ITALIAN OPERA GALA IN VERONA & BEST OF SALZBURG

JULY 08, SUN: Fly from the USA to VENICE, Italy

JULY 09, MON: VENICE-VERONA. Airport welcome at Venice Airport by your tour director, then a short drive west to Verona, beautifully located on a broad bend of the River Adige. Time to rest and unwind before our special Welcome Dinner of local fare and wine. (D)

JULY 10, TUE: VERONA. Verona lays claim to classical and medieval monuments, a picturesque town center and a romantic reputation, thanks for being the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. During our walking tour this morning enjoy stops at Piazza Erbe, the city’s old herb market, Piazza die Signori, Verona’s medieval political center, and Casa Giuletta, Juliet’s house. The afternoon is free for shopping and browsing along the colorful streets of Verona’s old town and this evening enjoy Georges Bizet’s CARMEN in the beautifully preserved Roman Arena. Once the site of the cruel deaths of countless gladiators, wild beasts and Christians – yet today it provides an outstanding background for one of the world’s most popular operas, the story of Carmen, the beautiful gypsy with a fiery temper. (B)

JULY 11, WED: VERONA. Today is set aside for a complete drive around Lago di Garda, one of the most beautiful lakes of northern Italy. Lake Garda offers the visitor splendid natural scenery, full of colors, surrounded by the Dolomites in the north and the gentle slopes of the hills in the south. Rich vegetation flourishes thanks to the Mediterranean climate: lemon trees, oleanders, magnolias and bougainvillea, not to mention the cultivation of vineyards and olive groves. Enjoy stops in the charming resort of Gargnano, in Limone sul Garda, one of the lake’s most attractive villages, and in the enchanting town of Sirmione, a holiday resort for the leisurely well-to-do. Then return to Verona in the late afternoon with a chance to rest before tonight’s Giuseppe Verdi’s AIDA. Aida met with great acclaim when it finally opened in Cairo in December 1871. And today, all of this in the surroundings of an ancient Roman arena from the 1st century AD. (B, L)

JULY 12, THU: VERONA. Our excursion today takes us to Vicenza, home of Andrea di Pietro, known as Palladio, the last great architect of the Renaissance. Our tour takes us first inside of the garden of Palazzo Rotonda, from where we can view his most famous creation. Next admire other buildings by Palladio in the city center of Vicenza plus a visit to the Teatro Olimpico, designed by him shortly before his death in 1580. Enjoy lunch on beautiful Piazza dei Signori with views of Palladio’s Basilica Palladiana, then a short drive takes us to nearby Padova for a visit to the Capella degli Scrovegni, adorned with the expressive frescoes by Giotto. Return to Verona for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)

JULY 13, FRI: VERONA-SALZBURG. Leaving Verona we head north past Trento and Bolzano to Innsbruck, set upon the banks of its namesake River Inn. Enjoy free time for lunch and a walking tour around the Old Town, and then continue east through Alpine countryside, providing picturesque farms, ever-changing vistas of pretty lakes and snow covered mountain peaks. Late afternoon arrive in Salzburg, birthplace of W.A. Mozart and home of the Trapp family. (B, D)

JULY 14, SAT: SALZBURG. Our morning tour includes a walk around the picturesque Old Town with visits to the Baroque Cathedral and Mirabell Gardens, beautifully laid out in 1690 by Fischer von Erlach. It was here that Maria and her children were seen dancing around the statue of Pegasus, the winged horse, and throughout the garden singing “Do-re-mi“. Next enjoy a drive around town featuring Nonnberg Convent and Leopoldskron Palace, both sites also used in the filming of “The Sound of Music“. All afternoon is free to enjoy this cozy but yet elegant city on your own and this evening attend a performance of “The Magic Flute“ at the famed Marionette Theater. (B, D)

JULY 15, SUN: SALZBURG. Enjoy a full day excursion to the Salzkammergut, one of Austria’s most beautiful regions. More than 70 lakes and two mountain ranges add to the natural beauty of the area. Cross Lake Wolfgang by veteran paddle-steamer Kaiser Franz Joseph and visit charming medieval town of St. Wolfgang, known for its famous pilgrimage church featuring a beautiful late Gothic altar. Enjoy free time for lunch and shopping and next, en route back to Salzburg, stop in Mondsee to visit the interior of its 15th C monastic church, the scene of Maria’s wedding. Maria, led by Liesl, walked down the aisle to meet the baron in front of the stairs of the main altar. The evening is at leisure with dinner on your own. (B)

JULY 16, MON: SALZBURG. After a leisurely breakfast we will stop first at Mozart’s birthplace at Getreidegasse No. 9. It was here that he child prodigy was born on January 27, 1756. The house museum exhibits Mozart’s violins and piano, as well as manuscripts, portraits and letters. Next enjoy a visit to Schloss Hellbrunn, once the summer residence of the Archbishop Markus Sittikus. The banquet hall, the high, domed octagon or the music room are most interesting but the best is a stroll through the attractive gardens and fountains – an experience full of surprises. The afternoon is free for further explorations, shopping or browsing and this evening enjoy a Mozart Dinner Concert in Salzburg’s oldest Restaurant, the Stiftskeller St. Peter. The candlelit Baroque Hall, glorious music performed by artists in period costumes and a dinner inspired by 18th C recipes – a great experience to take you back to the age of Mozart. (B, D)

JULY 17, TUE: SALZBURG. All day is set aside for an excursion to the old Alpine village of Berchtesgaden, once a favorite hideaway for the Bavarian King Ludwig I. Walk the winding streets, enjoy the medieval market place, and then drive to Obersalzberg where the rulers of the Third Reich once resided. Here we change to special buses to drive on one of Europe’s most impressive mountain roads. Finally, a lift brings us to the Eagle’s Nest, which Hitler was given as a present by the Nazi Party for his 50th birthday as a teahouse for diplomats. The teahouse, one of the few undamaged monuments of the Hitler era, has been open to the public as a restaurant with a spectacular view since 1952. After lunch we tour the over 450-year-old salt mines in Berchtesgaden. Wearing traditional miners’ clothes, we hear historical tales of the fascinating underground world, use the same slides and trains as hundreds of miners before and take a raft sail on the salt lake. Return to Salzburg and tonight’s dinner will cooked for us out on a private farm in the country side north of the city. (B, D)

JULY 18, WED: SALZBURG. This morning we travel east to Bad Ischl, the former summer capital of the great Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. By establishing his summer quarters at Ischl, near his favorite hunting grounds, Emperor Franz Joseph turned the spa into a holiday resort which attracted many crowned heads, composers, painters and poets. First visit the Kaiservilla, originally a wedding present from his mother on the occasion of his marriage in 1854 to the Bavarian princess Elisabeth, then enjoy free time for lunch in this picturesque little town of Bad Ischl. Later on take an exciting cable-car ride up to the summit of the Krippenstein Mountain, providing breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding peaks from an altitude of 7,000 ft. Return to Salzburg late afternoon and this evening enjoy a chamber concert in the richly decorated Marmorsaal (Hall of Marble) inside the beautiful Schloss Mirabell. (B)

JULY 19, THU: SALZBURG-MUNICH. Leaving Salzburg we travel west to Lake Chiemsee, known as the “Bavarian Sea“ and one of the Bavarian Alps most beautiful lakes. The lake’s main attraction is the island Herrenchiemsee (gentlemen’s island), site of one of King Ludwig II’s three palaces. Begun by “Mad King Ludwig“ in 1878, the castle was to recreate the grand palace of Versailles. Admire the state bedroom, the crystal chandeliers, the frescoes of the vaulted ceilings and above all – the Great Hall of Mirrors which is unquestionably the most splendid room in the palace. After lunch continue to Munich, Bavaria’s lively capital. Labeled as “secret capital of Germany“, it is one of the country’s most festive cities. Enjoy some free time to take a stroll to the colorful open-air food market or the Marienplatz and tonight sit down for a special Farewell Dinner with music and wine at a popular restaurant. (B,D)

JULY 20, FRI: MUNICH-USA. This morning transfer to Munich airport for your daylight flight back to the USA. (B)

LAND ARRANGEMENTS INCLUDE:

·         Accommodations in first–class hotels

·         Breakfast buffet daily, 2 lunches and 8 dinners

·         Services of professional tour director, Gunter Walter

·         Gratuities to tour director and local city guides

·         Transportation by deluxe, air-conditioned coach

·         All sightseeing and excursions as outlined in this itinerary, including entrance and guide fees

·         Headsets included throughout the tour

SPECIAL INCLUDED FEATURES TO NOTE:

·         Welcome Dinner with wine, Verona

·         Reserved seats, best category, for evening performances of  Carmen and Aida

·         Full day excursion to Lago di Garda, Italian Lake District

·         Visit to Palazzo Rotonda and Teatro Olimpico, Vicenza

·         Visit to Capella degli Scrovegni, Padova

·         Walking tour of Innsbruck’s Old Town

·         Visit to Cathedral and Mozart’s birthplace

·         Performance at the  Marionette Theater

·         Mozart Concert Dinner, Stiftskeller St. Peter

·         Visit to Schloss Hellbrunn and Salzkammergut

·         Visit to Eagle’s Nest and Salt Mines, Berchtesgaden

·         Visit to Kaiservilla, Bad Ischl

·         Cable car ride to the summit of Krippenstein Massif

·         Chamber Concert at the Schloss Mirabell

·         Visit to King Ludwig’s Schloss Herrenchiemsee

·         Farewell Dinner with music and wine, Munich

Cost for land arrangements: $4530.00 per person sharing a twin room.

Single supplement: add $800.00

Price based on minimum group size of 18-20 and dollar/euro exchange rate at time of printing. 

Deposit to hold Your space:

$600.00 per person by calling in credit card information or a check made out to Regency Travel, 416 Perkins Ext., Memphis 38117

Airfare:

Regency Travel will be happy to issue airline tickets for clients in business or economy at the least expensive rate available once we have the minimum number to operate the trip.  Travellers are welcome to arrange their own air using frequent fliers or upgrades.  Roundtrip hotel/airport transfers are included only at a set flight time. Please check with Regency before ticketing to confirm this time. Taxis are readily available at the airport for other flight times.  For information please call Linda Walter at 901-844-6105 or Glenda Owen at 844-6106. Or lwalter@regencytravel.net

Insurance:  At final billing trip cancellation medical/baggage insurance information will be provided at a group rate.  This covers illness or death in immediate family of traveller or traveller’s roommate and covers their pre-existing conditions of a medical nature. Please be aware that medical insurance which covers when overseas is rare so this travel insurance is highly recommended. It also covers trip interruption or flight delays.

Cancellation:

·          Before Mar.1 :  $150.00 per person

·          From Mar. 1- April 30 :  $400.00 per person

·          From  final payment May 1 until departure: 100% of land costs

For information, bookings, or brochures for friends, please call LINDA WALTER (901) 844-6105 or GLENDA OWEN (901) 844-6106 at Regency Travel or (800) 278-8924 ext. 105.

Italy/Austria: Trip Application

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Responsibility  Regency Travel and/or its agents act only in the capacity of tour operators for the clients in all matters pertaining to travel by air or surface.  They shall not be liable for any injury, damage or loss occasioned by neglect, default of any company or person engaged in conveying the tour, or any hotel proprietor or vehicle rental organization or other persons supplying services or materials in connection with the tour.  Regency Travel reserves the right to withdraw a tour at any time, to refuse to accept or retain any person as a member of a tour/or to make changes in the published itinerary whenever in their sole judgment conditions warrant or if they deem necessary for the comfort, convenience or safety of the passengers.  All prices are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time of publication and are subject to re confirmation when final payment is made.  The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not aboard their aircraft.  The passage contract in use by the airlines concerned when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the airlines and purchased of these tours.  The services of any IATA carrier, may be used in connection with the air portion of these tours. Neither Regency Travel nor Voyager Tours is responsible for any fees or penalties resulting from airline tickets obtained by clients. Client must check that tour is operating before ticketing. Clients who have health issues should bring a family member to assist them and know that Europe’s many sites are not all handicap accessible.