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October 13-22, 2007
Sunday, October 13. Arrival
Florence Airport. You'll be met by our Special Hostess and
transfer by deluxe, air-conditioned bus to the lovely Hotel
Villa Marsili in the "Under the Tuscan Sun" hill town of Cortona.
Enjoy a welcome to Italy dinner in the hotel.
Monday. October 14. Breakfast
in hotel. Transfer to the charming village of Murlo, south
of Siena, for a cooking lesson on antipasti and first courses
(pasta!!!) at La Locanda del Castello, a well known restaurant
often mentioned in US guidebooks to the best in Tuscan cooking.
The restaurant has uncovered old Tuscan recipes--combining
them with the best wines of the region. After lunch (which
the group will have cooked) visit the Roman thermal town of
Bagno Vignoni, built around the thermal baths which are still
in use. Return to hotel in early evening. Dinner on your own.
Tuesday,October 15. Breakfast
in hotel. Departure for Montepulciano and the historic Cantine
Contucci with winetasting of the Vino Nobile di Motepulciano.
Continue to Montalcino, lunch at the famous Fattoria dei Barbi.
In the afternoon visit the Castello di Poggio alla Mura (owned
by Villa Banfi),the glass museum and wine tasting of the vineyard's
world famous Brunello di Montalcino--one of the world's foremost
wines. In early evening visit the center of Montalcino, with
a stop at the Caffe La Fiaschetteria-one of Italy's oldest
and most famous wine bars.
Wednesday, October 16. Day
on your own. You may take the train or rent a car and explore
nearby towns of Umbria (Perugia), Srezzo or Rome is only 2
hours by train. If there are specific towns that you would
like to visit with private tour guide, please request and
we can arrange for you at additional cost.
Thursday,October 17. Breakfast
in hotel. Departure for Siena for a cooking lesson at Da Divo,
an excellent restaurant in a wine cave--in the heart of this
historic city. Cooking class devoted to main courses and vegetables.
Lunch in restaurant (again eating what they cooked). Afternoon
guided tour of Siena. Return to hotel in early evening. Dinner
on your own.
Friday,October 18. Breakfast
in hotel. Morning guided visit of San Gimignano, the 14th
century city of towers. Lunch on own. Afternoon visit to the
Castello di Volpaia for a tasting of its Chianti Classico
and its great olive oil. Return to hotel. Dinner on your own.
Saturday, October 19. Day
on your own. Maybe you will want to visit the great walls
of the unspoiled Tuscan town of Lucca. More shopping can be
had in Deruta, known as the ceramic center. You may just want
to relax and have a massage at the hotel.
Monday, October 21. Breakfast
in hotel. Transfer to Florence for full day shopping--with
our special shopping hostess. Our last night we will stay
at the deluxe 4 star Hotel de la Ville on the Piazza Antinori,
right off the Via Tornabuoni-Florence's main shopping street.
Farewell Dinner at I Lattini local restaurant.
Tuesday,October 22. Breakfast
in hotel and transfer out to Florence airport.
Please advise if you are extending
your stay or need air arrangements from another city home.
Contact us for more information.
Rates, Payments and Cancellation
Policy:
Rate per person based on double occupancy $2750.00 land only.
Single supplement add on is $665.00
Air Fare:
Add on airfares available
from $650-850 at this time of year. Many of the wholesale
airfares for this time period will not be released until late
July or August. At the present time the lowest airfare is
with Lufthansa (via Frankfurt) or Air France (via Paris) into
Florence. These airlines have the best layover and schedules
into Florence. We can accommodate you if you have a specific
airline you want to fly, however rates will likely be higher.
Upgrades not available on wholesale air, but discounted business
class rates are available at 40 % off the standard business
class fares.
Deposit:
$1000.00 due per person in
order to reserve.
Payment by credit card or check.
Final payment due August 12, 2002.
Payment by check or money order only for final payment.
Cancellation:
61 or more days prior to departure:$500 per person
46-60 days prior 50% penalty
0-45 days prior no refund(100% penalty)
Insurance:
You may purchase Cancellation/trip Interruption Insurance
individually. This must be purchased within 7 days of initial
deposit.
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