Friday, January 26 through

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Price:

$3,300

Trip Includes:

• Round trip Air (Chicago to Paris to Venice; Milan to Catania; Catania to Rome to Atlanta to Chicago)
• Ground Transfers
• Seven nights lodging at Hotel Astoria in Canazei, Italy
• • Daily breakfast &dinner included
  • Savory and Sweet Afternoon Buffet
  • Weekly aperitif and Candlelit dinner and live music
    
• Tour of Bolzano and Legendary Winery
• Lift tickets Extra
• • Val Di Fassa accepts the IKON pass

  • https://www.dolomitisuperski.com/en/Ski-pass/Prices

• Four nights at Hotel Villa Diodoro in Taormina, Sicily

Canazei

https://www.fassa.com/en/discover-val-di-fassa/villages/canazei ) 

We will be staying in Canazei where, you’ll find the biggest ski center in Val di Fassa. It comprises the slopes at the foot of the Pordoi, Sella and Fedaia passes and is divided into the four areas of Belvedere, Ciampac, Col Rodella and Marmolada, all of which can be reached quickly and easily from the village. With its modern lifts and direct links to the Sellaronda, Canazei is one of the most popular winter sports areas in the entire Alpine region. The Sellaronda is well-known and is amongst the most impressive ski circuits in South Tyrol and indeed in the whole of the Alps. The well-connected lifts and superbly prepared pistes will allow you uninterrupted skiing on almost 30 kms of ski runs in one single day. On the Sellaronda, there is really no need for you to take off your skis and you will never have to cover the same stretch twice. The Sellaronda is one of the best-known ski routes in the world, encompassing four Dolomite passes around the Sella group. You will ski across the Ladin valleys of Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Arabba and Val di Fassa, covering 40 km, 27 km of which are pure skiing fun.

LODGING: HOTEL ASTORIA

      

Situated in the resort center of Canazei, our Hotel Astoria is located only 500 yards from the Belvedere cable car providing guests with direct access to the Giro dei 4 Passi ski area. The hotel is decorated in a contemporary mountain style, with wooden furnishing and cozy finishes. All the bedrooms come complete with WIFI.

 

Hotel Astoria ****  https://hotel-astoria.net/en/

 

Our stay includes:

• Rich sweet and savory buffet breakfast
• Sweet and savory afternoon buffet served at the bar
• à la carte dinner with traditional local and Mediterranean dishes - drinks not included 
• Weekly aperitif and typical candlelit dinner with live music
• 750m2 spa with saunas and Jacuzzi, swimmable pool
• Spa kit: comfortable wellness bag with soft terry bathrobe, pool towel and slippers
• Hotel shuttle to the Belvedere cable car (DolomitiSuperSki- Sella Ronda) which are 700 meters from the hotel from 8:30 AM til 10 AM and from 3 PM until 5 PM (every 5-10min)
• Val di Fassa Skibus stop at 50mt (ticket 9 euro for the entire week)
• Ski room with heated lockers
• Rental of trekking / Nordic walking sticks, snowshoes free
• Information package with ski maps and trails in the woods
• Free wireless internet connection in all rooms and common areas

Also: A weekly program of activities for non-skiers (snowshoe excursions with a mountain guide, dinner in a mountain hut, sledding, walks) at a special price.

 

 

AFTERNOON TOUR OF BOLZANO & LEGENDARY WINERY

 

 

Thanks to its double perspective, Bolzano can mesmerize tourists who come from all over. Its two lifestyles, one Northern European and the other more Mediterranean, combine to make the perfect union, which can be clearly seen in the historic and artistic treasures of this city. Bolzano is a city in the South Tyrol province of north Italy, set in a valley amid hilly vineyards. It's a gateway to the Dolomites mountain range in the Italian Alps. In the medieval city center, the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology features the Neolithic mummy called Ötzi the Iceman. Nearby is the imposing 13th-century Mareccio Castle, and the Duomo di Bolzano cathedral with its Romanesque and Gothic architecture.

 

FOUR NIGHT EXTENSION TO TAORMINA, SICILY

         

 

Taormina sits atop a hill on Sicily's east coast, before a backdrop of golden sandy beaches, the glittering Ionian Sea, and the geological grandeur of Mount Etna – an active volcano veined with trails. From flourishing Greek to Roman town, Taormina's history is everywhere you look. Check out the labyrinth-like medieval streets of its old town, as well as the Teatro Antico di Taormina: the dramatic ruins of an ancient Greco-Roman theater, which is still used today. In Taormina you can fill your days by strolling the pedestrianized main street for souvenirs, dining on authentic Sicilian fare, or watching the sunset with a tangy limoncello.

TOURS

We are looking into possible tours while we are in Sicily and will provide additional information later:

• Taormina and Etna Volcano 
• Siracusa & Avola
• Excursion to Catania and Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armeri

 

LODGING: HOTEL VILLA DIODORO

          

                        

Our Hotel Villa Diodoro features a hillside position and an outdoor pool with panoramic sea views, a 5-minute walk from the historical center of Taormina. Its elegant restaurant serves Sicilian and international dishes.

Rooms at Villa Diodoro are bright and include a mini-bar and private bathroom. Some have views over Mount Etna or the Bay of Naxos. The hotel is just 650 feet from the town's Greek-Roman Theater. Mount Etna Regional Park is 40 minutes away by car. Guests can relax with a cocktail or a glass of Sicilian wine at one of 2 bars, one of which is by the pool and open only during summer. There is also a Technogym area, a sun terrace and 2 relaxation rooms for aromatherapy treatments.

 

Payment Schedule:

         Deposit June - $500

         July - $500

         August - $500

         September - $500

         October - $500

         November - $500

         December - Balance due

• Note:  In some cases, unexpected expenses, taxes, or charges beyond our control may be incurred on a trip.  In such cases, trip prices will be adjusted accordingly.  For this trip, a passport is required and your passport expiration must be more than 6 months after our return to the USA (i.e. expire after 8/7/24).

Air: KLM / Delta

   

DEPARTURE:

KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES KL 0612 ORD/AMS

Departing At: 16:55 (Fri, Jan 26) Terminal: TERMINAL 5 INTERNATIONAL

Arriving At: 07:35 (Sat, Jan 27)

KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES KL 1653 AMS/VCE

Departing At: 09:45 Arriving At: 11:30

SICILY FLIGHTS

MILAN TO CATANIA  AZ 1723  03FEB LIN 1255P  CTA  240P

CATANIA TO ROME  AZ  1736  07FEB  CTA FCO   700A   825A

RETURN:

DELTA AIR LINES  DL 0067 FCO/ATL

Departing At: 13:50  Arriving At: 19:10

DELTA AIR LINES  DL 1423 ATL/ORD

Departing At: 21:30 Arriving At: 22:34   

Trip insurance is recommended for this trip but is NOT part of the package price. Get more details on our web page here.

                             

For more information about this trip, please contact one of the trip leaders:

• Frank Hodowal: fthod@aol.com (630-222-5160)

• Susan Walsh: susielou@hotmail.com, (630-309-5041)

• John Walsh: JRWXPLOR@SBCGLOBAL.NET, (630-777-9008)

____________________________________________________________________________

In order to protect your investment in this trip, the Snowdrifters Ski Club strongly recommends that you consider purchasing travel insurance.  A good policy will cover trip cancellation, emergency medical treatment and transportation, and lost, stolen or damaged baggage.

You can purchase a policy any time prior to starting the trip, but additional benefits such as coverage of pre-existing conditions are available if you purchase within a certain time limit after you make the trip deposit to the Snowdrifters Ski Club.  Please review the Certificate of Insurance for detail coverage.

• Travel Insurance Info:  Tour Operator:  Winter Ski and Sport;  Airline:  Lufthansa

You need to be a member of the club to join us on this trip.  Not a member yet?  Just click here to fill out a membership application and personal profile.  You will also need to sign our online liability waiver and acknowledge our refund policy.

Already a member?  Contact the trip leader to reserve your space on this trip, then bring your deposit to a meeting or mail it in to the address below to hold your spot.

   Snowdrifters ski club

    P. O. Box 697

    Batavia IL, 60510