TRAVEL TIPS from your host Coleen Kirnan

It’s always a good idea to print and carry We hope this information will help answer your complete itinerary with the destina- any questions you may have. If not, feel tion being I Castagni with the address below. Keep a copy in your suitcase as free to email me anytime: well. I Castagni Via Coppoli 11/13/15 [email protected] 54049 Torrita di (SI) Telephone numbers: +44 77 92 59 90 08 Coleen's personal cell phone number +39 33 32 26 45 29 Email: [email protected] 1 (310) 613-1477 Take a tour of I Castagni: http://www.tuscanwomencook.com/ the-setting-2/ Transportation Suggestions

TRAIN in from Rome or . Take the train to , the closest train station to us. Complete information on the train system in Italy can be found at www.trenitalia.com Outside the Chiusi station, you will find taxis to bring you to our village of Montefollonico. Taxi rates to will run about €70 one way and may be more on Sundays. Be sure to ask you driver about fares before your depart and be prepared to pay your fare in cash. Not all drivers take credit cards. PRIVATE CAR You can also arrange for a private car and driver to pick you up at the airport or your hotel at an additional cost. Our bus driver during the week is potentially available for hire. His name is Fabio and his contact information is: [email protected] Please contact Fabio directly as we do not know his daily schedule. Our other driver contacts are Ilario, email: [email protected] and Paolo, email: [email protected] RENTAL CAR While it is not necessary to have a rental car during the week here in , it does make arrival and departure very easy. For those who choose to have a rental car, we usually recommend Auto Europe – a large USA-based consolidator which offers excellent pricing and selection - www.autoeurope.com Welcome to Paradise Check-in to I Castagni is on Sunday – if you need early check-in, you can contact the hotel: [email protected] Check-out is Saturday – again if you need extra time that day, the hotel always does their best to accommodate our guests. Should you desire extra nights before or after the class week, just contact the hotel. We will be at the hotel around 6:30 pm Sunday to check on everyone and have a quick meet and greet (with Prosecco of course!). Our dinner is scheduled at a delightful restaurant in our village at 8:00 pm. For an idea of the week’s activities, please view this page of our website – www.tuscanwomencook.com/weekly-culinary-programs/ Being Italy, things can change from time to time because of holidays, festivals, availability of seasonal products, etc. but we try and stay as close to the schedule as possible. Friday evening’s seven course celebratory dinner is the last actual event of the week. Saturday morning you can sleep in and depart at your leisure.

Packing Tips The most important thing to remember is that we are a hilltop village. Please pack good, comfortable walking shoes as we will often be walking on cobblestones in Tuscan villages (and you may have enjoyed a glass of wine or three with your meal). On our day trip to Siena, there are beautiful sights to see and you will not want to be hindered by uncomfortable shoes. Many of the beautiful buildings are quite old, with poorly lit thresholds. Having a small umbrella is helpful. Rain is generally imminent, but does pass through quickly. Having a small flashlight is helpful, too. Please bring bug spray if you are prone to getting bitten. You can buy it here, but it’s quite expensive. And, of course, a camera or phone for pictures. If you wear prescription glasses, please bring an extra pair. A small roll of duct tape comes in very handy. It’s every traveler’s best friend; to repair a broken suitcase, a shoe or use as an emergency giant band aid. Clothespins come in handy to hang hand-washables and to clamp hotel curtains shut. Plastic straws are a great way to keep your packed necklaces from tangling. Unclasp each necklace, slip one end through a straw and resecure the clasp through the other end. TSA won’t permit pointy scissors but small, blunt-nosed scissors, like the ones designed for preschoolers will come in handy for quick snips. Other miscellaneous things you may want to pack in your carry-on for your flight per ourTWC guests who work for The Travel Channel: eye mask , ear plugs, Ziploc baggies, pen and paper, envelope (for receipts), antibacterial wipes, sewing kit, nail file and diarrhea medicine.

COUNTDOWN TO PARADISE - Check out this invaluable travel planning link: https://www.businessinsider.com/summer-travel-checklist-2018-7 Money Cash / Credit Cards - Get cash in or for the outdoor market in Siena on Wednesday. ATM machines are your best source of Euros and normally give a very good rate of exchange. Credit cards are readily acceptable in most all shops and restaurants. It is a good idea to telephone your bank and/or credit card company and inform them that you will be in Italy. U.S. dollars and other foreign currencies are rarely accepted by any merchants here, and even banks do not like to make exchanges. Traveler’s checks are very difficult and expensive to cash – even banks do not like to handle them. We do NOT recommend traveler’s checks. And, no one seems to want American dollars so keep your cash to a minimum.

Plan to dress in layers. TuscanMontefollonico is typically Weather mid 70s to mid 80s (21C to 26C) during the days in spring. The evenings have an average temperature of mid 50s to mid 60s (13C to 17C) . During the fall, the average daily temperatures are mid 60s to mid 70s (17C to 22C) during the day and low 50s to high 50s (11C to 14C) at night.

Your Wardrobe Dress for the week is casual. We do not have a dress code per se, but you will want a sweater, wrap or jacket for the evenings as the weather cools down. Your own personal style is fine by us and good, comfortable shoes are really the most important item in your suitcase. Many seasoned travelers will bring clothes that they are about to discard, leave the clothes behind (which we donate), replacing them with clothing purchased on the trip. Once you’ve packed your suitcase, remove We are absolutely delighted to spend this 50% of what you have packed (aside from week in paradise with you. We want your our recommendations). You will never use trip, like the trips of so many before you, to be the trip of a lifetime; these memories it all and you will want the extra space for are priceless and will be shared for years to the things you buy in your travels. We all come. know Italian clothing, shoes, handbags reign We truly admire your adventurous spirit, love among the best in the world. of gastronomy and willingness to immerse yourself in the authentic, Tuscan lifestyle with Happy shopping! its rich and timeless treasures. Thank you for saying YES! Travel Suggestions

Put a copy of your itinerary in every piece of luggage you check and be sure to carry on a simple change of clothes, ALL medications, and whatever jewelry you choose to bring. Do the same thing for your return flight to the U.S., as luggage gets lost going home too.The airlines tell us if the owner’s information is readily available when they open the bag, it has a far better chance of finding its owner.

We always recommend travel insurance; it’s just a good idea.

Put your cell phone number on your luggage tag for the airlines to easily communicate with you.

Bring color copies of your passport and pack it in a different location than your actual passport.

Please bring us a copy of two emergency contacts, and your doctor’s information, especially if you see one regularly.

Another good idea is to put your credit card numbers and the issuers number in your phone dis- guised as a contact – i.e., “Aunt Susie” and put the number in as a phone number or address. In case it gets lost, you have it with you.

At the airport home from Italy, do not say you were at a “farm” if asked. The airport officials will send you to a separate area in the airport checking shoes and clothing for soil & insects.

Here’s an invaluable link for travelers: www.travelandleisure.com/articles/travel-tips-preflight-checklist

Laundry & Personal Services

Wash cloths are not really used in parts of Italy. Please bring one or two washcloths or facial wipes if you need them. Regarding laundry: If you are on an extended trip, it is best to have your laundry needs addressed in one of the metropolitan cities you may be visiting. You can also pack a small liquid laundry soap and a portable hanging line that attaches to the bathroom wall via a suction cup.

Haircut, wash or a blow dry are available in a local resident’s home in the neighborhood on Rotelli Street, near our hotel. Driving Instructions Directions to Montefollonico from the Rome Airport: As you leave the airport, you will see signs for Roma in green. Take this road in the direc- tion of Roma. After about 10 minutes, you will see a green sign to Firenze (Florence) – take this turn. You’ll then be on a loop that circles Roma and at this point, you’ll be going in a Northerly direction. Continue on this loop for about 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic.

The exit for Firenze is Exit #10. As you pass Exit #7, stay in the right hand lane, as Exits #8, 9 and 10 all exit this highway at exactly the same place, and you don’t want to miss Exit #10.

At this point, you will be going due North in the Direction of Firenze. In about 10-15 minutes, you will enter the Autostrade A-1 – all Autostrade signs are Dark Green.

Exit at the Valdichiana / exit – its about 200-km from where you started at the Roma Airport - about 2 hours or a little less.

When you leave the toll both at the Valdichiana exit, continue 3/4 around the traffic circle and immediately you will be in the town of Bettolle. Continue through Bettolle in the direc- tion of . Instead of looking for highway signs with numbers, simply follow the signs that give you the names of the towns in the direction you want to go. Torrita di Siena will be about 5-6 kilometers ahead - you’ll see some open country and some businesses along this road.

As you go through Torrita di Siena, you will come to the “traffic light” (it’s the only one in this part of Tuscany – and it’s usually not turned on). “Veer” to the right at the traffic light – DON’T go left to Montepulciano. About 2 km beyond the traffic light, you’ll see the signs bearing left to Pienza and / or Montefollonico. If you miss this turn, you’ll wind up in Sinalun- ga and that’s the wrong direction.

If you are going in the correct direction, you will be going South. The next 8-10 kilometers you’ll be in the open country. It’s absolutely spectacular here. You’ll be on a winding switch back road going up a high hill with beautiful scenery and (often) sheep in the pastures.

Tuscan Women Cook guests stay in the heart of Montefollonico at I Castagni. I Castagni’s address: Via Coppoli 11/13/15 Montefollonico 54049 Torrita di Siena (SI) Italy If you need assistance, please call Coleen (310-613-1477) or Rhonda (818-438-2346) and we will guide you to the propertry. Food & Wine

This is Tuscany and there are a few things to remember: The food is scrumptious and extremely plentiful. Breakfast is not a highlight, very European. If you need some eggs and bacon we can arrange it for you. Both lunch and dinner consist of four courses: appetizers, pasta (sometimes 2), meat (sometimes 2) vegetables and dessert. Our hosts are not offended if you cannot eat it all, but do sample it all. Vegetarians and vegans, we will take care of you, too. If you are a lover of the grape, buy and send some home. Not only will the local wineries be grate- ful (grapeful?) but upon returning home from Paradise you will likely want to host a dinner, prepar- ing the delicious food you have learned to make. Serving wines from your trip is a truly exceptional gift from you as the host, especially the Super Tuscans and the Vin Santo dessert wines. Both are award-winning wines. General Suggestions

Please be prompt. We want everyone to enjoy the daily schedule and waiting for guests throws off the day. If you choose not to join us one morning, just let us know as soon as possible. This is your vacation and if you want to skip a planned event, we understand, just let us know. Please remember to take notes in the recipe books we will provide you. As much as you think you may remember, we are packing a lot of information in a relatively small amount of time. You will be happy to look back at your notes when you have returned home from Paradise.

Some great historical and historical fiction reads are “War in the Val d’ Orcia: An Italian War Diary, 1943-1944” and “A Chill in the Air” by Iris Origo, “Shepherdess of Siena: A Novel of Renaissance Tuscany” by Linda Lafferty and “Beneath a Scarlet Sky: A Novel” by Mark Sullivan. If you need to mail something, the staff at I Castagni are happy to provide packing and postage. If you have motion sickness, make sure to sit at the front of the bus. The roads can be a little winding, so if you suffer from motion sickness, please bring your Dramamine or your preferred medication. Our drives are not long, but we do not want you to suffer.

Adaptors – It’s best to just buy a cheap one in Montefollonico. Some that work in Florence or Rome may not work in Paradise.

We both love to walk, hike and run so feel free to come along anytime. We don’t keep it on the schedule, but if you’d like some exercise, we would love you to join us.

We can’t wait to share our favorite Tuscan sights, tastes and memory-making moments with you! Communications Keep expectations low on internet connections and enjoy your unplugged self. You can definitely get logged in at I Castagni and get your work done. Keep in mind the thick, stone walls used to keep enemies out now keep internet spotty. A true vacation indeed! Remember to call your cell carrier to get on an international plan for the duration of your stay. WhatsApp and Viber are great apps to have to communicate with people at home. WhatsApp is the more widely used cell app.

Before and/or After TWC

Should you be arriving at the Rome FCO airport, here is a helpful website. It offers detailed information and maps, including how to find the car rental desks and how to take the trains from the airport - www.slowtrav.com/italy/planning/rome_airport.htm . We hope you’ll have time for more Italian adventures either before or after your week with Tuscan Women Cook. If you are headed to Rome or Florence, we have found www.througheternity.com and www.Detour.com have fantastic, guided walking tours. There is so much to see (and taste!) in both cities. Here are a few more links to help you make the most of every minute:

Headed to Rome? Should your day begin at the Vatican or with a coin toss into the Trevi Fountain? Here’s a helpful guide to help you decide: www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-rome Headed to Florence? Anxious to see Michelangelo’s David, nab tickets for the Uffizi or purchase a precious gem on the Ponte Vecchio? Read this first: www.timeout.com/london/travel/20-amazing-things-to-do-in-florence

Please let us know if you need any additional suggestions for Italian travel. Our guests often share favorite hotels, restaurants and guides that enhanced their travels through Italy. We are happy to help in every way to make your Italian adventures truly memorable.