Trips Italy Wide Fr Brendan Harnett, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Norway, ME

Depart - Arrival City	Departure - Arrival Time	Flight #
May 1 Portland ME - Newark	11:05am – 12:39pm	3293
May 1 Newark – Rome	5:25pm–7:45am(next day)	40

May 13 Milan – Newark	10:20am – 1:35pm	45
May 13 Newark – Portland ME	5:15pm – 6:53pm	3294

Hotels - 4 and 5 star hotels in the downtown area close to major sites

	Rome. Hotel Rospigliosi. Tel. 011.39 06 48930495 hotelrospigliosi
	Sorrento. Grand Hotel Cesare Augusto (has a pool). Tel. 011.39.081 878 2700 Cesare Augusto
	Florence. Plaza Hotel Lucchesi. Tel. 011.39.055.26236 plazalucchesi
	Lake Como. Palace Hotel Como. Tel. 011.39.031 233.91 palacehotel.it

Trip Includes

	Air Fare from anywhere in the Continental USA (same price)
	4 or 5 star Hotels in Downtown Areas
	Transport with Luxury Bus
	All Breakfasts and all Dinners in Upscale Restaurants. Wine included at Dinner
	All Tips to Bus Driver and Tour Guide
	Guided Tours and Tour Fees
	All Taxes
	Fuel Surcharges
	Remember: our trips are not more expensive during high season - We offer unlimited food and drinks including wine, and we are flexible with the menu - The price of the trips is the same from anywhere in the USA - Passengers will never be expected to be extra for anything else on the trip - The size of our groups are not large at all - We always wait for passengers and we never leave anyone behind - We do not charge extra if any passenger intends to come back from overseas at a later date

Trip Does Not Include

	Lunch
	Optional Insurance: $200 per person

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Depart from your hometown for the overnight flight to Italy (Duration of flight

to Europe is 7 hour average). Dress casual & comfortable.

Day 2: Arrival. Rest for a few hours. Our private bus will take us to the town where

the Pope’s Summer Residence is located: the charming Castel Gondolfo with its

spectacular Lake Albano. Awesome place just like those towns you see on TV. Wine

Tasting and opening night dinner at 6:00 pm at a local upscale restaurant: eat where

the Italians eat. Several courses of delicious Italian food. Unlimited red and white wine

included. Casual dress. Overnight in Rome.

Day 3: Late Start. Leave Hotel with Private Bus around 9:30 am to go to St. Peter's

in the Vatican, the largest Basilica in the world. Then off to St. John Lateran, the first

Basilica ever to be built in the Roman Empire. Around 1:30 pm to the Catacombs for

lunch and tour. The Catacombs are breathtaking. 500,000 people were buried there.

Then off to St. Mary Major around 3:30 pm. St. Mary’s Basilica is the main Basilica

dedicated to Mary in Rome. We will see the remains of Jesus’ manger. Back at the

Hotel around 5:30 pm. Rest for an hour. Dinner around the hotel area at 6:45 pm. Red

and white wine included. Long pants or capris throughout the day. Casual dress in the

evening. Overnight in Rome.

Day 4: Leave Hotel around 9:30 am with Private Bus. Visit the Colosseum until

12:30 pm. The Colosseum is a great building that has been standing since 80 A.D. We

will visit the Spanish Steps around 1:30 pm. This is the place where Romans hang out.

Walk to Trevi Fountain for lunch and shopping. Walk to Pantheon, the oldest

functional building in the world and then to the great artistic place of Piazza Navona

around 4:30 pm. Dinner at 6:45 pm at Al Picchio Restaurant (Trevi Fountain) to

enjoy Rome at night. Pasta of your choice, meat of your choice, dessert of your

choice. Red and white wine included. Casual Dress throughout the day. Overnight in

Rome.

Day 5: Private bus around 7:30 am to the Vatican to experience the 10:00 am

Audience with the Pope. We will see the Pope very closely; sometimes we even shake

his hand. After the audience, lunch and shopping around the area of the Vatican. In

the afternoon, we will tour the Sistine Chapel, the Pope’s private chapel and the

greatest place on the planet. Private Bus back to the hotel around 5:30 pm. Rest for

an hour. Dinner around the hotel area at 6:45 pm. Red and white wine included.

Casual Dress throughout the day. Overnight in Rome.

Day 6: Check-in downtown Sorrento after visiting the incredible city of Pompeii.

Dinner around the hotel area at 6:45 pm. Red and white wine included. Casual Dress

throughout the day. Overnight in Sorrento.

Day 7: The Island of Capri is the greatest place for many people. Optional: visit the

extraordinary beautiful Blue Grotto with its shining bottom, tour the Island, shopping.

Dinner around the hotel area at 6:45 pm. Red and white wine included. Casual Dress

throughout the day. Overnight in Sorrento.

Day 8: Check-out Sorrento. Drive along the great Amalfi Coast. Drive to Florence.

Dinner 6:45 pm at Da Carlo restaurant (subject to change, depending what time we

arrive to Florence): tons of vegetables for Antipasto, steak, and dessert. It is the best

Local food in the area. Red and white wine included. Casual dress throughout the day.

Overnight in Florence.

Day 9: Tour of Florence in the region of Tuscany. Tour of the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza

della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizzi, Flea Market, Duomo (Cathedral), the

Baptistery, Michelangelo's masterpiece, the David. Visit Basilica of San Lorenzo and

the Medici Chapel (where the Medici family was buried), and Basilica della Santa

Croce (where Michelangelo and 15 other glorious Italian artists and thinkers were

buried). Have a wine Tasting and dinner in rustic Tuscany. Red and white wine

included. Casual dress throughout the day. Overnight in Florence.

Day 10: On route to Lake Como visit Venice, an amazing city built on water. Visit St.

Mark’s Basilica & plaza. Gondola ride is optional. Dinner at a local restaurant at

6:00 pm. Red and white wine included. Casual dress throughout the day. Long pants if

you intend to visit St. Mark’s Basilica. Overnight in lake Como

Day 11: Free morning. In the afternoon, visit the incredible Duomo in Milan, the 2nd

largest Cathedral in the world. Visit to see the Last Supper of Leonardo Da Vinci.

Dinner 6:45 pm in a local restaurant around the area of the Hotel. Red and white wine

included. Casual dress. Overnight in Lake Como.

Day 12: Visit the awesome country of Switzerland and the capital of the Italian

section: Lugano. Spend the morning and most of the afternoon in Switzerland and

then off to the beautiful Lake Como. Go on a boat ride and see the different towns

surrounding Como. Dinner at 6:45 pm at La Scuderia: many courses of fish and

dessert (we accommodate you if you don't eat fish). Red and white wine included.

Casual dress throughout the day. Overnight in Lake Como.

Day 13: Private bus to Airport and departure from Milan back to USA

**GENERAL TRIP INFORMATION - ITALY**

Airport and Passport

	Get a passport ASAP
	It is highly recommended that you register your trip with the US State Department online at Travel Registration

Flight Information

	We fly you from any city in the USA round trip to your destination for the same price
	You can deduct $800 from the price of the trip if you purchase your own flight. Feel free to use your mileage and join the group at your destination
	Passengers need to be at the airport counter at least 3 hours before departure
	You will be fed on the plane. Plenty of food
	You can earn miles even though we are traveling as a group. Just call the airline we are using and tell them that you need to be credited for your miles

Staying In Touch

	Each traveler will receive 2 cards with emergency contacts (one for you and one for your family at home)
	The trip is designed so that you and your family in the U.S. are always able to contact the tour guide during the trip
	A tour guide is with the group for the entire trip (from USA departure to USA return)

Money

	Get some Euros before leaving the US (300-400 Euros)
	You can use your credit/debit card, but tell your bank/card company ahead of time that you will be using them in Europe. Credit and debit card have the best exchange rate
	AAA prepaid debit cards are also useful
	Avoid bringing Traveler's Checks with you
	Make sure that your pin does not start with number "0" and does not have more than 4 digits. Some ATM machines in Europe do not accept pins starting with "0" and pins that have more than 4 digits
	Money Belt are highly recommended

Restaurants

We eat at local restaurants: awesome food all the time!

Hotels

We stay exclusively at 4 or 5 star hotels all in downtown areas and in the middle of the action

Transportation in Europe

	Proximo Travel has its own Private Luxury Bus at all times
	Bus is air-conditioned and has large windows to enjoy the scenery

Dress Code

	Dress is casual and comfortable. It is a vacation, relax and enjoy
	Some sights (i.e. Vatican) require long pants (or capris) and shirts with sleeves
	Bring comfortable walking shoes. Avoid sandals because they could get stuck between the coble stones
	Most of the hotels we use have a pool or a Jacuzzi, bring a bathing suit with you if you are traveling between May and September

Packing and Carry-on

	Pack light! People normally don't use more than 60% of what they pack
	Pack your medicine, valuables, and one day's change of clothes in a carry-on just in case your luggage does not arrive on time
	Liquids should be in your checked luggage, not in your carry-on. If you choose to have your liquids in your carry-on, it should be less than 3 ounces and should be placed in a one quart-size plastic zip bag (one bag per person)
	Here is a great link to the Transportation Security Administration’s website. It itemizes everything you can think of and identifies if the item can be in the carry-on and or checked luggage: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#4

Safety

Safety is our priority. As we tour each country, every passenger is always accounted for: there is always a count of passengers before and after touring each site. We never leave anyone behind!

Temperature in Italy

So you know when you travel, here is a rough idea of how the temperature is in Italy:

April 60s-70s; May: 70s; June and July 70s-80; September 70s; October 60s-70s

Lots of Walking?

Even though we have our own private bus, some sites do require some walking. Bring comfortable shoes (dress shoes are not necessary at all). Let me know ahead of time if you need a wheelchair

Traveling Alone

If you are traveling alone, we will room you with another nice passenger so that you don't have to pay the single room supplement. If you want your own private room, it is and extra $700

Number of Passengers

Proximo Travel hosts an average of 30 people on each tour. These trips are advertised in many venues. They almost always sell out early, so please keep this in mind when you are planning to book a trip. Many people book up to a year in advance

Insurance and Cancellation Policy

	Additional $200 per person for full balance coverage up to last minute before travel. The Deposit is always non-refundable Cancellation/Refund Policy:
	You must have a valid reason for cancellation (illness, surgery, God forbid family death, etc.)
	You must provide proof of your situation to be eligible for a refund prior to departure. In case of illness, a doctor's note is necessary
	Without Insurance:

1. Balance (less deposit) is refunded if cancelled 90+ days prior to departure

2. Only plane ticket is refunded if cancelled within 90 days of departure

With Insurance:

1. Full balance (less deposit) is refunded at any time of cancellation

Method of Payment

	PAYMENT BY CASH, CHECK, VISA, and ALL CREDIT CARDS
	Non-refundable $500 deposit per person accepted right now
	Balance is due 90 Days before USA Departure Date
	There is an extra 3% charge for credit card payments on balance

Check Payable to

Proximo Travel

857 W. Boylston Street

Worcester, MA 01606

Very Important Notes

	Be at the airport on time
	Each Traveler is responsible for expenses in cases where Proximo Travel has no control over events (i.e. missed flight because of a highway accident, etc...)

Book Trip Online

I Entrust all Trips to the Maternal Care of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This site was last updated 02/18/10

with Fr. Brendan Harnett

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Norway, ME

*** Rome ** Sorrento ** Capri ** Amalfi Coast **

** Pompeii ** Tuscany ** Florence ** Venice **

** Lake Como ** Milan ** Switzerland ***

Dates 2010: May 1-13 -------------------------------------------- $3,990 13 Days

Flights to Italy: Continental Airlines

Hotels - 4 and 5 star hotels in the downtown area close to major sites

Rome. Hotel Rospigliosi. Tel. 011.39 06 48930495 hotelrospigliosi

Trip Includes

Air Fare from anywhere in the Continental USA (same price)

4 or 5 star Hotels in Downtown Areas

Transport with Luxury Bus

All Breakfasts and all Dinners in Upscale Restaurants. Wine included at Dinner

All Tips to Bus Driver and Tour Guide

Guided Tours and Tour Fees

All Taxes

Fuel Surcharges

Lunch

Optional Insurance: $200 per person

Day 1: Depart from your hometown for the overnight flight to Italy (Duration of flight

to Europe is 7 hour average). Dress casual & comfortable.

Day 2: Arrival. Rest for a few hours. Our private bus will take us to the town where

the Pope’s Summer Residence is located: the charming Castel Gondolfo with its

spectacular Lake Albano. Awesome place just like those towns you see on TV. Wine

Tasting and opening night dinner at 6:00 pm at a local upscale restaurant: eat where

the Italians eat. Several courses of delicious Italian food. Unlimited red and white wine

included. Casual dress. Overnight in Rome.

Day 3: Late Start. Leave Hotel with Private Bus around 9:30 am to go to St. Peter's

in the Vatican, the largest Basilica in the world. Then off to St. John Lateran, the first

Basilica ever to be built in the Roman Empire. Around 1:30 pm to the Catacombs for

lunch and tour. The Catacombs are breathtaking. 500,000 people were buried there.

Then off to St. Mary Major around 3:30 pm. St. Mary’s Basilica is the main Basilica

dedicated to Mary in Rome. We will see the remains of Jesus’ manger. Back at the

Hotel around 5:30 pm. Rest for an hour. Dinner around the hotel area at 6:45 pm. Red

and white wine included. Long pants or capris throughout the day. Casual dress in the

evening. Overnight in Rome.

Day 4: Leave Hotel around 9:30 am with Private Bus. Visit the Colosseum until

12:30 pm. The Colosseum is a great building that has been standing since 80 A.D. We

will visit the Spanish Steps around 1:30 pm. This is the place where Romans hang out.

Walk to Trevi Fountain for lunch and shopping. Walk to Pantheon, the oldest

functional building in the world and then to the great artistic place of Piazza Navona

around 4:30 pm. Dinner at 6:45 pm at Al Picchio Restaurant (Trevi Fountain) to

enjoy Rome at night. Pasta of your choice, meat of your choice, dessert of your

choice. Red and white wine included. Casual Dress throughout the day. Overnight in

Rome.

Day 5: Private bus around 7:30 am to the Vatican to experience the 10:00 am

Audience with the Pope. We will see the Pope very closely; sometimes we even shake

his hand. After the audience, lunch and shopping around the area of the Vatican. In

the afternoon, we will tour the Sistine Chapel, the Pope’s private chapel and the

greatest place on the planet. Private Bus back to the hotel around 5:30 pm. Rest for

an hour. Dinner around the hotel area at 6:45 pm. Red and white wine included.

Casual Dress throughout the day. Overnight in Rome.

Day 6: Check-in downtown Sorrento after visiting the incredible city of Pompeii.

Dinner around the hotel area at 6:45 pm. Red and white wine included. Casual Dress

throughout the day. Overnight in Sorrento.

Day 7: The Island of Capri is the greatest place for many people. Optional: visit the

extraordinary beautiful Blue Grotto with its shining bottom, tour the Island, shopping.

Dinner around the hotel area at 6:45 pm. Red and white wine included. Casual Dress

throughout the day. Overnight in Sorrento.

Day 8: Check-out Sorrento. Drive along the great Amalfi Coast. Drive to Florence.

Dinner 6:45 pm at Da Carlo restaurant (subject to change, depending what time we

arrive to Florence): tons of vegetables for Antipasto, steak, and dessert. It is the best

Local food in the area. Red and white wine included. Casual dress throughout the day.

Overnight in Florence.

Day 9: Tour of Florence in the region of Tuscany. Tour of the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza

della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizzi, Flea Market, Duomo (Cathedral), the

Baptistery, Michelangelo's masterpiece, the David. Visit Basilica of San Lorenzo and

the Medici Chapel (where the Medici family was buried), and Basilica della Santa

Croce (where Michelangelo and 15 other glorious Italian artists and thinkers were

buried). Have a wine Tasting and dinner in rustic Tuscany. Red and white wine

included. Casual dress throughout the day. Overnight in Florence.

Day 10: On route to Lake Como visit Venice, an amazing city built on water. Visit St.

Mark’s Basilica & plaza. Gondola ride is optional. Dinner at a local restaurant at

6:00 pm. Red and white wine included. Casual dress throughout the day. Long pants if

you intend to visit St. Mark’s Basilica. Overnight in lake Como

Day 11: Free morning. In the afternoon, visit the incredible Duomo in Milan, the 2nd

largest Cathedral in the world. Visit to see the Last Supper of Leonardo Da Vinci.

Dinner 6:45 pm in a local restaurant around the area of the Hotel. Red and white wine

included. Casual dress. Overnight in Lake Como.

* Rome Sorrento Capri Amalfi Coast **

Pompeii Tuscany Florence Venice **

Lake Como Milan Switzerland *