East Coast Tour + Lunch - From Dubai

Leaving Glasgow you will head north-west through the rugged Highlands of Scotland until you reach Inveraray, a quaint town built in the mid-18th century on the shores of Loch Fyne. Here you can choose to visit Inveraray Castle* the historic home of the Duke of Argyll, chief of the Clan Campbell, nestled in large beautiful gardens overlooking Loch Fyne. Alternatively, explore the town’s white-washed Georgian houses, wide streets and breathtaking views across the loch.  Your route climbs further north into the Highlands through stunning scenery marked by several dramatic castles and beautiful lochs. You'll pause to admire Kilchurn Castle, one of Scotland’s most photographed castles, nestled on the banks of Loch Awe and beautifully framed by mountains.  Next you will make a stop for lunch in the picturesque harbour town of Oban, ‘Gateway to the Isles’, with free time to explore its horseshoe bay and see MacCaig’s Folly, an iconic 19th century tower reminiscent of the Colosseum in Rome.  After free time exploring, we travel onwards past the 15th century Castle Stalker, which is set on a small island on Loch Laich, before reaching Glencoe, one of Scotland’s most haunting glens and site of the 1692 massacre of the MacDonald clan.  The return journey will take you over the dramatic landscape of Rannoch Moor and the Black Mount before you make the final stop at the pretty conservation village of Luss on the ‘Bonnie, Bonnie Banks’ of Loch Lomond. Here you can feel free to walk along the shore or admire the village before returning to Glasgow.  *OPTIONAL EXTRA. PLEASE NOTE: Inveraray Castle open April - October, alternatives offered November-March. Sun, Tues & Fri | ALL YEAR

Activities: Hiking Snow Sports Photography Adventure Wildlife & Nature Eco/Sustainable   Includes: Complimentary pick up/drop off from the San Francisco Hilton hotel (Mason St. entrance) Hotel accommodations (double occupancy same-sex or couple share, single occ supplement applies for single bookings) Narrated guided tour by a full-time professional, knowledgeable guide See Lake Tahoe, Donner Pass, Sacramento, Truckee, the Sierra Mountain Range, Emerald Bay, 2 Ski Resorts, and more! Transportation throughout tour in biofuel mini-coach   Not Included: Meals (stops will be made to purchase food). Optional activity entrance fees (Ski Resort access, Lift tickets, Lessons, etc) Gear Rental (Ski/Snowboards, Snow Shoes, Winter Clothing/Boots/Goggles/etc) Single occ supplement for private room for 1 person Guide gratuity (optional)     Suggested Gear List: Camera & charger Small day pack Change of clothes for 3 days Swimwear, towel Toiletries Sun protection, hat Water bottle Warm layers (evenings can be cooler) ADDITIONAL Gear For Partaking in Snow Sports Raincoat/jacket Hiking boots or durable sneakers (preferably Gortex or waterproof) Warm layers (long underwear & wool fleece suggested) Waterproof jacket/pants for winter conditions Gloves, wool socks and a hat (75% of your body heat is lost through your hands, head, and feet) Ski/Snowboard Gear (not provided)   ​SAMPLE ITINERARY – DAY 1 (THURSDAY) SAN FRANCISCO TO SOUTH LAKE TAHOE/HEAVENLY MOUNTAIN RESORT 10:00am:  Pick up from San Francisco Hilton Hotel (Mason Street entrance) Morning:  Buckle up! After departing San Francisco, you’ll head through California’s capital city, Sacramento, through the Sierra foothills and into the famous Gold Rush Country, cresting a high mountain pass within the Sierra Nevada. Then we’ll wind our way through large pine forests, before dramatically descending into South Lake Tahoe. Afternoon:  In the evening, we’ll settle into our centrally located hotel and then head out to happy hour with the Apres Ski crowd at the base of Heavenly Mountain Resort before a comfy night’s rest.   SAMPLE ITINERARY – DAY 2 (FRIDAY) SOUTH LAKE TAHOE: CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE All Day:  While masses of people are piling into their cars to head to the mountains, you’ll be on the first lift up to carve the groomers, or to get fresh tracks in that Heavenly powder! Don’t worry if you’re not really into skiing, our guides will offer the opportunity to go out on a fabulously scenic drive on the mountain roads surrounding Lake Tahoe, or maybe even a snowshoe adventure! If you’re really just here for the casinos, they’re open 24 hours, and you’re welcome to see if Lady Luck is on your side all day if you like! Don’t want to miss out on any of it? No problem, we’re flexible: our guides know their stuff, and we’ll help you fit in a scenic drive in the morning, get yourself a half day ticket on the mountain, and then hit the casinos all night long!   SAMPLE ITINERARY – DAY 3 (SATURDAY) SOUTH LAKE TAHOE TO SQUAW VALLEY & TRUCKEE, CA Morning:  We’ll hit the road early this morning and head toward historic Tahoe City taking in views of Emerald Bay before heading toward the famous Squaw Valley Resort. If you’re heading up onto this epic ski and snowboarding destination today, you’ll be glad if you dusted off the cobwebs on Heavenly yesterday. This place is the real deal, where you can often see extreme athletes pushing the envelope, soaring from the cliffs as you ride up the famous KT-22 Express. Make sure you bring your swimsuit too: the High Camp Pool and Hot Tub high on the resort is open for business…all winter long! This side of the lake also offers amazing snowshoeing or cross country skiing opportunities as well. Once again, you’ll be offered the choice to head up on the ski hill, or we’ll take you out on the trails through Stanislaus National Forest or maybe a snowshoe hike near the Donner Memorial State Park and explore the history of the ill-fated pioneers of the Donner Party as they struggled to travel west in their wagons and became stranded in the winter of 1846-47. Afternoon/Evening:  After a full day of winter adventures, we’ll head into the historic town of Truckee, CA to check into our accommodation for the evening, and then head out for dinner and a night on the town with the locals.   **Sample Itineraries: Please note that due to rapidly-changing conditions beyond our control (weather, crowds, traffic) and the small size of our vehicles/groups, our guides have the flexibility to adjust your itinerary to best suit the group’s needs. While we guarantee we’ll do our best to provide you with all of the highlights within this Lake Tahoe Winter Adventure Tour itinerary (conditions permitting), we don’t guarantee them in this specific order. **

Description: Your guide meets you at St. Mark’s Square. Through thrilling anecdotes and swash-buckling stories, learn about the history of Venice and St. Mark’s Basilica—like how it received its precious relics via a 9th-century kidnapping! But then comes the real treat. All of the passersby will wonder where you’re going as a custodian unlocks the basilica’s doors for you and Walks of Italy’s small groups of maximum 15 clients... And walks you right in. Inside, take a deep breath. You’re experiencing St. Mark’s Basilica as almost nobody else does, or ever has ever been able to (aside from the Doge himself)—empty! No standing elbow-to-elbow with other tourists, no seeing the church as if through a strobe light from hundreds of popping flashbulbs, no noise from the crowds. In-stead, you’re alone with your guide and the custodian. So you can experience the ba-silica as it should be experienced: in tranquility and peace. Of course, you’ll also be able to skip all the lines—not only into the basilica, but also to see the Pala d’Oro, the spectacular, Byzantine altarpiece that uses more than 1,900 gems! During the day, there’s a line to see this, but now? You have it almost all to yourself. Since you’re alone in the basilica with Walks of Italy groups only, you can even go where others, visiting during the day, can’t. Like the crypt, which the custodian un-locks for you: This is where the bones of St. Mark are said to actually be kept. Plus, you can see the stained walls here from the past floods that have devastated Ven-ice—the crypt used to be flooded every time the high tide hit the city! Aside from the emptiness of the basilica, nighttime is the best time to visit because that’s when the mosaics are at their most beautiful. All 43,000 square feet are lit up, glimmering and sparkling in the dark! If just seeing the basilica this way weren’t entrancing enough, there’s also your guide, an expert who’s passionate about Venetian art and history—and about shar-ing it with you in the most fun way possible. You’ll hear the tale of how St. Mark’s became St. Mark’s, a story that pivots on a kidnapping and and a dangerous sea voy-age! You’ll learn where the precious marbles decorating St. Mark’s really come from... A one-hour tour that will give you memories which will last a lifetime!  Important Notes: Please remember that the basilica is a holy place and attire must be appropriate: Both men and women are asked to wear clothing that covers at least the shoulders and knees. Walks of Italy cannot be held responsible for denied entry due to im-proper dress. Backpacks are prohibited inside of St. Mark's Basilica. This tour runs rain or shine.

There are keeper talks and feeding times so you can learn more about the animals, get a closer look and your questions answered. You can also feed the friendly Kangaroos and pose for photos with them in the Kangaroo exhibit.

Highlights Tour through the east end of Adelaide via parklands and the lovely eastern suburb areas Take in the magnificent views across the city to the sea from Mt Lofty Summit – the highest peak of the Mt Lofty Ranges Drive past Bridgewater Mill water wheel, and the villages of Crafers, Stirling and Aldgate Afternoon tea or beer tastings at the iconic Hahndorf Inn with its rich history and warm hospitality Enjoy free time in Hahndorf wandering along the main street exploring its many shops and businesses with German origin, including art, craft, leather and fabric shops, butchers, bakers, cafés and of course pubs! Ticket Includes Half day coach tour with expert commentary by a local driver/guide Afternoon tea or beer tastings at the iconic Hahndorf Inn The Adelaide Hills is the place where we can visit the Mt Lofty Ranges, rolling vineyards, unspoilt bushland and rich farmland. 

Sites Visited: Death Casts Porta Marina The Basilica The Temple of Apollo The Roman Forum Pompeii’s Main Street The Macellum – ancient supermarket The ‘Cave Canem’ home of the Tragic Poet Roman Bakery The Cemetary A Pompeii brothel (if appropriate for the group) Panoramc walk on the city walls, with views of Naples and Capri