These are true representations of sample holidays taken by some of our clients.  Everything is possible and it does not have to cost the earth.  Just tell us what you need and your maximum budget and we will try to advise you accordingly. 

I need to get away for a few days before Xmas to sort out some Xmas shopping. Don’t know whether I want to do it before Christmas and get some Christmas shopping organised or whether I want to do it after the New Year and just have a break and also do a spot of shopping.  There will be the 2 of us and I would say about 3 or 4 nights, what do you think?

There are a range of options to consider, have a look at these 3 options and let me have your comments

Location: Rome

The Itinerary:  Pick up by private car and driver from the airport and transfer to your hotel in central Rome.  You will stay here for a total of 3 nights.  On the day of departure your car will pick you up and take you to the airport.

Cost: £ 275.00 per person based on 2 persons travelling

Some Tips:

-       The Christmas period in Rome really begins on the 8th December

-       Christmas Market in Piazza Navona

-       Rome is full of places to buy presents: little food shops, gifts which include gloves and accessories (try the shops around the Spanish Steps) and kitsch souvenirs (anywhere near the Vatican)

-       Bottega del Cioccolato on Via Leonina and stylish stationers Fabriano on Via del Babuino, which stock  Italy-themed items.

-        With a range of open air markets

-        Mercato delle stampe – stamps and books argo della Fontanella di Borghese 7-13 Monday to Saturday

-        Porta Portese – second hand flea market type with everything a little like Portobello market Via Portuense Via Ippolito Nievo 6.30-14 Sunday

-        Mercato di Via Sannio – second hand clothes Via Sannio 8-13 Monday to Friday  8-18 Saturday

Please review the following link:

http://www.italian-connection.co.uk/italiancollection/details2.asp?propid=95

Location: Naples

The Itinerary:  Pick up from Naples airport and transfer to your 5 star hotel in the centre of Naples.  You will spend 2 nights here and included is a ½ day shopping assistant.  On the day of departure your private car will come to pick you up and take you to the airport for your flight back to the UK.  Flights not included.

Cost: £ 399.00 per person based on 2 persons travelling

Some Tips:

-          Mercatino di Posillipo open every Thursday – one of the trendiest markets here

-          Mercato di Poggioreale” Via Caramanico

-          Mercatino dell’Umberto Via Imbriani (Quartiere Chiaia)

-          In the area of the Vomero - piazza degli Artisti and here you will find the Mercatino di Antignano

-          Mercatino di Fuorigrotta adjacent to Via Leopardi

-          There are also many wonderful shops around the Via San Carlo area, Via Toledo and the famous Galleria Umberto 1 and Via dei mille

Please review the following link:

http://www.italian-connection.co.uk/italiancollection/details2.asp?propid=111

Location: Venice

Spend 3 nights at this lovely Venetian palazzo with your own personal shopper for the full day.

The Itinerary:  Pick up from the airport by private water taxi, transfer to your hotel, 3 night stay in a junior suite, 1 day shopping with your own personal shopper (just advise us of the shopping you are interested in and allow us to organise your itinerary) and return by water taxi to the airport on the day of departure.  (Flights not included).  Cost: £ 779.00 per person based on 2 persons travelling

Some Tips:

-      Christmas Market in Campo San Stefano – some nice gift possibilities here – from the 1-23/12 every day from 1030-1930

-      Here is a great site for you to review which has a list of shops in Venice -     http://shops.venicexplorer.net/index.php?hlangs=it

-      Drogheria Mascari - San Polo 381 Close to the Rialto Bridge and sells foodstuffs … a great place for ideas

Please review the following link:

http://www.italian-connection.co.uk/italiancollection/details2.asp?propid=886

There are a range of options to consider and here are 3 options but note that many more are available. 

There is a 3 star holiday village quote ref: 178 which is about 1500 m from the centre of Livigno and close to some of the skilifts in the area. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool and a small gym.  There is a restaurant here and a bar and the hotel do have a series of entertainment options which would keep the whole family entertained!

Cost: £ 49.00 per person inclusive of Half Board and valid from the 19/1-2/2. 

Cost: £ 569.00 for 7 nights for the complete apartment from the 13/1-27/1.  There will be extra costs to pay on site and if you feel that this is an option let me know. 

 Another location where prices are quite good is Monte Bodone.  There is a residence here which is only 200m from the centre and is right on the main ski piste. I would recommend a 2 room apartment which can accommodate 4 persons and again all the apartments are available with a cooking area, telephone and satellite TV. This is a complex which is made up of 4 sections where all the apartments are located and a fifth section which is the heart of the village. 

Cost: £ 299.00 for 7 nights for the complete apartment from the 19/1-2/2.  There will be extra costs to pay on site and if you feel that this is an option let me know.

There are a range of other options available and here are all the areas inItaly we cover for skiing just in case you have a specific resort or place in mind:

Alta Badia, Alta Valtellina which includes Livigno, Bormio, Santa Caterina Valfurva. Altopiano della Paganella, Aprica, Cervinia/Valtournenche, St Antey St Andre, Selva di Cadore, Valle D’Aosta which includes Courmayeur, La Thuile, Plan de Corones, the Sella Ronda which includes beauties like Canazei, Corvara, Ortisei and Arabba amongst others. San Martino di Castrozza/Passo Rolle, Val di Fassa, Val di Sole/Madonna di Campiglio, Val Gardena, Val Pusteria, Val Venosta and the famous Milky Way……

I would suggest a Venetian Escapade and I would suggest this option and we can tweak it to ensure that you are happy with the arrangements.  

You will arrive into Venice and will be met by our assistant who will accompany you to your water taxi.  You will board the water taxi with your assistant and you will then be dropped off at your hotel, handpicked for the discerning traveller.

You will arrive and will check into your junior suite where you will be staying for a period of 5 nights. The first evening you will be enjoying dinner in the a la carte restaurant and a table will be booked for 2 at approximately 1930.  (Meal to be paid for on site).  

The next day after breakfast you will head to St Marks square where you will go on a walking tour of the Doge Palace and the secret itinerary.  This tour lasts for 2 hours after which you will head to the Florian for lunch (extra).  The rest of the afternoon is spent with your own personal shopper, an English speaking lady who will guide you round Venice whether you are interested in masks, perfumes, fashion or jewellery, there is something here for everybody.   

Day 3 starts off with a late breakfast and just lazing around with the afternoon spent on a Baccaro boat tour which lasts for 1 hour and you visit a typical Venetian bar where you will be offered a glass of wine and Venetian appetizers.  For the evening we will select a restaurant for you, a place frequented by Venetians.   

On Day 4, after breakfast and subject to weather conditions and the time of year (further details to be provided), you will take a helicopter ride to visit the wonderful Laguna.  This tour will allow you to discover the geography, the beauties and the most hidden parts of the Venetian lagoon.  The tour will last for approximately 17 minutes.  The day will end with a wine tasting evening, a wonderful opportunity to sample 4 of the most important wines of the Veneto area, accompanied by 4 different types of Venetian tapas in an environment which is renowned for its wine, food and art.  A fun way to learn about wine, have a snack and meet others and local Venetians.  On the day of departure, your water taxi will meet you at your hotel and will accompany you to Venice airport where you will take your flight back to the UK. (Flights not included)

 I would suggest that you propose on Day 3 at the restaurant and we can arrange a fresh bunch of red roses to be presented and a violinist serenading your specific table (not included), I will just need to know if you will be going down on 1 knee as I need to make sure there will be enough space !

Cost: From £ 2375.00 per person sharing in a junior suite for 5 nights inclusive of all the services as indicated above. 

The other alternative is to reduce the number of nights and consider this option.

 Our assistant will meet you at the airport and will assist you to your water taxi.  You will arrive at your hotel and will check into your suite with a lagoon view.   A chilled bottle of Italian champagne and canapés will welcome you to your room.  For the evening there will be a table for 2 ready for you in the 1 star Michelin restaurant at 1930/2000 and you will be welcomed with a gastronomic feast.  (Drinks not included). On day two, your personal shopper will meet you at the hotel and will take you on a short guided shopping tour of the various areas available in Venice stopping off at Harry’s Bar for a glass of Bellini (if not 2) and a carpaccio of beef a plate of trimmed sirloin sliced wafer thin and dressed with a Jackson Pollock spray of mayonnaise mixed with lemon juice, which was invented for an Italian contessa who was on a diet free of cooked meat.  The evening will be spent taking a romantic gondola ride and dinner. Your last day in Venice will be spent relaxing. Your water taxi will come to pick you up from the hotel on the morning of departure and will assist you to the airport for your flight back. (Flights not included).

Cost: From £ 1899.00 per person sharing in a suite with lagoon view for 3 nights inclusive of all the services as indicated above.

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