| Tuscany |
| Tuesday, October 4
- Spannocchia - L,D |
We will meet in Florence and depart from a predetermined location for transportation to Spannocchia.
The villa on the property will be our homebase for the next six days.
Spannocchia, the Tenuta, or agricultural estate, is
a unique integration of historic architecture and
landscape. As a working organic farm and a
learning center, the farm provides
educational opportunities amidst the beautiful
and tranquil countryside.
Arriving in time for lunch, we will taste the first
of many memorable meals. Then we will settle
in with a tour of the farm. It is here that we gain
a lay of the land and learn of the estate’s history
and mission. Before our first dinner together,
there is time to relax on the terrace with local
wine in hand. |
 |
|
|
Wednesday, October 5 -
Cinta Senese/ Cooking class/ Olive oil and Bees
- B,L,D |
 |
A tour of the vegetable garden starts our day. Then, half the group will meet
the rare breed of Cinta Senese pigs and the other half of the group
will have a cooking class, followed by lunch.We learn about the
heritage of this once endangered pig and cured meats at the heart
of farmstead cooking. |
|
|
In the afternoon, we tour the olive oil operation on the farm, followed by an
introduction to the resident bees. For dinner, we will enjoy a Spannocchia favorite,
traditional wood fired pizza served in the courtyard.
|
|
|
|
| Thursday, Oct 6 -
Cinta Senese/ Cooking Class/ Wine - B,L,D |
This morning we flip yesterday morning’s activities so that we all have experienced the
pigs and the cooking class. The afternoon is all about wine tastings and the essence of
regional Italian wines with Spannocchia’s wine expert.
In the evening, we share wine on the terrace and have dinner at the farm.
|
|
| Friday, Oct 7 -
Goat Cheese Farm/ Regional Foods
- B,L,D |
We leave the estate for a visit to the Santa Margherita goat farm.
As a premier producer of fine cheese, we again experience firsthard
the agricultural landscape. Returning to Spannocchia, we
enjoy our selection of new cheeses and a farm-fresh lunch
followed by a workshop on regional food culture and the origins
of pasta. Wine on the terrace and dinner will follow.
|
|
| Saturday, Oct 8 -
Day Tripping
- B,L |
|
A full day awaits, exploring food
origins and the local culture.
Our first stop is the Mezzadria
Museum. This unique museum
explores the share-cropping
lifestyle that defined the culture
of this area for the past 800 years,
including Spannocchia. Through
this museum, we are linked to the past agricultural practices of the region. A picnic lunch is followed
by a guided tour through the beautiful historic city center of Siena. We will take in the rich
architechture and the sights and sounds of the quiet street bustle. There will be free time to explore
and wander Siena before dinner. |
|
| Sunday, Oct 9 -
Walking and Visiting Tuscan Towns
- B,L,D |
| Our morning will be relaxed with an
opportunity to walk through
the countryside and explore the
Castiglion on the estate.
In the afternoon we will visit
one or two small Tuscan towns,
returning in time for dinner. |
|
| Emila Romagna |
| Monday, Oct 10 -
Travel to Bologna
- B |
| We say goodbye to Spannochia and hello
to the second half of the trip. This morning
we will leave for Bologna, reputed to be
the gastronomic capital of Italy, with
a stopover at Archeologia Arborea. For
many years, the association of Archeologia
Arborea has been searching for rare and
forgotten local fruit tree varieties and
species, with the goal of rescuing them
from extinction. This is a unique exploration
into the agricultural past through a diverse
collection of ancient fruit varieties and
rustic orchards.We will continue to
Bologna and settle into our center-city hotel
to begin exploring all the city has to offer. |
 |
|
| Tuesday, Oct 11 -
Bologna Historic Center City Tour/ Foods - B, D
|
Our first day in Bologna we begin with
an architectural tour. Bologna’s historic
city center is the second most extensive
in Europe after Venice, and is filled to the brim
with Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque
monuments.We will be guided to important
and beautiful works of art and architecture.
An introduction to and feast of the markets
and specialty shops is an afternoon highlight.
We will sample all of the flavors of the city
including cured meat, cheese, and chocolate.
The smells, tastes, and sounds of Bologna’s
maket and specialty shops will enhance
the visual feast. We will dine together at one
of many small, local trattorias.
|
|
| Wednesday, Oct 12 -
Modena Tour
- B,L,D |
|
A full day of food tours! This day long outing
captures the classic Italian foods of Emila
Romanga: cheese, wine, and aecto balsamic.
We explore the landscape outside of Bologna
in the area around Modena through tastings
and travel. Our early departure will allow us
to take in the Parmesan cheese production.
Later, we will visit the best of the balsamic producers with multiple samplings as a highlight of the
day. Lunch and dinner are part of our day in and around Modena. |
|
|
|
| Thursday, Oct 13 -
Food/ Underground - B
|
 |
One tour is just not enough to capture the flavors
of the city. This morning Carmelita offers us another
opportunity to explore the foods of Bologna.
This intimate walk takes us inside historic markets,
stopping at shops to taste the cured meats, cheese
and pasta famous all over the city. She has her
favorites and will share them with us.
|
|
Now for something completely different. This
afternoon we go underground and explore the
waterways that helped form the city. It is a unique
opportunity to explore the city’s past through its infrastructure. This tour includes
Torrente Aposa (Aposa River), Bagni
di Mario-- Mario’s Baths, the Roman
Aqueduct, and the archaeological
digs under the Stock Exchange Hall.
Later there will be an opportunity to
visit the local Flea and Antique
Market on Via Valdonica and ample
time to shop or just wander. Dinner
tonight is on your own. |
|
|
| Friday, Oct 14 -
Day Trip to D’Aibo, Wine and Pastas - B,D
|
|
|
We begin our morning with a tour of the art and architecture of Bologna. Although lacking
in some of the opulent art museums seen elsewhere in Italy, Bologna offers a different kind of charm.
There are 30km of arcades and exceptionally well-preserved centro storico (historic centers), making it
pedestian friendly and perfect for stolling. Considered one of the largest intact historic centers in all Europe more than one tour is needed to fully take in the cultural beauty.
In the afternoon, we will visit an organic farm
outside of Bologna, Corte D’Aibo where we conclude
our time together with a farewell dinner featuring
fresh local foods and estate-made organic wine. We
return to Bologna for final packing and our last evening
to stroll around the city with which we have become
so familiar. |
|
|
Saturday, October 15
- Depart Bologna the USA
|
TRIP INCLUDES: |
Trip cost - $3980. pp, double occupancy, based on 12 participants
TRIP INCLUDES:
- Escorted tour
- 11 days/11 nights
- Accommodations – the Villa at Spannocchia, the Hotel Touring in Bologna
- All breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners, as indicated in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
- All ground transportation
- Guides as mentioned in the itinerary
- Activities and tours as mentioned in the itinerary
|
|
| TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE: |
- Air transportation
- Airport transfers
- Passport fees
- Some tips
- Travel insurance
- Single supplement
- Personal expenses
|
