Travel with Nala’s Taste of Italy Tour... · Travel with Nala’s ... The tour will be followed...
Transcript of Travel with Nala’s Taste of Italy Tour... · Travel with Nala’s ... The tour will be followed...
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Travel with Nala’s
For a Taste of Italy “Off the Beaten Path”
SIENA • SAN GIMIGNANO • CHIANTI • MONTALCINO & MONTEPULCIANO •
TORGIANO • ASSISI & SPELLO • MONTEFALCO & BEVAGNA • CITTA’ DI CASTELLO or ORVIETO
Detailed Itinerary
8 Days/7 nights
October 18 to 26, 2013
or October 25 to November 2, 2013
1 night in Florence, 3 nights in Castellina in Chianti, 3 nights in Torgiano
Day 1, FLORENCE: Welcome to Italy
Arrival in Italy and transfer to hotel in Florence.
Check in at hotel in Florence.
In the afternoon you will have a few hours for relaxation, recover from jet lag and start
enjoying the beauty of Tuscany and the resort we have chosen for you.
Welcome dinner in a local trattoria in the historical centre of Florence.
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What is included?
Welcome dinner in Florence, full meal with typical Tuscan dishes (water and wine included)
Accommodation in refined privately owned 4 star hotel; breakfast included the following morning.
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Day 2, SIENA - SAN GIMIGNANO – CHIANTI
Check-out from hotel in Florence.
Full day excursion to explore the beautiful area of Chianti and enjoy the local food and wine.
In the morning, you will visit a local farm producing delicious Pecorino Cheeses where you
will follow all the production steps which transform sheep’s raw milk into these excellent
cheeses. The tour will be followed by a tasting of different varieties of Pecorino and fresh
Ricotta cheeses accompanied by locally produced honey.
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You will then visit the heart of the Chianti
region, in the gorgeous countryside of
Tuscany. You'll enjoy the scenic drive,
surrounded by rolling hills, vineyards, and
olive groves, with a stop for a short visit in the
picturesque village of Monteriggioni: an
amazing village on top of a hill surrounded by
intact medieval walls.
Lunch today will be a truly unique and satisfying experience at a restaurant specialised
in cooking the famous “Bistecca Fiorentina”: L’Officina della Bistecca in Gaiole in
Chianti.
The afternoon is dedicated to visiting San Gimignano built on the foundations of an
Etruscan village and overlooking Tuscany's lush Elsa Valley. San Gimignano is a wonderfully
romantic hill town which earned the unlikely nickname of the "medieval Manhattan" for its
striking skyline. Thirteen medieval watchtowers are dotted throughout the town centre and
situated around the stone defence wall. These towers, most of them built by wealthy
families as a sign of their power, are one of the most impressive aspects of this beautiful
Tuscan town.
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Check-in at a selected farmhouse hotel near Siena.
Accommodation in the Chianti countryside near Siena.
What is included:
Private full day excursion to San Gimignano and Chianti, in a private minibus.
Guided visit to a Pecorino Cheese farm and cheese tasting.
Lunch at L’Officina della Bistecca; a full meal with typical Tuscan dishes and wines.
Accommodation in a lovely Tuscan farmhouse hotel in the Chianti countryside near Siena; breakfast included.
Day 3, SIENA and the CHIANTI wine region
Visit to the Siena landmarks in the morning. A local professional art guide will be waiting to
escort you on a three hour tour of Siena highlights. Visit the Basilica of St. Dominic’s and
walk along Siena’s medieval streets on the way to the Cathedral. This superb example of
Gothic architecture is a rich art heritage: Michelangelo, Donatello, Bernini and Giovanni
Pisano left some of their most well-known masterpieces here. The tour ends at the famous
Piazza del Campo. (Cathedral entrance tickets included).
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Lunch on your own in Siena to
explore and enjoy the local
delicacies.
The afternoon will be dedicated
to the CHIANTI CLASSICO wine,
which constitutes undoubtedly
the core of Tuscan wines and
the tastings of great Chianti
Classico DOCG (guaranteed
origin and quality control)
You will visit the world famous winery of Tenuta Casanova a typical Chianti Wine Estate.
This is 20 hectares (50 acres) of vineyard and farm lies in the heart of a cypress forest
located between Poggibonsi and Castellina in Chianti. At a special cooking class, Tenuta
Casanova will demonstrate both ancient and traditional Tuscan recipes. The house
specialty is fresh homemade pasta: pappardelle, tagliatelle or tagliolini, or the typical
ravioli of Maremma stuffed with fresh ricotta and herbs, as well as potato gnocchi, all
smothered in traditional sauces. You will also get the chance to prepare special breads, in
addition to pizzas and ciaccini (a very special kind of bread pasta): all this will be sampled
together with different varieties of honey, pecorino cheese and Cinta Senese pig cold cuts
paired with excellent Chianti Classico wines, followed by delicious fruit tarts (crostate),
grandma’s traditional cookies, gelato, and the famous tiramisu. Finally experience a scoop
of homemade vanilla ice cream with a splash of Acetaia 30 year old balsamic vinegar. All
those delicious recipes are paired with the estate’s selection of prestigious wines, from the
refreshing aperitivo to the exquisite dessert wine.
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What is included?
Private full day excursion to Siena and Chianti, in a private minibus.
Private guided tour of Siena (about 3 hrs), with a professional, local English speaking guide (Cathedral entrance tickets included).
Cooking Class at Tenuta Casanova, winery visit, wine tasting and dinner.
Accommodation in a lovely Tuscan farmhouse hotel in the Chianti countryside near Siena, breakfast included.
Day 4, The VAL d’ORCIA: MONTALCINO and MONTEPULCIANO wine regions
This morning, we will drive to Montalcino where you will visit Poggio Antico winery
beautiful estate and taste 3 top Brunello wines: Brunello (DOCG); Altero (DOCG) and
Brunello Riserva (DOCG).
After Poggio Antico, you will visit St. Antimo Abbey and then proceed to Montepulciano, a
splendid medieval hamlet located between
Valdichiana and the Val D’Orcia. The village is
completely surrounded by wineries and has a
magical almost fairy-tale like quality. The wines
here have a fascinating history. The DOCG red
wines made here are referred to as Vino Nobile,
i.e. noble wines and indeed these wines have
been famous in the aristocracy since the 15th
century poet Poliziano introduced these wines
to the court of “Lorenzo dei Medici”
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Lunch on your own in Montepulciano. Explore the town at your own pace.
This area is known to have produced wines dating back to the Roman Empire. Today the
NOBILE di MONTEPULCIANO wines continue to be very popular as new varieties have been
developed that surpass the quality of earlier wines. Newly developed are wines like the
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO. You will learn and experience for yourself the main
differences between these two wines and appreciate the high quality of the Nobile as well.
You will then visit Tenuta Val di Piatta: Year after
year this estate turns out wines that stand out for
their uniqueness and originality expressed in their
elegance and equilibrium. After touring the
production facilities and the naturally tempered
wine cellars and an explanation of the wine-
making processes; you will sample 3
Montepulciano Wines and enjoy Extra-Virgin Olive
Oil served on slices of crusty bread.
What is included?
Private full day excursion to Montalcino and Montepulciano in a private minibus.
Poggio Antico winery visit, with 3 Brunello wines tastings.
Tenuta Val di Piatta winery visit with 3 Montepulciano wines tastings.
Accommodation in a lovely Tuscan farmhouse hotel in the Chianti countryside near Siena,
breakfast included.
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Day 5, ASSISI and SPELLO
This morning after checking out from hotel in Castellina in Chianti, we will move on to the
province of Umbria. Our first stop will be Assisi, the city of St. Francis, with the beautiful St.
Francis Basilica decorated with worldwide famous Giotto’s frescoes. The visit will include:
St. Clare Basilica; Piazza del Comune with its medieval buildings and recently restored
Roman Minerva temple. Also included is a visit to the recently opened Museum of the
Roman Forum that takes you below the square to explore the excavation of a large Roman
public area and St. Francis Basilica centre of Franciscan spirituality and cradle of medieval
European art. The Basilica was built on the saint’s tomb and is an architectural masterpiece
containing some of the finest paintings of medieval Italian art, from Cimabue to Giotto,
Simone Martini, Pietro Lorenzetti. Admire the St. Rufino Cathedral with its magnificent
Romanesque-style facade located in the upper part of Assisi; an area of great charm and
history.
Lunch on your own and explore the beauty of Assisi at your own pace.
In the afternoon, we will visit the beautiful medieval village of Spello and admire its white
and pink stone houses and breath taking renaissance fresco by Pinturicchio in the Cappella
Baglioni. Here you will also visit a typical olive oil mill and taste their extra virgin olive oils.
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Later in the afternoon check-in at your lovely hotel in Torgiano, belonging to “The
Lungarotti’s”, the most renowned wine making family in this part of Italy.
Accommodation in Torgiano, in a beautiful countryside hotel. Check in and enjoy exploring
this beautiful estate at your own pace
A gourmet dinner is planned, starting with traditional Italian aperitif’s followed by a four
course meal paired with two wines from the Lungarotti estate
What is included?
Private full day excursion and transfer to Assisi and Spello, in a private minibus.
Private guided tour of Assisi (about 3 hrs), with professional local English speaking guide.
Guided visit to an olive oil mill in Spello and oil tasting.
Dinner at your hotel in Torgiano: aperitif and 4 course meal (2 Lungarotti wines pairing)
Accommodation in beautiful 5 star country hotel in Torgiano, breakfast included
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Day 6, BEVAGNA and MONTEFALCO wine region
Today you will explore the “heart of Italy”, Umbria region; the beautiful hills, olive groves,
vineyards and medieval hill towns.
With your expert local guide you will visit the village of Bevagna: a charming ancient
medieval town that lies on a fertile plain, close to the Via Flaminia. The visit will include:
Piazza S. Silvestro, the main square surrounded by two Romanesque style jewels: the
Church of San Michele and the Church of San Silvestro, both
facing the 13th-century Palazzo dei Consoli; The “Medieval
Workshops” Special Tour (Bevagna is famous for its “Mercato
delle Gaite”, an event held each year in June: for 10 days the
village is literally transformed in an old medieval village,
where every aspect of daily life is reproduced like it was in
medieval times. The most interesting aspect of this event is
that people can visit authentic old workshops that still
operate using medieval techniques. During the year these
workshops are normally closed to the public, but it is possible
to visit them on request: visit the 4 main medieval workshops,
the “Cartiera” – paper making, the “Cereria” – candles
making; the “Setificio” – silk making, and the “Dipintore” –
painting on wood.
We will organize a typical lunch in a local “enoteca/trattoria” in a nice setting in Bevagna,
with an excellent menu based on local products and “slow food” philosophy.
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In the afternoon a winery visit has been arranged in the village of Montefalco, famous for
its Sagrantino wine. Visit to Antonelli renowned for their high quality wines and beautiful
vineyards. Taste the classic Montefalco Rosso and the famous Montefalco Sagrantino.
Later in the afternoon back to Torgiano. This beautiful village is popular for its local wines,
and olive oils. Explore the olive oil and wine museums on your own or enjoy one of the
many activities available at the hotel’s “Wellness Centre”
What is included?
Private full day excursion to Bevagna and Montefalco, in a private minibus.
Private guided tour of Bevagna (about 2 hrs), with professional local English speaking guide
(entrance tickets included).
Lunch in Bevagna, with wines pairings.
Antonelli winery visit and 3 Sagrantino/Montefalco wines tastings.
Accommodation in beautiful 5 star country hotel in Torgiano, breakfast included.
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Day 7, CITTA’ DI CASTELLO: Truffle Hunting experience
Today we have organized a unique and fun experience for you: Your bus will pick you up
from the hotel and drive you to “Citta di Castello” where you will be shown how to hunt for
truffles, a half day program to enjoy the beauty of central Italian countryside and learn
about truffles. This northern area of Umbria, close to Tuscany is one of the few areas in
Italy where it is possible to “hunt” the precious and aromatic “white truffle” (tartufo
bianco). We will take you for a half day excursion into the fascinating and mysterious
world of this delicacy. You will visit a family run truffle farm where the owners will take you
through the entire process, from the digging up of the truffle to its preparation and use.
They will show you all the secrets of the truffle, how to distinguish its different varieties,
and how to use it in cooking. The program will include: visit to the beautiful countryside
and truffle hunting demonstration with dogs; visit to Citerna, named one of “the most
beautiful villages of Italy”, tour of the truffle farm and visit of a small truffle museum,
practical advice on truffle preservation and truffle use in cooking (including a gift of truffle
recipe book). Finally you will assist in a cooking demonstration held by an expert local chef
to learn how to use truffles to flavour cold or warm dishes like tagliatelle or sliced thin over
salads or on eggs. The food will then be served and enjoyed by all with a glass or two of
wine.
Great Convivial “Truffle Meal”! This promises to be a fun experience and you will enjoy
many local specialities prepared using white and black truffles that are available in that
part of Italy
After lunch back to your hotel in Torgiano to spend the afternoon exploring, or relaxing in
the “Wellness Centre”
Farewell party, in the hotel. Venue to be announced
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What is included
Half day “Hunt and exploring truffle”, lunch based on truffle dishes at truffle farm.
Farewell party, drinks, anti-pasti, cheeses and desserts.
Accommodation in beautiful 5 star country hotel in Torgiano, breakfast included.
Day 8, Depart from Torgiano – End of Tour
Check out from Hotel in Torgiano
Transfer will be available, for a nominal fee, to either Rome or Florence airport, or Perugia
train station. This will be determined when travel arrangements are finalised.
Accommodation
We have selected boutique 4 star Hotels or Country Inns with unique amenities and atmosphere in the most beautiful areas of Tuscany and Umbria. The preferred accomodations, or similar, listed below are subject to availabilty at time of booking. All reservations are on a first come first served basis.
FLORENCE – 1 night, arrive Saturday – depart Sunday
HOTEL PALAZZO DAL BORGO – buffet breakfast included www.hotelpalazzodalborgo.it
CASTELLINA IN CHIANTI (SI) – 3 nights, arrive Sunday – depart Wednesday
ALBERGO IL COLOMBAIO – buffet breakfast included www.albergoilcolombaio.it
TORGIANO – 3 nights, arrive Wednesday – depart Saturday
HOTEL LE 3 VASELLE – buffet breakfast included www.3vaselle.it
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TOTAL TOUR PRICE: $3,490 per person excludes airfares and transfer to and from hotels to airports or local train stations. Price is based on double occupancy Price is based on a Group of 24 travellers (12 couples) Price includes all accommodations and activities listed in the program:
All ground transportation, transfers and excursions for 7 days, as described in the tour
Itinerary, by luxury bus with professional driver; bottled water available on the bus.
7 nights’ accommodation in luxury (4 stars) privately owned villas, country inns or
farmhouse hotels.
7 full breakfasts (breakfast in Torgiano on day 8, might not be possible due to early
departure; however, coffee and a small snack pack will be provided.
Two Italian-speaking tour directors will be available at all times. Private guided tours with
local professional English speaking guides in: Siena, Assisi, Spello, Bevagna (all entrance
fees to sites during the tour included).
Excursions to San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, Montalcino-St.Antimo and Montepulciano.
5 dinners and 3 lunches at high quality local restaurants with full delicious menus (water
and wine included).
1 cooking class in a Chianti top restaurant (recipes book included).
4 visits and wine tastings at premium wineries including Chianti Classico, Brunello di
Montalcino, Nobile di Montepulciano and Sagrantino di Montefalco. Professional wine
tastings with winemakers/owners/top staff.
Pecorino cheese farm visit and cheese tasting.
Olive oil mill visit and olive oil tasting.
Truffle hunting experience and truffle sampling.
Farewell party in Torgiano.
Detailed itinerary of tour.
All local sales, city taxes and service charges are included.
Additional gratuities are at your discretion.
Any other activities undertaken on your own are at your expense.
Transfer to airports or train station in Perugia will be at a nominal fee to be determined
prior to your departure to Florence airport.