Day
1. Saturday 20 April
Depart Sydney-Melbourne en-route to Amsterdam via
Kuala Lumpur flying Lauda -air.
Day
2. Sunday 21 April
This morning we descend into Schiphol International
Airport on the outskirts of Amsterdam at 09.15, following on which we
board our coach for the 20 km drive into the city itself. Our accommodation
for the next two nights is at the Schiller Hotel situated in the historic
heart of the city on the Rembrandtplein. Following on an early lunch we
set off to visit 'the most beautiful Spring garden in Europe'. Keukenhof
Park is a showcase for the Dutch flower bulb industry. Here in this idyllic
setting millions of bulbs will flower to create a spectacular floral carpet,
blending beautifully with a landscape of established trees, flowering
shrubs and a huge variety of perennials, water gardens, fountains and
a large mere. We return to the city along the coast road through the spectacular
flower fields blooming with thousands of tulips, narcissus and hyacinths
in a countless array of colours. En route we'll pass through villages
set in a rural landscape, containing centuries-old country houses. Dinner
this evening at our hotel.
Day
3. Monday 22 April
Today we take an interesting excursion north of
Amsterdam to the 'Golden Circle Towns and Villages'. The 'Golden Circle'
encompasses the idyllic towns and fishing villages that surround the old
Zuiderzee. Monnickendam is a beautifully preserved port featuring gabled
houses and renovated fishermen's cottages, dating back to the 15th and
16th centuries, in the narrow streets around the harbour, Hoorn was the
capital of the ancient province of West Friesland and one of the great
seafaring towns of the 17th century recognised as the 'Golden Age' for
Amsterdam. An opportunity here to stroll along the old quay, once busy
with sailors and artisans,
Volendam, once a thriving fishing village has an ancient centre with small
fisherman's houses by tiny canals. Close by is Edam, with it's famous
cheese market.
Following on a visit to the Zuiderzee Museum we travel back into Amsterdam
via the recently constructed dike linking Enkhuizen with Lelystad travelling
through typical Dutch scenery. We will endeavour to be back in time to
spend a little time in the city itself, to embark on a 'canal-walk' or
visit one of the cities galleries or museums. Dinner this evening at 'Restaurant
d'Vijff Vlieghen'.
Day
4. Tuesday 23 April
This morning we commence a 258 km journey south
to Bruges, often referred to as the Venice of the north. An hour after
departing our hotel we arrive at Delft. This historic town is famous for
its picturesque canals, cobbled streets, traditional old Dutch facades
and of course the world renowned 'Delft Blue Pottery'. Curiosity shops,
galleries, restaurants and terrace-cafes are dotted along the narrow old
streets and the marketplace. Delft is quintessentially Dutch, an embodiment
of the traditional understanding of the Dutch town lifestyle. We can spend
up to an hour and a half here prior to continuing on through The Hague,
the seat of Dutch government, to the old river port of Dordrecht, situated
at the confluence of three of the regions major rivers. Following a coastal
route we arrive at the Deltawerken Engineering Project, designed to protect
much of the Netherlands from the North Sea. Time to inspect the project
itself and to view a multimedia exhibition features films and scale models.
A visit to this project has been highly recommended. Via the little town
of Middleburg we continue on to Bruges, perhaps northern Europe's best
preserved medieval city. Our accommodation over the next three nights
will be at the Oud Burg Grand Hotel, situated in the historic centre of
Bruges itself. Dinner this evening at our hotel.
Day
5. Wednesday 24 April
Bruges is an enchanting place to explore. This morning
we will take a guided tour along its winding cobbled streets, viewing
as we go charming gabled houses, bridges and majestic churches, all of
which form a picturesque backdrop to the serene, winding canals. Bruges
is recognised as the most popular tourist destination in Belgium but our
presence here in late April, just prior to the tourist season, will ensure
we can enjoy this fascinating city 'far from the madding crowd'. This
afternoon is 'at your leisure' to soak up something of the uniqueness
of this gracious city. Walking is the best way to discover Bruges. The
old city is rather small, you can easily walk across it in half an hour.
We will have available to us maps and guides which will enable us to visit
the most spectacular sights and, if we wish, to retrace our steps to some
of the interesting facets of the town we saw but fleetingly, during our
introductory tour this morning. Dinner this evening at the Kasteel Minnewater
lakeside restaurant.
Day
6. Thursday 25 April
With so much to see and do in and around Bruges,
the difficulty is in deciding how to maximise on available time. Today
in the company of a local guide we will travel along one of the regional
canals through the Flemish countryside en route to the picturesque town
of Damme. All around are wide meadows and fields, while in late Spring
and early Summer the banks of the canal are covered with beautiful flowers.
We arrive in time to enjoy lunch at this charming little settlement. Our
coach is here to meet us and we travel on to Lissewege. With its lovely
whitewashed houses lining the banks of a canal which runs through the
centre of the town, Lissewege is recognised as the best preserved and
prettiest rural community on the Flemish coastal plain. Time to enjoy
afternoon coffee and the atmosphere in this peaceful and picturesque village
before returning to Bruges. Dinner this evening at the Duc de Bourcogne
Restaurant.
Day
7. Friday 26 April
Today we journey south to the World War 1 Somme
Battlefield in Northern France where we will visit the following sites,
Pozieres, scene of the famous Australian battle from July to September
1916, the legendary bravery of the diggers who survived Gallipoli to fight
here, and the two memorials facing each other, (the Tank Memorial and
the Windmill) which recall the loss of 23,000 men in six weeks, Albert,
the location of the Somme 1916 Museum, which depicts what life was like
in the trenches, Thiepval, the location of the worlds largest war-memorial
with the names of 72,085 British and South African troops missing-in-action
or with no-known-grave,
Beamont-Hamel, site of the magnificent commemorative park of Newfoundland,
the scene of a particularly tragic massacre of virtually a whole allied
battalion in forty minutes.
Our accommodation this evening is at the Univers Hotel in the charming
canal town of Amiens. Dinner this evening at Les Marissons Restaurant.
Day
8. Saturday 27 April
This morning we attend the Commemorative Service
at the Australian War Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux. This is the Australian
monument of World War 1 in France. This immense memorial with impeccably
manicured lawns contains the names of 11,000 Australians 'missing in action'.
From this position there is a glorious view of the overall Somme Valley
region. This afternoon we travel the 133 kms into Paris arriving late
afternoon. Our accommodation in Paris this evening and the following two
nights is at the Hotel Clarion St-James & Albany, centrally situated
close to the Louvre and a wide range of interesting venues. Dinner this
evening is at our hotel.
Day
9. Sunday 28 April
For those who have not visited Paris on a previous
occasion, we will take a guided tour of the city this morning. For others
within the group, an invitation to join us on the tour, or the opportunity
to start out immediately on those venues not previously experienced, alternatively
to revisit some of the compelling sites seen on an earlier visit. Paris
is perhaps Europe's most popular and attractive city destination. The
city's monuments are almost innumerable, while a whole lifetime could
be taken up immersed in the range of museums and galleries. There is just
so much to see and do in Paris, following are some suggestions;
* walk from our hotel through the Jardin des Tuileries along the Champs
Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. Climb to the top for a great view back
through to our hotel,
* visit The Louvre with its vast collection of 300,000 plus art treasures.
For those with an interest in impressionist painting, the collection in
the Musee d'Orsay is mind-boggling,
* visit the Musee Rodin housed in a beautiful 18th century mansion which
the sculptor leased from the state in return for the gift of all his work,
* the Hotel des Invalides, built as a home for invalided soldiers on the
orders of Louis XIV, now housing the vast Musee de l'Armee, warrants a
visit,
* consider taking a walk around the Ile St-Louis, which along with the
Ile de la Cite, (both islands situated in the middle of the Seine, in
the heart of the city) was essentially the cradle of Parisian civilization.
It was here during the 17th century wealthy Parisians built their homes.
As a result the Ile St-Louis remains a lovely place to walk around and
admire the mansions still standing,
*a walk along the Seine soaking up the atmosphere of Paris itself is an
experience to be savored.
Check out a Tourist Guide Book and set some priorities from among the
vast array of 'unique experiences' available for the visitor to Paris.
Dinner this evening is at the restaurant La Bouteille D'Or overlooking
the Seine. We will enjoy a pleasant walk back to our hotel following on
dinner.
Day
10. Monday 29
A day 'at leisure' for all within the group. .Following
on breakfast the coach will depart for the Palace de Versailles. Those
within the group who travelled with us to Paris in 2000 will recall limited
time prevented us from experiencing the Gardens of this impressive chateau
which are a masterpiece of the French landscape style. We will spend an
hour or two walking through the Park made up of the various individual
garden settings. The Chateau itself is not open on Mondays. We will return
to the city early in the afternoon enabling folk to 'take in' some more
of Paris. For the 'keen shoppers' among us, Paris has its own unique attraction.
The best known boutiques and department stores are concentrated in a few
particular and centrally located districts such as the Champ-Elysees,
Place de la Madeleine, Rue Tronchet, and the Rue du Fauborge-St-Honore.
Dinner this evening at Le Procope Restaurant.
Day
11. Tuesday April 30
Departing Paris this morning we set out for a two
day tour of the Loire Valley. Renowned for its sumptuous chateaux and
relics of royal days gone by, the glorious valley of the Loire is rich
in both history and architecture. Often called the 'Garden of France',
the Loire, with its meandering rivers, mild climate, lush green vineyards,
charming villages, and picturesque towns, is one of the most appealing
regions in France. In order to maximise on our time in the Valley, we
will take the most direct route to the 12th century feudal town of Blois.
Following on lunch we will meet with our local guide for a tour of this
attractive town located on the banks of the Loire River. Later in the
afternoon we will visit the magnificent Chateau de Chambord, the largest
chateau in the Loire Valley. We proceed on to the town of Tours and our
accommodation for the next two nights, the one hundred and fifty year
old Hotel de l'Univers. Dinner this evening at our hotel.
Day
12. Wednesday May 1
Our tour today, unhurried, takes us through the
Loire Valley itself, following the river as it passes through peaceful
unspoiled countryside and picturesque villages. This morning we will visit
the Chateau de Villandry most famous for its superb gardens. This afternoon
we travel on to the Chateau Chenonceau. Stretching as it does across the
River Cher surrounded by elegant formal gardens and wooded grounds, Chenonceau
is considered by many to be the loveliest of the Loire chateaux. Dinner
this evening at the gracious 'Restaurant le Mastroquet'.
Day
13. Thursday May 2
This morning we move south east through the upper
reaches of the Loire Valley, our destination for this evening is Dijon.
Our driving time today is six and a half hours over a distance of 380kms
and I am suggesting we depart our hotel promptly at 8.30am. Our route
today takes us through the regions of Touraine and Berry, the former with
its rolling terrain and lush forests making it archetypal Loire Valley
countryside. Berry on the other hand, lying as it does in the rural heart
of France, is a varied land of wheat fields, pastures and vineyards, ancient
forests, rolling hills and lakes, peaceful villages and elegant manor
houses. As we approach the Burgundy region, of which Dijon is the capital,
we travel through the area known as the Morvan, a granite massif, cut
by a network of rivers, lonely farmhouses, scattered hamlets and extensive
forests. As the name of the region implies, Dijon is situated in the heartland
of some of the world's finest vineyards. Our accommodation this evening
is at the Sofitel Hotel la Cloche. This is a particularly charming hotel
centrally situated with 'heaps of character'. Dinner this evening at our
hotel.
Day
14. Friday May 3
I am suggesting we delay our departure from Dijon
until after lunch today, taking a tour of the town itself, or driving
to one or two of the interesting villages in the area immediately around
the city. This afternoon a relatively short drive of 240 kms to Gruyeres
a town who's name is indelibly linked with that particular type of Swiss
cheese. Our route takes us through The Jura region of France, the landscape
of which varies greatly. Along the limestone uplands and the upper reaches
of the Rhone and Saone rivers, we pass through extensive forests of beech
and oak, firs and spruce, (covering 40% of the land surface), and vast
upland pastures. This is a verdant landscape. Water is everywhere present,
rising from springs and resurgences to feed rushing torrents, spilling
over spectacular falls and filling some 70 lakes in the region. We take
a south easterly direction, descending down to the foot of these great
cliffs and through the variegated countryside, which makes up the hinterland
behind the lakeside cities of Geneva and Lausanne. Our accommodation for
the next two nights is at a small 'boutique' hotel on the edge of the
town with magnificent views out to the meadows and mountains which surround
this medieval town. Dinner this evening at our hotel.
Day
15. Saturday May 4
"It's hard to overstate just how stunning the
Lauterbrunnen Valley is - even hardened Alpinists shrug their shoulders
and call it the most beautiful valley in all of Europe. An immense U-shaped
valley (the world's deepest) with bluffs on either side rising 1000m sheer,
doused by some 72 waterfalls, it is utterly spectacular. Lauterbrunnen
village lies on the valley floor, while the slopes above nurture two of
Switzerland's most appealing little resorts, Murren to the west with Wengen
to the east. Both of them are car-free, perched on narrow shelves of pasture
way above the world below, and both offer some of the best hiking to be
had in the Alps" - Rough Guide to Switzerland.
It is to this spectacular corner of Switzerland that we journey today,
initially spending time in the Lauterbrunnen Valley itself before taking
a combination of cable car and rack-rail up to the villages of Wengen,
Kleine Scheidegg and Grindelwald where, for those who feel so inclined,
there will be opportunity to walk for an hour or two along mountain pathways
and through flower filled alpine meadows. Dinner at our hotel this evening.
Day
16. Sunday May 5
We depart from Gruyeres this morning and descend
down to the north eastern perimeter of Lake Geneva crossing back into
France. We are heading to Thonon on the southern side of the lake from
where we will proceed up and along the 'Route des Grandes Alpes', the
famous high altitude road which links Lake Geneva with the French Riviera.
Although our journey today is only over a distance of 206 kms, this will
be through some of the most spectacular country on the tour. Late in the
morning we will arrive at Chamonix, France's mountaineering capital. All
around are the high mountains of the Mont Blanc Massif. This is the most
renowned of the massifs of the French Alps. From Chamonix we will take
a cable car excursion up to the summit of l'Aiguille du Midi which rises
to a height of 3,842 meters. This is the closest we can get to Mont Blanc
without actually climbing it. Later in the afternoon we proceed across
the French/Italian border down into the 'Parco Natzionale del Gran Paradiso'.
Our accommodation, together with dinner this evening, is at the 'Romantic
Hotel Miramonti', located in the heart of the park. The third generation
of the Gillavod family maintain the family tradition of this lovely hotel.
Day
17. Monday May 6
While we would like to tarry in this idealic setting,
we must however continue on our way. We will take the scenic route this
morning through the picturesque 'Valley D'Aosta' proceeding south-east
through the Piedmont region consisting mainly of the Po River Plain. This
fertile area is intersected by long rows of poplars, as grassland alternates
with fields planted with cereals and rice. We continue south east through
the gently-rolling chalk hills of the Montferrato region noted for the
production of some of the best Italian wines, together with their accompaniment,
Gorgonzola cheese. By mid-day we are in sight of the Mediterranean Sea
arriving at the town of Savona. A brief stop here for lunch, following
on which we continue west south-west skirting the city of Genova as we
head for the Riviera Di Levante. This scenic stretch of coastline features
sharp promontories, little sheltered coves, tiny fishing villages, wide
sandy bays, and steep cliffs. These features, together with the pinewoods
and olive groves of the hinterland, combine to provide this region with
its unique charm.
At 400 meters above sea level the Hotel Portofino Kulm stands on the crest
of the Promontory of Portofino, between Camogli and Santa Margherita,
surrounded by the lush vegetation of the Mount of Portofino Park. Crossing
the threshold of Portofino Kulm at the park entrance is a bit like reliving
the sensations of a turn-of-the-century holiday, when visitors often undertook
adventurous travels in order to reach this refined oasis of peace. Dinner
this evening at our hotel.
Day
18. Tuesday May 7
This morning we will go into Portofino itself. This
small fishing village with its gaily-coloured houses lies at the head
of a sheltered creek. I have in mind we should spend a couple of hours
here walking along some of the coastal paths from which there are wonderful
views out over this spectacular coastline. Returning to the coastal road
we will follow the shoreline south for 100kms before moving east into
Tuscany.
The traditional image of Tuscany is one of gentle hilly slopes planted
with olive groves, vineyards and cypress trees bathed in a soft golden
light, with walled hill-top towns interspersed throughout the countryside.
This is exactly how it is in every respect. Our accommodation for the
next three nights is at the Palazzo Mannaioni (http://www.mannaioni.com),
a 19th century villa, within the town of Montaione. The town itself is
pristine and intimate with cobble-stoned lanes, sunny piazzas and picturesque
shops, while the Palazzo Mannaioni is one of the most historic complexes
in the area. Montaione, set in the heart of Tuscany, is equidistant from
Florence, Siena and Pisa. Dinner tonight at our hotel.
Day
19. Wednesday May 8
Florence, fifty minutes drive from our hotel in
Montaione is without doubt the city where the Italian genius has flourished
with the greatest display of brilliance and purity. The city is set in
the heart of a serenely beautiful countryside which is bathed by a soft
amber light. The low surrounding hills are clad with olive groves, vineyards
and cypresses, which appear to have been harmoniously landscaped to please
the human eye. Florence is such an important art centre that it takes
at least four days to see the main sights. These are, however, situated
fairly closely together in the city centre. On our arrival we will commence
a three hour guided tour, following on which the remainder of the day
will be 'at leisure' to visit specific sights of one's own choosing.
Arranging our visit around the traditional two hour plus siesta time is
an 'art' in itself; however there is much to experience in Florence in
between visits to the major individual attractions within this fascinating
city. We return to Mannaioni late in the afternoon for dinner at a selected
restaurant.
Day
20. Thursday May 9
This morning we can relax over breakfast and enjoy
the ambience of the occasion before setting out to visit the hill town
of Volterra. Idyllically set, amidst an evocative landscape of soft rolling
hills and lush woodland, Volterra, with its narrow streets, looming towers,
and majestic palaces and fortifications, is a haven of Etruscan, Roman,
Medieval and renaissance art and architecture. The chalky hills around
the town are the source of alabaster, carvings from which provide a significant
means of income for the artisans within the town. A visit to Volterra
is incomplete without viewing this local industry, and perhaps purchasing
one of the beautifully sculptured pieces available from the craftsmen
themselves. This afternoon we travel south to the beautiful city of Siena
with it's narrow streets and medieval buildings of rose-coloured brick.
The principal sights of Siena are found in the network of narrow streets
and alleys around the fan-shaped Piazza del Campo. The buildings around
the square symbolize the golden age of the city between 1260 and 1348
when wealthy citizens contributed to a major programme of civic building.
Scarcely any street is level, as Siena, like Rome is built on seven hills.
This adds to the pleasure of exploring. One minute the city is laid out
to view before you, and the next you're in a warren of medieval houses.
Siena is also the venue for Tuscany's most celebrated festival 'The Palio',
a bareback horse race held twice a year in the Campo. We will have with
us a local guide to ensure we maximise on our time this afternoon.
I hold to the view one of the most satisfying ways of experiencing something
of the local culture is to 'enjoy' a meal with the people. The Del Gallo
Nero is located in one of the small streets in the heart of the old city.
The restaurant is housed in a building which formed part of one of the
mediaeval towers of the city. While not having sampled the 'fare' myself,
I have been assured it is of a high standard, and that the "mediaeval
feel of the restaurant is reflected in the cuisine which has been especially
created to give guests a taste of Tuscan food of that era".
Day
21. Friday May 10
Although we have a 391 km drive ahead of us today,
we can still afford to depart this 'pleasant scene' at a 'relaxed and
civilised pace'. We are heading for the beautiful Italian Lakes District
and en route we will stop at the delightful town of Lucca. Situated in
the centre of a fertile plain, Lucca is enclosed by massive red brick
walls which help to give the city its special character by shutting out
traffic and the modern world. Lucca has, preserved within its girdle of
ramparts, often tree-topped, a rich heritage of churches, palaces, squares
and streets which gives the town a charming air, unscathed by contemporary
developments, and further, made all the more enjoyable because the town
is a little off the tourist trail. Lucca became a colony of ancient Rome
in 180 BC, and the town's Roman legacy is still evident in the regular
grid pattern of its streets.
We proceed on to our base for the next three nights, Iseo, situated on
the shoreline of the lake of the same name. Iseo is an absolute 'gem'
of a place, and our accommodation in this delightful lakeside town is
another one of those 'little finds' which we come across from time to
time. The Araba Fenice Hotel is set right on the shoreline of the lake,
all of the rooms having a panoramic outlook over the lake and to the hills
and mountains beyond. The history of the building dates back to the early
1800's, and the character and style of that period has been maintained
throughout the complex which has just been completely renovated. Dinner
tonight at our hotel.
Day
22. Saturday May 11
There are some very 'classy' shops in this town
and the lakeside walks are most enchanting. Being 'off the beaten track'
the town has its own unique appeal, and we can spend a very pleasant couple
of hours here, before setting out for the remainder of the day's programme.
Lake Iseo is one of the lesser known Italian lakes. Its wild scenery,
high mountain fringe, its banks sometimes steep and often indented and
its peaceful villages, all lend a certain charm to this small lake. Today
we will take a boat trip around the lake, visiting as we go the lake-side
villages of Lovere and Pisogne, and the island of Monte Isola in the centre
of the lake. As the name implies the island is the peak of a mountain
rising from the floor of the lake. We will journey to the summit, from
where we are able to view a vast panorama of the lake and the southern
fringes of the Italian alps to the north. We return to Iseo and dinner
at Ristorante Do Forni.
Day
23. Sunday May 12
The delightful town of Bellagio, on Lake Como will
be familiar to folk who traveled with the group in 2000. On that occasion
we spent but a brief hour and fifteen minutes there, just sufficient time
to draw us back for a second visit. This morning we will take the coach
along local roads and through scenic countryside, as we follow the shoreline
of the eastern arm of the lake arriving at Bellagio at approx 10.00am.
Time today to stroll the colourful promenade with its flowering trees,
quaint outdoor cafes (which serve every conceivable blend and style of
coffee, not to say anything of the gelato), and to take in the atmosphere
of this memorable lakeside town. There are boutiques galore huddled along
the narrow steps that march up the hill, while window boxes of red geraniums
and fragrant bougainvillea decorate the cobblestone streets. Arcaded buildings
with flowing draperies (to shade the shoppers), palm trees and balmy weather
give Bellagio a Mediterranean feel. Time for lunch at this fascinating
venue following on which we will take a ferry cruise along the south western
arm of the lake taking in views from the water of the numerous villas
along the shoreline. Our destination is Como; however we will stop off
at the lakeside town of Lenno on route and visit what has arguably been
described as "the most magical home in all of Italy". I am referring
here to the 'Villa Balbianella' featured in the film "A Month by
the Lake". The villa's loggias, terraces and architecture cascade
down the slopes of a promontory in a truly stunning setting. Back aboard
our ferry we continue on to Como and our coach, and travel the 90 kms
back to Iseo. Dinner this evening at our hotel.
Day
24. Monday May 13
Leaving Iseo this morning our destination is Venice,
we will travel via the scenic route along the western shore of Lake Garda
the largest of the Italian lakes and considered by some to be the most
beautiful. Skirting the northern tip of Garda, we travel south, south
east to Verona which will always be associated with Romeo and Juliet,
immortalised as they were by Shakespeare. Positioned as it is in a hilly
setting on the banks of the Adige River, Verona however has a whole lot
more going for it than the setting for this romantic drama. Being a city
with a relatively modest population it is a very pleasant place through
which to stroll, taking in the various piazza's, squares and leafy avenues.
Verona has two main focal points, the massive 1st century AD Arena and
the Piazza Erbe with its colourful market, separated by a maze of narrow
lanes lined with some of Italy's most elegant boutiques.
Venice, arguably the most fascinating city in Europe, and certainly the
most romantic, is built on 117 islands; it has 150 canals and 400 bridges.
It's setting is truly like nothing I have ever previously experienced.
While there is a vibrancy emanating from such places as the Grande Canal,
the Piazza San Marco and the Ponte di Rialto, there is also an air of
cultural sophistication, as one is captivated by a sense of history within
the city, and enchanted by the music of various classical ensembles, performing
in and around Pizza San Marco. Our accommodation for the next three nights
is at a delightful boutique hotel, 'Hotel Violino d'Oro', right in the
heart of the city. Dinner this evening is at 'Da Raffaele Restaurant',
purveyors of excellent Italian cuisine.
Day
25. Tuesday May 14
This morning we take a guided tour by vaporetto
(water-bus), along the 'Canal-Grande', the main artery of Venice. This
water thoroughfare is 4kms long, from 30 to 70 meters broad and a maximum
of 5 meters deep. Along the Grand Canal the richest Venetian families
built about a hundred marble palaces. With their front doors looking onto
the water, their design, influenced by Byzantine, Gothic and Lombardesque,
is often a combination of these styles together with that of a unique
Venetian architecture. This afternoon is free to explore the maze of lanes,
canals, bridges and islands which is Venice. Forget maps!! Forget directions!!
Just walk around, nose up. Venice is a big labyrinth: enjoy! Take the
smaller streets, which may lead you nowhere, or to a 'delightful find',
the perfection of a view, colours, atmosphere. Don't worry too much about
getting lost: Venetian people are helpful and you can often see yellow
signs pointing to the main attractions, San Marco Square, Rialto, Accademia,
Ferrovia, Piazzale Roma, and at any boat stop you can take a 'vaporetto'
to anywhere you wish. Dinner this evening at the Malamocco Restaurant
within easy walking of our hotel.
Day
26. Wednesday May 15
Today, by private boat and in the company of our
local guide we will take a half-day excursion to a number of the islands
within the 'Laguna Veneta'. The trip across the lagoon will be a pleasant
change from the narrow lanes and canals which constitute the 'main island'.
Like the city of Venice, Murano comprises a cluster of small islands connected
by bridges. It has been the centre of the glassmaking industry since 1921
and we will visit a number of factories and view 'venetian glass' in the
making. Burano is the most colourful of the lagoon islands and is distinguished
from a distance by the tall dramatically tilted tower of its church. The
island is densely populated , its waterways lined by brightly painted
houses If time permits we will also call at 'The Lido' a slender 'sandbank'
12 kms long which forms a natural barrier between Venice and the open
Adriatic Sea. In the early 1900's Lido was recognised as one of Europe's
most fashionable seaside resorts frequented by royalty and leading lights
in the literati. Life in the Lido's heyday was brilliantly evoked in Thomas
Mann's book, Death in Venice. We will have a relatively early meal this
evening at the Forni Restaurant in order that we arrive in time for a
scheduled concert in one of the Grand Palaces in central Venice.
Day
27. Thursday May 16
On leaving our hotel, we take the vaporetti back to the mainland where
we board our coach and head in a north westerly direction. If time permits
we will take a diversionary route via Bassano de Grappa. This is a charming
town with a wooden bridge straddling a swift-flowing river. At each end
of the bridge is a grappa distillery where you can sample the 'real stuff'.
We now head to the eastern shoreline of Lake Garda and will follow the
shore through to the northern tip of the lake from where we take the trans-alpine
route up through the western reaches of the Italian Dolomites. Our route
today takes us through some of the most spectacular country in central
Europe. Assuming we keep to schedule we will arrive at Andalo in time
for an early lunch. This small town is set in majestic scenery amidst
a great pine forest and is overlooked by the crest of the Brenta Massif.
An hour after leaving Andalo we arrive at Bolzano, capital of the Alto-Adige
region through which we are traveling. The surrounding slopes are covered
with orchards and vineyards and although still territorially in Italy,
as we approach the town itself we are conscious of the Austrian Tyrolean
influence on both housing and dress. A feature of Bolzano is the delightful
old city centre, and the Hotel Greiff has some of the best carpaccio available
anywhere in Europe. Depending on how the day has 'panned out time wise',
we will stop here for either lunch or an afternoon 'coffee break'. From
Bolzano we turn sharply east and commence a 210 km 'experience' along
the 'Great Dolomite Road'. Recognised as a magnificent and world famous
example of road engineering, it follows the central depression of the
Italian Alps through a landscape which is always majestic and varied.
Someone wrote "there are mountains and there are the Dolomites".
Climbing up the side of mountains to a height of 2000 metres, the road
is 'one of the worlds great drives'. Our accommodation this evening at
the boutique hotel Europa in Cortina D'Ampezzo, recognised as 'the capital'
of the Dolomites.
Day
28. Friday May 17
Cortina D'Ampezzo is a delightful Tyrolean style
village set amidst the grandeur of the Dolomite region. Let's just savour
the occasion and depart around mid-morning on today's leg of the programme.
For a further 110 kms this morning we continue along this 'alpine Amalfi
drive' descending down into Lienz in southern Austria. As if the visual
experiences of yesterday and thus far this morning have not been spectacular
enough, from Lienz we take the 'Grossglockner-Hochalpenstrasse' up onto
the Austrian Alps and through into the Hohe Tauern National Park covering
an area of 1800 square kms and considered among the most magnificent highland
landscapes in the world. On the one hand the park shelters Austria's mightiest
summits, largest glacier areas of the eastern Alps and waterfalls, which
are among the highest in the world, on the other hand we will pass through
numerous mountain meadows and pastures which have come about as a result
of centuries of work by local mountain farmers in a manner compatible
with nature. By mid to late afternoon we emerge from this kaleidoscope
of mountain grandeur and arrive at Zell am See situated in a picturesque
setting on the west bank of the lake of the same name. Our accommodation
and dinner this evening at the Hotel Latini.
Day
29. Saturday May 18
Austria has to rank as perhaps the most picturesque
country in the world, and today as we make our way north through to Vienna
we will pass through some of the most verdant landscape in all of Europe.
We will seek a consensus from within the group as to whether we take the
quickest route (4 hours) or the scenic route (6 hours), with a view to
deciding whether we spend the afternoon either in Vienna or 'on the way'.
Our accommodation in Vienna this evening is at the 5 star Intercontinental
Hotel centrally situated on Johannesgasse. Dinner this evening at a venue
in keeping with a celebration for our final evening together.
Day
30. Sunday May 19
A leisurely breakfast this morning at this impressive
venue leaving us ample time to make our way to the airport in order to
catch our mid-day return flight to Australia, or to continue on with other
individual arrangements.
Europe 2000 * Europe 2002 * Canada and Alaska 2004 * South
Island of New Zealand 2005 * Croatia/Slovenia/Scandinavia
2006 * Gardens
of Japan, American National Parks and Regional Britain 2008 * The best of Eastern and Western Europe 2010
