Virtually
All Meals and Activities Are Included!
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Badia a Passignano
Il Duchesco
Villa Bianca
Isola del Giglio
View from Pienza
The Duomo in Florence
San Gimignano |
Day 1 (Saturday)
After arriving in Florence, you will head to Il Duchesco Agriturismo, Alberese in the heart of the
Parco Naturale della Maremma. Il Duchesco is an
organic farm & vineyard set against the backdrop of
the park, where eagles, deer and other wildlife can
be seen. Each room (with private bath) extends out
onto its own private patio.
A picturesque drive through Badia a Passignano will
culminate in your first typical Tuscan lunch. After
check in you are free to relax, enjoy the serenity
of Il Duchesco or perhaps tour the Park by horseback
($)
or bicycle ($).
Our hosts, Cristina and Fabbio, will prepare a light
dinner at the Agriturismo with tastings of their
products and wine.
Day 2 (Sunday)
After a restful night's sleep and a full breakfast,
you will head to Massa Marittima, the
most important city in the Maremma in the Middle Ages.
The main square, Piazza Garibaldi, is one of the
most fascinating public places in Italy, consisting
of an ellipse with 5-pointed
stellar projections and a commanding fountain.
An afternoon olive oil tasting with light snack at
Frantoio Sociale and then you head to Castiglione della Pescaia,
a very charming sea village characterized by an
impressive medieval castle. You will have free time to stroll the beach
and the lower or upper parts to the town. Dinner that
evening will be at Da Anna, known for its local
fresh fish.
Day 3
(Monday)
Boat tour to the islands of Giglio and Giannutri.
This will be an all day tour exploring the lesser
known islands of Giglio, a tiny picturesque island
where you can visit the remains of the villas of the
great Roman family, Domitii Enrobardi; and Giannutri,
one of the most peacefully beautiful islands in all
of Tuscany. A fresh fish lunch is included. Dinner
this evening will be an outdoor BBQ with fresh local
products back at Il Duchesco.
Day 4
(Tuesday)
This morning you pack up and head to Villa Bianca, a
4 star hotel near Certaldo.
The first stop will be Frantoio Franci to taste
their award winning olive oils and take in the
astonishing views of Val D'Orcia -- all the way to
Pienza and beyond.
Your next stop will be for wine. You will taste Montecucco, a wine that is not well known in the
U.S.
but is strongly connected to the traditions and the
wine making techniques of this area. As a
result, Monteccuo has become sought after throughout
Europe. The winemaker himself will be giving the lesson!
Then you
head to
Pienza, the town famous for Pecorino cheese. Lunch
will be served at one of our favorite trattorias and
will include a tasting of Pecorino cheeses. You will
have free time to explore the city before departing
to Montepulciano.
Once in Montepulciano you will have the option of
visiting a famous coppersmith’s workshop, take in a
wine tasting at Avignonesi (Vino Nobile di Montepulciano)
or simply exploring this enjoyable town on your own.
Dinner this evening will be at Il Piccolo Castello
in Monteriggioni, a well preserved walled fortress
with 16 towers. (Click
here to view the menu,
restaurant, and the town itself.)
Day 5 (Wednesday)
Florence! Start the day at the Scuola del Cuoio in
the Church of Santa Croce for a Half-Day (3 hour)
Course. You will learn from a master craftsman to
make your own leather journal. The rest of the day
is yours
to explore & shop Florence. (Lunch is on
your own today.)
Towards evening you head to Fattoria le Sorgenti
for a wine tasting with appetizers. Dinner that
evening will be at Da Delfina, which serves
quintessentially Tuscan food.
Day 6 (Thursday)
Enjoy a relaxing morning, swim in the pool or visit
the spa($). In the late morning you will be off to
San Gimignano. After a Tuscan lunch served family
style,
you're on your own to explore this highly unique fortified
town with its 13 remaining towers (it once had 70!).
That evening, it's off to nearby San Miniato, the
truffle capital of Tuscany. You will get a truffle
tasting and demonstration by the chef owner, Claudio,
of Savitar. Dinner this evening will be at the
elegant Pepe Nero.
Day 7 (Friday)
You will begin the morning in Colle Di Val D’Elsa
watching master crafts- people producing the world
class crystal for which the town is famous. You will
visit a terra cotta factory where traditional
cookware is made.
Then
it's on to Siena, to first enjoy a leisurely lunch at
one of our favorite places. (Don’t be surprised if
you don’t see any Americans!) Lunch will be followed
by a professional 2 hour tour, after which you have
an additional 2 hours of free time before we head
back to our Villa. Dinner this evening will be an
easy stroll to the local pizza restaurant.
Day 8 (Saturday)
It's time to say goodbye. We will provide a transfer to
Florence airport. If you wish to stay on we can
help to arrange accommodations and transportation.
Note: Most, but not all, details have been listed.
Activities are subject to change, but should not do
so materially. |
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WHAT'S INCLUDED:
All ground transportation beginning with pickup at
Florence airport until conclusion at Florence airport at
designated times. Hotel accommodations. All rooms with
private bath. 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 7 dinners. Wine, water and coffee included with
lunch and dinner. English and Italian speaking tour
leader. Normal
tips to hotel porters, coach drivers and guides.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:
Airfare, personal drinks, personal hotel services,
upgrades from selected wines, etc. Any activity
marked above with ($) is not included.
COST:
$2,750 per person, double occupancy.
(There is an additional $200 fee for single occupancy.)
RESERVATION DEADLINE & PAYMENT TERMS:
Deadline to reserve is 07/31/08. To reserve, send $500
deposit per person to Ah! Toscana! Tours, 4853 Goodison
Place Drive, Suite 500, Rochester, MI 48306. Balance of $2,250 per person
($2,450 for single occupancy) is due
by 08/31/08.
CANCELLATION TERMS AND OTHER CONDITIONS:
Please read the
terms and conditions,
and send a signed copy along with your deposit.
For your
protection, we highly recommend that you purchase trip
cancellation insurance, as available. Although details
of policies vary, trip cancellation insurance typically
offers you some reimbursement of your expenses in case
unforeseeable personal illness or family emergencies
force you to suddenly cancel a trip. It is also a good
idea to investigate trip medical insurance with your healthcare
insurance provider.
Space is limited. Minimum group size is 8. Maximum is
16.
For questions, call 866-530-1624, or email to
pcarman@ahtoscana.com.
@2008 Ah! Toscana!, LLC. All rights reserved.
"Ah! Toscana!" and "Don't Just Visit Tuscany... Experience it!" are
trademarks of Ah! Toscana!, LLC.
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