Jim West
9 day Tuscany Tour, November 5 - 13, 2012
Join Tuscany Cooking Tours escort, Jim West on this journey of flavor and inspiration. Hilly landscapes, great Italian cuisine, a Tuscany cooking class, an authentic Tuscan winery, fantastic shopping, stunning architecture, and the world’s greatest collection of art all await you on this 9-day adventure to Italy. We will travel roads that are off-the-beaten path, enjoy leisurely-paced walking tours, visit magnificent historical sites, and be treated with the utmost care.
Ask about our optional post tour package to Rome, where we'll visit all the famous Roman historical sites, take a tour of the Vatican, enjoy a stroll through the beautiful Villa D'Este and have some free time to just explore the many faucets of this city on your own!
Hilly landscapes, great Italian cuisine, a Tuscan cooking class, authentic Tuscan wineries, fantastic shopping, stunning architecture, and the world's greatest collection of art all await you on this 9-day Tour in Tuscany. We will travel roads that are off-the-beaten path, enjoy leisurely-paced walking tours, participate in an amazing Tuscan cooking class taught by a world-renowned executive Italian chef, visit magnificent historical sites, and enjoy four incredible wineries to learn how they operate and about the wine they produce. Our adventure begins with an overnight flight from the UNITED STATES. Dinner will be served onboard the plane. D
This morning, a light breakfast snack will be served onboard the plane before we make a stop and then continue on to the historic town of FLORENCE. Upon arrival at the Florence Airport, we will be met by our driver and motor coach. We will arrive at our first-class hotel, the Tuscany Inn, located in the heart of the charming resort town of MONTECATINI TERME. 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 with Rita Fishel! B, D
After breakfast, we will meet with Dylan Mayer for our first photography workshop. Following our class, we will travel to the Etruscan town of LUCCA. We will enjoy a leisurely walking tour of the town with our local guide, Ellen, as we learn more about the history of this ancient, walled-city. For the rest of the morning, you will be free to investigate the quaint, family-owned shops of Lucca and enjoy lunch on your own. In the afternoon, for those who are interested, we will go on and "optional tour" to PISA where we will have time for photographs and shopping. Cost of this optional tour is only 20 Euros per person. We will return back to our hotel in the late afternoon where the remainder of the evening is at your leisure. B
Today, following breakfast, we will drive through the picturesque hills of Toscana to the hillside medieval town of SAN GIMIGNANO. During our drive, Dylan will provide a lecture onboard the coach. San Gimignano is famous for its ceramics and leather goods, and this is a relaxing morning you are sure to enjoy. Midday, we will drive a short distance to the family-owned FATTORIA di SAN DONATO winery. Here we will learn how Tuscan wines are produced in this region. A traditional Tuscan lunch will be served along with the wine tasting. There will be an opportunity to purchase wine and olive oil before we stagger; I mean return, back to our hotel later that afternoon. The remainder of the evening is at your leisure. B, L
This morning following breakfast, we will meet our guide Ellen, and drive to the one of the most photographed areas of Tuscany, the famous CINQUE TERRE. We will drive north, past the Cerrera Marble mining facilities and the port city of La Spezia. We will arrive at the first of the three small towns we will visit in the Cinque Terre, the town of Riomaggiorie, where we enjoy before catching a train to Vernazza and then onto Monterrosso. Our day will be filled with shopping, beautiful sights and an opportunity to photograph an extraordinary area of Tuscany. We will return to our hotel in the early evening. B
This morning following breakfast, we will drive to the Il Poggio Winery where we will participate in an authentic (and fun) cooking lesson with an Italian chef. Papa, or "big thumb" as he called by all who know him, will teach us how to make homemade pasta, and we will learn the recipes for crostini, bolognase sauce and the famous Italian drink-Limoncello! Following the cooking class, we will walk into the vineyard and learn more about wine and olive oil production. Then we will enjoy a five-course lunch complete with wine tasting and grappa! We will return to our hotel where the remainder of the afternoon and evening are free at your leisure. B, L
This morning following breakfast, we will drive to the town of VINCI, childhood home of Lenardo Di Vinci. We will have an opportunity to visit the museums, walk through the town and see his childhood home. Following this, we will drive to one of Italy's award winning chocolate houses- Slitti Chocolate shop. Here we will sample four different kinds of chocolate, including tasting their delicious thick hot chocolate. There will be time to shop for goodies before we board out coach and drive back to our hotel. Tonight for those who are interested, Jim will bring the group to the top of Montecatini Alto, via the funiculare. Here you can enjoy a dinner and see the beautiful Tuscan countryside below. It is a great photo opportunity, not to be missed! Dinner is at an additional cost. B
Today, following an early breakfast, we will journey to the "Cradle of the Italian Renaissance," the beautiful city of FLORENCE. Our local, expert guide Christina will meet us for a leisurely walking tour of the city, including walking past the Accademia 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 façade of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the masterfully, crafted bronze doors of the Baptistery. We make our way from piazza to piazza, passing family-owned boutique shops that will beckon us to step inside and discover the treasures they hold. We will finish our tour outside of the Church of Santa Croce, burial place of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. Once we decide on a meeting time, you will have an opportunity to enjoy Florence at your leisure. We will drive back to our hotel later in the afternoon. Tonight we will enjoy our "farewell dinner" at our hotel and bring our special wine and cooking tour to a close. B, D
This morning we will pack our luggage and depart for the airport for our flight back to CHICAGO. A light lunch snack will be served onboard the plane. B, L
For those who are adding the ROME package onto your tour, following breakfast, we will drive south to the Eternal City. Upon our arrival, we will enjoy a PANORAMIC TOUR OF ROME, driving past the Coliseum, Roman Forum, Circus Maximus, the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica, Santa Maria Marjorie and drive on the famous Via Veneto and in Republic Square. We will also visit the Trevi Fountain, where we will throw our coins in the fountain, assuring our return back to Italy. Later in the afternoon, we will check into our first class hotel, and settle in. Tonight we will enjoy dinner at a restaurant located near our hotel. B, D
This morning, following breakfast, we will drive to the VATICAN CITY. Here we will meet our professional guide who will provide for us, an informative guided tour of the Vatican Museum, Vatican Garden, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. In the afternoon, we are offering an "optional tour" to the famous TIVOLI GARDENS & FOUNTAINS. (Cost of this tour is 28 Euro per person.) Without doubt, this is some of the most beautiful landscaping in all of Italy. These gardens and fountains are located at the famous Villa D'Este, one of the special estates built hundreds of years ago, commissioned by Cardinal Ippolito II d'Este. There will be time for taking photographs and leisurely walking through the grounds. If you love incredible landscaping, you don't want to miss this spectacular place. We will return to our hotel later in the afternoon, where the remainder of the evening is at your leisure. B
Today is completely free for you to enjoy at your leisure. You may opt to visit the Spanish Steps, walk through the Coliseum and Forum, stroll through some of the great piazzas in the city - the Piazza Novona, Piazza Republica or the Pantheon area, shop in some of the very special boutique shops on Via Nationale or just sleep in and relax at our hotel. Tonight we will enjoy a "farewell dinner" at a local restaurant near our hotel and bring our entire Italy Adventure to a closes. B, D
This morning we will check out of our hotel and drive to the Rome Airport for our flight back to the United States. During our flight, lunch and a snack will be served on board the airplane. B, L, Snack
This itinerary is subject to change. Space is limited to 40 people and on a first come-first served basis. Terms and Conditions apply once first deposit is made. Gratuities of 78 Euros not included in this price and will be collected in advance with the final payment. This will pay for your waiters, porterage at the hotel, your guides and the bus driver.
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