ERICK'S GUIDED TOUR OF ITALY

            Dear loyal Erick's customer,

            As you know, Erick's is your best one-stop shopping destination for extra virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegars, gourmet and gluten-free foods, chocolates, exotic craft beers, gift items, glassware and cigars, as well as the High Country's best cheeses and wines in all price ranges from all around the globe (including even the Ukraine). Want to go on a trip to Italy? Now, Erick's can be your one-stop shopping destination for a trip to Italy in 2013 because we're doing all the work for you.

            At our last wine class on Italian wines, we were asked to organize a trip to Italy that would involve the requisite sightseeing and lots of winery visits, so we've started the planning process. Here's the conceptual itinerary: depart the U.S. Tuesday, September 3 and arrive Venice September 4, where the group will gather and the tour will begin. We'll spend two days in Venice and then head for Verona on Friday, September 6 in a chartered van. From there we'll visit an Amarone producer in Valpolicella, tour the old city and Lake Garda and have the opportunity to attend the operas Rigoletto and, naturally, Romeo et Juliet at the old coliseum. Then it's on to Cortona, our base for four nights, from which we'll make day trips to Florence for sightseeing, Montalcino for a Brunello tasting and winery tour, Siena for a city tour and a cooking class and other towns for exploring and visits to Chianti wine and olive oil producers. Then, we'll head off to Rome, and along the way, we'll visit Orvieto, Civita and an Umbrian winery. We'll have 2 days in Rome and depart for the U.S. Sunday morning, September 15.

            Those with a few more days on their hands and a desire to visit Barolo and Barbaresco will board a high-speed train to the Piemonte for winery tours and a departure from Milan Wednesday morning, September 17. Opera buffs can catch an opera at Teatro alla Scala the night before departure.

            Because we will be coming from different places and have varying options for flying on frequent flyer miles, and because everyone may inexplicably not be opera fans, we will not schedule or include air transportation or opera tickets; however, we will schedule and include most meals, in-country transportation, hotel accommodations, guided tours and five winery visits.  

            We're aiming at a group size of not less than 15 and no more than 20 persons.   Now, we need at least an approximate head count so we can develop cost data and start making tentative reservations.   If you are interested in this trip, please let us know as soon as possible so we can send you updates as we refine the details and develop the cost of the trip. Via email to clarence_manning@bellsouth.net.

            Ciao