Immersion journeys
Italy, France & beyond…
Harmony Winery Presents Eight Glorious Days Of wine, food, and immersion in the culture of Tuscany!
October 5 ARRIVE FLORENCE! Arrive and check into your hotel in the historical center of Florence with an amazing view of the red rooftops of the city. Your hotel is conveniently located right across the street from the world headquarters of Ferragamo shoes! This afternoon you will have a local orientation tour of Florence including Michelangelo’s David. Then it’s off to dinner Italian style! Welcome Drink and Dinner included.
Magical Immersion Journeys in Italy www.TuscanyTours.com 800 634 3460 Copyright © Tuscany Tours 2012
October 6 Art and “Scuola di Cucina” in Florence This morning will be devoted to one of the world's great museums, the Uffizi—and if you like Renaissance art, it is the supreme museum. Your guide will meet you at the hotel to accompany you to the Uffizi. You’ll have a reservation so that you don't have to wait in line! Rest up this afternoon or take time for shopping before you head to your fabulous cooking class where you will learn In the company of an expert chef, in a fully equipped kitchen, how to make a 4-course dinner: appetizer, first course, second course, and dessert. Then you will sit back and partake in the fruits of your labor! Cooking class is your dinner tonight (included).
October 7 - Taste of Florence Tour Orient yourself to the city the best way possible – by eating and walking! Prepare your taste buds: this walk has been featured in the Boston Globe. You will get to know Florence, bite after delicious bite! You’ll visit markets, artisan bakers, gelato and chocolate makers—all in shops chosen for their historic & culinary importance. Taste cheeses, salumi, olive oils, balsamic vinegars, baked goods, sweets, sauces, wines & more. Get the insider's edge on what to eat & where to eat it! This afternoon take a nap and then head out for shopping! (3 to 4 hour tasting tour with local Italian food expert and all tastings included)
TUSCANY TOURS Magical Immersion Journeys in Italy and France 800 634-3460
October 8 Claudio and Alba’s and Cortona Your private bus and driver will pick you up, and then you are off to Claudio and Alba’s for lunch in the family vineyards. You’ll drive down a back road and pass row after row of grape vines and olive trees. Finally you’ll arrive in the middle of the rolling green Chianti hills at one of the most beautiful intersections of woods, vineyards and olive groves that we know of. You will have a five course lunch, each course accompanied by the wines of the vineyard. Afterwards the family will take you to visit their cantina. This day in the vineyards will be a highlight as you dine “in famiglia”.
At the end of the day, you will travel on to Cortona and check into the beautiful Villa Marsili. Lunch today with lots of wine included.
TUSCANY TOURS Magical Immersion Journeys in Italy and France 800 634-3460
October 9, Cortona "Floating high above the Valdichiana plain on terraced slopes of olives and vines, Cortona figures among the crown jewels of Tuscan hill towns. Ragged Etruscan stonework can still be seen in the foundations of its walls." (Cadogan Guide) Cortona was a major Etruscan city long before ancient Rome's rise to power. In the morning explore the city with the expert guidance of our talented and entertaining guide who was born and raised in Cortona, loves all things Etruscan, and knows many of the fascinating stories of Cortona's past and present. In the afternoon you'll have free time to explore Cortona on your own. Depending on your interests and preferences, you may want to stroll in the park, hike up the Via Crucis to the Basilica of Saint Margaret, shop along the "Corso", or explore Cortona's steep, picturesque side-streets. Tonight we have a special event organized just for your group:
Del Brenna Jewelers and Tuscany Tours invite you to attend a jewelry tasting!
Sebastian Del Brenna, a third generation artisan jeweler and Megan, his American born wife, offer you unique handcrafted jewelry from the heart of Tuscany. And you can try their creations during dinner out in Cortona, just like the stars who borrow jewelry for the Oscars! Just before dinner they will host you in the shop under the ancient town hall of Cortona. You may choose your favorite hand crafted Del Brenna creation. (or choose more than one, for instance a matching set of earrings and pendant!) and then it’s off to dinner with one of Tuscany’s most famous chefs. Tonight, wine tasting as well as jewelry tasting when a local cantina features the wine for your dinner at Osteria Del Teatro!
TUSCANY TOURS Magical Immersion Journeys in Italy and France 800 634-3460
October 10 This day is intended to introduce you to the fantastic landscapes and the magical hilltop towns of the Sienese Crete. You will experience medieval architecture in the form of a Carolingian abbey. And you will eat in one of Tuscany’s best restaurants and enjoy famous Brunello wine. You will begin your day with a visit the abbey of St. Antimo where the monks will chant the morning service for about 20 minutes as you sit and watch the sun stream in through the stone cut windows.
You will then continue on to the picturesque hill town of Montalcino. You’ll have an opportunity to explore the streets with their spectacular 360’ views of the surrounding Tuscan countryside— which still looks much the same today as it did in medieval frescoes. Lunch on your own in Montalcino. Your next stop of the day is Poggio Antico, a vast Brunello estate where you will tour the cantina and learn why the position of Poggio Antico (the highest point in the Brunello production area) makes their wine so incredible. At the end of the day, you will travel on to your home deep in the Chianti vineyards. A long cypress-lined drive takes you into Dievole, a private eight hundred acre vineyard estate located in majestic Chianti Classico hill country. Villa Dievole is set in tranquil surroundings, nestled in the beautiful Tuscan hills. Cypress and olive trees, farreaching vineyards, hidden villages and magnificent medieval buildings dominate the landscape. Reputed wines have been produced at Dievole for over 900 years. A welcome dinner awaits you at Dievole where you will dine tonight at the master of the vineyards table… (you’ll have to wait to see what that means!) Wine tasting at Poggio Antico and dinner included.
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October 11 – Chianti and San Gimignano Most of your day today is devoted to CHIANTI! The first stop for the day is a visit to a local wine maker at his spectacular estate, where you tour the cellars and sample a variety of wines and olive oil. You continue your wine tour deep in the Chianti Classico with a special visit to an historical villa and its surrounding vineyards. Here you will taste and discuss the complexities of the wines produced on the estate. Lunch today will be a cheese tasting at a local estate producing fresh cheeses and their own label of Chianti. Then it’s a quick stop in San Gimignano, a medieval city that still has many of its original towers. Afterwards,, back to your wine resort for a rest. Tonight will find you outside at Villa Dievole for a barbecue in the rose garden! Light lunch, wine tastings and barbeque dinner included.
October 12 - Siena Your private bus and driver will pick you up and you are off to the magical city of Siena where you will meet your guide who was born and raised in Siena. She'll share many of her insights (and her opinions about Florence!) as she guides you on a walk around the town. You’ll visit Siena's splendid cathedral and museum. The cathedral is definitely one of the wonders of the known world. Next you will visit the town’s center where the famous Palio race is held. Siena is a great place to shop for pottery and to wander around the medieval streets. Lunch on your own and shopping. Return late in the afternoon. Tonight a candlelight dinner in the wine cantina! Dinner included.
TUSCANY TOURS Magical Immersion Journeys in Italy and France 800 634-3460
October 13 – Buon Viaggio! After breakfast there is a transfer to either central Florence or the Florence airport.
Trip Dates: October 5 to 11, 2013 Cost The cost is based on double occupancy and a minimum of 12 participants is required. A required $350 deposit is due to hold the places and the balance is due three months before the trip start date. Cost is $3,520 per person; if payment is made by check or wire, we can offer a cash discount of $100 per person. Lodging 3 nights lodging at central Florence Hotel (Tornabuoni Beacci http://www.tornabuonihotels.com/) 2 nights lodging at a central Cortona Hotel (Villa Marsili http://www.villamarsili.net/cortona-hotel/it/home.html) 3 nights lodging at a central Tuscany countryside hotel (Dievole Wine Resort http: //www.villa-dievole.com/english/home/ ) Hotels subject to availability Meals All breakfasts, five dinners, two lunches, and one food tasting tour Cooking school Wine Tastings - at least 4 wine tastings Guided Tours: Florence, Day of Wine Tasting in the countryside with a sommelier, Siena, Cortona, All admissions to scheduled museums and attractions. All scheduled ground transfers during the trip except for the arrival at the Florence hotel which is on your own. Tuscany Tours cancellation policy is as follows: Cancellation 60 days or more before the tour: 50% refund Cancellation 30 days or more before the tour: 25% refund Cancellation less than 30 days before the tour: 0% refund For other terms and conditions, please see: Terms and Conditions We recommend and can help you purchase trip insurance.
TUSCANY TOURS Magical Immersion Journeys in Italy and France 800 634-3460
