Small Group Tour Limited to 15 Travelers Sapori di Toscana Experience Tuscany Like a True Tuscan The best way to taste the full flavor of Tuscany is to travel with an Italian chef who knows Tuscany from having lived there. Chef Vincenzo D Arista grew up in Naples and started working in his family restaurant at age 14 but in 1985 he moved with his family to Tuscany where he became involved with organic farming techniques and in producing high quality extra virgin olive oil. He developed a passion for fine wines and had the pleasure of working in the vineyards of such great winemakers as San Giusto a Rentennano in the Chianti Classico region. Vincenzo was co-owner and chef at Vincenzo s Restaurant in Solomans Island, Maryland. Today he s working as a private chef, cooking instructor, and leader of culinary trips to Italy. On this trip Vincenzo will introduce us to chefs, winemakers and the wonderful people of Tuscany. You ll have the kind of experience that comes through traveling with an insider. The trip brings together many beautiful, quaint and historic elements from Siena, Florence and the famous hill towns of Tuscany, its warm and welcoming homes, bountiful fields, and spectacular countryside. Coordinated by Chef Vincenzo D Arista, Umberto Tatafiore and Keith Gilbert Join us to experience a true taste of Tuscany. Registration information is available at: http://meetup.com/passatempo
Buongiorno a tutti! Tuscany is a magical place in the autumn harvest season. The haze, the smells, the soft noises of the work in the countryside, the cool breeze, the good food and colors. Life is returning back to normal after the summer excitement. Join me for this very special tour and let me introduce you to winemakers, chefs and the wonderful people of Tuscany. My family lives in this most picturesque region where I have worked extensively in the food and wine industry. Throughout the years I have taken great pride and pleasure in sharing my Italian experience, great food and classic wines with numerous visitors. My initial food and wine tours were made up of my students and customers. These trips were so successful that I have continued to offer openings for these trips. My colleagues and friends in the restaurant and wine industry and my familiarity with this region and its history, lend a familiar atmosphere to this travel experience. I look forward to a week of touring with stimulating, instructive and original events. Cordiali saluti, Vincenzo D Arista ORVIETO SAN GIUSTO A RENTENNANO BROLIO MONTE AMIATA SIENA PISA FIRENZE SAN GIMIGNANO VOLTERRA Early October temperatures during the daytime are usually in the 60s or 70 s and they drop in the evening to the 50s. You will need to pack smartly and dress appropriately for the season. There will be a Buon Viaggio party prior to our trip where we will review trip specifics and allow you to meet your travel companions in advance. The trip includes scheduled free time that will enable you to relax, explore on your own and savor la dolce vita. In this document you ll find the pricing and a detailed itinerary. The Trip Registration Form is available on our website at http://meetup.com/passatempo 2
Tour Pricing $3,900 September 28 - October 7 8 NIGHTS 18 MEALS Prices are per person, double occupancy. For single occupancy, please add $350. What s included: Round trip airfare (economy airfare from Dulles International Airport to Rome and return from Pisa); all ground transportation outlined in the itinerary; meals as identified in the detailed itinerary; accommodations as identified in the itinerary, based on double occupancy; cooking and language lessons; baggage handling for one bag, plus one carryon bag per person. stroll around Orvieto and lunch at a trattoria. Lunch is prepared with time honored recipes. After lunch we proceed to Tenuta di Monaciano which will be our home for the next seven nights. The Estate of Monaciano is only 7 km from the historic center of Siena, nestled between the hills of the Chianti. You will have the chance to settle in, get to know the property, and enjoy some light food and beverage on your first evening! (L,D) What s not included: Passport photos and fees; visa photos and fees as required; meals other than specified; personal items such as wines, liquors, and valet/ laundry charges; other items not specifically mentioned as included. Detailed Itinerary Each day of the itinerary includes a note indicating which meals are included for that day of the trip: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner. Day 1 & 2 : Getting There Your journey begins with an overnight flight departing on Friday, September 28th from Dulles International Airport to the Leonardo Da Vinci Airport, Rome. On Saturday Morning, September 29 at the Leonardo Da Vinci Airport we will board mini-vans for the trip to our lodging in Tuscany. We ll stop in Orvieto for lunch. Orvieto is a town in southwestern Umbria, situated on the flat summit of a large butte of volcanic tuff. Visitors are drawn to Orvieto because of the convenient location, the idyllic setting, and the Duomo, which is one of the greatest Gothic buildings in Europe. We ll Sunday Day 3 : La Festa dell'uva September in Chianti is the month of the harvest, but in Impruneta it is the month of the grape festival above all. Preparations involve not only the townsfolk, but also friends and residents in the surrounding area. The core of the event, which takes place on the last Sunday of the month in the main square, is a contest that sees the town s four neighborhoods set against one another: S.Antonio in white; SS.Marie in blue; Fornaci in red like the terracotta of the factories in the area; and, Pallò in green. On the battle ground, there s a procession of carts, three for each neighborhood, similar to those of the famous Viareggio Carnival, but set up according to a theme and accompanied with dancing and street shows that (Continued on page 4) 3
bring hundreds of people into the square. It s a show that enchants onlookers and which entails a huge amount of work by the locals of each neighborhood. The townsfolk of all ages have spent many a sleepless night dedicated to decorating each cart and rehearsing the choreography of the dances or even making the costumes. It is an undertaking that is also linked with tradition, entertainment and a desire to be together; a tribute to the grape and its nectar that has made this region famous. (B, L, D) from which you can admire a wonderful 360 view of Siena and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. Once back on the ground, take a closer look at the marble Fountain of Joy (Fonte Gaia) by Jacopo della Quercia that stands on one side of the Piazza del Campo. Monday Day 4 : Let s visit Siena! Today we ll visit Siena. This is one of Italy s most visited tourist attractions famous for its cuisine, art, museums, and well-preserved medieval architecture. Along the way to Siena is charming Monteriggioni. This medieval walled town, located on a natural hillock, was built by the Sienese in 1213 as a front line in their wars against Florence. We ll take a walk along the massive walls from where you can admire great views over the Tuscan country side. Our first stop in Siena is Piazza del Campo. The twiceper-year horse-race, Palio di Siena, is held around the edges of the piazza. The piazza is characterized by its peculiar shell-shape and the important buildings facing the square. Among these the Palazzo Comunale, built with red bricks and decorated with white marble, and which hosts the beautiful Civic Museum. Inside the museum are many masterpieces by Sienese artists such as the stunning Maestà (The Virgin Mary Enthroned) by Simone Martini and the frescoes of Good and Bad Government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti. Next to the Palazzo Comunale the Torre del Mangia rises up. The bell tower is among the highest and oldest towers in Italy 4 The city's outline is marked by the profile of the splendid Duomo of Siena, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. The cathedral is a perfect example of Romanesque- Gothic style. Inside, the spectacular floor in hard stone mosaics depicting 56 different scenes deserves to be admired. Then there are many beautiful artworks, such as the octagonal marble pulpit by Nicola Pisano. From the left nave you can enter into the Piccolomini Library, frescoed by Pinturicchio. Next to the Duomo stands the large Baptistery with a large hexagonal baptismal font made by famous artists such as Donatello. Then there is the Church of San Domenico, characterized by the massive architecture and its Holy Head, a venerated relic of Saint Catherine from Siena, and the (Continued on page 5)
Museum Complex of Santa Maria della Scala that melts both past and present history of Siena in the display great art works of Sienese artists. The two Siena museums that definitely deserve a visit are the Opera del Duomo Museum, displaying the unique Maestà by Duccio di Buoninsegna and the National Art Gallery, showing works by Simone Martini, Duccio di Buoninsegna and other important Sienese artists. As you walk around in Siena you ll see that each neighborhood (or contrada in Italian) is conspicuously represented by its own animal mascot or symbol. You ll see signs, statues, flags, and many other items depicting the contrada symbols. The contrade are competitive with one another, especially during Palio. Each horse in the race represents a contrada. The winner has quite a celebration and bragging rights. It s fun to make a picture of the neighborhood markers and try collecting one for each of the 17 contrade. We ll have an evening of great fun when we arrive at the home of Michele and Stella Russo in the Chianti countryside. We ll be kneading pizza dough and eating pizza straight out of their wood burning oven. (B, D) Tuesday Day 5 : San Gimignano & Volterra We will visit two of the most well preserved medieval towns of Tuscany. San Gimignano s cultural and natural patrimony have been recognized by UNESCO, but even more impressive is the medieval skyline made up of the 14 remaining towers and the great views from the top. San Gimignano rises on a hill (334m high) dominating the Elsa Valley with its towers dating back to the 11th century. Once in San Gimignano, other than admiring the famous towers, you can also see the "Duomo" or Collegiate Church, the "Palazzo del Popolo", the "Palazzo Nuovo del Podestà" (which is now the town hall), S. Agostino Church, the Museum of Holy Relics, and the infamous Museum of Torture, which displays early instruments of torture and reminds everyone that cruelty and violence existed even way back then. On a lighter note, there are numerous shops which sell local products including the "Vernaccia" wine. Later we will drive to visit another amazing hill top town: Volterra. A city founded by the Etruscans (a population present in Italy before the Romans). The town is compact and great for walking. You will enjoy the beautiful landscapes and have a walk in the town center with its amazing medieval square (Piazza dei Priori), the roman amphitheater and the Etruscan ruins. It s truly unforgettable Dinner on the way to our estate. (B, D) 5 Wednesday Day 6 : Monte Amiata Today we go to Monte Amiata, in southern Tuscany, to visit a ceramics shop, an olive wood factory to see hand -crafted delights, and more! Monte Amiata is a volcanic cone that rises 600 m about the
surrounding plateau to reach a total height of 1732 m, making it the second highest volcano in Italy. Mt Etna, the highest, rises to 3315 m. Monte Amiata last erupted about 180,000 years ago and continues to fuel many thermal springs (terme) around its base. Many regard this area as one of the most beautiful natural environments in Italy. the Accademia. The churches of Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce are veritable art galleries, and the library of San Lorenzo is a magnificent exhibition of Michelangelo's architectural genius. Wander some of the oldest streets in the city until you reach the Arno River, cross the Ponte Vecchio, and experience the "newest" area of Florence, the Oltrarno. Be sure to set aside time to see the vast and varied art collection housed in the Pitti Palace. When you grow weary of museums and monuments, head outdoors. Spend time at the Boboli Gardens or climb the hill to the church of San Miniato al Monte to experience an enchanting view of Florence. We ll enjoy a gelato and cappuccino on our way to Castel del Piano. You will be enthralled by the rich colors the trees are offering in Autumn with the red's and gold's of the beech, chestnut, and oak trees. We ll visit the medieval town of Santa Fiora for lunch in a well preserved medieval village. The village is at an altitude of 800 meters, situated at the foot of Monte Amiata. Evening cooking lesson with Vincenzo! (B, L, D) Thursday Day 7 : A Free Day in Florence Spend the day in Florence which is arguably the last preserved Renaissance city in the world and is regarded by many as the art capital of Italy. Florence's museums, palaces, and churches house some of the greatest artistic treasures in the world. The most popular and important sites in Florence include the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Uffizi, the Bargello, and In the evening we ll go to the home of Chef Lucia Zucconi for a gourmet dinner and wine. Chef Lucia, born in Florence, is a fabulous chef who makes her recipes from fresh, seasonal, and organic ingredients. Lucia conducts cooking classes throughout Tuscany for Italian and foreign tourists. She continues to develop her expertise by attending culinary classes and learning cooking techniques of the Slow Food Movement of which she is a member. (B, D) Friday Day 8 : Winery Tour & Brolio Castle Before touring the winery and castle we ll take a side trip to Gaiole in Chianti. The American magazine Forbes put this town number one in its list of "Europe's Most Idyllic Places to Live." Shop the quaint shops with hand-painted ceramics, see the prosciutto shop, grab a cappuccino and more! We will proceed to San Giusto a Rentennano. The wine estate began life as a medieval monastery of Cistercian nuns and was called San Giusto alle Monache ( of 6
the Nuns ). The medieval estate came into the Martini di Cigala family through marriage in 1914. Enjoy the cellar tour and wine tasting hosted by Luca and Elizabetta, members of the Martini di Cigala family. Lunch includes local food specialties. The San Giusto wines are perennial stars with Parker, Tanzer and the Wine Spectator as well, garnering only the highest accolades. Pisa's Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo) after the Cathedral and the Baptistry. (B, L, D) Sunday Day 10 : Arrivederci, Toscana! This is the point in the trip where we need to say Arrivederci, Toscana. We ll end our beautiful trip with a relaxed trip to the Galileo Galilei International Airport for our departure. (B) Booking the trip This is a very special, exclusive, small group tour limited to only 15 travelers. Availability is on a first-come-firstserved basis, so don t delay in reserving your spot. No spots are held without a deposit. After touring the winery we ll visit Brolio Castle. The castle has been in the Ricasoli family since the 11th century. It s still used as a private residence but a few of the 140 rooms house a museum. We ll also stroll beautifully landscaped castle gardens. Let s be sure to walk around the castle ramparts to see the fantastic views of vineyards, woods, and the valley below. We ll have dinner at Osteria del Castello in the shadow of Brolio Castle amongst the vineyards of Chianti. (B, L, D) Saturday Day 9 : The Leaning Tower! On our last full day in Italy we ll go to Pisa where we ll see one of Italy s most famous landmarks, The Leaning Tower of Pisa (Italian: Torre pendente). The Leaning Tower is the Campanile, or freestanding bell tower, of the cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa. It is situated behind the Cathedral and is the third oldest structure in To register for this food & wine tour, please make a check payable to Passatempo LLC in the amount of $500.00 for the initial deposit. Send the check together with registration form and a copy of your passport to : Passatempo, LLC 12508 Village Square Terrace STE 401 Rockville, MD 20852-1909 Balance is due June 15, 2012. The Trip Registration Form is available for download from our website at http://meetup.com/passatempo or it can be requested by email and/or mail. If minimum participation of 10 travelers is not met, your deposit is 100% refundable. For details on all the Terms & Conditions, please refer to the Trip Registration Form. If you have any questions, please call (202) 643-1861. 7
12508 Village Square Terrace STE 401 Rockville, MD 20852-1909 Office: (202) 643-1861 http://meetup.com/passatempo http://facebook.com/passatempo.llc 8