June 22-25 Pre-tour to Rome

06.25.2022 ARRIVAL AT ROME AIRPORT AND TRANSFER TO TUSCANY

Arrival in Rome and transfer to Tuscany.
Welcome dinner at local restaurant.

06.25.2022 - 06.29.2022 4 NIGHTS AT HOTEL DEI CAPITANI

Situated in part of the eighteenth-century "Catasto Leopoldino" in the historic centre of Montalcino and overlooking the countryside, Hotel Dei Capitani offers relaxed Tuscan hospitatlity with splendid views, taking in the Val d'Orcia and the Val d'Aria, enjoy the ambiance with breakfast on the terrace or a dip in the pool. 4*

06.26.2022 MORNING CE LECTURE, WINE TASTING BRUNCH, AND MONTALCINO WALKING TOUR

Breakfast at the Hotel followed by CE Lecture (3 hours). Time for our first foray into Tuscan wine at a local vineyard for a tasting brunch. afterward a walk through the medieval town of Montalcino. Dinner on own.

06.27.2022 COOKING CLASS AND MONTEPULCIANO

Breakfast at the hotel and morning at leisure. Lunch today is of your own creation as we make our way to a Brunello winery for a hands-on cooking class and wine pairing. Time to walk off lunch with a tour of the medieval town of Montepulciano, full of elegant Renaissance palaces, ancient churches, charming squares and hidden corners with vast panoramas all over the wonderful Val d'Orcia and Val di Chiana valleys that surround it. Transfer back to the hotel for time at leisure and dinner on your own or linger in the city for dinner and return to the hotel later in the evening.

06.28.2022 MORNING CE LECTURE AND PIENZA

Breakfast at the hotel followed by CE Lecture (3 hours). Afterward, we head to the charming village of Pienza, city of cacio, which means cheese!, for a walking tour and tasting of the famous local Pecorino of Pienza. Transfer back to the hotel for time at leisure and dinner on your own or linger in the city for dinner and return to the hotel later in the evening.

06.29.2022 TRANSFER TO RADDA

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. We make the transition from one region to the next, ending in the quaint medieval hilltop village of Radda. Located in the Chianti Region, there is at least 1,000 years of winemaking heritage in the hills around Radda. Wine tasting and lunch enroute.

06.29.2022 - 07.01.2022 2 NIGHTS AT PALAZZO LEOPOLDO

Located inside a former 11th centruy noble palace, Palazzo Leopoldo has been carefuuly restored, keeping the flavour of the ancient lords of Tuscany with original pieces of the residence, including frescoes, fireplaces, exposed beams and antique furniture. Amenities are modern adn exhaustive, and include a wellness center, indoor pool, gym, wine bar, a solarium with jacuzzi and a beautiful terrace from which to admire the rolling hills of Chianti. 4*

06.30.2022 Siena and Afternoon CE Lecture

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Siena for a walking tour and free time. Return to hotel for afternoon CE Lecture (3 hours). Dinner this evening at a local restaurant. Siena is a city where the architecture soars, as do the souls of many of its visitors. Effectively a giant, open-air museum celebrating the Gothic, Siena has spiritual and secular monuments that have retained both their medieval forms and their extraordinary art collections, providing the visitor with plenty to marvel at. The city's historic contrade (districts) are marvellous too, being as close-knit and colourful today as they were in the 17th century, when their world-famous horse race, the Palio, was inaugurated. And within each contrada lies vibrant streets populated with artisanal boutiques, sweet-smelling pasticcerie (pastry shops) and tempting restaurants. It's a feast for the senses and an essential stop on every Tuscan itinerary. (Lonely Planet)

07.01.2022 - 07.03.2022 2 nights at Plaza Hotel Luccehesi

A renowned hotel that first opened in 1860 and is strategically situated along the bank of the Arno River, Plaza Hotel Lucchesi blends classic Italian features with contemporary Italian style and perfectly located to explore the city on foot. With a rooftop swimming pool and bar where you can sip on a drink while admiring the Duomo. 4* Few cities are so compact in size or so packed with extraordinary art and architecture masterpieces at every turn. The urban fabric of Florence, on the banks of the Arno river, has hardly changed since the Renaissance and its narrow cobbled streets are a cinematic feast of elegant 15th and 16th century palazzi, medieval candle-lit chapels, fresco-decorated churches, marble basilicas and world-class art museums brimming with paintings and sculptures by Botticcelli, Michelangelo et al. Unsurprisingly, the entire city centre is a UnesconWorld Heritage Site. Italy's fashion industry was born and bred in Florence. Homegrown designers Guccio Gucci and Salvatore Ferragamo opened haute-couture boutiques in Florence in the 1920s and shopping in the Tuscan capital has been stylish ever since. Florence is for walking so get out and enjoy.

07.01.2022 Transfer to Florence, Afternoon Accademia Gallery Visit

Breakfast at the htoel and check-out. We make our way to the capital of Tuscany, Florence. Time for lunch at leisure before an afternoon walking tour and visit to the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's magnificent statue of David. Dinner at leisure.

07.02.2022 Morning CE Lecture and Florence

Breakfast at the hotel followed by CE Lecture (3 hours). Afternoon at Leisure and farewell dinner.

07.03.2022 Fly Home

July 3-5 Post-tour to Venice

pricing

$4200 pp

Based on Double Occupancy

Payment by Check of +3%

The price does not include: Air fare to Itlay or Gratuities