Day 1 – Thursday August 17 – Arrive Florence D

Florence and its magnificent treasures await your visit!

The museums, palaces, and churches in Florence are

some of the greatest artistic treasures in the world.

Check into the centrally located hotel in Florence and

meet your Broad Escapes Tour Leader. In the late

afternoon, meet fellow travellers for an orientation stroll

in Florence and the surrounding neighbourhood.

Continue to a local restaurant for a group welcome

dinner.

Note: This is a land only tour. Broad Escapes would be

pleased to arrange international air from your departure

gateway. Private transfers (additional cost) from the

airport to the hotel and/or pre-tour travel arrangements

for those who wish to arrive early can also be arranged.

Overnight Florence – 1 night

Day 2 – Friday August 18 – to Il Palagio Villa B/D

After breakfast at our hotel, we will meet our English

speaking local guide and enjoy a 2 hour walking tour of

Florence. During the tour our guide will point out

famous sites such as the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, the

Uffizi Gallery, Piazze della Signori, Santa Croce and more.

Enjoy time for lunch (at own expense) and leisure then

regroup to proceed by coach to Panzano in Chianti.

Enjoy a welcome cocktail upon arrival at Villa Il Palagio

and meet the villa owner for an orientation meeting and

check in. Settle in to unpack, relax or stroll around the

villa property and enjoy the spectacular views of the

vineyards and rolling Tuscany hills. Conclude the day

with a group dinner, including local wines, served in the

comfort of the villa.

Overnight Panzano – Villa Il Palagio

www.villailpalagio.com for 8 nights

Villa Il Palagio is located within walking distance to the

town of Panzano in Chianti, in the heart of Tuscany and is

halfway between Florence and Siena. Immersed in its

natural settings made of vineyards and olive groves, the

villa offers five lovely and comfortable apartments, large

gardens, a swimming pool, barbecue as well as a

wonderful view of the Tuscan countryside. This rural

retreat has been renovated but maintains the original

stone walls, ceilings and wooden beams. Its rustic Tuscan

style combines functionality and comfort with authentic

beauty. Each apartment is uniquely furnished, some with

balconies, others with terraces or garden areas. Since it’s

a farmhouse, some apartments are on the main floor and

others on the second floor. Some are larger than others

but all have a nice living room, a well-equipped kitchen,

spacious bedrooms and bathrooms with showers and all

have the unique characteristics of a traditional Tuscan

Farmhouse. The villa has a lovely community room where

breakfasts and group dinners will be served.

Day 3 – Saturday August 19 – Il Palagio Villa – day visit

to Volterra & Colle Val D’elsa B/L/D

After breakfast at the villa, depart with our English

speaking local guide on a full day excursion by private

coach. The first stop is the small town of Volterra. Here

you’ll explore and experience life as a Tuscan in this

vibrant hill town. Continue on to the medieval village of

Colle Val D’Elsa, with its narrow lanes and magnificent

15th and 16th century noble houses. Enjoy a light lunch

in a local trattoria with time to explore before returning

to the villa. Dinner this evening will be at a local

restaurant. (Transportation this evening will be by

private van service).

Day 4 – Sunday August 20 – Il Palagio Villa B

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast served at the villa. Today is a

day of exploration in and around the villa. It’s also

market day in Panzano (08h00 – 18h00) complete will

locally grown organic food, local products, art and crafts.

You’ll want to spend some of your day with the locals in

this quaint hillside village. For those who are energetic,

hike to Greve or rent a bike and cycle along the

countryside. Or simply sit by the pool and enjoy a good

book. The day is yours to explore!

Day 5 – Monday August 21 – Il Palagio Villa – day visit to

Chianti Hills B/D

After breakfast at the villa, meet our English speaking

local guide and board our private coach for a day of

discovery in the Chianti hills. Visit a few spectacular

villages and hidden treasures in this stunning Tuscan

countryside. After a memorable day return to the villa to

freshen up before dinner. Dinner tonight will be in the

town of Panzano, only a short distance from the villa.

Delight in the food prepared at the Solo Ciccia

Restaurant, owned by renowned chef Dario Cecchini.

www.dariocecchini.com/en/solo-ciccia/. (Transportation

this evening will be by private van service).

Day 6 – Tuesday August 22 – Il Palagio Villa B/L

After breakfast at the villa enjoy the morning at leisure.

This afternoon participate in a private cooking class with

a local chef who will teach the secrets of Tuscan and

Chianti cuisine. Afterwards enjoy the delightful dishes

for lunch accompanied by Chianti wines, oil and honey

from the Il Palagio Estate. The afternoon and evening

are at leisure at the villa or stroll into town and visit the

shops in the piazza.

Day 7 – Wednesday August 23 – Il Palagio Villa – day

visit To Siena B/D

After breakfast at the villa meet our English speaking

local guide and board our private coach for a full day

guided excursion to Siena. This charming town and

UNESCO world heritage site is famous for its medieval

cityscape, its museums, its cuisine and “The Palio”, a

horse race which is run right through the middle of town

twice a year. Here you’ll enjoy a guided walking tour and

then have the remainder of the day at leisure to

meander through the shops, the outdoor market

(Wednesdays only) and sites of Siena, or relax in an

outdoor café sipping a cappuccino. Dinner tonight will

be at Le Panzanelle in the town of Radda in Chianti,

http://www.lepanzanelle.it/ another award winning

restaurant by SLOW FOOD Osteria d’Italia. (Return to the

villa via private van service)

Day 8 – Thursday August 24 – Il Palagio Villa B/D

Today we have a fantastic day planned for you at the

villa. After breakfast at the villa we begin our ½ day tour

of the Il Palagio organic vineyard and olive grove

complete with wine tasting and local cheeses. Learn the

process of creating their award winning organic estate

wines in the Chianti Classico world of wine. The

remainder of the day is at leisure. Conclude the day with

a group dinner, including local wines, served in the

comfort of the villa.

Day 9 – Friday August 25 – Il Palagio Villa – day visit to

San Gimgnano B/D

After breakfast at the villa board our private coach for a

½ day visit to the hill town of San Gimignano, home to 14

medieval towers. Enjoy the town sites, with time for

lunch (at own expense), or sip a glass of the famous light

and fruity Vernaccia di San Gimignano white wine in an

outdoor café. Return to the villa for leisure time to rest,

relax and freshen up for dinner. Tonight we have our

final villa dinner served in the comfort of the villa. Enjoy

the culinary delights prepared and illustrated by a local

gourmet chef.

Day 10 – Saturday August 26 – Il Palagio Villa – to

Florence B/D

After breakfast at the villa, board our private coach and

return to the renaissance city of Florence. Upon arrival

at our hotel we’ll store luggage and the remainder of the

day will be at leisure for personal exploration in Florence.

Choose to visit the sites or the famous museums, Uffizi or

Accademia (advance reservations recommended for

both), shop for leather in San Lorenzo Market or simply

sit in in one of Florence’s many outdoor cafés sipping on

a cappuccino. (Florentine shopping hours: daily 9:30am

to noon or 1:00pm and 3:00pm or 3:30pm to 7:30pm,

though many shops are staying open over that mid-

afternoon “riposo”). Tonight enjoy our farewell dinner at

a local restaurant where we can reminisce with fellow BE

travellers about the fabulous memories we have shared

in Italy!

Overnight Florence – 1 night

Day 11 – Sunday August 27 – Depart Florence B

Beakfast at the hotel followed by check out and good

byes to fellow travellers as our tour comes to an end.

Note: Broad Escapes would be pleased to arrange

private transfers to the airport (additional cost) for those

departing today or post travel arrangements for those

who wish to explore more of Europe.

TERMS & CONDITIONS Reservations: To reserve space on this tour, contact your Ellison Travel & Tours Travel Consultant Deposits & Payments: A deposit is due at the time of booking. The amount of the deposit varies according to the tour booked. Final payment depending on the tour is due 60 to 120 days prior to departure. Both deposits and final payments are non-refundable at time of payment unless covered by insurance. Forms of Payment: Ellison Travel & Tours will accept payment in the form of cheque, Visa or Mastercard. Cheques must be made payable to Ellison Travel & Tours. If the credit card sale is declined, the customer will be informed immediately, and payment will be considered not received. Verbal authorization of the use of your credit card commits you to your reservation whether or not you have signed a credit card draft. Refunds will be processed in the form they were received. Goods & Services Tax: The Canadian Government's G.S.T. and/or H.S.T. may apply to the cost of your tour. Your vacation consultant will advise of the additional G.S.T./H.S.T. charges, if any, that apply to the cost of your tour. Ellison Travel & Tours reserves the right to pass any Government changes to the tax structure on to the consumer. Price Guarantee: Once the deposit is paid, the tour cost is guaranteed. Prices are however subject to change to cover any unexpected costs over which Ellison Travel & Tours has no control, such as fuel surcharges, government taxes and country visas. In the event of a surcharge tour members and/or vacation consultants will be advised of any surcharge on their tour. If a rate increase of more than 7% is necessary, clients may cancel with no penalties. No surcharges will be added within 30 days prior to departure. Insurance: Ellison Travel & Tours strongly recommends the purchase of Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, and Comprehensive Assistance, Health Coverage, Individual Accident Coverage, and Baggage and Personal Effects Insurance. Details are available from your travel agent. Proof of Citizenship: Canadian Citizens are asked to carry a passport for tours to the United States. For international travel a valid passport is required. Citizens of other countries or landed immigrants should check with their travel agent for requirements for travel outside Canada. Passengers must have valid passports for travel abroad and visas for some countries. Ellison Travel & Tours does not accept responsibility for passengers who do not meet correct visa and passport requirements. Currency: All prices are shown in Canadian Dollars. Baggage: Maximum baggage allowance on motoroach tours is one large suitcase per person. All hand luggage must be carried personally aboard the motorcoach or aircraft. Although the Tour Manager and Coach Driver supervise the transfer of luggage to and from the motorcoach and every effort is made to handle luggage as carefully as possible, Ellison Travel & Tours cannot assume liability for loss, theft or damage due to breakage, fire, water, etc. Accommodation: All hotels listed in itineraries have been confirmed at the time of printing, but are subject to change. On most tours, TWIN refers to two persons sharing one room with two beds; however, in some areas, only one double bed may be available, so please specify at time of booking if you wish two separate beds. TRIPLE or QUAD usually refers to three or four persons sharing one room with two double beds, all with private bath. Please keep in mind that in some areas local customs may mean that there is a change in the type of accommodation provided. Items not included: Items of personal nature such as laundry, telephone charges and drinks with meals other than noted in the tour Inclusions. Responsibility: Ellison Travel & Tours acts solely as organizer of the tours outlined in this brochure and is responsible for making all reservations and charting the routes as outlined but it is expressly understood and agreed between the tour organizer and the passengers that Ellison Travel & Tours or its agents shall not be held responsible for: a) non-performance on the part of any hotel or other accommodation for any act or omission that cannot be directly attributed to the neglect of the tour organizer; b) any delays, misconnections, loss, damage or injury to persons or property or for mechanical defects or failure, however caused or for any substitution of hotels or carrier equipment beyond the control of the tour operator, or for any additional expenses occasioned thereby; c) any inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, upset, disappointment, distress or frustration whether physical or mental however caused, except where caused directly by the tour operator; d) any additional costs incurred or any ancillary loss sustained as a result of cancellations or delays of tours caused by inclement weather conditions, acts of God, or any other event, which result in one or more persons being unable to continue or complete the tour through no direct fault of the tour organizer. The tour organizer reserves the right to make any changes before or during the tour for the comfort and enjoyment of the passengers and it is agreed and understood that any increase in costs occasioned by such change shall be paid by the passengers or any decrease in costs occasioned by the change shall be refunded to the passenger. Force Majeure: Except where otherwise expressly stated in these conditions, we regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our obligations under our contract with you is prevented or affected by or you otherwise suffer any injury, damage, loss or expense of any nature as a result of “force Majeure”. In these conditions, “force Majeure” means any event which Ellison Travel & Tours or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include actual or threatened war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, disease, fire and all similar events outside our control. All tour itineraries are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice. Tour managers are subject to substitution where deemed necessary. Ellison Travel & Tours shall have no responsibilities beyond their refund of all monies paid by the passenger which is deemed to constitute full settlement. The tour organizer reserves the right to decline any person as a member of the tour at any time before or during the tour should such person's presence be considered detrimental to the interest, comfort and enjoyment of the other tour members. Persons leaving the tour during operation will not receive a refund of unused services. Ellison Travel & Tours, its agents and all passengers agree that conditions set out herein are part of the terms between the passenger and the tour organizer. Acceptance of the ticket for the tour or any deposit given to the tour organizer represents acceptance by the passenger of all the aforementioned conditions.