WE LOVE EUROPE

Part One: Italy by the WaterMarch 7, 2019

Italy (Italia)

Italy (Italia)

• 123 hotels• 37 cities • Over 275 private tours• From Sicily to Amalfi

Coast, Rome, Florence, Lake Como and Venice

Italy (Italia)

Italy – Quick Facts!

• Italian, a new concept.

• Campanilismo (loyalty to your Bell Tower)

• Italian culture is steeped in the arts, family, architecture, music, and amazing food

• Home of the Roman Empire and a major center of the Renaissance, culture on the Italian peninsula has flourished for centuries.

• Italy has given rise to a number of architectural styles.

• Italy was not united under one law and considered a single country until 1861

• The major religion is Roman Catholicism

• Third most visited country from the US

• Most visited remain Florence, Rome and Venice

• 50 places inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Cultural sites

Italian way of life

• La bella figura “the beautiful figure”

• Il dolce di far niente “the sweetness of doing nothing”

• Life's foundation: Family and Community

• Passion for food and wine

• No Cappuccino after 12pm!

• A Warm Benvenuto

• Full of contradictions

• Beautiful Chaos!

Life on the water (La vita Sull’acqua)

• Italy is a peninsula surrounded by water

• A port for centuries, trade and ideas

• The Lakes

• Fishing villages and harbors

• Pristine beaches and the Riviera

• Aqueducts – masters of water

• Insalata di Mare

Welcome to Italy’s South (Benvenuti nel sud d’Italia)

Sicily (Sicilia)

Sicily (Sicilia)

• Sicilian first, Italian second.• Roman occupation began in 600BC.

Normans, Saracens, Arab-Sicilians, and many others have left their mark.

• Quintessential Italian customs and attitudes.

• Exotic and intensely Italian thrills. • Rural setting – more adventure!• Idyllic seaside Villages – Taormina and

Palermo.• Fly into PMO or CTA• Best times to visit? April – June, September

and October

Insider Tips!• Stay a week, or more, if you can • Do a road trip• Latte di mandola (almond milk)• Conversate – friendliest people

in Europe• Fichi di India (cactus fruit) • Italy’s best street food

Palermo Cathedral (Cattedraledi Palermo)

Palermo• Sicily’s intense capital• Nearly all destroyed during WW2• Thriving marketplaces abound• Divine pizza• Don’t tour Palermo – live in it• Very few tourist “sights” – which means it

lacks tourist crowds• Top Sites in Palermo: Cappella Palatina,

Teatro Massimo, Museo Archaeologico, Mercato di Ballaro, Fontana Pretoria

Piazza Pretoria

Taormina

• Mama Mount Etna.• Take a dip in the crystal clear water• Part of the “Grand Tour” – Old World Resort

Town• Ride a Cable Car to the beach• Under Spanish Occupation• A place to relax and unwind. • Top Sites in Taormina: Mount Etna, Greek

Theater of Taormina, Isola Bella, Palazzo Covaia, Taormina Castle.

Greek Theater of Taormina

Isola Bella

• Walk or take a cable car• Hop on a boat to explore the coves

5 Stars• Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo, Taormina • Belmond Villa Sant'Andrea, Taormina • Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte hotel

4 Stars• Grand Hotel Villa Igiea Mgallery by

Sofitel

Coming soon…NH Collection Taormina

Classic Vacations Preferred Hotels – Sicily (Sicilia)

Puglia

Puglia

• The Florence of the South.• Forms the “boot”. • Hundreds of miles of

Mediterranean coastline. • Capital is Bari.• Everything an Italophile craves. • Seas of olives and olive green seas!• Don’t like crowds? Come here….but

do it quickly!!

Puglia – Area

Puglia – Towns

Trulli

Insider Tips!

• Exceptional seafood – Brindisi. • Best restaurant – “Grotta Palazzese” in Polignano

A Mare• Want a private beach? Torre Cuaceto in Brindisi

5 Stars• Borgo Egnazia, Savelletri di Fasano,

Brindisi• Masseria Torre Maizza, a Rocco Forte

hotel, Savelletini di Fasano

4.5 Stars• Canne Bianche – Lifestyle hotel, Canne

Di Fasano

Classic Vacations Preferred Hotels - Puglia

Sample Itinerary – The South

• Fly into BDS and stay 4 nights in Puglia.• Take a quick flight to Taormina and stay

3 nights on the beautiful seaside. • Rent a car and cruise to Palermo for 3

nights, getting the most out of Sicily!

Ischia

Ischia

Ischia

• The island was an important stop on the trade route from Greece and Northern Italy in the 8th century

• Lesser known Capri• Castello Aragonese• Eating and drinking! Seafood and even

rabbit• Rucolino• On the calmer south coast, the car-free

perfection of Sant’Angel• Best time to visit? April – October• Fly into NAP. Hour long ferry from Port

of Naples

Mystery of the Thermal Waters

• A volcanic island• 103 hotel springs and 29 fumaroles – the

highest of any spa destination Europe• A wellness retreat for 1000 years

Insider Tips!

• The country in itself is an “insider tip”.• “My Brilliant Friend” on HBO – go

before it becomes popular!• Giardinia La Mortella• Moronti Beach (on the southern coast).• Best bars - North-coast towns of Ischia

Porto, Ischia Ponte, Casamicciola Terme, Forio and Lacco Ameno.

4.5 Stars• Terme Manzi Hotel &

Spa

Classic Preferred Hotel - Ischia

Spice up your Amalfi Coast Itinerary!

• Remember, Ischia is just a quick Ferry ride from Naples! Easily add in 2 days in Ischia on your Amalfi Coast itinerary.

Versilia

Versilia

• Tuscany is named after its pre-Roman inhabitants, theEtruscans.

• Populonia – the only seaside town in the EtruscanTerritory.

• Golden Beaches and night life.• Shops and restaurants along the sea front.• Mild climate year round.• Fly into PSA or FLR– within an hour of Florence

Viareggio

• Carnival• Torre del Lago and the Puccini Festival• Liberty Style Viareggio Promendade• Beaches, Nightlife• Visit Pietrasanta (only 20 mins by car) the land

of artists and marble workers.• Massaciuccoli Lake area (15 mins by car).• Seasonal? Not really!

Massaciuccoli Lake Area

Classic Vacations Preferred Hotel -Viareggio

4 stars• Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte

Forte dei Marmi

• A must visit for those who love the seaand high fashion.

• Best known for its beaches.• Chicest town in Tuscany!• Famous Pier (built in 1876).• Major trading city since the 16th

century (marble quarries).• Famous festivals of Saint Hermes and

Saint Francisi.• Fly into PSA or FLR.

Classic Vacations Preferred Hotels – Forte dei Marmi

4.5 star• Hotel Byron

Day Trips Galore!

• Florence, Lucca, Pisa, Torre del Lago.• Pisa – 25 mins by car/Train• Lucca – 25 mins by Car/Train• Florence – 1hr 23 min by Car/Train• Cinque Terr - 1hr 23 mins by car

Experiences and Insider Tips!

• Cinque Terre - Go at night,evening, or early morning.

• Vernazza• Enjoy the Cinque Terre Trails.• Dolphin watching in

Viareggio!

Spice up your Rome/Florence/Venice Itinerary!

• Add a few nights in the Tuscan Seaside: • See Cinque Terre• Relax on the beach and get over jet lag before heading off into

the busy Florence City Center.

Portofino Coast (Costa di Portofino)

Portofino Coast (Costa di Portofino)

Portofino Coast (Costa di Portofino)

• Encompassing Santa Margarita Ligure, Portofino,and Rapallo.

• Quintessential fishing villages and the mostpicturesque harbors.

• Voted as one of the top 15 most beautiful placesin the world.

• Haven for artists and celebrities throughouthistory.

• The Italian Riviera.• The statue of Christ of the Abyss.

Portofino Coast Experiences

• Enjoy custom tours from Rapallo, Portofino, andSanta Margherita Ligure!

• Full day tour to explore Cinque Terre!• A coffee in the “Piazzetta” in the heart of Portofino.• Visit to the church of St. George and Castello

Brown.• Luxury Shopping.• Take a walk among the Celebrities’ Villas.• Hiking in the Portofino Regional Park.• Visit the amazing Cervara Abby.• Outdoor activities in the Portofino Marine Reserve.

Insider Tips!

• Best harbourside dining? Ristorante Puny!• Perch with a view and good seafood? Caffe

Excelsior.• Explore at night or in the early morning.

Classic Vacations Preferred Hotels -Portofino Coast (Costa di Portofino)

5 star• Belmond Hotel Splendido (Portofino)4.5 Star• Excelsior Palace Hotel (Rapallo)• Grand Hotel Miramare (Santa Margherita Ligure)

Sanremo

Sanremo

Sanremo

• The ORIGINAL Riveria.• Alternative to South of France• Pre and Post port of call• 1 hour from Monaco - Between

Genoa and the French Boarder• Italy’s own Monte Carlo• Combine for a South of France

itinerary or road trip!• Not seasonal – mild weather year

round!• Top sites: La Pigna, Modonna della

Costa Sanctuary, the Gardens ofQueen Elena and Casino Sanremo.

Experiences and Insider Tips!

• Carnival• The Italian Song Festival• Visit Doria Castle – a world away

from the glitz of the coast• Best beach? The Ponti.• Get lost in La Pigna.• A place for exiles?

Classic Vacations Preferred Hotel –San Remo

4.5 star• Royal Hotel Sanremo

Lake Como (Lago di Como)

Lake Como

Lake Como (Lago di Como) or Honeymoon Country (Lunda di Miele)

• Equal parts scenic wonderland and celebrity hangout.

• A leisure capital since the early days of the Roman Empire - a favorite of the Roman Elite.

• One of Europe’s deepest lakes. • Beaches, boats, skiing and cuisine!• 2 Hours from the Swiss Boarder.• Seasonal (April to October). • Fly into MXP.

Lake Como (Lago di Como) Experiences

• Cernobbio

• Villa Balvianello

• Villa Carlotta

• Villa Monastero

• Bellagio

• Boat Trips

• Lake Cruise

• Basilica di Sant’Abbondio

• Como Cathedral

• Varenna

• Tremezzo

Lake Como Tours

• Custom Tour • Lugano• Milan Day Tour• Stresa Tour• Sirmone Tour• Lake Como by Boat

Insider Tips!

• Varenna – a one hour train ride from Milano• Traditional steamers connect the towns. • Dinner at “Locanda dell’Isola Comacina” or “Il

Gatto Nero in Cernobbio”

Classic Vacations Preferred Hotels -Lake Como (Lago di Como)

5 star• Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como• Grand Hotel Tremezzo• Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, Bellagio• Villa D’Este, Cernobbio

4.5 Star• Hotel Villa Flori, Como

4 Star• Albergo Terminus Como• Grand Hotel Imperiale Resort & Spa,

Moltrasio• Palace Hotel, Como

Live like a local! IC Bellagio Villas, Lake Como

IC Bellagio Villas, Lake Como

Venice (Venezia)

Venice (Venezia)

Venice (Venezia)

• A city in Northeastern Italy, situated across a group of 118 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by bridges.

• Was an independent republic from the 8th

century to 1797.• Best Travel Months: April, May, June,

September, October and Carnival!• Gondola Rides! • Vaporeti.• Top Sites include: St. Mark’s Square, St.

Mark’s Basilica, Doges Palace, Rialto Bridge, Correr Museum, Accademia, Murano Glass Factory.

Islands, Islands, Islands! (Isole, Isole, Isole!)

• 118 Submerged islands• Murano• Lido• Burano• Torcello

Venice Experiences

• St. Mark’s Square• St. Mark’s Basilica• Doge’s Palace• Rialto Bridge• Gondola Ride!

Venice Tours

• Secrets of Doge’s Palace• Jewish Venice Tour• St. Mark Square’s Clock Tower• Accademia Galleries and Guggenheim

Collection• Grand Canal Private Boat Tour• Trip to Murano Glass Factory• Venetian Cooking Class

Insider Tip!

• Café near Basilica San Marco• Venice at night!• Small town life – explore the core

town. • Wonderful art – in situ art. • Wonder to the edge of Venice. • No euro for a Gondola? Try a traghetto

Basilica Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

5 Stars• Aman Venice• Baglioni Hotel Luna• Belmond Hotel Cipriani• Ca’Sagredo Hotel• Hotel Daniele, a Luxury Collection Hotel,

Venice• The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection

Hotel, Venice

4.5 Stars• Bauer Palazzo• Hotel Londra Palace• JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa• SINA Centurion Palace• The Westin Europa and Regina

Classic Vacations Preferred Hotels – Venice (Venezia)

4 Stars• Hotel Ai Reali• Hotel L’Orologio Venezia• Hotel Metropole Venice• Hotel Palazzo Giovanelli and Gran Canal• Palace Bonvecchiati

3.5 Stars• Savoia & Jolanda

Sample Itinerary – The North

• Fly into and out of MXP (Milan)• Transfer or train to Lake Como for 3 Nights

stay.• Transfer or Train to Portofino Coast for 2

Nights. • Transfer or Train to Venice for 3 nights.• Back to Milan for 1 night before departing.

How far do the waters go?

Benvenuto a Roma (Welcome to Rome!)

Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi)

Aqueducts & Appian way

Ostia Antica

5 Stars• Baglioni Hotel Regina• Hotel Eden, Dorchester Collection• Hotel de la Ville, a Rocco Forte hotel• Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte hotel• Hotel Hassler Roma• The St. Regis Rome

4.5 Stars• Grand Hotel Palace• Grand Hotel Via Veneto• Parco dei Principi Grand Hotel & Spa• Hotel Majestic Roma• Hotel Splendide Royal Rome• Palazzo Naidi, Autograph Collection• SINA Bernini Bristol• Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese• The First Roma• The Westin Excelsior Rome

Classic Vacations Preferred Hotels – Rome (Roma)

4 Stars• Grand Hotel de la Minerve• Hotel d'Inghilterra• Hotel degli Artisti

3.5 Stars• Empire Palace Hotel• Hotel Capo d’Africa• Hotel dei Mellini• The Inn at the Spanish Steps• Residenza di Ripetta

Europe Team – Ciao!

Bonty Escallon (based in Athens): Director of Europe Product Development

Ivana Tudic (Product Manager based in London): Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France & Monaco, Hungary, Ireland, Italy Chain hotels, Scotland

Joanie Maro (Product Manager based in San Jose/CA): Italy Independent Hotels, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Villas in Italy, Rail Europe and Scenic Cruises

Vittoria Cusimano (Associate Product Manager based in Athens): Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, The Netherlands, Switzerland

What we have - Everything!!!

Preferred Contracted Classic Vacations Luxury and Boutique

Hotels across 20 European countries

Contract and Published Air

Luxury TransfersPrivate Villas

Luxury CruisesPre and Post Cruise Packages Rail Europe

Always evolving to fit YOUR needs

European Campaigns 2019

• 44 participating properties

• 3 countries, 13 cities

Added values:

Bottle of Champagne, complimentary meal, Spa or F&B credit, transfers and more

• 123 participating properties

• 9 countries, 40 cities

Added values: Complimentary meal, F&B or Spa credit, bottle of champagne, complimentary transfer and more

• 30 top tier 5-Star participating properties

• 7 countries, 15 cities Added values:Bottle of champagne, complimentary meal, Spa or F&B credit, transfers and more

Traveling to and from Europe!

▪ Major airlines from U.S. gateway cities to all major cities in EuropeIberia Airlines

Alitalia KLM

American Airlines LOT Polish

Air Canada Lufthansa

Air France

Austrian Airlines Norwegian Air

British Airways Swiss

Brussels Airlines TAP Portugal

Delta Airlines Turkish Airlines

Emirates United Airlines

Finnair US Airline

Virgin Atlantic

▪ Water transfers are available in Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Santorini, Crete, Ischia and Capri.

▪ Rail Europe

▪ VIP Transfers added in various EU cities

▪ Over 700 tours in Europe

▪ Many tours include private transfer to and from the hotel

▪ Professional, English speaking driver

▪ Professional guide/escort

▪ Best way to get to know Europe

Tours and Activities

Upcoming Webinars…

Grazie mille!

Reservations: 1.800.221.3949 www.classicvacations.com/travel-agent/login

The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel25th February 2018

Location

In the shadows of the Pantheon

Steps away from the Trevi Fountain

Pigna Neighbourhood

Urban Gateaway

Contemporary Roman Elegance

Exclusive Boutique

79 Rooms & Suites

Classic Room

Junior Suite 2 Double

Pantheon Suite

Urban Spa Suite

Dioniso Terrace Suite

Indirect references to the Pantheon

Iconic artworks and Technology

Divinity Terrace

Divinity Restaurant

Divinity Terrace Lounge Bar

Divinity Terrace

Breathtaking views of Rome

Gourmet Restaurant opening soon

Exclusive Features & Amenities

• Walking distance to main

attractions

• The only 5 star hotel in

Contemporary style located in the

Pantheon area

• Breakfast with unforgettable views

• Breath-taking rooftop terrace

• Manet phone in all rooms with free

wi-fi and International phone calls

• Variety of Suites with different

features for all needs

Exclusive Amenities when booking

via Classic Vacations for 2018:

• Welcome Letter upon arrival

• In room Home-made cookies or

Strawberries with chocolate

• Welcome Drink upon arrival served

at our panoramic Divinity Terrace

Lucky Winner!

Lucky Winner!

For the first Travel Agent

that reaches the revenue

of €5.000 for bookings at

The Pantheon Iconic Rome

Hotel from now till

December 31 2019, we will

be glad to offer a 2 night

complimentary stay at The

Pantheon Hotel with

Breakfast included (travel

period 2020).