Lifetime Learning Center Travel Opportunities An International Travel & Learn OpportunityThe Best of Italy The Craven Community College Foundation’s Lifetime Learning Center is pleased to announce The Best of Italy, an international travel and learn adventure. Our 14-day tour will feature a harmonious blend of culture and countryside with destination highlights that include Pompeii, Sorrento, Assisi, Venice, Verona, Milan, Lake Como, Cirque Terre, Pisa, Siena and Florence. City and Tour Highlights: Monte Cassino - Commonwealth War Cemetery
AAA of the Carolinas is our designated agent and our tour is a customized itinerary through the Trafalgar Premiere program, a provider known for their experienced tour directors and local guides. These experienced professionals have the local knowledge to do what the guidebooks can’t – give you an insider’s perspective on each destination and create a vacation experience you simply could not have on your own. Our goal is to create an international adventure where our participants feel like travelers, not tourists, and we share an ‘insider’s view’ of Italy with an authentic and enhanced travel and learning experience. We are very excited about the trip! Please review the itinerary within and join the Lifetime Learning Center for The Best of Italy! Day to Day ItineraryMonday, May 13 - Depart from New BernFrom Coastal Carolina Airport, New Bern. Our air carriers are US Air from New Bern to Charlotte and Lufthansa from Charlotte to Rome via Munich Tuesday, May 14 - Arrive RomeWelcome to Rome, the Eternal City! Spend the rest of your day relaxing or take a leisurely stroll around the city. Join your companions and your travel director later for dinner and a Welcome Reception. Then enjoy an orientation drive to see St. Peter’s Basilica and other sights - a great introduction to this beautiful city.  Wednesday, May 15 - Rome - Pompeii - SorrentoVisit the Commonwealth War Cemetery near Monte Cassino. Your local guide tells you all about the devastation caused by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79 during your walking tour of Pompeii. Arrive later at your hotel in Sorrento where you dine tonight. Thursday, May 16 - Isle of Capri ExcursionWitness the art of inlaid woodworking, for which Sorrento is famous. Later, embark on an included excursion by ferry to the Isle of Capri. See the local gardens and other sights during an orientation walk of Capri town. Spend time exploring this lovely island on your own or visit the villa of the Swedish doctor, Axel Munthe. Friday, May 17 - Sorrento - AssisiAssisi is a mystical town perched on the slopes of Mount Subasio overlooking the peaceful Umbrian landscape. Under the protection of St. Francis, this city is still enclosed by medieval ramparts. Your local guide takes you on a walking tour, which includes a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis, famous for its frescos depicting the life of this much-loved saint. Dine at your hotel this evening. Saturday, May 18 - Assisi - Ravenna - VeniceDriving north from Assisi, cross the Apennines to the Adriatic Coast and the town of Classe, famous for ancient mosaics and Byzantine architecture. Visit the Church of St. Apollinaris. Admire the Romanesque Basilica of Pomposa. Arrive later in Venice, Queen of the Adriatic, where you stay for two nights. Sunday, May 19 - Venice SightseeingYour cruise by private boat to St. Mark’s Square is magical! View the Bridge of Sighs, the beautiful Doge’s Palace and the Basilica. Watch a demonstration of the ancient art of glassblowing at a traditional workshop on Giudecca island. Spend free time seeing the sights of your choice. Monday, May 20 - Verona - Milan - Lake MaggioreThis morning travel to Verona, the home of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers, to admire Juliet’s balcony and the Roman arena. Cross the plains of Lombardy to Milan for a walking tour of this fashionable city with your local guide. See the Gothic Duomo, La Scala Opera house and the famous Galleria. Dine tonight at your hotel. Tuesday, May 21 - Lake Como ExcursionTravel to the beautiful Lake Como with free time to explore or simply soak up the scenery. This evening, take a private boat to an island on Lake Maggiore for a special Be My Guest dinner experience. Wednesday, May 22 - Cinque Terre - La SpeziaToday visit Cinque Terre with a local guide for an afternoon excursion to two picturesque fishing villages. Later, drive to La Spezia for your overnight stay.
Thursday, May 23 - La Spezia - Pisa - FlorenceToday, we'll stop on the right bank of the mouth of the River Arno on the Tyrrhenian Sea to visit the city of Pisa. It is the capital city of the Province of Pisa. Although most famous for its leaning tower (the bell tower of the city's cathedral), the city of over 88,000 residents contains more than 20 other historic churches, several palaces and various bridges across the River Arno. After our visit to Pisa, we will travel to Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. Friday, May 24 - Florence SightseeingYour local guide brings the city’s rich history to life during your walking tour. See the Cathedral and Signoria Square and view Ponte Vecchio. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo. Spend free time exploring or shop for high-quality leather and gold.
Saturday, May 25 - Florence - Siena - RomeSet in the scenic Tuscan countryside, visit the medieval town of Siena, famous for its exciting Palio horse race. This evening in Rome, join your travel director and newfound friends for a Farewell Dinner. Sunday, May 26 - Depart RomeSay ‘arrivederci Roma’ at the end of your memorable vacation in Italy. A group transfer is provided to Rome Fiumicino Airport. Pricing and TermsThe cost per person for the land portion of the tour is $3686, based on double occupancy. The tour includes accommodations for 12 nights with breakfast daily, a welcome reception, 7 dinners, all guide and escort services, admissions as described in the itinerary and deluxe motor coach transportation. Jennifer Baer, Coordinator of Craven Community College's Lifetime Learning Center, will lead the group and work in partnership with the Trafalgar Tour Director for the benefit, comfort and safety of our group from departure to return. Air travel is additional. We have arranged for a group booking, with departure and return through New Bern's Coastal Carolina Airport at $1,370 per person. This exclusive tour will be limited to a maximum of 36 participants. A minimum of 20 participants will be required to make the group reservation. Price Breakdown for Land and Air: Registration RequirementsTo complete your registration for "The Best of Italy" and secure one of the 36 seats on our premier group tour: NOTE: The individual cost of the travel insurance is based on the participant’s age at the time of travel and is a requirement of Craven Community College for participation in this group trip. The required insurance is provided through Allianz Travel Insurance. Registrations will be secured on a first come first served basis from the date that deposits are received by AAA of the Carolinas. Final payments are due on or before March 8.Price and deposit examples with Insurance (based on double occupancy *)
|
