The Italian Campaign
Moscow - Stalingrad - Kursk
September 22nd - October 3rd, 2010

This unique tour will cover most of the areas Canadian troops fought for during WW II in central Italy. Famous battle sites such as Cassino, the Moro River, Ortona and the Gothic Line will be visited along with the grave sites of the “D-Day Dodgers” who gave their all and stayed in “Sunny Italy.” While the focus of the trip is battlefields, there is a tourism component where travelers will have the opportunity to explore areas such as the Amalfi Coast and Florence.
In addition to viewing the beautiful countryside, you will experience the food and culture of Italy.

ITINERARY

Day 1 -Sept. 22nd: Depart on your flight to Rome with dinner and breakfast served onboard.

Day 2 - Sept. 23rd: Upon arriving in Rome, you will board your coach for a brief orientation tour of the city before arriving at your hotel for dinner and an early night. Overnight - Rome. (D)

Day 3 - Sept. 24th: This morning your local guide will meet us at the hotel for a full day tour of Rome. You will be visiting the Vatican Museum to view the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica before touring Ancient Rome and the Colosseum. Dinner will be at a restaurant near your hotel. Overnight - Rome (D)

Day 4 - Sept. 25th: After breakfast, you will tour south to Anzio, with a visit to the Anzio Beachhead Museum, before touring onto the infamous Gustav Line and into the Liri Valley, where Allied troops fought vicious battles while on the march to liberate Rome. Your first stop will be in a museum atop Monte Leuci a strategic point captured by Canadian troops in 1943. After a brief stop in Pontecorvo, near the old Hitler Line, you complete your day by traveling to the town of Cassino, destroyed by the 1943 fighting, and rebuilt on higher ground, where you will have dinner and stay overnight. Overnight - Montecassino (B,D)

Day 5 - Sept. 26th: This morning you will travel to Caira, a small community to the north of Cassino and the grave site for nearly 24,000 German troops who died in the area. From here you visit the Commonwealth Cemetery in the town of Cassino before driving up the mountain above town to the Abbey on Montecassino. This famous landmark, built in 529 was destroyed in 1943, then rebuilt in the 1960’s and houses a beautiful chapel. While on the mountain you will visit the Polish obelisk and Sherman tank monument at Albaneto Farm before paying respect to the Polish soldiers buried in a scenic cemetery nearby. Tonight’s dinner will be at your hotel in Cassino. Overnight - Montecassino (B,D)

Day 6 - Sept. 27th: Today, you cross over the mountains and tour towards the Adriatic Coast to Campobasso which was Maple Leaf City where the Canadian Troops were able to enjoy a bit of R & R. You will be arriving into Ortona shortly where you will have dinner and overnight. Overnight - Ortona (B,D)

Day 7 - Sept. 28th: Today you will view the Moro River battlefield, the church at San Donato and the infamous Gully. You will take a circular route to Sterlin’s Castle, then Casa Berardi where Paul Triquet of the “Vandoo” Regiment won his Victoria Cross and to Cider Crossroads before you enter into Ortona. This town was the scene of terrible fighting involving the Loyal Edmonton Regiment and the Seaforth Highlanders carrying out their “mouseholing” technique against the 1st German Parachute Division. This evening dinner will be at a restaurant near your hotel. Overnight - Ortona (B,D)

Day 8 - Sept. 29th: This morning you will head north along the Adriatic Coast past Pescara, Ancona and Pesaro to Rimini. Along the way you will turn west to follow what was the German Army’s vaunted Gothic Line. Visits to Casinina to view old bunkers and a museum commemorating the Gothic Line, the cemetery at Montecchio, the Italian monument dedicated to Canadians at Tavullia and the cemetery at Gradara will make a full day. Tonight you will overnight and have dinner in Rimini. Overnight - Rimini (B,D)

Day 9 - Sept. 30th: After breakfast you will visit Coriano Ridge Cemetery which is mute testament to the fighting along the Gothic Line. The tiny nation-state of San Marino is nearby and a scenic panorama will be viewed from the mountaintop of the old, walled town. After a brief visit to the Ghurka Cemetery, you will have some time in the afternoon to roam the beaches of Rimini or shop in the town. Overnight - Rimini (B,D)

Day 10 - Oct. 1st: Your coach will take you into the Po Valley which was the last area of fighting for the Canadian 1st Division before being moved to France late in 1944. Visits to the villages of Piangipane and Villanova followed by a trip into the Futa Pass to see the 30,000 graves of the German Cemetery will round out your day. This evening you will have dinner at your hotel in Montecatini Terme near Florence. Overnight - Montecatini (B,D)

Day 11 - October 2nd: This morning you will meet your guide before embarking on a half day walking tour of the City of Florence, where the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria and Ponte Vecchio will be sites well-remembered. Late afternoon you will begin your journey back to Rome, where you will check in and enjoy your farewell dinner a restaurant near your hotel. Overnight - Rome (B,D)

Day 12 - October 3rd: After breakfast transfer to Rome Airport for your return trip back to Canada. (B) Meals and snacks will be served onboard.

PRICING

• $3490 CAD per person based on twin occupancy
• $2639 CAD LAND ONLY per person based on double occupancy
• $ 580 CAD single supplement

INCLUSIONS:

• Round trip air transportation from Toronto to Rome
• Breakfast and dinner daily
• Accommodations 3+ Plus and 4 Star hotels
• Luxury motor coach
• Experienced tour manager
• All entrances as per your itinerary
• Porterage

EXCLUSIONS:

• Lunches and drinks with meals
• Air Transportation taxes ( approx. $295)
• Gratuities to driver / tour manager
• Travel Insurance
• Passort Requirements