Tour of Italy 2015September 9-21, 2015

(Possible second group September 16-27, 2015)

KLM Airlines:9/9 DEPART DALLAS/FT. WORTH AT 3:35PM   ARRIVE AMSTERDAM AT 7:55AM  (9/10)9/10 DEPART AMSTERDAM AT           9:50AM  ARRIVE INTO ROME AT   12:05PM 9/20 DEPART ROME AT                       6:20AM   ARRIVE AMSTERDAM AT 8:50AM9/20 DEPART AMSTERDAM               10:35AM ARRIVE DALLAS                 1:45PM

Transportation provided to/from Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards and DFW Airport for an additional charge of $145 per person.

Day 1: Arrival (9/10/15)

Welcome to Italy! Arrive in Rome Airport, meet your driver and transfer to Hotel Savoy - a 4 star hotel in heart of Rome (www.Savoy.hotelinroma.com). Take time to relax and enjoy dinner on your own this evening in the beautiful ancient city.

Day 2: (9/11/15) Ancient & Baroque Rome

Full day tour combines the visit of Imperial Rome with the discovery of the heart of the town with its baroque masterpieces. In the heart of the city it’s possible to relive the power of Rome through its most important monuments such as the Coliseum. The Flavian Amphitheatre, built by the Emperor Vespasian, was the venue for the games that took place in ancient Rome. This is the place where the famous gladiator fights took place, usually performed by slaves or prisoners of war, trained with the aim of ferociously and bravely fighting in order to regain their freedom. The visit includes the magnificent Palatino where the Roman Forum is located. For centuries, this was the ancient Romans' point of reference in terms of the law, religion, and social life. Also known as Forum Magnum or simply Forum, it was located in the little valley between the Palatine Hill and the Campidoglio. We’ll have lunch in a typical trattoria, then transfer by car to the heart of Rome to discover the incredible city built by Popes and the talents of Bernini, Borromini, Michelangelo, Cellini and many others.

In the seventeenth century, the city of Rome became the consummate statement of Catholic majesty and triumph expressed in all the arts. Baroque architects, artists, and urban planners so magnified and invigorated the classical and ecclesiastical traditions of the city that it became not only a focus for tourists and artists but also a watershed of inspiration throughout the Western world. Start from Piazza del Popolo, walk along Via del Corso, then see Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona and the Italian Parliament. End the day with a relaxing and delicious meal of traditional Roman cuisine.

8.45 AM Pick up with driver and guide. Transfer to Colosseo. Visit Colosseo & Forii

12.00 PM Transfer to Piazza del Popolo. Lunch in a local Trattoria near Piazza del Popolo

1:30PM Visit the Baroque Rome. Visit Pantheon inside

4:00PM Return to hotel

Dinner near the Trevi Fountain, time TBD

(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included on this day.)

Day 3: (9/12/15) - Vatican

Fresh Market with the locals: Walking Food & Wine Tour

Your walk starts in Prati, near the Vatican, where every day you can experience a traditional fresh market with local products coming from the Roman Countryside. Taste pecorino cheese, special breads, porchetta (pork) from Ariccia (east of Rome), Frascati wines, and Mozzarella Cheese from the South of Latium. At the end, walk to La Fiorentina Pastry & Bread shop to have a perfect cappuccino accompanied with local cake.

Including: Round Trip Coach, 4 hours guide, tastings.

Private transfer to Vatican Museum for a visit: The Vatican is one of the world’s greatest museums. Home of the Sistine Chapel and Raphael rooms, this Museum is undoubtedly one of the symbols of Western culture and a unique site to appreciate the genius of artists like Michelangelo, Raffaello, Bernini, Giotto and many others. After the Museum, access the Basilica of St Peter and visit the most important Catholic Church in the world.  At the end, meet your driver on Viale della Conciliazione to return to hotel or alternately in Piazza Barberini to continue independently your visit of the town.

9.30 AM          Transfer to Trionfale Market for tasting 

11.30 AM        Cappuccino & Cake at "La Fiorentina"

12.00 PM        Transfer to Borgo Pio and free time for lunch (5 minute by walking)

1:30 PM        Visit the Vatican Museum 

4:00 PM        Visit St Peter Church

Commentary will take place before going inside; after 4pm talking is prohibited inside

5:00 PM         Return to hotel

Breakfast included on this day. Take time to explore the city on your own for lunch and dinner.

Day 4: (9/13/15) Transfer to Montefollonico

Departure from Rome to Montefollonico (It will take approximately 3 hours). Breakfast included before departure.

Welcome to Your New Tuscan Home

Your week with Tuscan Women Cook (www.TuscanWomenCook.com) includes six night’s accommodation at La Chiusa in Montefollonico. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, cooking classes, daily sightseeing, visits to local artisans, and wine tastings. Full translation is provided at all classes. Transportation to all activities is in a Mercedes minibus with a private driver.

Check in at the historic La Chiusa hotel in the medieval walled village of Montefollonico. We will share antipasti and a glass of Prosecco together before our first dinner tonight at a charming local restaurant. Make a toast to new friends and new flavors. The chef will prepare a delicious Tuscan meal for us to begin our week together. Let the delicious journey begin.

Day 5 (9/14/15)—Ready, Set, Mangiamo!

It’s time to get cooking! Your adventure begins in la cucina with Dania Mazotti, the world-famous chef at the Michelin-starred La Chiusa restaurant in our village. Chef Mazotti teaches you essential foundational Tuscan techniques as she prepares chicken alla contadina, “white” ravioli stuffed with farm-fresh ricotta, Pappardelle “Dania”, and caramel gelato with strawberry flambé.

After this extraordinary lunch, you’ll wind through the historic medieval hilltop village of Pienza to peruse the galleries of many of the local artisans. Tonight you’ll dine at the internationally acclaimed Osteria La Porta in Montichiello, which was recently profiled in the New York Times. Wine pairings from Montalcino will be featured with your sumptuous meal. Mangiamo! 

Day 6 (9/15/15)—Pici-licious Pasta and More

Join us for a cappuccino in the village of Montefollonico before this morning’s cooking class at 13 Gobbi. Simonetta, Ima and Sabrina will teach us today. Cooking class this morning features hand-rolled pici, the delicious eggless pasta that originated in our area of Tuscany. We will also prepare aglione (garlic and tomato) sauce, pollo diavalo, savory grilled fresh vegetables topped with local extra virgin olive oil, and crostata suisina. This afternoon we visit the medieval hill town of Montepulciano where the famous Vino Nobile wine is produced. Dinner will be at the renowned Ristorante Walter Redaelli. Learn more in Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence report of this lovely restaurant.

Day 7 (9/16/15)—Siena, A Step back to Medieval Tuscany

Today, we’ll set off to discover the lovely town of Siena. Siena is likely Italy's loveliest medieval city, and a trip worth making even if you are in Tuscany for just a few days. Siena's heart is its central piazza known as Il Campo, known worldwide for the famous Palio run here, a horse race run around the piazza two times every summer. Experience the local market and stroll through the ancient streets while enjoying a refreshing and delicious gelato.

Day 8 (9/17/15)—The Authentic Classic Dishes and Wines. We’ll start our day with a delicious cappuccino at the Bar Sport in our village. This morning Isa is our outstanding nonna della cucina. This could be the favorite meal of the entire week, but most of our guests say that same phrase every day. Parmigiana di melanzane (eggplant Parmesan), ribolita (Tuscan vegetable, bean and bread soup), roast loin of pork,

potato smorfato, cantucci (biscotti) and panna cotta. Squisito! (Yummy!)

Later in the day, we will join local wine master, Vittorio Innocenti, for a wine tasting in his 750-year-old cantina. Vittorio is famous for his Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and his award-winning Vin Santo. Dinner tonight is at another of our wonderful restaurants in Montefollonico, La Botte Piena (the full barrel). The owners are affiliated with the Slow Food movement and will give us an incredible Tuscan family style dinner with wines.

Day 9 (9/18/15)—Making Memories with the Bernadinis

Three generations of a Tuscan family will lead our class today at the Bernadini family home and agriturismo called Belaggagio. Grandmother Ada, daughter Antonella and granddaughter Gloria were our very first women cooks in 2000. We will make pizza in an ages-old wood-burning oven. Additionally, stuffed fried zucchini flowers, the “best ever” pasta al forno (lasagne) and tiramisù; will be highlighted today. After a nice pausa, we will have time for one more wine tasting with one of the young Super Tuscan vintners, Flavio Andreucci of Tenimenti Adreucci Winery, who was recently honored at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City for his outstanding wines. Our final dinner together is at the Michelin-starred La Chiusa restaurant. You will enjoy a seven-course degustazióne dinner with outstanding Tuscan wines, including the world-famous Brunello di Montalcino.

Day 10 (9/19/15)—Ciao! Ci vediamo qui presto!

Sleep in this morning. Enjoy another delicious, leisurely breakfast and depart at your pleasure this morning. Transfer to Rome.  En route stop in Todi, one of the most beautiful Italian villages. You’ll have free time to explore the walled town and enjoy the local food. Lunch at Pane & Vino. Arrival in Rome in the afternoon. Check in at hotel and free time.

Day 11 (9/20/15)

Return home refreshed, renewed and ready to put your culinary skills into practice!

Cost is $7,500 per person

A deposit of $500 is required at the time of reservation. Full payment is due 90 days prior to travel. Prices are USD.

We recommend travel insurance. Our travel agent, Lori Hendricks, recommends Travel Guard and can arrange that for you. She can be reached at Evan’s World Travel, 903.235.8684 or lorihendrick@hotmail.com.

Upon booking, please provide the following information: Your name exactly as it appears on your passport Cell number where you can be reached during international travel

CANCELLATION POLICY: A booking fee of $250 per person will be applied for cancelled services. Cancellation fees are as follows: 7 days or less prior to travel – 100% of payment; 8-14 days prior to travel – 75% of payment; 15-24 days prior to travel – 50% of payment; 25 days or more prior to travel - $250 booking fee.

WHAT IS INCLUDED: 

Arrival Transfer

3 Nights in 4* Hotel Savoy in Rome

1 night at Hotel Hilton in Rome

Full Day Tour of Ancient and Baroque Rome with coach and guide

Colosseum & Imperial Forum entrance with skip the line

Lunch with ½ Lt wine and water at “Caffè Propaganda”

Dinner on Day 2 in Rome

Half Day visit of Vatican & St Peter’s Church

Vatican entrance with skip the line

Half day Fresh Market with the locals tour

Transfer from Rome to Montefollonico

Six night’s accommodation while in Tuscany.

Your week in Tuscany includes breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, cooking classes, daily sightseeing, visits to local artisans, and wine tastings. Full translation is provided at all classes. Transportation provided to all activities in a Mercedes minibus with a private driver.

Transfer from Montefollonico to Rome, en route stop in Todi

Lunch in Todi at “Pane & Vino”, with ½ Lt wine and water

Transfer from Rome hotel to FCO Airport

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:

Everything not mentioned under “what is included”

City taxes are not included and must be paid directly to hotel before departure in Euro.  Approximate cost is 6 Euro per night.

Transportation provided to/from Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards and DFW Airport for an additional charge of $145 per person.