Ultimate Tuscan Getaway Itinerary March 11

Immersion Journeys
Italy, France & Beyond
Ultimate Tuscan Getaway!
Day-by-Day Itinerary:
June 8 to June 15, 2013
We are basing this trip at Villa Giusterna, located in the heart of the Chianti hills. Villa Giusterna is an
“agriturismo.” An agriturismo is a restored Villa or farmhouse in the countryside and is the favorite kind of vacation lodging
for Italians – because it’s in nature, there is a pool and the food is amazing! We have chosen this agriturismo because of
the beauty of its surroundings and the wonderful family who live on site. Agriturismos do not usually have air-conditioning
and this one does not either. But the villa is on a hill with beautiful breezes and you may even need a sweater at night!
We’ll be able to eat most of our meals outside!!
We will be hosted by Alessandra and Auro
HERE’S THE ITINERARY!
Saturday June 8th - Green Chianti Hills
Arrive Florence and transfer to Villa Giusterna
Hiking in the Chianti Hills out your back door
swimming
settling in
Welcome Dinner at Villa Giusterna
Sunday June 9th - Lunch at the Castle
Breakfast while gazing out at the green rolling hills, olive orchards and vineyards
sleep in, swim, read a book on the porch
Pick up by your private bus to travel to Sunday lunch at Salvatore's Castle
Followed by visits to small unknown (to the world but well-known to your hosts!) charming hill towns.
Back at the villa — pasta making workshop with Chef Auro — then pasta dinner!
th
Monday June 10 – Siena
Breakfast while gazing out at the green rolling hills, olive orchards and vineyards
Private Bus and driver to take us to Siena
Tour of Siena with Chiara
Lunch on your own in Siena
shopping and wondering around Siena
Pizza night at Villa Giusterna
Tuesday
Wednesday
th
June 11 – Under the Tuscan Sun in Cortona
Breakfast while gazing out at the green rolling hills, olive orchards and vineyards
sleep in, swim, read a book on the porch
Bus picks us up to go to Cortona
Shopping the wonderful little streets of Cortona
lunch on your own and walking in the park
Tour Cortona with the inimitable Giovanni
Drinks and reception in an art gallery with a 2000 year old well in the floor –
it’s covered, you can’t fall in!
Jewelry Tasting with Sebastian (third generation artisan jeweler)
Dinner at Preludio – shine like a star
June 12th - Market Day and Cooking School
Breakfast while gazing out at the green rolling hills, olive orchards and vineyards
Travel to your cooking school
Today is the local market day and you'll shop for the fresh ingredients
Then you'll travel to the beautiful cooking school of Giusepinna and Simone where you will make an
entire Tuscan meal - from antipasto to pasta to secondo to dolce (dessert!)
Travel back to the villa with a quick stop in San Gimignano
Anti-pasta and Salad night at Villa Giusterna
Thursday
June 13th - Outlet Shopping and Lunch in the winery of an Italian Family
Breakfast while gazing out at the green rolling hills, olive orchards and vineyards
Prada and other outlet shopping or spend the morning reading at the villa
Alba and Claudio's for lunch on their family owned wine estate
Walking in the vineyards
Light dinner at the Villa
Friday
Saturday
June 14th - St. Francis Day (Assisi) and Spello
Breakfast while gazing out at the green rolling hills, olive orchards and vineyards
Assisi and Spello
Travel to the beautiful medieval village of Spello
Shop for linens and pottery
Lunch on your own in Spello
Visit to the Basicialla of St. Francis of Assisi
Free time to shop in Assisi
Farewell Dinner at the Villa
June 15th - Journey On
Breakfast while gazing out at the green rolling hills, olive orchards and vineyards
Travel on to Florence for departures home or for an extended stay in the beautiful Renaissance City of
Florence!
Trip Dates: June 8 to 15th, 2013
This tour requires a minimum of 14 people. Please sign up and once we have 14 people we'll notify you
to make your deposit. The maximum number of people is 16.
Cost:
The land cost of the tour is $2,190, per person, based on double occupancy. Cash discount cost is
$2,140 per person for payment by check or wire transfer.
*Because we are basing this tour at a villa (although everyone has their own room and bathroom) we
must have a minimum of 14 people for the tour to go. Once we have 14 people who want to attend, you
may make your registration deposit using PayPal and/or your credit card and still be eligible for the cash
discount cost if your final balance is paid by check or wire transfer. Single rooms are available for a
supplementary charge of $500. Airfare is not included.
INCLUDED:
Accommodations: 7 nights lodging at Villa Giusterna. Villa Giusterna sits atop a hill and has sweeping
views of the beautiful Tuscan hills, covered with olive trees and vineyards. There is no airconditioning in the rooms, but the breeze should keep us all cool and the pool will be perfect in the
afternoons and on our free morning. Each room has its own bathroom.
Meals: All breakfasts and all other meals are included, except for 3 lunches during our excursions to
Cortona, Siena and Assisi. We will take some of our meals on-site and others at restaurants in the
towns we visit. All meals—after breakfast!—include regional wines. We carefully choose the restaurants
based on ambiance and quality of cuisine.
Transfers: All ground transportation during the tour.
Wine Tastings of various Tuscan varieties (including small local producers and famous well known
producers)
Admissions: Entrance fee for all planned visits to monuments, galleries and museums are included.
Local Italian Guides: This tour is escorted by Pam and Sam and you'll also meet local Italian guides
who are wonderful story tellers and ambassadors of their cities!
Small, Intimate Group: We will be limiting the number of participants to a maximum of 16.
Early Arrival/ Late Stay Options: Depending on hotel availability you may be able to arrive early or
stay after the end of the tour. We'll be happy to help you make these arrangements.
Pick Up and Drop Off: We'll pick you up in Florence at the airport and drop you off in Florence at the
train station, central hotel or airport.
Experienced Tour Leaders: Pam Mercer and Sam Hilt have been leading tours in Tuscany since 1997.