Come join me, Chef/Photographer Rico Mandel as your host on this wonderful Photographic and Culinary adventure. Through the lens, 
kitchens and vineyards you will explore the rich history and culinary traditions of Lazio and Tuscany. Come with me as we explore 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 Florence, a city rich in renaissance history and art where we'll experience some of the culinary traditions, see wonderful works of art and architecture, sample an array of restaurants from simple to fine dining and have time to explore and photograph the city.
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 will enjoy La Festa Medievale, which takes place yearly. the first weekend in July in the Medeival town of Monteriggioni. We'll be attending some cooking classes, Tasting local wines and olive oils from the region and photographing the sights that the rich history has left for us to see.
We'll finish up our tour in Viterbo where the streets will echo the sounds of Opera as we are there for the Tuscia Opera Festival. We'll visit nearby towns and cook the foods of this region. It's a great time to 
be there and experience the many possibilities that await you in this Medieval city.
I put together a fabulous itinerary for you. In addition, I will select one of the images I create 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 -
DAY 1 TUE JUN 29 – ARRIVE FLORENCE, ITALY
Welcome to Italy! Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Florence. 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: NH Firenze (D)
DAY 2 WED JUN 30 – FLORENCE
Before breakfast, we will take advantage of the morning light and do some photography along the Arno River. After breakfast, a local chef will serve as our guide during our tour of the Mercato Centrale – the central food market. We will cook lunch with the chef, using some of the local foods from the market to create traditional regional dishes. The remainder of your day is at leisure to explore Florence with its many museums and galleries.
Accommodation: NH Firenze (B, L)
DAY 3 THU JUL 01 – FLORENCE
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, we will have a cooking class at Boccanegra restaurant and enjoy our creations for lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit the Uffizi Gallery. (Optional late afternoon photography at the Ponte Vecchio and surrounding area. . Tonight, enjoy a 3-course dinner with wine pairings and an opportunity to speak with the chef at a local restaurant (Cibreo, Taverna del Bronzion, Zibibbo or similar)
Accommodation: NH Firenze (B, D)
DAY 4 FRI JUL 02 FLORENCE / MONTEFIORALLE / GREVE IN CHIANTI 
After breakfast, we will leave Florence and make a stop at Tenuta San Piero, makers of traditional sausages, wines and olive oils, before entering the Chianti region. Along the way, we will stop in Greve 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. We will then travel to Montefioralle to walk the streets and photograph the village. Our full day will conclude at our villa in the Chianti region.
Accommodation: Antica Villa Poggitazzi, Terranuova Bracciolini (B, L)
DAY 5 SAT JUL 03 – CHIANTI REGION / MONTERIGGIONI / CHIANTI REGION
After breakfast, we will visit Monteriggioni, a medieval town surrounded by it virtually intact curtain walls and 14 towers and spend the day at the La Festa Medievale – the Medieval Festival. Eat lunch “al fresco” and enjoy the festival and the many photographic opportunities during the day
Accommodation: Antica Villa Poggitazzi, Terranuova Bracciolini (B, L)
DAY 6 SUN JUL 04 – CHIANTI REGION
After breakfast, we will spend a day capturing some of the morning of light for photography along with exploring 
Radda and the surrounding region. Our afternoon will include a wine class with wine tasting and information about the Chianti region. (Optional late afternoon photographing the countryside. This evening, our dinner will be overlooking a vineyard and we will share images created so far on the trip.
Accommodation: Antica Villa Poggitazzi, Terranuova Bracciolini (B, D)
DAY 7 MON JUL 05 – CHIANTI REGION
Following breakfast, our day trip will take us to some of the small 
villages in the Chianti region, including Castelina Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti and others. We will photograph the countryside, towns and streets of these wonderful places. There will be wine and olive oil tasting along the way. We will return to our villa for a wonderful dinner and to look at any images that our fellow travelers would like to share.
Accommodation: Antica Villa Poggitazzi, Terranuova Bracciolini (B, D)
DAY 8 TUE JUL 06 – CHIANTI REGION / SAN GIMIGNANO / CHIANTI REGION
This morning, we will drive to San Gimignano, a small hilltop medieval
gem of a
town crowned by a cluster of tall towers. 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 (closed on Thursdays) and enjoy our tasty creations for lunch. On our way back to the villa, we will stop to photograph the scenic countryside. Tonight, we will dine at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Antica Villa Poggitazzi, Terranuova Bracciolini (B, L,D)
DAY 9 WED JUL 07 – CHIANTI REGION / SIENA / CHIANTI REGION
Today, we will have a full day excursion to the beautiful city of Siena. We will visit La Lizza Market (optional assignment is to photograph the five most unusual sights you see in the market from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.). We will have 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. This evening, we will dine at Podere Terreno.
Accommodation: Antica Villa Poggitazzi, Terranuova Bracciolini (B, L,D)
DAY 10 THU JUL 08 – CHIANTI REGION / MONTALCINO / VITERBO 
After breakfast, a visit will be made to the Abbey of Saint Antimo before we continue to Montalcino to take in the surroundings and taste some of the finest wine Italy has to offer. We will have a private tasting at two wineries along with lunch and cellar tours. Next, we will stop in Pienza for a visit to a local farm to see the different stages of cheese production. There'll be time for cheese tasting before we continue to the historical center of Pienza, where we will have free time for exploring. We will reach Viterbo in the late afternoon, where the remainder of the day will be at leisure. (Note: Castle of Montalcino is closed for renovations.)
Accommodation: Domus La Quercia (B, L)
DAY 11 FRI JUL 09 – VITERBO
Today, enjoy a leisurely breakfast and explore the city. Later, we will take a day trip to Bomarzo to visit and photograph Il Parco del Mostri – Park of Monsters. Savor a delicious lunch of local specialties before exploring the city of Bomarzo. Return to Viterbo for an evening of opera at the Tuscia Opera Festival (tickets included).
Accommodation: Domus La Quercia (B, L)
DAY 12 SAT JUL 10 – VITERBO
After breakfast, drive to Lugnano in Terverina for a cooking class
and lunch in Villa San Valentino. Later, we will meet with a cheese maker and sample some local wines. On returning to Viterbo, you will have free time to take a stroll through the city streets. Tonight, relish a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant with newfound friends.
Accommodation: Domus La Quercia (B, L,D)
DAY 13 SUN JUL 11 – DEPART ROME
Following breakfast, you will transfer to the Rome 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 $6995.00, per person, based on double occupancy.
Registration:
INCLUDED SERVICES:
• 12 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: 12 / Lunch: 8 / 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 and tickets to one opera performance 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.
