2000 Venice to Vienna

Itinerary

May 17: Depart San Antonio at 11:25 a.m. on Northwest Airline #1164, arrive Memphis at 1:14 p.m. Depart Memphis at 1:40 p.m. on NW #266, arrive Detroit at 4:33 p.m. (Depart DFW at 12:20 p.m. on NW #692, arrive Detroit at 4:04 p.m.) Depart Detroit on NW #64 at 5:15 p.m. on overnight flight to Milan.

May 18: Arrive Milan at 7:45 a.m. After picking up luggage and clearing customs, we will take a coach directly to Bellagio and the Hotel Belvedere (01139031950410). Shower, nap, do what you need to recover from the long flight. At 4:00 p.m. you can take a walking tour of Villa Serbelloni with beautiful gardens, high above Bellagio (paid for by the tour; optional for returnees to Bellagio). 7:30 dinner at Hotel Restaurant.

BELLAGIOMay 19: Buffet breakfast in hotel (and every morning on the entire tour.) Morning Central Lake Tour including Cadenabbia, Tremezzo, Lenno, Villa Balbianello and gardens in private boat with English speaking guide, ending with an extravagant lunch at Isola Comacina. Afternoon and evening free.

May 20: Day free to explore the gardens in Bellagio and/or pay your respects to Tony, the Wine King; or take the ferry to Como; or just sit by the pool. Be back in time for 7:30 dinner at Hotel Restaurant.

VENICE (VENEZIA)May 21: 9:00 coach transfer from Bellagio/Belvedere to Lecco train station in time to take the 10:47 to Milano. Depart Milano at 12:05, arrive Venice S.L. at 14:30. After purchasing everyone a 3-day pass, we will take the Vaporetto #52 to Venezia Lido and the Hotel Riviera (011390415265979). After checking in, I will lead the group to Piazza San Marco, the spiritual center of Venice. Brief orientation to San Marco including entrance to the Loggia to see the famed bronze horses. Following San Marco, we will visit the Doge’s Palace (you may substitute another museum if you have already been.) Dinner plans TBA.

May 22: Morning free. Meet for lunch at 1:00 p.m. at the Osteria al Ponte del Diavalo in Torcello. (Directions and bus-boat pass provided.) Take time to see the 7th century church with wonderful mosaics, either before or after lunch. Afternoon and evening free in Venice.

LJUBLJANAMay 23: Transfer from Venezia Lido to the station on #52 vaparetto. Depart Venice Mestre at 12:19, arrive Ljubljana at 15:02. Transfer to the Holiday Inn (011386613081170). I will lead the group to the two ATMs that work and/or the banks to change money. Spend the rest of the afternoon getting oriented. Dinner at the Union Cellar at 7:30 in the hotel.

May 24: Morning walking tour with English speaking guide. Afternoon free to continue your personal explorations. Dinner at nearby Smrekarjev Hram at 7:30.

May 25: Day free in Ljubljana. Definitely plan to spend at least some of the time in the delightful open-air market. Dinner at 7:30 at the Union Garden, weather permitting.

VIENNA (WIEN)May 26: 9:00 a.m. coach transfer from Ljubljana to Wien and the Hotel Sofitel Belvedere (011431716160), located two blocks from the Ringstrasse. We should arrive by 4:00 p.m. Our guide Susanne Kowarc will meet us at the hotel to give us some maps, information, and join us for dinner at the hotel restaurant. We will then walk to the nearby Konzerthaus for an all-Mozart concert at 8:15.

May 27: Full day city tour. In the morning we will visit the Naschmarkt, Flea Market, and the Secession Museum. In the afternoon we will visit more traditional sites including the treasury, St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Dinner at Meyer am Pfarrplatz in Grinzing.

May 28: We will visit Schönbrunn Palace in the morning, followed by the Künsthistoriches Museum. In the evening we will visit the Prater with the giant Ferris wheel of The Third Man fame. Dinner will be at Schweizerhaus in the Prater.

May 29: Morning free for personal exploration and shopping or to visit the nearby Belvedere. After lunch we will take a half-day excursion along the Danube and the Wachau valley, Melk, a Benedictine abbey and the pretty village of Duenrstein. We will stop for dinner somewhere along the way.

May 30: Early morning transfer to the Airport. Depart Vienna at 6:55 a.m. on AZ #195, arrive Milano at 8:25. Depart Milano at 9:50 a.m. on NW #63, arrive Detroit at 1:35. Depart Detroit at 6:50 p.m., arrive Memphis at 7:40 p.m. Depart Memphis at 8:35 p.m. on NW #1167, arrive San Antonio at 10:22 p.m. (Depart Detroit at 3:20, arrive DFW at 5:11.)

ROOMING LIST

SINGLES

Laurence Barker
Ginger Pierson
Scott Anderson

TWIN/DOUBLES

Jean Hays
Caitlin Weishautt

Laura Robinson
Judith Vallery

Margaret Krueger
Mary Rucas

Judith Cox
Sandra Shaw

Harry Wright
Elizabeth Wright