Compare Rivers and wildlife of Western Madagascar by Audley Travel vs A Taste of Italy by Sarracini Travel
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 12 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 4,934 | $ 1,331 |
| Price Per Day | $ 411 | $ 166 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions | N/A |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
Daily Breakfast, 2 Lunches & 2 Dinners |
| Description |
There’s no question that Madagascar’s main draw is its wildlife. Splitting off from the rest of the world millions of years ago, it evolved its own array of species that you’ll find nowhere else on Earth. After visiting this large island and exploring its habitats, our specialists have become captivated by its rich ecosystem. They’ll plan your holiday to Madagascar using their first-hand experiences. |
Like a creamy gelato or hot espresso, one taste of Italy can linger for a lifetime. Travelling from eternal Rome and up through the hazy hills of Tuscany, you’ll spend eight days sampling the best of Assisi, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Padova, Venice, and Montepulciano. Catch the spirit of La Vita Bella as you explore elegant Florentine piazzas, rummage through handcrafted artisanal treasures, sip world-class wines, and float down intimate Venetian canals. Extend your visit by 2-3 days to discover the treasures along Italy’s Amalfi coast, from charmingly gritty Naples to sun-bleached Capri! |
Day 1 : International outbound flight
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Antananarivo.
Day 2 : Antananarivo
Arrive at your hotel in Antananarivo. This afternoon you can enjoy a guided city tour, taking in key points of cultural interest, markets and local architecture as your guide tells you about the city's history.
Day 3 : Miandrivazo
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Day 4 : Tsiribihina River
Today you'll be driven the short journey to the boat. Once all your provisions are on board you'll set off downstream. You'll spend the day passing small villages and watching life unfold before you. Towards the end of the day you're likely to take a break near a small waterfall - a refreshing place to take a swim.
Day 5 : Tsiribihina River
Today you'll continue your journey - you can relax in the sun on the boat's open deck, keeping your eyes peeled for the occasional lemur in the forest on the banks of the river.
Day 6 : Tsingy de Bemaraha
Your final day on the boat. You'll continue in a westward direction towards Belo sur Tsiribihina. On arrival, you'll be met by your driver and head north for four hours to Tsingy de Bemaraha. After crossing the river on a river barge you'll head to your hotel for the night.
Day 7 : Tsingy de Bemaraha
Today you'll set off early for the Grand Tsingy - a forest of limestone pinnacles. The walking is absolutely spectacular here, but you'll need to have a head for heights. There are different walking options available, some more strenuous than others but all taking in the incredible landscape.
Day 8 : Tsingy de Bemaraha
Today you might want to take a boat trip on the Manambola River. During the trip, you can visit some great caves and look out for the rare Madagascar fish-eagle. In the afternoon you may want to visit the Little Tsingy, which although not as spectacular as Grand Tsingy, offers some lovely walking trails and a chance of seeing Decken's sifaka, which are endemic to this side of the island.
Day 9 : Marofandilia
Today you'll return to Belo-sur Tsiribihina. Here you'll stop for lunch in a good quality restaurant before continuing onwards to Kirindy. Here, if you have the energy, you can take a late afternoon walk. As night descends, you'll have the chance to see some of the area's nocturnal animals. You might also see fossa - the main predator of lemurs in the country.
Day 10 : Morondava
This morning you'll have the chance to head back into the park. As this is a dry deciduous forest, sightings are often easier than in the country's rainforests. In the afternoon you'll head onto the Avenue of Baobabs in time for sunset, giving you a chance to take some excellent photographs, before continuing onto Morondava where you'll spend the night.
Day 11 : International return flight
Today you'll fly back to the capital, where you can stay in a day room at a nearby hotel before heading back to the airport for your onward flight.
Day 12 : International return flight
Arrive home today to complete your journey.
Day 1: Rome
Welcome to Rome! After a meet and greet at the airport with your driver, you will be transferred to your hotel. At 8:30 pm reach the meeting point to be ready for the departure of the Rome by Night Tour. The local expert guide will lead you to discover the wonders of the Eternal City, charming by day, absolutely romantic by night. The tour ends in the Colosseum area. Enjoy on your own the rest of the night. Return to the hotel on your own and overnight stay.
Day 2: Rome > Assisi > Siena > Florence
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Early morning departure for Assisi. Visit the Basilica of St. Francis featuring masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue. Continue to Siena, home of the Palio. End the day in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Florence
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
After breakfast, you will spend the day venturing around beautiful Florence, the “Cradle of Renaissance, where, with the help of Michelangelo, Italian art reached its pinnacle. Spend the afternoon strolling the cobblestone streets of Florence on your own or take a short trip to Pisa (optional).
Day 4: Florence > Bologna > Padova > Venice
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Depart for Bologna after breakfast in Florence. Wander through some of the city’s many, elegant arcades (or porticos), for which Bologna is famous. In the afternoon, continue toward Padova, with its original Sant’Antonio Basilica. In the early evening, we will arrive in Venice. Check-in to your hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Venice
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, enjoy your private water-taxi transfer to Piazza San Marco, with “Skip the Line” tickets to visit the splendid St. Mark’s Basilica and, after this, check out the most iconic places of the “Floating City”. Spend the afternoon roaming along Venice’s canals at your leisure and then return to the hotel and overnight.
Day 6: Venice > Montepulciano (Tuscany) > Rome
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
After breakfast, depart for Tuscany, known for its romantic churches, castles and beloved wines. Proceed to Val di Chiana with a stop in Montepulciano, a Medieval town rich with history and art. That evening we will arrive in Rome.
Day 7: Rome
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast depart from the hotel for the included tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St.Peter’s Basilica with our exclusive “Skip the Line” access. The tour ends in St. Peter’s Square. Afternoon and evening at leisure. Meals: B
Day 8: Rome
Meals: Breakfast
Final breakfast followed by check-out. Arrivederci!
