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DAY ONE– Arrive in Venice
Private transfer via water taxi to your Venice hotel
Check in to a 4-star accommodation(Breakfast included)
Explore the sites of Venice. Experience the palaces, canals, and bridges.
DAY TWO– Semi-Private Morning Walking Tour of Venice– with Doges Palace included.
Take a boat excursion in the Venetian Lagoon with visits to 3 Islands- Visit the Murano glass factory. The crafting of the glass is fascinating to watch.
DAY THREE– Take a 1st Class train from Venice to Florence- Discover the masterpieces of Florence. Experience the best of the Renaissance era museums, gardens, and architecture.
Check in to a 4-star hotel accommodation(Breakfast included). Wander the streets of Florence. There are many small shops with excellent Italian crafts. Enjoy authentic local cuisine.
DAY FOUR Spend a lazy morning sleeping late. Early afternoon, visit the highlights of Renaissance art. Discover Accademia Gallery, one of the most famous museums in the world. Choose the “Skip the Line tour and admire the imposing statue of David. The figure is Michelangelo’s most outstanding work.
DAY FIVE -Venture out to the countryside and see the highlights of Tuscany. No visit is complete without a drive through the lovely Chianti region and seeing the beautiful vineyards. There will be stops along the way in Siena, San Gimignano, and Pisa, home to the Leaning Tower. Outside of Siena, experience a lunch Tuscan style at an authentic family-run wine-farm. Experience the breathtaking medieval city of San Gimignano. A Unesco world heritage site. It is widely known as the Manhattan of the Middle Ages. The famous imposing towers create a skyline that looks similar to a modern-day city. The last stop will be Pisa to view the iconic Leaning Tower, one of the world’s most famous buildings
DAY SIX – Take a 1st Class train from Florence to Rome.
Check in to a 4-star accommodation in the center of the city where all the action takes place.
This fascinating city was designed for walking and exploring. The history in this city abounds. Capture the essence of Rome. Grab your camera and create memories. Rome is a city for photographers’ love, whether a novice or full-fledged professional. The city is full of fountains and monuments that are reminders of ancient times.
DAY SEVEN- Semi-private tour of Vatican museums. Avoid the long lines and immediately get into the Vatican. Take the beautiful spiral staircase and continue through the Tapestries’ Gallerie and the Geographical Maps Gallery. Arrive in the breathtaking Sistine Chapel with its magnificent fresco of the “Last Judgment by Michelangelo
DAY EIGHT- Take a 1st Class train from Rome to Naples.
Meet your private driver at the rail station for a private tour of Pompei on your way to sunny Sorento.
Arrive in Sorento
Check into a 4-star accommodation(Breakfast) included. Relax and enjoy the local flavor of this seaside town. Meander along the beautiful streets, take in the scents of lemon trees that abound. Explore the quaint shops and enjoy an espresso at a local café.
DAY NINE– Enjoy a private drive of the breathtaking Almafi coast. Have lunch with locals at a pre-selected restaurant in Sorento.
DAY TEN– Explore the beaches and the breathtaking view of Mt. Vesuvius and the Isle of Capri.
DAY ELEVEN- Private transfer to Naples for International flight to the U.S.
DAY ONE – ARRIVE CAPE TOWN
On arrival in Cape Town, you are met by our “VIP” representative, who will assist you with customs formalities, help you collect your luggage, and through to the arrivals hall. As you enter the arrivals hall, look for a representative, holding a sign with your name on it. You will be handed your tour documents and transferred to your reserved hotel. On your own for the afternoon –
ACCOMMODATIONS –
Check-in to your 5-star hotel. Cape Town is known for its beautiful waterfront. Capture amazing views of the infamous Table Mountain.
DAY TWO – CAPE TOWN/WINELANDS
On Your Own for half-day – Enjoy the city of Cape Town or relax at your 5-star accommodation
Your private driver will transfer you to the Winelands early afternoon.
ACCOMMODATIONS –
Check-in to your 5-star hotel-
Relax at your 5-star accommodation at one of the most beautiful properties in the Winelands. Overnight. (B)
DAY THREE – WINELANDS
On your own- Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your driver in the lobby of the hotel. Transfer to Franschhoek Wine Tram Ticket office.
The Wine Route is set out in the schedule with the names of estates included in the route. You are able to visit up to 6 wines estates provide each visit doesn’t exceed 1 hour. You can pick and choose how long you prefer to stay at any estate.
DAY FOUR – WINELANDS/CAPETOWN
Transfer to Capetown late afternoon
Overnight in Capetown (B)
DAY FIVE – CAPE TOWN / SKUKUZA / SABI SAND GAME RESERVE
Today transfer by private vehicle to the airport where you will be met and assisted with check-in for the flight bound for Skukuza.
You will be met on arrival and driven with fellow guests to your reserved safari accommodations. After a quick freshen up, meet for high tea and set off on your first thrilling afternoon game drive, which takes you into the night to view the more elusive nocturnal species. Return to camp for a sumptuous dinner and a relaxing evening around the fireplace, sharing your day’s experience with the other guests.
Your accommodations close to Kruger National Park offers an extraordinary safari experience. Game viewing possibilities are simply unparalleled, including the much sought after ‘Big 5’. There are no fences on the reserve, so wildlife roams freely in a huge natural environment.
After a quick freshen up, meet for high tea and set off on your first game drive with fellow lodge guests. Return to the camp for dinner and a relaxing evening around the fireplace, sharing your day’s experience with the other guests.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Your first-class accommodation is within the greater Kruger National Park conservancy. It lies in an area where ‘Big 5’ sightings are so frequent, it is not unusual to see lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino in a single game drive.
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Exceptional food is an essential component of the safari experience. Candle-lit dinners, with traditional local dishes adding spice to the best international fare, are served on the deck of the main lodge.
Game drives by professional and extremely well-qualified game rangers in state of the art Land Rovers expertly modified to ensure your safety and comfort. Optional walking safaris, daily, to experience the beauty and fascination of Africa’s wildlife on foot. (B,L,D)
DAY SIX – SABI SAND GAME RESERVE
Accompanied by highly skilled game rangers, set out on early morning and evening shared game drives. Two game drives per day and an optional bush walk offer guests the opportunity to see the Big Five and much smaller wildlife. The rangers provide interesting information and anecdotes about the inhabitants of the bush.
Between exciting safaris, spend the time at camp relishing the tranquility of the bush. Relax at the pool or enjoy a siesta before lunch. After lunch, a late afternoon game drive and extends into the evening to view seldom seen nocturnal species by torchlight. It is when the nocturnal animals come to life, and the lions go out on their hunt! You will break somewhere out in the bush, in a scenic spot to watch a magnificent African sunset while sipping at a sundowner.
DAY SEVEN – SABI SAND GAME RESERVE / SKUKUZA / JOHANNESBURG
Prepare for an early morning wake-up call and out into the bush on the morning safari searching for animals not seen the day before. Return to camp for a hearty breakfast, and then relax until it is time to transfer to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg. On arrival, you will be met and assisted to the shuttle terminal for a courtesy shuttle to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Johannesburg is one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities, an interesting melting-pot. There is something for everyone, from world-class shopping centers, like Hyde Park, Sandton, Rosebank, and Melrose Arch, to exclusive boutiques, outstanding eateries, and vibrant pavement cafes. For visitors to learn more about South Africa, various museums and sites showcase the events that have shaped the country’s unique democracy. The Apartheid Museum illustrates the fascinating record of South Africa’s past, while the impressive Constitutional Court is the protector of human rights and freedom.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Check in to your 5- star hotel, offering world-class facilities in a stylish and elegant setting with easy access to Africa’s finest shops, restaurants, cinemas, and theatres. (B)
DAY EIGHT – JOHANNESBURG
This morning meet your guide in the hotel lobby for your half-day tour of Soweto.
Soweto is home to over 2 million people who, despite living in crowded and chaotic conditions, have a tangible sense of community. Visit the Hector Pieterson Museum and discover the cause of the tragic riots which led to his death. A stop is made at the late Nelson Mandela’s former home, transformed into a museum (on own account). Your tour continues to Regina Mundi Church, site of many secret underground meetings of then banned political parties.
After lunch at a local restaurant (on your account), your scheduled activities resume with a visit to the Apartheid Museum. The museum takes visitors on a fascinating, horrifying, humbling, and ultimately inspiring journey from the dark days of ‘whites-only’ privilege, through to Nelson Mandela’s historic release from prison. Get a small idea of what it was like to have your entire life determined by your skin color. Documentary pieces of film, texts, sound clips, and live accounts recapture life in the old South Africa. It’s a journey you’re unlikely to forget in a hurry.
DAY NINE – JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA / VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE
Transfer to the airport for your scheduled flight to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
After clearing Zimbabwe immigration formalities, exit into the arrivals hall, you will be met by a representative and transferred by private vehicle to your reserved hotel.
Later this afternoon, you will be collected and transferred to the Zambezi River for your sunset dinner cruise. Experience the grandeur above the falls as you sail upstream on the Zambezi Reflections, a floating restaurant. Celebrate the setting African sun, as you share in the end-of-day ritual, which sees wildlife head to the river for their last drink of the day. Bring a camera and create your golden memories.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Check into your 5 star accommodations. It is located only 2.5 miles from the majestic Victoria Falls.
Each of the luxurious air-conditioned rooms has uninterrupted views of the African bush. Additional amenities include a minibar, digital safe, international multi sockets, a beverage station including an espresso machine, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Enjoy the private lounge with a deck overlooking the game corridor of the Zambezi River. The lounge offers complimentary services such as private check-in and butler service, breakfast, afternoon tea and pastries, cocktails and snacks, Wi-Fi, shuttle service to the Falls and other points of interest in Victoria Falls. (BD)
DAY TEN – VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE
This morning join your shared tour of The Falls. It’s no surprise why Victoria Falls is one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World! You’ll understand it instantly as you tour the Zimbabwean side. This astounding gift of nature simply takes your breath away. Listen to the thunderous noise as millions of gallons of water surge over the falls into a series of narrow gorges below
Continue with an interactive visit to a local community. Learn the roles of both men and women in this society. Visit a homestead, interact with the locals, and observe their daily lives and culture.
There is a small curio shop here, filled with handcrafted items for sale created by extended family members of this homestead. Make sure you have room in your bag; you won’t want to leave empty-handed.
Return to your hotel, and the rest of the day is at your leisure.
DAY ELEVEN VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE / JOHANNESBURG / DEPART
Transfer to the airport for your scheduled flight to Johannesburg where you connect with your international departure flight.
Day 1 – Welcome to Australia!
After clearing immigration collect your luggage and proceed to Customs. After exiting Customs, turn right and you will be met by your private limousine driver who will be holding a sign with your name on it.
Check into your award winning prestigious, luxurious, sophisticated yet contemporary boutique accommodation, conveniently situated in one of Melbourne’s most historic areas.
Meet your private guide in the lobby. Your special interests can be customized by giving advanced notice. Begin a 4 hour tour of the city. Cost of parking and tram tickets included.
Experience the Royal Botanical Gardens, Federation Square, Sports Precinct, The National Gallery of Victoria, Ian Potter Gallery, The Shrine of Remembrance, Old Treasury Building, Parliament House, St Patrick’s Cathedral, St Paul Cathedral, famous laneways and arcades, street art, Brunswick St in Fitzroy, Lygon St (Little Italy) in Carlton, The Melbourne Museum, The Royal Exhibition Buildings (World UNESCO site), and the Queen Victoria Market (closed Mon & Wed).
Lots more- Your guide will show you as much or little as you choose.
Day 2 – On Your Own- Relax and Enjoy the city
Day 3 – Great Ocean Road Full Day with Lunch
Your driver will pick you up from your hotel to commence a full day Great Ocean Road Tour. Commence the scenic drive south west of Melbourne and onto spectacular views of the Southern Ocean known as the Surf Coast.
The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most spectacular coastal routes boasting wild and rugged coastline, soft sandy beaches and quaint towns.
Arrive at Split Point Lighthouse for a photo opportunity and coffee break (own expense). Wildlife in the area depending on the season may include whales, dolphins, kangaroos, echidnas and many different birds.
Arrive at Apollo Bay for lunch (own expense), then see koalas and kangaroos up close on the Eucalyptus Forest Walk at the renowned Great Ocean Road Ecolodge. Then visit the spectacular Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, the site of the most famous 19th century Australian shipwreck.
Tour concludes at approximately 7.00pm, at which time hotel drop off will commence.
Day 4 – On Your Own
Day 5 – Private transfer to airport- Meet your driver outside your hotel lobby unless otherwise noted. Please be ready and waiting 10 minutes prior to pick up time.
Arrive at your accommodation on the waterfront in the heart of Cairns, The ultimate place to stay for business or pleasure. The Marina Cairns is conveniently situated in the perfect seaside location, with uninterrupted panoramic views of spectacular Trinity Bay, world-class Marlin Marina and breathtaking mountain ranges allowing you to experience the tropical north at its best.
On the southern end of the vibrant Cairns Esplanade it is in a tranquil location, with the Pier Shopping Centre at its doorstep and within walking distance to the center of the city and shopping district. Just 10 minute walk from the Cairns Convention Centre and 10 minute drive from the Cairns International Airport.
Day 6 – Your day starts with a coach transfer from your Cairns hotel to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park where your Indigenous guide will show you around the park and demonstrations on Bush life.
Enjoy a buffet lunch before the short transfer to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Be amazed as you glide silently over the rainforest.
There are 2 stations en-route where you can alight and enjoy a walk through the rainforest to spectacular lookouts or visit the CSIRO Interpretive Centre.
On arrival in Kuranda there’s free time to explore on your own – visit the butterfly center perhaps or the local craft market then take the afternoon departure on the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Your Gold Class ticket includes dedicated host service, lounge style seating and quality refreshments as your journey winds through hand-hewn tunnels, across bridges and around curves, all the time appreciating what an amazing engineering feat it is.
Upon arrival at Freshwater Station, return to accommodation by coach. Duration: 7.15 Hours. Inclusions: Return hotel transfers, Kuranda Scenic Railway gift pack, refreshments on Kuranda Scenic Rail and admissions.
Gold Class Upgrade Inclusions: Dedicated host service, individual seating, moveable tub-style chairs, ambient, historical decor including timber looking flooring, historical photos and fans, quality refreshments including sparkling Australian wine, beer, orange juice, soft drink, ice water, appetizers and chilled towel during the journey, Kuranda Scenic Rail gift pack including pewter KSQ pin, pen, postcard and postage and souvenir Z-card(commentary companion)
Day 7 – On Your Own
Day 8 – Private transfer to Cairns Domestic Airport- Depart for Sydney
Arrive at Sydney International Airport – Private Transfer to your accommodations.
On Your Own – Relax and enjoy the city
Day 9 – Sensational Sydney City (Sea & Land)
Begin your day with a sensational morning tea cruise. A unique, two hour cruise experience. Enjoy the company of a small group aboard a 52 foot motor yacht. Your personal captain & host will share the rich history of Sydney Harbor and its foreshore as you take in the sites of the Sydney Harbor Bridge, the Sydney Opera House and the bays and coves of Sydney Harbor.
Enjoy lite morning tea with coffee, tea, juice, water and 5-star service. The cruise will conclude at approximately 12:00pm, allowing you 1 1/4 hours to enjoy luncheon on your own while exploring the historic Rocks area. The tour will resume at 1:30pm from the front of the Sydney Marriott. Visit Sydney’s trendy districts, superb coastal cliff walks and famous Bondi Beach. Your personal guide will entertain you along the way.
Day 10 – Sydney Opera House Tour & Tasting Plate
Discover insider secrets and stories of the Opera House, artists and performances, and step inside the iconic theatres and foyers that bring to life over 1800 performances each year. Departure Location: Welcome Centre, Lower Concourse level of Sydney Opera House See inside the world’s most recognizable sails and experience this miracle of architecture and engineering.
A work of art that came into existence against impossible odds, to become one of the busiest performing arts centers in the world. Working with new, rich audio-visual components, where images are projected onto the fabric of the building, your guide will take you on an emotional journey, engrossing you in a story to rival any opera plot with its dramatic twists and turns. Some 1,500 performances, from opera to circus, rock and cabaret, are staged each year to audiences of around 1.5 million.
After your tour, proceed to the Opera Kitchen which is located on the lower concourse between Kenji Restaurant and the Opera Bar. Enjoy a three-tier gourmet tasting plate, which can be enjoyed before or after the guided tour. Sit back and be spoiled for choice as you relish some of Sydney’s best cuisine and soak in the Sydney Harbor views. The perfect way to experience one of the world’s most stunning icons.
Total duration is approximately 2 hours (allow 1 hour for the Sydney Opera House Tour, and 1 hour to enjoy the tasting plate). Note: There are approximately 200 steps in the tour and participants are required to wear comfortable closed toed shoes
Day 11- On Your Own- Explore the city
Day 12- Private Transfer to Sydney International Airport
Depart for the U.S.
DAY 1
EMBARKATION – BORDEAUX, FRANCE
Embark the ship for your Taste of Bordeaux cruise. (D)
DAY 2
BORDEAUX – LIBOURNE
Take in the romance of Bordeaux as you pass iconic sights on a scenic morning cruise. Later in the day, dock in Libourne, a gateway to one of Bordeaux’s most elite wine regions. Join an excursion to Saint Émilion, known for its celebrated vineyards, and while here, explore the monolithic church carved out of one piece of limestone rock, and then go under the church to discover its catacombs and caves. Afterwards, enjoy a Grand Cru Classé wine tasting at either Château de Ferrand or Château de Pressac. Alternately, you can enjoy an excursion to Saint-Émilion solely to discover more of the small historic town. If you prefer a more active adventure, pedal through the vineyard-rich countryside to Saint-Émilion and then to Château Soutard for a Grand Cru Classé wine tasting. You can also choose to tour the magnificent Château Vayres, one of the most prestigious historic buildings of Aquitaine. (B,L,D)
DAY 3
LIBOURNE – BLAYE
The Libourne wine region, including Saint Émilion, Pomerol and Fronsac, is one of the major cradles of viticulture in the Bordeaux area, dating back to Gallo-Roman times. The first vines were planted in Fronsac two thousand years ago. In the 18th century, the wines of Fronsac enjoyed the best reputation in the Libourne region, selling for higher prices than their neighbors in Saint Émilion and Pomerol. Today, Fronsac includes several beautiful wine estates such as Château de la Dauphine, Château de la Rivière and Château Gaby. Here you will visit a cellar and taste local wines from one estate. (B,L,D)
DAY 4
BLAYE – BOURG
Once in Blaye, you can join a tour of its 17th-century citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a more active excursion, take a bike ride around Blaye. Later in the day, you can choose to bike from Blaye through the idyllic French countryside to Bourg. While in the ancient village of Bourg, take a walking tour and visit the Carriage Museum, which houses a wonderful collection of horse-drawn vehicles. Later in the day, experience the hospitality of this charming medieval village with an exclusive wine festival. Meet the local wine growers and taste the fruits of their labors as well as enjoy live French music and dancing. (B,L,D)
DAY 5
PAUILLAC
Pauillac, a lovely village on the Left Bank of the Gironde Estuary, is gateway to the famed Médoc region, renowned for producing some of the world’s finest Bordeaux wines. You will see some of the most beautiful and famous wine estates, including Château Latour, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Pichon Longueville. You’ll then visit either Château Gruaud Larose or Château Léoville Poyferré for a tasting of Grand Cru wines. Alternately, you can visit Lynch Bages, a quaint wine estate and village, followed by a wine and local specialties tasting. Or, enjoy a coast drive to Soulac-sur-Mer where you’ll see unique sights, such as the Statue of Liberty and the Cordouan lighthouse known to be the oldest in France. (B,L,D)
DAY 6
CADILLAC
Visit the impressive Castle of Roquetaillade, an amazingly preserved masterpiece of medieval military architecture owned by the same noble family for 700 years and travel to the Sauternes wine region to either Chateau de Rayne Vigneau or Chateau Guiraud to taste the highly prized golden-hued sweet wines produced here. For those wishing to explore more of the history on the decadent castles, you can enjoy a visit to the Roquetaillade castle and Cadillac castle. Or, pedal through the charming town of Cadillac for a guided bike tour. (B,L,D)
DAY 7
BORDEAUX
The breathtaking capital of the wine world, Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and classified as a “City of Art and History.” You’ll have an opportunity to experience much of the rich culture and architecture on a city tour followed by a visit to the famed indoor Les Halles de Bacalan market for a tasting of local specialties to please the palate. Bike enthusiasts will wish to join a tour along the city’s amazing network of bicycle paths. Depending on your interests, you have a choice from three excursions in the afternoon. Enjoy a visit to the immersive and interactive Bordeaux Wine Museum, housed in an awe-inspiring building. Alternately, be treated to a spectacular sound and light show, Les Bassins des Lumières. Or, explore the enriching city of Bordeaux at your own leisure. In the evening, enjoy a spectacular illumination cruise, gazing at the iconic structures of Bordeaux as they glow against the night sky. (B,L,D)
DAY 8
BORDEAUX – DISEMBARKATION
Disembark the ship and prepare for your flight home. (B)
Pre & Post Tour Available