La Dolce Vita
Classic Italy (Venice / Florence / Rome)
August 21 – 31, 2008

THE SWEET LIFE

For many centuries Italy has drawn those searching for culture, romance and sensual pleasures. Few countries can compete with its classical origins, architecture, music, literary tradition, art, scenery, food and wine. Yet Italy is not one single cultural identity, but rather a plethora of distinctive regions and peoples. Visitors are often surprised by the sheer diversity of dialects, cuisines, and craftsmanship.
     With its exotic landmarks, Venice seems to burst forth off the canvas of an 18th-Century painting. Its grand palaces and romantic waterways reise like mirages from a calm, blue lagoon. Often called La Serenissima (“the most serene”), it is unlike any other city in the world, more surreal and dreamlike than any movie set could ever begin to suggest. Delightfully idiosyncratic with a melange of Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance styles, the city is alive with color, past secrets, and unrivalled romance. Enjoy two nights at our luxury hotel just steps from St Mark’s Basilica on Venice Island.
     The spectacular beauty of Tuscany has long inspired many of the world’s great writers. The likes of Browning, Dickens, Dostoyevsky, Shelley and Forster have all waxed rhapsodic on its simple charms, rural landscape and centuries-old cultural heritage. Lord Byron declared himself “dazzled, drunk with beauty” from its intoxicating allure. In Florence, tradition and art are strong everywhere. The Uffizi Gallery offers the most important collection of paintings in the world. The atmospheric and well-preserved medieval city Siena serves as the gateway to this most idyllic countryside. Our deluxe hotel for four nights in Florence is a short walk from the Piazza del Duomo and the Uffizi.
     Rome is Italy’s treasure trove, packed with masterpieces from more than two millenia of artistic achievements. It was here that Nero fiddled while the city burned, Marc Anthony praised Caeser and Charlemagne was crowned. The city embraces so many icons of the past—the Colosseum, Pantheon, Michelangelo’s dome for St. Peter’s and the Sistine Chapel ceiling—that it can be hard to remember it is also a very modern city of 3 million. Enjoy three nights at a five-star, contemporary hotel located near the National Museum, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps.
     A renowned philosopher once wrote, “A man who has not been to Italy is always conscious of inferiority.” The miracle of Italy is that all its treasures come packaged in a gorgeous country of majestic mountains, placid lakes, idyllic islands, splendid cities and walled villages. Come with Toto Tours to sample La Dolce Vita (the sweet life). An ideal climate plus warm and gracious people make Italy a perfect destination for the adventurer, art lover, gourmand, and hedonist combined.

ITINERARY

Thursday, August 21, 2008
Depart for Venice, Italy

This is a travel day, and your destination is the Venice International Airport (VCE). Try to schedule your flights to arrive in Venice tomorrow morning. If this is difficult to arrange from your home city, please consider arriving one day early. We are holding several rooms at our group hotel for the night of August 21 to accommodate those who want to arrive before the start of the tour.

Friday, August 22, 2008
Welcome to Venice

The tour begins today in Venice. We will schedule one group pick-up at the Venice airport this morning, timed to accommodate the greatest number of arriving passengers. We provide a list of public transportation options to Venice Island for those who are unable to utilize this service.
     Our luxury hotel in Venice is a marvel of old-world charm and is just steps from St Mark’s Basilica. You are free upon arrival to get acquainted with the hotel and the surrounding area. We meet this evening to share a cocktail and get acquainted on the rooftop terrace of the hotel, followed by a welcome dinner at the excellent hotel restaurant.     (Dinner included)

Saturday, August 23, 2008
Venice

After breakfast this morning, take a walking sightseeing tour of beautiful Venice. The city’s main monuments – St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace overlooking St Mark’s Square – have gained fame through innumerable paintings, but the whole city is a work of art in many ways. Away from the main thoroughfares, narrow canals and small squares characterize Venice. We make photo stops at the San Marco Basilica and the Bell Tower, tour the ornate Gothic structure of the Doges Palace containing magnificent works of art by Tintoretto and Bosch, and see the Bridge of Sighs. After a break for lunch we partake of one of the true joys of Venice—a gondola ride with musicians. Dinner is included tonight at a local restaurant.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Sunday, August 24, 2008
Bologna / Florence

After breakfast, depart the hotel by boat to the mainland where we board a motorcoach for the drive to Florence, in the Tuscany region. En route we stop in the city of Bologna for a chance to see a side of Italy without all the crowds. Bologna’s center is much as it was during the Renaissance ,with dusky red buildings, arched porticoes, marble floors and wide piazzas. A city tour includes a visit to the Archaeological Museum, photo stop at the Palazzo dell’Archignnasio, and a visit to the Piazza Maggiore. We eat lunch in Bologna (it won’t be a sandwich of the same name) before continuing on to Florence. Enjoy some free time to relax upon arrival in Florence before going to a local restaurant for dinner.     (All Meals)

Monday, August 25, 2008
San Gimignano

Our introduction to the glories of Tuscany takes the form of a full day excursion to the beautiful countryside. Our first stop is the town of San Gimignano, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its architectural significance. Once the seat of a small Etruscan village during the Hellenistic period (200-300 B.C.), it began life as a town in the 10th century, with its distinctive towers beginning to rise over the landscape a century later. Our walking tour of San Gimignano includes the Piazza della Cisterna and a visit to Sant ’Agostino Church.
     Continuing our exploration of Tuscany, we proceed to the Chianti wine-growing region and the market town of Greve, known for its triangular piazza lined with porticos. Here we visit Castello di Verrazzano for a wine tasting with lunch. We can opt to spend more time exploring Greve after lunch or hasten back to Florence, depending on the wishes of the group. Upon our return to Florence, the remainder of the afternoon and evening are free.     (Breakfast / Lunch)

Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Florence

After breakfast enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Florence, one of Italy’s most evocative cities. Set on the banks of the Arno River below the wooded foothills of the Appennines, this beautiful city has long been the focus of Italian arts and letters. Brunelleschi’s revolutionary design for the dome of the Duomo (Cathedral) is generally accepted as the first expression of Renaissance ideas in architecture. This dome dominates the city’s roofscape, just as the great Piazza del Duomo at its feet dominates life at street level.
     Our guided tour today is assisted with the technological advance of the “Whispers” sound system, whereby we do not have to strain to hear our guide over other tour groups. We each wear a set of headphones through which our guide speaks quietly by means of wireless broadcast directly into our ears. Our first visit is to the Academy of Fine Arts to see the magnificent statue of David created by Michaelangelo.
     Next we visit the Piazza del Duomo and see inside the church. Those who want a great view of the city can climb to the dome (entrance included). After a break for lunch (on your own), we have the afternoon to devote to a guided tour of the incomparable Uffizi Gallery, which houses one of the world’s most celebrated art collections including masterpieces such as Botticelli’s Birth Of Venus, Caravaggio’s Young Bacchus, Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation, Michelangelo’s Holy Family and Titian’s Urbino Venus. At the conclusion of the tour, the remainder of the afternoon and evening are free.      (Breakfast)

Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Free Day

Today is entirely free to explore Florence further at your own pace. You might consider a return to the Uffizi Gallery or check out one of the many other museums in the city. Another option might be to rent a bicycle to explore the city’s narrow winding streets or ride along the Arno River.
     Toto Tours has organized an optional activity today—a half-day (six hours) tour to Lucca, famous for being perhaps the largest Italian city with its medieval city wall still entirely intact. The drive from Florence through the beautiful Tuscan countryside will be about 90 minutes each way. A guided walking tour of the old city includes entrance to the Guinigi Tower and the Villa Reale Park of Marlia. The cost of this optional tour is $125 per person, and does not include lunch. Please indicate your desire to go with us to Lucca by checking the appropriate box on your reservation form.     (Breakfast)

Thursday, August 28, 2008
Siena / Rome

After breakfast, we depart our hotel and board our motorcoach for the drive to Rome—Italy’s magnificent capital city. Along the way we stop to visit Siena, an ancient independent village that dates back nearly 2,000 years. Begun in the 11th Century, the cathedral and the municipal palace are two of Italy’s finest examples of Gothic architecture. We have a guided walking tour of the old city and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing on to Rome.
     Arriving at our Rome hotel in late afternoon, the remainder of the day is unstructured. You can be sure, however, that many of us will be eager to begin exploring the notable sights within walking distance of our hotel, such as the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. An impromptu group will form after taking some time to settle in at our hotel, and the Roman portion of our Dolce Vita will commence!     (Breakfast / Lunch)

Friday, August 29, 2008
Sightseeing in Rome

Our full day of touring today unfolds to our eyes many of the most magnificent treasures of Rome. We start early at the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica in hope of getting ahead of the ever-present tourist throngs. No shorts today if you want to go inside the Basilica! We again have benefit today and tomorrow of the helpful “Whispers” system earphones to better hear our guide’s explanations, especially in the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.
     We take a break for an independent lunch and then tour the Colosseum, now taking its place as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. After clambering around this magnificent structure we tour the archeological area of the Roman Forum along the Via Sacra. Returning to the hotel at the conclusion of a very exciting day, the evening is free.     (Breakfast)

Saturday, August 30, 2008
Touring Rome / Farewell Dinner

We enjoy one more exciting day of touring together in Rome. The main sights on our itinerary include the Pantheon, the Scala Santa Monument, Trevi Fountain, Caracalla Baths and San Callisto Catacombs.
     This evening our group gathers in the hotel lobby for one final excursion—a trip to a local restaurant where Toto Tours hosts a Farewell Dinner. We thank our guide and celebrate the many memorable events we have shared during our delicious taste of “The Sweet Life” in Italy.     (Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

Sunday, August 31, 2008
Departure

The tour officially ends after breakfast this morning. Plan your return flights at any convenient time today from Rome’s International Airport (FCO). We provide one group transfer to the airport, scheduled to accommodate the greatest number of departing tour participants. If this transfer does not meet your needs, we will assist you in arranging a private transfer by taxi to the airport. Let us know if you want to extend your stay at our hotel another day or two, and we will be happy to assist with your reservations.     (Breakfast)

ACCOMMODATIONS
(Click hotel name to read description)

Venice:  Hotel Danieli  (5*)

Florence:  Hotel Croce Di Malta  (4*)

Rome:  Hotel La Griffe  (5*)

TOUR PREPARATION

Entry Requirements—For entry into Italy, U.S. and Canadian citizens need only a valid passport.

Immunizations—No immunizations are required, but we recommend that your tetanus booster is current.

Exit Requirements—There is no departure tax currently required other than that included with the cost of your airline ticket.

SUGGESTED VIEWING / NETFLIX

Venice:

• The Merchant of Venice (2000)—Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons
• Don’t Look Now (1973)—Julie Christie, Donald Sutherland
• Summertime (1955)—Katherine Hepburn, Rossano Brazzi

Florence / Tuscany:

• The Light in the Piazza (1962) with Olivia de Havilland
• Much Ado About Nothing (1993)—Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson
• Tea With Mussolini (1999)—Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Cher

Rome:

• Three Coins in the Fountain (1954)—Dorothy Maguire, Jean Peters, Maggie McNamara
• La Dolce Vita (1960)—Marcello Mastroianni, Anita Ekberg

WHAT TO BRING

This tour takes advantage of the slow month of August for good hotel rates, but the weather will be very warm. Temperatures in the areas visited could range between a low of mid-60’s during the nights to mid-80’s (or warmer) during the days. Pack light and try to limit yourself to two small suitcases. Pack medications in a carry-on just in case your bags don’t arrive when you do. We suggest leaving expensive jewelry at home!

Suggested Packing List:

____ Passport

____ Lightweight slacks for sightseeing and meals

____ Shorts for hiking or extensive walking

____ Socks and underwear for one week (laundry service readily available at all hotels)

____ Light sweater and windbreaker

____ Rain jacket for misty or stormy days.

____ Comfortable walking / hiking shoes

____ Daypack or fanny pack

____ T-shirts / polo shirts / short-sleeved shirts (5 - 6)

____ Casual long-sleeved shirts (4 - 5)

____ Sleepwear (optional)

____ Water Bottle for hikes and tours

____ Sunscreen / lip balm / sunglasses / sun hat

____ Personal toiletries

____ Swimsuit

____ Camera, extra batteries & plenty of film or digital memory

____ A good book

MONEY MATTERS

Italy is on the standardized European currency of the Euro (EUR). As of August 30, 2007, the interbank exchange rate was €0.73 to U.S. $1. Bank debit cards, Visa & Mastercard work for Euro cash withdrawals in most ATMs, which are widely available throughout the country. It is wise to carry some cash with you, however, in case you get caught in a situation where an ATM is not available.

Tipping—You are not expected to tip on top of restaurant service charges, but it is common to leave a small amount (perhaps €1) per person. If there is no service charge you might consider leaving a 10% tip, but this is by no means obligatory. You should leave your spare change as a tip at bars and clubs. For taxi drivers, always round up the fare to include a little something extra as gratuity. We will present collective tips to guides and drivers throughout the tour.

RESERVATIONS

To reserve a place on this tour, click on the “Reservations” link above. Type in the information requested in each field, print the form, then sign and mail it to Toto Tours with your $500 deposit check. You also have the option to pay for your tour deposit with a Visa or MasterCard. The remaining balance is due 80 days prior to departure (by June 2, 2008). Tour registration is not complete until we have received both the signed reservation form and your deposit check or credit card authorization.
     Toto Tours does not accept credit cards as a form of payment except for the amount of the tour deposit ($500 maximum can be charged per tour). An installment plan is possible. Our mailing address is: Toto Tours, 1326 W. Albion Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60626-4753. Make checks payable to: Toto Tours, Ltd.

LIABILITIES & DISCLAIMERS

Making a reservation with a deposit shall be deemed to be consent to these conditions: Toto Tours does not accept responsibility in whole or in part for any delay, loss, accidents, personal injury, sickness, medical expenses, or property damage occasioned by fault of any person from whatever cause. All participants are required to sign a standard liability form.
     We strongly encourage you purchase Travel Insurance to cover all aspects of your travel in Italy! We will provide the necessary forms upon receipt of your deposit, or you can apply online by following the link at the bottom of this page. You can also book your travel insurance with a phone call to Toto Tours.
     The tour operators reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a member of the tour at any time and to make whatever changes become necessary with or without notice. Guaranteed departure with a minimum of ten participants.
     Toto Tours is not responsible for airline cancellation or change penalties incurred by individual tour participants for air tickets purchased prior to notification that the tour is a confirmed departure.

THE TOTO SPIRIT

• fun-loving optimists who have a sense of humor and accentuate the positive;
• good natured realists who are willing to accept situations as they exist;
• undaunted by the unexpected, like occasional delays or bad weather;
• willing to forego some of the amenities we normally take for granted;
• eager to try new things & test limits;
• punctual;
• not whiners!

Join us for an extravagant taste of “The Sweet Life” in three cities where good living has been raised to a high art form—Venice, Florence and Rome. Even if you have been here before, you can never have your fill of “La Dolce Vita!” Questions? Please call us toll-free at:  800-565-1241.

THE BOTTOM LINE
(tour prices per person)

Price:  $3,995 double occupancy

Private Room:  $600 extra. We have booked only twin and double rooms for this tour, so paying single supplement will guaranteed you a Twin Room for Sole Use (TSU). (Paying the single supplement is not required of men traveling on their own. Toto Tours will make every effort to match you with a roommate if you prefer to share a room.)

Deposit:  $500  (Due at time of registration for the tour. May be paid with a credit card.)

Remaining Balance:  $3,495 double / $4,095 single
(Assumes $500 deposit has already been made)

Remaining Balance Due:  June 2, 2008
(Full payment required with reservation form if enrolling after this date.)

Included:  Nine nights deluxe hotel accommodations; one group transfer from the airport to the hotel in Venice at the beginning of the tour; one group transfer from the hotel to the airport in rome at the end of the tour; motorcoach travel between destinations; Welcome Dinner; Farewell Dinner; meals, activities, and transportation as listed in the itinerary; fully guided and escorted tour.

Not Included:  Round-trip air transportation to Venice, Italy, and returning from Rome, Italy; meals and activities not specifically included in the itinerary; insurance; all alcoholic beverages; soft drinks; bottled water; laundry; telephone calls; faxes; any other expenses of a personal nature. Tips to drivers and guides not included.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We recommend you purchase travel insurance with AIG Travel Guard to cover for unforseen events prior to and during your trip. Please follow the link below or call us for more information.