Escorted from Kingston by Rose Tomassini
Hosted by Justin McHenry
Sep. 06 -Overnight travel via Paris to Florence, Italy
Sep. 07 -Arrive at Florence Airport and transfer to Pienza.
“The Ideal Renaissance City” –still much as it was in the 15th century overlooking
the Val d'Orcia. We stay within the walls of the village of Pienza in the converted
15th century convent, now the 4-star Hotel Relais “Cloister”.
Included – Welcome Dinner with wine
Sep. 08 Sant'Antimo, Montalcino & Montepulciano
We will visit Sant'Antimo – a stunning Romanesque Cistercian abbey rising amid
olive groves. On to Montalcino to enjoy lunch featuring local cured meats and
pecorino cheese along with Brunello di Montalcino in the hilltown's 14th century
fortress. We will then travel the short distance to Montepulciano to enjoy a wine
tasting and visit of Palazzo Contucci. We will be introduced to their vinification
methods and taste their Vino Nobile di Montepulciano – accordingly referred to as
the 'King of Wines'
Included - Lunch, Dinner, 2 Wine Tastings
Sep. 09 San Gimignano
Today we will go onto another medieval favourite - San Gimignano, the 'city of
beautiful towers' We will follow the route of the pilgrims along the narrow flagstone
Via San Gimignano to its two interlocking 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 will remind you of the movie 'Tea with Mussolini'. We will
have time for lunch, strolling the streets and shops before our reserved wine tasting.
Included - Vernaccia wine tasting
Sep. 10 Siena
Today we visit fascinating Siena. In the middle ages Siena was a great banking and
textile rival of Florence and developed a highly sophisticated civil life. We will enjoy a
walking tour through the web of streets and end up in the beautiful 'fan shaped'
Piazza del Campo for a lunch break. Siena is the home of the 'Enoteca Italiana'
this is a true wine library housing wines from all over the country. We will visit the
enoteca which is housed in the great Medici fortress and here we will sample some of
Italy's famous wines from other regions. From Siena we will continue right into the
'Gallo Nero' region of Chianti Classico. We will stay two nights here
Included - Dinner & Wine tasting
Sep.11 Chianti Classico, Brolio
Today we travel the “Chiantigiana” in 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 Gaiole in Chianti and
the location of the spectacular Brolio Castle, to visit and enjoy a wine tasting at
the residence of Baron Bettino Ricasoli, a powerful and controversial statesman in
the newly-united Italy, as well as the inventor (130 years ago) of the Chianti blend
as we know it today . The castle itself passed to the Ricasoli family as far back
as the twelfth century and was the subject of frequent tussles between the
Florentines and the Sienese.
We will also enjoy lunch with a wine tasting here.
Sep. 12 Spello, Umbria.
After breakfast we will move from Tuscany to Umbria a region of dramatic verdant
Hills to our accommodation in the ancient hillside 'borough' of Spello and our
Hotel La Bastiglia in the historic center of 'one of the most charming towns of
Umbria'.
Included - Dinner
Sep. 13 Torgiano, Perugia
On route to Perugia we will stop in Torgiano for a visit of the Lungarotti Wine
Museum, probably the most important of its kind in Europe then visit their winery
for a tasting .
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 walk through the main sights, then free time for shopping or
visiting the Galleria Nazionale.
Included - wine tasting in Torgiano
Sep. 14 - visit a Cashmere Factory, Orvieto
After breakfast we will make a stop at a cashmere factory that has a
salesroom offering discounts on ladies and men's cashmere.
Then it's on to Orvieto where there will be time for lunch in this wonderful
ancient town perched high on an outcrop of tufa rock with a magnificent
Duomo, so beautiful it is referred to as the 'Wedding Cake Church'.
We will have lunch and a wine tasting of 'Orvieto Classico' here.
Included - Lunch, Wine tasting
Sep 15 Foligno – Giostra della Quintana (jousting tournament)
About 20 minutes from Spello is the town of Foligno – a town of the 21st century
which abundantly displays it's medieval past and history in its beautiful historic centre.
Today is Giostra della Quintana – Since 1946 Foligno has recreated the atmosphere
of a 17th century Tournament. During the 1613 carnival noble knights challenged
each other to a contest involving jousting skill. A breathtaking display of speed and
accuracy on horseback as representatives from each of the cities' 10 boroughs compete
for the palio This whole day event is accompanied by a medieval atmosphere of
brilliant costumes, flag throwing demonstrations, parades, music and
ancient culinary delights.
Sep 16 - Montefalco - 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'.
This is where we find the rare Umbrian wine 'Sagrantino' found nowhere
else in Europe. We will tour the Caprai Winery to taste their Sagrantino.
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”
After our winery tour and tasting we have arranged an olive oil tasting.
Included – Lunch, Wine tasting & Olive oil tasting
Sep. 17 - 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 'Mona Lisa' (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
Sep 18 -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.
For those who want to we will suggest a restaurant for everyone to enjoy
for our last evening together.
Included - Breakfast
Sep 19 -After breakfast transfer to Florence airport to board our Air France flight to
Canada via Paris.
Included – Breakfast
Price and Included Features:
Land Cost of complete tour based on sharing twin accommodation $ 4089.00 CAD $ 2599.00 USD *
Single supplement $ 789.00 CAD $ 519.00 USD *
* USD rate based on bank quotation Nov. 2001 – rate is subject to currency fluctuation.
Early Booking Bonus of $100.00 per person for deposits received by January 20, 2002
Included Features –
- Accommodation in 4-star Hotels of particular distinction to their area with private facilities
- Included meals - 4 Dinners, 4 Lunches
- 7 Tutored wine tastings – featuring:
- Brunello di Montalcino
- Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
- Vernaccia di San Gimignano
- Chianti Classico
- Lungarotti wines of Torgiano
- Orvieto Classico
- Sagrantino of Montefalco
- 1 Sample tasting from the 'Enoteca' of Siena – your choice of a huge selection of the best of Italian wines
from all over Italy – A great chance to try a Barolo or Barbaresco !
- All transportation from meeting point -Florence Airport on Sep 07 to delivery to Florence Airport on Sep 19
- Guided Sightseeing with licensed local guides in Siena and Florence
- Guided regional sightseeing with fully bilingual escort Rose Tomassini
- Hosted by oenophile, Justin McHenry
Optional Air program – We are a full service travel agency and we would be happy to assist you with your
air arrangements.
CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED - VISA / MASTERCARD / AMERICAN EXPRESS / DINERS CLUB
Deposit required - at time of booking $250.00 Canadian Funds /$160.00 U.S. Funds
Balance required - by July 05, 2002
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