Compare Madagascar Hidden Gems by Aardvark Safaris 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 | 11 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 6,496 | $ 1,331 |
| Price Per Day | $ 591 | $ 166 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions | N/A |
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| Flights & Transport | Internal airfare and ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
9 Breakfast, 4 Lunch, 9 Dinner |
Daily Breakfast, 2 Lunches & 2 Dinners |
| Description |
Madagascar is home to an incredible diversity of habitat, scenery and wildlife, including several species of the much loved lemur. This comprehensive trip takes in the architectural attractions of the capital, the mountains and plateaus of the interior, isolated villages along the Pangalanes Canal, forest blanketed slopes, and a gem of an island that boasts one of Madagascar’s most breathtaking beaches, which is really saying something. Spot lemur in their native habitat, stay in a variety of fabulous properties, hike, and meet the locals to gain a better understanding of their everyday lives and vibrant culture. And, of course, be sure to soak up the sun on dazzling stretches of white sandy beaches and swim in sparkling warm water. |
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: Lokanga Boutique Hotel - 1 night - Bed and Breakfast
Accommodation: Lokanga Boutique Hotel
On arrival into Antananarivo (Tana) today you will be met by an English speaking guide who will accompany you until you depart mainland Madagascar for Nosy Be. You will be driven to Lokanga Boutique Hotel where you stay the night on a bed and breakfast basis
This intimate and freshly renovated hotel is situated atop a hill close to the old Queen's Palace in Madagascar. Designed in the traditional Malagasy townhouse style, Lokanga Boutique Hotel is built on the site that once housed the Queen's musicians, and is named after the Malagasy violin. This prominent viewpoint looks out across the city and is the perfect spot from which to enjoy magnificent evening sunsets.
Set in an ancient part of this beautiful city, Lokanga Boutique Hotel comprises six comfortable bedrooms, complete with en-suite facilities, mini-bar, television, heating, and Wi-Fi. The luxurious rooms are all decorated on an individual theme and adorned with elegant antiques. Most suites have a balcony with fabulous vistas across Madagascar. Perfect for an overnight stay or longer.
Day 2 - 5: Vakona Lodge - 3 nights - Half Board
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Vakona Lodge
From Tana this morning you will be driven to Vakona Lodge which is a journey of approximately two and a half to three hours on reasonably well maintained roads. The drive itself is very scenic and gives you the opportunity to see more of Madagascar including rice fields, villages and markets. There is an option to break your journey at Marozevo/Madagascar Exotic, which is about half way. This is a breeding facility for Malagasy reptiles, amphibians and butterflies and gives you the opportunity to view some species you may not see in the wild.
You will be staying at Vakona for three nights on a half board basis to include breakfast and dinner. You will have the chance to visit Andasibe/Analamazaotra, Vakona Private and Mantadia Parks during your stay as well as do a night tour to spot nocturnal animals.
The spectacular Vakona Lodge is located in the center of Madagascar's Andasibe (Perinet) Forest. A stay here puts you near Mantadia National Park and just a three hour drive east to Madagascar's capital, Antananarivo.
Stay in one of 28 beautiful bungalows complete with en-suite facilities. Vakona Lodge also has a swimming pool, and comfortable bar and dining room in which you can share your adventures with friends over a meal and drink.
During your stay at Madagascar's Vakona Lodge, discover Andasibe (Perinet) National Park. Enjoy a day or night walking safari under the guidance of an expert ranger to learn more about this beautiful and world respected reserve. The area is famous for its wealth of diurnal and nocturnal wildlife, most notably the indri indri, the biggest member of the lemur family. You will almost certainly hear its haunting calls penetrating the forest canopy as day breaks.
Day 5 - 6: Bush House - 2 nights - Half Board
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Bush House Lodge
This morning you will be driven to Manambato from where you take a boat transfer to Akanin' ny Nofy. This is generally a lovely one and a half hour trip along the old shipping canal, but if the weather is wet or windy it can be a choppy journey.
You spend the next two nights at Bushhouse which is a small, secluded property overlooking Lake Ampitabe on the Pangalanes Canal. Your stay is on a half board basis to include breakfast and dinner.
Beautifully hidden amid lush forest on a hillside with spectacular views across Lake Ampitabe on the Pangalanes Canal in eastern Madagascar is exclusive Bush House. The property is reached by boat via an old shipping canal interspersed with vast lakes. Most of Bush House is hand built using locally sourced materials. All 11 bungalows and two comfortable rooms are uniquely decorated and equipped with en-suite facilities. The public space comprises a relaxing bar and a restaurant with a great traditional Malagasy, Creole and French menu.
Investigate the exotic and beautiful area surrounding Madagascar's Bush House by boat, and take a relaxing walk through the local reserve that is home to a variety of endangered species, including lemur (crowned, red-bellied, ring-tailed, black and white ruffled), chameleon and radiated tortoise. Water based activities, including canoeing, are also available.
Day 7 - 10: Tsarabanjina - 4 nights - Full Board
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you will continue along the Pangalanes Canal on another boat journey of around three hours. You will be met and driven to Tamatave Airport in time to take a scheduled flight departing for Tana.
On arrival you will connect onto the scheduled flight to Nosy Be. You will be met on arrival into Nosy Be and transferred by boat to Tsarabanjina where you spend the next four nights on a full board basis to include all meals.
Famous for providing the exotic backdrop to a BBC castaway island series, Tsarabanjina is a small private island fringed by white sandy beaches, mature forest and the azure sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean.
The island is set to the northwest of Madagascar's coastline in the Nosy Be area. Tsarabanjina comprises 25 luxurious rooms traditionally constructed from thatch and woven reeds. Each room is equipped with en-suite bathroom and has a fabulous terrace with hammocks in which you can look out across the soft white sand to the blue Ocean. Enjoy a delicious evening meal and sundowner drinks in the dining room and bar.
During your stay at this Madagascan paradise, you can enjoy the fantastic diving and snorkeling for which this area is renowned. You can also organize deep sea fishing, sailing, boat cruises and waterskiing, which are on offer from local operators.
Day 11: Fly Nosy Be to Antananarivo
Today you will be flown by scheduled flight back to Tana. From here you will take an international flight, or continue with another African adventure.
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!
