Tuscany Traditions Tour Itinerary 2008
(Itinerary is subject to change with or without notice. Sequence of daytrips may vary. Final itinerary will be given to travelers prior to the start of the trip.)
Friday Day 1 | Benvenuto - Welcome!
Welcome to Italia! Tonight you will rest in a beautifully restored historic hotel in the heart of Florence and relax after a long trip overseas. You can regain your energies tonight and start the trip of a lifetime in one of the world's most beautiful cities!
INCLUDED MEALS: NONE.
Saturday Day 2 | Buongiorno to you!
Enjoy a morning walking tour through the historical streets of Florence, guided by an expert local guide who will show you the main sites, churches, buildings, and shopping areas that Florence is known for. The group will be picked up by private drivers in the Florence Hotel lobby at 4pm, from where you'll be taken to the villa. Relax with a walk around the property to get acquainted with your breath-taking surroundings of the Tuscan hills covered by cypresses, vines, and olive trees. Enjoy a Welcome "Benvenuto!" dinner with other fellow travelers and traditional Tuscan specialties prepared by the villa's Chef and savor your first sip of the villa's own Chianti wine.
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, DINNER.
Sunday Day 3 | Al fresco con Amící : In the fresh air with friends
Feel the romance when we visit the town where "Life is beautiful" was filmed, also very famous for its Antique Market and gold jewelry: Arezzo. Its church of San Francesco holds Piero della Francesca's lifetime masterpiece frescoes. Enjoy some free time to explore before we meet up for a group lunch in a local family-run trattoria. Then to Cortona, the charming Etruscan hilltop town where "Under the Tuscan Sun" was filmed. Its massive 3,000 year-old walls are still standing! Enjoy some free time and have some gelato as you mingle with the locals, explore the intricate romantic streets, or sit back at a coffee shop. This is the true Italian experience! Tonight we?ll dine in a trattoria by beautiful Lake Trasimeno with regional specialties and wine.
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER.
Monday Day 4 | Cucína Regíonale : Regional Cuisine
Morning hands-on cooking class by a local Chef, who will show us some simple Tuscan recipes that we'll enjoy for lunch. Afternoon guided tour of the historical Estate Winery and Olive Mill to understand how these essential culinary delights are made. Relaxing evening on your own by the pool, a quiet walk in nature, or treat yourself to a massage at the villa. Enjoy a group dinner at a nearby trattoria, so small that it is open only for our group!
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER.
Tuesday Day 5 | Tradízíoní di Famiglia : Family Traditions
Pienza, considered the jewel of the
Renaissance, will be our first stop in
Southern Tuscany, where we?ll visit a traditional cheese maker of the area?s well-known
pecorino cheese, followed by tasting of cheese, local honey and wine. A visit to the town
of Pope Pius II with lunch in local trattoria and free time on your own. Then on to
Montepulciano, where we'll visit some "botteghe artigiane" (artisan shops), and then
enjoy some free time to explore. This town is also known for the Vino Nobile di
Montepulciano, one of Italy's most refined red wines, which we'll enjoy at a local family-owned winery with tour and dinner. How do you say 'delicious' in Italian?!
Delizioso!
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER.
Wednesday Day 6 | Alla Salute! : To your health!
Enjoy a leisurely morning on your own at the villa to enjoy its beautiful surroundings. Then we're off to a historical aristocratic residence for a guided tour and lunch. Fun evening cooking class with Nada's Mom , followed by dinner at villa.
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER.
Thursday Day 7 | Uva & Olíve : Grapes & Olives
Today we're on our way to San Gimignano, our first stop,
an absolutely astonishing example of walled Medieval
hilltop town, also known for its dry white wine,
Vernaccia and its colorful local crafts: hand-painted
pottery, alabaster, olive wood items, and many more.
Enjoy plenty of free time and lunch on your own. Quick
drive by Monteriggioni and the rest of the evening in
elegant Siena, where you have free time to explore the
town and visit its amazing Cathedral. Group dinner
with local specialties in Siena. Buon Appetito!
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, DINNER.
Friday Day 8 | L'Arte della Víta Italíana : The Art of Italian Living
Morning drive through the soft-shaped, serene hills of Chianti, for quite an extraordinary
experience at one of Tuscany's oldest wineries, located in an 11th-Century castle. We'll be
accompanied by a professional sommelier for a journey into the finest of Chianti Classico paired with an abundant Tuscan luncheon - a perfect ensemble! A quick stop for a little
shopping and a gelato in the little town of Greve in Chianti is a must before we head to a
relaxing afternoon at the villa. Save some time to pack before your last dinner and
evening at the villa.
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER.
Saturday Day 9 | I Tesori del Rinascimento: Renaissance Treasures
Transfer to Florence. After leaving the villa, you will be taken back to the hotel, where you
will spend the last 2 nights of the tour. On the way back, the groups stops at the Piazzale Michelangelo, a terrace overlooking the absolute best view of Florence. A private guide will meet you in the hotel lobby at
3:30pm for a private tour of one of the world's most renown museums, with the largest
collection of Renaissance art: the Uffizi Gallery (entrance fees included).
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST.
Sunday Day 10 | La Culla delle Arti : The Cradle of the Arts
You can shop around Florence or.. take a day trip to Rome or Venice! Enjoy a day of total freedom in one of the world's most beautiful cities or easily take daytrips to other areas by train, as Florence is centrally located. Tonight will be
your last night of the tour.
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST.
Monday Day 11 | Arrivederci Toscana!
Hopefully you can stay longer in this gorgeous country and explore other regions. Nada's Italy wishes to have you back and experience more parts of this colorful culture! Until next time, beautiful ITALIA says Ciao!
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST.
For $4,650 per person this is what's included in the Tuscany Traditions Tour:
7 Nights lodging in Luxury 4-star Tuscan Villa in Chianti Hills area + 3 Nights in Upscale Hotel in historical center of Florence for a trip totaling 11 Days/10 Nights (Depart from US on Thursday and return on Monday for a total of 12 days, including travel time).
Pick-up & drop-off from a Renaissance Hotel in the historical district of Florence.
Small group travel! Maximum of only 12 travelers per group!
Privately escorted day-trips with professional private driver and full-time Nada's Italy tour leader throughout trip (in most cases, it's Nada herself!).
Towns visited include: Florence (Walking Tour of the Historical Highlights of Florence and tour of the Uffizi Gallery by a licensed bilingual guide) Siena (walking tour with local guide), San Gimignano, Arezzo, Cortona, Pienza, Montepulciano, Monteriggioni, Greve in Chianti (itinerary & destinations may vary depending on time of year).
All meals are included, except for 1 lunch during the week and all the meals in Florence. (Included meals are shown at
bottom of the description for each day).
Beverages included: bottled water and 2 glasses of wine per person (choice of red or white) with lunch and dinner.
Maps for each town visited + Florence & Tuscany Guide Book + Italian Travel Phrase book.
Cooking Class by local Chef + 3 Dinners at the Villa, including 3-Easy Pasta Sauces cooking class and a home-made traditional Tuscan dinner (by Nada's Mom!).
Private Walking tour of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, including entrance reservation and ticket.
Visits to a local Artisan Coppersmith in Montepulciano, Pecorino Cheese Tour & Tasting in Pienza, 2 Vineyard Tours (Chianti Classico & Vino Nobile di Montepulciano).
Private transportation for day trips throughout the stay at the villa in comfortable air-conditioned van with professional driver (does not include: transfer from and to airport, airfare, or any other personal travel expenses).
1 Bottle of Villa's Wine + 1 Bottle of Villa's Extra Virgin Olive Oil + Italy Cooking Apron.
Local VAT taxes and government fees, gas, highway tolls, city access licenses and permits, parking fees.
Learn basic Italian before your trip! Receive an Audio CD set with 10 lessons by Pimsleur.
Customer loyalty Reward: receive a $300 credit towards any future trips you take with Nada's Italy!
No bag limit! (Most tours have a 1-bag limit per person).
TOUR PRICE: $4,650 per person (includes taxes & fees) based on double occupancy. A single room supplement for this trip is $900.
TO REGISTER: please download the Trip Registration Form by clicking on the link on the previous page. Form must be completed and returned with a 50% deposit to be officially registered for this trip. Payments are accepted in form of personal check, credit card, money order. For more information, please contact us: info@nadasitaly.com.
What's Not Included in Tour Package
Trip price does not include airfare and anything that is not specified to be included. Price does not include any personal-related expenses, or travel-related expenses outside of the scheduled itineraries. The food & wine that is included is what is presented during meals, all other items ordered by traveler including wine and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are not included in tour price. Trip price does not include optional tips to restaurants nor to tour personnel such as drivers, maids, etc. These gratuities are given at sole discretion of each individual traveler and are not required for participation in tour.
