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ITALY / AUSTRIA SKI TRIP
Saturday January 23 – Sunday February 7, 2021
Leaders: Jim and Patti Blair
We are returning to Seefeld, Austria and Toblach, Italy to ski some of the finest cross-country trail networks in Europe. Both areas also offer opportunities for winter hiking and downhill skiing. We will fly in and out of Munich, Germany and a bus will transport our group between the airport, Italy and Austria.
ITALY
The first week of our adventure will begin in the Dolomites, in the northeast corner of Italy, close to the Austrian border. We stay in the town of Toblach (German name); Dobbiaco (Italian name), which is in the very scenic Pusteria Valley. Our home for the week will be the Hotel Villa Monica which is a lovely three star, family run hotel located in the centre of town. The cuisine is excellent and there is a beautiful spa area on the top floor featuring a Finnish Sauna and a Turkish bath, perfect after a day on the trails. http://www.hotel-monica.com/en/
From Toblach and the Villa Monica, the local bus and train system allows easy access to a network of 160 kms of beautifully groomed trails, many of which connect the picturesque villages in the area. Depending on snow conditions you can also access ski trails right from the town. You can always find a charming inn, or restaurant along the trail when you feel the need for an apple strudel or refreshment to boost your energy. For a day off from activity, you can use the transit system to explore towns and villages in the area or take in local attractions such as museums, churches and historical sites. An outing to the city of Bolzano to visit the famous “Iceman” geological museum and the city market, makes for a great day trip.
AUSTRIA
For our second week, we travel to Seefeld, Austria, which is in the heart of the Tyrol and is also known as the “Olympiaregion”. Seefeld proudly hosted the Winter Olympics for cross- country skiing in 1964 and 1976. In 2019, it hosted the World Nordic Ski Championships, just after our group departed. The trail network is extensive, freshly groomed each day and again, the trails cater to all levels of skiers. The Seefeld region also has an incredible network of dedicated snowshoe trails and specifically groomed winter hiking trails. In winter, Seefeld is a Mecca of winter activity! For a day off the trails, Innsbruck and Mittenwald and other villages are easily accessible by train or bus.
In Seefeld, our home will be the Hotel Bergland, which is conveniently located near the bus station and the pedestrian mall in the centre of town. This family operated, four-star hotel caters to cross-country skiers and offers a great “all-inclusive” package. This package includes a hearty breakfast, light lunch, 4:00 pm snacks, 4 course dinner and all beverages, including alcohol. The “all-inclusive” package includes the use of the Nordic Spa and Wellness Area with saunas, steam bath and indoor pool as well as an in-house laundry service and a heated ski room with wax station. https://www.bergland-seefeld.at/
A WORD ABOUT SKIING ETC.
The trail networks in both Italy and Austria are extensive and all levels of skiers can be accommodated. Your trip leaders will not offer guided skiing but rather they will suggest suitable areas to ski and offer advice on how to use the transport system. Especially at the start of each week when the terrain is new, the group may travel to an area together but will not necessarily ski together as a group (this is not practical). We do, however, encourage you to ski with a few other group members who are similar in speed and ability. Your leaders will make sure you know how to get back from the trail system.
In Italy, there are options for walking on winter trails and downhill skiing, but we have found the opportunities for snowshoeing in Italy are limited. In Austria, there are also options to downhill ski, winter hike and snowshoe. They have separate trails for winter hiking and snowshoeing and both trail systems are extensive. Again, these activities will not be guided but your trip leaders can offer advice.
COST
Based on 24 participants, the cost per person is $ 4,395 for double occupancy and $4,735 for single occupancy. Single occupancy will be limited to 2 spots. There is an additional $25 per person non-refundable club fee, due upon registration. We will use the Teachers Travel Service in Toronto for travel services.
INCLUDED in this price:
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Airfare Toronto/ Munich return
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All coach transfers between airport and accommodations; driver tip included
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Ski passes in both locations
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Local bus passes in both locations
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Hotel Monica – 7 nights’ accommodation; all breakfasts; all dinners
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Hotel Bergland – 7 nights’ accommodation; all breakfasts; light lunch; all dinners;
alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; in-house laundry service
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Use of spa facilities at both locations
- Most gratuities
NOT INCLUDED in this price:
- Lunches while at Hotel Monica or if you are’ off-site’ at the Hotel Bergland
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages while at Hotel Monica
- Some gratuities
- Day trips to destinations other than x-c skiing i.e. sightseeing
- Any costs incurred if travel plans are altered due to weather or circumstances beyond our control
**PLEASE NOTE** This pricing is based on an exchange rate that conservatively reflects our best estimate. If there is a significant increase in the exchange rate, we may have to charge a supplement to cover the difference. Similarly, if the rates drop significantly, we will refund you the difference. Please be aware that the air fare, air tax and service charges are also subject to change at any time without notice. In the case of currency fluctuation, the airline reserves the right to adjust the rates accordingly.
REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT
Payment for this trip may be made by cheque, INTERAC transfer or credit card. If you choose to pay by cheque or INTERAC transfer, Teacher's Travel will deduct $100 from your total cost. There is no extra charge if you pay by credit card. Call Cathy at Teacher’s Travel to make payment arrangements: 1 800 268-7229.
There are two parts to your registration. Your spot is not secured until both steps are completed. In other words, the first deposit to Teacher’s Travel is due at the time of registration.
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On-line Registration: Use the club website/Events Calendar and pay a $25 per person non-refundable club deposit when you register on-line. If registration is full and you go to a wait list, you will not be charged $25.
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The second part of the registration is to pay a deposit of $400.00 per person to Teacher’s Travel Service. This may be paid by cheque, INTERAC transfer or credit card. If paying by cheque it should be made out to Teachers Travel Service and dated for the day you register. The address is Teacher’s Travel Service, 21 St. Clair Ave East, Toronto Ontario. M4T 1L9. If paying by Interac transfer, the email address to use is info@teacherstravel.com . If paying by credit card you may call Cathy Kinloch at 1 800 268-7229, during business hours.
Final Payment: due October 21, 2020, for the remainder of the cost. We will notify you if there is an adjustment to the final payment due to fluctuations in the currency, airfare, air tax or service charges. If you wish to pay by cheque, please make the cheque payable to Teachers Travel Service and date the cheque for October 21, 2020. If paying by Interac, the email address to use is info@teacherstravel.com . If paying by credit card, call Cathy Kinloch at 1 800 268-7229.
CANCELLATION POLICY
The club registration fee of $25 is non-refundable. Other payments are also non-refundable. However, in the event of a cancellation: if a suitable replacement can be found (i.e. from club waiting list), and the replacement can be made without incurring costs to the club or the travel agency, then you may be refunded. If a replacement cannot be found, you will be responsible to cover whatever costs the club or travel agency has incurred on your behalf, up to the point of cancellation.
If the entire trip must be cancelled due to lack of participation, you will receive a refund.
INSURANCE
EMERGENCY MEDICAL INSURANCE COVERAGE IS MANDATORY.
Your medical insurance information will be collected by Teacher’s Travel and then forwarded to our trip leaders. Before buying insurance check your credit card to see if you have coverage as a benefit of the card. If you need travel insurance, it can be purchased through Teachers Travel.
Your medical insurance should include the following information:
Name of the insurance company
Policy number
Phone number to call from out of the country in case of emergency
Feel free to contact either Patti or Jim Blair if you have questions. 905 689-6941