Day 1: DEPART LAX
Your journey to romantic Italy begins with an early evening flight from Los Angeles.

Day 2: ITALY/CASTLE
Mid-day arrival in Florence, Tuscany.  Your professional guide will meet you and transfer you the short distance to Montegufoni Castle, your home for five nights.  Settle into your en suite accommodations and take time to become acquainted with this historic property, overlooking breathtaking Chianti and Tuscan landscapes.   Enjoy a welcome dinner before retiring for the evening. CASTELLO MONTEGUFONI  (D)

Day 3: CASTLE
Full day at leisure, or take our optional guided tour of Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance.  (B) 

Florence

Day 4: CASTLE
Morning at leisure, or opt to take a tour of the walled town of Lucca. In the afternoon, learn Tuscan culinary secrets in a cooking demonstration at the castle.  Later, visit a local winery and olive oil estate.  (B,D)

Day 5:   CASTLE
Day at leisure.  Optional full day “Tuscan Experience Tour” of the medieval towns of San Gimignano, setting for the film, Tea With Mussolini,and Siena, rival to Florence. (B)

Day 6:   CASTLE
Day at leisure.  Your Tour Director will suggest optional tours, including to Venice and Pisa. (B)

Day 7:   CASTLE/ROME
After breakfast, depart the villa and transfer by motorcoach to Rome.  En route, visit the town of Cortona, immortalized in Francis Mayles bestselling chronicle, Under the Tuscan Sun. Dinner at your hotel.  MELIA HOTEL (B,D)

The Vatican

Day 8: ROME
Day at leisure.  Optional excursions include visiting in the morning the treasures of the Vatican Museum, and taking an “Insider’s Tour” of the capital’s historic and cultural landmarks, including the Colosseum and St. Peter’s Cathedral.  Featured on the latter tour is dinner at a select local restaurant, with wine included. (B)

Day 9:  ROME/LAX
Transfer to Rome’s Davinci Airport for your flight home.  Arrive in Los Angeles in the early evening on the same day.   (B)

ABOUT YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS AT CASTLE MONTEGUFONI
Situated on a small hill with a beautiful 360 degrees view of the surrounding Tuscan countryside, and noted for its large medieval tower and ceiling frescoes, Castello di Montegufoni boasts 31 unique suites (no two are alike!).  The spacious rooms are loaded with amenities and all have private, modern toilet facilities.  Many contain an added living space and a dining area with fridge for storing wine, cheeses, olives, and other Tuscan treats that you can pick up in local markets.   The villa/castle has a beautiful swimming pool, and it is a short walk to a local village.  For more information, click here.

FIVE-DAY EXTENSION TO SORRENTO AND THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA’S AMALFI COAST $995

After your villa stay in the country, why not head for Italy’s stunning Amalfi Coast and unpack once at a First Class boutique hotel in beautiful Sorrento for three nights?  This package includes a guided tour of Pompeii, and opportunities to visit the Isle of Capri, picturesque Positano, and other seaside towns.  Daily breakfast is included, as well as transfers plus a final night in Rome.  Return to LAX on Oct. 21.   The Amalfi Coast was featured in the movie Under the Tuscan Sun—Don’t miss it!