THE VENICE MARATHON

Two wonderfully relaxing days in the peaceful Italian bread-basket of Emilio-Romagna, followed by the 24th Venice Marathon and a rewarding break in Venice itself.

Thursday 22 October - Tuesday 27 October 2009

Price: £ 895 pp      Single Supplement: £245 pp     Deposit: £300 pp

Join us in October for a fabulous holiday in VENICE, and take part in the 24th Venice Marathon on Sunday 25 October. This fantastic itinerary turns the marathon into a whole holiday, including a fabulous short break in one of the most romantic cities on earth.

We begin by flying you to Emilia-Romagna, in the breadbasket of Italy, 100km south of Venice itself. Here we enjoy two nights in a wonderful country farm-hotel, run by a friendly family who will take very good care of us. The setting is remote and relaxing, and the food exceptional. We will enjoy home-produced meals from the organic garden of the hotel, which also makes its own conserves and wines - heaven!

On the day before the Marathon we transfer to Venice and check into our three-star hotel, conveniently placed for all the major sightseeing spots, and very close to the Marathon finish line. You will be issued with a three-day waterbus pass so you can explore the canals, islands and architecture of Venice at your own pace. On race day we arrange transport to the registration line, where you begin your run back into the city itself. In the evening, you have the option to join us for dinner or perhaps enjoy a concert, followed by another full day to explore La Serenissima, one of the world's most romantic places.

Your holiday ends with waterbus transport from our hotel across the lagoon direct to Marco Polo airport, where we board our flight home.

LATEST NEWS 27 May
The marathon is booking rapidly. Here is a brief note from the official website ( www.venicemarathon.it/home_en.php). Of course, you can still enjoy this holiday without physically participating in the race itself, but if you want to take part, it's a good idea to register soon!

ITINERARY

Day 1 Thursday 22 October
We fly from Edinburgh to Bologna or Forli and within an hour's drive are relaxing in our Hotel. You will be made very welcome by Daniella and Fiorenza, our friendly hosts at Hotel Belfiore, located on the edge of the charming town of Ostellato in the region of Emilia Romagna. This area is part of the extensive Po Delta area, where the mightiest river in Italy splits into many smaller streams as it flows outwards into the calm Adriatic Sea. Characterised by its flat landscape, this region is ideal for marathon preparation; quiet, peaceful and - above all - very flat!

In the evening we enjoy a traditional dinner, featuring many courses of antipasti, followed by a meat or fish primi platti. Vegetarian diets are welcomed, and the luscious desserts are strictly optional!

Day 2 Friday 23 October
A day at leisure, with no planned activity except breakfast and dinner. Breakfast usually features a variety of cheeses and cold cuts, eggs, rolls, homemade jams, fruit, juice and tea or coffee. The weather might be cool, and there is open countryside nearby which is ideal for a training run. A variety of beauty treatments can be booked in advance, and the hotel pool might still be available (though a little cold!). The town of Ostellato is charming, and a lunchtime coffee or hot chocolate is recommended. Alternatively, you can relax with a book in front of the hotel or in the comfortable resident's lounge area. In the evening, another substantial dinner will be offered! A perfectly relaxing day.

Day 3 Saturday 24 October
Today after another full breakfast we say our goodbyes to Ostellato and make the two hour transfer to Venice itself. With three days here, you will have plenty of time to explore. On arrival, we check into our comfortable Hotel and relax. We stay at an international-style three star hotel close to the lagoon in a very quiet location, though only a short walk from the key tourist sites. You will be given a three-day pass for unlimited waterbus use, and after a brief orientation chat, will be ready to enjoy Venice. You can use the vaporetti to explore the lagoon and Grand Canal, or visit the Peggy Guggenheim, Accademia or Modern Art museums. An introductory walk with your Tour Leader will introduce you to many of the key places adjacent to St Mark’s Square, and along the narrow calles (streets) to the fresh food markets and the Rialto Bridge. You may wish to see St Mark’s Basilica, the Doges’ Palace with its poignant Bridge of Sighs, or just enjoy the feel of Venice as you wander through ancient, narrow streets past shops bursting with Murano Glass, carnival masks, and artists’ supplies. We use a good hotel for three nights in a quiet part of the city - a two centre experience with a difference! Dinner is at your leisure each night, though your leader will show you some good places to eat, and you can choose to stay with the group or 'do your own thing'.

Day 4 Sunday 25 October
Race day! We will arrange your transfer to the registration point, and after that .... it's up to you! See the notes opposite for some more details of the race. The marathon winds around the mainland culminating for the last few kilometres in an approach into Venice itself, then around the edge of the city, over a pontoon bridge built for the occasion, and past the Doges' Palace to the finish line, around 800 metres from your Hotel. After the race and a quiet time to recover, we again enjoy traditional Venetian cuisine together, or you can make your own choice.

Day 5 Monday 26 October
A free day around Venice. Our hotel offers a very good breakfast, after which you will want to explore this beautiful city. Your Tour Leader will be on hand to help with suggestions and directions. At the end of the day, we intend to have some fun at a Celebration Dinner, perhaps with a glass or two of Prosecco!

Day 6 Tuesday 27 October
After some more free time this morning, we board our Alilaguna waterbus to transfer to Marco Polo Airport, directly across the lagoon, a wonderful finish to a great holiday. We then fly back to Edinburgh via London.

TOUR OPERATOR DETAILS

This holiday is organised by Heatherlea (Scotland) Ltd, based in Nethybridge, Inverness-shire. Heatherlea have been running high quality holidays for 19 seasons, and have organised several tours based at the two hotels featured here. Heatherlea operates under ATOL Licence no 6113, and holds appropriate Tour Operator insurances.

The tour will be led by Kevin Shaw, co-owner of Heatherlea and a member of Jog Scotland and Cairngorm Runners. Kevin has visited Venice and Po Delta many times, and looks forward to showing you the delights of 'La Serenissima'!

A few notes about Venice from Kevin, your Tour Leader;

Venice is a wonderful place, but it helps to have a little knowledge to get the most from your visit. Here are a few things you should know.

* Get euros before you travel: currency exchange rates in Venice are very poor.

* We arrive to Venice by road and buy tickets for three days unlimited travel on the waterbuses, or vaporetti. We validate tickets the first time we use them, after this you don’t need to do anything except keep your ticket handy in case an inspector wants to see it. Don’t lose the ticket!

* Located behind St. Mark's Square, in a peaceful calle overlooking St Mark's Basin, our Hotel occupies premises once used as a studio by Alessandro Vittoria, one of the most important 16th-century Venetian sculptors. Close to the hotel is the Chiesa della Pietà, where for many years Antonio Vivaldi (1678 - 1741) one of the greatest composers of the Italian Baroque, taught and played.

* Once we are settled, we will take an orientation walk featuring many of the treasures of Venice, helping you find your way around a few key places and – most important! – the route back to your Hotel.

* Most of the major tourist sights are within a few hundred yards of our Hotel. You are only a few minutes' walk from St Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Some places (eg St Mark’s Basilica) are free to enter, others cost a few euros. Once inside St Mark’s there are optional wonders such as the Pala D’Oro or Golden Screen, which cost extra, again not expensive.

* There are many places to eat, from streetside cafes to good osteria, trattoria and restaurants. Kevin will show you a few good places, but virtually everyone in Venice speaks English, so you should feel safe everywhere.

* If you are worried about prices in eating places, please note the area immediately around St Mark’s Square (San Marco) is much more expensive than the back streets. It is well worth a walk to get away from the throng and appreciate a more traditional place. Look out for three ‘extras’ which can be charged. ‘IVA’, is vat, and may or may not be in the quoted price; ‘coperta’ or cover charge, is usually a couple of euros. This can be slipped onto the bill at the end of your meal, though waiters are happy to inform you in advance if you ask; and ‘servicio’ or service charge, often around 10% of the total – worth checking if this is included before you begin.

* Shopping is fantastic. Many of the world's leading brands have shops in the San Marco district, and everywhere you can see glassware, shoes, bags, artists' supply shops, chocolate, souveniers aplenty ..... you won't be short of choice. In the evenings, classical concerts are available most nights, and we can recommend and help you find the theatres, which are often 17th century churches.

* Your waterbus ticket is a real asset – you can go up and down the Grand Canal, round the outside of the city, across the lagoon to the Lido or visit the glass blowing factories and shops of Murano. This is a great way to see Venice and also to give your feet a rest! Beware free trips to glass blowing factories, which you may be offered at any time. These are similar to time-share offers where you may be pressurised into buying once taken to the factory. Better to explore yourself via the waterbus

• On the run-up to your holiday, if you want to arrange anything special please ask and we will be delighted to help.

Price includes:

Scheduled flights from Edinburgh– Bologna and Venice – Edinburgh, airport taxes, ground transfers, comfortable en-suite hotel accommodation on half board basis in Po Delta area, en-suite hotel accommodation on B&B basis in Venice, 72-hour waterbus pass, incidental tips, and the services of Leader Kevin Shaw.

Not included:

Travel to and from Edinburgh airport, race entry fees, lunches and drinks in Po Delta area, lunches and dinner in Venice, entry to tourist attractions in Venice, shopping!!!                                                                                                           

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A Heatherlea group enjoying their first views of the Canale Grande