1. Photo From Cynthia
An Itinerary Created by Cynthia Venables
“I hope you will join us on this journey to the waterways and lakes of the
enchanted world of Venetian canals and lagoons, Palladian villas and Italian
Alpine lakes on a request to recreate the tour that was so enjoyed by a small
group in 2013. We will spend four days exploring the art, architecture and
hidden corners of Venice before we move on to the frescoes of Padua, the
Palladian World Heritage Sites of the Veneto and finally the incredible beauty of
the three great Italian lakes, Gorda, Como and Maggiore with their exceptional
gardens. We finish our journey at tiny Lake Orta very near the French border
taking lots of time to enjoy the food and wine along the way. We will have a
Sunday sampling of Prosecco, the great Italian bubbly of the Veneto while
traveling among historic villas and hillside vineyards. A few days later we make
our way through Switzerland and beautiful Lugano on the final leg of our journey westward following the sunsets. This
small group tour (max. 12 people) allows us to travel by small mini-coach and ferry, stopping at unique restaurants and
staying in wonderful smaller four star hotels selected for their location and convenience. Local guides will introduce us to
their region. As your tour manager I will weave each experience together to give you a sense of the whole beautiful picture
of these three unique regions. There will be four introductory evenings at my home and PDF learning programmes a few
months before we leave to introduce you to the history, art and architecture that you will experience. This will be a trip of a
lifetime where one beautiful day unfolds after the other in the magic world of Northern Italy. ~ Cynthia

2. DAY 1- Sunday, June 11, 2017
Departure for Italy from Toronto
Today we suggest you depart from Toronto for Venice, Italy. Please note air flights are not included.
DAY 2 – Monday, June 12, 2017
Venice, Italy
Upon your arrival in Venice, transfer on your own by water taxi to our Venice hotel, Hotel Ca’ Gottardi, where you will meet the balance of your
group. Once you have settled in at the hotel, you will have the opportunity to have lunch nearby. We will have a walking tour of the Rialto and
Cannareggio, and later this evening we have dinner at Restaurant Fontego dei Pescatori near our hotel. (D)
Accommodation:
Hotel Ca’Gottardi, Venice
DAY 3 – Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Venice, Italy
Today we go to Piazza San Marco and go inside San Marco’s Basilica, “The Church of Gold”, and Saint Mark Museum, discovering the extraordinary
mosaics and the bronze horses stolen by the Venetians as part of the loot sacked from Constantinople in 1204. They were taken by Napoleon to
Paris and are now back in Venice for us to enjoy. We continue with our orientation walk visiting Vivaldi’s church and the sestieri (neighbourhoods)
of San Marco and Castello. We will spend time in the so romantic piazza, catching the music of the many orchestras in the great piazza and visiting
the nearby Ca d'Oro (House of Gold) on the Grand Canal with its marble architecture and great Venetian Art Collection on our way home. In the
evening we will gather at our hotel and explore restaurants nearby. (B)
DAY 4 – Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Venice and The Lagoon Islands
Today we will spend the day on the Lagoon visiting by boat, first Murano, the island of Venetian Glass, then the colourful fishing village on the
island of Burano where you can enjoy a seafood lunch. We finish our adventure by traveling to the somewhat remote Island of Torcello and the
lost Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. This evening we might enjoy a restful dinner near our hotel. (B)
DAY 5 – Thursday, June 15, 2017
Further Exploring Venice
This morning we will head into the Santa Croce and San Polo neighbourhoods, visiting the great church of The Friars, with our destination the
Accademia Art Museum and its extraordinary collection of Venetian painting. We will have a free afternoon to stay on at the Accademia, explore,
to shop, or visit Peggy Guggenheim’s home and gallery nearby. (B)
DAY 6 – Friday, June 16, 2017
Castelfranco, Italy
Transfer this morning by private boat from our hotel to coach parking at Piazzale Roma where we meet our driver for our tour of the Veneto and
the Northern Lakes. We then travel to Padua (Padova) to discover this important Medieval City and the first Humanist frescoes by the great Giotto
found in the Scroveghi Chapel. We arrive in Padua and continue into the heart of the historic old city on foot, visiting the Church of the Eremitani
(The Hermits ) and the Palazzo della Ragione, their Medieval town hall and market. We will have lunch nearby in the Piazza dei Signori. Arrive
Scrovegni Chapel for reserved entrance to the amazing 13
th
C fresco masterpieces by Giotto. After our visit we leave Padova for 3 nights in
Castelfranco. A mid-afternoon arrival in Castelfranco allows us time to explore the tiny walled town and continue on to dinner at a wonderful
restaurant built into the walls. (B, D)
Accommodation:
Albergo al Moretto, Castelfranco
DAY 7 – Saturday, June 17, 2017
Exploring Vicenza
Leave Castelfranco for Teatro Olimpico and Museo Civico in Vicenza, the city of the great Renaissance architect Palladio. Tour Vicenza on foot
finishing our exploration at the Palace of Reason where we will be unreasonably hungry! We will have lunch in the piazza overlooking this perfect
Renaissance cityscape. Mid-afternoon, we will meet our driver and travel by coach the short distance to Villa Rotunda, considered Palladio’s most
perfect villa. This evening we will explore more of Castelfranco’s great restaurants. (B)

3. DAY 8 – Sunday, June 18, 2017
Sunday Drive through Prosecco Region of the Veneto
Depart for a Sunday drive up into the Prosecco region of the Veneto. We will visit two wonderful Palladain Villas, have lunch, and sample wine
made with the grapes harvested from the vineyards that surround these very famous villas. Villa Angarano Bianchi-Michiel and The Villa di Maser
(Villa Barbaro) are masterpieces of Andrea Palladio and home to Prosecco vineyards that provide memorable architecture and wine tasting
experiences in the most beautiful setting on the hillsides below the Dolomite Mountains. We will have a Sunday drive of your dreams! Maybe, no
need for dinner tonight. (B, L)
Day 9 – Monday, June 19, 2017
Torri del Benaco (Verona), Italy
This morning we leave Castelfranco for Verona. Mid-morning we arrive at Pietra Bridge on the Adige River looking onto Verona, the amazing
Roman then Medieval town, made famous by the legend of the wayward teenagers Romeo and Juliet. We will travel by foot through the car free
streets, visiting the Roman Amphitheater, Medieval churches, and the imaginary home of Juliet. We will have lunch in the piazza nearby. We will
finish our day at Castelvecchio, the old castle and art gallery overlooking the city. Later we rejoin our driver who will deliver us to the magic of Lake
Garda a few kilometers north. We will settle in for three nights in the town of Torri del Benaco and our hotel right on the lake. This evening we will
enjoy the cuisine of Lake Garda with a group dinner at our hotel. (B, D)
Accommodation:
Albergo Ristorante Gardesana, Torri del Benaco
Day 10 – Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Enjoying Torri del Benaco & Lake Garda
We will meet in the lobby after we have enjoyed the fabulous breakfast at the hotel. We will then explore this wonderful medieval town. Later we
travel with our driver to Garda ( a few kilometers south) to a promenade along the lake – shopping is possible. Return to Torri del Benaco in time
to search out another beautiful lakeside restaurant and enjoy the sunset. (B)
DAY 11 – Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Exploring Lake Garda
Today we explore Lake Garda by ferry leaving the dock at Torri and heading out across the lake to the belle epoque grandeur of Gardone, the
picturesque cuteness of Limone and finally to Riva at the top of the lake for lunch. We will continue by ferry to Malcesine another medieval town.
Our driver picks us up and returns us to Torri for our last evening in this enchanted place. (B)

4. DAY 12 – Thursday, June 22, 2017
Varenna (Lake Como), Italy
We leave Torri this morning for the hilltop town of Bergamo. We will ascend to Bergamo Alto, the upper city by funicular enjoying a spectacular
view of the countryside and the Orobie Alps beyond. Our visit will centre around Piazza Vecchia from where we will visit Palazzo della Ragione,
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Cappella Colleoni and have lunch in the piazza. We meet our driver at the bottom of the Funicular and proceed
to Varenna taking the lakeside highway with spectacular views of Lake Como. We will check in to our accommodation where we will stay for 3
nights. Later we will meet in the lobby and proceed to dinner at a lakeside restaurant to enjoy local specialties and the sunset. (B, D)
Accommodation:
Albergo del Sole, Varenna
DAY 13 – Friday, June 23, 2017
Varenna & Bellagio
This morning we will explore the beautiful town of Varenna and the beautiful lakeside gardens of Villa Monastero. We will have lunch overlooking
the lake and continue to the old town of Bellagio by ferry. Bellagio sits on a cape that divides Lago di Como into two and offers some of the most
spectacular views on this very spectacular lake. We will stroll the stone lanes and picturesque cobbled stairways and continue on to the gorgeous
gardens of Villa Melfi ( the count was a great friend of Napoleon). We will return to Varenna by ferry to enjoy another evening meal lakeside. (B, L)
DAY 14 – Saturday, June 24, 2017
Visiting Villa del Balbianello & Villa Carlotta
Today we leave by ferry for two of the most beautiful lakeside villas and gardens. The first is Villa del Balbianello, the setting for “ A Month by the
Lake”, a 1995 romantic comedy starring Vanessa Redgrave. We will have a lakeside lunch nearby and proceed by ferry to Villa Carlotta, given as a
wedding present by Princess Marianna of Prussia to her daughter Charlotte, after whom the villa is named. We will return to Varenna for our final
evening meal and sunset on beautiful Lake Como. (B)
DAY 15 – Sunday, June 25, 2017
Baveno (Lake Maggiore), Italy
We depart our hotel this morning for the car ferry to Menaggio where we proceed to Lugano, Switzerland by coach. Mid-morning we arrive at
Piazza Luini in Lugano for a lakeside stroll, cup of coffee and a visit to the Chiesa di Santa Maria Angeli and its beautiful Renaissance frescoes by
Leonardo’s best student, Bernardino Luini. Late morning we depart Lugano for Laveno, Italy and our first look at Lago Maggiore where we enjoy
lunch lakeside. Depart Laveno for Intra via car ferry. As the group leaves Intra via ferry, you will have spectacular views of Monte Leone and the
Lepontine Alps. Upon arrival in Baveno, we will settle into our hotel for three nights. Dinner this evening at our hotel. (B, D)
Accommodation:
Grand Hotel Dino, Baveno
DAY 16 – Monday, June 26, 2017
The Borromean Islands
Today we travel by ferry to the Borromean Islands. Our first port of call is Isola Bella with its lovely Baroque mansion and Italian garden. We will
have lunch in the town and continue to Isola Madre ("Mother Island"), with a spectacular English garden. We finish our day on Isola Superiore, a
traditional fishermen's village where we will have dinner overlooking the lake. (B)
DAY 17 – Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Orta San Giulio & Isola di San Giulio
On our final day on tour we take the short journey by van to Orta San Giulio on the Lake of the same name. We will explore this quaint town and
then take a boat to Isola di San Giulio (the Island of Saint Julian) where, according to the legend, the island was saved from a big serpent by San
Giulio, who had command over the waves, the storms, wild animals and the human beings. We will have our final group celebration overlooking
the lake and the island. Later we arrive back in Boveno and “arrivaderci a Bell' Italia”. (B, L)
DAY 18 – Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Flights Home
Breakfast included at the hotel prior to your independent departure to Milan Airport for your flight arrangements as arranged on your own. (B)

5. This is a Small Group Tour and is LIMITED to a MAXIMUM of 12 Passengers
Why A Small Group? Personal service and a full cultural experience are why people travel on Cynthia’s
specialized tours in Italy. The group will do many walking tours as they explore the areas visited. On our
explorations by foot, we will utilize whisper headsets so you will be able to hear your tour guide’s
commentary even if you happen to wander away from the group to take a picture, or another group touring
nearby is being given a different commentary. The value of a smaller group and a smaller vehicle combine
to give the participant a more authentic and enjoyable travel experience that you will treasure for years.
LAND ONLY COST PER PERSON:
Twin/Double: $8,395.00 Single Supplement: $2,985.00
LAND ONLY COST INCLUDES:
* Accommodation for 16 Nights as per itinerary
* Breakfast daily at hotels
* 2 grand Lunches & 5 wonderful Dinners where you select from the menu
* Lunch & wine tasting in the Proscecco region of the Veneto
* Water Taxi Transfer from Venice Hotel to Tronchetto Pier
* Mini-coach transportation as required in Italy
* Ferry services as required on Lake Garda
* Ferry service as required on Lake Como
* Ferry service as required on Lake Maggiore
* All sightseeing as specified
* Entrance fees to the following attractions as per itinerary:
Guided tour of Venice; Saint Mark Museum; San Marco Basilica; Chorus Venezia Pass; Galleria Franchetti;
Galleria Accademia; Santa Maria Assunta, Torcello; Scrovegni Chapel 48 hour Card in Padova; Vicenza
Museum Card; Villa Rotunda; Verona Card; Funicular Pass Bergamo and Saint Virgillio, Bergamo; Villa
Monastero; Villa Melfi; Villa Balbianello Garden; Villa Carlotta; Tours on Borromean Islands
* All Gratuities to local Tour Drivers and Guides for all included tours noted in itinerary
* Local guides as noted in itinerary
* Tour managing and guiding services of Cynthia Venables
* Whisper headsets throughout tour for daily walking commentary from Cynthia and local guides
COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:
* Air Flights are Not Included (Blowes Travel & Cruise Centres would be happy to assist you with your flight
arrangements)
* Transfers to and from airport are Not Included
* Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, bottled water, etc.
* Trip Cancellation, Interruption and/or Medical Insurance
* New Government taxes, levies, fuel or industry increases beyond our control
* Fees for Passport or Visas that may be required
* Any item not specified as being included
A non-refundable Deposit of $2000.00 is required to secure your space. Balance of Payment is due on April 5, 2017.

6. THE FINE PRINT
Terms and Conditions
Please take the time to read and fully understand these conditions. Your payment of deposit indicates your acceptance of these terms.
Reservations
A non-refundable deposit is due at time of booking and the amount required is shown on each tour itinerary. Please make cheque payable to CWT Blowes Travel and
Cruise Centres Inc. We also accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Interac. Verbal authorization of the use of your credit card commits you to your
reservation whether or not you have signed a credit card draft.
Final Payment
The date which final payment is due in our office is noted on each itinerary.
Cancellation Charges
All payments are non-refundable 90 days prior to departure. We strongly recommend the purchase of Tour Package Insurance. We will be happy to quote and
explain coverage. We cannot be held responsible for loss of money due to cancellation. It some cases, other cancellation charges may apply, and these will be noted
on each individual itinerary.
Insurance
Cancellation and Medical Insurance is highly recommended and quotes will be provided to you on booking your tour. If you decline to purchase any of the insurance
plans that we have offered and explained to you, we will respectfully request that you sign a form confirming to us that you have declined our insurance coverage.
Ask one of our travel professionals for full details about the insurance options available.
Tour Pricing
All prices listed are per person in Canadian Dollars unless otherwise noted. As we need to price our tour packages using many different currencies, we reserve the
right to adjust rate due to significant currency fluctuations. Prices are based on exchange rates at time of securing our space with suppliers. We reserve the right to
pass along any changes to airport taxes, fuel surcharges and airline imposed taxes, and Government tax structure to the consumer. All tours may be subject to
surcharge until such time as your tour is paid in full.
Not Included in the Tour Cost
All tour costs do not include items of a personal nature such as and not limited to alcoholic beverages, phone calls, airline baggage fees where applicable, and meals
that are not included or listed in the itinerary, etc.
Legal Names/Copy of Passport
Carefree Journeys/CWT Blowes Travel & Cruise Centres Inc. will require a copy of your passport prior to final payment if not available at time of deposit should your
passport be in the process of renewal. For all bookings, we will require your legal name as it appears or will appear on your passport. Failure to provide proper
documentation at time of booking or time of final payment may result in charges assessed by our suppliers and are your responsibility. In some cases we may be able
to make name changes for a fee. This is determined by the fees charged by our suppliers and will include a processing fee by CWT Blowes Travel & Cruise Centres Inc.
Proof of Citizenship/Passports/Visa Requirements
When traveling outside of Canada, all passengers will require a valid passport. Most countries today require that your passport be valid for up to 6 months of your
departure date from a country. Some countries may also have visa requirements for Canadian and non-Canadian citizens. Any extra fees for visas and any other
additional travel documentation that may be required are your responsibility. Entry into another country is never guaranteed and is at the sole discretion of the local
authorities. CWT Blowes Travel & Cruise Centres Inc. can take no responsibility for a customer being denied entry into another country. Cancellation charges and any
additional fees will be at your own expense.
Luggage
One large piece of luggage per person with total linear dimensions not exceeding 62 inches calculated by adding together its greatest outside height, weight and
length – wheels and handles included – will be tagged with our special Carefree Journeys/Blowes Travel & Cruises luggage tag for porter service (where available) at
each of our hotels. Please note that you will be responsible for carrying your own luggage at airports, cruise terminals, rail stations, etc. Each large suitcase should
not exceed 50 lbs (23 kg). Although the Coach Driver and/or Tour Manager supervise the transfer of luggage to and from the motor coach and every effort is made to
handle all luggage as carefully as possible, CWT Blowes Travel & Cruise Centres Inc. cannot assume liability for loss, theft or damage due to breakage, fire, water, etc.
On all vacations, one carry-on bag is permitted which you must handle personally and carry with you at all times. If your vacation involves a flight, you will be subject
to the luggage size and weight restrictions imposed by the air carrier, and these can vary widely from carrier to carrier. Full details will be provided with your final
ticket package.
Accommodations and Special Requests
Room assignments are always done by the hotel in an impartial fashion. If you have special requests such as a room near the elevator, low floor room, a room near
friends traveling with you, etc., please advise us at time of booking. Group seating on airlines is assigned by the individual carrier. In some cases it may be possible to
book individual seating with the airline at additional cost to the client. All requests will be forwarded to our suppliers, but these requests are not guaranteed. The
hotel, cruise ship and airline names we have listed in our itineraries are published in good faith. Occasionally, substitutions may be necessary. In such a case, we will
provide a substitute of a similar or better standard than those named.
Tour Guarantee
Some tours require a minimum amount of participants to operate. We will do everything possible to ensure tours operate as scheduled, however we reserve the
right to cancel should we not reach our required number of participants. If a tour is cancelled each passenger booked will receive a full refund, in the manner in
which the customer made the payment.

7. Physically Challenged Passengers
Physically challenged passengers are more than welcome to travel with us, however they MUST have a capable traveling companion to assist you at all times and we
must be notified of any disabilities when reservations are made. It is the responsibility of users of walkers and wheelchairs to have someone with them to load and
unload these from the motor coach as neither fellow guests, our employees or those of our suppliers will be available for such purposes. Some tours may present
difficulties for the physically challenged and these tours indicate this on their description.
Gratuities
Gratuities have been included in all of our tours for included meals, local guides and drivers unless otherwise noted on itinerary.
Notice to Travelers
When you travel outside the province of Ontario, please be advised that there may be different living standards with respect to the provision of utilities, services and
accommodations outside of Ontario.
Photos Posted to Our Website
On occasion your Carefree Journeys tour manager will be taking photos of group members participating in various activities. These photos may be posted on our
company website or blog. If, for any reason, you do not wish to have your photo taken and published, please advise your tour manager on Day 1 of your journey.
Privacy Policy
To process your reservation, we will need personal information including your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, passport number, date of birth,
citizenship, and information you have disclosed regarding health, medical, dietary, mobility and other special requirements. This personal information may be passed
on to other suppliers of your travel arrangements in addition to public authorities (such as customs and immigration), and security organizations as required by law.
In making your booking, you consent to your personal data being passed to relevant third parties as set out above.
Disclosure Notice
In offering travel arrangements for sale, Carlson Wagonlit Blowes Travel & Cruise Centres Inc. acts only as an agent. CWT Blowes Travel & Cruise Centres Inc.
maintains no control over the personnel, equipment or operations of any supplier and assumes no responsibility for, and shall not be expected, asked or required to
pay for any financial loss, personal injury, property damage, other loss, accident, delay, inconvenience or irregularity which you may experience either by reason of
(1) non-performance by any supplier for whatever reason (2) wrongful causes, negligent or unauthorized acts or omissions on the part of any supplier or its
employees or on the part of any other party not under the control of CWT Blowes Travel & Cruise Centres Inc. or (3) any defect, breakdown or other failure of any
aircraft, train, bus, automobile, accommodation, ship or other equipment or instrumentality operated and owned or otherwise used by a supplier. Other terms and
conditions of your travel arrangements may be outlined in the supplier brochure and your travel documents and you should read them carefully. We cannot be held
responsible for loss or damage due to unexpected weather conditions, civil unrest and other unforeseen circumstances. (Travel insurance may cover some of this).
Availability of refunds for unused travel reservations will vary as your payment becomes property of the supplier upon remittance to CWT Blowes Travel & Cruise
Centres Inc. In the event of any bankruptcy you should seek refunds directly from your credit card company, the supplier or Ontario Travel Compensation Fund.
Travel Insurance will usually cover this.
CWT Blowes Travel & Cruise Centres Inc. reserves the right to decline any person as a member of the tour at any time before or during the tour should such person’s
presence be considered detrimental to the interest, comfort and enjoyment of the other tour members. Persons leaving the tour during operation will not receive a
refund of unused services, and all costs of returning to the point of embarkation will be borne by the client.
Tour arrangements by Carefree Journeys (by CWT Blowes Travel & Cruise Centres Inc.) in conjunction with Cynthia Venables
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND TO RESERVE SPACE ON THIS TOUR
PLEASE CONTACT:
Cynthia Venables cynthiavenables@hotmail.com (519) 272-0577
OR
Bruce McIntosh bruce@blowestravel.com (519) 271-5710 Ext. 234
CWT Blowes Travel & Cruise Centres Inc.
28 Wellington Street
Stratford, ON N5A 2L2
(519) 271-5710
Registered under the Travel Industry Act, Ontario Registration #1890474