Welcome Folks! Come Enjoy 12 days in September 2010, in the villages & cities of Florence, Val d'Orcia & Venice, Italy. This very carefully crafted journey will make you feel spoiled all along the way. This is an itinerary that brings wine tasting, plein air sketching, cooking a traditional Italian lunch, horseback riding, shopping, sight seeing and soaking in warm natural spring waters all in the most gorgeous locals in Italy.
We will be adding new articles periodically to this page. Pleas come back to see what's new!!
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The traveler who happens to pass along the Tuscan roads of Italy, coming from either the north or the south, discovers a landscape such that even the most unaware and distracted wayfarer cannot fail to understand that he/she has reached an enchanted place ... a destination that is also perhaps unconsciously sought after and dreamed of for all of their lives. "A Journey through the Val d'Orcia" (the Valley of the Orcia River) |
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On this tour, in Italy will be spent in the heart of Tuscany and the Florentine countryside. It is an essential yet perfectly stunning landscape. Made up of soft rolling green hills, winding riverbeds and cypress trees that crown hilltops in perfect isolation and creating zig-zag roads through the countryside in the Val d'Orcia. You will want to bring your camera and if you would like to express yourself artistically, you can request an art material list and join a few of the tour participants in sketching and watercolor painting your "on location" experiences on this pristine and carefully crafted itinerary through Italy. |
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Roberta Kritzia will guide you through her "Art on the Go" approach to travel sketching. Artists of all levels are welcome. (You don't have to be an artist ... to give it a try). "Horse people" will join me exploring the Val d'Orcia through two horseback rides with carefully researched and competent Italian guides and their stable of horses. It will be an opportunity to ride through the back roads of Tuscany and see the castles and vineyards of the Val d'Orcia.
Join US!
This itinerary is 3, yes, three years in the making with lots of great surprises along the way to celebrate our 25 years of small group travel to Italy. Andiamo!!!
- Roberta Kritzia
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After dinner Roberta Kritzia will conduct a short orientation walk in our neighborhood very near the Ponte Vecchio. By the way, vegetarians will be accommodated at all of our meals.Words fall short in describing the unique city of Florence known as "il magnifico" city of Michelangelo's sculpture "The David", Florentine gold jewelry and leather goods galore.
Join us on this unforgettable tour, a $300 deposit will hold your space. |
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Chef Andrea has asked us to mention to everyone on the tour that he will be designing a special menu for our welcome to Florence party which will include a Prosecco toast to the group.The view from the intimate dining patio of our hotel has a Renaissance panorama of Florence that can not be duplicated and it is truly a Kodak moment.You will need to pinch yourself as you swoon into your chair and admire the historical center view from this spectacular vantage point. |
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While in Florence we will want to certainly taste the very best gelato in all of "Firenze" and that is at Vivoli's in the heart of the Santa Croce quarter of the city.
A dinner party is being arranged at a Napolitani Ristorante that will surely make you feel as though you have stepped into a charming village in Naples, complete with live tenors singing opera. This is a rare find and just a few minutes walk from our historical hotel in the center of Florence along the Arno river. Another one of those "Off the Beaten Tract" experiences with Personalized Travel.
Send in a $300 deposit to hold your space and don't forget to: "Carpe Diem" Seize the Day. We also have an easy payment plan!
XXX, Sunnie |
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In addition to riding... Did we mention our visit, let's say, "pilgrimage" to literally stand directly in front of Michelangelo's DAVID? (without the leaf!) :) It's one of those moments that you will want to pinch yourself and say ... "Am I really and truly here viewing this monument of the Renaissance"? Some observers of this white Carara marble sculpture of David have been known to even feel a sense of "swooning" in its presence.
Our guides, Henry and Roberta, will make the pre reservations for our group to enter the Academia where David is beautifully displayed so that you will not need to stand in the long lines that are generally expected. "We will go ahead of the crowds". That's what our tours are all about ... personalized service and attention to details for each participant on our trips. |
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Andiamo, let's go to Italia in September, 2010
Wait till I describe one of my favorite activities. "Drinking coffee"
And especially Italian cafe ... Espresso, as it is the foundation of all Italian coffees. Then Cappuccino, is usually served at breakfast and is made with frothed milk. Moving right along ... Caffe Latte is simply a mixture of espresso and steamed milk served in a tall glass. How about a Caffe Machiato? That is espresso colored with just a dash of foamed milk. Caffe Freddo is iced espresso ... and now to everyone's favorite ... Caffe Corretto: Literally, this means "corrected coffee," which is the genteel way of asking for espresso laced with brandy, grappa, whiskey, or some other liquor.
OK, now a $300 deposit will hold your space to come along with us.
PS Next time I will speak about the FABULOUS wine tasting that we will do together in Tuscany.
Ciao ragazze, (kids) Roberta |
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"8" for the "Tour of Dreams" to Italy with Sunnie Rose. Call (480) 907-7436 if you have any questions about this incredible "Once in a Lifetime" itinerary to Venice, Florence & the Val d' Orcia Spa Area of Tuscany. Wine tasting in S. Quirico and Montalcino. Cooking class in Florence and yes and dee ... dee 3 horseback rides scheduled in this 12 day itinerary with Sunnie Rose. We will also be including a 3 day vaporetto pass in Venice.
"Carpe Diem"
(seize the day) |
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One of the first records of "Brunello" was a red wine that was made in the Montalcino area in the early 14th century. The Brunello di Montalcino was awarded the first Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) designation and today is one of Italy's best known red wines of Tuscany.
The very best wine bar in Montalcino is in the Enoteca Fortezza. It is a Fortress overlooking the charming Medieval hill town of Montalcino. You need to go into the fortress keep, then to the main stone tower and in this characteristic 13th century cantina Mario will be ready to present your wine tasting. The inviting tables are waiting for you to slowly savor the Brunello & Rosso di Montalcino. You can climb a tower and wander around the fortress battlements. What a spectacular view of the rolling hills and vineyards in Tuscany.
Join us by sending in your $300 tour deposit for this "once in a lifetime itinerary" call (480) 907-7436 if you have any questions or would like us to mail out a brochure for the trip. 2010 is our 25th anniversary year in conducting "off the beaten track trips to Italy" so there will be lots of celebrating during our trip in September, 2010. |
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Perched on a hill overlooking the Arno valley, Fiesole gives the traveler a breezy location from which to admire the city of Florence in all of its Renaissance splendor.
The ancient Etruscans knew a good spot when they saw one and chose to settle here establishing Fiesole about 400 years before the Romans founded Florence.
We will spend a good part of the day exploring Fiesole's archeological site of the theater built in the 1st century B.C., and the "Museo Civico" with its well displayed Roman-Etruscan artifacts. There is also a small museum with a "smashing" selection of ceramics by Della Robbia, pottery from the 1400's.
Lunch will be at one of the charming ristorantes on the main Piazza Mina da Fiesole. There is a unique little shop selling hand-made leather goods for the office and home that you will want to see.
Fiesole promises to be a delightful visit with a spectacular panorama of Florence ... "Il Magnifico"
Don't forget! April's Special! $500.00 off your tour package price if you recruit 2 travel participants!!!! |
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