire’s bustling centre of commerce.

Tour DirectorServices of a professional English speaking Tour Director throughout. Local Expert Guides where required and as noted on the itinerary.

Service ChargesTips to restaurants where a meal is included by Insight Vacations. Service charges and local taxes on services provided by Insight.

TransportationInsight 40 seater coach with extra leg room. Arrival and Departure transfers are based on one group arrival and one group departure transfer. Should members of the group require transfers outside these times, they will have to make their own transport arrangements.

DocumentationStylish Insight wallet containing the itinerary, hotel list, optional experiences list, and baggage labels.

PorterageOne piece of luggage per person, in and out of hotels provided by Insight Vacations.

Domestic and internal Airfares. Optional experiences. Travel Insurance. Visas and items of a personal nature.

Dromoland Castle

PRICES

WHAT’S INCLUDED

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

Tour and Opera* €1,699 p.p.s

Plus Return Flights* €250 approx*

Total €1,949 p.p.s

Pricing*Price will be confirmed at time of booking. Single room supplement will cost €280p.p. The price mentioned above is based on minimum of 30 paying guests.

BOOKING CONDITIONS:Tips & Taxes & Porterage: Insight Vacation’s hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage. All tips are included for services on tour provided by dining-room waiters, chambermaids and porters at hotels.

Scheduling of Opera Performances: It is with every intention that all of the opera performances listed in the itinerary will be scheduled. However, Insight Vacations is not responsible if by any reason the respective operas cannot be scheduled.

What’s Not Included: Airport taxes and charges imposed by third parties, passports and applicable visa fees, laundry, phone calls, items of a personal nature, beverages, meals and sightseeing not detailed on the itinerary, tips and gratuities to the Tour Director, coaches drivers and local city guides, excess baggage, Optional Experiences and travel insurance. Please note that travel insurance is highly recommended. Please see your Travel Agent for further details.

Your flight cost is required in full at booking point along with a deposit of €500 per person for the tour and opera.

Final Payment is required no later than 70 days prior to departure.

Price: the advertised price is in Euros. No surcharges in regards to cost or currency fluctuations will be made once deposit is received. This guarantee excludes fuel surcharges and does not apply to any taxes, charges or levies imposed by any government or its agencies.

Discounts: Frequent Traveller & 2nd tour Discounts apply only. No other discounts are available on this tour. Refer our current Europe & Britain brochure for conditions of these.

Cancellation Fees:The following scale of charges apply when cancellation is notified: No of days prior to Cancellation fee as tour commencement % of total tour priceMore than 70 days loss of depositBetween 69 & 30 days 38.5%Between 29 & 08 days 55%07 days or less 100%

Amendments: A fee of €50 may apply to any change made to your booking once confirmed.

Refunds: No refund is available if cancellations occur after the tour has commenced or in respect of any tours, accommodation, meals or any other services not utilised.

Itinerary Changes & Tour Cancellation: Insight Vacations reserves the right to vary itineraries should circumstances dictate, as well as cancel or reschedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements, or circumstances beyond its control. The advertised tours require minimum numbers to depart. Should these not be met Insight Vacations reserves the right to alter or cancel arrangements.

Hotels: The hotels listed in the itinerary are confirmed, although subject to change for reasons beyond our control.

Rooming Arrangements: Please note that single accommodation is usually limited. Occupying a single room either by choice or circumstance is subject to the applicable supplement.

Tour Membership: Any person aged 5 years or more is eligible, though if under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. The Tour Director may, at his or her discretion, require any person to withdraw from any tour if he or she deems the person’s acts or conduct offensive or a nuisance to other passengers, and we shall have no further liability.

Porterage: for one suitcase on tour is included in the tour price and at arrival or departure from each tour hotel. Due to limited coach capacity this single bag should have a weight not exceeding 30kg (66lbs) and dimensions not exceeding 77.5cm (30.5in) x 56cm (22in) x 32cm (12.5in). Charges will be levied in the event these limits are exceeded and our promise to transport you as indicated may be invalidated. Note: Airlines may restrict check-in baggage to 20kgs per person.

Documentation: Approximately 2 weeks prior to departure, documentation will be received by your travel agent including a tour itinerary, a full Hotel list, an Optional Excursion list, baggage labels & ticket wallet.

Holidays & Changes: During local or national holidays abroad, certain facilities such as museums, sightseeing tours and shopping may be limited. In such instances, and whenever possible, slight itinerary adjustments are made by Insight Vacations to minimise inconvenience to our passengers. If, however you feel your enjoyment might be diminished by such minor limitations please check with the respective national tourist office before selecting a specific departure. Similarly, holidays, closing days and other circumstances may necessitate a change of the day of the week for scheduled highlight dinners, sightseeing or other activities. Due to the unreliability of domestic air scheduling, religious festivals, and other unforeseen circumstances, the itineraries, hotels or order of sightseeing may change at short notice.

Pre or post tour accommodation is subject to availability. If not available, an alternative may be offered.

Booking Terms and Conditions: These conditions incorporate the basis upon which bookings are accepted by your Travel Agent and Insight Vacations. By making a booking you are agreeing to these terms & conditions. Insight is not responsible for the costs of any other travel arrangements affected due to our cancellations or re-scheduling of any tour departure. For further information about Insight Vacations please refer to Insight’s brochure. These conditions must be carefully studied prior to making the commitment of paying the deposit as they must be referred to. Additional terms and conditions may be applicable to group bookings and will be advised.

Airfare prices will be confirmed at time of booking and are subject to change. Opera ticket prices will be confirmed at time of booking and are subject to change.