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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.