The Best of Tuscany, Italy

Day 1

25 SEPT (THU) – CHICAGO
Fly out of Chicago.

Day 2

26 SEPT (FRI) – ARRIVE IN MONTECATINI, ITALY
Check into your hotel. This will be the hotel for the entire tour! Tonight, meet your Tour Director and attend a special welcome
dinner. (D)

Day 3

27 SEPT (SAT) – MONTECATINI. EXCURSION TO VINCI
This morning, head out into the lush, rolling landscape of the Montalbano hills. Pass terraced grape vineyards, olive groves, and
chestnut trees on your way to the quaint village of Vinci, birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci. Here, learn all about the Renaissance
master at the museum dedicated to his life and interest from painting, sculpting, and inventing, to anatomy, music, and
cartography! Round up the morning with a visit to a local bakery. Learn how bread is made and enjoy a light lunch with an
opportunity to sample local products such as focaccia bread, sandwiches, wine, cheese, cold cuts, and olive oil. (B,L)

Day 4

28 SEPT (SUN) – MONTECATINI. EXCURSION TO THE CHIANTI VALLEY
Cradled between the provinces of Florence and Siena, the Chianti Valley is the heart of Tuscany, and is hailed for its exceptional
wines since the 13th century. Your journey today takes you to Greve, with time to visit the village and to enjoy lunch at a
charming wine shop. Complete the day with a visit to an historic Tuscan estate known for its Chianti wine production. (B,L)

Day 5

29 SEPT (MON) –MONTECATINI
Enjoy a leisurely morning in Montecatini. Maybe go for a walk in the Parco delle Terme with its tall shady trees. Most of the
afternoon is dedicated to an Italian cooking lesson at a rustic farmhouse in the Tuscan countryside. Once you arrive at the farm,
enjoy a welcome drink, explore the orchard to pick some fresh ingredients, learn about Italy's most famous delicacies, and then
roll up your sleeves for a fun hands-on cooking experience. This evening relax and taste the delectable dinner you prepared -
maybe your team will win the master chef prize! (B,D)

Day 6

30 SEPT (TUE) – MONTECATINI. EXCURSION TO LUCCA
Visit Lucca, a stunning showcase of medieval architecture and layer upon layer of rich history and culture. Marvel at the
beautiful art collections at the Palazzo Mansi National Museum, then take a guided walking tour around the Old Town with its
fine, intact Renaissance-era wall, cobblestone streets, and cafe-lined piazzas. A lively cafe-crawl snack brunch is included
followed by a main course at a local restaurant, Then, your local guide will introduce you to the stunning ornamental gardens
and grand arched ceilings of Palazzo Pfanner. (B,L)

Day 7

1 OCT (WED) – MONTECATINI. EXCURSION TO BOLGHERI
Travel through the vineyard-dotted countryside and along the cypress tree-lined Viale dei Cipressi for your grand entrance into
enchanting Bolgheri. With its red-brick castle and atmospheric Old Town, it's not hard to imagine that Bolgheri jumped right off
the pages of a storybook. There's time here to visit one of the wine cellars and taste Bolgheri's celebrated Super Tuscan reds.
First created in the 1980's, many wine experts believe these now rival French Bordeaux. Later, stop at nearby Castagneto
Carducci, known for its splendid panoramic views of the Etruscan Coast. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and the chance to
sample the local liqueur. (B,L)

Day 8

2 OCT (THU) – MONTECATINI
This morning is yours to do as you please. This afternoon is dedicated to a baking class at your hotel, focusing on the creation of
cakes and desserts. (B,D)

Day 9

3 OCT (FRI) – MONTECATINI
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning before your flight home to Chicago. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner