Taste of Italy —Vino Italiano!

May 6 – 16, 2016 SepteMber 25 – OctOber 5, 2016

With Our italian Wine SpecialiSt Mark McDOnalD

Executive Travel is thrilled to have Mark McDonald, with The Italian Vine Wine Distributors, present

a custom-tailored, deluxe tour to Italy. This once-in-a-lifetime, 11-day experience is a complete parade of passion; a love affair with century-old traditions, art, music and literature and of course… wine, vino, and more wine!

It is s a “must-do” to complete any travel bucket list. There will never be a better time to explore this fascinating country.

Mark will share his knowledge, passion and secrets of Italian wine. Our unique route leads us through the wine regions of Lombardy with its sparkling wines and Piedmont - known as the premier wine region of Italy and famous for the Barolo, the “King of Wines and the Wine of Kings”; then to Tuscany with Brunello di Montalcino and the highly regarded “Super-Tuscan” cult wines; and Umbria with the deep full bodied red Sagrantino Montefalco and its crisp and refreshing whites.

We travel along the verdant rural countryside to the romantic shores of Lake Como, adorned with luxurious villas and the beautiful “Pearl of the Lake,” Bellagio. We visit the “Center of Fashion,” Milan. We meander through golden fields of wheat and green olive groves in Tuscany. We taste the olive oils, local cheeses, truffles, and… Salute di Vino Italiano!

We languish in the seaside resort of the Italian Riviera and travel by way of landscapes largely unchanged since medieval times, decorated with country churches, beautiful abbeys, medieval villages and hilltop castles.

Tour highlights include, but are not limited to, a city tour of Milan with a visit to the Duomo; a tour of Portofino and Santa Margherita; a visit and tour of Florence, the jewel of the Renaissance with the David and Michelangelo’s Museum; a visit to San Gimignano, the “Manhattan of Tuscany”; a guided tour of Siena and the St. Francis Church in Assisi; and finally, an unforgettable tour of Rome with visits to the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Coliseum, and much more.

There is a certain timelessness about the sights that is unbelievable. The opportunities for photography are exceptional and insight into the history, architecture, lifestyle, culture, and cuisine of Italy is unparalleled.

If you ever wanted to discover Italy’s beauty, this is the perfect custom tour for you to see it all. Please take a look inside this brochure to learn all the details. Once you do we hope you will join us on this special tour.

Sincerely, Steve Glenn & Mark McDonald

Executive Travel • Phone 402–435–8888 • Fax 402–435–2735 • Toll Free 800–737–0582

Depart for EuropeDepart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic to Milan. Enjoy in-flight

entertainment and meal service as you start your vacation.

Milan / Lake ComoArrive in Milan in the early morning.

We will be met by our local English speaking guide, who will follow us during our journey in Italy. We are off for a half-day tour of Milan, one of Europe’s richest cities, known for stylish shops, galleries and restaurants, and with a pace of life much faster than most Italian cities. Upon arrival we visit the famous Duomo with its beautiful marble façade, and across the Duomo Square we find the majestic glass-roofed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the world’s most glamorous and oldest shopping malls – it was build in 1867. We will also pass from the impressive landmarks of Piazza Sempione with its Arco della Pace (“arch of Peace”), the Castello Sforzesco, ranked amongst Europe’s largest citadels, and La Scala, one of the world’s most famous opera houses.

In the late afternoon we arrive to our hotel at the nearby Lake Como for a good night’s rest. L

Lake Como / PiedmontIn the freshness of the morning, we will take the local ferry to the other side of the lake and the exquisite

town of Bellagio with its magnificent gardens and palatial grand villas of the rich and famous. Time to taste our first drops of Italy as we sniff, sip and savor the flavors of the area in a very special place with four wine tastings, including the special sparkling wine called Franciacorta from the Lombardia.

Then we meet with our driver and drive to the Piedmont region, to the outskirts of Alba, where we will stop to taste the world famous white truffles, the Tartufo Bianco. They might smell like earth, tree roots and old cheese, but this gastronomical jewel and object of desire, is very famous for its aroma and taste. For centuries people have travelled from near and far to savor a little piece. We will meet the special trained hunting dogs or pigs that search for the white truffles among the trees with their keen noses.

Check in to our hotel in walking distance from the old city of Alba. B|L|T

Alba / Wine TastingsThe day is dedicated to wine, vino and more wine!

Mark will lead us to his personal wineries, including wineries that produce the world-renowned Barolos. We will taste the latest vintage and maybe even barrel samples. We will learn about the exquisite vineyard terrain in this region and learn about the wine making styles that enhance the nuances of every bottle produced. We will visit one winery that is new and modern and one that is steeped in the old world tradition. The visits will be separated by a light lunch hosted by a winemaker.

Overnight in Alba. B|L|T

Portofino / RapalloAfter a rich breakfast we head south into the Liguria region and the Italian Riviera. We will enjoy the day in

an area put on the map by such well-known names as Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor and Humphrey Bogart. An idyllic fishing village of little narrow houses in terracotta and red, clustered tightly around a picturesque natural harbor of crystalline green waters – this is Portofino! After a walking tour, take a seat and savor the atmosphere of the Mediterranean Dolce Vita in one of the cafes at the Piazzetta, next to the harbor. Sip on an espresso, watch boats arrive, and hum along to the tune of the popular ‘50s song, “I found my love in Portofino…”

Our nearby hotel offers a good nights rest. B

Florence / SienaToday we head inland and before we reach the illustrious showpiece of Renaissance — Florence

— we will make a brief photo stop in Pisa to admire the famous Leaning Tower. Florence is home to some of the greatest artists treasures of the world; we explore by foot the highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our path leads us along narrow alleyways and historic streets, past Renaissance palaces and churches, to the imposing cathedral; the Duomo. The jewel of today is the Galleria dell’Accademia, including the Michelangelo’s famous sculpture of David. We enjoy our lunch at a local trattoria and spend the afternoon strolling the Ponte Vecchio, and enjoying the elegant boutiques of haute couture to fine leathers, Italian gold and artisan markets. The next two nights are spent in Siena, the longtime rival of Florence, and a medieval and vibrant pearl of Tuscany. B|L

San Gimignano / MontalcinoAfter a delicious breakfast, we start our day in one of the most famous walled towns of Tuscany: the

precious gem of San Gimignano. With its unforgettable skyline of 14 spiny towers visible from afar, it is no wonder UNESCO declared this a World Heritage Site. The rest of the day is dedicated to Mark and the Super Tuscans! Tuscany is considered to be the wine central in comparison to other Italian wine regions and hosts no less than 11 wine zones, most notably Bolgheri, Carmignano, and Chianti.

We will visit a producer of highly-rated Super Tuscans in the morning and learn why the Italians think wine made in Tuscany is the greatest in the world. We will explore the vineyard and learn how wine making in Tuscany differs from other regions in Italy. Then we will travel Montalcino, to what many consider Mecca in the winemaking world. Here they produce the wine Brunello di Montalcino (Mark’s dog is named Brunello, so it seems to have impacted him). In Montalcino we will stroll the streets of the commune and have lunch with a well-regarded wine producer of Brunello di Montalcino. Then we will tour the estate of a well-known winery. For wine lovers it doesn’t get any better than this! Overnight in Siena. B|T|L

B|T|L|D = Breakfast |Tasting|Lunch|Dinner

May 6Sept. 25

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May 12Oct. 1

May 7Sept. 26

May 8Sept. 27

May 9Sept. 28

Executive Travel • Phone 402–435–8888 • Fax 402–435–2735 • Toll Free 800–737–0582

Siena / Montepulciano / PerugiaOur day starts with a walking tour of Siena, one of Italy’s best medieval experiences. This iconic city

is made for strolling, with no cars and one of the most Gothic-style cathedrals in Italy – the Duomo. The glorious red brick Piazza del Campo in the heart of the city, is the legendary site for the century-old Palio, the famous biannual bareback horse race. Before leaving Siena we taste the delicious “Pane Toscano” – bread cooked in a wood-burning oven, cooled, and then brushed in freshly pressed, aromatic, virgin, unfiltered olive oil. It’s time to taste wine! We will lean back and enjoy while Mark guides us through the secrets of Montepulciano! Late afternoon arrival to another medieval pearl of Italy: Perugia in Umbria. Enjoy a cold glass of Orvieto over a great dinner before you call it a day. B|T

Assisi / RomeThey say all roads lead to Rome, but we still have a few more stops. Our first is the hillside town of

Assisi, birthplace to one of the most popular Catholic saints in history, St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan order and better known as the revered patron saint of animals. We visit the Basilica before we continue towards Rome with a last stop in a medieval hilltop town for lunch. Check in to our hotel in the center of the “Eternal City” and the evening is yours to relish the menu of the day at a nearby trattoria. B

RomeA day of glories waits as we follow in the footsteps of Caesar. We start with the rise and fall of Imperial

Rome and Roman Forum before following the gladiators to the Coliseum. We stop to admire the Fountain of Trevi, Spanish Steps, and Piazza Navona. The afternoon is devoted to the devoted as we head to the world’s smallest country – the Vatican. Not only is it the center of the Catholic church, but it is also home to some of the greatest cultural treasures ever created by man: the Hall of Raphael, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Tonight we gather for a farewell dinner and enjoy our last Italian meal with more vino. B|D

Rome – DepartureAll too soon, your vacation has ended.

Transfer to the airport in plenty of time to check in for your flight and clear security. You may do some last-minute shopping at the duty-free stores before flying west across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States. “Arrivederci” ITALY! B Mark McDonald

Italian Wine Specialist

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Executive Travel • 1212 O Street • Lincoln, NE 68508 • Phone 402-435-8888 • Fax 402-435-2735 • Toll Free 800-737-0582

Forwarding registration and deposit signifies that you agree to the terms and conditions of this tour which can be found at http://www.executivetravel.com/group_tours/terms_and_conditions.html

Included• Travel Tour Host (Mark McDonald)

•  Local English speaking professional guide for 10 days

• Transport by luxury motor coach with driver for 10 days

•  Hotel accommodation based on twin bedded rooms with private bath as listed opposite for 9 nights

•  Full breakfast daily

•  Five lunches (Milan, Bellagio, Florence and at wineries)

•  Farewell dinner in Rome

• Truffle tasting in Alba

• Visit to six wineries with tastings (additional wineries optional)

• Visits and admission fees to: Duomo di Milano*, Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence*, St. Francis Basilica, Coliseum and Vatican Museum* *no-line tickets

•  Ferry tickets to Bellagio

Not Included• Tips

•  Meals other than mentioned

•  Entrances to monuments and/or museums other than mentioned

•  Personal expenses

•  Flight tickets to/from Italy. We are happy to assist with reservations

Highlights•  Milan

•  Lake Como & Bellagio

• Alba White Truffles

•  Portofino

•  Florence with the David and Michelangelo Museum

•  Leaning Tower of Pisa

• Tuscany, San Gimignano, Siena

•  Perugia

• Assisi & St. Francis Basilica

•  Rome Imperial Tour

• Vatican Museum

•  Sistine Chapel

•  St. Peter’s Basilica

• Wine tastings at selected wineries

PricingPer person

•  Double occupancy: $3,995

•  Single room supplement: $1,300

A non-refundable deposit of $750 per person is required at time of reservation. Full payment is due February 7th, 2016 for our May departure and June 26th, 2016 for our September departure. We are happy to assist with air at the best rates possible. Travel insurance is highly recommended – please contact us for further information!

Hotel Accommodations• Como — Hotel Le Due Corti, 4 star with spa

• Alba — Hotel I Castelli, 4 star

•  Portofino/Santa Margherita — Hotel Continental, 4 star

•  Siena — Hotel Athena, 4 star

•  Perugia — Hotel Brufani Palace, 5 star

•  Rome — Hotel Donna Camilla Savelli, 4 star

Final accommodations are confirmed with the delivery of your travel documents, 30 days prior to departure.

Route MapVisit/StopOvernight

Pisa