A Taste of Italy - Rome & Secret Tuscany 
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Pienza

The trevi fountain

The Roman Forum

the cathedral in orvieto

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October 2nd - 10th,  2021
Join us for the memories to last a lifetime.
​Waiting list available.

Italy in October... the hordes of summer tourists are gone and the weather is perfect with average daily highs around 70 degrees and plenty of sunshine. We'll spend four nights in the in the beautiful Etruscan hilltown of Chiaciano Terme, and three nights in Rome. Truly the trip of  a lifetime. From our hotel in Rome you'll be able to explore all the city has to offer, and from our base in Chiancianco Terme we'll  visit nearby Montepulciano, Pienza, the Orcia Valley and more. So many truly beautiful Tuscan hill towns to choose from and so much more! 

$ 2299  includes airfare to Rome on Aer Ligus, all air taxes and fuel surcharges, all transfers in Italy, three nights Rome in the 4 star Building Hotel  and 4 nights in Chianciano Terme in the recently renovated Hotel Villa Luca with breakfasts daily,  half day guided tour of Pienza with lunch at a Tuscan farmhouse in Val d’Orcia, half day guided tour in medieval Montepulciano with wine tasting and lunch in the wine cellar,  half day admission to the famous Theia Thermal Pools in Chianciano Terme,  dinner at L’Assassino Restaurant in historic Chianciano Terme, admission to the Sensory Spa with a choice of 21 different treatments and lunch at the Taste Room, typical Tuscan dinner at the La Pietriccia farmhouse in Chianciano Terme with local organic seasonal products, a visit to the local brewery Il Saragiolino with beer tasting​, a guided sightseeing tour upon our arrival in Rome and a pre-departure meeting in Easton before we go.  So much is included in this trip!

Price is per person based on double occupancy. A $499 single supplement applies to solo travelers. Round trip transportation from Easton to the airport is available for an additional charge. Airport departure taxes and fuel surcharges are included but subject to change until time of ticketing.

Reserve your space!    No money due now.

If you've ever wanted to visit Italy this is your chance. You won't find a better value!! Especially since October is the end of high season... the weather is warm but not too hot and the crowds are low. The culinary experiences in this part of the world are to die for and the bottle of house red wine you just ordered with your dinner is probably as good as you've ever tasted!  

Chianciano Terme is a well kept secret... well known to Italians and some Europeans, but virtually unknown to Americans. It's a classic Tuscan hill town. The healing waters that spring  from the earth there have been drunk, soaked in, and talked about since Etruscan times.  Our hotel is about a 10 minute walk to the heart of the historic Old Town and about 15 minutes in the other direction to the "new town" and spas.  It's highly rated on Trip Advisor with 4.5 stars and 130 reviews... all in Italian! From our base here we'll have ample time to soak up the beauty of this town and the surrounding region. We'll visit nearby Pienza and Montepulciano, some local farms and a winery and brewery too, enjoy  some local cafes and settle  into an easier rhythm and unhurried lifestyle.

Rome needs no introduction... The Coliseum, the ancient Roman Forum, The Vatican, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the piazzas, the food, the wine and the twisting cobblestone alleys and hidden restaurants of the Trastevere neighborhood on the banks of the Tiber River. After our guided sightseeing tour upon arrival you will have plenty of free time to explore these wonders on your own or join us for an optional tour of the Forum and Coliseum.

Pienza lies just a stones throw from Chianciano Terme and  is one of the most striking, memorable, and enjoyable hill towns in central Italy. The "Pearl of the Renaissance" and a UNESCO World Heritage site complete with it's 15th century cathedral and the Pope Pius II's  summer Palace. 

Montepulciano, home to the famous Vino di Noble Montepulciano DOCG wines. It's a classic medieval hill town complete with clock tower and the 14th-century Palazzo Comunale, with a tower offering views of the surrounding countryside. Also here is the Duomo, with a huge triptych above its altar. After a tour of the town we'll visit the Gattavechi cellar for a wine tasting and lunch.

Reserve your space!    No money due now.

Explore - We'll also be offering a group option for a guided tour the Roman Coliseum and Forum in Rome 

From our base in Rome you can visit the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, the Novona Piaza and so much more. Maybe take a tour of the Vatican, or cross the Tiber River into the newly hip neighborhood of Trastevere with it's multitude of winding cobblestone streets, churches and endless restaurants, one more quaint and cozy than the next!

Itinerary

Day 1 Saturday October 2 – Our Aer Lingus flight 104 departs JFK International airport at 5:00 PM and arrives in Rome on Sunday morning at 11:05 AM after a brief layover in Dublin. Our private coach will take us to our hotel in Chianciano Terme. 

Day 2 Sunday October 3 - Arrive in Chianciano Terme, our home for the next four days. Relax and unwind in the Tuscan countryside. Dinner included at the hotel. Overnight in the Hotel Villa Luca.

Day 3 Monday October 4 - After breakfast at the Hotel we’ll head over to nearby Montepulciano for a half-day guided tour. This hilly town will fascinate you with its medieval atmosphere. Wine tasting and light lunch at Gattavecchi cellar. This famous cellar produces Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, one of the most known and well appreciated Italian red wines. Afternoon at the Thermal Pools Theia in Chianciano Terme where you can enjoy 4 outdoor and 3 indoor pools with hot thermal water from the Sillene spring. Dinner at L’Assassino Restaurant, located in Chianciano Terme’s historic downtown. Overnight in the Hotel Villa Luca.

Day 4 Tuesday October 5 – After breakfast we have a half-day guided tour of Pienza, also called the Renaissance Pearl and Unesco World Heritage site. Next we’ll head to the Pianporcino farmhouse in the Val d’Orcia valley, famous for their Pecorino Cheese production, for a light lunch at the farmhouse. In the afternoon free time in the very picturesque hamlet of Bagno Vignoni, famous for it’s hot springs and cafes. Overnight in the Hotel Villa Luca.

Day 5 Wednesday October 6 - In the morning we’ll have free admission to the holistic Sensory Spa in Chianciano Terme and its 20 treatments to make you feel relaxed and revived. Lunch at the Spa will include a special buffet of local and organic products.
In the afternoon we’ll head to the local brewery, Il Saragiolino, located amongst the Valdichiana hills, for a tour and tasting. For our last evening in Chianciano we’ll enjoy a typical Tuscan dinner at farmhouse La Pietricciain, where they use only seasonal and fresh products, grown directly by the owners. Overnight stay in Hotel. Overnight in the Hotel Villa Luca.

Day 6 Thursday October 7 - After breakfast we'll say good-bye to Chianciano Terme and board our private coach to the Eternal City, Rome. We’ll take a brief sightseeing tour before checking into our hotel and heading out to explore all the city has to offer. Overnight in The Building Hotel Rome. 

Day 7 Friday October 8 - After breakfast at the Hotel we'll have a free day to check out the sights and sounds of the City. Optional tour: Guided tour of the Roman Coliseum and Forum. Overnight in The Building Hotel Rome. 

Day 8 Saturday October 9 - Free day – What to do? Wander the city. Soak it up. The Vatican? Trastevere? the Piazas and Markets? The Museums? So much to see!! Overnight in The Building Hotel Rome.

Day 9 Sunday October 10 - Private motorcoach to the airport. Our Aer Lingus flight 403 departs Rome at 11:15 AM and we should arrive at JFK airport at 7:15 PM and be back in Easton Sunday night about 10PM.