Roma, Toscana, and Venezia

Travels To Europe

Day 1: Thursday, 13 October
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: Friday, 14 October
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 one the top-rated pizzerias in Rome.

Day 3: Saturday, 15 October
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 in we will meet for dinner at our favorite restaurant in town, Fufluns.

Day 4: Sunday, 16 October
Spend the day enjoying Cortona! Stroll down the Via Nazionale with its many great shops and cafes, visit the Estrucan Museuem, 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 the day.

Day 5: Monday, 17 October
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: Tuesday, 18 October
We travel today to Montepulciano where you will have time to tour the town's many sites, wine cantinas, and enjoy lunch. We then visit the oldest wine producer in Italy, Antinori, for a special tour and tasting not always allowed by the general public. We end our day in Cortona with a group dinner at another favorite restaurants.

Day 7: Wednesday, 19 October
We say arrivideci to Cortona and travel to the epitome of all hill towns, Siena. 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 this great city.

Day 8: Thursday, 20 October
We travel just outside the city to the wine estate of Ruffino for a tour and wine tasting. After returning to Florence we invite you to join us for lunch at Il Fratellini where you order a sandwich, a glass of wine, and have a seat on the sidewalk. You will have the afternoon to tour the city on your own. We can arrange tickets to the Accademia and Uffizi Galleri. Dinner will also be an unforgettable experience at Il Latini.

Day 9: Friday, 21 October
We travel through Italy on our way to Venezia (Venice) stopping for a picnic lunch along the way. 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: Saturday, 22 October
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: Sunday, 23 October
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.

E-mail: starrbaines@travelstoeurope.com
Telefoon: +1 303 325 5379