Wine Tasting Journey to Italy - Tuskany & Abruzzo

Maps
Day 1 - April 19
	Flight from Toronto to Rome
Day 2 - April 20
	After the custom control we will board a bus to the town of Sulmona . The trip will take approx. two hours. Arrival in Sulmona in the afternoon, where you will be taken to your accommodation. Opportunity to have lunch in the local restaurant "Villa Elena". Afternoon free time. Dinner and wine tasting will be served in the restaurant "Clemente''. Overnight in Sulmona - Hotel "Santacroce". The Hotel "Santacroce" is situated just 3 km from Sulmona (Abruzzo), almost at the foot of Monte Morrone. This is where Pietro da Morrone was a hermit before he became Pope Celestine V ... near the Ovidio's archeological excavations and only 30 minutes from the best skiing resorts of Roccaraso and Majella; hiking tours are also possible in the beautiful Abruzzo's National Park .
Day 3 - April 21
	Guided sightseeng tour at 8:30 am after breakfast. Your guided tour will go throughout the confetti factory, the"Confetti of Sulmona", the Pelino house. After the sightseeng we will board the bus towards Villa Santa Maria (Abruzzo). One hour and fifteen minutes drive. Villa Santa Maria rises against the southeren slope of the Monte Vecchio, on the left of the Sangro River. The territory is wide 16, 18 Kmq on a primarily mountainous area between woods, pastures and fields. This little center is world-famous as the homeland of the cooks, and the presence of a prestigious Hotelie Institute maintains the tradition. The "ambassadors of good cuisine" have witnessed events and cooked for princess and kings for 400 years. Lunch will be be served in the local restaurant in the village of Villa Santa Maria. We will be back to Sulmona in the late afternoon. Dinner and wine tasting will be served in the restaurant "Clemente". Overnight in Sulmona, Hotel "Santacroce".
Day 4 - April 22
	After the breakfast around 8:30 am we will go to Gaiole in Chianti (Tuscany). Drive will take aprox. 6 hours. Our first break will be in San Marino. Arrival in San Marino is around 11:30 am . You will have the opportunity to have lunch, take a nice walk, cable car ride, and some shopping. Around 1:30 pm departure to Gaiole in Chianti. Arrival in Gaiole in Chianti around 5:00pm. Accommodation in Villa. Dinner with wine tasting will be served in the Villa around 8:30 pm. Overnight in Gaiole in Chianti.
Day 5 - April 23
	Tuscany is a very special place. Whether your interests are the galleries of Florence, experiencing culinary delights or enjoying the Tuscan country side, a trip to Tuscany will match no other. After the breakfast we are heading towards Antinori Estate - Badia a Passignano estate. The 215-hectare Badia a Passignano estate is near Sambuca Val di Pesa, 3km south of Tenuta Tignanello. The limestone-based land is situated at an altitude of 250-300m a.s.l. in one of the most beautiful and productive areas of Chianti Classico. Hundreds of books describing the Sangiovese vineyards and local crops, now kept in the Florence State Archive, demonstrate the importance of this estate in the history of Chianti. Further proof of this came to light in 1983 with the discovery of a thousand-year-old vitis vinifera plant on the lands around Badia a Passignano. Opportunity to have a wine tasting and lunch in the Osteria di Passignano. We will be back to the Villa around 5:30pm. Dinner with wine will be served around 8:00pm. Overnight in Gaiole in Chiant.
Day 6 - April 24
	After the breakfast around 9:00am we will go to Siena for a one day excursion. Drive will take about 40 minutes. Meeting with the guide for a walking sightseeing tour of two hours which includes: S. Domenico Church , inside this imposing Gothic church are some very important frescos as well as the relics of S. Caterina , worshipped by all. Banchi di Sopra and Banchi di Sotto , these are the city's busiest streets with the noble palaces as well as the many appealing shops where you can find typical culinary delicacies such as Panforte and Ricciarelli, the world's renowned Chianti and Brunello wines, the cold meats and pici (hand-rolled pasta). Piazza del Campo , this square has always been the political and commercial centre of the ancient Sienese republic and it is also the place where the famous Palio delle Contrade (a horse race) takes place twice a year, opposite Torre del Mangia and Palazzo Pubblico. Cathedral and Baptistry (admission fee), the cathedral of Siena, a work by Giovanni Pisano, with its imposing presence and splendid façade, is one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in Tuscany. Inside we can admire the works by Donatello, Nicola and Giovanni Pisano Palazzo Chigi-Saracini , boasts typical medieval architecture. This itinerary can be changed or extended to include a visit to: Palazzo Pubblico (admission fee ) Cathedral Museum (admission fee ) You will have the opportunity to have lunch in the local restaurant. In the afternoon around 5:00pm we will travel back to Gaiole in Chiant.Dinner and wine will be served around 8:00pm. Owernight in Gaiole in Chianti.
Day 7 - April 25
	After the breakfast around 9:30am we will go to the Barbi Estate. We can take the opportunity to have a guided tour of the cellars where the famous Brunello di Montalcino is aged. Tours take place at 11am , midday , 3pm , 4pm and 5pm , Monday to Friday. You will be guided through a fascinating maze of barrels and told all about the wines, history and traditions. The Colombini family has had properties in Montalcino since 1352 and has owned the Fattoria dei Barbi since 1790. The vineyards cover an area of 100 hectares, approximately 35% of the whole estate. The exposure is east, south-east and the soil type is composed prevalently of 'galestro' (stony) with small components of mud and clay, only a minor part of it has a relevant presence of eocenic sands. The wine cellar has capacity of 5,000 hl in oak barrel, 12,000 hl in stainless steel or concrete vats, 200 hl in kegs, and 240 hl in barriques. The annual production is over 700,000 bottles. Lunch opportunity in the restaurant "Taverna dei Barbi" on the Estate. In the Restaurant "Taverna dei Barbi" the guests can find a selection of local recipes cooked in the traditional way. The decoration of the Taverna reflects love for tradition and simplicity, in order to give the warmest welcome to the guests. We will be back to Gaiole in Chianti around 5:00pm. Dinner and wine will be served around 8:00pm. Owernight in Gaiole in Chianti.
Day 8 - April 26
	After the breakfast around 9:30 am we will go to Florence. The drive will take one hour. Sightseeing tour of Florence (take aprox/two hours). You will have the opportunity to have lunch in the local restaurant. The recommended restaurant is Ristorante e Trattoria La Madia. The restaurant "La Madia" was established in 1956 by the wish of some nobil florentine families's to create a simple and quiet meeting point where to discover the ancient tastings of dishes prepared with genuine and traditional ingredients. The service is provided by an excellent and qualified staff. We will be back in Gaiole in Chianti around 5:30pm. Dinner and wine will be served around 8:00pm. Owernight in Gaiole in Chianti.
Day 9 - April 27
	After the breakfast around 9:30am we will go to Banfi Estate-Montalcino. The drive will take one and half hour. We can take the opportunity to have a guided tour and wine tasting.Visitors are always welcome to the Castello Banfi estate in Montalcino, where a range of activities appeals to many interests. We will be back in Gaiole in Chianti around 7:00pm . Dinner and wine will be served around 9:00pm . Owernight in Gaiole in Chianti.
Day 10 - April 28
	After the breakfast all day free activates. You will have the opportunity to have lunch in the local restaurant in the town of Gaiole in Chianti. Dinner and overnight in Gaiole in Chianti.
Day 11 - April 29
	After the breakfast around 9:30am we will go to Rome . The drive will take two and half hours. You will have the opportunity to have lunch in the local restaurant. Opportunity for sightseeing tour. Dinner opportunities in the local restaurant in Rome. Overnight in Rome – Hotel Madison.
Day 12 - April 30
	After the breakfast we will go to the airport of Rome. Flight back home, from Rome to Toronto.
Price
	Price includes: Villa - Gaiole in Chianti ( Tuscany ) rental with breakfast for 7 day Two overnight with breakfast in Sulmona (Abruzzo) Hotel "Santacroce" One overnight with breakfast in Rome – Hotel Madison Seven (7) , three course, dinners with wine tasting in the Villa (Gaiole in Chianti) Two Abruzzo four course dinners with wine tasting in Sulmona – Restaurant "Clemente" Chef services for six days Sommelier services for six days Buss rental for eleven days with driver City sightseeing tours in: Sulmona, Florence and Siena (tickets are not included) Companion guide for four days in Tuscany Four language speaking escort guide, cook, 5 th level fine dinning server, for twelve days Price of overseas services is in Euro and is based on group of 20 people. Accommodation in Rome and Sulmona are in double bedrooms. Accommodation in Villa is in double bedrooms.