The Best of Italy 2006 / Quality Travel, Inc / Cosmos Tours

Day 1 BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Day 2 ARRIVAL IN ROME, ITALY. Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this ancient capital. Tonight meet your tour director and fellow travelers.

Day 3 ROME. Included sightseeing with local guide starts in St. Peter’s Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. (B)

Day 4 ROME-FLORENCE AREA. This morning vistas of undulating hills, austere rows of cypress trees, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages form the backdrop of your journey through beautiful Tuscany. Reach Florence in time to enjoy the included walking tour with a local guide featuring most of the city highlights. You will 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 5 FLORENCE. EXCURSION TO PISA.
An easy drive this morning to see more of the Tuscan countryside on the way to Pisa. Stop
for a visit and see the Square of Miracles and the amazing Leaning Tower. Return to Florence for the afternoon. End the day by joining
the optional Tuscan dinner in a typical restaurant. (B)

Day 6 FLORENCE AREA-LAKE MAGGIORE. An interesting drive northwest to the Italian Riviera and a stop in the charming resort of Santa Margherita. Next north into the plains of Lombardy crossing the great River Po with new and quite different scenery as you approach the shores of Lake Maggiore for overnight in this area. (B)

Day 7 LAKE MAGGIORE. Time to relax and get to know the area. Lake Maggiore is one of Italy’s largest lakes and is located on the very edge of Alpine Switzerland. In fact on clear days you can see the peaks of the Swiss Alps. Take advantage of the included excursion to visit Lugano and its lake in Switzerland. (B)

Day 8 LAKE MAGGIORE-MILAN-SIRMIONE-VERONA-VENICE AREA. An easy drive into Milan to see its great Duomo, one of the world’s largest and most magnificent cathedrals. Then journey eastwards for a first stop in Sirmione on the shores of Lake Garda. Next Verona for another stop to see Romeo and Juliet’s balcony before the relatively short drive to the Venice area. (B)

Day 9 VENICE. It’s really more like a marvelous film set than a real live city, with its criss-crossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces and little quiet piazzas. The 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 fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. Don’t miss out on the
optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you. (B,D)

Day 10 VENICE AREA-RAVENNA-ASSISI AREA. An interesting drive southwards right across the Po Delta to Ravenna. In the afternoon journey to Assisi enclosed by ramparts and little changed since the Middle Ages. This is the town of the deeply mystical and poetic St. Francis — see the Church of
St. Clara, founder of the Order of Poor Clares, the medieval castle, and cathedral. Overnight in nearby Foligno. (B,D)

Day 11 ASSISI AREA-SORRENTO. Bypass Orvieto, then drive south on the excellent autostrada to Pompeii. Time stopped for the rich, aristocratic town of Pompeii with the terrible eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. On the included visit you can see the luxurious villas, temples, theater, and forum. Next Sorrento — clinging to a cliff high above the waters of the Bay of Naples. Wander the winding streets lined with shops and stalls, and sit with a glass of wine absorbing the easygoing life of this charming resort. (B)

Day 12 SORRENTO. BOAT TRIP TO CAPRI. This legendary island is 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 the island. Join Tiberius, Emma Hamilton, and Axel Munthe, who all fell in love with this exquisite spot. (B,D)

Day 13 SORRENTO-ROME. A comfortable drive northwards this morning for arrival in Rome well in time to enjoy most of the afternoon and evening. (B)

Day 14 YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)

Your Travel Package Includes

SIGHTSEEING: Visits to Pisa, Santa Margherita, Lake Maggiore, Lugano, Milan, Sirmione, Verona, Ravenna, Assisi, Sorrento, Capri

Scenic highlights: Tuscany, Italian Riviera, Italian Lake District, Bay of Naples
GUIDES: Local guides for city sightseeing in Rome, Florence, Venice, Pompeii; services of a professional tour director

TRANSPORTATION: Scheduled transatlantic flights and airport transfers in Rome 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: 12 buffet breakfasts (B); 4 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

ROME Pineta Palace (ST), FLORENCE AREA Europa (ST) at Signa or Meridiana (ST) at Florence, LAKE MAGGIORE Simplon (F) at Baveno or Splendid (F) at Baveno, VENICE AREA Poppi (ST) at Mira, PERUGIA Holiday Inn (F), SORRENTO Central Park (ST) at Massalubrense

This description of THE BEST OF ITALY is intended for 2006 departures.

Departure Date	Tour Start Date	Return Date	Air Incl. Price	Land Price
12/23/2005	12/24/2005	1/5/2006	$2,083.00	$1,279.00
2/20/2006	2/21/2006	3/5/2006	$1,830.00	$1,270.00
2/27/2006	2/28/2006	3/12/2006	$1,830.00	$1,270.00
3/6/2006	3/7/2006	3/19/2006	$1,860.00	$1,300.00
3/13/2006	3/14/2006	3/26/2006	$1,860.00	$1,300.00
3/20/2006	3/21/2006	4/2/2006	$1,910.00	$1,350.00
3/27/2006	3/28/2006	4/9/2006	$1,910.00	$1,350.00
3/30/2006	3/31/2006	4/12/2006	$1,916.00	$1,390.00
4/3/2006	4/4/2006	4/16/2006	TBD*	$1,390.00
4/6/2006	4/7/2006	4/19/2006	TBD*	$1,390.00

* 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: $396; guaranteed shares; no triple room reduction.
2007 departures are subject to itinerary and price modification.
Details will be available in Oct. '06.
1224 Christmas 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.