Think Tuscany and immediately a picture comes to mind. Roads winding through vineyards laden with grapes, charming medieval villages with cobblestone streets and fabulous dishes piled high with wonderful pastas and cheeses.

Come discover Tuscany at its best – in late spring when everything is beautifully fresh. When there’s plenty of sunshine but fewer crowds. Together we’ll explore the villages, wineries and market towns that make this region of the world one of the most visited and cherished.

Dates & Rates

2011 Tuscany Dates

May 28 - June 4, 2011 (SOLD OUT)

Group Size

Maximum of 14 people

Tour Guides

Travel writers Judi Janofsky & Rich Steck

Accommodations

This luxurious villa in Central Tuscany region of Italy has the best of both worlds – charming village life and rolling countryside. In the center of a small medieval village, its front doors open to the quaint village streets and its back doors open to a beautiful garden and spectacular views of woods and open fields. Each of the villa’s spacious bedrooms has its own private bathroom.

Rates

$3,575 per person based on double occupancy.

What’s Included

(Almost everything once you’re there. And because our rates are in U.S. dollars instead of Euros, your costs won’t increase if the value of the dollar decreases.)
• Seven nights in the villa
• Transfers from and to Chuisi Train Station
• Local ground transportation
• Attraction Fees
• Cooking Class at the Villa
• Breakfast every day, 2 lunches and 5 dinners
• Local wines
• A personalized packet of information including market buying tips, restaurant recommendations and information on places we’ll visit.

Not included

Airfare to and from Italy, roundtrip train fare to/from Chiusi train station, trip insurance.

Tuscan Escapes Itinerary

Day 1 – Saturday

Arrival at the Villa

You’ll be picked up at the Chuisi train station in late afternoon. We’ll arrive at the villa with time to unpack, explore this magnificent property, take a dip in the pool and enjoy the spectacular views before the evening’s welcome reception and dinner served in the garden.

Day 2 – Sunday

Montisi / Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore

After a relaxing morning strolling the village of Montisi, we’ll head out to the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. Founded in 1313 on a high promontory deep in the cypress woods, Monte Oliveto Maggiore stands as one of the most important monasteries in Tuscany – and for good reason – its magnificent frescoes. Especially those in the cloisters portico by Luca Signorelli who began depicting the life of St Benedict in 36 large scenes in 1497.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the villa.

Day 3 – Monday

Cortona / Arezzo

Home to Frances Mayes who wrote Under the Tuscan Sun, the beautiful village of Cortona is the oldest continuously inhabited hill town in Italy. After visiting the 15th century Medici fortress, we'll explore winding lanes and medieval squares.

Time permitting, we’ll visit Arezzo, the antique shopping capital of Tuscany with hundreds of shops. Here we'll stop at the 14th century church to see one of the art world’s greatest fresco cycles – the Legend of the True Cross by Piero della Francesca.

Breakfast. Lunch on your own in Cortona. Dinner at the villa.

Day 4 – Tuesday

Siena

We’ll spend today in Siena, one of the most enchanting Gothic cities in Italy. And one of our favorites. We'll explore the famous Piazza del Campo with its picturesque buildings and bustling outdoor cafes, before touring the spectacular Duomo of Siena, a Romanesque-Gothic cathedral. And there will be plenty of time on your own to explore the shops and cafes of this fabulous town.

Breakfast at the villa. Lunch on your own in Siena. And dinner on your own at a wonderful “slow food” restaurant back in Montisi.

Day 5 – Wednesday

Morning On Your Own / Wine Tasting / Cooking Class

If you’re up and about early, you can enjoy a walk in the village or just relax at the villa and enjoy the outside terrace, gardens, pool and views. After lunch, we’ll visit a small magical winery, where they play Mozart out in the vineyard to help produce richer, fuller grapes. Cooking class begins on our return from the Mozart-enhanced vineyard.

Optional Hot Air Balloon
For those who opted for a hot air balloon ride, it’s up early for a birds-eye view of beautiful Tuscan vineyards and towns.

Breakfast and lunch at the villa. Dinner will be your cooking class creation.

Day 6 – Thursday

Montepulciano / Cheese Farm / Pienza

Home to grand piazzas, ancient palaces and the wonderful Vino Nobile wine, this stunningly beautiful medieval hill town, one of Tuscany’s highest, stands above lush woods and valleys. We’ll spend the morning strolling through the lanes, tasting wines and shopping at their weekly market.

After lunch, we’ll visit a local cheese farm to see just how the wonderful Pecorino cheese is made. And then we’re off to Pienza, the Renaissance "ideal city" constructed in the 15th century by the order of Pope Pius II. This quaint town, a location for several films, including The English Patient, is easy to walk and fun to explore. You can visit the Piccolomini Palace (the pope’s residence) with its courtyard and gardens, shop for local cheeses or just sit and relish the magnificent views.

Breakfast at the villa. Lunch on your own. Dinner on your own in the village.

Day 7 – Friday

Deruta

As you will see during your week in Tuscany, the area is famous for its ceramic pottery and dinnerware. So today we’ll venture to Deruta, the town that gained worldwide fame during the Renaissance because of their creative ceramic styles and quality. Sought by noblemen and rich merchants at the time, it is now commissioned and sold by many high-end stores in the U.S., including Nordstrom’s. We’ll visit a number of shops where they still make and sell the pottery today.

Breakfast at the villa. Lunch on your own. Farewell dinner at the villa.

Day 8 – Saturday

Ciao...

After breakfast at the villa, we’ll head to the train station for our morning departure.

Villa Accommodations

Located in the center of a small medieval village in Central Tuscany, our luxurious villa is a combination of structures that included a home, a 19th century olive mill, the village forge and a barn. Parts of the building date from the 11th century, while others were built in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. All have been beautifully restored and renovated to maintain their, original character yet offer all the conveniences of modern life.

The villa is large and has lots of interior space to enjoy. But most of your time you’ll probably gravitate to the gardens which overlook a valley dotted with woods, olive trees and vineyards. Or perhaps take a swim in the pool.

The interior has been decorated in warm and rich Tuscan colors. Traditional architectural features such as old wood and plaster ceilings, stone fireplaces and floors complement a stylish combination of contemporary furnishings and unique antique pieces.

No two bedrooms are alike. One has hand-painted frescos found during the renovations. Another looks over the valley with steps to the garden. Still another is on the ground floor for those who prefer not to climb stairs.

The Details

Deposits

A $750 per person deposit is required at the time of booking, payable within seven days of reservation confirmation (see Reservations). The balance is due 120 days before the first day of the tour. For tours booked less than 120 days in advance, full payment is required at the time of reservation.

Cancellations and Refunds

If we receive written notice of your cancellation 121 days or more from the start of the tour week you booked, we will refund half of your deposit for each person booked. There will be no refund for cancellations made 120 days or less from the start of the tour week unless we are able to fill your place(s) with other participant(s) and unless the program has the necessary required number of participants. In this instance, we shall refund all fees received, less your $750 deposit(s). Once the week of your tour has started, no refunds will be issued for any unused portion.

Cancellation fees apply regardless of the reason. Once you have booked your trip, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance (including trip delay, trip interruption, trip cancellation and baggage coverage), as well as accident, medical and emergency evacuation insurance.

Children

Children 18 years and older are welcome to join the tour.

Pre- and Post-Tour Stays

To avoid missing your pickup in Chiusi because of train or flight delays and to help avoid jet lag, we recommend that you make hotel arrangements for the night before and/or after your tour. As a service, we will be glad to give you hotel recommendations for these additional nights.

Responsibility and Release of Liability

There are always risks associated with travel. We strongly recommend that you purchase trip and medical/evacuation insurance. Provence Escapes, Inc., assumes no responsibility for any claim of damages, expenses or liability for any claims, injury, delay, inconvenience, irregularity, loss or damage to person or property or additional costs resulting directly or indirectly from causes that include, but are not limited to, theft, acts of government, delays, cancellations, weather, vehicle problems or accidents, strikes, illness, quarantine, acts of terrorism or “acts of God” incurred during the tour including during transportation by car, van, boat or other conveyance. Participants agree that Provence Escapes, Inc., shall not be liable, directly or indirectly, for any injury, death or damage for any reason whatsoever. Provence Escapes, Inc., reserves the right to alter an itinerary or accommodations. The company also reserves the right to cancel a tour. Should that occur, Provence Escapes’ liability would be limited to a full refund of the reservation deposit and/or fees paid, or to offer an alternate tour date. Provence Escapes, Inc., reserves the right to decline to accept any person at any time should that person’s health, physical infirmity or mental condition impede the health, welfare or enjoyment of other participants.