The Itinerary: May 15-25, 2009

Day 1 - FRI: Depart U.S. for Milan

Day 2 - SAT: Arrival in Milan; luxury motor-coach to Florence

Day 3 - SUN: Florence; morning tour of the Duomo and Uffizzi Gallery; afternoon and evening free to explore

Day 4 - MON: Morning excursion to Pisa and entrance to the Duomo; return to Florence, evening free to explore

Day 5 - TUE: Travel to Siena— the medieval city; afternoon aperitif and evening dinner

Day 6 - WED: Siena; entrance to Duomo; remainder of day free to explore

Day 7 - THU: All day Tuscan food and wine experience in Montalcino; wine tasting, lunch and tour of the welcoming wine estate

Day 8 - FRI: Journey to Rome via an excursion to Civita de Bagnoregio; Rome orientation tour with an afternoon aperitif; evening free to explore

Day 9 - SAT: Rome; morning walking tour including visits to the Colosseum and Forum; evening free to explore

Day 10 - SUN: Rome; visit St. Peter’s Basilica and Vatican Museums; farewell dinner

Day 11 - MON: Depart Rome for the U.S.

A Taste of Italy

with a Tuscan Serenade and a Roman Holiday

May 15-25, 2009

Florence --- Siena --- Rome

An intimate-sized group of convivial travelers seeking la dolce vita and the voluptuousness of Italian life … (all in all, an uncommon tour)

Additional to the great centers of

--- Florence, Siena, Rome ---

here are two very special inclusions on your Italiano itinerary…..

A Tuscan Food & Wine Experience

During the Siena days, we will have the opportunity to immerse in the Tuscan sun and countryside. We will wander amongst olive groves, wineries, and local osterias. We will visit Montalcino --- the high hilltop village that is home to the mighty Brunello wine and the local Enotecca where we will have the opportunity to taste and make our own selection of special Italian wine. We will enjoy a Tuscan lunch (included) at a welcoming estate and winery. We will travel this day especially, as temporary locals --- discovering the sweetness of Italian life. Traveling with us throughout, but happily hosting on this special day, will be Stephen Campbell the dynamic and notably ascendant Executive Chef of Christopher’s Restaurant in Statesboro.

Civita di Bagnoregio

Precariously perched on a pinnacle of land, Civita di Bagnoregio is the ultimate Italian hill town… although a dying one. After climbing the long, upward, high-wire of a walkway --- the only approach to the village ---we will be rewarded with stunning vistas and glimpses into an Etruscan past. After spending some time with the few residents of this tiny village, we will continue onward to Roma.

The food and wine that is Tuscan cooking…
  the countryside of olive groves and vineyards…
    the alluring, time-forgotten hill-towns reaching to the Tuscan Sun…
      the art and cultural gem of Florence…
        the magnificence of Roma, the Eternal City…
          the generous warmth of perhaps the friendliness people on our earth…

Inclusions:

Nine nights superior-deluxe hotel accommodation
All ground transportation
Services of a native Italian, English-speaking travel assistant, throughout
-------

A Welcome Reception (Aperitif) & Orientation in each City
All breakfasts
3 Group Dinners
A Tuscan Food & Wine Experience, including Lunch and a Wine Tasting
Entrance to the Cathedral and Baptistry, Pisa
Entrance to the Uffizzi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery, Florence
Entrance to the Duomo, Siena
Orientation Tour of Rome
Entrance and guided tour of Colosseum, Forum, St. Peter’s, and the Vatican Museums, Rome
Free time for shopping
Free time for individual exploration

At all times during your tour, your Italian travel assistant and your American hosts will be available to advise you on free-time activities and even to escort you if desired.