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AMALFI COAST – UMBRIA – TUSCANY
September 17-27, 2010
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For the sight, sound and taste of Italy, it doesn’t get any better than this. From the Amalfi Coast and Bay of Naples at our southern start point, north to the rugged hills and mountain towns of Umbria, on to medieval Siena and a last night in the eternal city of Rome, this journey will provide you insight into the enticing variety of Italy’s people, landscape, culture, cuisine and wine as no other journey can. From high above the Amalfi coast we will visit Pompeii and its antiquities preserved in Naples, the origin of much of the American image of Italy. And the Bay of Naples presents its jewel for us – a day on Capri as counterpoint to bustling Naples. The wines of Campania, ancient Rome’s original vineyard, are just inland and awaiting an introduction. Umbria is rugged territory with wonderful rustic cuisine, ancient hilltop towns dating from before Rome and pious saints, such as Francis of Assisi, and the churches they left for us. Siena, Florence’s medieval archrival, provides us insight into Brunello, Chianti and Super Tuscan wines; Tuscan cuisine and culture and its pallete of browns against Tuscan olive green. We close in the heart of Rome, near to the Trevi Fountain just up one of those seven hills from the Coliseum. Rome is an adventure in itself and we provide you a first taste.

• 11 days / 9 nights in 3 and 4 Star Hotels in Ravello, Todi, Siena and Rome
• All Breakfasts, 4 Dinners, 4 Lunches
• Wine tastings, education and vineyard visits – Orvieto whites, Umbrian reds, Brunello, Chianti, Super Tuscans, Vernaccia and Olive Oils from throughout the regions we visit
• Gastronomic experience in Norcia, the rugged heart of Umbria
• Guided tours of Pompeii, the National Museum of Naples and Siena
• Boat the Bay of Naples to Capri and explore
• Visits of the ceramic centers of Vietri and Deruta
• Visits of Assisi and Perugia in Umbria including St. Francis’ Basilica
• Stroll the Tivoli Gardens and Hadrian’s Villa
• Visits of Montalcino, Volterra and San Gimignano in Tuscany, their wines and medieval fortresses and towers
• A day in Rome beginning with a bus tour introduction – explore the Coliseum, the Vatican or the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain on foot
• Leisurely stroll through neighborhoods, markets and shops, festivals
• We provide ample private time to relax and flexibility to adjust daily excursions and activities
• Full-size luxury coach
• Full-time tour escort and bilinqual city tour guides
• Limited to 22 travelers
• Prices per person, double occupancy
• Round trip international air fare available

Itinerary:

Day 1, Friday – Depart USA for Rome

Day 2, Saturday – Vesuvius
After a morning arrival at Rome’s airport, we embark in our luxury motorcoach to Vesuvius on the Bay of Naples. We will make our way to the observatory to observe an active volcano (in slumber). We will settle into our hotel in Ravello, high above the Amalfi coast, and have time for a rest from a busy travel day before meeting for a welcome dinner at our hotel in Ravello.

Day 3, Sunday – Ancient Pompeii and Naples
After breakfast, we will be escorted through Pompeii and the National Archeological Museum of Naples where the really interesting pieces of Pompeii are housed after having been preserved under dozens of feet of Vesuvius’ ash since Roman times. We will have lunch in Naples with its famous reputation for pizza. In the afternoon, we will visit the Campagnian wine region around Avellino where vintners are reintroducing ancient grape varietals such as aglianico and flanghina. Vietri, a ceramic center at the base of the Sorrento Peninsula will be a stop on the way home. Dinner suggestions in Ravello will be offered for your choosing. Hotel in Ravello

Day 4, Monday – Capri
The Blue Grotto, the white washed villages of Capri and AnaCapri, funiculars and minibuses to take you throughout the island will be a part of your day. Once we board our ferry in Sorrento, it will be an island for you to explore mostly on your own and with your newly made friends. So much to see and opportunities for lunch in just two small villages on a small hospitable island with the scent of lemons! We will meet back in Sorrento for our drive around the Amalfi Coast and up to Ravello. Perhaps we will divert to Positano, but we will let you decide. You will be more familiar with Ravello and can take each others’ dinner suggestions. Hotel in Ravello

Day 5, Tuesday – The Tivoli Gardens and Hadrian’s Villa Enroute to Umbria
We will be just east of Rome before midday to experience the fantasy of the Tivoli Gardens with its grottos, waterfalls and singing fountains. Hadrian built his wall in England to keep the Scots out of the Empire. See what he built for himself and be amazed at how the Romans constructed their monumental architecture. Before settling into our hotel in central Umbria, we will stop at Orvieto, an original Etruscan city, fortified high above the Tiber River valley. The network of caves beneath the ancient city houses wonderful wine cellars where we will taste the wines of Umbria, especially the prized whites from Orvieto itself. Dinner together and hotel in Todi.

Day 6, Wednesday – Assisi, Perugia and the Ceramics of Deruta
Assisi seen from a distance rises spectacularly above a plain with the rugged hills of eastern Umbria behind. St. Francis’ Basilica is spectacular and the legacy of gentle St. Francis is everlasting. Perugia is a city famous for its chocolates, especially enveloping hazelnuts. It too is ancient, atop its hill and a city to return to someday. We will lunch together in an Osteria. Deruta may be Italy’s most recognized modern ceramics city, but its manufacturers are ancient. You will recognize Deruta’s ceramics from home and find it hard to choose. Dinner will be on your own tonight as you look forward to tomorrow in a more rustic part of Umbria. Hotel in Todi.

Day 7, Thursday – Gastronomic Umbria
Today we visit the gastronomic capital of rustic Umbria, Norcia, to partake of the heart of the province’s cuisine and a cooking lesson. Influences from the wild countryside include boar and the black truffle. The rest of today is for the outdoors and the myriad small towns of the countryside such as Spoleto the Italian home of the Festival of Two Worlds. Hotel in Todi.

Day 8, Friday – Southern Tuscany and its wines
Brunello, montepulciano, vino nobile…The wine road into Siena from the south passes through the towns of Montepulciano, Pienza and Montalcino. The vineyards on these softly rolling hills bask in golden sunshine producing wines among Italy’s best. We will visit Montalcino for tasting and lunch before passing through the Cretes de Siena – the Siena clays. These rolling hills covered in wheat fields will have already been harvested but you will recognize the landscape in your heart and from the movies. And then, we arrive in Siena , the site of the Palio, a horse race on a banked cobblestoned city square hotly contested by the city’s 17 Contrada or neighborhoods. A guided city tour will introduce you. We will again dine together. Hotel in Siena.

Day 9, Saturday – Tuscany and Siena
Volterra, the center of alabaster carving is close to San Gimignano, the city of towers whose purpose remains a mystery. This area west of Siena is known for its wines from the Vernaccia grape to which you will be introduced over lunch with a magnificent view. The afternoon will be yours to explore Siena at will. From atop the cathedral, the view is enormous and you will learn where the colors umber and burnt siena were named. Hotel in Siena.

Day 10, Sunday – Rome
After breakfast we will transfer to Rome and enjoy a city tour by bus. The Vatican, Colliseum, Forum Romanum, the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain await you at your leisure and even though you’ll never be able to see it all, you’ll get a first taste. Stay up late and wander the streets and Navona Square after a farewell dinner together as we’re close to the airport for tomorrow’s departure. Hotel in Rome.

Day 11, Monday – Home
After breakfast, we have a short transfer to the airport for our return home. Let’s travel together again to more of the World’s wine regions. We hope you enjoyed your experience of the food, wine and culture of Amalfi, Umbria, Siena and Rome.