



Heather Burden was born and educated in Sydney. In 1979, through her love of skiing, she travelled to the Italian Alps to do a ski season, promptly fell in love with a ski instructor and has been in Italy for the past 33 years. Since selling her business a few years ago, she now divides her time between the north and the south of Italy. She enjoys living surrounded by olive trees and beautiful turquoise seas. Heather has an intimate knowledge and love of the history, culture and day-to-day life of Italy and is happy to share the magic of this beautiful country. “I am looking forward to showing you hill towns, villages and other places that get to the heart of the real Italy, beyond the normal tourist route. I want you to live like an Italian, tasting the wines, meeting the people, visiting craft workshops and experiencing other local activities so you can see what Italian life is really like.” – Heather Burden
VIEW ITINERARYDAY 1 Sunday 19 September, 2021 Gubbio, Umbria
Upon arrival into Rome Airport we will meet Heather Burden and travel for a
few hours by coach to Gubbio, where we will spend the next five nights. The
beautiful medieval town of Gubbio in central Italy, in the region of
Umbria is filled with a rich history of homes and buildings built in the 14th
and 15th centuries.
DAY 2 Monday 20 September, 2021 Gubbio, Umbria
This morning we will have a walking tour of this beautiful cobbled
street town where we will have a comprehensive overview of what the
town has to offer. We will see the Gubbio Roman Theatre. This theatre
was constructed during the first century AD by using locally obtained
limestone square blocks, its walls entirely covered in ashlar. We will then
visit St. Ubaldo Basilica. This church was dedicated to Gubbio’s patron
saint, Ubaldo, the basilica is a fine piece of Renaissance art. We will also
visit Ducal Palace which was constructed after the year 1470 and where
you can see some fine architecture with beautiful works of door inlays
along with marble ceilings and a tiled roof. Today, it is used as a museum
and exhibits some of the best works of art and architecture of the Italian
legacy. We have an included group dinner this evening to welcome
everyone on the tour.
DAY 3 Tuesday 21 September, 2021 Gubbio, Umbria
This morning, we take a coach to visit Assisi, birthplace of St Francis. We
will visit the cathedral of St Francis, its basilica and the chapel of St Clare.
There will be free time in Assisi to explore this fascinating town. We return
to Gubbio late afternoon.
DAY 4 Wednesday 22 September, 2021 Gubbio, Umbria
This morning enjoy a truffle hunt with dogs at the Castello di San Vittorian
situated about 5 kms from Gubbio. We will continue to Perugia for lunch
and free time. Perugia was one of the 12 Etruscan city-states comprising
the federation of Etruria and is surrounded by ancient city walls. It is a
university town and the capital of Umbria.
DAY 5 Thursday 23 September, 2021 Gubbio, Umbria
Today we travel by coach for an hour into the hills to visit Urbino, birthplace
of the Renaissance artist, Raphael who was also commissioned by Pope
Julius 11 to decorate his apartments in The Vatican. This afternoon we
will return to Gubbio where you will be at leisure to further explore the
beautiful town.
DAY 6 Friday 24 September, 2021 Sorrento, Amalfi Coast
Today is a day of scenic countryside travel as our coach takes us south
down to the Amalfi Coast where we will spend the next four nights. We
will stop for lunch along the way.
DAY 7 Saturday 25 September, 2021 Sorrento, Amalfi Coast
Today we cruise to the island of Capri. We will have a tour to Capri’s famous
“Grotto Azzurra“, the Blue Grotto. The afternoon will be free to wander
the picturesque paths, shop, or enjoy a cappuccino and some peoplewatching
in the famous Piazzetta. We return to Sorrento late afternoon
and Heather will recommend an interesting restaurant for dinner.
DAY 8 Sunday 26 September, 2021 Sorrento, Amalfi Coast
This morning we will visit the town of Ravello, known as the City of Music
which sits high up above the Amalfi Coast. Here we can visit the famous
Villa Cimbrone. From its terrace, nicknamed Terrace of Infinity, you can
enjoy incredible views of the Amalfi Coast. Later we will visit Positano,
which enjoys an unsurpassed position along the Amalfi Coast, where
delightful white and pastel-coloured houses litter the hillside. Along with
the beautiful beaches, its ancient fishing port, the splendid majolica dome
of the church of Santa Maria Assunta and artisan shops, you’ll enjoy a taste
of the dolce vita as you enjoy a wonderful day tour of the Amalfi Coast. We
return to Sorrento by boat late afternoon.
DAY 9 Monday 27 September, 2021 Herculaneum
A highlight of the tour, today we will visit the ancient ruins of Herculaneum, the Roman city destroyed by an eruption of the volcano, Vesuvius in 79AD. The impressive ruins help us to understand what life was like at the height of the Roman Empire, 2000 years ago. We will have a guided tour of this ancient city with a local expert. We will see two-story domus homes with the internal architecture and décor intact, including features in wood and marble, decorations, jewellery, and even organic remains like food, providing a unique view into the daily lives of the ancient population of Herculaneum.
DAY 10 Tuesday 28 September, 2021 Matera, Basilicata
Today we travel to Matera for a two night stay. The town lies in a small canyon and contains ancient cave dwellings. Matera was one of the 2019 European Capitals of Culture. On route we travel through Potenza, a beautiful town in the mountains in the Basilicata region of southern Italy.
DAY 11 Wednesday 29 September, 2021 Matera, Basilicata
We will enjoy a walking tour of Matera with a local guide this morning followed by free time to explore the town and its many dwellings and churches carved out of the rock. In the town and surrounding area there are some 130 churches hewn out of the rock.
DAY 12 Thursday 30 September, 2021 Lecce, Puglia
Today we will travel by coach to Lecce, the capital of Puglia, sometimes
called the Florence of the South, referring to its prominent art. On the way
we will stop in Alberobello in the Apulia region. Alberobello is known for
its trulli, whitewashed stone huts with conical roofs. We will spend the
next four nights in Lecce.
DAY 13 Friday 1 October, 2021 Lecce, Puglia
Lecce is over 2000 years old and has a long affinity with Greek culture.
This morning will have a tour of the town and visit Piazza Sant’Oronzo,
the big civic heart of the town. We will visit the Roman theatre and its
museumin the centre of Lecce, as well as the principal archaeological
museum, the Museo Provinciale. There will be free time to wander
through little lanes to find the more far-flung baroque churches.
This evening Heather will recommend an interesting venue for
dinner.
DAY 14 Saturday 2 October, 2021 Lecce, Puglia
Today we travel to the seaside village of Castro on the eastern coast
and visit the beautiful Grotto of Zinzulusa. We wander through
the town before heading south towards Santa Maria di Leuca, the
most southerly point on the “heal” of Italy. There will be time for an
included lunch in Masseria with the local music, La Pizzica, before
returning to Lecce.
DAY 15 Sunday 3 October 2021 Lecce, Puglia
Today we will take a short coach trip to the town of Gallipoli, situated on
the west coast of the Salento Peninsula in the Gulf of Taranto, better known
as “The heel of Italy’s boot”. We will have a tour of Gallipoli's Old Town and
stroll through its maze of alleys. The 17th-century Baroque Sant’ Agata
Cathedral is in the centre of the town. The walls and bastions surrounding
the old town are believed to have been built in the 15th century to fend off
attacks, especially from pirates. Castello Angiono stands near the entrance
to the old town, built on old Byzantine fortifications, originating in the
11th century. The fortress guarded the old port, once part of an important
trade route, and was connected to the mainland by a drawbridge. After
free time for lunch we will enjoy a wine tasting in nearby Catania Coppola
before returning to our hotel. This evening we have an included farewell
dinner to celebrate our wonderful tour.
DAY 16 Monday 4 October, 2021 Departure
Today our coach will take us back to Brindisi Airport for onward flights.
TWIN FARE PER PERSON | SINGLE FARE |
---|---|
$5,290 (Land Only) | $6,590 |
Speak to our consultant about great airfare deals to join the group.
You can stay on in Europe for minimal extra airfare cost. Please contact Travelrite on 1800 630 343 for more information
International touring can involve a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing in the places visited and it is important that all tour participants have a level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this activity without the need of assistance from others.
TOUR OPERATOR:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64 005 817 078)
(ATAS A10538) is the tour operator.
TOUR PRICES:
The tour prices are based on airfare, general transport,
accommodation and other costs at foreign exchange rates at 1 August 2019.
Travelrite International reserves the right to alter the tour price or modify the
tour if any of these factors change, giving any passenger that has booked the
right to withdraw with a full refund of monies paid if the price increase is
greater than 10% of the original price. No alteration to the tour price will be
made within 60 days of departure from Australia.
DEPOSIT AND PAYMENT:
A deposit of $700 per person is required at the
time of booking. Full payment will be required 60 days before departure. An
administrative fee of 1.5% will be added to each payment made by credit card.
CANCELLATION CHARGES: * Cancellation conditions don’t apply for clients with future cruise/tour credits. Cruise/tour credits are non-refundable. Cancellation more than 60 days from the date of departure from Australia will incur a cancellation fee of $700 per person. Cancellations 60 days or less from the date of departure will result in the loss of all monies paid. Travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover the cost of cancellation fees that could result from a death in the family, illness, etc.
REFUNDS:
The tour is based on arrangements that do not
allow for any refunds in respect to accommodation, meals or
other services not utilised after the tour has commenced.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS:
All passengers will need to be in possession of a valid
passport. No visa is required for Australian passport holders.
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
Adequate travel insurance is highly
recommended to cover cruise members for the consequences of
unforeseen events during the cruise and for cancellation fees which
could result from such events such as illness, accident, death etc.
BAGGAGE:
Baggage is at own risk throughout the tour
CHANGES TO THE TOUR ITINERARY:
Travelrite International reserves
the right to make changes to the tour itinerary to fit in with operational
requirements. Any change to the itinerary will be replaced with similar
arrangements with an equal or greater value.
MINIMUM TOUR NUMBERS:
The tour has been priced on the basis of a
minimum number of passengers having booked 60 days prior to the date of
departure. Travelrite International reserves the right to cancel the tour, giving
a full refund of all monies paid or offer arrangements to proceed with the
tour at a modified price.
TOUR PARTICIPATION:
Children under 5 years of age are ineligible on coach & cruise tours. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Passengers with disabilities are welcome on Travelrite & Cruise Offers tours provided they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing all necessary assistance, and do not require special assistance from Travelrite & Cruise Offers personnel. Travelrite and Cruise Offers reserves the right to refuse to carry anyone if it is felt the individual cannot cope with the requirements of coach & cruise tour travel and who may require services and facilities that Travelrite & Cruise Offers cannot guarantee will be available. You agree to not hold the Travelrite & Cruise Offers responsible for any decision made by any of them or any service provider to refuse to carry you, provide any facilities or accommodation to you or to provide any service to you.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd ( ATAS No. A10538) is
the tour organiser. Travelrite International acts only as an agent in making
arrangements with carriers, hoteliers and others for the tour. As a result we
cannot accept liability for any act or omission whatsoever, whether negligent
or otherwise of those carriers, hoteliers or other persons providing services in
connection with the tour over whom we have no direct or exclusive control.
We do not accept responsibility for any injury, damage, loss, delay, change
of schedule or any other events which are beyond our direct control, such
as, but not limited to, war, terrorism, flood, fire, civil disturbance, acts of
God, acts of government, or any other authorities, accidents to or failure of
machinery or equipment, or industrial action. The passage contract in use
by the carriers concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract
between the transportation companies or firms and the purchasers of these
tours. The contract shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of Victoria and any legal action must be taken in the State of Victoria.
DELAYS AND UNFORESEEN EVENTS:
You engage Travelrite to book this tour
on your behalf and you acknowledge that Travelrite acts as your agent for
the purpose of making contracts between you and the various providers of
accommodation, transportation and other services that comprise the tour.
Travelrite may without reference to you provide or make available to you, or
may as your agent engage any third party to provide or make available to
you, any good or service which Travelrite reasonably believes is necessary
for your benefit to maintain the tour itinerary, repatriate you or otherwise
accommodate, transport or sustain you in circumstances in which the tour
itinerary fails wholly or partly for any reason. You appoint Travelrite your
attorney for this purpose. You agree to pay Travelrite any cost thereof and you
indemnify Travelrite in respect of any cost it incurs in this regard. Travelrite
advises you to obtain travel insurance generally including in respect of the
risk that any such good or service may become required.
HOW TO BOOK:
Bookings can be made by completing a booking
form and sending it with a deposit of $700 per person to:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd
423 Whitehorse Road
Balwyn, Victoria 3103
Further information or a booking form can be obtained by contacting
Travelrite International on the following numbers:
Toll Free: 1800 630 343
Phone: (03) 8803 6868
Fax: (03) 9836 8068
Email: balwyn@travelrite.com.au
www.travelrite.com.au
ABOUT TRAVELRITE INTERNATIONAL:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64 005 817 078) is a well-established family-owned business that’s been operating in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs for more than 35 years. Travelrite International is a full member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA), is fully Accredited with ATAS (A10538) and IATA. As such they directly
represent the major airlines of the world and all major domestic
and international hotel, tour and transport operators.
“My third Travelrite tour and I have never been disappointed.”
“I had a wonderful time on the tour. Really enjoyed the whole two weeks. Great group of people.”