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Home>Bridge Holidays>Bridge and a Touch of Italian Culture

Bridge and a Touch of Italian Culture

7 September 2022

10 days from £1,659pp

With a wide, sandy beach on your doorstep and the luxurious resort Milano Marittima just a few steps away, the Hotel Aurelia is the perfect venue for this Bridge holiday which also includes visits to picturesque San Marino and the city of Ravenna.

Bridge directed by Colin Simcox and hosted by David and Hilary Powell
Flights included from London Heathrow to Bologna
Stay at the 4* superior Hotel Aurelia, half board
Fantastic beachfront location, a few steps from the centre of Milano Marittima
Includes a visit to the tiny republic of San Marino, one of the smallest and oldest republics on earth
Enjoy a guided tour to the UNESCO World Heritage Cultural city of Ravenna

Bridge and a Touch of Italian Culture

The 4* superior Hotel Aurelia is extremely well located; on the beach front, yet only a few steps from the centre of Milano Marittima - the cradle of luxury shopping! This upmarket resort on the Adriatic Riviera is a popular holiday location for the Italians, and offers a good range of chic boutiques, cafes, restaurants and tourist facilities. The wide, sandy beach at Milano Marittima is simply stunning - just perfect for those who enjoy a long beach walk, and beyond its beaches, you can walk through lush nature parks and pinewoods.

A leisurely, flat walk along the canal side takes you right into the quaint old town of Cervia (0.8 miles). Enjoy a coffee in the main square and watch the people go by, explore the cobbled streets and alleyways, stroll along the modern sea front promenade, or if you wish to venture further afield, take a train from the well-connected station to a wide range of different towns & cities. Barter at the weekly market that takes over the main piazza each Thursday.

The delightful seaside resort of Cesenatico is a mere 10-minute train journey from Cervia and an absolute must to visit. The historic canal side is abundant with local craft shops and walkways and is famous because it was designed by Leonardo da Vinci.

Included to enhance your holiday:

Visit the tiny republic of San Marino, one of the smallest and oldest republics on earth.
Enjoy a guided tour to the UNESCO World Heritage Cultural city of Ravenna where you can absorb a day of Roman and Byzantine relics, Christian Mosaics, aspiring churches, museums and the miracle of the ivory of the bishop’s chair.

What to expect on this Bridge holiday:
Fly from London Heathrow to Bologna with our flight inclusive package, or fly from Manchester airport for an additional supplement. Your transfer will also be included and will take approx. 1 hour 30 minutes.

At the start of your Bridge holiday you’ll be invited to join our Bridge director and host for a welcome meeting in the hotel. Any single travellers will have the opportunity to find a partner for the Bridge room.

Our Bridge programmes will vary according to the length of your break, and, in addition to playing Bridge, we try to include interesting Bridge seminars, hosted by your Bridge Director.

Your duplicate Bridge will be available every evening between 7.45pm and 11.15pm and we endeavour to vary these evening sessions, balancing between teams and pairs, with at least one Swiss style event during a two-week Bridge break.

Bridge will also be offered some afternoons between 2.30pm and 4.45pm. These sessions are normally given over to open pairs/teams.

During your Bridge holiday nothing is obligatory and you can play in as many, or as few, Bridge sessions as you wish. We don’t forget you are on holiday and our Bridge programmes also allow time to relax and the opportunity for you to explore the surrounding area.

Included in our package:

Full bridge programme, directed by Colin Simcox and hosted by David and Hilary Powell, with seminars and varied bridge sessions
Masterpoints and prizes awarded
Return flights from London Heathrow to Bologna (Manchester available at a supplement)
Airport transfers from Bologna airport on our arrival and departure dates
9 nights in 4* accommodation on a half board basis
1 pool towel per stay
Welcome cocktail
Porterage

Plus the following excursions:

Visit the tiny republic of San Marino, one of the smallest and oldest republics on earth
Enjoy a guided tour to the UNESCO World Heritage Cultural city of Ravenna

Colin Simcox

Colin Simcox is an EBU Panel Director who can be seen at many events, especially across the West Country and Wales.

Colin was fortunate to learn bridge whilst at school, now some 40 years ago. He has been playing regularly ever since and has represented Somerset in the Tollemache Cup on many occasions, as well as the Corwen Trophy and Pachabo. A former Space Planning manager, Colin is now retired and enjoys travelling to warmer climates with his wife Marilyn in their trusty motorhome.

Hilary & David Powell

Hilary and David Powell are new First for Bridge Hosts and are looking forward to making your bridge holiday restful and enjoyable.

They are both retired IT professionals and have done a variety of voluntary jobs since their retirement. They now play bridge regularly at several local bridge clubs and in county competitions. David has represented Kent on several occasions in the annual Metropolitan Cup. Both are on the committee of Bromley North Bridge Club and Hilary is currently Club Chair. David is a qualified club director and bridge teacher and Hilary is an experienced scorer.

Fly from London Heathrow

Return flights from London Heathrow are included in our package on our specific arrival and departure dates plus one item of checked in luggage, per person.

Transfers will also be included on our specific arrival and departure dates to take you to your holiday destination. If you choose to arrive or depart on a different day, there may be an additional supplement charged to cover your transfer costs.

Fly from other airports

If our included flights are not suitable, alternative flights may also be available from other airports on our arrival and departure dates. These may have an additional supplement and are subject to availability at the time of booking.

Where possible, transfers will also be included, although if you choose to arrive or depart on a different day, there may be an additional supplement charged to cover your transfer costs.

Please call one of our friendly Holiday Advisors to check flight options and availability for this holiday.

Meet us at our hotel

If you would like to make your own travel arrangements, you can meet us at our hotel. This package will not include flights or transfers. Please contact our friendly Holiday Advisors who will be happy to help, assist with travel information and advise you of our ‘meet us there’ holiday discounts.

Dates:

7th September 2022: 10 days

Prices:

Holiday prices are per person and include flights from London Heathrow
Twin/double room to share: £1659
Single room: £1749
Double room for sole use: £1844
Deposit: £350

Room upgrades

Supplements to be added to your chosen room type above and are priced per person, per duration
Sea view: from £130
Sea view: £390 (please call to request)

Please note: A small tourist tax will be payable locally.

Overview

The highly recommended Hotel Aurelia has been welcoming guests from the UK for many years and receives many repeat guests, which is hardly surprising given the attentive service and warm welcome from the family and staff. This upscale accommodation belongs to renowned family owned Batani Select Group and has recently undergone a complete refurbishment of all its bedrooms and public areas. Luxury and classic furnishings, including Merano Glass, which is a favourite fixture of the owner, are evident throughout the building.

Hotel Facilities & Amenities

The hotel has a large outdoor pool with sun loungers for relaxation in the well-kept gardens leading down to the private beach. The pool can be covered over in low season, so swimming is possible year-round. Please note that sun loungers and parasols on the beach are with charge. There is an extremely pleasant bar and lounge area within the hotel and outside patio and tables for light lunches and snacks.

We dine in the elegant main restaurant each evening where we have buffet starter and desert and main dishes served to the table. Dining here is a pleasure, and much of the product served in the restaurant is from the Batani Select Hotels own farms and delivered fresh to their hotels daily. Cuisine in the Hotel Aurelia is highly commended, and the buffet breakfast also boasts an excellent choice of delicious products.

Relax in the Dolce Vita Spa where you can treat yourself to a selection of massages or treatments and enjoy the sauna, Hamman and Jacuzzi (with charge). The hotel boasts a red clay tennis court, and it is popular with golfers who play at the Golf Club of Romagna.

Room Facilities & Amenities

All 113 bedrooms are spacious with an exceptional amount of storage space and beautiful presented with parquet or tiled floors, luxury furnishings and tasteful paintings. Guest rooms are equipped with the following:

Free WIFI
Direct dial telephone
Mini-bar (charge)
Full bathroom with quality toiletries, hairdryer, and walk in shower with hydro massage function
Individually controlled air conditioning
Complimentary safe deposit box
Flat screen TV with some UK channels

Room Types

Choose our standard room type for an enjoyable stay in comfortable surroundings, or upgrade to add a little extra luxury to your holiday.

Classic room
Classic rooms are available as a single room (with single bed) or a double/twin to share or for sole use. Single rooms do not have a balcony, but feature floor to ceiling windows while double/twin rooms will have furnished balconies. All classic rooms have inland views.

Executive room
Executive rooms are similar in size to classic rooms but feature lovely sea views from the balcony. These rooms are available as a twin/double to share or for sole use.

Deluxe room
Deluxe rooms are exceptionally large, 30 metres square, with a lovely sea view, Vietri ceramic flooring and bathroom with large shower or bath and slippers and bathrobe. These rooms are available as a twin/double to share only. Please contact us to request this room type.