Save the dates of Saturday February 3 – Saturday February 10, 2018 — our Ski Club’s Annual Ski Trip for 2018 will be to picturesque Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomite Alps in northeastern Italy. The optional ten day extension after the ski week will be to Venice, Malta and Rome!
Cortina d’Ampezzo is one of the most famous and elite resort towns in the world. We will stay at the charming four star Hotel Ancora in the center of Cortina and walking distance to the lifts. Our trip includes breakfast and dinner daily in the hotel’s award winning dining room.
Cortina d’Ampezzo is part of the Dolomiti Superski, one of the world’s largest ski areas with 745 miles of slopes and 450 lift facilities across twelve ski valleys. The three main ski areas of Cortina d’Ampezzo – Cortina Cube, Tofana and Lagazuoi 5 Torri – are connected by a regular ski bus service, free of charge for ski pass holders. These three ski areas offer 71 miles of slopes with 95% snow making facilities.
You must be a member of the Bear Valley Ski Club to join us on this trip!
Carole reports that we have 52 folks going on the one week ski trip, and 39 folks continuing on the 10 day extension!
Our ski trips are booked through Snow Tours, Inc. Travel insurance is available through Snow Tours at www.snowtour.com.
The ski package for this trip includes:
- Round-trip air from San Francisco (SFO), departing on February 2, 2018
- Transfers from Venice Airport to Cortina
- Seven nights lodging at Hotel Ancora (double occupancy)
- Hotel taxes
- Breakfast and dinner daily in the hotel’s dining room
The Cortina Ski Week only portion is $2226.00 double occupancy without lift tickets. (The pricing for next season’s lift tickets isn’t available at this time.) Single supplement is $267.00 additional per person (there are only three single rooms).
Optional Ten Day Extension
The optional ten day extension will be to Venice/Mestre, the island of Malta, and Rome! While we’re there, Venice will be celebrating Carnivale de Venezia, one of the largest annual festivals in Italy!
We will be staying in four star hotels in each of our three destinations. The ten day extension package includes:
February 10 – 13, 2018
– Hotel Bologna in Mestre, just outside of Venice and convenient to transportation
– Three nights lodging and taxes
– Breakfast daily in the hotel
– Single supplement is $326.00 per person
– Transfers from Cortina to Hotel Bologna, and Hotel Bologna to the Venice Airport
February 13 – 17, 2018
– Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort located at the edge of the sparkling Mediterranean Sea and overlooking St. George’s Bay in Malta
– Four nights lodging and taxes
– Breakfast daily in the hotel
– Single supplement is $194.00 per person
– Flight from Venice Airport to Malta Airport, and flight from Malta Airport to Rome Airport
– Round trip transfers from Malta Airport to the hotel
– Three tours are included — see descriptions below
February 17 – 20, 2018
– Hotel Borgongnoni in the center of Rome, near Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps
– Three nights lodging and taxes
– Breakfast daily in the hotel
– Single supplement is $xxx.xx per person.
– Round trip transfers from the Rome Airport to the hotel
Grand total per person is $3997.00 based on double occupancy, for both the ski week and the ten day extension, not including lift tickets for the ski week.
The following three tours are included in Malta:
- Full Day Tour “Treasures of Malta” — Valletta and The Three Cities
– Pick up from the Hotel. Departure to Malta’s capital city, Valletta, for a guided tour through the bustling streets. The city was built after the Great Siege of 1565 and named after the Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Vallette. Valletta is a unique city “built for gentlemen by gentlemen” and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
– The excursion in Valletta starts by visiting the Malta Experience, a multi-vision show depicting 7000 years of Maltese history.
– Then we will proceed to the Barrakka Gardens – built on the elevated Bastion ramparts commanding panoramic views of the Grand Harbour and the three cities.
– Later we will visit St. John´s Cathedral. This splendid church was originally the church of the Order of St. John, with its fine Baroque architecture with elaborate Grand Masters monuments and exclusive precious works of art including a Caravaggio.
Lower Barrakka Gardens, Valletta, Malta – After the Cathedral we will see from the outside the Grand Masters Palace which is the residence of the President of Malta.
– Free time in Valletta. Lunch on your own in Valletta.
– After lunch we will head to the Southern part of the island in order to discover the historical area known as the Three Cities: Vittoriosa, Cospicua & Senglea.
– A drive past Cospicua will bring you to Vittoriosa where you will walk through the various narrow streets shaded by many historic buildings and churches. From the old quay you will take a typical ‘fregatina’ for a tour of the famous harbour creeks (subject to weather conditions).
– In Senglea you will be able to admire the panorama from the beautiful ‘vedette’ placed in the center of the Grand Harbour.
– Return to the Hotel.
– Tour includes: bus transportation, English speaking guide, boat trip (subject to weather) with six people per boat, Malta Experience tour for 1 hour, and St. John’s Cathedral for 1 hour.
- Full Day Tour “Mdina – The Silent City” Rabat & Mosta
– This tour will take you to the old capital of Malta –Mdina, which is located in the central part of the island. This ancient city is also known as the “silent city” as its foundations back to prehistoric times, and it has witnessed Malta´s major historical events, having a strategic position on one of the land´s highest plateaus. This walled city enjoys spectacular views of the country side that can be appreciated from the bastions. Mdina is on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The walled city of Mdina, Malta – During your walk in the silent city, you will visit the Mdina Cathedral and the imposing bastions that will allow you to admire a panoramic view of most of the island.
– Lunch will be on your own in Rabat.
– After lunch you will take a short walk around the narrow winding roads leading to the area of St Paul’s Catacombs and Grotto. You will have the opportunity to visit the Catacombs.
– On leaving Rabat we head to the Dingli Cliffs to admire the impressive dome of Mosta´s Parish Church located in Mosta. This church still hosts a bomb which did not explode during World Word II.
– Tour includes: bus transportation, English speaking guide for a full day (8 hours), Mdina Cathedral tour for 20 minutes, and St. Paul’s Catacombs tour for 20 minutes.
- Full Day Tour “Taste of Gozo”
– Today you will start the day early in order to visit Malta’s sister island of Gozo. Gozo is barely 20 minutes away from the mainland and offers a unique Mediterranean setting. It is an island where time stood still, where traditions and customs form part of the daily life of the Islanders. At first glimpse one is sure to notice that progress and the daily routine maintains a slow pace. This is why Gozo is greener and offers beautiful scenic views having most of the population still following their forefathers trades of farmers and fishermen.
Ggantija Temples, Gozo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site – During this excursion, we shall visit the Temples of Ggantija (the place of Giants) which is the only major prehistoric site on the Island of Gozo. The temple is among the oldest and best preserved in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
– You will also visit the inland sea in Dwejra, Ta’ Pinu Church, Xlendi Bay and the Citadella in Victoria.
– Free time for shopping will also be given. Gozo is well known for its woolen goods and handmade lace.
– Lunch will be on your own in Gozo.
– This tour includes: bus transportation and English speaking guide for five hours.