Apr 24 -Meet at Florence Airport for transfer to Pienza.
“The Ideal Renaissance City” – In the midst of the rolling farmland of Tuscany's
Val d'Orcia, on a tiny bump of a hill, sits the village of Pienza At the height of
the 15th century Renaissance, the humanist Pope Pius II, with the help of
architect Bernardo Rossellino converted the tiny village into the ideal Renaissance
city. We will stay within the walls of Pienza for 5 nights in the Hotel Relais
“Cloister” - a former 15th century convent offering very comfortable accom-
modation in a peaceful and relaxing setting overlooking the Orcia Valley.
Included - Dinner & Overnight
Apr 25 Sant'Antimo, Montalcino & Montepulciano
After a leisurely paced morning we will leave the hotel to go a short distance
to the Cistercian abbey of Sant'Antimo. This stunning Romanesque temple of
yellow/white stone rises amid olive groves in a setting that makes you gaze
upon it. If we pick the right time we may hear the Gregorian chant of the
resident monks. Then it is just a short distance to Montalcino. This hill town is
my favourite. Its dominate feature is the 14th century fortress which comes with
a wonderful story of brave resistance and determination during the power struggle
between the Florentine's and the Sienese.
We always enjoy at the 'Enoteca' (inside the old keep of the fortress) an included
lunch. They have the best selection of local cured meats, pecorino cheese,
and my favourite Italian wine - Brunello di Montalcino 'Tuscany's Big Red'.
– Oh and yes we will tell you the story of brave resistance and dertermination.
After our lunch in the 'Fortezza' we will take a stroll down into the main
square for a look at how people of the 21st century live and work in the very
soul of these ancient streets and buildings. There is a great café where I always
like to have a coffee or an ice cream – it's tradition !
After our lunch and stroll we must have a visit to Montalcino's rival hilltown,
Montepulciano – the biggest and the highest of southern Tuscany's hill towns.
It has a plethora of Renaissance palazzi and medieval alleyways and to complete
the rivalry Montepulciano produces a 'violet-scented, orange-speckled ruby wine
called 'Vino Nobile di Monepulciano' – accordingly referred to as the
'King of All Wines' – Well we'll just have try this one too !
Included - Lunch, 2 Wine Tastings
Apr 26 San Gimignano, Montenidoli
San Gimignano – The medieval Manhattan. The scene that hits you as you
walk through the Porta San Giovanni gate in San Gimignano's walls and walk
up the narrow flagstone Via San Giovanni is thoroughly medieval. At the top
of Via San Gimignano is the center of town, formed by two interlocking triangular
squares. The Piazza della Cisterna with its centerpiece – a 1237 well and the
Piazza del Duomo. Both squares are guarded by the tall medieval towers that have
made San Gimignano the “city of beautiful towers”. San Gimignano was at its
height of prosperity as a stop along the great Pilgrimage Route from Paris to Rome.
It is wonderful even if you haven't seen the movie 'Tea with Mussolini' – but it's
even better if you have.
San Gimignano is the home of Vernaccia – Italy's first 'DOCG' white wine
so of course we will have a tasting here as well.
Included – Breakfast, 1 wine tasting
Apr 27 Chianti Classico, Vignamaggio
Today we visit the prestigious 'Chianti Classico' region –
According to Daniel Thomases author of “The Wines of Tuscany” illustrating the
similarity between the landscape and this wonderful wine -
“In the case of Chianti Classico, the landscape seems to have been transferred directly
into the wine, its contrast of the sensual and the austere, the reality of a lush beauty
balanced by order and restraint”
We will drive the roads of the “Gallo Nero” region to Greve in Chianti, the market
centre of the premier Chianti region. Saturday is market day and Greve's huge arcaded
square is full of everything! There will be time for lunch (my favourite Ribollita is
served in one of Greve's restaurants). After lunch we will go to Vignamaggio a
stunning villa surrounded by an elegant Italian garden offering authentic testimony to
country life during the Renaissance period. Mona Lisa, daughter of Anton Maria
Gheradini ( yes, the one painted by DaVinci) was born at Vignamaggio in 1479.
The main production on the estate is devoted to wine and olive oil which are among
the best known within the Chianti Classico region.
We will have a wine tasting here.
Included: Breakfast, Wine tasting
Apr 28 Siena
Today we visit fascinating Siena. Siena was a great banking and textile rival of
Florence in the middle ages and developed a highly sophisticated civil life. In the
13th and 14th centuries it was one of the major cities of Europe. We will enjoy a
walking tour through the web of streets and end up in the beautiful 'fan shaped'
Piazza for a lunch break
We will return to Pienza and this evening we will be going out to dinner in the tiny spa
village of Bagno Vignoni. The main square of the village is one of Tuscany's most
Memorable sight, occupied by an arcaded Renaissance piscina (pool) built by Catherine
De Medici who like Saint Catherine of Siena, took the sulphur cure here.
Included – Breakfast, Dinner
Apr 29 Orvieto, Umbria
After breakfast we will move from Tuscany to Umbria a region of dramatic verdant
hills, deep valleys, ancient hilltowns, wonderful people and wonderful food and wine.
We will go directly to Orvieto. Orvieto sits on a spectacular tabletop of volcanic tufa
Rock whose sheer sides fall 325 meters. This is one of the most ancient cities of
Italy due to its irresistible site. We will check into our 4 star hotel within the old city
centre with plenty of time to tour around and visit it's wonderful ceramic shops and
view the magnificent Duomo, so beautiful it is referred to as The Wedding Cake Church
We have a favourite little restaurant here too and will arrange dinner here.
Included – Breakfast, Dinner
Apr 30 - Orvieto, Hands-on Cooking lesson with Lorenzo Polegri
This morning after breakfast we will walk over to the Zeppelin Restaurant owned and
Operated by Lorenzo Polegri for our own hands on cooking class. (Please refer to our
'travel feature article' for January 2002 for background on Lorenzo Polegri ('our
favourite Umbrian chef') After our cooking course which will become a memorable
lunch we will continue onto our next accommodation base, Spello where we will check
into our 4-star hotel for the next 4 nights 'La Bastiglia'. To me Spello literally looks
like a classic broach perfectly attached to the drape of the landscape. It is just so
amazing how these ancient towns totally maintain their atmosphere and yet can
accommodate us in total comfort offering all the charm and atmosphere to transport
us back hundreds of years.
Included – Breakfast, Hands-on cooking class, Lunch
May 01 Asissi, Torgiano, Perugia
On route to Perugia we will stop in Torgiano for a visit of
the Olive Oil Museum, probably the most important of its kind in Europe.
From here we will travel the short distance to fabled Asissi, the home of
St. Francis & some exquisite Giotto frescoes.
In the afternoon we visit an amazing city and capital of Italian chocolate, Perugia.
Escalators take us up hundreds of feet through the ancient medieval town to the new
'old town' and pedestrian streets of this hip, ancient, exciting city. We have a
fascinating walking tour through the main sights, then free time for shopping or visiting
the Galleria Nazionale.
Included - Breakfast
May 02 - visit a Cashmere Factory, & Ceramic Factory
After breakfast we will go to a cashmere factory that has a salesroom offering discounts
on ladies and men's cashmere. Then it's on to Deruta – this area has been famous for
centuries for its natural clay and thereby its handmade ceramics. The artisan quality and
craftsmanship is known worldwide and oh what a selection - from really small to really,
really big (remember you've got to get it home. Many of our past passengers have had
stuff shipped with no problem).
Included: Breakfast
May 03 - Montefalco - Nocera - Bevagna
Today we first go to Montefalco 'The Falcon's Mount' (also referred to
as 'The Balcony of Umbria', and the home of 'Tessuti di Montefalco'.
We then go to Nocera to visit Rita for lunch in her farm restaurant to
enjoy truffles on eggs and toast along with filet of boar and roast hare, and
of course good wine. This is a gastronomic experience you will not forget.
This is the area we find the rare Umbrian wine 'Sagrantino' found nowhere
else in Europe. In the words of Italian wine guru Burton Anderson –
“The sagrantino has a remarkable 'dark purple-garnet colour, rich berry-like
scent, and warm rich full flavour, voluptuous body and staggering strength”
Included – Lunch & Wine tasting
May 04 - Umbria to Florence
After breakfast we leave for Florence. As we arrive we first go to Piazza
Michelangelo. You can see all of Florence from this vantage point looking
down across the Arno at the city's heart. We then check into our hotel in the
historic center of Florence – the 'Plaza Hotel Lucchesi' (4-star) with
time for lunch before meeting our guide for a walking tour to orient us with
the main landmarks all within easy walking distance of our hotel. Dinner is
on our own - we have some restaurant suggestions for you if you like.
Included – Breakfast
May 05 -Florence at leisure
Breakfast is included at our hotel and the day belongs to you. This day is
for our passengers to do whatever they have in mind - see the David at the
Accademia, visit the Uffizi Gallery, the Pitti Palace & Boboli Gardens,
shopping in the outdoor leather market or any of the hundreds of shops,
or just sit, eat & relax in one of the many piazzas watching the activity.
Included - Breakfast, Farewell dinner
May 06 -After breakfast an early morning transfer will be provided to Florence Airport for those
departing that day.
COSTING:
Share twin rate $2989.00 Canadian Funds per person
Single supplement $989.00 Canadian funds
Cost Includes :
- 12 nights accommodation with private facilities in 4-star hotels
- Porterage (1 piece of luggage per person)
- Breakfast daily
- Private Pullman transportation with English speaking driver
- Guided sightseeing in Siena, Perugia, Florence
- Professional 'hands-on' cooking lesson in Orvieto
- 4 Dinners
- 3 Lunches
- 4 Wine tastings
- English/Italian speaking tour escort throughout whole program
** MAXIMUM OF 14 PARTICIPANTS
Deposit required : $300.00 per person
Balance payment due by March 01
Please note that a valid passport with at least 6 months (beyond return date) validity is required for all passengers.
(Please note that some nationalities my require a Visa – please ask us)
