GASTRONOMY TOURS •
“Slow” Gourmet Cooking Escorted Packages
from $2,510
Our tours explore regions of Italy with sprawling vineyards, rolling hills, charming old cities, masterpieces of art, traditional culinary specialties and prestigious wines. This one of kind package lets you pick your ending of your vacation. All the packages have the same itinerary til the 6th day, pick the ending that meets your needs.
Itinerary for tour #1 - #2 - #3
DAY 1:Arrival. 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 philosophy 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 Montepulciano, one of the most characteristic and intact medieval cities in Italy which, offers amazing views over the surrounding hillsides. Visit the Enoteca Contucci winery for a tasting, then explore Montepulciano where lunch will be held in the old Osteria dell'Acquacheta, with its rustic and familial atmosphere. Here, sample some of Tuscany's best recipes (such as the Pici all'Aglione). In the afternoon, 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 and overnight at the hotel.
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 off for the wonderful city of Greve, to visit the little historical town center and then head for the Podere le Fornaci where there will be some sampling of organic cheeses. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
DAY 4: Florence. Morning departure for Florence. Walk through the histori- cal center of this amazing city and visit the Santa Croce church, known as the "Pantheon of Italian Glories" where many illustrious Italians such as Miche- langelo, Galileo, Rossini and Machiavelli are buried. The visit also takes in the other religious buildings (the Baptistry, the Duomo and Giotto's bell tower).Free afternoon to stroll along Florence's elegant streets. Traditional dinner at Osteria Tripperia II Magazzino. Transfer to hotel and overnight stay.
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 ,and the organic extra virgin olive oil from San Gimignano at the little family-run farmhouse II Castagnolino. Guided tour of the most important and most beautiful architecture in Siena, including the Museum delle Contrade (each horse in the famous "Pallo", runs for a different Contrada or district). Free time for shopping before returning to the hotel. Overnight stay.
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 delia Rocca which is home to the Enoteca La Fortezza where itwill 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.
SICILY •
ITALY
TourCrafters
TOUR OF TUSCANY (#1) DAY 7:Orvieto, Rome. 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 Rome, check in and free time. Overnight stay. (BB, LL) DAY 8:Departure. After breakfast, free time. (BB)
Tour of TUSCANY & VENICE (#2) DAY 7:Bologna, Mira. Morning departure for Bologna. Visit to the Slow Food Earth Market, set in the characteristic courtyard of the Cineteca di Bologna, for a stroll through the market stalls selling many different and varied locally grown and Slow Food Presidia products from the Emilia Romagna region: honey, cheeses, salami, confectionary, wines and beer. Lunch in a typical local restaurant to taste the Emilia Romagna cuisine. Free time to stroll through Bologna's streets to explore the untouched medieval center. Proceed to your hotel in Venice area. Check in and time to settle in. Late in the afternoon, there will be a sampling of typical local products. Overnight stay. (BB, L, T) DAY 8: Venice. Morning, transfer to your hotel in Venice. Guided visit of the city: St Mark's Square and Basilica, the Doges Palace and Rialto Bridge. Stroll through the little streets and alleyways among the little local shops. In the afternoon, learn about the fascinating culture behind the ubiquitous Venetian masks. A close encounter with the work of mask makers to discover techni- cal information on mask production and decoration. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay. DAY 9:Departure. After breakfast, free time.
TOUR OF TUSCANY & UMBRIA (#3) DAY 7:Orvieto, Todi. Early morning departure to
Orvieto.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. An afternoon visit to Todi, a splendid medieval town, where it is pleasant to wander around and discover the old monuments and craft shops. Transfer and overnight stay at Hotel (Perugia). DAY 8: Assisi, Perugia. Morning guided tour of
Assisi.Free time. Transfer to Perugia. Perched on a hill, it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful towns in Italy. A visit to the Perugina chocolate museum, famous for its Baci Perugina chocolates. Free time to discover the old city. Stop off at the historical Pasticceria Sandri pastry shop. For dinner: the traditional Umbrian dishes at the Osteria La Lumera. Return to the hotel and overnight stay. DAY 9: Montefalco, Rome. Early morning departure to Montefalco, another splendid town situated on top of a hill, offering spectacular views over the hills. Visit the city and taste the "Sagrantino" wine at the "Cantine di Antonelli", then move to the ancient olive groves - 3,000 plants - belonging to the Romanelli family, to discover the many plant varieties and the extra virgin olive oil production techniques and wines, along with a tasting. Transfer to hotel in Rome and check in. Dinner in a typical local restaurant and overnight stay. DAY 10:Departure. After breakfast, free time.
Prices & Departure Dates: Tour # 1 from $ 2,510 May 18, June 15 & 29 Sep 7 & 14 Oct 5 & 19 Tour # 2 from $ 3,131 May 18, June 29, Sep 7, Oct 5 & 19 Tour # 3 from $ 3,415 June 29, Sep 14, Oct
Hotels or similar: Rome: The Independent hotel 4* Florence: Hotel Villa II Palagio 4* Perugia: Historical Residence Alia Posta dei Donini 4* Venice: Hotel Villa Margherita/ Hotel Principe 4*
Note: • The tour will be operated with a minimum of 10 people. Reservations will be reconfirmed within 90 days priors tours departures. • If a change in hotels, restaurants, wineries or other businesses becomes necessary for any reason, the hotels or other businesses substituted will be equivalent of those shown.
www.tourcrafters.com 63 Food & Wine
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