Villa Tacchi and Venice Carnival
Saturday 30 January 2016 (4 Days) 

Special Offer  
Only £349pp if you book online by Friday 13 November 2015
Full Price  £399

Hotel Tacchi is a 17^th Century Palladian style villa, set in beautiful parkland close to Vicenza. Although tucked away in  the Paduan countryside, Villa Tacchi is located in a strategic position, near the most beautiful and well-known venetian cities of art, such as Vicenza , Padua and Venice. In Vicenza you can enjoy a very special tour of the most refined architectural works by Andrea Palladio. These stunning ancient towns  are real gems in the Venetian countryside. Come and discover them with us …

We are very excited to be able to offer you the opportunity to visit the World famous Venice Carnival during your stay. On Sunday 31^st January, we are offering you the opportunity to visit the beautiful City of Venice and experience Venice Carnival . On the day we visit, the “Flight of the Angel” will take place. This traditional event goes back to the Serenissima period, where an unknown guest of Venice flies along a rope from San Marco bell tower to the middle of the square, and will offer homage to the Doge. They will be greeted by the audience in the square, many dressed in masks and period costumes.  This event marks the traditional opening of Venice Carnival.

Your Hotel  

Your hotel for 4 nights will be at the  4* Hotel Villa Tacchi. All en suite rooms are spacious and carefully furnished with typically Venetian classical furniture. The public areas are adorned with beautiful paintings and the grounds of the hotel have a small church and icehouse, built at the end of the 18^th Century with a typical dome on top.  The grounds include hundred year old trees such as cedars, beeches, poplars and magnolias.

All rooms have a mini bar, air conditioning, safe and TV.

The hotel is ideally located in the centre of the Veneto region, Venice is accessible from Vicenza, and the ancient towns of Padua, Vicenza, Cittadella & Basano del Grappa are close by.

The Villa's restaurant prepares typical regional dishes for lunch and dinner. The hotel also has a comfortable lounge bar.  Free Wi-Fi is available in the elegant lobby.

Visit the hotel at  :    http://www.villa-tacchi.com/home-3/ 

Optional trip to Venice Carnival    
Sunday 31^st January 2016                £69 per person
Includes
Return Travel from Villa Tacchi to Venice, 2 Hour Walking Tour with Local Guide, Venetian Ciccatti and Local Drink, Lots of Free Time to enjoy Venice Carnival

Includes

• Return flights to Venice Treviso from East Midlands
• Allocated seats on the plane
• One piece of cabin sized luggage, plus one small handbag per person
• Coach transfers between the airport & Villa Tacchi
• Three night’s accommodation at 4* Villa Tacchi
• Three course evening meal on 1^st night
• ¼ Bottle of Wine or ½ Litre of Water with Dinner on 1^st Night
• Buffet Breakfast each morning
• A visit to Vicenza with guided tour included
• A Finesse Travel Tour Manager
  

Flight Times :     
Outward:  09h35 –  12h45
return:      13h10  – 14h25

Cost:                        £399
Single Supplement:     £45
Hold Luggage:             £45
Door2Door Transfers:   £55 (Sheff/Roth areas only)
Deposit:                    £140

Treasures of Tuscany  & the Italian Riviera
Including Italy's stunning Cinque Terre!

Wednesday 27 April 2016 (5 Days)

Book online by Friday 13 November for just £379pp

Tuscany has been long famed for its enticing mild climate and picturesque scenery. It has an abundance of olive groves, terraced vineyards, lemon trees, beautiful gardens and a coastline dotted with chic resorts and quaint fishing villages.

Close by is the dramatic Ligurian Coast and the fascinating Cinque Terre with its amazing villages of colourful houses precariously balanced between the sea and sky. You can also explore, the history and culture of Pisa, Lucca and Florence - Tuscany's most famous cities - all within easy reach of our selected accommodation.

This superb holiday takes in some of Italy's most beautiful Mediterranean coastline, together with the delightful scenery of Tuscany and the magnificent cities of Pisa, Florence and Lucca (optional trips by train).

Our short break offers a perfect blend of relaxation and exploration, with time at leisure at our base in Pisa, along with optional visits to the neighbouring cities of Florence, Lucca and the Cinque Terre.

Pisa is most famous for its Leaning Tower. It is a great experience to climb up a leaning building, challenging your own sense of balance. The climb has a lot of steps, but the experience and view are well worth it. Many visitors arriving at this university town visit the Piazza dei Miracoli, or Square of Miracles, where the tower, the cathedral and baptistery form the city's main attraction. Around the square's perimeter you'll also find the Camposanto, Opera del Duomo museum and Museum of the Sinopie which we also recommend visiting. A few blocks away, the Piazza dei Cavalieri once was the heart of power in the city and later the headquarters of the Knights of St. Stephen.

A highlight of our trip surely has to be a visit to the Cinque Terre, one of the best-kept secrets of the Italian Riviera and one of the most unspoiled areas of the Mediterranean. Cinque Terre became a Unesco World Heritage site in 1997 and offers one of the most beautiful coastlines as you’re likely to find anywhere in Europe. In medieval times the name “terra” (land) meant village and today Cinque Terre refers to the five colourful fishing villages which are perched precariously above the sea along this stunning stretch of coast.
It consists of 5 villages - Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.  Included in your 6 day break is a ticket for the local train, which stops at each village.  The villages in the Cinque Terre are only accessible by local train and can have hills and steps to negotiate, so may prove unsuitable for people with mobility problems.

Optional day trips by train

Florence  - The cradle of the Italian Renaissance, Florence is recognised as the art capital of the world. Built along the banks of the River Arno and surrounded by the Tuscan hills, it is here where you will find some of the finest sculptures, works of art and architecture including the magnificent Cathedral and Baptistry with its ‘Gates of Paradise’, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Ponte Vecchio. Why not hop on the local sightseeing bus to see the main sights.  Florence has an excellent shopping centre with a large range of Italian fashion, leather goods and shoes in the shops and boutiques.

Lucca - birthplace of Puccini, is a perfectly preserved medieval town, hidden behind its splendid Renaissance ramparts. It is a small, graceful town which makes it ideal for exploring on foot and a walk along the ramparts will reward you with lovely views of the narrow streets, elegant Palaces and Romanesque churches. The town is also noted for its medieval squares, particularly the unusual oval shaped main Piazza, which was originally a Roman amphitheatre.

Your hotel for 4 nights - 5* Abitalia Tower Hotel, Pisa
Just 15 minutes' walk from Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa, overlooking the Leaning Tower in the distance, the 5* Tower Plaza hotel offers an outdoor pool with hydromassage jets and furnished deck surrounded by a garden (pool is seasonal only – from July to September) .

Each air-conditioned room at the Abitalia Tower Plaza is decorated with modern furnishings and parquet floors. Each includes free Wi-Fi plus Sky channels. Staff at the hotel serve a generous buffet breakfast daily. The restaurant specialises in Tuscan cuisine and has an extensive list of wines, both from Pisa and around the world. The wellness centre includes a Turkish bath, sensory shower, and relaxation area. A small gym is also available.

The incredible price of £399 per person includes :

• Return flights to Pisa from East Midlands
• Allocated seating on board the plane
• One piece of cabin sized luggage per person
• Return transfers between the airport & hotel in Pisa
• Four nights accommodation at the 5* Abitalia Tower Hotel, Pisa*
• Free wifi access at the hotel
• Buffet Breakfast each morning
• City Taxes
• A Cinque Terre card to ride the train all day between the 5 villages in the Cinque Terre *
• A Tour Manager throughout your stay

* Train ticket from Pisa to La Spezia not included (about 15E return)

Flight times:
11h20 depart East Midlands, arrive Pisa at 14h40
15h05 depart Pisa, arrive East Midlands  at 16h25 

Cost:  £399pp
Deposit:  £140

Take a Great Weekend Break in Rome

Thursday 14 July 2016   

Special Offer Only £359pp if you book online by Friday 13 November

The historic capital of Italy, remains a firm favourite with tourists for a great city break who love the blend of ancient and modern attractions, not to mention the irresistible food found here, from fresh pizza to gelato. A haven of Roman remains, you will be overwhelmed by the impressive Colosseum, whilst buildings such as the Pantheon and Castel Sant’Angelo are also must-sees when you visit. And don't forget to make a wish by throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain!

If you're more into modern culture then you'll love seeing the MAXXI Museum, buying local art in Piazza Navona and shopping 'til you drop in the markets and boutiques.

Why take a Rome city break?
A city break to Rome offers a great holiday experience and is one of the must-see cities in the world.
Brimming with ancient history, fantastic restaurants and exclusive shops, you'll never want to leave the
romantic city of Rome!

Top Rome attractions:
The Colosseum is Rome's top tourist attraction and is nearly 2,000 years old. Be sure to
visit the holy Vatican City, home of the current Pope, and the awe-inspiring Trevi Fountain.

Who should go to Rome?
Couples will find it hard to resist the romantic air that a Rome city break offers. Families with older
children will also enjoy the cultural experience and the wide range of art galleries and parks to enjoy
spending time in.

Around every corner, there's further evidence of Rome's rich history: grand buildings line the street; elaborate statues take pride of place in flower-filled piazzas; and archaeological sites are preserved for all to see.

No Rome city break would be complete without a visit to Vatican City, the smallest independent state in the world. Definitely one of the most popular of attractions in Rome, and a must-see for most visitors, it's worth planning some time into your Rome itinerary to ensure you'll get to experience the Vatican's magnificent sights first-hand. Take the time to wander through the fascinating museums; marvel at the spectacular ceiling of the Sistine chapel; and admire the intricate details of St. Peter's Basilica.

Break up the sightseeing on your weekend break in Rome with a spot of shopping. Moments away from the Piazza di Spagna, Via Veneto is one of the most elegant streets in Rome and is where you'll find designer boutiques and gourmet restaurants. Those looking to relax a bit more on their Rome city break should head to one of the city's many cafés, where you can sit back with an Italian espresso and enjoy Rome's bustling atmosphere.

A weekend break in Rome can be enjoyed year-round. Take advantage of the smaller crowds throughout the winter months, or experience one of the many al fresco events that take place throughout the summer. With so much to see and do on a Rome city break, it's no surprise that many visitors choose to return year after year

4* Hotel Massimo D’Azeglio.
At the centre of everything, The Hotel Massimo D'Azeglio is close to everything: history, culture and able to satisfy our demanding customers. In the heart of Rome, is behind the Termini Station where you can go on foot or by public transport. If you wish to make just few steps back in time? Within minutes, six to the National Museum Romano, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Coliseum, the Trevi Fountain, Roman Forum and at the Opera Theatre. Since the end of 19th century, the hotel has welcomed guests in a classic setting and has preserved the original “Fin de Siecle” ambience and style.

The Massimo d’Azeglio has hosted many illustrious historical figures: the King of Serbia, the air force hero Francesco Baracca, Benito Mussolini, General Diaz, Louis Armstrong, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Fausto Coppi, Mascagni and many others. The allusions to the Risorgimento are countless. The hotel contains an important collection of original painting

Hotel website: http://www.romehoteldazeglio.it/en

Includes

• Flights from East Midlands
• Resort Transfers
• 3 Nights Bed & Breakfast
• 4* Hotel Massimo D'Azeglio (walking distance to most attractions)
• 1 Item of Cabin Baggage (10kg per person)
• Airport Taxes
• Tour Manager

Not Included:  City Tax (18 euros per person, payable locally)

Flight Times:
Outward: TBA
Return:    TBA

Door2Door Transfers are only available from Rotherham/Sheffield areas