The Wonders of Italy 2018 Including Rome, Assisi, Florence, Tuscany, Siena, Ravenna, Venice, and more! Enjoy the beauty and history of Italy Tour host: The Rev. Aaron A. Koch 15+ days of Renaissance, Good Food and Wine, and Christian Art and History in Italy Florence Venice Rome Tuscany/Wine Country Tour Dates: September 4 - 19, 2018 $3,640 plus airfare Includes quality accommodations, entry fees, land transportation, 30 meals, and tips for driver and all guides (based on 20+ tour participants)
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The Wonders of Italy 2018The Wonders of Italy 2018of Italy 2018
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Enjoy the beauty and history of Italy Enjoy the beauty and history of ItalyEnjoy the beauty and history of Italy
Tour host: The Rev. Aaron A. Koch
15+ days of Renaissance, Good Food and Wine, and Christian Art and History in Italy
Florence Venice
Rome Tuscany/Wine Country
Tour Dates: September 4 - 19, 2018
$3,640 plus airfare
Includes quality accommodations, entry fees, land transportation, 30 meals, and tips for driver and all guides land transportation, land transportation, 30 meals, meals, land transportation, land transportation, 3030 meals, meals, meals, and tips for driver and all guidesmeals, and tips for driver and all guidescommodations, entry fees, land transportation, land transportation, land transportation,
(based on 20+ tour participants)
The Wonders of Italy 2018 including Luther in Romeincluding Luther in Romeincluding Luther in Rome
Italy’s historic and cultural heritage is so rich and so vast that very few countries in Europe can
match its treasure. Our journey has been custom designed to highlight some of the most important
sites for Christians as well as to offer an opportunity to savor some of the country’s most delightful
places. Our first destination is the eternal city, Rome, offering a wealth of cultural beauty and
heritage unmatched by any other city in the world. From Rome we shall head into the hills of
Umbria. We will spend time exploring the delights of Umbria – Assisi and Orvieto. Next we head
into the heart of Tuscany, the cradle of the Renaissance. Enjoy the art treasures of Florence, lovely
landscapes once home to Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Ramble through villages where we
will taste fine regional food and wine, visit medieval towns like San Gimignano, Pisa and Siena.
Finally we have three nights in the lagoon city, Venice. Set under the blue skies of Southern
Europe, travelling in September almost guarantees us warm temperatures with gentle breezes.
This is the ideal season to visit this region!
Day 1, Tuesday, September 4, 2018:
Depart the US
Group members gather for the transatlantic
overnight flight to Rome, Italy.
Day 2, Wednesday, September 5, 2018:
ROME
On arrival in
Rome, we will be
met by our tour
manager
Christian Eggert
and will transfer
to our central
hotel. Balance of
the day at leisure until we gather for a welcome
briefing and dinner this evening. Stay at Hotel
Pace Helvezia in the center of Rome for 4
nights. D
Day 3, Thursday, September 6, 2018:
ANCIENT ROME
This morning
our local guide
will introduce us
to the Eternal
City, set on the
seven hills. Our
panoramic tour
will feature
many of Rome’s
most important sites (Spanish Steps, Trevi
Fountain, Pantheon and more). After lunch on
our own, our exploration of Rome continues as
we delve into the ancient Roman sites,
including the Forum and the Coliseum. BD
Day 4, Friday, September 7, 2018:
VATICAN/SISTINE CHAPEL /CATACOMBS
Today, we will
proceed to the
Vatican for a
visit with
preferred
entrance to St.
Peter’s Basilica
plus a private
guided tour of the huge Vatican Museum and
the exquisite Sistine Chapel. In the afternoon,
early Christians in Rome is our focus as we visit
the catacombs along the Via Appia Antica. BD
Day 5, Saturday, September 8, 2018:
LUTHER IN ROME
Today’s tour focuses on Martin Luther’s stay in
Rome. As an Augustinian monk he spent 4
weeks in the “holy city” in 1510. The simple
friar from the North was stunned by the neo-
pagan materialism, blatant venality, luxury and
corruption around him. He lodged at the
Augustinian monastery adjacent to S. Maria
del Popolo, and he visited several sites in the
city, which he also mentioned in his writings.
He was impressed by the fantastic architecture
of the Pantheon; in the Augustinian church of
S. Agostino
Luther may
even have
seen Raphael
at work;
while in S.
Maria
dell’Anima,
the church of
the German community, he went to mass.
Luther saw himself as a pilgrim, and he tried to
enliven the memory of the martyrs; but
suffered bitter disillusion seeing up to 7 masses
celebrated within an hour for money, often with
two priests celebrating at the same altar, just
separated by a painting. He also visited the
Lateran, where, going up the Steps of Pilate
on his knees, he was befallen by doubts: “who
knows if this story is true?“ In Santa Maria
Maggiore Luther saw the newly built wooden
ceiling, decorated according to tradition with
the gold just brought back from America by
Christophorus Columbus. Following some free
time this afternoon, we conclude our Rome
adventure with an evening at a charming
restaurant with a very good Italian folk show,
including opera music and famous Italian
songs. BD
Day 6, Sunday, September 9, 2018:
ORVIETO / CHIANCIANO
Departing
Rome we
make our
way
leisurely
into the hills
of southern
Umbria to
the spa
centre. On
our way we will visit the medieval city of
Orvieto, which dates from the earliest Etruscan
settlements in the 9th Century BC. Much of the
city as we see it today dates from the medieval
period (12th to 15th Centuries). Later this
afternoon we enjoy a scenic drive to the spa
centre of Chianciano Terme at the Grand Hotel
Milano, our home for the next two nights. BD
Day 7, Monday, September 10, 2018:
ASSISI
Today we explore Umbria and the charming
little village of Assisi, on the slopes of Mount
Subasio where we will visit the great Basilica of
St. Francis and admire the frescoes by Giotto,
Simone Martine and others illustrating the
Saint’s life. We will have ample time to
appreciate Assisi’s medieval charm before
returning to Chianciano. BD
Day 8, Tuesday, September 11, 2018:
SIENA / SAN GIMIGNANO /
MONTECATINI
This morning we explore Siena: walk through
the vast Piazza del Campo to see the
magnificent frescoes of the Palazzo Pubblico
and visit the amazing zebra-striped Cathedral
with its superb marble paving and fine pulpit.
Then some time on our own to wander amongst
the vibrant
city streets.
We continue
through
cypress and
olive groves,
as we climb up
to the
medieval hilltop village of San Gimignano. In
medieval times, each merchant family built its
own fortress tower and residential area. Many
still remain today – hence the nickname “Town
of the Fine Towers”. Later this afternoon, we
will enjoy a scenic drive through Tuscany en
route to our new “base” in Montecatini Terme,
a popular hill town and spa centre. Our next
five nights will be spent at the Hotel Albergo
Ercolini e Savi. BD
Day 9, Wednesday, September 12, 2018:
FLORENCE
Florence was the cradle of the Renaissance, a
fountainhead of genius and still one of the art
world’s most prestigious cities. This morning,
we take a guided walking tour of the city’s
unique treasures. See the open-air museum of
Piazza Della Signoria, Santa Croce, which
houses the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo,
and the cathedral where you see Giotto’s bell
tower and Baptistery with its impressive “Gates
of Paradise”. All these buildings demonstrate
the traditions of Florentine art and architecture
from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. After
some free time to explore on our own, we will
return to Montecatini. Tonight enjoy dinner at
a restaurant in the mountains overlooking the
Arno Valley. BD
Day 10, Thursday, September 13, 2018:
COOKING CLASS (OR FREE DAY)
Today we shall enjoy a scenic drive into the
Apennine Mountains and then partake in a
special cooking class. Here we shall see and
learn how to prepare delicious pasta (Ravioli
and Lasagna) and a typical Tuscan dish,
Girarosto, which is typically prepared on an
open fire place. For dessert, we will prepare a
Chestnut cake. Of course, we will then be able
to enjoy the fruits of our labour as we sit down
and savour what we have prepared. We return
to Montecatini in the early afternoon with time
to relax at our hotel. BLD
Day 11, Friday, September 14, 2018:
VINCI / CHIANTI WINE
This morning we visit Vinci, a very typical little
Italian village with a very famous son. It was in
this village that the world’s greatest genius,
Leonardo
da Vinci,
was born
and lived.
We shall
visit his
birth
place and
museum.
Afterwards, continue into the Chianti Wine
region where we will visit one of the area’s best
wineries. After a tour through the vineyards
and the wine cellar, we will have lunch
featuring some of the local wine and a wine
grower’s meal, including Tuscan antipasti – a
cold platter speciality. Back to Montecatini. BLD
Day 12, Saturday, September 15, 2018:
PISA / LUCCA
Today, we head to the Mediterranean coast and
the ancient centre of Pisa, once one of the most
important city states on the Mediterranean. Its
proud and wealthy
merchants dedicated
some of their wealth
to build a fine
cathedral and
baptistery, but today
it is the bell tower
which attracts most
notice – by leaning
four meters from the
perpendicular!
Continue to Lucca
where the ramparts
allow us to walk
freely in the city
centre. Highlights of our visit will be the
cathedral of San Martino with its green and
white marble façade and the church of San
Michele in Foro. BD
Day 13, Sunday, September 16, 2018:
RAVENNA
Travelling east,
we drive across
Italy to the
Adriatic coast
and the historic
centre of
Ravenna where
we shall see
the unique collection of early Christian mosaics
in the church of San Vitale. Continue up the
coast to Venice. We will be brought to our Hotel
Carlton on the Grand Canal with private boat
through the canals and waterways. BD
Day 14, Monday, September 17, 2018:
VENICE
Our local guide will pick us up at the hotel to
show use Piazza San Marco, one of the
grandest
squares in
Europe,
followed by a
walking tour of
the lagoon
town. Enjoy
the afternoon
to wander on our own throughout Venice.
Getting lost in the maze of narrow passages is
no problem, as you will soon emerge in front of
a grand church or perhaps by the majestic
Grand Canal. BD
Day 15: Tuesday, September 18, 2018:
VENICE
We will visit
the small
Lutheran
congregation
of Abano
Terme and
Venice and
have a visit
to their
church in the middle of Venice. Afterwards, talk
to the pastor about how it is to be a minority
church in Roman Catholic dominated state. The
afternoon offers free time to relax and to enjoy
the town and hotel amenities. This evening, we
celebrate the past two weeks, sharing our
stories and memories at our Farewell Dinner.
BD
Day 16, Wednesday, September 19, 2018:
HOMEBOUND FLIGHT
It is time to say farewell as we transfer by boat
to Venice airport and catch our flight back
home. B
About the Tour Host The Rev. Aaron A. Koch
Pastor Koch has served as an ordained minister of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod for 28 years, and is serving his 24th year at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Greenfield, Wisconsin. He is an adjunct instructor for Concordia University Wisconsin and served many years as the sermons editor for Gottesdienst, the journal of Lutheran Liturgy. Several of his sermons and sermon studies have appeared in Concordia Pulpit Resources. He has also written for CPH’s Portals of Prayer and Lutheran Witness. Pastor Koch has traveled with Christian Tours Europe on two previous occasions and is eager to share the joys of this experience with you.
For further information, please contact: Pastor Aaron Koch
Included Features: -Thoroughly experienced multilingual tour director from Rome to Venice Airport. -Transportation in a 4- star European-styled motor coach with climate control, reclining seats, restroom, sink, refrigerator, and coffee machine. -Accommodations in 4-star Italian hotels, double occupancy. -Baggage handling for one piece of luggage per guest. -Taxes, parking and road fees. -Local guide in Rome. -Entrance fee to Coliseum, Foro Romano, Catacomb, Lateran and St. Paul outside the walls. -Private guided tour and preferred entrance to Vatican museum and Sistine Chapel. -Dinner Show in Rome. - Visits and guided tours in Orvieto, Assisi, Siena, San Gimignano, Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Vinci, Ravenna and Venice. -Wine tasting and winery visit in Chianti. -Private boat transfers from bus parking lot to hotel, and hotel to airport in Venice. -Sightseeing and excursions as cited in the program. -In Rome and Tuscany: Wine and mineral water included with lunch and dinners, coffee included after dinners. -30 meals: 14 (Italian) buffet breakfasts, 2 lunches and 14 dinners (beverages are not included with dinners in Venice.)
-All necessary tips such as bellman, maid, doormen, and dining room tips for meals specified in the itinerary are included. -The customary gratuity to escorts, drivers, and step-on guides is included. -Information folder for all participants including town and country brochures, information on Italy and a detailed timed itinerary upon arrival in Rome.
Not included: Airfare, expenses for passports, beverages not specified in program, bar bills, telephone calls, laundry or items of a personal nature, baggage or other insurance, meals other than those included in the itinerary, tips for beverages and drinks.
Travel/Trip Insurance Participants are not required but are strongly encouraged to purchase trip insurance to cover unexpected health needs, trip cancellation or delay, and loss of baggage. We recommend the Trip Insurance Store (TripInsuranceStore.com), that can easily compare multiple plans for you (based on your own needs and desires) and offer a plan at the same cost as the individual companies. Visit them online or call toll free at 1-888-407-3854. Deanna, Becky, Kim, or Steve will be glad to walk you through the process.
Skyline of Rome
Tour Terms and Conditions
Rates are applicable for 2018. Due to currency fluctuations, Christian Tours Europe (CTE) reserves the right to adjust prices after renegotiation with the booking party (the tour host). All rates are net without commission and in U.S. Currency. LAND TRANSPORTATION: As specified in the respective tour itinerary. Where motor coaches are specified, these are modern, large-windowed, air-conditioned/heated vehicles designed especially for sightseeing. HOTELS: All four-star comparable hotels, as specified in brochure. The tour price is based on shared accommodation in twin-bedded room with private shower or bath. A limited number of single rooms are available at an additional supplement stated in brochure. Single rooms, when available, are often smaller than doubles. Tour participants without a roommate will have to pay the single rate. MEALS: As per tour brochure. SIGHTSEEING: As specified in the itinerary, including the services of a thoroughly experience, multilingual tour director from Rome to Venice. (Right is reserved to vary the sequence of sightseeing programs, or to make substitutions if necessitated by circumstances beyond our control.) LUGGAGE: Seasoned travelers have found it convenient to use one piece of baggage only, with wheels attached. Remember that, if you pack it, you carry it! Free baggage handling (on land portion of tour) is provided for one piece of luggage per participant. Additional pieces may incur additional airline charges, and an additional fee is charged on the land portion of the tour for each extra piece of luggage. This does not include carry-ons. TIPS AND LOCAL TAXES are included, except for drinks and beverages at lunch and dinner and as noted in the tour brochure. INCLUDED IN PRICE OF PROGRAM: Ground transportation and accommodations in Italy (as detailed in brochure); transfers with group to and from overseas airports and hotels; shared double room in four-star comparable hotels; 30 meals; English-speaking guides; transportation and entrance fees to sites to be visited; parking & road fees. NOT INCLUDED: Transfer to/from U.S. airport; airfare, applicable air taxes, U.S. and international departure taxes, & security surcharges, visa, & health fees; telephone calls; valet/laundry service; bar bills; other items of a strictly personal nature; baggage or other travel/trip insurance (which is highly recommended); and any drinks or beverages [Please note that the custom abroad is to include coffee or tea with breakfast only; it is an extra charge when ordered with other meals, as are mineral waters, wines, or liquor.]; tips for drinks or beverages; meals other than those detailed in the tour brochure; personal expenses within the U.S.A. or Canada; and customs taxes. Also, any exception noted on the face of the booking registration form and/or in the tour brochure as indicated in “not included” portion of brochure. PASSPORTS: All tour members must have a valid passport. All persons traveling by air are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. The passport should be valid a minimum of three months after the end of the tour. To apply for passports you can contact your local Passport Office, USPS, or the Clerk of the District or County Court. DOCUMENTATION: U.S. citizens require a valid passport for international travel. Regulations of the U.S. Customs Service require airlines to provide access to information contained in passenger reservations. RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENT INFORMATION: Reservations may be secured upon payment of a deposit in the amount per person, as specified in the tour brochure. We recommend that this be done far in advance of the reservation deadline in order to secure passports and other documents. DEPOSIT AND FINAL PAYMENT: As of June 4, 2018, complete payment is due immediately with one’s registration form. Late payments may be charged late fees. Extraordinary mail charges required by late booking, changes, or late payments must be borne by the passenger. CANCELLATIONS: The tour may be cancelled for a $140 administrative fee up to three months prior to departure (6/3/2018). A 33% fee is required for cancellation made between 3 and 2 months prior to departure (6/4/18 – 7/3/18). A 67% fee is required for cancellation made between 2 and 1 months prior to departure (7/4/18 – 8/3/18). No refund can be made for a cancellation made less than one month prior to departure (8/4/2018 or after) or a no-show. Group rates are subject to change if size of group varies due to cancellation. Travel / Trip Insurance, which includes cancellation coverage, is highly recommended. AIRLINE / ITINERARY ARRANGEMENTS: Arrangements for air travel are the responsibility of the tour participant. Deviations from the departure date or return date are at the discretion of the individual participant. If a participant desires to extend her/his trip, this land-only package makes it easy to do so. INSURANCE: Neither the tour host nor Christian Tours Europe (CTE) is responsible or liable for loss, damage, theft of luggage or personal belongings, personal injury, accidents, or illness. For your protection we strongly suggest that you purchase adequate insurance to cover these eventualities and the cost of the tour itself. We strongly recommend that you be insured against the eventuality of cancellation. PRICES quoted herein are expected to be in effect at the time of departure but are subject to change prior to departure (due to fluctuations in monetary exchange rates). GENERAL CONDITIONS AND RESPONSIBILITY: The tour host and Christian Tours Europe (CTE) agree to provide the itinerary described in this brochure, and this represents the entire agreement between the passenger and the tour host and the land tour operator. No changes or deviations are effective unless approved in writing and signed by an authorized officer of the land tour operator. Except as stated herein, no person is authorized to cancel, modify, or vary the tour arrangements or to make any representation of warranty concerning the tour. All prices, itineraries, and schedules are subject to regulations and changes thereof by acts of Government, International Agreement, and Airline tariff adjustments, rules, and regulations. In the event of rescheduling of the tour due to unforeseen circumstances, the cancellation and refund clause will apply. The tour host reserves the right to refuse or revoke travel to anyone who is, in the sole judgment of the tour host, incapable of group travel. SEQUENCE OF TOUR: During certain periods of conventions, congresses, sports events, and other unforeseen events and circumstances, the tour operator and/or tour host may have to make last-minute changes (sometimes even after arrival) in the sequence of the tour. All services to which participants are entitled will be rendered. Any person reserving a Christian Tours Europe (CTE) tour accepts the condition that CTE reserves the exclusive right to change tour itineraries, hotels, and other tour components whenever it is deemed necessary, although tours are planned and hotels are booked with all possible care. Published times in our itineraries are as accurate as possible and subject to change due to traffic, weather, mechanical and any other conditions that prevent CTE from operating under normal conditions. CTE cannot accept liability in the case of any passenger being denied boarding by any airline carrier due to carrier's over-booking of a flight, nor does it accept liability in the case of a cancelled or delayed flight. It shall be the passenger's responsibility solely to provide the means to join a missed tour that is already in progress. In the event that any dispute arises in which any party has a right to assert a claim, the exclusive jurisdiction for that claim shall be in a court of competent jurisdiction located in Braunschweig, Germany. The tour is operated exclusively under German and EU law.
Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance
to see and enjoy the beauty of Italy and to study the to see and enjoy the beauty of Italy and to study the
Renaissance and Christian history! Renaissance and Christian history
Space is being limited to 35 tour participants. Reserve your
place now!
Tour Host Aaron and Laura Koch
Tour Guide Christian Eggert
Space is being limited to 35 tour participants. Reserve your
