FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:   Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org

*Departures to Umbria,Tuscany and Sicily Begin in March 2012*

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 19, 2011) The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) continues its popular travel programs to Italy by offering four new trips beginning in March 2012. “Campania…A Land That Will Capture Your Heart,” “The Enchanting Hill Towns of Umbria & Eastern Tuscany,” “Grand Tour of Sicily 2012” and “The Jewels of the Riviera with a touch of Piedmont” are nine-day/seven-night tours departing from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City. Airfare and all current departure taxes and fuel surcharges also are included. Costs range from $2,649 to $2,999 per person based on double occupancy and month of departure.

“Campania…A Land That Will Capture Your Heart” visits the cities of Agropoli, Amalfi, Anacapri, Avellino, Benevento, Capri, Caserta, Naples, Paestum, Pompeii, Positano, Salerno and Sorrento. Participants may choose from five departure dates starting April 16, 2012 through October 29, 2012. Costs range from $2,649 to $2,899 per person.

“The Enchanting Hill Towns of Umbria & Eastern Tuscany” tours the cities of Arezzo, Assisi, Cortona, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Orvieto, Perugia, Pienza, Siena and Todi. Participants may choose from four departure dates starting March 12, 2012 through October 15, 2012. Costs range from $2,769 per person to $3,069 per person.

“Grand Tour of Sicily 2012” will go to the cities of Agrigento, Catania, Cefalu, Etna, Erice, Monreale, Noto, Palermo, Siracusa and Taormina. Participants may choose from five departure dates starting March 5, 2012 through October 29, 2012. Costs range from $2,799 to $2,999 per person.

“The Jewels of the Riviera with a touch of Piedmont” visits the cities of Cinque Terre, Genoa, Monte Carlo, Nice, Pollenzo, Portofino, Rapallo and Santa Margherita. Participants may choose from five departure dates starting April 23, 2012 through October 15, 2012. Costs range from $2,799 to $2,999 per person.

All packages include airport transfers in Italy, seven buffet-style continental breakfasts, seven dinners at the hotel with wine and mineral water included, English-speaking guides and all entrance fees. Other United States cities of embarkation are also available at an additional charge and are subject to availability and scheduling. The tour program, which has been sold out every year for the past 15 years, is offered on a “first-come, first-served” basis. For more information, visit www.niaf.org/travel.

For a brochure and reservation form, write to Italy Travel, c/o Unitours, 3010 Westchester Avenue, Purchase, NY 10557. Call toll-free at 888-846-6423 or 914-253-9177 or email Marianna Pisano at mpisano@unitours.com.

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage and culture of Americans of Italian descent.