Montepulciano Wine and Food Weekend

Date: Oct 12-Oct 14 (2 nights) Activity: Cooking, some town walking (1-2 hours), some gentle countryside walking (1-2 hours); anyone who can walk 1-2 hours over cobblestones or gentle countryside will enjoy this. Difficulty: Easy (level 1)

Enjoy 2 nights in a historic villa on site at a winery which produces one of the most famous wines of the world (Vino Nobile di Montepulciano). Delve into the intricacies of traditional Tuscan cooking with a celebrated Italian chef. Visit two of Tuscany’s most iconic medieval wine towns, Cortona and Montepulciano. Stroll through vineyards, enjoying the views, on your way to yet another gourmet meal with world renown wines.

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Participants: 4-8

Includes: • 2 nights lodging in historic “palazzo” at a winery. Some rooms have shared bathrooms and there are no individual rooms available. • 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners with local wine • Bilingual tour leader • Transfer from Chiusi-Chianciano Terme train station • transfer to Montecatini Terme at tour end • guided city tour of Cortona • cooking school and lunch with celebrated Italian chef • wine tasting and visit of Montepulciano winery with owner

Excludes: Airfare or train to Chiusi Chianciano Terme train station or Montecatini Terme; personal expenses; drinks other than what is included in the meals; tips or gratuities; any activity that is not specified in this itinerary.

www.cycleeurope.com Questions? Contact us at: [email protected] Price: Tour start from Chiusi Extra night in Montecatini Terme (Oct Chianciano Terme Train 11) and transfer to Chiusi Chianciano station Oct 12—11:00 am Oct 12 at 8:00 am if you are in Montecatini Shared double, per person 220 euro +100 euro per person Cancellation Policy: full payment is due 60 days before the trip. If cancellation happens within 29 – 0 days before trip start no refunds will be given.

About Cycle Europe: Family owned and operated by sisters - Monica and Maria Elena Malpezzi Price, and Monica’s husband, Michele Boglioni - Cycle Europe’s primary mission is to help others slow down and experience the world through active travel. Cycle Europe is a tour operator based in Tuscany and Emilia Romagna. Beyond offering self-guided bicycle tours, Cycle Europe outfits groups with bike tour equipment as well as providing other services (including non-cycling trip support) such as: itinerary management, ground operations, and guiding services.

Detailed Itinerary: Optional: Oct 11: for those arriving independently in Montecatini, we will book a hotel for you. Please confirm you will be arriving in Montecatini as soon as you know your travel plans.

Oct 12: From Montecatini: 8:00 am departure (approximately 2 hour transfer to meeting point) Meeting Point: 11 am: Meet at the Chiusi Chianciano train station From Florence Train Station: 1.45 hrs direct train From Rome Train Station: 1.40 hrs direct train From Pisa Train Station: 3 hrs with one change in Florence We have a 45-minute transfer to our destination. Our villa for the next two nights is nestled on a wine estate and has just recently been opened as lodging. We’ll have lunch and for those who want to stretch their legs we’ll have an optional walk this afternoon (1 – 2 hrs). Meals: L, D

Oct 13: We’ll put in the work this morning to shop, prepare and cook our main meal of the day as we learn about local traditional dishes with the resident Italian chef. This afternoon we’ll transfer to Cortona and have a guided walk of the city made famous by Frances Mayes’ book “Under The Tuscan Sun.” Meals: B, L, D

Oct 14: We get a different take on some traditional dishes with a cooking demonstration and a wine tasting at the neighboring restaurant La Dogana. After lunch we’ll transfer to the town of Montepulciano for a short walk before getting back to Montecatini in time to settle in for the evening. Meals: B, L

Packing List – this is to inform you on what clothes to bring for this tour. • Passport (required: check it now for expiration) • Insurance information - health and travel information including policy numbers and phone numbers.

General Tips for Clothing & Shoes: October is shoulder season and rain is always a possibility and days and evenings can be cool. Therefore, lightweight, fast drying clothes are best, as are clothes you can layer.

Clothes: • 1-2 pair casual, comfortable pants and/or skirts • 1-2 wash and wear shirts • 1-2 pair shorts or capris (depending upon season of travel) • 1 light to medium weight long-sleeve/fleece top for layering • undergarments • hat (scrunchable) • Water-resistant wind breaker/shell

Footwear: (Do not bring new shoes, break them in now.) • Comfortable sandals or casual shoes, your tour may involve walking on cobbles. • If you use only one all-purpose shoe, then bring a second pair of sandals or shoes to give your feet a rest, or in case one pair of shoes get wet.

Other personal items as you would normally on any other trip such as cosmetics and toiletries that you may need.

www.cycleeurope.com Questions? Contact us at: [email protected]