WINERY TOURS & TASTINGS ALL OVER ITALY • FOOD •
ITALY
“Slow” Gourmet Tour of Tuscany & Amalfi 10 Days /9 Nights
DAY 1:
ROME.Arrival at Rome airport and transfer to your hotel in Rome on your own. Time to settle in, meet tour escort and welcome dinner in a typical restaurant: Grappolo d’oro. During the evening there will be an introduction to the tour and to the Slow Food phi- losophy and the activities carried out by the Association and the Terra Madre Foundation. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay. (D)
DAY 2: Montepulciano - Pienza. Morning departure for Montepul- ciano, one of the most characteristic and intact medieval cities in Italy which, from a height of 605 meters above sea level, offers ama- zing views over the surrounding hillsides. Visit the Enoteca Contucci winery for a tasting, then explore the wonderful town center of Montepulciano where lunch will be held in the old Osteria dell’ Ac- quacheta, with its rustic and familial atmosphere. Here, sample some of Tuscany’s best recipes (such as the Pici all’Aglione). In the after- noon, head for Pienza, the perfect example of a renaissance city, famous for its Pecorino cheese. Visit a Pecorino cheese producer Pianporcino Farm and learn something about the cheese-making process and sample the fare. Transfer to hotel Villa Il Palagio in Rignano Sull’Arno (Florence) and overnight stay. (BB,T, L, T)
DAY 3: Castellina in Chianti - Greve in Chianti. Entire day given to discover the Chianti hills along the Via Chiantigena (an ancient road connecting Siena with Florence crossing over the hills of Chianti). Stop at Castellina in Chianti for an explanation on aromatic herbs harvested and dried following the ancient techniques of Duccio Fontani. Lunch at the Osteria Mangiando Mangiando in Greve in Chianti. Set offfor the wonderful city of Greve, to visit the little historical town center and then head for thePodere Le Fornaci where there will be some sampling of organic cheeses (including babygoats cheese and fresh ricotta) made from the milk of the goats that graze in the Chianti hills. Return to the hotel and overnight stay. (BB, L, T)
DAY 4:
Florence.Morning departure for Florence. Walk through the historical center of this amazing city and visit the Santa Croce church, known as the "Pantheon of Italian Glories" where many illustrious Italians such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Rossini and Machiavelli are buried. The visit also takes in the other religious buildings (the Baptistry, the Duomo and Giotto’s bell tower) and the houses of power in the old city (the Piazza della Signoria). Free afternoon to stroll along Florence’s elegant streets, visit the Uffizi Gallery or shop at the leather market, then traditional dinner at Osteria Tripperia Il Magazzino. Transfer to hotel and overnight stay. (BB, D)
DAY 5: Siena - San
Gimignano.Morning departure for San Gimignano, visit the famous towers and the San Gimignano 1300 Museum: storyboards, multi-media exhibits, street scenes and a ceramic recreation of the city as it was back in 1300. On the way to Siena along the ancient Via Francigena, lunch with some of the traditional local produce such as the Certaldo onion (Slow Food Presidium), and the organic extra virgin olive oil from San Gimignano at the little family-run farmhouse Il Castagnolino. Visit and have a talk on the techniques used in producing organic olive oil. Guided tour of the most important and most beautiful architecture in Siena, including the Museum delle Contrade (each horse in the famous ”Palio”, runs for a different Contrada or district). Sampling of some delicious
TourCrafters
Rome, Chianti, Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Orvieto, Sorrento, Capri, Amalfi Coast.
from $ 3,479 - Land Package
traditional desserts like the Panforte in one of the most famous pa- stry shops in town. Free time for shopping before returning to the hotel. Overnightstay. (BB, LL)
DAY 6:
Montalcino.Morning departure for Montalcino, famous for its Brunello, one of the best red wines in the world. Montalcino, however, is also a beautiful art city which dominates 3,000 hectares of vineyards (1,500 for Brunello alone). A visit to the Mastio della Rocca which is home to the Enoteca La Fortezza where it will be possible to buy some local products and the exceptional honey, a local specialty, and sample some wine. Free time. Return to Florence area and join a cooking class dedicated to the Tuscany tradition, followed by dinner. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay. (BB, T, C, D).
DAY 7: Orvieto, Sorrento. Early morning departure to Orvieto, situated on top of a rock offering the most splendid of views. Tour of the city and a visit to the Palazzo del Gusto, head office of the Enoteca Regionale of Umbria where there will be a guided tour and a light lunch consisting of a tasting of Umbrian wines accompanied by local fare. Proceed to your hotel in Sorrento, check in and free time. Overnight stay. (BB, LL)
DAY 8: Capri. In the morning take the ferry across to the idyllic island of Capri, where the crumbling coastline, turquoise waters and lush vegetation have caused many thousands of people over the centuries to fall in love with the island. Climb to Capri and travel by bus to the little square, the Piazzetta, in the centre of the island. Visit Augustus Gardens. Late afternoon ferry back to Sorrento. Dinner and overnight stay. (BB, D).
DAY 9: Amalfi Coast - Rome. Morning departure for what will undoubtedly be a memorable day spent in one of the most beautiful places in the world, the Amalfi Coast. The first stop will be in Amalfi itself; visit the famous Cathedral and through the Valle dei Mulini, where paper was produced in ancient times. Then visit the Azienda Agricola Valle dei Mulini distillery to taste some Limoncello and discover the secrets involved in its preparation. Free time for lunch followed by a visit to the Antica Pasticceria Andrea Pansa pastry shop for a tasting of the local specialties. Proceed to your hotel in Rome. Check in. Dinner in a typical local restaurant. Overnight stay. (BB, T, T, D)
DAY 10:
Rome.After breakfast, free time. (BB)
Price & Departure Dates From $3,479 May 18th June 15th September 14th October 5th
Hotels or similar: Rome: The Independent Hotel 4* Florence: Hotel Villa Il Palagio 4* Sorrento: Hotel Central 4*
www.tourcrafters.com 47 Food & Wine
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