Thank you to everyone who joined us on this very special tour to Italy. The group was wonderful and the races were unforgettable as was the cuisine, the scenery and the amazing Italian Culture. Below are a few photos from the trip and thank you once again for supporting us at Vision Travel.

 

Group tour to Italy for Wine Cities Marathon & Lake Garda Marathon
30 September – 12* October 2015 *Arrives 0017 on 13 October

Price per person based on double occupancy – $3449.00. Price includes Flights from Saint John.

Wine Cities Marathon includes a Marathon & Half Marathon & Lake Garda includes a Marathon, 30k & 15k. Race fees are not included for any race.

Following the success of our inaugural tour of Ireland featuring the Mooathon we have pleasure to launch our 2nd Consultants By The Sea running adventure, this time in beautiful Italy. Our tour will feature many famous historical and cultural attractions in cities such as Venice, Florence and Bologna but the beauty of a running tour is that it opens a door into a local running community which we will experience in spectacular Lake Garda and in the wine country of Prepotto, Udine. We have built as much free time to explore on your own while still building in tours and activities that we can enjoy as a group and of course as always our tour will be escorted by Helena Millar from Vision Travel and our very own running guru, Daryl Steeves.
Deposit = $450.00 per person

Please call 1 877 210 1085 for more information or to reserve your spot or e-mail helena.millar@visiontravel.ca

Daily Itinerary
Wednesday 30 September
30 September – depart Saint John 2.35pm & arrive Toronto 4.01pm
30 September – depart Toronto 9.05pm & arrive Venice 11.40am on 01 Oct

Thursday 01 October – Mestre
Arrive in Venice at 11.40am and transfer to our hotel in Mestre and enjoy the rest of day at your leisure.

Hotel Russot in San Giuliano Park for 1 night
The Russot Hotel is set in the green San Guiliano Park on the outskirts of Mestre, and a 10 minute bus ride from Venice. The air-conditioned rooms come with satellite TV and mini-bar and the hotel serves Italian and International cuisine. One restaurant overlooks the park and the other has views over the lagoon. Internet access is available in the lobby.

Friday 02 October – Venice
We depart our hotel for a transfer to Venice Island by motorcoach and boat for a 2 hour panoramic Walking tour with guide (no entrance fees included).
Venice is built on an archipelago of 117 islands formed by 177 canals in a shallow lagoon, connected by 409 bridges. In the old centre, the canals serve the function of roads, and almost every form of transport is on water or on foot. In the 19th century, a causeway to the mainland brought the Venezia Santa Lucia railway station to Venice, and the Ponte della Libertà road causeway and parking facilities (in Tronchetto island and in piazzale Roma) were built during the 20th century. Beyond the road and rail land entrances at the northern edge of the city, transportation within the city remains (as it was in centuries past) entirely on water or on foot. Venice is Europe’s largest urban car-free area. Venice is unique in Europe, in having remained a sizable functioning city in the 21st century entirely without motorcars or trucks.
Lunch on your own

Depart Venice for Cividale Del Friuli (3nights)
The historical center of the town is dominated by Piazza del Duomo, which is where the National Archaeological Museum of Cividale del Friuli is located. Close by is the Palazzo dei Provveditori Veneti, constructed in 1565 and designed by Andrea Palladio. The town is split in two by the Natisone River, which is spanned by the impressive Devil’s Bridge (15th century, rebuilt in 1918). Also notable is the Celtic Hypogeum, a subterranean series of halls carved in the rock in ancient times, whose destination remains unclear: uses as either Celtic funerary monument or a Roman (Lombard) jail has been proposed. The town has a number of small osterias which serve distinctive local wines. Of particular note are Tocai friulano, Verduzzo and Refosco dal peduncolo rosso

Hotel Roma – 3 star
Hotel Roma is located in the historical centre of Cividale del Friuli. All the bedrooms are equipped with satellite TV and a minibar. Guests will enjoy a sweet and savory breakfast of hot drinks, croissants, cheese and cold meats.

Saturday 03 October
Bus tour tracing the Marathon route for half day
Lunch & Dinner on your own
Return to Cividale del Friuli for rest of day at leisure & overnight

Sunday 04 October
Wine Cities Marathon & Half Marathon – http://www.maratonacittadelvino.it/
Overnight in Hotel Roma – Cividale del Friuli

Monday 05 October – Bologna to Florence
Depart Cividale for Florence with a visit to Bologna Included is a 2hr guided city visit of Bologna with time for lunch (not included).
Bologna is the largest city of the Emilia-Romagna Region in Italy. It is the seventh most populous city in Italy, located in the heart of a metropolitan area of about one million. The first settlements date back to at least 1000 BC
After lunch we will depart for Florence.
Group 3 course dinner in Florence included – drinks extra

Overnight in Florence
Hotel delle Nazioni – 4 nights
Our hotel in Florence is only 50 metres from the Florence Santa Maria Novella Rail station and a 10 minute walk from Florence Cathederal. Free wifi is included for a 4 night stay which will allow us to unpack our bags and relax between races or make use of the easy access to the rail station to travel and explore Italy. A bus stop only 200 metres from the hotel has services to the Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery.

Tuesday 06 – Thursday 08 October – Florence
Florence’s museums, palaces, and churches house some of the greatest artistic treasures in the world. The most popular and important sites in Florence include the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Uffizi, the Bargello, and the Accademia. The churches of Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce are veritable art galleries, and the library of San Lorenzo is a magnificent exhibition of Michelangelo’s architectural genius. Wander some of the oldest streets in the city until you reach the Arno River, cross the Ponte Vecchio, and experience the “newest” area of Florence, the Oltrarno. Be sure to set aside time to see the vast and varied art collection housed in the Pitti Palace. When you grow weary of museums and monuments, head outdoors. Spend a day at the Boboli Gardens or climb the hill to the church of San Miniato al Monte to experience an enchanting view of Florence.
Enjoy your free time in Florence to enjoy many of the optional travel opportunities to visit:
Siena / San Gimiganano – Full Day Tours or Pisa / Chianti Winery half day tour or Cinque Terre on a full day tour

Friday 09 October – Malcesine
We depart Florence this morning for Parma including a visit to a Prosciutto-making plant and tasting.
Overnight in Malcesine
Club Hotel Olivi – 3 nights
Our hotel lies on the shore of Lake Garda at the foot of Monte Baldo, enclosed within a 30,000m park, with 9 tennis courts and a large heated pool. This comfortable and secluded hideaway boasts all modern features and offers different kinds of accommodation in separate buildings with most rooms offering a breathtaking view of the lake.

Saturday 10 October
Day at leisure and half day bus tour of the Marathon Route

Sunday 11 October
Lake Garda Marathon Day, 30k & 15k – Transportation will be included to and from the race start/finish.
Group celebration dinner – to be organized locally in Malcesine and not included in tour cost.

Monday 12 October
Sadly today we depart Malcesine and Lake Garda for our transfer back to Milan Airport for our return flight to Canada.
12 October – depart Milan 12.55pm & arrive Toronto 4.10pm
12 October – depart Toronto 9.05pm & arrive Saint John 00.17am on 13 October

Tour is operated in conjunction with VICTOURS 101-8800 Dufferin Street Concord, Ontario L4K 0C5
Marathon Group 2014
Rate based on min. 20 guests

Tour Includes:
Escorted by Helena Millar & Daryl Steeves
• Transfer from Venice airport to hotel in Mestre
• 1 nights’ accommodation at Hotel Russot in Mestre breakfast and VAT
• Transfer from hotel in Mestre to Venice Tronchetto (bus terminal) and back
• Boat transport from Venice Tronchetto & St Marks Square and back
• 2hrs guided panoramic tour of Venice
• 3 nights accommodation at Hotel Roma in Cividale del Friuli inc breakfast and VAT
• Motorcoach at disposal for half day to trace the route of the Marathon
• Transfer to Bologna and then onto Florence
• 2hr guided visit of Bologna
• 4 nights in Florence at Hotel delle Nazioni including breakfast & VAT
• One 3 course dinner (beverages excluded) in Florence
• Transfer from Florence to Parma for visit to Prosciutto plant and tasting and the transfer to Lake Garda (Brenzone)
• 3 nights’ accommodation in Malcesine (Lake Garda) at Club Hotel Olvii including breakfast and VAT
• Motorcoach at disposal for half day tracing the route of the Lake Garda Marathon
• Transfers by motorcoach from the hotel to the race start in the morning and back at the end of the race.
• Transfer from hotel to airport

Not included:
• City tax
o Mestre – eur3.15 per person/per night
o Cividale del Friuli – none for the moment
o Florence – eur3 per person/per night
o Malcesine – eur1.00 per person/per night
• Gratuities
• Anything not mentioned in the ‘Included’ section
• Race Registration Fees

Payment policy:
• $450.00 deposit upon booking per person
• $200.00 due by 01 June 2015
• Balance due by 01 August 2015

Cancellation policy • Deposit is non-refundable once paid
This refund policy is specific for this group and supersedes the policy outlined in Victours Terms and Conditions below:

Terms & Conditions
No booking has been made. Availability is subject to change and is based on 20 paying passengers.
Deposits & Payments: A non-refundable deposit is due at time of booking.
Full payment must reach our office 45 days prior to date of first service.

Cancellation penalties on Land Tour only:
•Deposit if non-refundable once paid
• From 19 August to September 09 2015 – 50% non-refundable
• From September 09 to September 15 – 75% non-refundable
• From September 15 onwards = 100% non-refundable

Cancellation penalties with Air Canada
After 31 July the tour element for Air Canada is 100% non-refundable.
Passports – at time of writing (28 November 2014) Canadians require a valid Passport valid for 3 months after the expected departure from Italy.
Changes: C$75.00 change fee to any confirmed reservation.
Vision Travel can take no responsibility for any alterations, changes or cancellations of any of the races we feature for any reason.

Prices
Prices are quoted in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated and are based on the costs and exchange rates in effect at the time of payment. VICTOURS reserves the right to increase its prices in order to protect against unplanned cost increases or for any reason at its discretion without notice. No price increases are permitted after the customer has paid in full. However, if after deposit has been paid and the total price of the travel services has increased, should the cumulative increase be more than 7 percent, the customer has the right to cancel the contract and obtain a full refund; (except any increase resulting from higher retail sales tax or federal goods and services tax). In this case our liability will be limited to the refund of the monies paid. Our prices do not include any items other than those specified and exclude such items as air transportation, expenses of personal nature, airport taxes, tips and gratuities, local municipal taxes.
Unused services: There will be no refund for unused services or hotel nights.
Insurance protection: We strongly recommend that travellers purchase applicable insurance from Vision Travel to protect themselves against unforeseen circumstances that may force them to cancel or interrupt their trip such as, but not limiting to: injury, sickness or death of themselves or a member of their immediate family or of a single travel companion with whom they are sharing accommodation during the trip. Adequate insurance coverage for luggage and personal is also encouraged. Vision Travel can offer a quality Cancellation and Medical policy through Manulife – please contact Helena.millar@visiontravel.ca for details or call 1 877 210 1085.
Documentation: Passengers should be in possession of a valid passport and must ensure that they comply with applicable visa requirements. It is the responsibility of each person to advise their travel agent of their citizenship/nationality of all members of the travelling party to ensure the agent provides correct documentation requirements. Obtaining passport and visas are at the traveller’s expense. VICTOURS & Vision Travel cannot assume responsibility for the client’s inability to travel due to incorrect documentation. Every effort has been made to describe as accurately as possible the travel services being purchased. The traveler has to be aware that each country or region has particular features (such as food, water, weather, customs etc.) that may not appeal. There are many different living standards, practices and conditions at the destination compared with what the traveler is used to. By purchasing these travel services the client is presumed to have made all the necessary inquiries in this regards.
Limitation of Responsibility:
VICTOURS makes arrangements with third party suppliers who provide travel services such as flights, cruises, hotels, airport-hotel transfers, sightseeing, train, car rental or other activities included in your package. Although VICTOURS make every effort to deal with the most reputable suppliers; we are not responsible for their acts and omissions of their respective employees, representatives or agents. Travel services are subject to conditions imposed by law and by 3rd party suppliers. As such, their liability is limited by their respective tariffs, conditions of carriage as well as international conventions and arrangements. VICTOURS does not assume any responsibility for schedule changes made by the airline, or any additional costs (accommodation, meals etc.) incurred due to any flight delays or missed connections. Additional hotelier terms & conditions may also apply.
VICTOURS acts only in an agent’s capacity for passengers in all matters relating to goods and services rendered and as such, we hold ourselves free of responsibility for any delay, loss of property, injury, death, damage, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, upset, distress or frustration whether physical or mental, resulting from any of the following:
•Any wrongful or negligent act or omission on the part of any travel supplier outlined in our vouchers or their personnel or any company or person not under the direct control of VICTOURS
•Sickness, theft, labour disputes, machinery breakdown, quarantine, war, government restraints, weather, closed roads or accesses, or any other cause beyond our direct control;
•Failure to arrive at the airport on time on the day of departure or not to be on time for the various convocations during the trip, for any reason.
• Your failure to obtain the documentation required for your trip such as Passports, Visas and certificates (in which case you are not entitled to any refund);
• Your failure to follow instructions including but not limited to airport ;departure times, baggage handling and check-in / checkout times
•Unauthorized statements of acts of misinterpretations made by any travel agency of its employees relating to the standards, quality, services and inclusions of the vacation programs purchased;
• A full refund, however, will not be granted where cancellation of travel must be made by VICTOURS for any situations which are unusual and/or unforeseeable, i.e., any force majeure including (but not limited to) weather conditions such as inundation, any type of storm, hurricane, twister or similar, fire, seismic activity, nuclear disasters, strikes, riots or civil conflicts, acts of war, terrorist actions, any public health emergencies or health risks, government actions, supplier bankruptcies and any other events beyond VICTOURS control. VICTOURS is not liable for the costs or other consequences that arise out of or result from any inclement weather conditions at any time and where VICTOURS’ contractual obligations with its suppliers does not allow for reimbursement of the sums paid to the supplier on behalf of the customer;
• Cancellation or change for any reason in the travel services offered. VICTOURS reserves the right to modify the itinerary or the carriers, substitute accommodation whenever necessary or cancel the trip completely. In such an event it will not be liable for claims, damages or losses beyond the refund of costs. In the even of cancellation of the trip by VICTOURS the full refund of monies paid will represent the final settlement with the passenger. If a modification in the itinerary results in a saving, a refund would be made. Conversely if the modification should entail additional expenses, such expenses would be borne by the passenger. VICTOURS reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a tour member whose presence may impede the operation of the tour or the rights of enjoyment of the other passengers. Under such circumstances, unused land services only will be refunded. VICTOURS, the travel agent and carriers accept no responsibility for loss of tickets, coupons or any travel documents.
VICTOURS reserves the right to modify the itinerary or the carriers, substitute accommodation whenever necessary or cancel the trip completely. In such an event it will not be liable for claims, damages or losses beyond the refund of costs. In the event of cancellation of the trip by VICTOURS the full refund of monies paid will represent the final settlement with the passenger. If a modification in the itinerary results in a saving, a refund would be made.
Conversely if the modification should entail additional expenses, such expenses would be borne by the passenger. VICTOURS reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a tour member whose presence may impede the operation of the tour or the rights of enjoyment of the other passengers. Under such circumstances, unused land services only will be refunded. VICTOURS, the travel agent and carriers accept no responsibility for loss of tickets, coupons or any travel documents. Written notice of any claims against VICTOURS must be received no later than fourteen (14) days after return from the trip. No representatives of VICTOURS or the suppliers are authorized to modify or cancel any of the above. Please read all information on this page carefully.
Living standards and practices at the destination and the standards and conditions there with respect to the provision of utilities, services and accommodation may differ from those found in Canada.
Written notice of any claims against VICTOURS must be received no later than fourteen (14) days after return from the trip. Send notice or claim to:
Victours 101 – 8800 Dufferin Street Concord, Ontario L4K 0C5
Please call 1 877 210 1085 for more information or to reserve your spot or e-mail helena.millar@visiontravel.ca