Special
Event 2010| Special
Event 2010 |
|
PARLA PRESTO Vacanze All'Italiana...
|
| What is it? | It's a trip... |
| When? | From May 26th - June 5th |
| Isn't it too long...? | Well, you know how it works, right? Keep reading... |
| Where? | To Favignana, a beautiful small island, and Marsala, a seaside resort town in the west point of Sicily! |
| Why? | We don't ask that question anymore! It's because we like exploring Italy together and summer is when we travel. |
How much does this trip cost?
Well, it depends, like the past two years you’ll have so many choices that you can actually pick your package and your price.
Note that again this year, for the many of you who wish to travel on your own before or after our trip or use airline miles, I have not included the airfare as part of the Parla Presto package.
PACKAGE #1 - VENGO ANCH’IO - $2,000
This is typically recommended for the “friends of Parla Presto,” spouses or friends that you, my student, might want to take along.
This package includes a 2 night stay at the Hotel Insula in Favignana, 8 night stay at the five star New Palace Hotel in Marsala; breakfast and dinner daily (wine with dinner and taxes are included) in Marsala; breakfast and one special dinner with folk music and entertainment on the island of Favignana; one way private bus transportation from Palermo- Punta Raisi airport to the docks in Trapani; one way ferry ticket from Trapani to Favignana, and … the joy of being with us in another amazing Italian setting.
PACKAGE # 2 - L’INTERESSATO – $2,200
This is the student package.
This package includes the same arrangements in package #1 plus ONE HOUR of class a day.
PACKAGE # 3 - IL SUPERSTUDENTE - $2,400
This is a package for those of you who, in addition to being on vacation and having a great time (as usual), want to take advantage of your stay in Italy to work harder on your language skills.
In addition to what I have mentioned above, this package offers TWO HOURS of class a day.
DEADLINE FOR RESERVATION is February 5, 2010. Please note that the sooner you make your decision the easier will be to accommodate you since the spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis and this year we are only going to have one group!
DEPOSIT - A $400 deposit for each traveler is due at the time of your reservation. Please note that the deposit is not refundable.
STUDYING IN Marsala
You will have the choice of one or two hours of class instruction a day and you can choose to study grammar or culture, or both.
The grammar class, as we did in the past years, will probably be taught by a local teacher. The class will cover different grammar topics depending on your level and you will be engaged in drills and exercises. I will let you know if you will need your text book “Prego” for this class.
I’ll teach the cultural class which will be conversational and it will be based on your level of knowledge of the language. You can expect to read the local newspaper, to learn about the traditions of Sicily etc…
As usual I will provide the material for the lesson on location.
STAYING IN
Favignana and Marsala
Favignana is a beautiful island, part of the archipelago of the Egadi Islands few miles off the coast of Trapani. It is a spectacular place; you will fall in love with the nature, with the clear blue of the water, the white of the caves, the atmosphere and the culture of the island. The hotel Insula, where we are staying is in the heart of the town and you will be able to walk around, to explore the island or to take the ferry to the other islands of the archipelago: Marettimo and Levanzo. In 2005 we went to Lipari, another island off the coast of Sicily, and everybody loved that trip: these are very special places, out of the regular tourist beaten path and I am very excited to be able to take you there.
We will get to Favignana on Wednesday May 26 th, in the afternoon. The first dinner is not included in the package, but I will have suggestions for you.
Thursday you have the whole day on the island to explore at your leisure. That evening, Thursday May 27 th, I have already planned a special dinner that includes not only typical food from the island but also a show with Sicilian musicians. We did something similar in 2005, this time I had to organize it ahead of time and, since everybody was so pleased and enchanted, I included it in your package.
Friday the 28 th is when we move to Marsala. I have something in mind for that day and I will tell you later all the details when I have them. If you have traveled with me before, you know that no activity is mandatory, I will tell you in time and if you like what you hear you are welcome to join the group, but you don’t have to J .
We will check in to the New Palace Hotel in Marsala that evening and you need to be there by 8:00 PM.
In Marsala you will need a car for your excursions and as usual I recommend that you made your reservation from the US. Marsala is a town the size of Acqui Terme, if you were with us in Piemonte, so you could actually rent a car in Marsala. In this case, you can take a ferry from Favignana directly to Marsala and once at the docks you can take a cab to go get your car. Otherwise, from Favignana you will have to take the ferry to Trapani and once there go to get your car. Trapani is only 20 minutes away from Marsala, so it actually depends on where you can find a better deal for your car rental…
For this reason I have not included in your package the ride from the island to “terra ferma”; the distance to either Marsala or Trapani is pretty much the same and there are ferries all the time, it will be up to you to decide at what time to leave Favignana; I will see you that night for dinner.
From that evening until the morning of Saturday June 5 th we will be staying in Marsala. I would suggest that you made plans to drop your car, probably at Punta Raisi Airport or wherever your departure airport is. From Marsala to Punta Raisi is a very straight shot on the “autostrada”, about 65 miles, a little over an hour.
ABOUT MARSALA AND THAT CORNER OF SICILY...
Since during the past few years all of you enjoyed the experience of being in the center of a town, this time we are staying at the beautiful New Palace Hotel, a five star hotel located in front of a small port and few minutes away from the center, so that you can experience the pace of a little town together with the warmth of the local people… Please feel free to visit our Hotel’s website at www.Newhotelpalace.com to have an idea of the place.
I always suggest renting a car: Marsala is a medium size town with a train station and a variety of bus companies that should be able to take you around; however I cannot guarantee for the type of service that you will receive if you choose to use public transportation for your day trips. In my experience having a car is the best solution, but you do have other options if you prefer so.
Like the rest of Sicily, the province of Trapani has been a crossing point of different cultures, populations and civilizations that over the years have left various indelible footprints of their passing by. You will be able to visit appealing historical, archeological and natural sites such as: Selinunte, Erice, Mozia, the wine and salt way of Marsala and Trapani, Mazara del Vallo fishing port of Italy, Agrigento etc…
We will also be immersed in the best vineyards in Sicily and right in the town that gives the name to the famous wine “ Marsala”. I think there will be plenty to do and everybody will be happy!
The closest airport is Palermo-Falcone-Borsellino, only 65 miles away from our hotel.
On May 26 th, since our first destination is Favignana, I will come to collect the whole group at the Palermo’s airport with a private bus that will take us to the port in Trapani. I will also have the tickets for the ferry so that we will all get to the islands together and…safe! I will give you later a precise appointment with the departure time both for the bus and the ferry. I don’t have it yet but I can already tell you that it won’t be later then 2:00PM, so you need to stay tuned for more info…
If you have traveled with me before, you know that I always facilitate various activities. I come up with different ideas and I pass them to you. If you are interested I’ll put together an event for the group. You will always be told in advance about what to expect and the price of whatever we will be doing...
Please know that my job over there is to make your vacation special, so don’t hesitate to ask me any questions: I will try my very best to make you happy!
SOME EXTRA COSTS TO EXPECT:
Approximately two glasses of wine “vino della casa” per person and water will be served with dinner and is included in your package.
Coffee, cappuccino, liquors and wine different from the “vino della casa” will be additional and they will have to be paid for when you order them.
30 Euro per person for tipping the breakfast and dinner wait staff for your entire stay and 5 Euro (single room) or 10 Euro (double room) to tip the maid the day you leave.
Single supplement $450.
Car rental.
Any extra activity you choose to participate in at the price that will be arranged on location.
Usually on the last night, we go for dinner to a special restaurant in the area, to celebrate and say goodbye. I will arrange the menu and the price onsite and announce it to you during the trip.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST...
CANCELLATION POLICY:
For cancellation from 30 days to 15 days prior the departure a fee of $400 per person will be charged in addition to the not refundable deposit.
No refunds will be given on cancellations received less than 14 days prior to departure .
Since we had the experience that unexpected events may occur, I strongly encourage all of you to purchase a travel insurance policy with companies such as Travelex , Insurance Services for your own protection.
We will discuss the many other details later. Right now, I ask you to give this Parla Presto adventure some thought and to let me know ASAP if you want to join us.
Again: the deadline for reservation is February 5 th 2010. Please note that the sooner you make your decision the easier it will be to accommodate you since the spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
I will ask for a $400 deposit at the time of your reservation. Please note that the deposit is not refundable.
