Special Groups
Treasures of Egypt and Italy

AN UNFORGATABLE JOURNEY INTO TIME …., one that encompasses the great sites of Ancient Egypt including the Great Pyramids, Sphinx, ancient Thebes (Luxor) and Aswan to the ancient Dorian Temples of Paestum to Pompeii etc….

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DEPARTURE, 18 FEBRUARY 2005 . ESCORTED

$3799.00 FROM TORONTO

INCLUDED

 

•  ROUND TRIP AIR FROM TORONTO TO CAIRO / ROME TORONTO VIA ALITALIA AIRLINES.

 

•  -ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES TRANSFERS.

 

•  -ACCOMODATIONAR FOR 20 NIGHTS IN 4 STAR HOTELS WITH BREAKFAST DAILY.

 

•  -TRANSPORTATION BY AIR CONDITIONED BUS

 

•  -ALL SIGHTSEING AND ENTRANCE FEES AS PER ITINERARY.

 

•  -SLEEPER TRAIN FROM CAIRO TO LUXOR / ASWAN CAIRO WITH BREAKFAST & DINNER.

 

NOT INCLUDED

 

•  AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAXES

 

•  HOLIDAY INSURANCE

 

•  ENTRY VISA FOR EGYPT

 

•  TIPS FOR GUIDES AND DRIVERS OF $159.00

 

ITINERARY

18 FEB - Depart from Toronto to Egypt via Alitalia Airlines with a connection in Milan Italy .

19 FEB - Upon arrival in Cairo , you will meet our Representative and enjoy the orientation tour of Cairo City before checking into your hotel Intercontinental Pyramids Park . www.intercontinental.com

20 FEB - Take on a journey into time today, starting with the PYRAMIDS , it is the one and only wonder, which does not require a description by early historians and poets. It's the oldest, yet it is the only surviving of the Seven Ancient Wonders, the Great Pyramid of Cheops. The monument was built by the Egyptian pharaoh Cheops around the year 2560 BC for is tomb. It is believed to have been built over 20 years. Originally it was 145.75 m (481 ft) high. Over the years, it lost 10 m (30 ft) off its top. It ranked as the tallest structure on Earth for more than 43 centuries, only to be surpassed in height in the nineteenth century AD. SPHINX Of all Egypt 's monuments, none is as majestic and haunting as the Great Sphinx. Carved out of a limestone it is 50 meters long and 22 meters high. Essence and papyrus factories, lunch at Chiresto restaurant (sea food). Return to Hotel for overnight.

2 1 FEB -   Visit the Egyptian Museum and The Citadel , one of Cairo 's most popular tourist attractions. Located on a spur of limestone. The Citadel is one of the world's greatest monuments, as well as a highly visible landmark on Cairo 's eastern skyline.  Originally it served as both a fortress and a royal city. The Ottoman Muhammad Ali Pasha, one of the great builders of Modern Egypt, in 1805, he was responsible for considerable alteration and building within the Citadel. His Mohammed Ali Mosque, built in the style called Ottoman Baroque that imitates the great religious mosques of Istanbul . Late afternoon transfer to, train station, for the overnight train to Luxor , dinner on board.

  22 FEB-   Breakfast on board, transfer to hotel. Luxor the ancient Thebes , has often been called the worlds greatest open air museum, as indeed it is and much more. The number and preservation of the monuments in the Luxor area are unparalleled anywhere else in the world.  Rest of day at leisure. Overnight at Hotel Isis Pyramisa www.pyramisaegypt.com

23 FEB-   Morning visit to KARNAK TPLE . This vast temple complex just to the north of Luxor , consists of three main areas. The largest of these areas is the temple dedicated to Amon and is the masterpiece of the ancient city of Thebes . The greatest part of the temple is the magnificent Hypostyle Hall consisting of 134 massive columns 23 metres high creating an impression of enormous 'power' and strength. LUXOR TPLE is located on the east bank of the Nile . This magnificent Temple was dedicated to the great god Amun-Re , his wife Mut and their son Khonsu . The earliest parts of the temple date from the 14th century BC.

24 FEB- Morning visits to the west bank and the necropolis of Thebes : Valley of the Kings and Queens , Hatshepsut, and Colossi of Memnon. Return to hotel. A afternoon, free at leisure, overnight at hotel Isis.

25 FEB- D ay free. In the evening sound & light show at Karnak Temple . Return to hotel Isis.

26 FEB . Breakfast, free day for shopping or simply relax, overnight at Hotel Isis.

 

 

 

 

27 FEB - After breakfast, transfer to train station for the train to Aswan . Upon arrival, transfer to hotel.

This afternoon visits to Temple of Philae , dedicated to goddess Isis.   High Dam and a felucca ride to enjoy the beautiful environments. From the little sailing boat we will see Agha khan mausoleum , Elephantine Island and the botanical garden. Return to hotel Basma Aswan for overnight. www.basmainn.com

28 FEB- Day free at leisure. Optional tour to visit  Abu Simbel   Temple by car or plane. Return to Hotel.

01 MAR - Free day. Transfer to train station for the sleeper train to Cairo , dinner on board.

02 MAR - Transferred to Hotel Intercontinental Pyramids Park . Late afternoon shopping tour to khan el-Khalili bazaar located in the old city of Cairo . Return to Hotel Intercontinental Pyramids .

03 MAR -   Early afternoon transfer to the international airport, for the flight to Rome . Transfer to South Coast of Italy, Paestum for overnight at Hotel Cerere. www.hotelcerere.com

04 MAR- Visit Paestum archeological site , which has always been shrouded in mystery. It was probably founded around 650 BC by a large group of Dorians. Unlike Pompeii , Paestum 's white marble temples, set against the silver mountains and deep blue sea, provide a uniquely Greek experience in Italy . Incredibly, although Paestum 's Temple of Hera , was among the most famous cult-worship sites in antiquity, it is the oldest, best preserved and most beautiful Doric temple in existence today.

These majestic ruins were unknown through the Middle Ages; they were not discovered until 1740 and even then, not accurately described until 1779. Proceed to Salerno , walking tour through the old streets of the city, shopping and a visit a limoncello factory, overnight to Hotel Cerere.

05 MAR - Today is to the Amalfi Coast ; Sorrento , Positano, Amalfi and Ravello. The legend goes that , Hercules, god of strength, loved a nymph called Amalfi, but his love was short, she died and he buried her in the most beautiful place of the world, to immortalize her, he gave it her name. The coastline known as, Amalfi Coast , is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the world. It as an inherent natural beauty characterized by very steep, rocky hillsides falling sheer into the sea, with enchanted villages, that have retained their centuries-old charm. Return to Hotel Cerere.

06 MAR- Free day at leisure or take an option tour to Capri by ferry from Salerno along the Amalfi coast. Return to Hotel Cerere.

07 MA R - Free day.

08 MAR- Depart to Pompeii . O n August 26 th 79 A D all of the sounds, of a busy, prosperous city, had fallen silent, and the place itself had vanished. Almost nothing was seen of Pompeii for more than 1500 years. Today more than 1900 years later, what happened to Pompeii preserved a treasury of information about life in the ancient Roman pire . You will be fascinated by some of the mysteries of Pompeii and the life of its people. Proceed to Caserta to visit the Royal Palace ordered to be built by Charles. Wanting a home to rival his ancestors' palaces at Versailles and Escorial, Charles hired Luigi Vanvitelli, southern Italy 's greatest architect, to design a complex of buildings and gardens that ended up being larger and more impressive than either of its predecessors. Continue to Rome overnight at Hotel Diane or similar.

09 MAR - There's so much to see in Rome and it's all so different, yet equally spectacular! Take advantage of the next two free days to explore the Eternal City by visiting; The Vatican Museum, St Peter's Basilica, Colosseum , Spanish Steps, Cathedral of St Giovanni Laterano, Sta Maria Maggiori, Phanteon, Forum. Return to Hotel Diane.

10 MAR - Free day, overnight at Hotel Diane.

11 MAR - Early morning transfer to Rome Airport for the flight to Milan and onwards to Canada .

 

PAYMENT; DEPOSIT OF $450.00 AT TIME OF BOOKING----- FINAL PAYMENT 45 DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE

 

For departures from other Canadian cities

FROM WINNIPEG + $262.00--FROM CALGARY , EDMONTON + $390.00--FROM SASKATOON , REGINA + $350.00

--FROM OTTAWA + $90.00--FROM MONTREAL $110.00--FROM VANCOUVER , VICTORIA + 450.00.

Prices subject to change due to currency adjustments, change on airfares or taxes

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