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HIGHLIGHTS OF TOUR:

• THE CINQUE TERRE
  The Cinque Terre is a protected stretch of rocky coastline on the Riviera di Levante, which extends from Monterossa al Mare to Riomaggiore at its southeastern tip. The name refers to five dramatically situated villages that apparently cling to the very edge of vertiginous cliffs: Monterossa al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manorola and Riomaggiore. The villages were once only accessible by sea and today there is still no road that links them all.

• PORTOVENERE
  Named after Venus herself, Portovenere is one of the most romantic villages on the Ligurian coast with its cluster of narrow streets lined with pasted-colored houses. In the upper part of the village is the 12^th century church of San Lorenzo.

• PORTOFINO
  Portofino is the most exclusive harbor and resort town in Italy, crammed with the yachts of the wealthy. Above the town is the church of San Giorgio. Portofino is truly a painter/photographer?s paradise.

• SAN FRUTTUOSO
  Abbazia di San Fruttuoso, named after a 3^rd century saint whose followers were shipwrecked here and, according to local folklore, protected by three lions. The white abbey buildings, set among pines and olive trees, date mostly from the 11^th century.
  
  The Ligurian Sea, at the harbor cove of San Fruttuoso, is truly ?cerulean blue? and crystal clear.
  

• THE ISLAND OF GIGLIO
  The island was known even in ancient times. Archeological finds (arrowheads) dating from the Stone Age are now displayed in the Florence Archeological Museum. The island was also inhabited by the Etruscans, 800 BC, as witnessed by several archeological remains, the most famous relics of an Etruscan vessel recovered by a team from Oxford University, London, England. Our group will visit the Castello, circa 1000, which dominates the highest vantage point of the island. The Medieval town which exists within the castle walls is an inhabited and thriving village. A special lunch will be prepared, for our group, of local island cuisine.
  

• PITIGLIANO
  Pitigliano seems to be out of a fairytale and is spectacularly perched on a plateau high above cliffs carved out by the Lente River. The stone houses seem to grow out of the cliffs, which are riddled with Etruscan caves cut out of a soft limestone called ?volcanic tufa?.
  
  The Museo Etrusca, in the Medieval Castle Orsini, contains artifacts from ancient local settlements. Published writer and Etruscan guide, Carlo Rosati, will conduct on location lectures in the area of the Maremma for our group.
  

The Program Includes the Following:

• All accommodations include personally selected first class hotels with private bath/shower. Double Occupancy.
  
• Bus transfers to & from the airports will be provided to those who are arriving & departing at the designated times.
• Single room supplement is available.
• Private Motor Coach.
• 10 Buffet Breakfasts plus 6 dinners are included.
• Informative Travel Portfolio including city maps.
• Daily painting, sketching, photographing & exploring.
• Painting & sketching demonstrations & critiques.
• NON-ARTISTS will enjoy "Shop-Till-You-Drop " with Roberta Kritzia.
• A detailed itinerary will be provided to participants.

EARLY REGISTRATION IS YOUR ONLY GUARANTEE OF A SPACE ON THIS TRIP

A Deposit of $300 Will Hold Your Space

Mail checks payable to:

Personalized Travel
4618 E. Tumbleweed Drive
Cave Creeks, AZ 85331

Phone: (480) 907-7436
Fax: (480) 907-7482

Prices shown reflects payment by check or cash.

Shop-Till-You-Drop:

For the non-artists, the Shop-Till-You-Drop tour runs concurrent with this tour.

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