Italian Masterpiece 2006 / Quality Travel, Inc / Cosmos Tours

Day 1, Sat. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Day 2, Sun. ARRIVAL IN VENICE AREA, ITALY. Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this bustling city. Tonight meet your tour director and fellow travelers. (D)

Day 3, Mon. VENICE AREA-PADUA-BOLOGNA-SAN MARINO. Start the morning with a drive into Padua, by way of the Brenta Riviera, to see its magnificent Basilica dedicated to St. Anthony. Next head south across the River Po to Bologna, the city with Europe’s oldest university. See its famous towers and the Piazza Maggiore. Next southeast for an overnight in Europe’s tiniest state, the Republic of San Marino. (B)

Day 4, Tue. SAN MARINO-URBINO-GUBBIO-ASSISI AREA. First to Urbino, epitome of the Renaissance with its magnificent ducal palace towering over the town. On to medieval Gubbio for a superb panoramic view from the Consul’s Palace. Continue across the Umbrian region to the Assisi area for overnight. (B,D)

Day 5, Wed. ASSISI-VITERBO-ROME. This morning travel to Assisi for the included visit of the Basilica and its remarkable frescoes. From the Apennines to Viterbo to admire the exceptionally beautiful Piazza San Lorenzo. Leave this walled medieval city to motor south to Rome for an evening arrival. (B,D)

Days 6, Thu. and 7, Fri. ROME. Included sightseeing with a local guide starts in St. Peter’s Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. (B daily)

Day 8, Sat. ROME-MONTE CASSINO-POMPEII-SORRENTO. Deeper into the south today, making a first stop in Monte Cassino to view the monastery and abbey perched high above the valley. The monastery was the motherhouse of the Benedictines founded in 529 and destroyed four times over the past centuries. The last time it was laid to ruin was in 1944 during the great battle of Monte Cassino. Time stopped for the rich, aristocratic town of Pompeii with the terrible eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. You can see the luxurious villas, temples, theater, and forum — even human and animal bodies solidified in lava (entrance fees and local guide are included). Just a few more miles to Sorrento for the next two nights. (B,D)

Day 9 Sun. SORRENTO. BOAT TRIP TO CAPRI. A legendary island, surrounded by rocky coastline, where the crashing sea has formed awe-inspiring caves. The town with its pretty piazza, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and smart restaurants is a mecca for the jet set. Optional excursions are available to see more of this exquisite island. (B)

Day 10, Mon. SORRENTO-ORVIETO-SIENA. This morning retrace part of the route bypassing Rome for a stop in Orvieto in the province of Umbria to visit its black basalt and yellow limestone cathedral. An excellent example of Italian Gothic architecture. Next enjoy the quite extraordinary beauty of the Tuscan countryside. By early evening you’ll be in Siena to visit this jewel of Tuscany. Sit in one of the cafés surrounding the “Campo” and admire one of Italy’s more unique squares, famed the world over for its horse-racing Palio. (B)

Day 11, Tue. SIENA-PISA-FLORENCE AREA. Drive this morning to San Gimignano, bristling with medieval fortress towers, the status symbols of nobility. Continue to Pisa with time to admire its Square of Miracles with its amazing Leaning Tower. More of Tuscany’s green and olive-studded hillside landscape before reaching Lucca, an unspoiled town of ramparts, palaces and squares. Overnight in the Florence area. End the day by joining the optional Tuscan dinner in a typical restaurant. (B)

Day 12, Wed. FLORENCE. This Renaissance gem and city of the Medicis will keep you enthralled for a whole day. Traffic is banned in part of the historic center so visitors can wander at leisure and admire the city’s timeless beauty in relative peace and quiet. Your included walking tour with a local guide features most of the city highlights. See the Piazza Santa Croce; the beautiful Piazza Signoria; the Palazzo Vecchio and its courtyard; the Loggia dei Lanzi; and, to top it all, the Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, and the magnificent East Door of the Baptistry known as the “Gate to Paradise.” (B,D)

Day 13, Thu. FLORENCE AREA-MANTUA-SIRMIONE-VERONA AREA. A day filled with highlights. First to Lombardy for a stop in Mantua, at one time the fiefdom of the Gonzaga family who made it a seat of learning and the arts in the 15th and 16th centuries. Further north next to the quite enchanting town of Sirmione located on an islet on the edge of Lake Garda. A few more miles eastwards to the Verona area for overnight. (B)

Day 14, Fri. VERONA AREA-VICENZA-VENICE AREA. A wonderful opportunity to enjoy this Shakespearean region. Join the optional sightseeing tour of Verona and then motor to nearby Vicenza for the included sightseeing which will take in the main highlights and an inside visit of the famous “Teatro Olimpico.” Conclude the day with an evening arrival in the Venice area. (B)

Day 15, Sat. VENICE. Your included tour starts with a boat ride and is followed by a visit to St. Mark’s Basilica, and a chance to watch Venetian glass blowers. Don’t miss out on the optional gondola trip. (B,D)

Day 16, Sun. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)

Your Travel Package Includes

SIGHTSEEING: Visits to Padua, Bologna, San Marino, Urbino, Gubbio, Assisi, Viterbo, Monte Cassino, Sorrento, Orvieto, Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa, Lucca, Mantua, Sirmione, Verona

Scenic highlights: Apennines, Umbria, Tuscany
GUIDES: Local guides for city sightseeing in Rome, Pompeii, Florence, Vicenza, Venice; services of a professional tour director

TRANSPORTATION: Scheduled transatlantic flights and airport transfers in Venice if Cosmos issues the tickets; see page 9
Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach
Canal transfer boat in Venice; boat transfer to Capri
HOTELS: Listed below or equivalent; see also page 7. Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges

MEALS: 14 buffet breakfasts (B); 6 dinners (D)

OPTIONALS: Choice of optional excursions at reasonable prices to customize your own experience. Please find a detailed list in your travel documents

HOTELS

VENICE AREA Poppi (ST) at Mira, SAN MARINO Titano (ST), ASSISI AREA Holiday Inn Express (ST) at Foligno, ROME Pineta Palace (ST), SORRENTO Tirrenia (ST), SIENA Moderno (ST), FLORENCE AREA Europa (ST) at Signa, VERONA Maxim (ST), VENICE AREA Albatros (ST) at Mestre

This description of ITALIAN MASTERPIECE is intended for 2006 departures.

Departure Date	Tour Start Date	Return Date	Air Incl. Price	Land Price
4/1/2006	4/2/2006	4/16/2006	TBD*	$1,490.00
4/8/2006	4/9/2006	4/23/2006	TBD*	$1,490.00
4/15/2006	4/16/2006	4/30/2006	TBD*	$1,490.00
4/22/2006	4/23/2006	5/7/2006	TBD*	$1,490.00
4/29/2006	4/30/2006	5/14/2006	TBD*	$1,530.00
5/6/2006	5/7/2006	5/21/2006	TBD*	$1,530.00
5/13/2006	5/14/2006	5/28/2006	TBD*	$1,530.00
5/20/2006	5/21/2006	6/4/2006	TBD*	$1,530.00
5/27/2006	5/28/2006	6/11/2006	TBD*	$1,530.00
6/3/2006	6/4/2006	6/18/2006	TBD*	$1,530.00

* To Be Determined: Air price based on departure city. Click Book Now to price a vacation.

US$ 2006 price details

Airfares are based on departure from New York.
Departure/arrival taxes and fares from other cities will be advised at the time of booking.
Single room supplement: $462; guaranteed shares; no triple room reduction.
0409 Good Friday in Rome.

Our volume buying power saves you money!
-We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city.
-Additional accommodations before or after your tour may be available at our low prices.

Departure/arrival taxes and fares from other cities will be advised at the time of booking.

Price Guarantee: All vacation prices are based on rates (including foreign exchange rates) expected to be in effect at the time of departure. Prices are subject to increase without notice if such rates change prior to departure. The current price will be confirmed at the time of reservation. However, once Cosmos has received your deposit for any vacation departing during the current year, that land price is guaranteed, and any subsequent land cost increases are at our expense, not including any government tax increases. Airfares included as part of air-inclusive vacation prices are guaranteed when we receive confirmation of air itinerary and full payment. Vacation prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Single room supplements and triple room reductions may be applicable.

Not included in the tour price: Federal Inspection Fees for the U.S. Customs and immigration; International Air Transportation Tax; agricultural tax; any other taxes; security fee; airport taxes and fees; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your tour director; tour host; tour driver; local city guides; gratuities on ferries, trains and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; mini bar; alcohol; beverages and food not on the regular table d'hôte menu (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel or restaurant); optional excursions; porterage at airports; travel protection; excess baggage fees; all other items of a personal nature.