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Day 1 - Depart – Newark Liberty International Airport to Rome
Early this evening you will board our trans-Atlantic flight bound for Rome. Meals and entertainment and overnight will be aloft. (D)
Day 2 – Rome to Relais Certosa, Tuscany
You’ll arrive at Rome Airport early, after Baggage Claim and Italian Customs formalities you will board your motor-coach for a peaceful ride northward to the Region of Tuscany. We will make a short visit to the medieval city of San Gimignano, in the heart of the Tuscan region. This ancient city is famous for its many bell towers built in the Middle Ages. While in San Gimignano you will have a short walking tour of its most important buildings and sites. The city was the scene for part of the movie by the Franco Zeferelli, “Tea with Mussolini” in 1999. Arrival at your hotel in Relais Certosa, a lovely country villa in the Florentine suburbs, located on 15 acres of a park-like setting surrounded by olive trees, cypresses, pines and oak trees. Originally created as a guest quarters in 1400’s of the Certosa dei Galluzzo Monastery, it was enlarged in the 19th century . You will have time to freshen up, and unwind before dinner this evening. Dinner (included) and overnight will be in Relais CertosaRelais Certosa (4*)
Day 3 – La Chiantigiana – Wine Tasting & Dinner
Today after breakfast we will depart for the picturesque “Chiantigiana” the Chianti Wine Road. Among our stops today will be in an Olive Oil plant, Frantolio Goccia d’Oro for a short tour and explanation of today’s oil production and a tasting. We proceed on to one of the most exquisite working wineries in Chianti, Castello di Verrazano for our first wine tasting of the day. The castle was an Etruscan then a Roman settlement before becoming the property of the Verrazzano family in the VIIth century. Giovanni da Verrazzano, who discovered the bay of New York and east coast of America, was born here in 1485. We proceed on to Montalcino to taste the wonderful Brunello di Montalcino wines at the Fattoria dei Barbi , offering wines ranging from the respected Brunello Riserva 'Vigna del Fiore' to the Brusco dei Barbi. The Colombini family has owned property in Brunello di Montalcino since 1352, and they established Fattoria dei Barbi there in 1790. This evening you are in for a treat. Dinner (included) will be served in Monteriggioni in a little family owned restaurant for a wonderful local fare, Il Pozzo named for the famous well in Dante’s Divine Comedy which is located in the middle of the town square. Monteriggioni is a tiny village in the hills of Tuscany, the magnificent walls, built during the first two decades of the 1200’s and immortalized by the great poet Dante Alighieri, are still today almost intact and surrounded by 14 towers. Overnight in Relais Certosa.
Day 4 – Excursion to Florence
This morning after breakfast we will depart to Florence, the “Flower of the Renaissance”
You will begin your day with a city walking tour with a local guide. Today’s visits will include the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo), Giotto’s bell tower, the Baptistery of St. John and the Academy of Fine Arts housing the David by Michelangelo and his famous “Prisoners in Stone”. Afterwards the rest of the day at leisure for lunch, free-time, personal visits or shopping on your own. You will return for dinner (included) and overnight at Relais Certosa; dinner will be at Buca San Giovanni, a typical "cantina" like 4* restaurant in the heart of Florence, serving typical Florentine fare.
Day 5 - GUCCI & PRADA OUTLET SHOPPING TOUR
Continental buffet breakfast this morning is served once again before departure. Today you have the opportunity to visit some of the most prestigious fashion outlets in the area for an incredible shopping experience. Discounts abound from 30 to 50%. Some of the many manufacturers such as; Prada, Gucci, Yves St. Laurent, Bottega, Veneta, Sergio Rossi and Armani are represented here. There will be plenty of time to meander through the outlets. “You can shop ‘til you drop!”. Overnight in Relais Certosa.
Day 6 Tuscany to Santa Margherita Ligure
There will be time to relax and enjoy the scenery on the motor-coach as we head toward the Portofino Peninsula along the Italian Riviera. Upon arrival to our hotel in Santa Margherita, we will have time to freshen up and re-group. An orientation tour of the city will be offered later in the afternoon. S. Margherita can be defined as an elegant society parlor, which is well-patronized by tourists coming from all over the world and gathering in beautiful cafés and restaurants, art galleries and exclusive shops, elegant hotels and the small harbor. The balance of the day is free to enjoy. A typical Ligurian fare at dinner (included) tonight will be in local restaurant. Overnight in the Lido Palace Hotel (4*) in Santa Margherita.
Day 7 – Santa Margherita – Portofino
Today, after a good night’s rest and a leisurely breakfast, we will take some time out for a 15 minute boat ride to visit the jet set village of Portofino. Portofino has become a symbol of “la dolce vita”. As a pearl protected in its shell, Portofino suddenly appears to the visitors when coming from the Sea. It is a well-protected bay. The mountain of Portofino faces the sea and forms an ominous cliff. Day and night is always a wonderful scene. There will be some free-time for browsing and lunch (on your own). After our visit to Portofino, we will go to “Cantina” for a tasting of some of the local wines produced in the region. Two opposing forces affect the growth of grapes in Liguria, the maritime favorable climate and the mountainous rugged lands. Therefore, wine production is very limited and a small part of the economy in the region. The most well-known wines produced here are Cinque Terre, Dolceacque and Sciacchetra. Dinner (included) and overnight will be in Lido Palace Hotel S. Margherita Ligure.
Day 8 – Santa Margherita Ligure – The Cliffs of the Cinque Terre
After breakfast, we'll meet our guide at the hotel and take the half-hour train ride to Monterosso. After a visit to this westernmost village in the collection of five tiny beachfront towns known as the Cinque Terre, we'll take the train to Vernazza. There, you'll be free to stroll through the colorful buildings and later we will gather for lunch (included). During the afternoon, we will once again board the train from Vernazza to Manarola, where we'll walk to Riomaggiore along via dell'Amore - the "street of love", the famous cliff walk. A visit of this tiny, rustic village will be followed by a beautiful boat ride from Riomaggiore to Monterosso. After a busy day of arduous walking and sightseeing, you'll be happy to return to Santa Margherita by train. Dinner, (on your own) and overnight will be in Lido Palace Hotel Santa Margherita Ligure.
Day 9 – The “Salami” Train - Ligurian Countryside Wine & Food Tasting
What in the world is a SALAMI TRAIN? Only in Italy! Click link go to “Second Itinerary”
Not everyone knows that since 1929 there is, in Genova, a one way track train that, like in Switzerland, climbs up the ridges of the mountains and goes through villages and chestnuts woods with unique landscapes between sea and mountains. This morning after breakfast our motor-coach will bring us to this unique antique 19th century period train with tables and a bar, for a journey through this beautiful, hilly Ligurian countryside to taste some of the delicious products that the land produces. We leave Genoa headed for Casella, making a stop and visit in Sant’Olcese to a salami making factory for a tasting of the famous salami “Genova Crudo” Arrival by train to Casella. Lunch (on your own) and free time to visit the village which has many interesting and spectacular panoramic views. Return to Genova in the afternoon by train to meet our motor-coach for the short ride back to Lido Palace Hotel in S.Margherita Ligure for dinner (included) and overnight.
Day 10 – Italy / USA
Today after breakfast, we will gather our belongings and board our motor-coach as we drive northward heading for the Malpensa International Airport in Milan for our journey back home to the USA.
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