I T A L Y 2014

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14

WORLD
WAR
II:

CANADIANS
&
THE
ITALIAN
CAMPAIGN
14 DAY TOUR TO ITALY FEATURING PARTICIPATION IN REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY AT MORO RIVER CEMETERY

November
3-16,
2014
HIGHLIGHTS
As they fought their way up Italy's boot, enduring 20 months of hell at the hands of some of the Third Reich's best trained soldiers, Canadians in the First Division ironically and unfairly became known as the D-Day Dodgers. Together they wrote some of the most heroic tales in the annals of Canadian military history. Join with us as we follow the young Canadians from their landing in Sicily, through the battles for the Moro River, Ortona, and the Liri Valley, on to the Gothic Line, finishing near Ravenna at the Savio, Lamone and Senio Rivers. Emerge from the tour with a deeper understanding of Canada's role in the pivotal Italian Campaign.

TOUR INCLUDES:
Return airfare Toronto/Catania, Sicily and Venice/Toronto Local private motorcoach transportation throughout Private water taxi transfers in Venice (including luggage) 12 nights hotel (Catania/Rome/Cassino/Lanciano/Ravenna/Venice) Breakfast daily, 1 lunch & 6 dinners (including Venice farewell dinner) Professionally guided city tours in Cassino and Venice Admission to: Neonian Baptistery, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, San Vitale Basilica and Dantes Tomb Participation in two (2) wreath laying ceremonies Visits to war cemeteries, landings & crossings and related monuments, as per itinerary Baggage handling at hotels, where applicable Hotel taxes & service charges Ellison Travel & Tours baggage lanyard & laminated tags Ellison Travel & Tours host (Dennis Mak Makowetsky)
**Tour is limited & subject to availability & change.**

NOT INCLUDED:
Meals other than mentioned Passport application and processing fees Items of a personal nature Gratuities: guides/drivers/porters/hotel staff Air & fuel taxes (currently $391.00 per person)

OPTIONAL:
RBC Insurance Single Supplement - $489.00 Add-on airfares from other cities (upon request)

PAYMENTS:
Deposit of $500.00 p.p.
(plus insurance due at time of booking)

Balance due August 29, 2014

Tour planning by
www.ettravel.com email:vacations@ettravel.com
EXETER, ON: 311 Main Street, N0M 1S7 Tel: 519-235-2000 or 1-800-265-7022 GODERICH, ON: 18 Victoria St. S. N7A 3H3 Tel: 519-524-8692 or 1-877-847-1272 NORTH VANCOUVER, BC: 303-267 West Esplanade, V7M 1A5 Tel: 604-983-2470 or 1-866-983-2470

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Reservations: To reserve space on this tour, contact your Carlson Wagonlit Travel Agent. Deposits & Payments: A deposit is due at the time of booking. The amount of the deposit varies according to the tour booked. Final payment depending on the tour is due 60 to 120 days prior to departure. Both deposits and final payments are non-refundable at time of payment unless covered by insurance. Forms of Payment: Ellison Travel and Tours will accept payment in the form of cheque, Visa or Mastercard. Cheques must be made payable to Ellison Travel and Tours. If the credit card sale is declined, the customer will be informed immediately, and payment will be considered not received. Verbal authorization of the use of your credit card commits you to your reservation whether or not you have signed a credit card draft. Refunds will be processed in the form they were received. Goods & Services Tax: The Canadian Government's G.S.T. and/or H.S.T. may apply to the cost of your tour. Your travel agent will advise of the additional G.S.T./H.S.T. charges, if any, that apply to the cost of your tour. Ellison Travel and Tours reserves the right to pass any Government changes to the tax structure on to the consumer. Price Guarantee: Once the deposit is paid, the tour cost is guaranteed. Prices are however subject to change to cover any unexpected costs over which Ellison Travel & Tours has no control, such as fuel surcharges, government taxes and country visas. In the event of a surcharge tour members and/or travel agents will be advised of any surcharge on their tour. If a rate increase of more than 7% is necessary, clients may cancel with no penalties. No surcharges will be added within 30 days prior to departure. Insurance: Ellison Travel and Tours strongly recommends the purchase of Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, and Comprehensive Assistance, Health Coverage, Individual Accident Coverage, and Baggage and Personal Effects Insurance. Details are available from your travel agent. Proof of Citizenship: Canadian Citizens are asked to carry a passport for tours to the United States. For international travel a valid passport is required. Citizens of other countries or landed immigrants should check with their travel agent for requirements for travel outside Canada. Passengers must have valid passports for travel abroad and visas for some countries. Ellison Travel & Tours does not accept responsibility for passengers who do not meet correct visa and passport requirements. Currency: All prices are shown in Canadian Dollars. Baggage: Maximum baggage allowance on motorcoach tours is one large suitcase per person. All hand luggage must be carried personally aboard the motorcoach or aircraft. Although the Tour Manager and Coach Driver supervise the transfer of luggage to and from the motorcoach and every effort is made to handle luggage as carefully as possible, Ellison Travel & Tours cannot assume liability for loss, theft or damage due to breakage, fire, water, etc. Accommodation: All hotels listed in itineraries have been confirmed at the time of printing, but are subject to change. On most tours, TWIN refers to two persons sharing one room with two beds; however, in some areas, only one double bed may be available, so please specify at time of booking if you wish two separate beds. TRIPLE or QUAD usually refers to three or four persons sharing one room with two double beds, all with private bath. Please keep in mind that in some areas local customs may mean that there is a change in the type of accommodation provided. Items not included: Items of personal nature such as laundry, telephone charges and drinks with meals other than noted in the tour Inclusions. Responsibility: Ellison Travel and Tours Ltd acts solely as organizer of the tours outlined in this brochure and is responsible for making all reservations and charting the routes as outlined but it is expressly understood and agreed between the tour organizer and the passengers that Ellison Travel and Tours Ltd or its agents shall not be held responsible for: a) non-performance on the part of any hotel or other accommodation for any act or omission that cannot be directly attributed to the neglect of the tour organizer; b) any delays, misconnections, loss, damage or injury to persons or property or for mechanical defects or failure, however caused or for any substitution of hotels or carrier equipment beyond the control of the tour operator, or for any additional expenses occasioned thereby; c) any inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, upset, disappointment, distress or frustration whether physical or mental however caused, except where caused directly by the tour operator; d) any additional costs incurred or any ancillary loss sustained as a result of cancellations or delays of tours caused by inclement weather conditions, acts of God, or any other event, which result in one or more persons being unable to continue or complete the tour through no direct fault of the tour organizer. The tour organizer reserves the right to make any changes before or during the tour for the comfort and enjoyment of the passengers and it is agreed and understood that any increase in costs occasioned by such change shall be paid by the passengers or any decrease in costs occasioned by the change shall be refunded to the passenger. All tour itineraries are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice. Ellison Travel and Tours Ltd shall have no responsibilities beyond their refund of all monies paid by the passenger which is deemed to constitute full settlement. The tour organizer 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. Ellison Travel & Tours, its agents and all passengers agree that conditions set out herein are part of the terms between the passenger and the tour organizer. Acceptance of the ticket for the tour or any deposit given to the tour organizer represents acceptance by the passenger of all the aforementioned conditions.

WORLD WAR II: CANADIANS & THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN

14-DAY TOUR TO ITALY FEATURING PARTICIPATION IN REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY AT MORO RIVER CEMETERY NOVEMBER 3 16, 2014
Day 1 Mon. November 3 (M) In Flight Meet the group and tour manager at Pearson International Airport, Toronto, and depart for overnight flight to Catania, Sicily (with connections). Day 2 Tues. November 4 (B/D) Catania, Sicily Arrive at the Catania Airport, pass through customs, collect your luggage and proceed to the front of the terminal where you will meet your locally hired coach and driver. Transfer into the centre of Catania and check into your hotel for a 2 night stay. Conclude the day with a group dinner in a local trattoria near the hotel and, time and energy permitting, explore the area with your tour manager. Day 3 Wed. November 5 (B) Catania After an early breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Pachino where Canadians, as part of the fabled British 8th Army, with fears and expectations of the unknown and memories of Dieppe fresh in their minds, landed with surprisingly mild resistance on July 10, 1943. Visit the landing beach known as Bark West, and the monument to the Canadian landing near Marza. Continue on toward the city of Piazza Armerina which is on the route the Canadians followed to Agira. On the way, stop in Grammichele with time to purchase lunch. After lunch, continue on to Piazza Armerina where the Canadians had reached by July 17. Return to Catania for the evening and conclude the day with dinner on your own in one of the nearby restaurants. Day 4 Thurs. November 6 (B/D) Fly to Rome, Italy After breakfast, check out of your hotel and board your coach. Depart for the Agira Canadian War Cemetery passing near the towns of Assoro and Leonforte, the location of battles fought by Canadians. Upon arrival at the cemetery, participate in a wreath laying ceremony in memory of the 13 members of the RCAF and 477 members of the army buried there, all casualties of the Liberation of Sicily. At the conclusion of the ceremony, depart for Catania Airport and, following lunch at the airport, board your flight to Rome. Land at Fiumicino Airport, meet your local coach and driver and transfer into the centre of Rome. Check into your hotel for a two night stay and, after a group dinner in a local trattoria, accompany your tour manager on an orientation walk in the area of your hotel. Day 5 Fri. November 7 (B) Rome Today will be spent exploring some of the highlights of Rome along with sites relevant to World War II and the liberation of the city. After breakfast in your hotel, board your coach and transfer to the Rome War Cemetery which has 426 Commonwealth burials, 22 of which are Canadian. Following the cemetery visit, take time to visit the 1st Special Services Force commemorative plaque [also known as the Devils Brigade] near the cemetery and the Pyramid of Cestius. This fabled brigade, comprised of Americans and Canadians, played a pivotal role in the Italian Campaign and were among the first into the city after its fall. Following your visit, re-board your coach for the short transfer to the area of the Colosseum. Join your tour manager for an external tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum, before visiting the Campidoglio, the site of the formal surrender of Rome to the Allies, and Piazza Venetia, to see the famed balcony from which Mussolini addressed the Italian faithful. After lunch, enjoy some free time in the centre before rejoining your tour manager for a walking tour including Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and the

Trevi Fountain. Following the tour, meet the coach for a transfer to your hotel and the rest of the night at leisure with dinner on your own at a local restaurant. Day 6 Sat. November 8 (B/D) To Cassino After an early breakfast and check out, board your coach for the journey south to the area of Monte Cassino and the Liri Valley. Take the two hour journey past Cassino to the Mignano Gap and the area of Monte La Difesa and Monte La Remetanea. Here you will see first hand the difficult work done by the Special Forces made up of Americans and Canadians. Continue back toward Cassino to visit key sites relevant to Operations Diadem and Chesterfield on the Gustav and Hitler Lines respectively, the latter broken by Canadians on the path to Rome. In the process visit the crossing point of the Melfa River where Major John Mahony of the Westminster Regiment won the Victoria Cross. Following this eventful day return to Cassino and check in to your hotel for a one night stay and conclude with a group dinner. Day 7 Sun. November 9 (B/D) To Lanciano After breakfast and check out, begin the morning with a visit to the Cassino War Cemetery, including 4271 graves, 855 of which are those of Canadians who died in the area and the monument to the more than 4000 men who died in Italy and have no known grave. After your visit, continue on up to the Monastery for a guided tour and make a stop at the Polish Cemetery on the way down the mountain. After lunch in Cassino, board your coach for the journey across Italy to the Mediaeval town of Lanciano, located in the Abruzzo region near the Moro River and Ortona. On the way into town, make a late afternoon stop at a local olive oil factory, which should be in full operation, to learn about the process and to sample the result. On arrival in Lanciano, check into your hotel for a three night stay and enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant. After dinner, accompany your tour manager for an orientation walk in this beautiful town, including a stop at the monument to the 18 youths executed after a rebellion against their Nazi occupiers in October, 1943. Day 8 Mon. November 10 (B) Lanciano Today will be devoted to tracing the steps of Canadians across the Moro River to Ortona. After breakfast in the hotel dining room, board the coach for the first stop at

SantAppolinare where a panoramic view of the battlefield can be seen. After outlining the progress of the battle, descend into the Moro River Valley to the crossing where Canadians fought a four day battle to cross the narrow river. After crossing the Moro, make stops at Sterlin Castle where Mitch Sterlin and the Royal Canadian Regiment made their gallant stand, the famous Gully, where hundreds of Canadians perished, Casa Barardi, where Captain Paul Triquet of the Van Doos won the Victoria Cross, and the Cider Crossroads, where Mitch Sterlin lost his life. After lunch in Ortona, spend the afternoon touring the city, visiting such sites as Santa Maria Constantinopoli, the scene of the Seaforth Highlanders famous Christmas dinner, the Corso Victor Emmanuele and Piazza Repubblica, where brutal fighting took place and the Canadians invented the technique of Mouse holing, the Cathedral of St Tomasso, destroyed in the fighting and rebuilt, and Piazza Plebiscito to visit the poignant Price of Peace Canadian Monument. Conclude your visit with a stop at the local museum, chronicling the events of the battles visited today. At the conclusion, re-board your coach and return to Lanciano for dinner in a local restaurant. Day 9 Tues. November 11 (B/L) Lanciano (Remembrance Day) This morning, after a leisurely breakfast, board your coach and transfer to the Moro River Canadian War Cemetery, site of more than 1600 burials, to join with the local Canadian school, Canadian College Italy, local Italian students and civic officials, along with representatives of the Canadian armed forces to participate in the moving Remembrance Day Ceremony. Lay a wreath on behalf of the group as part of the ceremony. Following the program, spend the rest of the day immersing yourself in Italian culture. Begin by boarding the coach for a trip up into the Maiella Mountains for lunch in a unique restaurant in a cave, La Torre Ristorante. After a leisurely lunch, re-board your coach for the beautiful drive back to Lanciano. The evening is at your leisure and dinner on your own in a local trattoria. Day 10 Wed. November 12 (B/D) To Ravenna Rise early and after breakfast, check out of your hotel and bid good bye to Lanciano. The main concentration of the day will be the Canadian participation in the breaching of the Gothic Line and the push to

Rimini, where the Canadians played a crucial role in late August and September, 1944. Arrive in the area of Pesaro in the late morning and visit sites of importance to Canadians near Montecchio, Pozzo Alto and Osteria Nuova. After lunch, pay respects to the fallen at the Montecchio War Cemetery, where 289 of 582 graves are those of Canadians, and the Coriano Ridge War Cemetery, where 427 of 1939 are Canadian. In addition, visit the monument to the destruction of the Gothic Line, an important Canadian pilgrimage site, the only monument constructed by the Italians commemorating the Canadian involvement, at Tavullia. After the program is complete, continue on to Ravenna and check into your hotel for a two night stay and conclude the day with a group dinner in a local restaurant. After dinner, join your tour manager in exploring the beautiful town of Ravenna. Day 11 Thurs. November 13 (B) Ravenna Today we focus on the events in the vicinity of Ravenna which was taken by the Canadian Corps in early December, 1944, and heavily damaged in the process. It was in this area that fighting in the Italian Campaign finally finished for the Canadians. During the day, visit the Savio River and Cesena where Seaforth Highlander, Ernest Smokey Smith won the Victoria Cross. By this time we will have visited all three sites where VCs were won by Canadians in the Italian Campaign. Visit also the Lamone River crossing near Bagna Cavallo and the Senio River Crossing near Fusignano, two hotly contested rivers taken by the Canadians. Time permitting, go to the Valley of Comacchio region where the Canadians, recently joined by the First Canadian Armoured Brigade completed their final operations in Italy before being transferred to Western Europe for the final push. At the end of the days activities, which bring an end to the Italian Campaign part of the tour, return to Ravenna to enjoy one last night in the town and purchase a leisurely meal in a local restaurant. Day 12 Fri. November 14 (B) To Venice We would be remiss to have stayed in Ravenna, famous not only for its wartime

travails, but for being the last capital of the Roman Empire before it fell in 476 CE and for its incredible mosaics which make it the location of no less than 8 UNESCO sites. So, after checking out of our hotel, spend the morning visiting some of the mosaic sites such as the Baptistry of Neon and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, both dating back to 430 CE, the Arian Baptistry, 500 CE and the Basilica of San Vitale, 530 CE. Time permitting, complete your morning in Ravenna with a visit to the tomb of Dante, as important to Italian literature as Shakespeare is to the English language. After lunch, re-board your coach for the two hour transfer to Venice. Your specially chartered water taxis will take you into the centre of Venice and check into your hotel for two nights. Day 13 Sat. November 15 (B/D) Venice Spend this, the last day of your tour exploring Venice. After breakfast in your hotel, walk with your tour manager into the centre of Venice where you will meet your local, English speaking guide. Enjoy a two hour walking tour in this, the most mystical of cities. On your tour, see such sites as the Basilica of St. Mark and St. Marks Square, the Doges Palace, the Rialto Bridge, and walk the beautiful narrow streets of Venice. In the afternoon, take some time to explore on your own and buy those last minute souvenirs, ride a gondola, or join your tour manager for an interior visit to the Doges palace, or one of Venices fine art galleries such as the Accademia, or the Peggy Guggenheim Exhibit (any applicable admissions this afternoon will be at the individuals own expense). Following your day in Venice, return to your hotel to freshen up and conclude the day with a farewell dinner in a local restaurant. Day 14 Sun. November 16 (B) Home After breakfast, check out and proceed to the water taxi dock for transfer to meet your coach. Board your coach for the short trip to Marco Polo Airport and your international flight home to Canada (connection possible). Arrive Pearson International Airport, Toronto. Welcome home.

B - Breakfast / PB Packed Breakfast / L Lunch / PL Packed Lunch / D - Dinner / M Airline / S Snack - denote meals included in tour cost *Itinerary is tentative and subject to final confirmation*

www.ettravel.com

TERMS & CONDITIONS Reservations: To reserve space on this tour, contact your Ellison Travel & Tours Travel Consultant Deposits & Payments: A deposit is due at the time of booking. The amount of the deposit varies according to the tour booked. Final payment depending on the tour is due 60 to 120 days prior to departure. Both deposits and final payments are nonrefundable at time of payment unless covered by insurance. Forms of Payment: Ellison Travel & Tours will accept payment in the form of cheque, Visa or Mastercard. Cheques must be made payable to Ellison Travel & Tours. If the credit card sale is declined, the customer will be informed immediately, and payment will be considered not received. Verbal authorization of the use of your credit card commits you to your reservation whether or not you have signed a credit card draft. Refunds will be processed in the form they were received. Goods & Services Tax: The Canadian Government's G.S.T. and/or H.S.T. may apply to the cost of your tour. Your vacation consultant will advise of the additional G.S.T./H.S.T. charges, if any, that apply to the cost of your tour. Ellison Travel & Tours reserves the right to pass any Government changes to the tax structure on to the consumer. Price Guarantee: Once the deposit is paid, the tour cost is guaranteed. Prices are however subject to change to cover any unexpected costs over which Ellison Travel & Tours has no control, such as fuel surcharges, government taxes and country visas. In the event of a surcharge tour members and/or vacation consultants will be advised of any surcharge on their tour. If a rate increase of more than 7% is necessary, clients may cancel with no penalties. No surcharges will be added within 30 days prior to departure. Insurance: Ellison Travel & Tours strongly recommends the purchase of Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, and Comprehensive Assistance, Health Coverage, Individual Accident Coverage, and Baggage and Personal Effects Insurance. Details are available from your travel agent. Proof of Citizenship: Canadian Citizens are asked to carry a passport for tours to the United States. For international travel a valid passport is required. Citizens of other countries or landed immigrants should check with their travel agent for requirements for travel outside Canada. Passengers must have valid passports for travel abroad and visas for some countries. Ellison Travel & Tours does not accept responsibility for passengers who do not meet correct visa and passport requirements. Currency: All prices are shown in Canadian Dollars. Baggage: Maximum baggage allowance on motorcoach tours is one large suitcase per person. All hand luggage must be carried personally aboard the motorcoach or aircraft. Although the Tour Manager and Coach Driver supervise the transfer of luggage to and from the motorcoach and every effort is made to handle luggage as carefully as possible, Ellison Travel & Tours cannot assume liability for loss, theft or damage due to breakage, fire, water, etc. Accommodation: All hotels listed in itineraries have been confirmed at the time of printing, but are subject to change. On most tours, TWIN refers to two persons sharing one room with two beds; however, in some areas, only one double bed may be available, so please specify at time of booking if you wish two separate beds. TRIPLE or QUAD usually refers to three or four persons sharing one room with two double beds, all with private bath. Please keep in mind that in some areas local customs may mean that there is a change in the type of accommodation provided. Items not included: Items of personal nature such as laundry, telephone charges and drinks with meals other than noted in the tour Inclusions. Responsibility: Ellison Travel & Tours acts solely as organizer of the tours outlined in this brochure and is responsible for making all reservations and charting the routes as outlined but it is expressly understood and agreed between the tour organizer and the passengers that Ellison Travel & Tours or its agents shall not be held responsible for: a) non-performance on the part of any hotel or other accommodation for any act or omission that cannot be directly attributed to the neglect of the tour organizer; b) any delays, misconnections, loss, damage or injury to persons or property or for mechanical defects or failure, however caused or for any substitution of hotels or carrier equipment beyond the control of the tour operator, or for any additional expenses occasioned thereby; c) any inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, upset, disappointment, distress or frustration whether physical or mental however caused, except where caused directly by the tour operator; d) any additional costs incurred or any ancillary loss sustained as a result of cancellations or delays of tours caused by inclement weather conditions, acts of God, or any other event, which result in one or more persons being unable to continue or complete the tour through no direct fault of the tour organizer. The tour organizer reserves the right to make any changes before or during the tour for the comfort and enjoyment of the passengers and it is agreed and understood that any increase in costs occasioned by such change shall be pai d by the passengers or any decrease in costs occasioned by the change shall be refunded to the passenger. All tour itineraries are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice. Ellison Travel & Tours shall have no responsibilities beyond their refund of all monies paid by the passenger which is deemed to constitute full settlement. The tour organizer 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. Ellison Travel & Tours, its agents and all passengers agree that conditions set out herein are part of the terms between the passenger and the tour organizer. Acceptance of the ticket for the tour or any deposit given to the tour organizer represents acceptance by the passenger of all the aforementioned conditions.