Day 1
Depart USA for Rome. For those wishing to travel to Rome or other parts of Europe before the tour begins we can assist with all your travel arrangements.
Day 2
Arrival into Roma Fiumicino Airport where you will be greeted by your personal driver to travel to our accommodations, Hotel Ponte Sisto, located in the heart of Rome. Combat jet lag by touring the city on your own or we can arrange a guided tour of the Vatican or Forum and Colosseum (depending on flight arrival time). As evening falls we will take a walking tour of Piazza Navona, Pantheon and Trevi Fountain followed by dinner at Sacro e Profano.
Day 3
We board our private tour bus to travel to the Umbrian wine estate of Rocca di Fabbri for a tour and tasting. We then travel to the home of St. Francis, Assisi. Enjoy the beautiful sites, great shopping and restaurants before we travel to our home base, Cortona. Cortona is our favorite hill town and was made famous by Frances Mayes in her book "Under the Tuscan Sun". After checking into Hotel Italia, located just off the main square, we will meet for dinner at our favorite restaurant in town, Fufluns.
Day 4
Spend the day enjoying Cortona! Stroll down the Via Nazionale with its many great shops and cafes, visit the Estrucan Museum, the many churches, or hike up to the Medici Fortress. For dinner we will meet at Taverna Pane e Vino for a wine presentation by Marco of Enoteca Molesini wine shop (whom we purchase and ship all our Italian wine through). We can also arrange a private wine tasting with Marco in his shop during our stay.
Day 5
Today is all about the wine! We start at the magnificent estate of Banfi with a guided tour and wine tasting followed by a four-course lunch paired with thier wines. After lunch we visit the vineyard of Mastro Janni for tour and tasting. We then travel to Montalcino where you have the late afternoon to explore this wine city and enjoy dinner.
Day 6
We visit the oldest wine producer in Italy, Antinori, for a special tour and tasting not available by the general public.
Day 7
We say "Arrivideci" to Cortona and travel to the epitome of all hill towns, Siena, where we have the day to enjoy this great city. For lunch we will meet at one of our top three restaurants in Italy, Osteria Da Divo. Late afternoon we travel to the Renaissance city of Firenze (Florence). After checking into Hotel Europa, located steps away from the Duomo, you have the evening to enjoy this great city.
Day 8
You will have the day to tour Firenze on your own. We can arrange tickets to the Accademia and Uffizi Galleri and highly recommend you book your visit in advance to avoid the long lines. Dinner will be an unforgettable experience at Il Latini.
Day 9
We travel through Italy to Venezia (Venice). Upon arrival we board private water taxis for a tour down the Grand Canal ending at the five-star Westin Europa & Regina. Once we have checked into our luxurious rooms you are free to tour the city before meeting up for our favorite way to eat, drink and be merry in Venice by doing a pub crawl (giro d'ombra) We will visit little bars (barraci) throughout the city serving cicchetti (little stamps or appetizers) and house wine.
Day 10
Our last day of the tour is yours to enjoy this magical city! Visit the smaller islands, take a gondola ride or become lost in the neighborhoods away from the tourists. We will meet for our final dinner together at Ristorante Al Covo.
Day 11
We sadly say good-bye as everyone heads to the airport via private water taxi*. If you wish to extend your stay in Venice or travel to other parts of Europe we will be happy to assist with your arrangements.
*depending on flight times there may be up to two couples per taxi.
