10 days - October 4-13, 2008
$2095 ppdo, includes air from LAX
Day 1: Depart LAX: Your journey to romantic Italy begins with a late afternoon check-in at Los Angeles International Airport. Aboard Air France, meal service and entertainment en route.
Day 2: ROME. Afternoon arrival in Rome. Your professional guide will meet and assist you with check-in at your hotel. Later, why not take a Rome-by-night tour and admire the illuminated fountains, Coloseum, and other sites?
Day 3: ROME/VILLA. This morning, opt to see the treasures of the Vatican, including Michelangelo’s masterpiece painting on the Sistine Chapel, on our “Insider’s Tour” of the capital. Then, transfer to Villa Monticelli in breathtaking Umbria. Enjoy a welcome dinner en route. BORGO MONTICELLI
(B, D)
Day 4: VILLA Morning at leisure to settle into your new surroundings and to become acquainted with this historic villa, overlooking breathtaking Umbrian and Tuscan landscapes. In the afternoon, opt to visit the town of Cortona, immortalized in Francis Mayles bestselling chronicle, Under the Tuscan Sun. (B,D)
Day 5: VILLA. Full day at leisure , or take our optional guided tour of Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. B,D)
Day 6: VILLA/WINE TASTING. Morning at leisure. This afternoon, your outing is to a regional wine cellar, where you will sample local varietals, as well as enjoy select antipasto served with your wine. Salute! (B,D)
Day 7: VILLA. Day at leisure, or choose to travel to Assisi, famous for frescoes and its patron, St. Francis. The optional excursion also includes a visit to an olive press, where the finest oil is produced in a method used for centuries. This afternoon, learn Italian culinary secrets in a cooking demonstration at the villa. (B,D)
Day 8: VILLA. Day at leisure, or take our optional tour into the heart of Tuscany and visit Siena-rival to Florence—and picturesque San Gimignano, setting for the novel and film, Tea With Mussolini. (B,D)
Day 9: VILLA/PERUGIA. After breakfast, you may wish to travel to scenic Perugia, Italy’s famous chocolate- producing town, where you will visit a chocolate factory. Return for a final special dinner at the villa. (B,D)
Day 10: VILLA/FLORENCE After breakfast, depart the villa and transfer by motorcoach to Florence. Your afternoon flight back to Los Angeles arrives in the early evening on the same day.
Florence
About Accommodations at Your Villa
Borgo Monticelli is situated on a small hill with a beautiful view of 360 degrees overlooking the surrounding Umbrian countryside and the town of Perugia. Three large medieval towers and a small chapel of the 12th century, with frescoes painted by Meo da Siena in 1315, combine with 22 suites to makeup the villa complex.
The spacious suites all have original terracotta tiles and ceilings with wooden beams. Some have a private garden. The contemporary furniture is mixed with select ornamental antiques. Each suite consists of a living room with kitchenette, bedroom, and modern bathroom.
Borgo Monticelli also has a beautiful swimming pool and an open-door whirlpool. For information on the villa and its region, please refer to the property’s web site: www.borgomonticelli.it
