ITALY TOUR ITINERARY
THE MAPLE LEAF FOREVER
SEPTEMBER 12-27, 2005

Please note: our next Italy tour will be in SEPTEMBER 2007 - dates TBA. The 2005 itinerary is shown here as an example only.

Please note:
· minor changes may still be necessary, based on availability of accommodation.
· Meals included: BB=Buffet Breakfast, D=Dinner

SEP 12 - OVERNIGHT FLIGHT TO CATANIA, SICILY

SEP 13 - ARRIVE CATANIA
With a warm welcome from our Tour Director we are met at Catania airport and transferred to our hotel in Syracuse. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Our group assembles for drinks and dinner in our hotel this evening. D

SEP 14 - PACHINO AND THE LANDING BEACHES
We travel to the Pachino area, to see the beaches where 1st Canadian Division landed on the morning of 10 July, 1943. A visit to the Canadian memorial allows time to reflect upon the history at this site. We return to our hotel for an afternoon at leisure and dinner. BB D

SEP 15 – SYRACUSE TO GIARDINI NAXOS
Today we travel into the interior of Sicily, to take up the path of the advancing Canadian Army. We visit Grammichele, where the Canadians first encountered resistance from the German Army. We pass through mountain towns captured with difficulty, including Caltagirone, Piazza Armerina, Leonforte, and Agira (where we visit the Canadian cemetery). We pass around volcanic Mount Etna to return to the coast, and dine in our hotel near Taormina. BB D

SEP 16 - GIARDINI NAXOS TO CROTONE
We travel to Messina and cross by ferry to the tip of mainland Italy. We drive along the Ionian coast of Italy, continuing in the tracks of the Canadian Army, which passed through this scenic area almost without opposition. Passing through Catanzaro, we continue to our hotel for dinner this evening. BB D

SEP 17 - CROTONE TO FOGGIA
Today our coach takes us north along the Gulf of Taranto, then inland to Potenza. This important road centre was captured by Canadian troops in an extensive operation. We then move via Melfi to the Foggia Plain. Our dinner is at our hotel in Foggia this evening. BB D

SEP 18 – FOGGIA – CAMPOBASSO

We head into the mountains again, to discuss the Canadian drive to Campobasso, and beyond it across the Biferno River. The Germans put up stiff resistance all along this route, and there were a series of brief and violent actions. We travel on to the Ortona area for dinner at our hotel this evening. BB D

SEP 19 – ORTONA - CASINO

We follow the advance across the Sangro River, and on to the bitter fighting around Ortona. It was here, in December of 1943, that the Canadians mastered street fighting. The city-warfare skills developed by the Canadians at Ortona are still studied today, at staff colleges around the world. After visiting the Moro River Canadian War Cemetery at Pescara, we travel across the spine of Italy to the foot of Monte Cassino. Dinner is in our hotel in Casino. BB D

SEP 20 – CASINO – LIRI VALLEY - ANZIO - ROME

We discuss the fighting around Monte Cassino, and the Canadian operations in the Liri Valley that helped open the path to Rome. After visiting the Commonwealth war cemetery, we proceed to Rome via Anzio, where Canadians formed part of the forces landed. We enjoy dinner at our hotel in Rome this evening. BB D

SEP 21 - ROME

After breakfast this morning our sightseeing begins with a guided tour of the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, where we admire Michelangelo’s depiction of the Creation, and later, his emotive “Pieta” in St. Peter’s Basilica. Afterwards we cross the River Tiber to Rome. We visit the world’s largest Roman arena, the Colosseum and see the Forum. This afternoon you have time to yourself: maybe window shop along the Via Condotti, toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain to ensure your return to Rome, or just relax in a café and join the old pastime of people watching. Tonight you will dine at a local restaurant and sample the local cuisine. BB D

SEP 22 - ROME – PISA - FLORENCE

This morning we visit Pisa, once one of the most important ports on the Mediterranean. Its proud merchants dedicated some of their wealth to build a fine cathedral and baptistery, but today it is the belltower that attracts most notice – by leaning 4 meters from the perpendicular. Then we travel on to our hotel in Florence. BB D

SEP 23 – FLORENCE

Today we take a guided walking tour of Florence’s unique treasures. We see the open-air museum of Piazza Della Signoria, Santa Croce, which houses the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo, and the Cathedral where we see Giotto’s belltower and Baptistery with its impressive “Gates of Paradise”. Time afterwards to enjoy a demonstration of traditional Florentine leatherwork, to wander at our leisure, and to return to our hotel. BB D

SEP 24 – FLORENCE - RIMINI

We resume our study of the military operations, crossing again to the Adriatic coast at Pesaro. In the afternoon, we discuss the remarkable 1944 breaking of the Gothic Line and the advance to Rimini. We visit several cemeteries in the Rimini area. Dinner is at our hotel in Rimini. BB D

SEP 25 – RIMINI – RAVENNA - VENICE
We conclude our military history studies by discussing the final Canadian operations toward Ravenna and the Senio River. From here, the 1st Canadian Corps was redeployed to Northwest Europe, but we continue on to beautiful Venice, and dinner at our hotel. BB D

SEP 26 – VENICE
By private launch we cruise to St. Mark’s basin, seeing the ancient Customs House, the Bridge of Sighs and the Doges’ Palace. We stroll to St. Mark’s Square to admire the Byzantine Basilica, and then watch a glass-blowing demonstration. We also enjoy a highlight gondola ride through the canals before spending the rest of the day exploring at your own pace. BB D

SEP 27 – DEPART VENICE
We say farewell to Italy after breakfast, and are transferred to the Venice airport for our return flight to Canada. BB