NEXT WINTER'S - 11-DAY ESCORTED and GUIDED SKI GROUP vacation holiday TRIP to the ALPS in ITALY - 7 nights in MOENA, VAL DI FASSA in the DOLOMITES - Plus 2 nights in ROME - Designed especially for SENIORS & 40's and over (the new "zoomers") - Leave Friday February 25th, 2011 - Return Monday March 7th 2011.

PRICE* per person (tentative - Canadian or U.S. dollars):

$2900* Double occupancy.

>> **FLIGHT to ITALY << Depart from North American final gateway airport Friday February 25th, 2011 in the late afternoon or evening on a direct flight to Rome Italy, arriving in Rome Saturday morning February 26th. Then a short flight from Rome to Bolzano, the closest airport to our hotel in the Alps. >> TRANSFER << by Private Bus from Bolzano airport to resort hotel in Moena, Val di Fassa, about an hour's drive.  

Moena is a beautiful small Ladin town, ideally situated in the centre of Val di Fassa with Vigo di Fassa, Pozza di Fassa and Canazei a few km north and Cavalese a few km south.  Villages range in size from fewer than a thousand permanent residents to  a few thousand.

There is a good variety of shops in Moena and nearby towns and villages, offering rentals and new downhill and cross-country equipment, as well as clothing, plus all the regular kinds of stores you would expect to find.  And of course there are the bars, cafes, discos etc. for your après-ski and evening enjoyment.  The valley language, architectural style and local cooking is a reflection of their Ladin heritage (similar to Romansch in Switzerland) with a blending of Austrian (from the days of Emperor Franz Josef prior to the first World War I) and of course, Italian. 

>> 6-DAY'S of SKIING <<

Alpe di Lusia, Latemar, Arabba, ski tour Sella Ronde (including the Val Gardena downhill run & Corvara), Civetta, Buffaure, Passo San Pellegrino and other nearby ski areas in the Dolomites, depending on  local conditions, seldom skiing  the same run more than once. We may try to ski Marmolada, Alpe di Siusi and/or Cortina d'Ampezzo this year, depending on available transportation, weather and local road conditions. 

Note: The Ski Safari Ski Around program is not for beginners. Skiers who might be uncomfortable with some of the ski around program slopes can choose to ski other areas or slopes escorted part of the time by the tour escort.

There are more than 120 ski lifts around the valley, consisting of 8 cable cars, 7 gondolas,  more than 50 chairlifts (5-seaters, quads, triples and doubles) and more than 40 surface lifts. The resort altitude is 1300m, highest peak 3284m, longest run 6km and vertical drop 2060m.

There are more than 250km of marked downhill ski runs, nearly all with snowmaking - 40% easiest blue runs - 45% intermediate cruising red runs - 15 % more difficult black runs. In addition, the area has over 100km of cross-country trails, many with snow-making and track setting.

>> SKI GUIDE / SKI INSTRUCTOR << Bruno Pederiva, our group's personal local Certified Italian Ski instructor and Mountain Guide, for 6 days and arrangements for Private Bus >> TRANSPORTATION << right from the hotel to and from the slopes to visit and tour a different ski area every day.

Leave the resort hotel Saturday March 5th, 2011 after breakfast. 

>> 2-NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION in ROME << Saturday March 5th to Monday March 7th, 2011 at the 3+ star HOTEL FIRENZE PALACE. Just a five minute walkto the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, the stairs of Trinity of the Mounts and the sights of the Eternal City. Buffet >>> BREAKFAST <<< Sunday morning.   

HOTEL GUEST ROOMS are all soundproofed, equipped with air conditioning and heating controllable from the room, satellite television, minibar, radio, and telephone with direct external line. Each room has its own private bathroom, with toilette accessories and hairdryer.

>> TRANSFER << from the Hotel in Rome to Fiumicino Airport Monday morning.

>> LOCAL ACCOMMODATION TAXES and HOTEL GRATUITIES << for both hotels are also included. 

<< FLIGHT TAXES and FUEL SURCHARGES >> at time of final flight booking, estimated to be approximately $400 (US or Canadian), based on charges then in effect. 

<< SKI PASS >> Super Dolomiti 6-day ski pass is not included, because seniors over 65 receive a discount when their pass is purchased at the ski area. Certified ski instructors and others with acceptable documentation may also qualify for an additional discount. This also reduces the cost of advance payments and travel insurance. The adult 6-day pass is about €250 (approximately $355 US or Canadian), less applicable discounts, to be paid in Euros on arrival.

<< SKI RENTAL >> 6-day ski rental prices ranged from about 65€ for basic carving skis, to 175€ for top of the line - approximately $100 to $225 Canadian.