TOUR DETAILS

                                     10 Day Tuscany including One Day Cooking Experience plus

                     OPTIONAL 5 Day Pre-Tour Rome Visit and

                                                    OPTIONAL 5 Day Post-Tour Scenic Walk of the Cinque Terre

                                                  Tour operate early Autumn                               

CULINARY DELIGHTS, LOCAL ARTISANS AND OPEN-AIR MUSEUMS

TUSCANY

!0 Days/9 Nights

11 September - 20 September 2008

$5,500aud per person twin share ($6,500aud single - subject to availability)

Day 1     Rome - Southern Tuscany

A Private Coach  will collect those joining the Tour from Rome Airport and  drive onto Montepulciano.  One the way, we stop at Orvieto for lunch.  Orvieto was an Etruscan City and had great importance in medieval times.   Nowadays, it is an extraordinary artistic and cultural center, rich in monuments and places to visit.   We take time to visit the famous Cathedral which holds Signorelli's Apocalyse frescoes.    Here we will have time to wander this beautiful hilltop town in Umbria before driving  onto  Montepulciano where we stay for the next 2 nights.  Tonight we will dine at the famous Cafe Poliziano. (B,D)

Day 2     Montepulciano and Cortona

Today we drive to Cortona for the day.   A beautiful hilltop town that has become the home of Frances Mayles. (Under the Tuscan Sun)   On our return to Montepulciano you will have time to explore this beautiful town before enjoying a local speciality. (B,D)

Day 3     Pienza to Radda

Your private coach will collect us from Montepulciano and a short distance to Pienza, the home of Pecorino Cheese.   We will have plenty of time for tastings and exploring this delightful small village before heading onto Radda in Chianti where we will stay in a beautiful Tuscan Villa for the next 7 nights. (B,D)

Day 4     Panzano and Volpaia

A leisurely start to the day followed by a short drive to Panzano, one of Chianti's prettiest villages and to visit the local market.   After sampling some wonderful meats at the famous butcher in Panzano we drive onto the famous Castello di Volpaia  for an easy terrace lunch overlooking the valley of Chianti.  Volpaia produces olive oil, aromatic vinegars, chestnuts, heather and other honeys from hives placed throughout the thousand acre estate.   There is an optional walk back to Radda and tonight we enjoy a  dinner in our villa.    (B, L,D).

Day 5    Siena

Travel to Siena for a full day of sightseeing.  Legend would have it that the city was founded by Senius and Acius, the sons of Remus, hence the many she-wolves on view.   We visit the famous Duomo - one of Italy's most beautiful cathedrals and later you have a chance to climb the city's Town Hall  Torre (Tower) for a spectacular view of the surrounding rolling Tuscan hillside.      (B,D)

Day 6   San Gimignano

We drive to San Gimignano for the day.   The "city of the beautiful towers" stands in a picturesque position on a hill dominating the Val d'Elsa, once inhabited by the Etruscans.   San Gimignano, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, is Italy's most touristed hilltown, a very good reason to roam its lovely countryside by day and enjoy its charms in the late evening. (B,D)

 Day 7   Castellina and Gaiole in Chianti

Travel to the very historic Castellina in Chianti where we find a wonderful shoe shop and also a fine ceramist.  If Chianti Classico is the heart of Chianti, then Castellina, luxuriating in the full title of Castellina in Chianti, is the heart of the heart.  The town has a quiet, confident air, busy without bustle.  Late in the afternoon we visit a local Cermacis Workshop and then visit Gaiole where we will stay for Dinner.   (B,D)

Day 8    Montevarchi

Market day in Montevarchi  where we meet the locals and get a chance to taste the local salamis, prosciutto etc.. We will then return to the villa to prepare for our Cooking Class in the Cucina of our Host, Marisa Forcheri. (B,D)

Day 9    Florence

Depart Radda and head for a full day in Florence.    Walk to and visit Gallerie and Statue of David and the Palantine Gallery, Royal Apartments Pitti Palace before heading for the shopping delights on the Ponte Vecchio and San Lorenzo Markets.       (B,D)

Day 10  Radda to Monterosso

We say goodbye to our lovely hosts and drive to the Cinque Terre via the beautiful town of Lucca. 

ANCIENT ROME, SPIRITUAL ROME, COMMERCIAL ROME

5 Day/ 4 Nights

7-11 September 2008

$1,750aud per person twin share ($1,950aud single)

Day 1   Rome          

Private Coach from Rome airport will drive past many interesting and historic sights including the Forum and Colosseum on the way to our hotel.   An easy coffee on the via Veneto will prepare us for this magnificient city.    Independent travellers will meet at the Hotel Oxford in Rome after 2.00p.m.    (D)

Day 2   Ancient Rome

Mid morning stroll to the Piazza Venezia to meet our local guide who will take us through Ancient Rome. We will then visit the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain before heading back to our Hotel.   Dinner in a famous local ristorante.    (B,D)

Day 3    Spiritual Rome

A private specialized tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel today followed by guided walk to Piazza Navona and the  shops around the Spanish Steps area.  (B, D)

Day 4   Commercial Rome

We will stroll along the via Veneto past famous Harry’s Bar and then into the Borghese Gardens to visit the newly opened Villa Borghese.  After an audio tour of the Villa we stroll through the Gardens to the Piazza Popolo and then down the famous via del Corso to the Spanish Steps.  (B, D)

 Day 5  Rome Airport

A private coach will take you to Rome Airport for your return home or you can continue on with the Tour of Tuscany.

WORLD HERITAGE CINQUE TERRE

5 Days/4 Nights

20 - 24 September 2008

$1,750aud per person twin share ($1,950 single)

Day 1  Florence Airport -  Monterosso

At Florence Airport you will be met and join the rest of the group to travel to the Cinque Terre.   (B,D)

Day 2  Cinque Terre

We take the train to Riomaggiore  and then walk back through the five towns to Monterosso.   We will have lunch at Corniglia and take our time enjoying the beautiful view.    The energetic can walk onto Vernazza and Monterosso whilst the others take the train to these towns.  (B)

 Day 3  Levanto

For the energetic, we will travel by train to Levanto and then walk back to Punto Mesco for lunch.    Free afternoon to travel to one of the many other towns along this stunning coast.   Dinner tonight at the famous seafood restaurant – La Lampara   (B,D)

 Day 4- Portofino

An optional day to either take the boat to Portofino or Portovenere.   Dinner in the Hotel Porto Roca Dining Room  (B, D)

 Day 5 Milan

We depart Monterosso at 9.30 am. for our drive to Milan Airport connecting to your onward flight.    (Independent flights ex Milan should not be scheduled prior to 6.00 p.m. on this day)

Contact Information

Telephone :            Australia   0414 520 394 or 0418 363 755

Postal address       P.O. Box 358, East Melbourne Australia 3002

Electronic mail       faye@jetsetblackburn.com.au