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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September 23 - October 1,  2023
Join us for the memories to last a lifetime.
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Italy in September... the hordes of summer tourists are gone and the weather is perfect with average daily highs in the 70's 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! 

$ 2899  includes direct non-stop airfare* to Rome, 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 with plenty of free time in medieval Montepulciano with wine tasting and lunch in the wine cellar,  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. Flight details will be available this fall. Airport departure taxes and fuel surcharges are included but subject to change until time of ticketing.

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If you've ever wanted to visit Italy this is your chance. You won't find a better value!! Especially since September 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.

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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 September 23 – Our United Airlines flight UA510 will depart Newark Liberty International at 8:40 pm and arrive in Rome at 10:55 am on Sunday morning . Our private coach will take us to our hotel in Chianciano Terme. 

Day 2 Sunday September 24 - 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 September 25 - After breakfast we have a guided tour of the very picturesque hamlet of Bagno Vignoni, famous for it’s hot springs and cafes.  Wine tasting and light lunch at Fattoris dei Barbi cellar. This famous cellar produces Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, one of the most known and well appreciated Italian red wines.  After some free time in Monalcino,  we'll visit Pienza, also called the Renaissance Pearl and Unesco World Heritage site. For dinner we'll head to  L’Assassino Restaurant, located in Chianciano Terme’s historic downtown.  Overnight in the Hotel Villa Luca

Day 4 Tuesday September 26 – .After breakfast at the Hotel we’ll head over to nearby Montepulciano for a guided tour and orientaion. This hilly town will fascinate you with its medieval atmosphere. We'll spend the morning and early afternoon wandering and exploring the cobblestone alleyways, cafes, and wine shops. After a pit stop at the hotel we'll head to the Fattoria dei Pulcino farmhouse for a delightful dinner in a farmhouse setting. One of my favorite stops! Overnight in the Hotel Villa Luca.

Day 5 Wednesday September 27 - 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 September 28 - 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 September 29 - 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 September 30 - 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 1 - Today we say goodbye for now to beautiful Italy. Our private motorcoach will take us to the airport for our flight home. United flight UA41 departs Rome at 11:00 am and lands in Newark at 2:30 in the afternoon.  We'll be back in Easton in time for dinner.