With the 2nd Italy meeting on Monday October 26th there were a few key points discussed. The topics of the meeting included: what to hand in for information, differences between us and the locals and how to blend in, film and cameras, as well as clothing, medical issues (prescriptions) and potluck information. As far as information goes, it would be best to hand in all of the required information to the teachers that are involved with the trip (the sooner the better). There were also student presentation on Pompeii, the Doge's (or Ducal) palace, the Vatican and the Sistine chapel. Steve Variyan also gave important information on electricity differences, contact lenses and glasses. In summary of those points for your electronic devices to work you'll need an adapter plug-in and for contacts is strongly recommended that you wear glasses due to the low humidity in the plane as well as the many problems with the contact fluids once in Italy.
It's also an important part to accept any differences between you and the Italians and do your best to try and fit in so you are not noticed as much by pickpockets and so on. It is also important that if you see something interesting that you don't do the finger point and laugh as some Italians may not like you doing that.
For film and cameras it is probably a good thing if you bring an extra memory card in the case the worst happens to your camera. If it does happen you might want to share someone's camera and switch out the memory card when you change who is taking the pictures.
For medical prescriptions, it is requested that if you have prescription ensure that they are in the container provided to you buy the pharmacy, to avoid problems with customs. For those with Epi pens, it is important that you bring two so that you and your chaperone have one on their person.
For language, we will be learning a few simple phrases as well as the possibility of bringing in a person who can speak Italian. So if you want to get ahead and learn Italian that's great (I will be posting the links to Italian speaking sites later this week).
For weather its best if you dress in layers due to how the weather changes. In Venice its best if you bring an umbrella (umbrellas are perfectly fashionable and normal there). As we go south the weather will hopefully get warmer. For weather in the north expect anything from 0-5 degrees Celsius to in the south were it could get up to around 20 degrees Celsius.
It is requested that you have exchanged Canadian currency for Italian currency (at least 100 Euros, or more in case you enjoy the Italian shops)
For travel arragements we will be taking a bus to the Regina airport where we will leave for Italy (you must take the bus and "sadly" your parents cannot take the bus with us, they can however by all means drive behind the bus and say goodbye at the airport.
Your final payments are due November 30th, 2009. The amount is $1829.00 and early payments are appreciated (you can post date the cheques). The next meeting will be Monday, November 23rd at 7:00 pm in the Home Ec lab (for those from Kamsack, I believe there will be a bus; if you have any questions ask the teachers involved). There will be a potluck for the next meeting, so sign up if you haven't already, and talk to the involved teachers you have any concerns or comments (we ask that you bring a recipe and name of the dish in case your dish is a hit).
By: Michael Kiss
Proposed Itinerary for:
Melville Comprehensive School
Italy
Over night in Venice (1) Florence (2) Rome (3) Sorrento (2)
Thursday February 11
Day One – You will depart from ReginaInternational Airport for your Trans-Atlantic flight to Venice, Italy. Enjoy in-flight meals and services en route.
Friday February 12
Day Two - Upon arrival in Venice, you will be met by your RAINBOW EDUCATIONAL TOUR escort and taken to your coach. You will have a guided tour of Venice. Venice has been known as the "city of canals". Venice is a unique Italian city with a proud history. You will have an independent tour of the city starting at the Piazza San Marco opening on the Grand Canal. Visit the Cathedral of San Marco sometimes known as the "golden church" because of its magnificent mosaics on gilded backgrounds. You will tour the Doge's Palace, symbol of Venetian power and glory. The Bridge of Sighs connects the palace with the prisons and owes its name to the sighs of the prisoners who crossed it en route to their execution. Enjoy the unique atmosphere of Venice with the boats plying their trade on the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge with its distinctive steps now transfer to your hotel in the Venice area. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Saturday February April 13
Day Three - This morning after breakfast you will depart for Tuscany, but first stopping in Maranello to visit the Ferrari Gallery. Check in to your hotel in Florence. Dinner is at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Sunday February 14
Day Four - In the morning meet your local guide and have a walking tour of Florence, including Piazza della Signoria with the imposing Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and the Accademia museum with Michelangelo’s Davis.
In the afternoon, free time at leisure in Florence to visit the Medici Chapels, the Straw Market, Giotto's Tower, Pitti Palace... the list goes on. You may shop for bargains in leathers, linens and straw good in the markets. Visit the Church of Santa Croce where Michelangelo and Galileo are buried. There is also a leather studio. Dinner and overnight in Florence
Monday February 15
Day Five - Travel south to the city of Sorrento on one of Italy’s high speed train’s to Naples. Your coach will meet you and will take you to one of the world’s largest archaeological finds, Pompeii. See Vesuvius and then the excavated ruins of the results of that long-ago eruption which put Pompeii into a time warp preserving forever the moment of panic and death. Your guide will bring the city alive in your imagination as you see the wheel ruts of the chariots still marked in the stone streets. After your tour you will travel to Sorrento and have an orientation of the area. The city is spread out along beautiful cliffs overlooking the Bay of Naples. The best views can be seen from the Villa Comunale near the Church of San Francesco or from the terrace behind the Museo Correale. The coach will take you to the hotel. There you will check in, have dinner, and overnight
Tuesday February 16
Day Six – You will have breakfast in the hotel then board the coach and depart for a full day excursion on the Amalfi Coast: you will stop in Amalfi and you will see some breathtaking views. You will have dinner and overnight in your Sorrento hotel.
Wednesday February 17
Day Seven - Leave Sorrento this morning traveling to Rome, you will stop at Cassinoto see the former Battlefield from WW II and you will also see the Benedictine Abbey, and then continue to Rome. After you check into your hotel, your escort will give you an orientation of the area. Dinner and overnight Rome
Thursday February 18
Day Eight - First day of sightseeing in this ancient city. Let the magic of this bustling city grows on you! Today your sightseeing takes you to the heart of ancient Rome starting at the Piazza Venezia with the dominating white marble monument to Victor Emmanuel. Visit the ruins of the Roman Forum, which was the center of the then-known world 2000 years ago, and continue on to the enormous Colosseum (entrance included), which could hold more than 50,000 spectators, and the nearby Arch of Constantine. Then travel along the Via Appia Antica to the Catacombs. Entrance is included to one of these underground Christian cemeteries. Your guide will take you in the afternoon to visit some of the well-known landmarks of Rome best seen on foot such as the Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain. You will have dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at your hotel.
Friday February 19
Day Nine – Today you may take a trip to the Vatican City including the incredible Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Basilica. The tiny state has its own flag, anthem, coins and stamps. The Vatican collections in the museum house beautiful frescoes, paintings and numerous jeweled chalices and religious artifacts. The highlight of the tour will no doubt be Michelangelo's magnificent Sistine Chapel. You will also see the Castel Sant'Angelo on the banks of the Tiber and stroll in the enormous circular area surrounded by Bernini's columns known as St. Peter's Square. Inside the huge basilica is another of Michelangelo's famous works, the Pieta. Dominating the apse of the cathedral is the great bronze throne created by Bernini known as St. Peter's Throne. There will be free time in the afternoon for the group's own plans. You may wish to climb up to the top of the Cathedral’s Dome for a splendid view of the city. Return to your hotel overnight. Tonight you will have a Folklore evening in a Roman restaurant.
Saturday February 20
Day Ten - Depart from the Leonardo da Vinci airport in Rome for your return flight to Canada
Included in the Cost of the Tour:
-Airfare Regina/Venice returning Rome/Regina via scheduled airlines such as Lufthansa
-Transportation by First Class Coach Throughout
-Continental Breakfast and dinner daily
- 8 nights Tourist Class Accommodation
-Full time English speaking tour escort for the entire tour.
-Services of the RAINBOW educational consultant before departure
-Half Day Guide Venice
-Half Day Guide Florence
-Half Day Guide Pompeii
-Full Day Guide Rome
-Full Day Guide Rome
-Entrance Fees for-:
-Doge’s Palace Venice
-Ferrari Gallery Maranello
-Accademia Museum Florence
-Santa Croce Church Florence
-Pompeii Excavations
-Coliseum Rome
-Catacombs Rome
-Vatican Museums, Vatican City
-Train tickets Florence to Naples
Not Included:
-Expenses of a personal nature
-Passport
-Beverages with meals
-Lunches
-Optional tours and excursions
-Gratuities for tour managers, guides, coach drivers and in restaurants
-Comprehensive Insurance: Excess Medical, Trip Cancellation, Default and Baggage ($205.00)
-Single supplements for any single accommodation required
-Any sudden shift in the exchange rate will affect the price
-Fuel surcharges imposed by airlines or any new taxes
PRICE PER PERSON $3329.00 based on a minimum group size of 24 students
Non refundable deposit of $500.00 due upon booking
First payment of $1000.00 plus insurance due September 30, 2009
Final payment of $1829.00 due November 30, 2009
If you are interested in joining our trip, please fill out the booking form, which is provided as a .pdf file below, and return it to Mr. Wihak before June 15th. A post-dated cheque for June 15th is acceptable, as no deposits will be cashed until after that date.
