9 days - October 5-13, 2010
$1995 ppdo, includes air from LAX
Day 1: Depart LAX. Your journey to romantic Italy begins with an early evening flight from Los Angeles.
Day 2: VILLA. Mid-day arrival in Florence. Your professional guide will meet you and transfer you to Villa Monticelli in breathtaking Umbria. Enjoy a welcome dinner before retiring for the evening. BORGO MONTICELLI (D)
Day 3: VILLA. Morning at leisure to settle into your en suite accommodations and to become acquainted with this historic villa, overlooking breathtaking Umbrian and Tuscan landscapes. Later, learn Italian culinary secrets in a cooking demonstration at the villa. In the afternoon, opt to visit the town of Cortona, immortalized in Francis Mayles bestselling chronicle, Under the Tuscan Sun. (B)
Day 4: VILLA. Full day at leisure, or take our optional guided tour of Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. (B)
Florence
Day 5: VILLA/WINE TASTING. Choose to travel to Assisi this morning, 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, 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 6: 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)
Day 7: VILLA/ROME. After breakfast, depart the villa and transfer by motorcoach to Rome. Offered will be an “Insider’s Tour” of the capital’s historic and cultural landmarks, including the Colosseum and St. Peter’s Cathedral. Featured on the tour is dinner at a select local restaurant, with wine included. MELIA HOTEL (B)
The Vatican
Day 8: ROME. Day at leisure in the Eternal City. Opt to visit the treasures of the Vatican Museum. Tonight, break bread together at a Farewell dinner. (B,D)
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 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 12 th century chapel, with frescoes painted by Meo da Siena in 1315, combine with 22 unique suites (no two are alike!) to make up the villa complex.
The spacious bedrooms all have private, modern toilet facilities, as well as access to a spacious living room, usually shared by one other apartment. This common area includes a fridge for storing wine, cheeses, olives, and other Tuscan treats that you can pick up in local markets. Borgo Monticelli also has a beautiful swimming pool and an open-air whirlpool. For more information, click on www.borgomonticelli.it
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 four days? 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. 16. The Amalfi Coast was featured in the movie Under the Tuscan Sun—Don’t miss it!
