Italy 2024
Tuscany, Emilia Romagna, and Veneto
May 20th - May 27th, 2023
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0 of 6 spots available!
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Mother/Daughter Tour
Renaissance
Woman
This is a fully guided, women-only, small-group tour.
No buses, no roommates, and no mass-produced meals! Your guide will be with you for the duration of the tour, from arrival at the airport to the day you depart. In each place you visit, you will also be joined by local guides as you embark on tours to learn more about the history, culture, and traditions of the area.
Day 1: Ciao Firenze!
Welcome to Florence! When you arrive, we will begin our trip with a walking tour designed to help you orient yourself to the layout of the area and gain an understanding of the rich history of this Renaissance city. You will learn about the famous attractions like the Duomo and the Piazza de la Signora, as well as visit charming neighborhoods like Oltrarno. Our guide will share stories, show you important landmarks, and even share her favorite local spots with you.
This evening, we have reservations for dinner together at a local restaurant in Florence.
Inclusions:
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Car transfer from Florence airport to hotel
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Guided walking tour (with local guide)
Day 2: The Tuscany of Italians
After a relaxing morning in Florence, we will head into the hills of Fiesole, north of Florence. We begin our day with a visit to La Marzocco, the world famous espresso machine producer, and the origin story of Italian coffee culture. Here, we will attend a class to learn about the art of coffee making. Next, we will visit Fiesole's Piazza Mino, the heart of Fiesole. You will have time to explore this amazing little town, where the Etruscans settled before the Romans and daVinci first attempted flight during the renaissance.
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Afterward, we will visit a small production, family-owned vineyard nestled in the hills near Fiesole. Here, we will sample olive oil that tastes like liquid sunshine and amazing wines created by a fourth generation wine maker.
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We will finish our day with dinner at a local trattoria, then head back to Florence.
Inclusions:
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Private car and driver for the day
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Coffee education class at La Marzocco
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Vineyard, olive grove, and historic cellar tour
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Wine and olive oil tasting
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Day 3:
Exploring Bologna
This morning, we will hop aboard a train for a visit to Bologna.
Here, we will meet our local guide and explore the city on a 10 stop food tour! From local meats and cheeses to coffee and artisinal gelato, your appetite will be tempted, expanded, and satisfied!
After our tour, we will have time to explore the city, including highlights like the Seven Churches and the Whispering Walls. Dinner can be found at one of the many amazing restaurants in the alleys of this bustling, lively city.
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This evening we will catch the high speed train back to Florence.
Inclusions:
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High speed, premium class train ticket to Bologna
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Walking food tour with all food and wine included
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High speed, premium class train ticket back to Florence
Day 4: A Classic Florentine Day... Art, History, and Food!
Today is a day filled with things that make Florence such a special place.
We will begin our day at a local art school, where we will learn the process of the restoration and conservation of historic documents. You will work on a historic map, which you will then bring home with you.
Next, we will have free time for lunch and gelato before heading to Santo Spirito to visit the church designed by Brunelleschi, and see Michelangelo's only known wooden carving, which dates back to 1492.
This evening, we will have a private cooking class in the heart of Florence. We will learn how to prepare a four course traditional Tuscan meal, then sit down to enjoy it together! The meal includes wine paired with each course.
Inclusions:
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Paper restoration and conservation class
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Historic map of your own to take home
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Visit and admission to Santo Spirito
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Private cooking class
Day 5: Val d'Orcia, Home of Cypress Trees, Brunello Wine, and Stunning Vistas
Today, we head south to Val d'Orcia. This is the Tuscany you see in pictures; rolling hills, clusters of cypress trees, otherworldly views of vineyards and ancient hilltop towns. We begin our day with a stop at a vineyard in Montalcino that produces award-winning Brunello wines. The farm dates back to the 1600s, and we will see the vineyards and tour the cellar, learning about some of the 54 rules the vintner must follow for the production of this wine. Then, we taste! Next, we head to a local restaurant for a delicious lunch. This trattoria is nestled in the hills with a terrace that provides endless views of the area. The views and the aromas of the amazing food are equally intoxicating. After lunch, we head to the tiny, historic hilltop town of Montalcino. Afterward, we will take a drive through the area, stopping to hike up a hill to a famous cluster of cypress trees you will undoubtedly recognize. Last, we will visit Pienza for time to stroll around this beautiful hilltop town overlooking the famous Val dO'rcia. On our way back to Florence, we will stop at Piazzale Michelangelo to watch the sunset from the hilltop overlooking Florence.
Inclusions:
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Private Car and Driver for the day
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Vineyard and cellar tour
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Brunello wine tasting
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Visit to the cypress groves and scenic tour
Day 6: A Taste of Venice
This morning we will board the high speed train to Venice to spend the day in this unique city.
Here, we will embark on a tour around this historic, one-of-a-kind city. Venice's history and traditions run deep, and you will have the opportunity to sample the local cuisine as we make our way through the historic city center with our knowledgable local guide, who is a Venetian herself.
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We will spend the afternoon snacking on cicchetti (small plates) and exploring alleyways. You can shop, take a gondola ride, or just sit in Piazza San Marco on the Grand Canal and soak up the Italian sunshine! This evening we will return to Florence by train.
Inclusions: ​
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High speed, premium class train ticket to Venice
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Guided tour of Venice (with a local guide)
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High speed, premium class train ticket back to Florence
Day 7: Exploring the Heart of Florence
Today we will spend the day exploring Florence. We will begin with a visit to Santa Croce, a beautiful basilica in Florence filled with art. Renaissance men like Michelangelo and Galileo are buried here among many other writers, artists, and even Machiavelli! Next, we will have lunch at a local pizzeria, followed by a visit to a traditional market in Florence.
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In the afternoon, you can shop, sit in a piazza and enjoy people watching, visit a museum... the world is your oyster!
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That evening, we have a reservation at a local restaurant for a special dinner to reflect on our time in Italy.
Inclusions: ​​
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Entry to Santa Croce
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Guided market visit
Day 8: Arrivederci!
Today, we depart from Italy. A car will take you to the airport to begin your journey home.
Inclusions:
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Car transfer to airport
Scroll down for pricing and inclusions
0 of 6 spots available
This tour is fully booked
Inclusions
The Renaissance Woman Tour of Italy includes the following:
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Your own private room in a historic hotel located in the heart of the city center of Florence for a total of 7 nights.
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Breakfast each day
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Walking tour with local guide in Florence
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Private driver for full day in Mugello
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Visit to La Marzocco Academia with a guided tour and coffee tasting class
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Visit to a small production olive grove and vineyard, including cellar tour and wine and olive oil tastings
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Private driver for full day in Val d'Orcia
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Vineyard visit, cellar tour, and tasting at an award-winning vineyard that produces Brunello di Montalcino
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Paper conservation and restoration workshop where you will restore a historical map to bring home with you
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High speed, premium class train tickets from Florence to Bologna
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Food tour of Bologna with a local guide, including all food and wine
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High speed, premium class train tickets from Bologna to Florence
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Entrance to Santo Spirito
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Private cooking class and wine pairings
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High speed, premium class train ticket to Venice
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Guided walking tour of Venice, led by a native Venetian
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High speed, premium class train ticket back to Florence
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Entry to Santa Croce
Exclusions
Travelers are responsible for:
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Travel to and from Italy. On this tour, we start in Florence and end in Florence. I am happy to assist with planning your flights or offer advice on extending your tour.
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Italy is open for travel with no restrictions. You can visit the following website for the latest updates: Italian Health Ministry Website
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Travel insurance REQUIRED (Allianz Global offers great plans for around $150 per person) this can be purchased with airfare
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Lunches and dinners ~ with the exception of the Food tour in Bologna and the cooking class in Florence
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Tips for Drivers and Guides (approximately $100 total, given at your discretion)
Payment
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$395 deposit to secure your spot. Because of the small size of these trips, it is advisable to secure a spot early.
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40% of trip cost ~ $1580~ due 120 days out from departure
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Balance of trip cost ~ $1975~ due 60 days out from departure