High Society
Riviera & Cinque Terre
May 23 - June 2, 2010
WHERE THE “HOI POLLOI” PLAY
In a time before modern conveniences like air conditioning, members
of high society would escape the cities during the heat of summer.
While the poor and working classes sweltered, the hoi polloi fled to
the mountains and coasts to take advantage of the cooling effects of
high altitude and ocean breezes. If they could find both in the same
setting, it was like finding paradise on earth.
The French escaped to the south and the Côte d’Azur, soon to become known
as the Riviera, where the rocky coastal hillsides met the sandy beaches of
the Mediterranean. This coastline was one of the first modern resort areas.
It began as a winter health retreat for ailing British tourists at the end
of the 18th century. With the arrival of the railway in the mid-19th century,
it became the playground and vacation spot of European aristocrats and royalty.
In the first half of the 20th century, artists and writers followed, among
them Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Edith Wharton, Somerset Maugham and Aldous
Huxley.
Across the border, the Italians, too, needed
to flee the roasting confines of Florence and Rome, so summer marked high society’s
exodus west to the Liguria Sea. Stretching from the French border in the west
to La Spezia in
the east, the Liguria Coast is dotted with seaside resorts and medieval towns.
Five of these – Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore – make
up the Cinque Terre (meaning literally “the five lands”),
one of Italy’s most extraordinary landscapes. The mountains, terraced
by vineyards, drop into the sea, while olive groves cling to the lower slopes.
The five fishing
and farming village take over what little land is left, wedging houses
and buildings precariously into the nooks and crannies of the hillsides. It
is quite a sight to see.
To the north of these coastal marvels lies Turin
at the base of the Italian Alps. The birthplace of Italian industry, it attracted
entrepreneurs that pumped
the city full of money and power. That wealth and influence is evident in Turin’s
wide boulevards, gracious gardens, elegant manor homes and grand public buildings,
all picturesquely situated on the banks of the River Po. The wealthy flock
here as well to crowd the ski slopes in winter.
Toto Tours invites you to participate in the
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. In addition to the resorts along the Riviera,
the medieval hillside towns of
the Cinque Terre, and powerful Turin, you also have the chance to
experience the swank atmosphere of Monaco, known for its casinos. With the
world’s
best cuisines and wines from both France and Italy, this tour will
truly make you feel like a million bucks!
ITINERARY
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Leave Home, Bound for France
Depart the U.S. on your overnight flight to Nice.
Use the airport code NCE when doing a search for your best airfare
options, and try to time your arrival for as early as possible tomorrow.
Let us know if you would like to come a day or two early, and we can
help arrange your hotel stay in Nice.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Nice, Oh So Nice!
Arrive in Nice as early as posible today. Since everyone will be arriving
at different times (and perhaps on different days), we have not arranged
for a group
arrival
transfer.
Once you
have collected your bags, take a taxi to our hotel and relax or explore
your surroundings. This evening
we
meet
to
get
acquainted
over
a welcome
cocktail,
followed
by our welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (Dinner
included)
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Touring Nice
After breakfast, enjoy a panoramic tour
of Nice, seeing sites such as the grand Place Massena, lined with shops,
hotels and restaurants, the Vieux Ville, and of course the Promenade
des Anglais. The afternoon is yours to enjoy the city at your own pace.
Perhaps a drink at the world-famous Negresco Hotel, bejeweled with
chandeliers of Baccarat crystal, will be a special treat. Overnight
in Nice. (Breakfast)
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Monte Carlo
Today we enjoy a brief drive along the rugged coastline to
Monte Carlo, the capital of Monaco, where the day is ours to enjoy
this symbol of glamour. We visit the Rock of Monaco and the old
Quarter. Explore the passageways, see the Prince’s Palace and
stroll through the square. Visit the Monaco Cathedral and Casino. We
return
to our hotel in Nice and enjoy dinner together this evening. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Menton, Genova, and Santa Margherita Ligure
Check out after breakfast and head along the coast
toward Santa Margherita in the Cinque Terre for our two nights stay.
Stop to explore Menton, a delightful town just before the Italian border,
and also Genova as we travel up the coast. Overnight in Santa Margherita
Ligure. (Breakfast)
Friday, May 28, 2010
The Cinque Terre
Today we enjoy
a full day guided excursion in the Cinque Terre. The five tiny fishing
villages are all interconnected by hiking paths, local trains and ferry
service, as no vehicles are permitted. During your visit, you
have a chance to explore these tiny villages and do some walking along
the
famous “Via dell’Amorosa,” the lover’s path.
Return to Santa Margherita Ligure this evening for your overnight stay. (Breakfast)
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Piemonte Region / Pinerolo
Check out after breakfast and leave the Cinque Terre region, traveling
through a countryside dotted with some of the most
famous wine cellars of Italy. We make our way through
the heart of the Piemonte region, where we stop
to enjoy a special tasting of the Moscato d’Asti, and enjoy lunch
at a local trattoria. Our hotel this evening is in Pinerolo. (Breakfast
/ Lunch)
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Alba / Wine Tasting
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a full day excursion to
Alba and the surrounding countryside to explore and learn its history
with great wines. Today’s
excursion includes two visits and tastings at local wineries plus a
visit to the Ceretto Wine Estates for a specially arranged tasting
of the estate’s prestigious red and white wines. Return to Pinerolo
for the night. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Monday, May 31, 2010
Turin
Check out of our hotel after breakfast and enjoy the short drive to
Turin. Here we embark upon a panoramic tour of the city. Known as
the Gateway
to
the
Alps,
home to Fiat, and site
of the
2006 Olympic Games, Turin is enjoying a new renaissance. We view
such landmarks as the Cathedral, home to the Shroud of Turin; the Palazzo
Madama, and, of course, the landmark of the city, the Mole Antonelliana,
considered the largest museum in the world. We visit the Palazzo
Reale, and make time to taste the hot chocolate drink “bicerin,” which
is
a typical
Turin
treat. (Breakfast)
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Turin Free Day / Farewell Dinner
Today you are free to explore this
dynamic city as you like. Our guide can suggest some options
for you. Tonight we reconvene for our farewell reception and dinner. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Departure
The tour officially ends after breakfast this morning. Use
the airport code TRN when exploring your best flight options. Since
we are not
departing together on the same flight, airport transfers are
not
included in the tour price. It is a simple matter to reach the airport
with
a taxi or other means of public transportation. We will be happy to
extend your stay at our group hotel if you wish to remain longer in
Turin. (Breakfast)
Arrivederci!
ACCOMMODATIONS
(Click hotel name to read description)
Nice: Hotel
Splendid (4*) [or similar]
Santa Margherita Ligure: Hotel
Regina Elena (4*) [or
similar]
Pinerolo: Relais
Barrage (4*) [or
similar]
Turin: Grand
Hotel Sitea (4*) [or
similar]
TOUR PREPARATION
Entry Requirements—For U.S. Citizens a valid
passport is the only document required to enter France and Italy for
stays of up to
60 days.
Immunizations—No immunizations are currently required
for travel to France or to Italy, but it is wise to have your inoculations
up-to-date.
Is your tetanus booster current?
Exit Requirements—There is currently
no separate departure tax required of visitors leaving France other
than that included with the
cost of your airline ticket.
Suggested Viewing
- Nice: Day for Night (1973) Foreign Language Oscar
winner
- Cannes: To Catch A Thief (1955) w/ Cary Grant
- Monaco: The Good Thief (2002) w/ Nick Nolte
- Cinque Terre: Come September (1961) w/ Rock Hudson
- Turin: The Seduction
of Mimi (1972) w/ Giancarlo Giannini
WHAT TO BRING
In May, it will still be fairly cool. Temperatures in
the areas visited could range between the mid-50s for lows and low-70s
for highs during
the day. 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 city sightseeing and evening
meals
____ Shorts for hiking or excursions on warm days
____ 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 (optional,
as bottled water is available everywhere)
____ Sunscreen / lip balm
/ sunglasses / sun hat
____ Personal toiletries
____ Swimsuit
____ Camera, extra batteries & plenty of film or
digital memory
____ A good book
MONEY MATTERS
The monetary unit in both France and Italy is the
standardized Euro (EUR). Notes are issued in the following denominations: €500, €200, €100, €50, €20, €10,
and €5. There are €2 and €1 coins, plus fractions
(there are 100 cents in one Euro). On July 28, 2009, the interbank
exchange rate was 1 EUR per US $1.43. ATMs are widely available.
Major credit cards also work in most ATMs for cash withdrawals, and
they are accepted at most restaurants, hotels, shops
and tourist attractions.
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 $600 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 March 4,
2010). Tour registration is not complete until we have received both
the form and your deposit check.
Toto Tours does not accept credit cards as a form
of payment except for the amount of the tour deposit ($600 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 tour participants are required to sign a standard
liability form.
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 10 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.
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
THE TOTO SPIRIT
Toto Tours provides Adventure Travel Experiences as differentiated
from tours in the traditional sense. Adventure Travel allows (even
encourages) you to be an active participant. Adventurers can be identified
by certain traits. They are:
- 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
Toto Tours is known for attracting great groups of guys
who are outgoing, interesting, and fun. This is a wonderful opportunity
to go with friends,
new and old, to a destination whose very name affirms that you’ve arrived!
If you have any questions, please call us toll free at: 800-565-1241
THE BOTTOM LINE
(tour prices per person)
Price: $ 4,495 (double occupancy)
Private Single Room: $600 extra, if available.
Total price is $5,095.
(Not required. Toto Tours can match you with a roommate if you are traveling
alone and prefer to share a room.)
Twin Sole Use (TSU) Supplement: $900
extra, if available. Private rooms for single occupancy in Europe are
often much smaller than rooms intended for occupancy by two people.
If you wish to have a private room, and guarantee that you have a room
that is the same size as those occupied by two people, it is necessary
to pay the “Twin Sole Use” (TSU) supplement. This supplement
is added to the double occupancy rate, for a total tour price of $5,395.
Please indicate your desire to book TSU on your reservation form.
Deposit: $600
Remaining Balance: $3,895 double / $4,495 single /
$4,795 TSU
(Assumes $600 deposit has already been made)
Remaining Balance Due: March 4, 2010
(Full payment required with reservation form if enrolling after this date.)
Included: 9 nights hotel accommodations in
four-star properties; fully
guided and escorted tour;
all excursions except those listed as “optional”; meals
and accommodations as listed in the itinerary.
Not Included: Round-trip air transportation
from your home city to Nice, France, and departing from Turin, Italy;
departure taxes (if applicable); airport transfers at the beginning
and end of the tour; meals and other items not listed in the itinerary;
insurance; alcohol;
soft
drinks;
bottled water; laundry; telephone calls; faxes; or any other expenses
of a personal nature. Tips to our drivers / guides are not included.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We recommend you purchase travel insurance with Travel Guard to
cover for unforseen events prior to and during your trip. Please follow
the link below or call us for more information.
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