Italian Countryside Tour
11-21 October 2012 
10-Day Tuscan Slow Tour from the Val d'Orcia & Siena to the Chianti Region and Florence in the north.
PRICE per person $AUD 4500.00
 Single Supplement $AUD 720.00 
 
Indulge in Italian culture and gastronomy, music and sculpture, whilst exploring the villages, hill towns and ancient cities of Tuscany. From Siena and the Val dOrcia in the South, to Lucca and the Garfagnana in the North, enjoy an evening concert of Puccini in Lucca, sail the Cinque Terra Coastline and much more together with a local, Heather Jarmen of Saperi e Sapori and Robbie Vulinovich of Slow Tours to Italy and Croatia.
 

 

 
Your Tour Manager, well-known ex-restrateur and
 
 Slow Food Leader, Daintree Tourism, has vast
 
experience in tour escorting both in Italy & Croatia.
 
Robyn has a wealth of knowledge and passion for this
 
part of the world. Robbie, (as she prefers to be
 
known) Together with Heather Jarmen, will delight in
 
sharing her time with her guests, making sure all
 
care is taken to ensure all participants have a  
 
wonderful and memorable  time away.

 

                                                                ITINERARY

Monday 11 October

Transfer from Rome Fiumicino airport to our accommodation in the beautiful Val dOrcia for the next four nights. Welcome dinner as prepared especially for us by our hosts Silvano and Eliana.The cuisine is absolutely exquisite and the hospitality second to none!

 

Tuesday 12 October

Learn and watch how to make pecorino cheese and ricotta, tasting the delicious produce. Montepulciano is our next stop. You can visit some of the historical wine cellars or sit and admire the Renaissance magnificence of the Piazza Grande. In the Piazza is a coppersmith, one of the last in Tuscany. Our next indulgence, tasting Nobile di Montepulciano wine at a nearby vineyard.Heading home for dinner along la Foce, a very panoramic route.

Wednesday 13 October
Today we visit the exquisite hilltop town of Pienza over-looking the Val D'Orcia, world famous for it's Pecorino Cheese. Here we'll enjoy a cosy lunch at my favourite little courtyard restaurant.
After lunch we return to La Palazzina for a cooking lesson (after a snooze) with Eliana and then relax with a glass of wine and enjoy the fruits of our labour..  

Thursday 14 October

A morning guided tour in the atmospheric city of Siena, followed by an afternoon spent exploring the magical San Gimignano, and lunch at my favourite vine covered courtyard Enoteca, with great local specialities and a glass or two of the local wines.
 

Friday 15 October

A lazy start and an unhurried journey through Tuscany, stopping for a lunch along the way in the walled hilltop town of Monteriggioni, brings us to our villa in the heartland of Chianti which will be our base for the rest of the tour.
An afternoon to settle in to our new 'home' and explore the surroundings.
Welcome drinks and dinner in the evening.

 

Saturday 16 October

A free day  morning and an afternoon spent exploring Lucca. The landscaped Renaissance walls, the amphitheatre still bearing traces of its Roman and mediaeval origins, many churches, paintings and sculptures. This is the weekend of the monthly antiques fair when the streets and piazzas are bustling with vendors of everything from furniture and paintings to silver, kitchen implements, embroidery and books.

Happy hour drinks followed by an evening  Puccini concert, .

 

Sunday 17 October

Today is market day in Panzano. A very beautiful village with great views and great local produce. We'll visit Dario Cecchini's Macelleria and tonight we'll dine in Dario's popular restaurant with the locals.

 

Monday 18 October
In the morning we help pick olives at our villa and take the harvest to the 'frantoio' for pressing. A picnic lunch in the olive grove will add to our day immersed in nature.
Today is a free day to explore and shop for those special gifts, visiting the outlet shopping centre late afternoon. 

 

Tuesday 19 October

Everyone agrees that the Cinque Terre (the Five Lands) is one of the most beautiful stretches of Italian coastline. The best view of the cultivated terraces and rocky cliffs is from the sea. We sail by boat which stops at each of the picturesque villages, giving you time to explore. You can choose to walk between one or two on the well-marked trails and get back on the boat when youre tired.

 

Wednesday 20 October
A full day spent exploring Florence, San Lorenzo markets, the fresh food market hall, the Art Galleries, boutiques, shopping for those special shoes and accessories, lunch with local friends at a favourite restaurant and coffee at the famous GIlli Cafe in Piazza del Republica.
Plenty of time for any special individual pursuits, bookings can be made  to suit.
 

Thursday 21 October

Departure. Transport provided to Florence Railway or Air
 
Accommodation

 

PRICE PER PERSON: AUD $4500 per person
 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:  AUD  $720.00
The Itinerary is subject to change if necessary due to weather or other events outside our control.
 
INCLUDES

Luxury accommodation for 10 nights

Local ground transportation for 11 days

Daily continental breakfast,

Entrance to wine tasting, cheese tasting,concert, cooking lessons, guided visits with producers

 
DOES NOT INCLUDE

Airfares

Travel and cancellation insurance

Wines and beverages, other than those served with meals, additional meals

Personal expenses such as telephone, mini-bar, etc.

  

ENQUIRIES and BOOKINGS :
Slow Tours to Italy and Croatia

E-mail: info@daintreetourism.com.au

Website: daintreetourism.com.au

 

Useful information

Attire

Informal. Jeans or smart trousers are acceptable everywhere.

Weather in October

Val dOrcia: 22C, precipitation 69 mm

Lucca: 21C, precipitation 119 mm