Italy TUSCANY CULINARY IMMERSION

Transcription

1 Italy TUSCANY CULINARY IMMERSION CULTURAL & CULINARY ADVENTURE 6 DAYS September 15-20, 2019 TRIP ITINERARY

2 How we deliver THE WORLD S GREAT ADVENTURES A passion for travel. Simply put, we love to travel, and that infectious spirit is woven into every one of our journeys. Our staff travels the globe searching out hidden-gem inns and lodges, taste testing bistros, trattorias, and noodle stalls, and discovering the trails and plying the waterways of each remarkable destination. When we come home, we separate wheat from chaff, creating memorable adventures that will connect you with the very best qualities of each destination. Unique, award-winning itineraries. Our flexible, handcrafted journeys have received accolades from the world s most revered travel publications. Beginning from our appreciation for the world s most breathtaking and interesting destinations, we infuse our journeys with the elements of adventure and exploration that stimulate our souls and enliven our minds. Whether you are looking for a challenging physical expedition or a leisurely cultural exploration, Boundless Journeys has exceptional itineraries to match your sense of adventure. Insider connections. There is simply no substitute for traveling with a knowledgeable insider, and our expert local guides will open doors for you that other travelers miss, like dinner with their extended family in Peru s Sacred Valley, or meeting an art scholar in Florence. Relationships developed over many years allow you to experience our destinations through a well-connected friend. Small groups. Although the camaraderie of a group of likeminded travelers often enhances the journey, there can be too much of a good thing! We tread softly, and our average group size is just 8 10 guests, allowing us access to opportunities that would be unthinkable with a larger group. Flexibility to suit your travel style. We offer both scheduled, small-group departures and custom journeys so that you can choose which works best for you. Not finding exactly what you are looking for? Let us customize a journey to fulfill your travel dreams. Customer service that goes the extra mile. Having trouble finding flights that work for you? Want to surprise your traveling companion with a bottle of champagne at a tented camp in the Serengeti to celebrate an important milestone? There is no request that is too big or too small for our staff to handle. From your first call, we guide you through choosing your trip, provide advice on preparing for your adventure, and hold your hand until you return home. Multi-year recipient of Travel + Leisure magazine s World s Best Tour Operator ; and recognized by the editors of National Geographic ADVENTURE magazine as one of the Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth. 2 Boundless Journeys 2019

3 Italy TUSCANY CULINARY IMMERSION Thank you for your interest in this fantastic journey to Tuscany. We have handcrafted this tour from our own experience and hope you fall in love with the area as we have! THE INSPIRATION FOR THIS JOURNEY Located on a nature reserve in the hills of Tuscany, Tenuta di Spannocchia is an 1,100-acre agricultural estate that hosts an organic farm, an education center, and a multi-national community of staff, interns, and guests. With centuriesold architecture complete with the original 12th-century tower and restored aristocratic home bountiful gardens, secret hiking paths, and beautiful vistas, this is the optimal setting to relax and enjoy la dolce vita while immersing yourself in Italian farm-to-table food culture through tastings, cooking classes, and tours. This is more than a vacation; you ll observe daily life on a historic property and working farm that raises its own animals, cures its own prosciutto, and produces its own certified organic olive oil, wine, and heirloom fruits and vegetables. Far off the beaten path just how we like it this journey is about discovering the real Tuscany and life s simple pleasures on a rustic farm in the heart of Italy. TOC TOUR OVERVIEW... 4 THE JOURNEY... 6 ACCOMMODATIONS... 9 WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT STEPS BOUNDLESS BEYOND HIGHLIGHTS Enjoy two ½-day cooking classes, a Slow Food tasting experience, and a presentation on Italian food culture Visit a cheese farm and a winery for tours and tastings City tours of Siena and San Gimignano, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites and well-preserved medieval hill towns Explore an abandoned abbey and see the real sword in the stone We had the time of our lives and we ve travelled a lot. But the difference was Boundless Journeys. Can t wait to take another trip! - V.M., Katonah, NY

4 TOUR OVERVIEW THE BASICS Duration: 6 days Tour start: Florence Tour end: Florence Accommodations: 5 nights in a 16th-century farmhouse Trip rating: Easy Strenuous (See page 10 for more information) Land cost: $2,995 per person Single Supplement: $250, limited availability. WHAT S INCLUDED Just pack your bags we ve got you covered! When you re on a Boundless Journeys adventure, every detail is taken care of for you, so you can relax and truly experience each moment. Put your wallet away, leave your travel books behind, fold up your maps, and BE there. Your Boundless Journeys adventure includes: Expert leadership All accommodations All meals from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 6 All activities as noted in the itinerary All on-tour transportation Local wine with included dinners Membership to Friends of Spannocchia, the non-profit, educational arm of the estate All gratuities except for those for your guide(s) and driver, which are at your discretion International airfare is not included in the price of your trip. Please contact your local travel agency or the airlines directly to make any arrangements you may need. If you would like assistance with booking your flights or other travel plans, please contact Boundless Journeys directly at for a referral to our partners who will best fulfill your needs. 4 Boundless Journeys 2019

5 ITINERARY AT-A-GLANCE DAY 1 Meet in Florence and drive to the medieval hilltop town of San Gimignano famous for its skyline of towers. Optional hike to Santa Lucia Hermitage. DAY 2 Try your hand making Tuscan specialties at a morning cooking class followed by lunch that you ve prepared and a historical tour of the villa and grounds. DAY 3 Explore Pienza independently before a tour and cheese tasting at an organic sheep and goat farm. Lunch on the farm and a winery tour and tasting in the afternoon. DAY 4 Delve into the philosophy, history, and methods of Italian cuisine during a food culture presentation and tasting of farm products. Enjoy an optional hike to an abandoned abbey to see the real sword in the stone. DAY 5 Learn another round of recipes and methods with a second cooking class. Enjoy a tour of Siena and free time in the city before our farewell dinner. DAY 6 Say arrivederci to Spannocchia and transfer to Florence for flights home or continued travel

6 THE JOURNEY DAY 1: San Gimignano & Spannocchia Activity Overview: Walking, optional hike Activity Level: Easy Activity Length: 2-3 hours; drive time approx. 2 hours; optional hike approx. 2 miles Upon our meeting in Florence, our journey unfolds as we head to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of San Gimignano, a small, walled medieval hill town with its impressive collection of well-preserved towers that have survived wars, catastrophes, and urban planning. We enjoy a tour of the historical center and lunch, our first introduction to the flavors of the region. En route to Spannocchia, our cozy home base for the next five nights, we pass a more forested area of Tuscany with a few tidy vineyards, fields of drying sunflowers, groves of silvery olive trees, and rural stone villages. Upon arrival to our idyllic villa, we may choose to wander the grounds, sit by the pool, or stretch our legs on a hike to the ruins of the 13th-century Santa Lucia hermitage, once a stop on the Via Francigena pilgrimage route that connected Rome to Canterbury, England. This evening, we join other guests, Spannocchia staff, and student interns on the terrace for wine before tucking in to a simple, homemade Tuscan dinner. Accommodation: Tenuta di Spannocchia, Rosia Meals: L, D DAY 2: Cooking class & historical tour Activity Overview: Cooking class, walking Activity Level: Easy Activity Length: 2 hours We start today with a farm-to-table cooking class, beginning with a tour through the vegetable garden before heading to the kitchen where Spannocchia s cook and our instructor, Loredana, will greet us. She grew up at Spannocchia when the estate was still a tenant farming property and is a true Tuscan through and through. Loredana leads us through the preparation of a traditional three-course Tuscan meal utilizing products from the farm. Our lesson concludes with a convivial lunch, where we share the dishes that we have created, paired with Spannocchia s organic wine. After our indulgences, we enjoy a guided tour of the historic villa, learning about the architecture, the histories of the Cinelli and Spannocchi families, the mezzadria sharecropping system (by which Spannocchia operated for centuries), and past and present agricultural activities on the property. We visit the chapel, library, cantina, Secret Garden, and lastly (weather permitting), we can climb the medieval tower for a breathtaking view of the 1,100 acres of rolling hills and farmland. We mingle with wine on the terra cotta terrace this evening before another hearty dinner. Accommodation: Tenuta di Spannocchia, Rosia Meals: B, L, D 6 Boundless Journeys 2019

7 DAY 3: Pienza, Cheese farm & winery tours Activity Overview: Walking Activity Level: Easy Activity Length: 4 hours; drive time approx. 3.5 hours We have a full, delicious day ahead, as we drive southeast into the UNESCO World Cultural Landscape of the Orcia Valley, or Val d Orcia, to learn about the cheese and wine traditions in the region. The scenery will change from the forested hills outside Siena to the heavily-cultivated rolling hills. We first stop in the town of Pienza, originally called Corsignano. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, Pienza was rebuilt by Pope Pius II as an ideal Renaissance town using humanist urban planning concepts. It was the first such application, which subsequently spread throughout Europe. We take time to stroll the streets of the village and perhaps enjoy a caffè or browse in some of the quaint shops. Just outside of Pienza is an organic sheep and goat farm, where we enjoy a guided tour of the farm with the owners, meet some of the animals, learn about the cheesemaking process, and of course, sample the varieties! Lunch is at the farm s restaurant, overlooking the Val d Orcia, with the Via Francigena and a filming location from the movie The Gladiator rounding out the view. Afterwards, we make our way on winding roads and through tiny villages to an organic and biodynamic winery that produces the famous Brunello di Montalcino, a famed DOCG (controlled designation of origin) wine of the immediate Montalcino area. Made with 100% Sangiovese grapes (the same varietal that goes into Chianti), Brunello is one of Italy s best-known and most expensive wines. After a tour and explanation of the unique production methods and unusual wine cellar, we enjoy a wine tasting. Enjoy the iconic Tuscan landscape on the way back to Spannocchia, where we have a bit of time to relax and freshen up before dinner. Accommodation: Tenuta di Spannocchia, Rosia Meals: B, L, D DAY 4: Food culture presentation, San Galgano Activity Overview: Optional hiking Activity Level: Easy Activity Length: 2-3 miles, 1-2 hours Italians are deeply allied to their region in terms of food culture and identity. Shortly after breakfast, we have a presentation about just this, investigating how history, culture, and climate combine to make the diverse regional cuisines so unique. We discuss the development of Italian food through the years, with a focus on changing agricultural methods and migration into, out of, and within Italy. For our picnic lunch, we drive a short distance to the Gothicstyle Abbey of San Galgano, abandoned since the mid- 1300s. We meander in the abbey and the round chapel that houses San Galgano s tomb. Here, we can marvel at the sword in the stone, purportedly planted there by Galgano himself. You may choose to join our guide on a short walk in the area, or simply relax and enjoy the view. The afternoon brings a tasting of Spannochia s organic products, including cured meats. We learn about the farm s

8 A BOUNDLESS MOMENT IN TUSCANY As we turn off the main street onto a narrow dirt road, bordered by rustic stone walls, we catch glimpses of sheep, vineyards, and stone farmhouses as the drive winds up the hillside. Then a crenellated ancient tower peaks out from the trees. This secluded corner of Tuscany is our destination and home for the next six days as we immerse ourselves in Italian food culture. connection to the international Slow Food movement and about its sustainable practices, from the native livestock breeds to the beehives and the beyond organic gardens and vineyard. Tonight features a special dinner pizza! made in the outdoor, wood-fired oven. If it s warm enough, we will eat al fresco. Accommodation: Tenuta di Spannocchia, Rosia Meals: B, L, D DAY 5: Cooking Class & Siena Activity Overview: Cooking class, walking Activity Level: Easy Activity Length: 2 hours We have another opportunity this morning to learn more of the secrets of Italian cooking with Loredana and savor our achievements during lunch. In the afternoon, a 30-minute drive brings us to Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of the famous medieval horse race, Il Palio, still held twice each year. Our guide will lead us on a city tour of this splendid town before we have some free time to explore independently, shop, or grab a cone of gelato. We meet up again for our farewell dinner at one of Siena s best restaurants that brings a modern twist to traditional Tuscan cuisine. Accommodation: Tenuta di Spannocchia, Rosia Meals: B, L, D DAY 6: Departure Today we say ciao to this spectacular Tuscan estate. We return to Florence where you may choose to extend your experience on a walking tour of Florence with our guide (additional expense), fly to Bari, Italy, to join our Puglia tour, or continue on your own independent travel. Meals: B PLEASE NOTE: This is a typical itinerary, and actual activities may vary to take advantage of weather conditions, local events, and to allow serendipity to play a hand in your experience. Accommodations are as outlined in the itinerary, although we reserve the right to change these should the need arise. See our booking terms and conditions for more information about our change policy. 8 Boundless Journeys 2019

9 ACCOMMODATIONS NIGHTS 1-5 Tenuta di Spannocchia Rosia, Italy Spannocchia.com Spannocchia.org Spannocchia offers a rare experience for travelers looking to see a lesser-known side of Tuscany. Ideally-located within a short drive of Florence, Siena, and many scenic Tuscan hill towns, but isolated enough to enjoy the natural beauty of the local landscape, Tenuta di Spannocchia allows visitors to immerse themselves in a historic, agricultural estate. The villa rooms Boundless Journeys has reserved occupy the original 16thcentury building, once home to the aristocratic Spannocchi family. The Cinelli family purchased the property in 1925, and guests are instantly transported to a simpler time by the antique furnishings and family heirlooms that decorate the bedrooms and common areas. Each room is unique and has its own private bath (thought not all are en-suite). Rooms feature original wooden ceilings, handpainted tiles and wall details, and antique marble accents. Fans of the rusticchic farmhouse style currently trending will be delighted to be surrounded by the original inspiration. Guests can enjoy the living room, library, pool, and courtyard

10 WHAT TO EXPECT TRIP RATING Boundless Journeys trips are designed for energetic and flexible individuals who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. Tuscany Culinary Immersion is rated 1+, easy with one optional moderate hike, on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being the most strenuous). It features walks on city streets and dirt paths that average 1-3 hours per day, as well as standing during cooking classes. It is often possible to opt out of a day s walk if you would prefer to relax on the estate. PREPARING FOR THIS TRIP It is very important that you realistically assess your physical condition with regard to the demands of this trip. The more well-prepared you are for the activities, the more you will enjoy yourself. As a general guideline, we suggest that you engage in easy to moderate aerobic activities (such as walking, hiking, jogging, or cycling) for at least minutes several times a week for 4-6 weeks before the trip. (Consult your doctor before undertaking any new fitness program). Please contact us if you have any doubts regarding your physical match with this tour. WEATHER The weather in early fall is usually very pleasant, with daytime temperatures that range from mid-60s to mid-80s, and 50s and 60s at night. September can have occasional showers, so please come prepared to walk rain or shine. We will always walk unless weather conditions make it dangerous to do so. You may obtain more detailed weather information on www. weatherbase.com. WHEN TO GO Tuscany has a pleasant, sunny climate. The spring and fall months tend to be the best times to visit, as this avoids the very hot summer months and peak tourist season. TRANSPORTATION On this tour, we have the opportunity to immerse ourselves in one place for the majority of the itinerary, but we have included some off-site activities that require driving times of no more than 1.5 hours at a stretch. All on-tour transportation is provided in private, air-conditioned, passenger vans. TRAVELER S RESPONSIBILITY Trip participants have certain responsibilities to both Boundless Journeys and your fellow travelers. This includes understanding the conditions described in the trip itinerary and making sure it is appropriate for your interests and abilities, based on a review of the trip ratings, consultation with Boundless Journeys staff, and perhaps your doctor. In addition, trip participants are responsible for preparing for a trip by undertaking the proper fitness training. At the guide s discretion, a participant may be asked to leave the trip if the guide feels that the person s further participation may be detrimental to the individual or to other trip participants. If you have any questions about the difficulty level of the trip you have chosen, please contact Boundless Journeys to speak with one of our Destination Managers. SMALL GROUP TRAVEL Small group travel affords us the opportunity to seek out the most remote and exotic destinations on the planet. Often we are exploring these locales with just 8-12 guests. The nature of active group travel is such that not all participants have 10 Boundless Journeys 2019

11 the same ability level or interests. Traveling at a pace that is comfortable for the entire group, with a spirit of flexibility and adventure are all part of this intimate experience. DRINKS WITH MEALS At Boundless Journeys, we believe group dinners are a time to celebrate our day while enjoying the best of local cuisine, and good company. In keeping with this spirit, we include local wine with group dinners. At the farm, they serve their homemade red and white wine. For our dinner out in Siena, if you prefer premium wine or liquor, please feel free to order what you like, and you may settle your tab at the end of the meal. DRINKING WATER We provide purified or bottled water on all trips; however, in an effort to reduce waste, we strongly encourage you to bring a water bottle to refill where safe to do so. This is the case at Spannocchia and the cities we visit, where tap water is safe to drink. In parts of the world where water must be purified, bottled water may be our only option. Here, we do our best to provide purified water from larger containers to refill your bottles, rather than using many small singleuse bottles throughout your trip. This is just one small way we strive to travel more responsibly and we appreciate your efforts in helping us to protect the extraordinary places we visit. Boundless Journeys has taken the Travelers Against Plastic company pledge to promote sustainable travel and encourage travelers to avoid buying bottled water when they travel. You can take the pledge, too, and learn more about TAP s efforts at to Florence (the two towns were enemies), the Florentines and surrounding communities started making their bread without salt. Practically, Italian s view bread as a conduit for olive oil and cured meats the former s flavor is altered with salt and the latter already has enough salt and is rarely eaten alone, thus the lack of salt in bread becomes inconsequential. Dining at Spannocchia is a social experience. Farm guests, special groups, interns, staff, and sometimes the owners eat together. Meals are served family-style, and the set menu changes daily. Multi-course dinners start with a primo (pasta or risotto) and is followed by a secondo (a meat dish), then a vegetable side dish or salad, and finally, dessert. Dinners can last up to two hours, but guests should feel free to return to their rooms when they like. Breakfast is buffet style that includes bread, jams and butter, homemade granola, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, juices, and homemade breakfast cake. Lunches vary from pasta and salad to sandwiches. Vegetarians can be accommodated, however, other dietary restrictions may be challenging to accommodate on this tour. Please call us at with questions or concerns. CUISINE Traditional, authentic Tuscan cuisine is much more simple than what the international community often thinks or than what is often served at North American Italian restaurants. It centers around fresh produce, cheese, and pasta. Dishes typically highlight one or two ingredients rather than mixing together several competing flavors. Recipes are simplyseasoned as Tuscan cooks prefer to let the flavors of the fresh ingredients speak for themselves. Pork and beef, as well as wild boar are common. Fish and chicken are rare. Interestingly, the bread in Tuscany is traditionally made without salt. In 1100, when Pisa blocked the supply of salt

12 NEXT STEPS TO MAKE A RESERVATION You can call Boundless Journeys at , request a reservation online, or contact your travel agent. We will confirm your spot with a deposit of $500 per person and the payment of internal airfare, payable by check or credit card. The balance for your trip is due 90 days prior to departure. ONCE YOU RESERVE As soon as you confirm your adventure, we will provide you with an extensive, detailed trip planner that includes arrival and departure instructions, a complete packing list, regional information, required documents, a reading list, and other details. TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE In addition to your detailed trip planner, we will you a quote for Travel Guard trip insurance. Please let us know if you would like us to purchase a policy on your behalf. If you choose to decline this service, we ask that you sign and return the Insurance Waiver included in your trip planner package. Boundless Journeys strongly recommends purchasing Trip Insurance. CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY If it becomes necessary to cancel your trip, the following schedule applies to your land cost and is determined by the day that we receive written notification: >90 days prior to the trip will be charged $ days prior to the start of the trip will be charged 25% of the trip price days prior to the start of the trip will be charged 50% of the trip price. <45 days prior to the start of the trip will be charged 100% of the trip price. QUESTIONS? WHICH TRIP IS RIGHT FOR YOU? Adventure travel may involve exotic destinations, unusual levels of physical exertion, and activities that may be new to you. If you have any questions about the level of comfort, difficulty, or activities included on your trip, please call Boundless Journeys at , or us at info@ boundlessjourneys.com. Our travel experts look forward to helping you select the perfect adventure. VISIT US ONLINE for: additional departures special promotions detailed itineraries inspiring photography guide bios ENJOY FOOD & WINE? Check out... ITALY: Puglia, Discovering the Italian heel CROATIA: Dalmatian Coast Kayaking & Hiking SLOVENIA: Julian Alps Hiking PREFER A PRIVATE TRIP? The perfect option for alumni and family reunions, birthdays and anniversaries, or just to catch up with friends in fabulous destinations. Mark your calendar and leave the planning to us! Call our travel experts today: Boundless Journeys 2019

13 BOUNDLESS BEYOND RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL At Boundless Journeys we are committed to exploring the world in a responsible way and continually seek ways to tread lightly across the unique landscapes and diverse cultures on this planet. Here are just some of the ways we aim to travel responsibly: MAKING CONNECTIONS On some of our trips, our guests have the opportunity to visit organizations working to protect the environment and improve the livelihoods of local communities. Whether it is bathing elephants at a conservation center in Myanmar, or enjoying a farm-fresh meal at a family-owned organic farm in Costa Rica, our guests form meaningful connections with the people and places they visit. GOING LOCAL Whenever possible, we use small, locally operated hotels that have sound environmental practices; groups dine at restaurants that feature fresh and authentic regional cuisine; we choose partners that strive for the highest standard of responsible practices; and we employ local guides and support local economies. CONSERVING WILD PLACES On many of our trips, we explore stunning natural landscapes where conservation is of the utmost importance. As visitors, we not only tread lightly, but actively contribute to the conservation of parks and protected areas. LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION? Here are just a few examples - one more involved, and one quite simple - of how our travelers give back to the places they have explored with us: The Botswana School Project was created in 2012 by Boundless Journeys guests who saw that there was a need for books, supplies, and computers in schools they visited in northern Botswana. A Bhutan guest donated baby outfits to families she met on mountain trails and in rural communities and schools. Two sisters who traveled to Peru donated school supply kits to a local school we visit on our Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu tour. Learn more: -travel/ PROUD MEMBERS Boundless Journeys is proud to support the following organizations and the important work that they do: