Personal Touch Travel - October 2022

Contact Info

Name:  Marie Forbes - Personal Touch Travel

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Group Size:  36 pax for the cruise, with 26 pax that  will continuing to Venice 

Luggage Allowance:  1 suitcase and 1 carry on per person

Ship Schedule:  Celebrity Edge 

Ports highlighted in yellow will be on your own

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy (02 Oct d1700); Chania, Crete (04 Oct 1030-1900); Rhodes, Greece (05 Oct 0800-1900); Santorini, Greece (06 Oct 0700-2200); Mykonos, Greece (07 Oct 0700-1700); Istanbul, Turkey (08 Oct 1100(+1)1300); Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey (10 Oct 0900-1700); Piraeus (Athens), Greece (11 Oct 0530-1800); Naples, Italy (13 Oct 0700-1830); Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy (14 Oct a0500)

CURRENCY:  Prices shown are in EURO  currency. As of July 2022 1 EUR is worth 1 USD.

ROME October 1 - Airport to Hotel TRANSFER                   

FIRST PICK UP WILL TRANSFER BY BUS  TOTAL 30 pax 

FLIGHT: United Airlines lands at 7:45am

DROP OFF: Doubletree Rome monti

INCLUSIONS: Travel in air conditioned bus, Licensed professional driver, Licensed English speaking escort will meet you at the exit of the security area. The escort will hold a sign with “Personal Touch Travel”

SECOND PICK UP WILL TRANSFER BY VAN  TOTAL 3 pax 

Your driver will meet you at the exit of the security area holding a sign with the Personal Touch Travel name.  The driver will arrive according to the latest flight schedule (the 11:20 am)

Bernice VanPelt & Jackie Fenwick, arrives at 11:20 from Paris CDG Ft# 8726 Delta Airlines

Sharon Bullock = Delta, arrive in FCO from Atlanta (ATL), Ft # DL0066 at 11am.

THIRD PICK UP WILL TRANSFER BY VAN  TOTAL 3 pax

Your driver will meet you at the exit of the security area holding a sign with the Personal Touch Travel name.  The driver will arrive according to the latest flight schedule (the 11:40 am)

Sheila Mellowes, arrives at 11:15 from Toronto YYZ Ft# Air AC890 Canada

Tanya Thompson Delta Airlines, arrives at 11:20. Flying on Delta Airlines, from Paris (CDG), Ft # 8726

Steven Figueroa  arrives at 11:40. Flying on ITA from (MIA), Ft # AZ631

DROP OFF: Doubletree Rome monti

INCLUSIONS: Travel in air conditioned van, Licensed professional driver will meet you at the exit of the security area. The driver will hold a sign with “Personal Touch Travel”

ROME October 1 - Guided tour of Vatican, Colosseum and heart of Rome

EUR 38 per person for Vatican tickets and headphones will have to be paid in advance (prior to your Rome arrival) as we need to buy the skip the lines tickets.

Pick up Hotel Doubletree Monti at 2:30 pm

INCLUSIONS: Vatican skip the lines entrance tickets, Travel in 3 vans with English speaking drivers + one Licensed English speaking guide.

ITINERARY:

Walking tour of Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, Saint Peter’s Basilica and St Peter's square

Picture stop to visit the Colosseum and Roman Forums from the outside, continue to visit the Pantheon, Navona Square and Trevi fountain. The group will also drive by Venice Square, Il Vittoriano (no stop). Note as of now on Sundays entering the Pantheon requires a reservation

ROME October 1 - 4/ 5 hours chauffeured tour of best of ROME 

Pick up at Hotel Doubletree Monti at 3:00 pm

INCLUSIONS: Travel in air conditioned vans with English speaking chauffeur.

Tour Highlights:

• picture stop at the Colosseum and Roman Forums.

• Venice Square where you will admire the tomb of the Altar of the Fatherland or Altare della Patria and the balcony

•  where Benito Mussolini spoke to the italian people and made the speech of the declaration of World War II. Stop here to see the Forum from above at the Capitoline hill

• Trevi Fountain

• Spanish Steps and Spanish Square 

• Pantheon

• Navona Square

• Drive by Castel Sant'Angelo and the bridge picture stop

• Possibly drive on Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II

ROME October 2 - Bus transfer to Civitavecchia port with Castle picture stop

Pick up at Hotel Doubletree Monti at 10 or 10:30 am

INCLUSIONS: 

• Travel in an air conditioned bus with an Italian speaking driver.

• Transfer to Civitavecchia port by bus. 

• Stop at the stunning (you can stop 30 minutes up to 2h) Santa Severa fortress Castle which is right on the ocean. 

SANTORINI October 6 - Private 5 Hours Guided Shore Excursion 

Santorini, Greece  ship schedule (06 Oct 0700-2200); 

INCLUSIONS: Travel in a modern, comfortable vehicle . Knowledgeable professionals walk along local guide. Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points. 

EXCLUSIONS: Tickets for the cable car  to reach meeting point (€6 per person payable on site). Wine Tasting: 5 different wines with snacks (€18 per person payable on site). Lunch, drinks, and gratuities.

DURATION:  5 hours.

STARTING TIME: 9:00 am.   NOTE: Reaching the meeting point may take considerable time due to possible long lines at the cable car in Fira. We suggest heading out for the meeting point as soon as possible. 

MEETING POINT: you will be picked up at the top exit of the cable car in Fira at 9:00 am. Your guide will meet you holding a sign with Personal Touch Travel. 

Tour Description (Itinerary may be reversed or rearranged by driver as needed):

• The tour begins with a scenic journey to Oia, admiring the panoramic view of the Aegean Sea and neighboring islands along the way. The village of Oia is situated on top of a hill which offers a breathtaking view over the volcanic caldera of Santorini. This beautiful village with its narrow streets, traditional whitewashed houses, and blue domed churches provides a picture-postcard vision of the Greek Island.

• Enjoy the stunning views in the village of Imerovigli, situated on a higher cliff. In front of the village is an enormous rock called Skaros, which used to be the best spot to look out for pirates.

• On the way, we will make a short stop in Firostefani to see the famous Blue Dome Church, the subject of so many Santorini postcards.

• Make your way to the peak of Prophet Ilias, Santorini’s highest mountain that stands some 2000 feet above the sea. Be amazed by the island vistas around you and follow your guide inside the ornate Greek Christian monastery perched at the mountain’s summit.

• Visit the village of Pyrgos, the old capital of the island, take a guided walk along the narrow paths to the ruins of the Venetian castle.

• Taste rare wine varieties in the traditional winery of Venetsanos family. Viniculture is an ancient art in Santorini, thanks to the volcanic soil. Learn the secrets of winemaking and enjoy the tastes of the famous local wines. Optional wine tasting includes 5 different wines with snack (€18 per person payable on site)

• Make your way to the Black Beach of Perivolos, located on the southern coast of the Island. Enjoy an optional lunch there; our professional guide will be on hand to recommend the best restaurants to dine.

Itinerary details are indicative and may need to be changed by the driver in case of heavy traffic or any other unforeseen situation. If a particular condition, needing a change in itinerary, should arise, your driver would explain the situation and provide you with alternative suggestions.

ISTANBUL October 8 - Full day best of Istanbul private guided tour 

Ship schedule Istanbul, Turkey (08 Oct 1100 to 09 Oct 1300)

Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia,Blue Mosque,Hippodrome,Grand Bazaar

entrance tickets EUR 25 per person payable on site

Pick up time: 12:00 pm

Duration: 7h tour

Your guide will be waiting to meet you at the port. After you’ve been welcomed, your guide will take you to Topkapi Palace. It has been the official residence of Ottoman Sultans and the center of the state administration. Topkapi Palace has been a museum since 1924 and exhibits sacred Islamic relics, a kitchen, Chinese Porcelain, weapons, a calligraphy section, a harem, and an imperial treasury. One of the most important pieces is Spoonmaker’s Diamond which is the 7th biggest diamond in the world!!

Your next stop is Hagia Sophia. It is one of the greatest marvels of architecture. Hagia Sophia was constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian. It was the biggest church in the world for a hundred years. Right now the 4th biggest church in the world. Hagia Sophia was opened as a museum in 1935.

After Hagia Sophia, your next stop is the Blue Mosque which is facing Hagia Sophia. Blue Mosque is famous for its blue Iznik Tiles and is unique with 6 minarets. The mosque was built in the name of Sultan Ahmet.

The next stop is the Hippodrome square, the center of sporting events and political activities in the old city. Serpentine Column, Obelisk of Theodosius, and German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments decorating the Hippodrome.

Your last stop is the Grand Bazaar. It was built in 1461 as the most attractive shopping center and the biggest ” souk ” in the world with nearly 4000 shops selling antiques, jewelry, gold, ceramic, leatherware, carpet, and souvenirs.

ISTANBUL October 9 - Half day Dolmabahce Palace and Pierre Loti Hill

Ship schedule Istanbul, Turkey (08 Oct 1100 to 09 Oct 1300)

entrance tickets EUR 25 per person payable on site

Pick up time: 8:00

Duration: 4 hours

Your guide will be waiting to meet you at the port. After you’ve been welcomed your guide will take you to visit the PIERRE LOTI HILL. The hill was named after the French novelist and naval officer Pierre Loti who visited Istanbul several times and stayed many years. We will enjoy a flyover by Cable Car taking in the beautiful views all the way down from the hill.

Next we will go to the Dolmabahçe Palace which is one of the most glamorous palaces in the world. Dolmabahce Palace was built between 1843 and 1856 and was ordered by Sultan Abdülmecit I. It was the administrative center of the late Ottoman Empire. After the Turkish Republic when Mustafa Kemal Ataturk came to Istanbul he stayed and welcomed his foreign guests at Dolmabahce Palace. Also, Ataturk spent his last time here.

KUSADASI October 10 - 4/5 hours private best of Kusadasi tour 

Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey ship schedule (10 Oct 0900-1700); 

entrance tickets EUR 22 per person payable on site

Ephesus Ancient City and House of Virgin Mary

Pick up time: 10:00

Duration: 4 to 5 hours

Your guide will be waiting to meet you at the port. After you’ve been welcomed your guide will take you to the House of the Virgin Mary on the top of the beautiful Solmissos Mountains. It is believed Mary spent her last days. After the House of the Virgin Mary, you’ll be driven to the Ancient City of Ephesus. A downhill walk with your guide will take you into the ruins of the Roman capital. Your route then takes you past the Bouleuterion, Temple of Domitian, Hercules Gate, Temple of Hadrian, The Celsus Library, and finally The Great Theater. 

We would like to introduce you to the local cultural aspects of Ephesus by showing handmade carpet and rug Art done through traditional weaving in the Cooperative village and you’ll enjoy many of Ephesus Ceramics as well.

ATHENS (Pireus) October 11 - Best of Athens guided excursion 

Ship schedule Piraeus (Athens), Greece (11 Oct 0530-1800)

entrance tickets EUR 30 per person payable on site

PICK UP: 8:00 am for a full day tour (8  hours approx.)

INCLUDES: Air conditioned transport by bus from Piraeus Port + Licensed professional tour guide provides guided walking tour of sites

NOTE: reaching the Acropolis requires walking along an inclined path not suitable for people with walking disabilities. This part can be optional.

Description

With this excursion you will have a complete visit to Athens. The private bus will take you to the major sights and highlights. The staff will meet you at your ship pier at the port of Piraeus and you will be escorted on board for the transfer to Athens. You will have short stops at the major highlights in order to visit them. Your tour guide will give you an explanation of each site. You will also have free time to have lunch and shopping in the Plaka district before getting on board again.

Proposed Itinerary  (may be reversed or rearranged as needed - subjected to changes due to local conditions)

• Stop at the Panathinaiko Stadium 

• Stop at the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian‘s Arch

• Stop at The Acropolis for a guided tour of all the sites in the area (requires uphill walk)

• Stop at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier to enjoy the changing of the Guard 

• Sightseeing of Athens center; Academy, University and National Library 

• Walk into Plaka District of Athens with free time for shopping and lunch

• Return to Piraeus cruise ship port before “All-aboard time”

Naples October 13 - Limoncello factory, Positano Panoramic, Amalfi, and Ravello Guided  tour

Ship schedule Naples, Italy (13 Oct 0700-1830)

(Optional) entrance tickets 7 per person payable on site

INCLUSIONS: bus tour with walk along private guide

Exclusions: entrance tickets, lunch and gratuities.

PICK UP: 8:00 am and drop off time at 5:00 pm

Tour Description

The Amalfi Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Sites and among the most visited destinations in Italy. 

• Pick up at port near your ship. 

• Drive to The Limoncello factory on your way to the Amalfi coast. We will stop for a tasting (no additional cost)

• Drive to Positano and stop for a panoramic overview of the town from above (picture stop).

• Continue driving to Amalfi along the panoramic winding road and stop for a visit to the town and its very beautiful duomo. Free time for a quick on the go lunch.

• Once we reach Amalfi we will continue our drive toward the hillside and reach Ravello. Ravello is one of the most famous and scenic tourist centers of the region, visited by many tourists from every country, attracted by the charm of its architecture and its beautiful villas. The main attraction of the city is without doubt Villa Cimbrone (entrance cost os EUR 7 payable on site), largely occupied by a huge park, decorated with statues, various antiquities, fountains, grottoes and culminating in a stunning panoramic view, called the Terrace of Infinity, offering landscapes of incomparable beauty of the gulf of Salerno.

• Drive back to the port.

Naples October 13 - Private Full Day Guided Excursion to Capri 

Ship schedule Naples, Italy (13 Oct 0700-1830); 

Transportation costs (2 way ferry + in island transportation) EUR 60 per person payable on site

INCLUSIONS: Official Licensed Guide service for a full private guided tour of the island. The guide will assist you in buying the transportation by ferry tickets and land transportation in the island 

EXCLUSIONS: Optional ViIla San Michele (€10 per person payable on site) recommended

PICK UP TIME: meet your guide at 8:00 am and walk to the ferry for an 8:35 departure to Capri

Tour Description

Enjoy a custom-designed guided shore excursion from any port in the bay of Naples, Sorrento, Salerno, Positano, Amalfi.You will meet your professional licensed guide right at your ship's pier for a full day personalized visit to Capri.

• Your guide will take you to the hydrofoil pier.

• While on your way to Capri your guide will plan with you the perfect day in Capri. Your guide is an expert in this area and is eager to customize shore excursions that reflect your unique travel interests while showing you the very best his homeland has to offer.

• Once in Capri you will be able to visit some or all of the following sites in the island to be coordinated directly with your guide.

  • Town of Anacapri  where from here you can reach the highest peak of the island the Monte Solaro 589 meters high above the sea level by chairlift for a spectacular view of the Gulf of Naples.

  • Stop at the Limoncello Factory Store for a tasting experience.

  • Optional Villa San Michele(€10 per person payable on site), built by Swedish writer Axel Munthe over Roman remains;

  • Wander the pedestrian area to the best view point for a great photo, some free time, shopping time, lunch time.

  • Town of Capri where you can walk along the small streets and the famous Piazzetta, the meeting point of celebrities.

  • Augustus' garden, a beautiful public garden situated at a point sheer overlooking the sea for a gorgeous view of the Faraglioni Rocks.

• Your guide will take you back to your ship making sure you arrive in perfect timing.

Itinerary details are indicative and may need to be changed by the driver in case of heavy traffic or any other unforeseen situation

ROME October 14 - Ship to Airport BUS TRANSFER ONLY                   

8:00 AM the driver will pick up 10 people at the ship for FCO US flights (United and Delta)

9:30 AM the bus driver will pick up 26 people at the ship and will take them to FCO for a flight to Venice (ITA airways at 1:30pm). Unfortunately the ship will not allow a later departure.

VENICE

NOTE for public transportation you will always use the Alilaguna orange line from “Guglie” stop (only 5 minutes walk from the Hotel Carnival Palace). Click on the map at the above link to see all the stops.

Venice October 14 - Airport to Hotel water taxi transfer

26 people will fly to Venice with a 1:30 flight.

3 water taxis will take the group to the Hotel Carnival Palace 

Venice October 14 - Evening Food (Chicchetti) and Walking tour of Venice

STARTING TIME: This is a private, customized walking and culinary tour of Venice.

Due to the size of the food location visited the group will have to be divided in 2 smaller groups and depart at different times. The first group will start at 5:30 pm, the second at 6:00 pm 

DURATION: 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

MEETING POINT:  You will meet your guide in Campo San Bortolomio (see on map), next to the Statue in the middle of the square.  The guide will be holding a sign with "Personal Touch Travel Food Tour".

To reach Campo San Bortolomio take the water bus to Rialto stop and walk to the square from there.

END OF TOUR: The tour will end at Campo Santa Margherita (see on map)

INCLUSIONS: walking tour of Venice with your own private guide, food at several different stops and gelato

NOT INCLUDED: Drinks. Everybody would be free to make their own selection. However your guide will suggest a glass of wine at one of the food stops, and a “venetian spritz” at another food stop. The cost for those 2 drinks would be a total of EUR 10 per person payable on site.  

DESCRIPTION: Explore Venice like a Venetian! 

Venice has a food culture quite unlike anywhere else in Italy.  On this tour, you'll get to the heart of the city through its stomach, and sample the famous venetian cicchetti (typical tapas eaten by locals and accompanied by wines or “spritz” drinks) while on an evening walking tour.

Along this walking tour we will visit some of the best local "osteria" to taste cicchetti (venetian tapas).

Highlights:

• Rialto Bridge

• Grand Canal

• Campo Santa Margherita

• San Paolo district with Marco Polo’s home

• Basilica dei Frari

• Food Stops - Throughout the walking tour we will make several stops (3 or 4 different ones) where we will flavor the venetian cicchetti. Before the end of the tour we will make a final gelato stop.

Venice October 15 - 2.5 Hours Private Walking Tour with Basilica

EUR 16 per person for entrance tickets payable on site

Ticket costs include St. Mark Basilica skip the line tickets + Pala d’Oro viewing + audio-sets to hear the guide better

SCHEDULE:  you can choose the starting time between the following options: 9:00am - 11:00am - 2:00pm - 2:30pm - 3:00pm - 3:30pm - 4:00pm- 4:30pm - 5:00pm - 5:30pm - 6:00 pm

MEETING POINT: being a private tour guide you can meet the guide at your hotel, or you can choose to take the water bus on your own and meet the guide at the Rialto bridge  water bus stop. This will allow you to use the guide for a 2.5 hours walking tour instead of 2h.

Tour Description

Venice is dense in history and picturesque sites, as we’ll see during our guided walking tour from Rialto Bridge to the  monumental Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square), the political core of the glorious Venetian Republic. Along the way, we’ll include an explanation of all major sites of interest. We will finish the tour with a guided visit of the golden Basilica of S. Mark where we will include the access to view the famous Pala D’oro.  See tour highlights below:

• Tour will start at the Rialto bridge

• Visit the famous Rialto market

• Discover hidden spots and secrets on our walk from Rialto bridge to St Mark’s square

• Explore the ‘hidden’ Venice of small canals, palaces, and bridges often missed by visitors

• Learn about Venice’s rich history and its role as a major maritime power in the Middle Ages

• Scala del Bovolo

• St. Mark’s Square, belltower

• St. Mark’s Basilica and Pala D’oro

• Ponte dei Sospiri

• Doge's Palace - The guide will provide a commentary of the palace and then leave you at the entrance where you will continue for an on your own visit  this majestic palace.

Doge's Palace on your own 

(1h time approximately) see pictures  Entrance tickets - euro 26,00 per person payable on site to the guide at the end of the tour.

Suggestions for your dinner near the hotel

The Lively Cannaregio district is known for the 16th-century Jewish Ghetto. 

See a suggested walk itinerary here and click on the restaurants’ icons to read about them. Looks like Trattoria Bar Pontini, Trattoria da Mimmo, Cicchetteria venexiana da Luca e Fred (prices are better here), Gam Gam, Trattoria alla Fontana all have great reviews and the pictures look great to me. 

Also Fondamenta della Misericordia and Fondamenta Orsini are lined with  locals’ favorite taverns with great wine selections and finger food (cicchetti). 

Venice October 16 - Hotel to Airport water taxi transfer

Group will use 3 private water taxi for a transfer from the hotel to the airport

Those that have a flight at a different time may take public transportation by water bus:

Oct 16thTransfer back for an 11am 3 water taxis will be used for the transfer

For those that have a 9:00 flight back home I suggest taking the Alilaguna orange line from “Guglie” stop (only 5 minutes walk from the Hotel Carnival Palace) to the Airport for EUR 15.