Dear Fellow Carpenter Travelers:

I am so excited to be visiting Italy and hope that many of you will be joining me. Our September / early October 2018 trip is going to be a lush combination of art, architecture, urban excitement, charming hill towns, gorgeous countrysides, and dramatic seascapes.

Need I mention fabulous food, wine, and arguably the best olive oil in the world?

As always, accommodations offer top-of-the-line luxury. The Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort (think stunning Moorish architecture and fantastic beach) is popular with the rich and famous and a stone's throw away (by courtesy boat) to St. Mark's Square. located right on the Grand Canal. Rooms are exquisitely furnished and offer state-of-the-art fitness facilities.

We have two fabulous hotels in Florence. The Westin Excelsior is a masterpiece in its own right and just minutes from the most important sights. The Montebello Splendid, is a gorgeous 19th century villa which is now an exclusive and peaceful boutique hotel.

For our extension, the Excelsior Palace Hotel offers 5-star luxury on the Portofino Coast (Italian Riviera). The hotel has a beach club, two infinity pools and spa.

Our travel schedule gives us the very best timing for a delightful holiday. The hoards of summer visitors are gone giving us easy access to museums, boutiques, and restaurants ... we'll see Italy as it really is. The weather, I'm told, should be absolutely delightful.

My list of must-sees includes St. Mark's Square, the famous Doge's Palace and the Lagoon Islands cruise in Venice; the Uffizi Gallery and the unusual Ponte Vecchio lined with fabulous jewelery shops in Florence; and the colorful hillside villages of Cinque Terre.

Throughout the trip, we will be dining at many of the most highly-respected restaurants in these areas. Bring your appetites!

Sounds wonderful, doesn't it? As always, all the details are taken care of ahead of time, and your time will be devoted to sightseeing, relaxing, fine dining, and great camaraderie. To sign up, please contact your Carpenter District Manager.

Jack McMahon
Vice President, Sales & Marketing