Jim West
10 Day Tuscany Tour, October 1 - 10, 2012
Travel with Jim West on a 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 10-day quilting 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!
Our Tuscany expedition begins with an overnight flight from the UNITED STATES to TUSCANY. Please check in 3-4 hours before our departure time. During our flight this evening, dinner will be served onboard the plane. D
This morning a breakfast snack will be served onboard the plane before we arrive in Tuscany. Upon arrival at the airport, we will collect our luggage and meet our bus driver who will take us to our awaiting motor coach. For those who are interested, we are offering an optional tour to see the Leaning Towner of Pisa. Cost of this optional tour is €20 and must be confirmed with your final payment. We will then travel to our hotel, The Tuscany Inn, located in the heart of the charming resort town of MONTECATINI TERME. This will be our home for the next eight nights. Later in the afternoon we will meet in the lobby of our hotel and begin 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 Rosie Gonzalez! B, D
Today is a free day to enjoy at your leisure. For those who are interested, we are offering an “optional tour” to the medieval town of LUCCA. Here we will meet our local guide who will take us on a tour of the city. Lucca is the birthplace of the famous composer Puccini, and we’ll learn more about him and others who have made this extraordinary city their home. There will be time to stroll through the streets on your own, shop in one of the many boutique shops, have a cappuccino or stroll from piazza to piazza at your leisure. We will return to our hotel in the early evening, where the remainder of the evening is on your own. B
This morning, after a hearty breakfast, we will drive through the picturesque landscape of Tuscany to the hillside town of SAN GIMIGNANO, famous for its ceramics. Here we have free time to shop in one of the many shops along the main thoroughfare, visit the beautiful basilica, have a gelato in the charming piazza and enjoy the views of the Tuscany Valley. We will all meet and board our coach midday, for a short drive to visit a typical family owned winery - the SAN DONATO WINERY. Here we will have a unique opportunity to learn how Tuscan wines are produced in this region. A light lunch will be served at the winery, along with wine tasting, and our afternoon will be filled with great fun and good cheer. We will return to our hotel later in the afternoon, and the remainder of the evening is at your leisure. B, L
This morning follow breakfast, we will drive to the historic town of SIENA. Here we will first stop at the Church of Santa Dominico, which houses relics of St. Catherine. We will then stroll through the narrow streets, from piazza to piazza until we arrive at the famous Piazza del Campo, site of the biannual Palio, Siena’s spectacular medieval-style horse race. This race is so popular, that the horses actually walk into a church with the rider, prior to the race, and are blessed inside the church! There will be plenty of time to have lunch on our own and shop in some of the very special shops. We will leave Siena later in the afternoon and return to our hotel. Tonight, we will enjoy a delicious dinner together at our hotel. B, D
This morning, for those who are interested, we are offering a very special “optional tour,” a visit to the IL POGGIO WINERY for an authentic TUSCANY COOKING LESSON. Our instructor is an Italian grandpa who is a retired executive chef. This is a hands-on class, and we’ll each learn how to make homemade pasta, different sauces, sample homemade crostini, and learn the recipe to make the popular Italian drink, Limoncello. Following our cooking lesson, we’ll walk into the vineyard and learn about wine making and olive oil production. This is followed by wine tasting and a delicious five course lunch! We will return (stagger) back to our hotel later in the afternoon, where the remainder of the evening is free for you to enjoy at your leisure. Total cost of this optional tour is €68 and must be confirmed with your final payment. B
Today is a full day of leisure on your own. You may opt to relax in one of the local spas in town and enjoy a massage, facial or swim. If you are interested, we are offering a special “optional tour” to one of the most picturesque places in all of Italy, the extraordinary CINQUE TERRE (the cost of this optional tour is 45 Euro per person). This tour begins with a drive to the northwest area of Tuscany, where we will pass the famous Carrara Marble quarries, made famous by Michelangelo, who obtained his marble from this location. Upon our arrival at the Cinque Terre, our first of three stops will be a visit to the town of RIOMAGGIORE. Here we will walk around, shop and stroll through the inviting streets. We’ll then board a train that will take us to our next stop, the town of VERNAZZA. There will be plenty of time to enjoy lunch on our own and take advantage of all the special photo opportunities before taking the train to our next stop, MONTEROSSO. Again, we will have time for more photographs, a nice gelato and walking around this special place at our leisure. In the later part of the afternoon we will board the train and ride to the town of La Spezia. Here we will meet our coach and driver who will take us back to our hotel. Tonight, dinner is served at our hotel. B, D
This morning we will travel to the town of GREVE, Here we will have the opportunity to walk around and enjoy a great non-touristy Italian town that will offer a wonderful little cheese and sausage shop, art gallery, and a quaint little square to relax and enjoy a cappuccino. We’ll stay here for a short time before continuing to the famous VERRAZZANO CASTLE in the CHIANTI REGION. Upon our arrival at the castle, we will be met by a guide who will take us through the winery and provide an informative guided tour. We’ll enjoy a delicious wine tasting with a fabulous lunch, as we sit surrounded by the spectacular rolling hills of the Chianti Region. It is truly a glorious day that will no doubt find its permanent place tucked away in our hearts. In the late afternoon we will drive back to our hotel where the remainder of the night is at your leisure. B, L
Today, following an early breakfast, we will journey to the “Cradle of the Italian Renaissance,” the beautiful city of FLORENCE. Upon our arrival, we will drive to the Piazza Michelangelo, where we will have an opportunity to take a professional group photograph. This piazza overlooks the city of Florence below, and we will see the River Arno, the famous Ponte Vecchio and many of the landmark sights. We will then travel into the central part of the city, where we will meet our local expert guide Christina, who will take us on a leisurely walking tour, enlightening us with many highlights of the city’s priceless treasures. We will start outside the famous Academy Gallery, which houses Michelangelo’s monumental figure of David, and then proceed to Piazza del Duomo, the center of religious life in medieval Florence. Here we’ll see the impressive Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Baptistery, where we will view the masterfully crafted bronze doors. We make our way from piazza to piazza, and pass special boutique shops that will beckon us to step inside. We will finally arrive at the Church of Santa Croce, burial place of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. This will be our meeting place later in the day. We will give everyone an opportunity for free time in Florence for lunch on your own, shopping in the markets and wonderful stores and visit the spectacular art museums. Later in the afternoon, we will drive back to our hotel. Tonight a special “farewell dinner” will be served at our hotel, as we bring our Tuscany Expedition to a close. B, D
This morning we will pack our luggage and depart for the airport for your flight back to the United States. During our flight, lunch and a snack will be served on board the airplane. B, L, Snack
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 tour itinerary is subject to change. Space is limited to 40 participants, and based on first come-first served. Terms and Conditions apply upon receipt of deposit. Insurance is available and highly recommended. Single rates available.
PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control. We kindly ask that everyone be flexible if something changes in the program. Also, our tour is designed with you in mind. If you decide you would like to participate or not participate in this itinerary, it is no problem. It’s your vacation, and we want it to be what you want it to be. If you decide to participate, we ask that you respect the times we have designated for our departures. If you are late returning to the bus, after visiting a certain city or attraction, we will assume you have decided to stay longer in this place, and it will be your responsibility to take a taxi or train back to our hotel. Please refer to our terms and conditions and cancellation penalties on our website for any other pertinent information.
$3,634 | per person from NYC
$4,212 | per person from LA
To make your reservations you can call us toll free at 800-708-0880 or make your reservations online. For additional questions regarding airfare, transfers, insurance, and pre-night packages, please call our toll-free number and talk to one of our agents or use our convenient form.
