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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
(Sights and locations will vary according to specific tour.)
- Guided sightseeing of Florence, including the Duomo, Baptistry, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio and Santa Croce.
- Eternal City of Rome and Vatican City.
- Romantic Venice with St. Mark's Square.
- Verrazzano Castle and winery tour.
- Escorted day trips to hill-top towns including: Bagno Vignoni, Brolio Castle, Castellina, Cortona, Greve, Montalcino, Monteriggioni, Pienza, Pisa, Portofino, San Gimignano, San Gusme', San Quirico, Siena, Vertine. (itinerary & destinations may vary depending on time of year and weather)
- Wine Tours and tastings in Chianti, San Donato, Montalcino, Montepulciano and San Quirico.
- Visit or hike the trails of the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera.
- Cooking class at Badia a' Coltibuono with tour of wine cellars and gardens.
- Visit to Castello Banfi enoteca, glass museum and taverna for lunch.
- Visits to several Artisan shops.
- Best shopping in the world!
"EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY"
DINING HIGHLIGHTS
(Meals will vary according to particular tour.)
- Welcome drink in arrival city of Italian Prosecco Wine
- Buffet breakfast daily. (Buffet breakfasts in most hotels consist of coffee, tea, fresh squeezed juices, assorted fresh breads and cakes, jams, marmalades, honey, cereals, sliced meats and cheese. Often there are eggs and sausages. I find them very filling.
- Welcome dinner at a typical, local restaurant in arrival city.
- Lunch at Il Barroccio in Florence with a variety of Tuscan pasta dishes and Ribbolita soup.
- Three-course dinner in San Gimignano. The view from the La Terraze restaurant is spectacular! We begin our meal with a sparkling wine made from the local Vernaccia grapes.
- Pizzeria dinner. Italian pizza is delicious, although it is different from American pizza. It usually has a very thin crust cooked often in a wood-burning oven. Try the "plane pizza", or Margherita, made only with mozzarella cheese, fresh tomatoes and basil. Umm!
- A lunch made by your own hands at the Badia a' Coltibuono cooking class. You will have the opportunity to prepare a complete and entire meal from appetizers to dessert. The meal will be accompanied by the Villa's own Chianti wines.
- Multi-course wine tasting lunches. These lunches will be in local wineries amid beautiful surroundings either in the Chianti region or near Montalcino featuring the Brunello di Montalcino. These are truly feasts and are accompanied by the proper wines.
- Farewell dinner in Florence, Venice or other departure city at one of the many wonderful restaurants.
- Visit to Fattoria San Donato Winery in San Gimignano.
- Included dining in Cortona, San Quirico, Sestri Levante, Castellina or other scheduled meal location at top-rated, local restaurants. (No tourist traps!)
- Other dining surprises along the way.
(Most included meals provide you the opportunity to choose from a menu. Some meals are pre-planned, but can still possibly accommodate personal needs, such as no meats, dairy, etc.)
Note on Physical Activity
You must be in good physical condition to sign-up for this trip. This is not a "walking or hiking" tour, but there will be plenty of walking, some uphill and most on cobblestones. You will need to be on your feet for extended periods of time. There are many steps throughout the trip that you will have to climb. You will also have to handle your own luggage most of the time. Many hotels do not have elevators. If for some reason you are unable to take part in all scheduled activities, you can usually stay at the hotel and relax. I will be glad to work with you on possible alternative activities if they are possible, but cannot guarantee it.
