Scrapbooking, Sightseeing, Cooking & Shopping
Package Includes
Round-trip airfare from the United States, all air taxes, first-class
hotel accommodations, private motor coach and driver the entire time,
meals & sightseeing, private tour guides, scrapbooking classes,
cooking class with an Italian Grandpa, wine tasting and personally
escorted by ScrapMap founder, Jim West!
Trip Itinerary
Saturday, May 24th
Hilly landscapes, great Italian cuisine, a Tuscany cooking class,
authentic Tuscan wineries, fantastic shopping, stunning architecture,
scrapbooking classes with Donna Downey and the world's greatest
collection of art all await you on this 10-day Scrapbooking Tour in
Tuscany. We will travel roads that are off-the-beaten path, enjoy
leisurely-paced walking tours, participate in a Tuscan Cooking class,
visit magnificent historical sites, enjoy two separate wineries and
learn more what kinds of wines they produce. Our adventure begins with
an overnight flight from NEW YORK CITY. Onboard the plane, dinner will
be served. D
Sunday, May 25th
This morning our plane will make a stop and then continue onto TUSCANY.
A breakfast snack will be served onboard the plane. Upon arrival, we
will be met by our bus driver who will take us to our awaiting
motorcoach. We will drive to our first-class hotel, the Tuscany Inn,
located in the heart of the charming resort town of MONTECATINI TERME.
This will be our home for the entire time, so we'll only unpack our
suitcases one time. Once we settle in and unpack, we will take a
leisurely stroll through the streets of the town, and learn what makes
this place one of the most attractive resort spa towns in all of Italy.
Once we get settled in, Jim will provide a leisurely walking tour of
the town. Tonight we will enjoy a "welcome dinner" at our hotel.
Following dinner, a brief orientation will take place at the hotel. B, D
Monday, May 26th
Today, following breakfast, we will drive through the picturesque hills
of Tuscany to the hillside town of SAN GIMIGNANO, which is famous for
its ceramics and leather goods. Here we can shop and enjoy the views of
the Tuscany Valley below. We will return to our hotel in the early
afternoon where we will meet with Donna for our first scrapbooking
class. The remainder of the evening on your own. B
Tuesday, May 27th
This morning, after a hearty breakfast, we will travel to the
historical town of SIENA, where we will meet our local expert guide who
will take us on a leisurely walking tour through the narrow streets,
learning more about the history and seeing extraordinary architecture.
We will arrive at the Piazza del Campo, site of the biannual Palio,
Siena's spectacular medieval-style horse race. This race is so popular,
that the horses actually walk into the church with the rider and are
blessed inside the church! There will be plenty of time to shop and
stroll through the inviting streets on your own, as well as have an
opportunity to enjoy lunch in any of the charming outdoor cafes. We
will leave Siena in the middle of the afternoon and return back to our
hotel. The remainder of the evening is on your own. We will have the
cropping room open for you to use at your leisure. B
Wednesday, May 28th
This morning, following breakfast, we will visit the charming town of
GREVE. We will have an opportunity to shop in some of the charming
stores before we board our motorcoach and drive to the Verrazzano
Castle in the Chianti Region. Here we will enjoy an afternoon wine
tasting and learn more about how they produce their famous Chianti
Classico wines. We will have a late lunch at the winery and return back
to our hotel in the early part of the evening. B, L
Thursday, May 29th
Today, following an early breakfast, we will journey to the "Cradle of
the Italian Renaissance," the beautiful city of FLORENCE. A local
expert guide will meet our group and enlighten us with many highlights
of the city's priceless treasures, We will view the Piazza del Duomo,
the center of religious life in medieval Florence, and see the
impressive Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Baptistery, where
we will view the masterfully crafted bronze doors. We will also see the
magnificent outside walls of the Church of Santa Croce, burial place of
Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. We make our way from piazza to
piazza, and pass special boutique shops that will beckon us to step
inside. Once we decide on a meeting place and time, you will have an
opportunity to enjoy Florence at your leisure. You may opt to go to one
of the famous art museums, or shop for jewelry on the Ponte Vecchio. Or
you just might browse the dozens of stalls at the San Lorenzo leather
market. Whatever you decide to do, Florence will be a delightful
experience for you. We will drive back at our hotel in the late
afternoon. Dinner will be at our hotel, followed by another class with
Donna. B, D
Friday, May 30th
Today is a day of leisure. You may opt to get a massage, shop in one of
the special boutique shops or visit Montecatini Alto, a small town
located just above Montecatini Terme For those who are interested, an
"optional" tour to the IL POGGIO Winery is available, where we will
enjoy a unique opportunity to participate in an authentic Tuscan
Cooking class taught by one of the local Italian grandpas. We'll learn
how to prepare homemade pasta, different sauces and even the typical
Italian drink, limoncello. We'll also have an opportunity to learn more
about the five local wines that are produced at this winery, which will
be followed by a great lunch. We will return back to our hotel where
the remainder of the evening is free for you to enjoy at your leisure.
Cost of this cooking class, wine tasting and meal is 65Euro per person
and must be paid in advance. B
Saturday, May 31st
Today, following breakfast, we will take a drive to the beach town of
VIAREGGIO. We will spend and hour or so here before driving to the
small town of RIOMAGGORIE, the first of three CINQUE TERRE towns we
will visit. Following this, we will board a train and stop in VERNNAZA
and then MONTEROSSO. This will be a fantastic photo opportunity, so
don't forget your cameras! We will return back to our hotel later in
the afternoon. B
Sunday, June 1st
This morning, following breakfast, Donna will again enlighten us with
her final class. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy at your
leisure. An optional tour to the town of PISA is available in the
afternoon at 20 Euro per person. Tonight we will all dine at the
beautiful Villa Pasquini, high above the town, where we will share
laughs, conversation and good cheer as we recall all the events of our
exciting Scrapbooking Adventure in Tuscany. B, D
Monday, June 2nd
This morning we will pack our luggage and depart for the Florence
Airport for our flight back to NEW YORK CITY. A lunch and snack will be
served onboard the plane on flight back home. B, L
Space is limited to 40 people and on a first
come-first served basis. Insurance is available upon request. We can
arrange a hotel in New York City for you to stay in a day before we
leave for Italy. Please let us know if you are interested in this at
the time of your deposit.
Gratuities of 45 Euro per person are not included with the pricing and
will be collected on the second day of the tour, in addition to a copy
of your passport. Gratuities pay for our local guides, bus driver,
waiters at our restaurants and maid service.Itinerary and pricing are subject to change. Some
restrictions apply. Space is limited and on a first-come first-served
basis. Please read our Terms and Conditions before placing deposit. Prices are per person based on double occupancy.
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