Cat

ania

, Sic

ily

The Italian Campaign Tracing the Path of Liberation

November 2 - 17, 2018 16 Days • 28 Meals

Escorted by Andrew Robb

The Second World War was already well underway when in 1943 the allied forces began the Italian Campaign. The Axis forces had amassed on the Eastern Front and were making significant advances. To alleviate pressure and divert Germany resources, the Canadians, Americans and British began their invasion of Sicily codenamed Operation Husky. More than 93,000 Canadians, along with their allies, pushed in from the south of Sicily, across the Strait of Messina, and up the Italian peninsula over a 20-month period. Difficult battles were faced along the way with terrain and weather varying drastically as the enemy was pushed back. Follow in the footsteps of those brave soldiers from their landing in Sicily on to the peninsula and up past the hard fought Monte Cassino, the battlefields of Salerno and Ortona, and the Gothic line in the north. This tour focuses on visiting these battlefields and the cemeteries for the fallen, with a healthy balance of visits to other attractions such as Temple Valley, Pompeii and the hill towns of Tuscany. Join us next fall as we follow the Italian Campaign and remember those that fought to end the Axis grip on Europe.

INCLUSIVE FEATURES

Return economy group airfare Accommodations in comfortable hotels as indicated or

similar 28 meals included as noted in the itinerary (B - 14

buffet breakfasts, L - 3 lunches, D - 11 dinners) Services of your tour leader from Canada, our

professional tour director in Italy plus local guides Baggage handling of one suitcase per person on tour All gratuities, surcharges, taxes and fees for included

services Airport transfers in Canada or equivalent value with

purchase of group airfare

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

See the battlefields of Sicily, Salerno, Monte Cassino, Ortona, and the Gothic Line

Operation Husky landing beaches at Gela and Pachino

Wine tasting at the base of Mount Etna

Visit Temple Valley at Agrigento

See the ruins of the ancient city of Pompeii

See the Tuscany cities of Florence, Siena and San Gimignano

Entrance to the Accademia Gallery in Florence home to Michelangelo's David

Canadian Sniper Takes Aim in Ortona

Beautiful landscape in Tuscany

TOUR ESCORT

After a 35 year management career with Lafarge Canada, Andrew and his wife Mary Catherine are now enjoying spending their time at the cottage and travelling to fascinating places around the world including Southern Africa, Italy, the Marquesas Islands, Russian Waterways, Tunisia, Israel, the South Pacific and several cruises including one with Holland America. Together, they are very much looking forward to sharing this special journey with you.

November 2, Friday Depart Canada Group members gather in Toronto for the transatlantic flights to Sicily. November 3, Saturday Arrive Palermo On arrival in Palermo, we shall transfer to our hotel in the city centre. Tonight we enjoy our first meal in Italy with dinner at our hotel. Hotel Federico II (1 night) D November 4, Sunday Palermo / Agrigento We begin our day with a tour of Palermo. See how the cultures that surround it and the forces that once invaded its shores have influenced this city. Heavy air raids during the war nearly levelled many neighbourhoods of Palermo. This afternoon we transfer south to Agrigento. Colleverde Park Hotel (1 night) BD November 5, Monday Agrigento / Gela / Pachino / Syracuse The Valley of Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has one of the best collections of Roman ruins in all of Sicily. After a guided visit, we continue to Gela where the American forces landed and then Pachino, where the Canadian 1

st Infantry Division landed on July 9 and 10,

1944. Along this 120 km stretch of shoreline one of the largest seaborne operations took place involving nearly 3,000 ships and landing craft. In the afternoon, we arrive at Syracuse (UNESCO World Heritage) and its War Cemetery, a Commonwealth War Graves Commission burial ground for the fallen of WWII. Grand Hotel Villa Politi (1 night) BD November 6, Tuesday Catania / Gerbini Battle / Taormina Riviera The Memorial Museum in Catania retraces the events of the Sicilian campaign through exhibits of uniforms, helmets, weaponry, military vehicles, unpublished documents and photographs. In the south of Catania we shall find the area where Operation Fustian took place and British airborne soldiers captured the Primosole bridge, securing allied access to the city and port. Follow the traces of 51

st Highland Division during the Gerbini Battle,

before we stop in Paterno to see the Norman Castle with views over the surrounding area. Hotel Santa Tecla (2 nights) BD November 7, Wednesday The Etna line At the Etna Line, the Allied forces met stiff resistance from the Hermann Goering Division. Canadian and British forces

German Defensive Lines in Northern Italy

fought battles at Adrano, Centuripe, Regalbuto, and Assoro. In the morning, we shall visit these centres before stopping at the Canadian War Cemetery in Agira. Enjoy lunch at a farmhouse at the base of Mount Etna with a wine tasting before we return to our hotel for some time at leisure. BLD

November 8, Thursday Reggio Calabria / Tropea After hard fought battles, the Allied forces had liberated Sicily from the grip of the Axis. German and Italian forces retreated through Messina followed by advancing allied forces. This morning we follow in their footsteps as we cross the Strait of Messina to Reggio Calabria where we will visit the evacuation area of German-Italian Army. Then a visit to the National Archaeological Museum with its famous collection of Riace bronzes. Tropis Hotel (1 night) BD

November 9, Friday Tropea / Pertosa Caves / Salerno This morning we continue up the boot of Italy as the Canadian forces did during September 1943 with their ultimate goal to provide assistance to the forces landing at Salerno. A battle for an important crossroads was fought and won by the Canadian and British forces, allowing the Americans to land at Salerno and push onto Naples. Enjoy the scenery of southern Italy as we continue to Salerno. At Pertosa we shall stop and explore the unique caves that cut through the Alburni mountains. Tonight enjoy dinner at our hotel. Grand Hotel Salerno (2 nights) BD November 10, Saturday Salerno / Pompeii / Napoli After a tour of Salerno and the locations of the landings during operation Avalanche, we head outside the city and to a place frozen in time. The ruins of Pompeii offer one of the greatest archaeological experiences in the world. The 79 AD eruption of Vesuvius preserved the city remarkably well with ruins near complete and bodies encased in volcanic ash and rubble. In Naples we learn of the “Quattro giornate di Napoli” or Four days of Naples in which the local inhabitants revolted and forced out the occupying forces. BL

November 11, Sunday Salerno / Monte Cassino / Ortona The battle for Monte Cassino and its 529 AD abbey is probably one of the most famous in the Italian Campaign. The Abbey was perched high above the town Cassino with a commanding view of the valley around it. Though in a protected historic zone it was feared the Germans were using the abbey to garrison forces or the very least as an observation post. After some discussion, it was targeted for destruction by the Allies. Unfortunately once destroyed the ruins made for excellent cover and German forces used it to their every advantage. Between January and May 1944 four major assaults were attempted along a twenty mile front of the Gustav line, the last of which involved twenty divisions. The capture of Monte Cassino cost dearly with 55,000 Allied casualties and an estimated 20,000 Germans. The Abbey has since been rebuilt and once again is peaceful, offering visitors incredible views of the Italian countryside. After visiting the Abbey, Rocca Janula, and Hangman’s Hill we continue onto the eastern coastal town of Ortona. Hotel Mara (2 nights) BL November 12, Monday Ortona After breakfast we depart to the site of battle between two battalions of elite German Fallschirmjäger (paratroopers)

CT RATING 3 - Moderately Challenging: While this is a leisurely paced tour, members will do considerable walking over uneven surfaces and in hilly situations. Members should have no mobility issues to fully enjoy this journey. Accommodations will be in first class and comfortable European style hotels with atmosphere and character.

REV01JUN18

Tour Cost in Canadian Dollars per person

Land Only (Join Palermo / Leave Rome) .................. $4,295

Toronto ...................................................................... $5,625

Ottawa / Montreal ...................................................... $5,745

Halifax ....................................................................... $5,945

St. John’s ................................................................... $5,995

Winnipeg .................................................................... $5,945

Regina / Saskatoon ................................................... $5,995

Edmonton / Calgary / Vancouver ............................... $5,945

Victoria ....................................................................... $5,995

Single Supplement........................................................ $775

Air add-ons from other gateways are available on request. Airfares and airline are subject to change and will be confirmed prior to final payment. Refer to inclusive features for details. Tour price is based on sharing a twin-bedded room at hotels. Prices are based on a minimum 20 members and on rates, taxes and fees effective July 2017 and are subject to change due to factors beyond our control.

Prices DO NOT INCLUDE the cost of insurance which is available and is highly recommended. Premiums vary with the cost, length of the trip, and the traveller’s age. For passengers up to and including 74 years on departure date, premiums will range from $280 to $348 pp plus applicable taxes. Cost supplements for travellers aged 75-85 will range from $186 to $366 pp plus applicable taxes. This insurance is effective from the date of purchase and carries limitations on pre-existing medical conditions. Please discuss your insurance coverage prior to booking. Check our website for the most current information. Refer to the enrollment form for general information and conditions.

Final payment will be due August 15, 2018 Deposit is $500 per person

To reserve your places on this tour, complete the enclosed enrolment form, indicating the tour you wish to join and your home city, and forward it with your deposit to:

from the German 1st Parachute Division under Generalleutnant Richard Heidrich, and assaulting Canadian troops from the Canadian 1st Infantry Division under Major General Chris Vokes. This battle was the culmination of the fighting on the Adriatic front during "Bloody December". Later we visit the Canadian War Cemetery. Balance of the day is at leisure. B November 13, Tuesday Ortona / Siena Departing the battlefields of Ortona we venture north into the rolling hills and towns of Tuscany. En route we stop in Spoleto, the former capital of Lombardy, and home to an impressive fortress that has hosted governors and popes. Explore Siena by walking through the vast Piazza del Campo to see the magnificent frescoes of the Palazzo Pubblico and visit the amazing zebra-striped Cathedral with its superb marble paving and fine pulpit. We then enjoy some time on our own to wander amongst the vibrant city streets. Tonight we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Hotel Siena Degli Ulivi (1 night) BD November 14, Wednesday Siena / Florence / Montecatini The Gothic Line cuts straight through Tuscany and was the area for the next major engagement with the enemy. On our way north we visit the important renaissance city of Florence. Walk through the streets and alleys once ruled by the power Medici family, see the multi coloured marble Duomo that dominates the city’s skyline, and visit the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo’s David. Hotel Da Vinci (2 nights) BD November 15, Thursday The Gothic Line While the bulk of the Canadian forces were stationed on the Adriatic coast, the Canadian 1

st Armoured Brigade was

linked with the US forces making their assault through the Apennine Mountains. We shall drive through the mountain passes used by the Allies as they advanced northward. At Passo Futa we stop to see a couple of war cemeteries before visiting Marzabotto to learn of one of the worst massacres perpetrated by the SS in western Europe. We shall also visit the Gothic Line Museum to gain more insight into this important line of defence in the Italian Campaign. BD

November 16, Friday San Gimignano / Rome Our tour is nearing the end, but not before visiting San Gimignano, one of Tuscany’s great walled cities. During the fourteenth century, prominent families erected large stone towers as a sign of their wealth and power. Today 13 of the 72 are still standing and are seen from miles around. Continue onto Rome to check into our hotel. Rome Times Hotel (1 night) BD November 17, Saturday Rome / Canada All too soon our journey through Italy comes to an end as we gather for our flight home. B

Spend two more wonderful nights in the Eternal City and dedicate some time to stroll the streets, piazza, museums and parks. Get to know the city’s sights, history and charms and indulge in delicious Italian cuisine. Contact us to learn more!

Rome Two Night Extension

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