ITINERARY
Saturday, November 1st
Hilly landscapes, great Italian cuisine, authentic Tuscany wineries, fantastic shopping, stunning architecture, and the world’s greatest collection of art. We will travel roads that are off-the-beaten path, enjoy leisurely-paced walking tours, visit magnificent historical sites, enjoy three wineries and learn how they operate and the kinds of wines they produce. Our adventure begins with an overnight flight from CHICAGO. Onboard the plane, dinner will be served. D
Sunday, November 2nd
This morning our plane will make a stop and then continue onto the historic town of PISA. Breakfast will be served on-board the plane. Upon arrival at the Pisa Airport, we will be met by our bus driver who will take us to our awaiting motor coach. We will stop for a photo opportunity on our way to our hotel, to see the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. We will continue our drive to our first-class hotel, the Tuscany Inn, located in the heart of the charming resort town of MONTECATINI TERME. This will be our home for the entire time, so we’ll only unpack our suitcases once! (How great is that?) Once we settle in, we will take a leisurely stroll through the streets of the town, and learn what makes this place one of the most attractive resort spa towns in all of Italy. Tonight we will enjoy a ”welcome dinner” at our hotel. B, D
Monday, November 3rd
Today, following breakfast, we will drive through the picturesque hills of Tuscany to the hillside town of SAN GIMIGNANO, which is famous for its ceramics and leather goods. Here we can shop, relax in one of the local wine bars and enjoy the views of the Tuscany Valley below. This is a relaxing morning and lunch will be on your own here in this special medieval town.
Later part of the afternoon, we will journey to our first winery, the family- owned SAN DONATO WINERY. Here we will learn more of how Tuscan wines are produced in this region. A light supper will be served at the winery, along with wine tasting. There will be an opportunity to purchase wine and virgin olive oil in their tiny shop at the winery before we stagger; I mean return back to our hotel in the early part of the evening. The remainder of the night is at your leisure. B, L
Tuesday, November 4th
This morning, after a hearty breakfast, we will travel to the historical town of SIENA, where we will meet our local expert guide who will take us on a leisurely walking tour through the narrow streets, as we learn more about the history and see the extraordinary architecture throughout the city. The end of our tour will take us to the famous Piazza del Campo, site of the biannual Palio, Siena’s spectacular medieval-style horse race. This race is so popular, that the horses actually walk into church with the rider, prior to the race, and are blessed inside the church! There will be plenty of time to shop and stroll through the inviting streets on your own. There will be an opportunity to enjoy lunch on your own in any of the charming outdoor cafes located in the square. We will leave Siena in the early part of the afternoon and return back to our hotel. The remainder of the evening is at your leisure. B
Wednesday, November 5th
This morning following breakfast, we will drive to the medieval town of LUCCA, where we will meet a local expert guide who will take us on a fascinating tour of the city. This is one of the few medieval towns that still has city walls in perfect condition. Lucca is the birthplace of the famous composer Puccini, and we’ll learn more about him and other special people and events that make Lucca so unique. There will be time to stroll through the streets on your own and shop in the boutique shops and outdoor market.
In the early afternoon we will drive to the IL POGGIO WINERY, where we will enjoy a unique opportunity to participate in an authentic Tuscany Cooking Class. Our teacher is an Italian grandpa who is a retired executive chef. This is a ”hands-on” class and we’ll each mix flour and eggs that makes up the ingredients for homemade pasta. We’ll learn more about different pasta sauces, sample homemade crostini, and even learn the recipe on how to make the popular Italian drink, Limoncello.
Following our cooking lesson, we’ll walk into the vineyard and learn about wine and extra virgin olive oil production from one of the family members. This will be followed by wine tasting and a delicious five course meal! We will return back to our hotel where the remainder of the evening is free for you to enjoy at your leisure. B, L
Thursday, November 6th
Today is a full day of leisure on your own. You may opt to relax in one of the local spas in town and enjoy a massage, facial or swim. If you are interested, we are offering a special optional tour to one of the most picturesque places in all of Italy, the extraordinary CINQUE TERRE. This tour begins with a stop in the resort town of VIAREGGIO, where we can walk around and enjoy the beckoning boardwalk of shops, cafes and of course the sandy beach and ocean.
We’ll stay for an hour or so, then board our bus and then arrive at the first of the three towns we will visit, RIOMAGGIORE. Here we will walk around and have time to shop and stroll through the inviting streets. We’ll then board a train that will take us to our next stop, the town of VERNAZZA. There will be time to enjoy lunch on your own in this town and shop before taking the train to our next stop, MONTEROSSO. With time for photographs, a nice gelato and shopping, we’ll board the train again and meet up with our bus in the town of La Spezia. From here we’ll drive back to our hotel where the remainder of the evening is at your leisure. (Price of this optional tour is 45 Euro per person.) B
Friday, November 7th
This morning we will travel to the town of GREVE. Here we will have the opportunity to walk around and enjoy a great “local” non-touristy Italian town that will offer a wonderful little cheese and sausage shop, art galleries, and a quaint little square to relax and enjoy a cappuccino. We’ll stay a couple hours before continuing our drive to the famous VERRAZZANO CASTLE in the CHIANTI REGION, famous for producing the Chianti Classico wines. We’ll enjoy a delicious wine tasting with a fabulous late lunch, surrounded by the spectacular Chianti region rolling hills. It is truly a glorious day that will take up a small piece of your heart for years to come.
In the early evening, we’ll arrive back at our hotel where the remainder of the night is at your leisure. B, L
Saturday, November 8th
Today, following an early breakfast, we will journey to the “Cradle of the Italian Renaissance,” the beautiful city of FLORENCE. Our local expert guide will meet our group and enlighten us with many highlights of the city’s priceless treasures, including the Academy Gallery, which houses Michelangelo’s monumental figure of David. We will then proceed to Piazza del Duomo, the center of religious life in medieval Florence, and see the impressive Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Baptistery, where we will view the masterfully crafted bronze doors. We will also see the magnificent outside walls of the Church of Santa Croce, burial place of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. We make our way from piazza to piazza, and pass special boutique shops that will beckon us to step inside. Once we decide on a meeting place and time, you will have an opportunity to enjoy Florence at your leisure. We will drive back to our hotel later in the afternoon.
Tonight our “farewell dinner” will be in the quaint little town of Montecatini Alto, located just 5 miles above Montecatini Terme. You’ll love the views from this mountaintop Tuscany town. You can either take a taxi or enjoy a ride on the faniculare. However you get there, we’ll all meet up and enjoy dinner together and recall the special moments of our Tuscany Adventure. B, D
Sunday, November 9th
This morning we will pack our luggage and depart for the Airport for our flight back to CHICAGO. And as we leave we know in our hearts that something wonderful has happened to us. We have been touched by what makes up the heart of the Tuscany Region-the food, the people, the history, the art and the remarkable wines they produce will remain in our memories for years to come. B
This itinerary and pricing are subject to change. Insurance is available and highly recommended. Space is limited to 45 participants only and based on first come, first served. Single rates are available upon request. Please consult the Terms and Conditions located on our website, as they apply once the first deposit is received.
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