Summer escapade to Europe: Tour of Italy (AED 4228) or Kids’ Summer Camp in Switzerland (AED 10,112)

Tours are great ways of seeing the best of a city within a limited time, much better than the detached experience from a slide show, the exaggerations of travelogues and the confusion of listening to songs in the local language. See the best of Europe within a few days with this Groupon: get a tour of Italy or a Kids’ Summer Camp in Switzerland starting from AED 4228 with Media Publishing and Events.





Get to know some of the most popular places in the romantic Italy such as Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany and more. Or give your child an unforgettable experience with a summer camp in Switzerland. Moms, too, can join the summer camp!

Option 1: Tour of Italy
DAY 1: Rome, Assisi, Siena, Florence

• Departure by deluxe motor coach to Assisi

• Arrival and free time at disposal to visit this tiny town, surrounded by ancient Middle Ages walls. A visit to the Basilica of St. Francesco with its masterpieces of Giotto and Cimabue is a must.
• Arrive by motorway in Siena, a medieval town surrounded by ancient walls and known for the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, the town square, which is famous for hosting the Palio horse race.
• Dinner & overnight stay in Florence

DAY 2: Florence

• Breakfast
• Sightseeing in Florence where the Italian genius for art reached its pinnacle. Florence is known as the “cradle of Renaissance” (la culla del Rinascimento) for its monuments, churches and buildings.
• Visit to the best-known site and crowning architectural jewel of Florence, The Duomo, the domed cathedral of the city. The magnificent dome was built by Filippo Brunelleschi.
• Proceed to the nearby Campanile tower (partly designed by Giotto) and the Baptistery with the golden bronze doors (they were so beautiful that they were called the “Gates of Paradise” by Michelangelo himself. In the heart of the city there is Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo della Signoria (also known as Palazzo Vecchio), gothic building, and the Santa Croce Basilica.
• Afternoon at leisure, possibility to visit Pisa (optional). The power of Pisa as a mighty maritime nation began to grow on and reached its apex in the 11th century when it acquired traditional fame as one of the four main historical Marine Republics of Italy.
• Proceed to the Square of Miracles to view the Duomo, the Leaning Tower and the Baptistery
• Return to Florence for dinner & overnight stay

DAY 3: Florence, Bologna, Padua, Venice

• Breakfast
• Departure to Bologna. The cityscape is further enriched by elegant and extensive arcades (or porticos), which the city is famous for. In total, there are about 38 kilometres of arcades in the city historical center for its 40 km of high system of fortifications and defensive towers.
• From the Via dell’Indipendenza, the tour will proceed to Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore in the heart of the city. The central streets of Bologna today are largely pedestrianized. Here we’ll be fascinated by the Piazza del Nettuno, King Renzo’s Palace, the Podestà Palace and the Basilica of San Petronio, one of the biggest in the world (during its construction it was intended to be bigger than St. Peter's in Rome.
• In the afternoon, the tour will continue towards Padova, with its original Sant’ Antonio Basilica.
• Arrival in Venice in the evening, world-famous for its gondola (classic venetian boat) and for its elegant and refined art. Dinner and overnight stay in Venice.

DAY 4: Venice

• Breakfast
• Transfer by vaporetto to St Mark Square. To visit: St Mark Square and the Doge’s Palace (external), symbol of the glory and the authority of Venice, residence of the Dukes and seat of the Government and the Court of Justice. It can be reached crossing the Bridge of Sighs where Casanova had been sentenced to 5 years imprisonment.
• At the end of the tour, the group will stop in one of the famous Murano glasses factory.
• Afternoon at leisure
• Dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 5: Venice, Montepulciano (Tuscany), Rome

• Breakfast and departure by motorcoach from Piazzale Roma to the famous area of Tuscany, interesting for its romanic churches as Pievi and its castles, area where the production of the most famous wines takes place.
• After a short panoramic of the Chianti Region, the tour will proceed to Valle D’Orcia and stop in Montepulciano, a precious medieval town rich in history and art, known for its “nobile” wine that can be bought in the winehouses of the town. For wine and jazz lovers, in July there is the Jazz and Wine festival.
• Tasting of local wine, free time at disposal.
• Arrival in Rome in the evening.

Option 2: Summer Camp in Switzerland

This camp, facilitated by counsellors who are specialized in looking after kids aged 7-11 years and making sure they feel confident and comfortable, designed for the young ones who are leaving home for the first time. The weeklong camp (anytime from 1 July to 11 August 2012) set in Megève includes accommodations, and aims to provide children with a summer of discovery filled with an range of activities such as learning or improving French or English speaking skills, living in a community, discovering life in the Alps, taking part in favourite sports, trying out theater, arts and crafts, and more.

Weekend activities will include a climb to the top of the ‘Mer de Glace’ (Sea of Ice) in Chamonix by funicular railway. The Mer de Glace is one of the most important sites in the valley of Chamonix. It is the largest glacier in France (7 km long and 200m deep). The funicular railway departs from Chamonix and makes its way up the sides of the Aiguilles de Chamonix to an altitude of 1913 m. The group will also visit Annecy and its lake, with its blue-green water and canals which flow through the old town, thus the nickname, ‘The Venice of the Alps'.

The last day of camp is dedicated to the presentation of a big theatrical production, the culmination of the theater and dance workshops. Parents are welcome to attend the show which takes place in front of the Tourist Office in Megève, in an outside arena. On the last night is disco night where the children can dance whilst enjoying their non-alcoholic cocktails!

Camp timetable During the week
07.30 – 8.15 Breakfast
08.30 – 8.45 Leave for school
08.45 – 09.00 Assembly
09.00 – 09.55 1st period of language class
09.55 – 10.10 Break
10.10 – 11.05 2nd period of language class
11.05 – 12.00 3rd period of language class (theater immersion)
12.15 – 13.00 Lunch
13.00 – 13.30 Quiet time
13.30 – 15.00 Creative activity
15.00 – 17.45 Sports or discovery activity
18.00 – Day Campers leave
18.00 – 19.00 Free time / Shower
19.15 – 19.45 Dinner
20.00 – 21.30 Evening activities, disco Friday night
21.30 – Bedtime

Camp participants will be housed in 4-star Le Manege Hotel in Megeve.