Included

Return flights London Gatwick /Naples and Rome/London Gatwick

Airport departure taxes and carrier charges

Checked baggage on airline (1 piece / 20 kg weight)

Return transfers between airport and hotel

Provision of local touring coach for the duration of the tour

13 nights’ accommodation on a B&B basis at the hotels detailed in the
accommodation supplement

1 night’s accommodation on half board basis in shared twin/double outside
cabin on board Palermo/Naples ferry

Dinner included on 29 March, 2 and 6 April 2017 in hotels or local
restaurants

Dinner on board during Stromboli excursion (private boat)

Drinks with all dinners (1/2 bottle wine, water and coffee)

English speaking guides for half day tours of Pompeii & Herculaneum and
for full day tours of Ischia and Stromboli

Entrance costs to Volcanological Museum / Vesuvius Observatory /
Pompeii / Cuma / Solfatara Valley of the Temples & Museum / Villa
Romana / Teatro Greco / Herculaneum

Ferry crossings Sorrento/Ischia/Sorrento, Milazzo/Lipari/Milazzo, Lipari/
Vulcano/Lipari, Lipari/Panarea/Stromboli (private boat) and Palermo/Naples
(overnight)

Porterage in Lipari between port / hotel

24 hour mobile phone access to English speaking ground agent
Tour Ref: 17/OVV01
Excluded

Travel to and from Gatwick airport

Travel Insurance

Visa (not required for UK passport holders)

Additional entrance fees to places of
interest other than those detailed in the
itinerary

Dinners, lunches and refreshments,
other than those detailed in the itinerary

Gratuities

Tourist tax. This is a charge per person
payable direct to the hotels and is currently approximately €3.00 per night
Italy, the Five Volcanoes
29 March / 12 April 2017
with the Geologists’ Association
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The price of this tour is guaranteed against alteration due to exchange rate fluctuations.
The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 require us to provide security for the monies that you pay for the
package holidays booked from this brochure and for your repatriation from abroad in the event of our insolvency. We provide this security by way of a
bond held by ABTA (W9928). Air tours are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 3683. Please see our booking
conditions for more information.
Due to the way in which the airline reservation systems and schedules operate, the air fares, taxes and airports cannot be guaranteed until the flights
are booked, paid for in full and tickets issued. In view of this, we have had to estimate the likely air fare and taxes. This may result in the final tour
price being varied from the advertised price. In the event that the air fare is lower than estimated, we will pass on the saving by reducing the tour
price. However, if the air fare is higher than estimated or if we have to use an alternative airline at a higher fare, we reserve the right to increase the
tour price accordingly. In the event that the air fare is higher than estimated, the tour price may be increased by a maximum of 10%. Should the
increase in tour price exceed this amount, then you will have the right to cancel without penalty as per our standard booking conditions. If however
the price alters within the stated parameters (above) and you still wish to cancel, our normal cancellation charges will apply. If a change of airport is
necessary, we will agree it with the Group Organiser before booking the flights. If the proposed change of airport is “significant”, as defined by clause
10 of our Booking Conditions, you will have the right to cancel your booking and receive a full refund.
Led by Dr Paul Olver, we will visit some major volcanic sites of Italy. Highlights include the two
active volcanoes located in the Bay of Naples: Mount Vesuvius and the lesser known crater of
Solfatara. In Sicily and the surrounding area, we visit Mount Etna, Stromboli and Vulcano Island
to complete a tour of the five volcanoes. Additional highlights include the ruined cities of
Pompeii and Herculaneum, the volcanic Phlegrean Fields and the Greek theatre at Taormina.
Travel Insurance: please refer to the important information on the reverse of the booking form. All passengers taking our insurance must declare any
reason, medical or otherwise, which may influence the insurer’s opinion in offering cover, including any current medication being taken. The direct
telephone number you should call is 01932 334145 and the Towergate Chapman Stevens Medical Helpline will advise whether or not you are eligible
for insurance cover once you have disclosed your medical status. Any passengers who do not wish to take our insurance must please advise us of
the name of the insurance company with whom they are insured, the policy number and the telephone contact number of the Emergency Assistance
Company.
Wednesday 29 March - Sorrento
The European Economic Area countries and Switzerland, will provide free or reduced cost medical assistance provided that you are the holder of a
valid EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). Further information and an EHIC application form can be obtained free of charge from your Post Office
or online at the NHS website http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/about-the-ehic.aspx. If you travel without an EHIC and
then claim against your medical travel insurance, it could adversely affect your claim. You still require travel insurance regardless of whether you
obtain an EHIC.
At the time of printing this information, there are no mandatory health requirements for visitors to Italy. British Nationals will require a full 10 year
passport. Requirements governing passport validity vary and we would therefore recommend that you consider early renewal if your passport is due
to expire within 6 months of the tour’s return. A visa is not required for British Nationals. If you are not a British National, please ask us for
advice.
We depart on a mid-day flight from London Gatwick to Naples. On arrival we transfer by coach to Sorrento where we check
in to our hotel for the next four nights. Dinner is included this evening.
Thursday 30 March - Vesuvius & Pompeii
Today we have a full day excursion to Vesuvius and Pompeii. We visit the Volcanological Museum at Mount Vesuvius and,
at Pompeii, a local English speaking guide will conduct a tour around the remains of the once prosperous and thriving city
that was devastated in a few minutes, by an eruption of nearby Vesuvius. There will be time for us to ascend to the top of
Mount Vesuvius, from where we will enjoy panoramic views across the surrounding countryside and the bay of Naples. We
return to our hotel where the evening is free to make our own dining arrangements.
At any time prior to the tour departure, we reserve the right to make changes (of equal value or difference will be refunded) to attractions, visits and
excursions should such suppliers’ requirements and/or unforeseeable circumstances make it essential to do so. During the tour, details in the
itinerary may be subject to alteration at the discretion of the tour manager and in accordance with the wishes of a clear majority of the passengers.
We reserve the right to cancel this tour not later than 8 weeks before departure, if insufficient bookings have been received to justify its departure.
Sorrento
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Pompeii
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You can obtain Booking Forms and Booking Conditions from your Group Organiser. Please send completed booking forms and payments (cheques
payable to Norman Allen Group Travel Ltd) to your Group Organiser. Name and address below:
Dr Paul Olver, Geologists’ Association,
The Buttridge, Wellington Lane, Canon Pyon, Hereford, HR4 8NL
Tel: 01432 761693
E mail: [email protected]
Vesuvius
Pompeii Wall Mural
Friday 31 March - Phlegrean Fields & Solfatara
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We travel by coach for a full day in the volcanic region of the Phlegrean Fields. Although less
conspicuous as a volcano than its neighbour, Vesuvius, the ‘Campi Flegrei’ is considered to
be highly dangerous due to continuing unrest and because of the dense population within
the caldera and in its immediate vicinity. We spend the morning at Cuma archaeological park
and the afternoon at Solfatara. This mythical entrance to the Ancient Romans’ Hell is famous
for its craters with impressive volcanic phenomena such as fumaroles, hot water springs and
jets of volcanic mud. We return to Sorrento for a second free evening.
Solfatara
We begin today with a short walk to the harbour to board a hydrofoil for our visit to Vulcano
Island. It is another short walk, from the point of disembarkation, to the Laghetto di Fanghi
where the mud baths are located. Another draw on the island is Fossa di Vulcano, and we
will take the path up to its crater, which is at 391 metres. We return to Lipari by motor boat
and make our own way back to our hotel. This evening is free for our own arrangements.
Vulcano
Saturday 8 April - Panarea & Stromboli
Saturday 1 April - Ischia
This morning we walk to the port to board the hydrofoil to Ischia, the largest island in the Bay
of Naples, where we will be met by a local coach for a full day guided tour. At Ischia’s centre
is Mount Epomeo, with fertile slopes covered with fruit trees and vines. The island has been
famous since Roman times for its many thermal springs. We return to Sorrento for a free
evening.
Sunday 2 April - Reggio Calabria, Messina & Giardini Naxos
After breakfast we check out of our hotel and transfer to Reggio Calabria. After alighting from
the coach we board the ferry to Messina in Sicily and are met on arrival for the transfer to our
hotel in Giardini Naxos, where dinner is included this evening. We are based here for the
next 4 nights.
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Ischia
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Stromboli
After checking out of our hotel we walk to the harbour (our luggage is transferred separately)
and take the hydrofoil to Milazzo. On arrival, a coach takes us along the north coast of Sicily
to Palermo where we board the overnight ferry to Naples. Dinner is included on board.
Monday 10 April - Herculaneum & Rome
Mt. Etna
Tuesday 4 April - Valle dei Templi & Villa Romana
Today we board a local coach for a full day excursion. At Agrigento we visit Valle dei Templi,
an ancient Greek colony, where there are many temples to visit dating back to 500 BC. We
continue to the town of Piazza Armerina where we include a visit to the Villa Romana with its
ancient mosaics. On our return we have another free evening.
We walk to the harbour where a boat will take us to Panarea, one of the smallest of the
Aeolian Islands. We are joined by a guide for the entire day’s excursion. There are several
islets surrounding Panarea, the largest being Basiluzzo, the site of a Roman villa and small
port. We continue by boat to Stromboli which is unique in the world as the only volcano that
erupts every day. Several explosions occur each hour and in each eruption red-hot clouds of
ash are thrown high into the air. Larger eruptions and lava flows are less frequent. On this
day, in particular, we will take advice from our guide as to the exact timetable of visits as we
need to retain flexibility. Dinner is included on board this evening before returning to Lipari
and making our own way back to our hotel.
Sunday 9 April - Palermo & Naples
Monday 3 April - Mount Etna
We set out for a full day excursion by coach to Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in
Europe. Etna has the longest period of documented eruptions in the world and is noted for its
wide variety of eruption styles. The volcano is at its most spectacular when both summit and
flank eruptions occur simultaneously. On returning to our hotel we have a free evening to
make our own dining arrangements.
Friday 7 April - Vulcano Island
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Herculaneum
After breakfast on board we disembark in the port of Naples and travel by coach towards
Rome, stopping en route for a guided tour of Herculaneum. Also destroyed in the eruption of
Vesuvius which buried Pompeii in volcanic ash, Herculaneum’s inhabitants were quickly
poisoned by toxic gases from the pyroclastic flows and it was only later that the former
coastal town was covered by a mud flow and effectively ‘moved’ inland. On arrival in Rome
we check into our hotel and enjoy a free evening. We are based in Rome for 2 nights.
Tuesday 11 April - Rome
Rome
A full day for independent sightseeing in Rome.
Valle dei Templi
Wednesday 5 April - Aci Castello, Palagonia & Taormina
Our excursion today takes us to Aci Castello, a small village on the Ionian coast of Sicily
famous for its Norman castle and picturesque square. The views from the castle, built upon
the earliest pillow lavas from Mount Etna, are spectacular. Later we will see further pillow
lavas in the plain of Palagonia, south of Catania. The area gave its name to ’palagonite’ a
bright yellow mineral which can be seen between the pillow lavas. We include admission to
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Villa
Romana
the famous Teatro Greco in Taormina before returning to our hotel where we are free to
Taormina
make our own dining arrangements.
Wednesday 12 April - Homeward journey
On checking out of our hotel we transfer by coach to Rome airport for the return flight to
London Gatwick.
Tour Price per person
Colosseum
£ 2175.00
Deposit per person
£ 250.00
Single Room Supplement - the number of single rooms is limited and subject to availability
(please note that this supplement does not include the cost of single occupancy of a cabin on
board the Palermo/Naples ferry - supplement £42.00 per person)
£ 479.00
Thursday 6 April - Milazzo & Lipari
The final balance is due not later than 1 February 2017
We check out of the hotel and travel by coach to Milazzo where we board the hydrofoil to
Lipari. On arrival we are met by a local coach for a half day tour of the island. Lipari was
home to Sicily’s first known inhabitants who developed a flourishing economy based on
Obsidian. We check into our hotel where dinner is included this evening. We are based here
for 3 nights.
Travel insurance
(premium valid for all policies issued prior to 31 December 2016 and payable with deposit
please)
HSC 28/6/16
£ 53.00