"AFFORDABLE LUXURY" tm

Tuscany - Ligurian Riviera

May 21-31, 2010
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Welcome to Italy's Riviera de Levante, bejeweled by the Portofino Peninsula and the Tigullian Gulf, and furrowed by the deep, narrow valleys of the rugged Cinque Terre harboring ancient fishing villages, traditions and maritime cuisine. You will boat these azure waters, walk these villages and discover a land and its food and wine previously unknown to you. The low-lying hills of Tuscany produce Italy's finest wines and olive oils below medieval towns such as Siena, San Gimignano and Montalcino with their offerings of arts, ceramics and textiles. The art treasures of Florence, its world-renown shopping and Tuscan cuisine await you at the end of your journey.

4 Star hotels - Santa Margherita Ligure (3 nights), Siena (3 nights),
Florence (3 nights)
All Breakfasts, 4 Dinners, 2 Lunches
Wine tastings, education and vineyard visits - Ligurian white wines, Chianti Classico, Super Tuscan, Brunello
Tuscan cooking class, Food-Wine pairing, Olive oil production and tasting
Boat the Culf of Tigullio to Portofino and walk the wild and beautiful Cinque Terre while exploring ancient fishing villages and enjoying a fresh maritime cuisine
Climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa, marvel at San Gimignano's medieval towers and Volterra's alabaster
Lose yourself in medieval Siena, Montalcino and Tuscan hilltop-perched villages
Guided city tours of Siena and Florence
Tour the Houses of Memory, Florence's small museum treasures, the Uffizi Gallery, Palazzos, Gallerias and Michelangelo's David
Visit markets and shop fine clothing, shoes, linens, ceramics, leather, jewelry and antiques
Enjoy opera, classical music and jazz festivals
We provide ample private time and flexibility to adjust daily excursions and activities
Full-size luxury coach.
Tour escort and bilingual guides as needed
Limited to 22 travelers

ITINERARY

Day 1, Friday -: Depart USA for Milan

Day 2, Saturday – Milan to the Italian Riviera
AM Arrive in Milan. Meet guide and motor coach. Tour the central piazza of Milan including the Cathedral and the Galleria, a 19th century glass roofed "mall" lined with cafes and shops connecting the piazza and La Scala, the world famous opera house. We will view Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper on our way south to the Italian Riviera and Santa Margherita Ligure where we will stay for 3 nights. We will have the afternoon free to rest prior to meeting for our welcome dinner.

Day 3, Sunday – Cinque Terre
We will train to the southern end of the Cinque Terre before training and walking our way back north between the isolated fishing villages of Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. This rugged and beautiful coast invites physical activity punctuated by time in cafes and a picnic in the hills looking down at the sea. Dinner at a local restaurant. Hotel in Santa Margherita.

Day 4, Monday – Portofino and the Tigulian Gulf
We will begin our day on the ferry to nearby Portofino, designated by Italy as a national treasure. It is beautiful as are the magnificent yachts anchored there! The afternoon is yours to walk the seaside forest or boat to other towns, such as San Frutuoso, on the Portofino peninsula, or relax at the pool, on the beach or at your hotel in Santa Margherita Ligure.

Day 5, Tuesday – Marble and the Leaning Tower
Today our coach will transport us to Carrara, the 3,000 year old source of the marble for the David, the Pieta and countless other statues and buildings. In Pisa, the Campus of the Miracles houses 4 of the finest buildings together anywhere – the Duomo, Baptistry, Cemetery and the famous Leaning Bell Tower. We will climb to the top! We will continue on to Siena and our Hotel for the next 3 nights. You will have the evening to become acquainted before dinner with this medieval city and its streets where only pedestrians may tread. Today, Siena is famous for its horse race in the Campo.

Day 6, Wednesday – The Chianti Region
We will begin the morning in Volterra, still today a major alabaster manufacturer. Volterra was one of the original 7 Etruscan cities before Rome and its Museum will teach you even more ancient history. San Gimignano with its world famous towers will be our next destination where we will enjoy a gastronomic lunch perched high above the countryside. In the afternoon, Radda in Chianti will be our destination where you will be educated on the wines of Tuscany including the Chianti’s, Super Tuscan’s, Brunellos, and others (tastings of course). We will suggest a variety of restaurants for your evening and Gellateria too. Hotel in Siena.

Day 7, Thursday – Southern Tuscany and Siena
Arguably, one of the finest wines of Italy is the Brunello from Montalcino, south of Siena. After spending the morning at leisure and walking Siena, we will visit Montalcino and the vastly different terrain of Southern Tuscany. We will taste the region's wines. You will recognize the Cretes de Siena (the Siena Clays) from the movies! We will return in time for everyone to become even more familiar with Siena. We recommend climbing to the top of the Duomo and many of you will recognize from where "burnt siena" comes. Hotel in Siena.

Day 8, Friday – Florence and the Houses of Memory
Today we move to Siena’s adversary to the north. The country side in-between is still worth fighting over and when we arrive in Piazza Michelangelo you will see the contrast with Siena. We will tour one of the small museums of Florence before checking into our last hotel on the bank of the Arno River for our 3 night stay. After lunch, your afternoon will be spent with a guided walking tour of the City so that you will learn to explore on your own. Hotel in Florence.

Day 9, Saturday – Florentine Culture
The Birthplace of the Renaissance? You decide after spending the day on foot with guided tours of the David, the Uffizi, the Palazzo Pitti, the various Piazzas, cathedrals and streets of Florence. Hotel in Florence.

Day 10– Your Day
Relax or see as much as you can! You will be introduced to shops, especially gold and linen. Some may choose to visit "The Mall" – Italy’s first discount shopping mall but containing only the most highly sought brand names! You decide whether there are bargains to be had. Of course, tonight’s gastronomic feast will cap off our tour where we hope you experienced Liguria’s and Tuscany’s cuisine and wine to your satisfaction. Hotel in Florence.

Day 11– Home
We regret it, but today we return to the USA arriving in the midafternoon at most destinations.

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