Italian Lakes & Greek Islands
featuring a 7-night Eastern Mediterranean Cruise
Presented By: Wittenberg Alumni Association


Day 1: Friday, September 10, 2010 Overnight Flight
Join Collette Vacations and explore the magnificent historical sights and cultures of northern Italy, Croatia and the stunning Greek Islands. Experience the breathtaking scenery of the Italian lakes region followed by a 7-night Eastern Mediterranean cruise aboard the Costa Fortuna.

Day 2: Saturday, September 11, 2010 Lago Maggiore, Italy - Tour Begins
Your tour begins on the picturesque Lago Maggiore. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner. (D)

Day 3: Sunday, September 12, 2010 Como - Stresa, Lago Maggiore
LANGUAGE DISCOVERY: Today, your Tour Manager will help you discover the origin and history of the language(s) you will experience on your tour along with key words and phrases that will help you communicate with the locals. This morning enjoy time in the beautiful resort town of Como, whose charm is tied to its beautiful villas, colorful gardens and spectacular views. Return to Stresa to soak up the lakeside atmosphere of this delightful town. Visit one of Stresa’s specialty wine shops to enjoy a fun wine tasting while learning about Italy’s famous products such as olive oil, balsamic vinegar and fine wines. (B)

Day 4: Monday, September 13, 2010 Lago Maggiore - Venice - Board Cruise Ship
Following breakfast, depart for Venice. Your exciting 7-night Eastern Mediterranean cruise begins today on the Costa Fortuna. This lovely ship draws inspiration from the grand Italian steamships that provided trans-Atlantic passage. While on board breakfast, lunch and dinner are included daily in luscious Italian-style! Early this evening you will set sail for Bari. (B, D)

Day 5: Tuesday, September 14, 2010 Bari, Italy
This afternoon you dock in Bari. Perhaps you will spend the afternoon exploring the medieval streets and Romanesque churches, including the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, built to house the body of Saint Nicholas, now known throughout the world as the man behind the legend of Santa Claus. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Wednesday, September 15, 2010 Katakolon, Greece
Enjoy an afternoon in stunning Katakolon. Upon arrival, you may wish to visit the ruins of the Temple of Zeus and explore the site of the very first Olympic Games. Sail this evening to breathtaking Santorini. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Thursday, September 16, 2010 Santorini - Mykonos
Welcome to the beautiful island of Santorini. In 1500 BC, a powerful volcano erupted and caused the central part of the island to sink into the sea. Could this be the lost city of Atlantis? Enjoy leisure time to soak in the breathtaking views and delve into the mysteries of ancient Santorini. Your next stop is the fashionable island of Mykonos. Enjoy an evening stroll through Mykonos, where picturesque windmills dot the landscape and view the beautiful beaches, whitewashed houses, and an endless line of boutiques and chapels. Depart late this evening to sail overnight to Rhodes. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Friday, September 17, 2010 Rhodes
Dock this morning on the beautiful island of Rhodes where, centuries ago, the Crusader Knights of St. John made it their headquarters. Take time to explore the Palace of Grand Masters and explore the island's beauty. (B, L, D)

Day 9: Saturday, September 18, 2010 At Sea
Enjoy a full day at sea to sit back, relax by the pool and enjoy all of the amenities available on board your cruise ship. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Sunday, September 19, 2010 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Your ship docks in Dubrovnik offering you the opportunity to explore this ancient city, known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic." Set on a peninsula, this beautiful city is surrounded by a 1,000-year-old protective wall. This afternoon, the Fortuna sets sail for enchanting Venice. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Monday, September 20, 2010 Venice, Italy - Disembark Cruise Ship - Milan/Malpensa
Your morning disembarkation is followed by a visit to Venice's St. Mark’s Square, a bustling hub of quintessentially Italian activity and events. A local expert provides a walking tour featuring the Clock Tower, St. Mark's Basilica, the Grand Canal and the famous Bridge of Sighs. Depart Venice mid-afternoon. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner celebrating the end of a fun-filled, memorable trip. (B, D)

Day 12: Tuesday, September 21, 2010 Milan/Malpensa - Tour Ends
Your tour ends today. (B)




September 10 - September 21, 2010
12 Days • 25 Meals
10 Breakfasts • 6 Lunches • 9 Dinners
Highlights: Lago Maggiore, Stresa, Lake Como, Como, Bari, Greek Islands, Katakolon, Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, Dubrovnik, Venice
Rates Per Person
DON'T MISS OUT! BOOK NOW!
Inside Cat. - including Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Double: $0.00
Inside Cat. - including Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Single: $0.00
Outside Cat. - including Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Single: $0.00
Outside Cat. - including Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Double: $0.00

REGULAR RATES
Inside Cat. - including Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Double: $3,649.00
Inside Cat. - including Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Single: $4,699.00
Outside Cat. - including Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Single: $5,599.00
Outside Cat. - including Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Double: $4,149.00
*Included in Price: Air Taxes and Fees/Surcharges of $146 (subject to increase until paid in full), Port Charges of $184 per person, Hotel Transfers.
*Not Included in Price: Cancellation Waiver and Insurance of $235 per person.
Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1 Overnight Flight
Day 2 - 3 Zacchera Hotel Chain*, Lake Maggiore
Day 4 - 10 Costa Fortuna, Costa Cruises, Venice
Day 11 UNA Hotel Malpensa, Malpensa
or Hilton Garden Inn Milan/Malpensa, Malpensa
On some dates alternate hotels may be used.
Essential Experiences
  • Immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery of the Italian Lakes region.
  • Unpack once for a memorable 7-night Eastern Mediterranean cruise aboard the Costa Fortuna.
  • Explore the histories and cultures of three distinctive countries: Italy, Greece and Croatia.
  • Visit the most popular of the Greek islands: Mykonos, Santorini and Rhodes.
  • Free time allows you to explore the historic, walled city of Dubrovnik, Croatia.

For more information call
Barb Mackey
Wittenberg Alumni Association
(937)327-7983
bmackey@wittenberg.edu

Included Meals Key
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

AVAILABLE OPTIONS:
Lago Maggiore
Dinner on Fishermen's Island • $75.00
Set sail for a panoramic cruise of magical Lago Maggiore, with its incredible backdrop of the majestic Alps. Cruise by the beautiful Borromean islands just off-shore from Stresa. Isola Bella, once bare and rocky, now bursts with gardens and is the location of the sprawling Borromeo villa. View the beautiful gardens and noble palace there. Isola Madre shelters a chateau and beautiful gardens. Get a glimpse of this secret hideaway and the nearby town of Pallanza. Disembark on Isola dei Pescatori – a thriving fishing community that welcomes visitors to its quaint village. Take your seat at one of the island’s best restaurants overlooking the lake. Enjoy a four-course meal, featuring regional specialties and local wines.
Lake Como
Lake Como Cruise • $45.00
Take a cruise on beautiful Lake Como, the fjord-like jewel of Northern Italy. Elegant villas, vineyards and gardens line the shores of this pristine paradise, where the rich and famous seek solace. You’ll sail across the waters that fill the glacially-carved valley as your guide introduces you to Como’s sights and lore. This is a locale where rugged peaks ring the deep blue water; lakeside villages perch at the water’s edge; and olive, chestnut and walnut groves cover the gentle slopes. It’s an experience sure to be the highlight of your vacation to Italy!

CANCELLATION WAIVER:

Worry-Free Cancelation
Our industry-leading cancellation waiver offers travelers a full cash refund for the price of the tour, right up to the day prior to departure, minus the small cost of the waiver. Travel worry-free knowing if anything changes, you're protected.

Plus, you're covered on tour.
Our cancellation waiver and insurance plan covers you on tour. If you have to stop your trip or return home early, need medical assistance or evacuation, suffer a baggage loss or delay; or are delayed on tour for 12 hours or more, you're covered.

Cancellation Waiver and Insurance is just $235 per person.

Click here for complete details.


TRAVEL TIPS:
Italian Lakes & Greek Islands
Listed below is important information to assist you in preparing for your upcoming trip. This information provided will help you have a more enjoyable experience while you are on your tour.
Accommodations
All of our hotels are equipped with air conditioning and heat. In an effort to be more energy efficient, government regulations are in place throughout Italy to determine the specific time of year when air conditioning and heating systems will be switched on and off at hotels. Please note that air conditioners and heaters will not always be turned on during the fall and spring due to these regulations. Most hotels in Italy do not offer swimming pools, due to their location and lack of space. Those that do will typically operate their swimming pools in the summer months only, between June and August, depending on the weather.
On some programs, there are a limited number of single and triple rooms. Double rooms usually consist of 2 beds. Triple rooms are normally a standard double room with 2 beds. A cot or rollaway bed may be added to the double room at some hotels, based on room size and fire codes. When triples are not available, appropriate charges for single and twin accommodations will be assessed. We make every effort to accommodate your specific requests and forward them to the hotels. These requests cannot be guaranteed as hotels may not always be able to honor them. Check-in times are set by individual hotel properties and vary by hotel. Depending on your arrival time, there may be a delay in gaining access to your room as most hotels offer afternoon check-in. We ask guests to observe check-out times at all properties as designated by the hotel. Some hotels require a credit card imprint or your passport information upon check-in in order to activate telephones in the rooms and for potential incidental charges. Most hotels charge an access fee for using phones in hotel rooms. Please check with the front desk personnel at each hotel for specific policies. Hotel membership programs are not applicable. In certain countries, hotel rooms tend to be smaller than standard U.S. accommodations. Please be assured that we use high quality properties throughout each country.
ADA
The Americans with Disabilities Act does not apply outside of the United States. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, we will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the special needs of tour participants. Persons requiring individual assistance must be accompanied by a companion who is capable of, and totally responsible for, providing the necessary assistance. Neither our personnel nor its suppliers may physically lift or assist clients onto transportation vehicles. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a tour member who has special mobility, dietary or other like needs.
Arrival Day Suggestions
Due to varied flight schedules and different arrival times of our tour guests, your tour will not have any scheduled activities on Day 1. Should your flight schedule allow for an earlier arrival time that day, enjoy the great opportunity for some independent exploration.
Clothing & Packing Tips
If you are taking prescription medication, please be sure to take an adequate supply for your tour and a few additional days, in original prescription containers. Medication should be packed in your carry-on baggage. Do not place it in your checked luggage. You may want to carry an extra prescription in a separate bag in case medication is lost.
Electricity
An adaptor (which changes the physical plug) and/or converter (which changes the electric current) are necessary if you plan to use an appliance with voltage different from the standard within the country you are visiting. Please note, if your appliance has dual voltage you may still need an adaptor for the plug. When packing your electronic items for travel, please review the converter electric current level to make sure it the same or greater than the items you are planning on using. If you plan on utilizing or transporting a sleep apnea machine, please remember to pack an extension cord and adapter plug to ensure proper function.
Elevation
Elevation on this tour will not exceed 1000 feet. On optional excursions the elevation will not exceed 1200 feet.
Helpful Hints
Bring a copy of your passport/identification and pack it separately from the original. Leave a copy of your tour itinerary at home with your emergency contact and a copy of your passport. Remember when flying you can only take one quart size bag with no more than 3 ounces of any one liquid. Liquids that do not fit in the one quart size bag and are larger than 3 ounces will be discarded by security. Remember to hydrate and get up and stretch while flying. If you are considering using your cell phone while traveling internationally, you should check with your cell provider concerning their access and charges for overseas calls, texting and emailing for the specific destination you are traveling to.
Bring a camera, memory cards, film, and batteries and be sure to bring enough photography supplies for your entire trip. If you have a video camera, bring an extra battery, plus proper recharging equipment. Due to security screening, we recommend storing your equipment in your carry-on luggage. Bring a travel alarm clock, travel sewing kit and an alcohol based gel hand sanitizer when soap and water is not accessible. Pack items that may leak in plastic bags. Do not pack any articles of value in your checked luggage. As a precaution, we suggest that you divide the contents of your suitcase with your traveling companion. Avoid over packing and leave room for souvenirs that you plan to take back home.
Included Features
The following are included in your tour package: transportation via motorcoach, accommodations, hotel luggage handling, meals, sightseeing, admission charges (as outlined in your itinerary), and applicable gratuities for bellmen, doormen and dining room wait staff. Customary gratuities for cruise ship personnel, hotel housekeeping staff, local sightseeing guides, drivers and tour managers have not been included.
Luggage
Due to the limited motorcoach capacity, one carry-on (36 inches in length, height and width; not to exceed 11 lbs. /5.2 kg.) and one checked luggage (62 inches in length, height and width; weight not to exceed 23kg/50lbs) are allowed. Please consult with your scheduled airline as luggage fees and restrictions vary by carrier and destination. Wheeled carry-ons are not suitable for coach tours. If you exceed the limit of 2 bags, we cannot guarantee that your additional luggage will be able to fit in the touring vehicle. Storage or shipment of additional luggage will be at your own expense. If we are able to accommodate your additional luggage, we will assess a fee of 4 USD per bag per hotel. Please remember to label your luggage and important items with your name, home address and telephone number. We recommend labeling your luggage on both outside and inside of the bag. Please attach only the plastic luggage tag included in this mailing to your checked luggage before checking in for your flight. Your paper luggage tag is to be attached at the first hotel. We cannot assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft or normal wear and tear that results from hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is in your best interest to have adequate insurance (such as our comprehensive "No Worries Travel Protection") to cover these eventualities.
Miscellaneous
Any person entering or leaving the EU and carrying cash of a value of €10,000 or more must declare it. The term 'cash' includes currency notes, coins, bankers' drafts, cheques and travelers' cheques. Travelers who fail to declare any amount over €10,000 will face stiff sanctions and could face penalties of as much as €8,000.
Name Badges
Name Badges Collette Vacations provides name badges to our travelers in order to facilitate conversation among fellow travelers. The name badge also ensures that a Collette Vacations representative can easily recognize you, especially at airports upon arrival.
Reading List
Interested in reading about your destination before you depart? Collette has pre-selected travel guides, novels and books on history, nature and art to help enhance your total vacation experience. You can access the complete list by typing the following into your web browser. Select the region of the world to find your tour: http://www.collettevacations.com/travel-books.cfm
Seat Belts
The European Union (EU) has adopted a directive (2003/20EU) regarding the compulsory wearing of seatbelts while traveling on your vehicle when equipped. Failure to comply could result in a PERSONAL fine of up to Euro 750. Collette Vacations will NOT issue refunds to passengers who may be fined for non-compliance. Our tour managers will remind you again while on tour, but we feel that advising you in advance is beneficial.
Smoking
Smoking Restrictions: Our tours are non-smoking throughout. If you require a smoking room, please alert your agent upon tour booking. Please be mindful of locations where smoking is prohibited: the motorcoach, at dining venues and other restricted areas on tour including most hotels. Customers are responsible for any fines incurred for failure to comply with smoking restrictions.
Time Zone
Italy is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. Greece is 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
Tour Manager
We pride ourselves on having the best-trained and most experienced tour managers in the industry. Gratuities should be extended on a voluntary basis and should be in direct proportion to the level of professionalism and personal service extended to you throughout the tour. Past experience has shown that a guideline of 4-6 USD per person for each traveling day is a customary amount for the tour manager. A customary amount of 3-5 USD per person per day is suggested for the driver.
Transportation
Transfers We are pleased to provide you with complimentary airport to hotel, and hotel to airport transfers at the beginning and end of an escorted tour when you purchase an air-inclusive vacation. Land-only clients who have purchased round trip transfers will be accommodated at the same times as air inclusive clients. Arrival meeting locations and transfer departure times are provided on your document booklets. On some programs there may be a waiting period at the airport due to varying flight schedules of other arriving passengers. If you have secured your own transfer, you may meet your tour manager at the hotel. Motorcoach Information: We do not own or operate vehicles. We charter quality coaches that are temperature controlled vehicles. Coach size may vary based upon the number of tour patrons. In certain countries, lavatory equipped motorcoaches are not available or the lavatory is for emergency use only. Frequent stops will be made en route for comfort and convenience. Seat Rotation: Seats are rotated for the benefit of our tour guests, fosters communication, and enables our guests to enjoy a variety of vantage points on the motorcoach. Guests will rotate seats at least once a day, as directed by the tour manager. In fairness to all, there will be no exceptions to this policy.
Flight Information, Departure Taxes & Fees Land Only Vacations: If you chose to purchase a land only vacation, pay particular attention to flight segments that occur during the tour which are not included in your land only rate. You must purchase these internal flight segments and the schedule must match the flights that we utilize on the group tour. Please provide us with your flight schedules for the entire tour six weeks prior to departure so we may secure services if you purchased transfers from us, as well as maintain emergency contact. Air Inclusive Vacations Air inclusive vacations cover air transport to and from your origin gateway as well as all internal air segments on tour. In order to comply with Homeland Security’s “Secure Flight” mandate, all passengers must provide full name, date of birth and gender at time of reservation. Your airline ticket must match the name on your valid, non-expired, government issued photo ID to be shown at the airport (including middle name, first or middle initial). If you are a member of a participating frequent flyer program, provide the number upon booking and retain the passenger copy of your ticket and boarding pass to ensure that you receive proper credit of your mileage. Some air tickets are not eligible for mileage accrual. Whenever possible, we will add charges for air departure taxes to your invoice. Some international arrival and departure fees are not included in your air ticket and must be paid by you on tour in local currency.