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Tuscany Umbria Photo/Culinary Tour
A Feast For The Senses
 Come join us on this wonderful Photographic and Culinary adventure
through Umbria and Tuscany.  Join Chef/Photographer Rico Mandel as your host on this wonderful adventure as we exlpore the towns, streets and countryside of this richly picturesque and culinarily provocative region. It's an opportunity to enjoy the life that is Italy. We'll be visiting Assisi home to St Francis. We will enjoy the local Festival of Calendimaggio, which takes place yearly. It's a springtime event that dates back to the Roman celebrations.
We'll stay at a Villa in Tuscany where we will take day trips to some of the surrounding cities to take in what each has to offer. We'll be attending some cooking classes, Tasting local wines from the region and photographing the sights that make up This wonderful region.
We have a fabulous itinerary for you and in addition, Rico Mandel will select one of his images created on our tour and produce an exclusive limited edition photographic print just for the participants of our tour. One signed and numbered for each.
The edition will be limited by the number of participants.
Take a look and see what's in store for you - Tour will begin either May 4 or 5 to
coincide with the Calledimaggio Festival.
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL FLORENCE, ITALY / ASSISI
Welcome to Italy. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Assisi. The rest of
the day is at leisure to relax or begin exploring on your own. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome
Dinner with your traveling companions at the hotel.
Accommodation: TBA - Similar to Hotel Cristallo, Fontibella Hotel or Dal Moro Gallery Hotel (D)
DAY 2 - ASSISI
This morning before breakfast, we will take advantage of the morning light and do some photography in the quiet streets. Later, we will have a culinary tour of Assisi with local chef. Cook lunch with the chef, using some of the local foods from the market. We will create and savor some traditional regional dishes. Our afternoon is free to explore Assisi and attend the Calendimaggio Festival known as the "Fasti di Maggio" and in the medieval tradition of celebrating the arrival of Spring in early May (Kalende di Maggio) with groups of revelers serenading through the
streets of the town. During the festival, the residents of Assisi dress in medieval clothing and revisit
their town’s past, complete with neighborhood rivalries and drum corps. Well go photograph the
different events taking place. In between we'll dine at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: TBA - Similar to Hotel Cristallo, Fontibella Hotel or Dal Moro Gallery Hotel (B, L, D)
DAY 3 – ASSISI
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy truffle hunting and olive tasting followed by wine tasting with lunch.
Our afternoon is free to explore Assisi and attend the Calendimaggio Festival and photograph the
different events taking place. Accommodation: TBA - Similar to Hotel Cristallo, Fontibella Hotel or Dal Moro Gallery Hotel (B, L)
DAY 4 – ASSISI / PERUGIA / CHIANTI REGION
After breakfast, we will leave Assisi and travel to Perugia for a stop in town and a cooking class
at the Farmhouse La Volpe e l'uva for lunch. We will then continue to the Chianti region and
check in to a vineyard villa. Relax and unwind and simply enjoy the beautiful surroundings. You
may wish to take a short stroll or do some photography. Enjoy dinner overlooking the vineyard
(weather permitting).
Accommodation: Antica Villa Poggitazzi or similar (B, L, D)
DAY 5 – CHIANTI REGION
You may wish to do some morning photography either before or after breakfast and then explore
Radda and the surrounding region. In the afternoon, we will drive to Podere Le Rose for wine and
food tasting of products from the Chianti region (5 wines – Vino de Tavola, Vino Rosso IGT,
Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva and Vin Santo; Extra Virgin Olive Oil;
Italian Cheeses – Pecorino, Parmigiano, Mozzarella de Bufala and Ricota; Salami, Prosciutto;
Tuscan Bread; Focacia and typical Tuscan desert – Cantucci).
Optional late afternoon opportunity for photographing the countryside. Enjoy dinner overlooking the vineyard (weather permitting) and share images created so far on the trip.
Accommodation: Antica Villa Poggitazzi or similar (B, L, D)
DAY 6 – CHIANTI REGION / SAN GIMIGNANO / CHIANTI REGION
This morning, we will drive to San Gimignano, a fantastic apparition amidst the green hills of the 
Sienese countryside! The city of majestic towers unexpectedly springs from the sunbathed hills of the Val d’Elsa, where for centuries the famous Vernaccia wine, the only DOCG white wine in Tuscany, has been produced. Inside the city, surrounded by medieval walls, we can admire the Duomo, Piazza della Cisterna and the Church of San’Agostino. Tower-houses, palaces, doorways, fountains and secret piazzas: time seems to stand still here. The stone-paved alleyways are animated and full of people; in the summer, almost every evening, there are shows, concerts in the beautiful Piazza del Duomo, which is still the centre of the city.
There is plenty of time to explore the town with its squares, winding streets and artisans. We will cook with a local chef in Ristoriante Il Pino and
enjoy our tasty creations for lunch. On our way back to the villa, we will stop to photograph the
scenic countryside.
Accommodation: Antica Villa Poggitazzi or similar (B, L)
DAY 7 – CHIANTI REGION / SIENA / CHIANTI REGION
Today, we will have a full day excursion to the beautiful city of Siena, one of the most
fascinating towns in Tuscany, preserving its medieval character to a remarkable degree. With beautiful Gothic buildings that include the Cathedral and Palazzo Pubblico, as well as numerous churches.
The town is built on a Y-shaped ridge and spreads into the adjacent valleys; the streets are consequently often steep, and to pass from one part of the city to another it is often necessary to cross a deep valley. From the town there is an extensive and varied panoramic view which includes Monte Amiata, as well as the clay downs of Asciano and the wooded district of Montagnola. To the north, the scenery changes once again, with the densely cultivated hills of the Chianti.
We will visit La Lizza Market (optional assignment is to photograph the five most unusual sights
you see in the market). Followed by lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we will be free to
explore Siena on our own – its famous Piazza del Campo is the scene of the celebrated
Palio horse race.
Accommodation: Antica Villa Poggitazzi or similar (B, L, D)
DAY 8 - CHIANTI REGION / GREVE / MONTEFIORALLE / CHIANTI REGION
After breakfast, we will set out for a full day to visit Greve and Montefioralle in Chianti to explore
the streets, markets and castles of this medieval town. There will be time to taste some of the local
wines and olive oil and visit the Wine Museum at Le Cantine de Greve in Chianti. Visit
Macellaria Falorni(butcher since 1729) and lunch at one of the local restaurants. Have a look at
Tenuta San Piero, makers of traditional sausages, wines and olive oils. We will then travel to
Montefioralle, one of the most ancient villages in Chianti and is still today enclosed within its
original walls. We will have time to walk the streets and photograph the village before
returning to our villa.
Accommodation: Antica Villa Poggitazzi, or similar (B, L, D)
 
DAY 9 – CHIANTI REGION / DEPART FLORENCE
Following breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your homebound flight that arrives the
same day. You will take with you fond memories, images of the beautiful scenery and the many
mementos you found along the way. (B)
Cost: The land cost of the tour is $4297.00, per person, based on
double occupancy.
Registration:
Early discount save $650.00 with your deposit of $500.00 by January 15, 2012.
To reserve your place and get your early bird discount for this tour, please fill out the form and a representative will be in contact with you shortly.
INCLUDED SERVICES:
Exact Tour dates will be confirmed within 30days. Tour will begin May 4 or 5.
• 8 nights hotel accommodation as per our itinerary (including a villa in Terranuova Bracciolini,
which borders the Chianti region) in standard run-of-the-house rooms (or similar).
• Meals: Breakfast: 8 / Lunch: 7 / Dinner: 7 as per our suggested itinerary.
• Services of a professional English-speaking Tour Director throughout the tour.
• Services of professional driver/guide, local guides/assistants as specified in the itinerary.
• All transfers* as specified in the itinerary.
• Sightseeing and cooking classes with entrances as specified in the itinerary.
• Hotel porterage for 1 piece of luggage per person.
• Service charges and taxes.
*Airport transfers are based on one group transfer to/from the airport. If individual or additional
transfers are required, then supplements will need to be applied.
NOT INCLUDED IN SERVICES:
Tips and gratuities
Items of a personal nature
*Itinerary and hotel list are subject to change.
Additional services required while touring are paid directly.
AIRFARE:
I understand that you will arrange your own airfare or you can book it through us.
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