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Home , Perugia

2014 | Food & Wine Tour A Taste of &

10-day tour includes

• Round-trip air transportation with a major airline and airport transfers

• The services of your bilingual Tour Director

• A professional local guide in , and Perugia

• 8 nights accommodations in well-located hotels, including baggage handling

• Buffet breakfast daily; 3 lunches; 4 three-course dinners, including wine or beer; 3 wine tastings

• Private deluxe motor coach

• Personal audio headset and entrance The fresh flavor of ’s world-renowned cuisine warrants a trip all on its own. fees to select sites

Guided Sightseeing Day 1: Flight to Italy Included meals: breakfast, dinner Day 3: Florence Your trip begins with a regularly scheduled over- Included entrances: Church of Santa Croce, Tuscan Day 6: Siena night flight to Florence aboard an internationally cooking class Day 8: Perugia recognized airline. Day 4: Free Day in Florence Featured Food Day 2: Arrival in Italy Bask in a free day to explore the And Wine Events Welcome to Italy! A Go Ahead representative wel- City on your own. Browse the shops of the Ponte Day 2: Welcome dinner in Florence comes you at the airport and escorts you to your Vecchio or simply people-watch as you sample Day 3: Private Tuscan cooking class, hotel. The rest of the day is free for strolling along some tasty gelato. Or, opt to join an excursion to including dinner the cobbled streets and stone bridges of Flor- the walled city of Lucca and Colle Verde, a rural Day 5: Wine tasting in San Gimignano, ence or just relaxing in your hotel. This evening, farm where olive oil is pressed. Tonight, join an Local dinner in Siena become acquainted with your fellow travelers as optional dinner at a historic trattoria-style restau- Day 6: Brunello wine tasting in well as the region’s famed cuisine at this evening’s rant in the heart of Florence’s . Montalcino welcome dinner. Included meal: breakfast Day 7: Traditional Umbrian Dinner Included meals: breakfast (in flight), dinner Day 9: Wine tasting, Farewell dinner Day 5: San Gimignano and in Day 3: Florence Sightseeing Tuscan Wine Tasting And Tuscan Cooking Class En route to the enchanting city of Siena, stop in Tour Highlight San Gimignano, “the city of beautiful towers.” Take Discover the timeless city of Florence, birthplace Brunello wine tasting on Day 6—Brunello of opera and the . Today’s guided in views of the scenery before continuing to a local translates to “small dark one” and is truly tour introduces you to the city’s Renaissance relics. wine tasting, where you’ll have the opportunity to one of Italy’s most special (and expensive) Marvel at Brunelleschi’s masterpiece—Florence’s sample some of the region’s fine wines. Arrive in wines. It’s a wine that ages well. In fact massive pink, white and green Duomo. Then, en- Siena for this evening’s included dinner. many need 10 years before they are ready ter the church of Santa Croce, where the tombs of Included meals: breakfast, dinner to be enjoyed. Galileo and Michelangelo and the Dante Memorial Included entrance: Tuscan wine tasting are displayed. This evening, learn to make cuisine the Italian way at a private Tuscan cooking class. Day 6: Siena and Brunello Wine Tasting Then, enjoy the freshly prepared meal with your This morning, travel through vineyards and olive fellow chefs. groves to the hilltop town of Montalcino, famous

goaheadtours.com 1-800-438-7672 goaheadtours.ca TOT14 USF0413 Sample Italian vintages at the source. Delve into the rich history and unforgettable scenery of these breathtaking regions.

for its Brunello di Montalcino wine. Enjoy the op- Priori, the gorgeous medieval palace dating back Post-Tour Extension portunity to taste this local treasure and an in- to 1298, and the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. Enjoy cluded light lunch. Follow a local guide on this a free afternoon wandering along the stately Cor- Rome afternoon’s tour of Siena, longtime rival of nearby so Vannucci, an avenue reserved for pedestrians, 2 nights Florence. Visit Siena’s Romanesque Duomo, which to visit some of the cafes and shops. You might houses major works of art by Donatello and Nicola also wish to visit the Duomo, with its elaborately Day 10: Start the day with a guided tour of Impe- Pisano, along with the famous Piccolomini Library. carved choir stalls, or the renowned Archaeologi- rial Rome, where a local guide will show you around Walk along medieval streets to the Piazza del Cam- cal Museum. Or, join an optional excursion to the Piazza Venezia, the Forum and the Colosseum. With po. Each summer, daredevils race horses bareback beautiful , a pilgrimage site and home to the the rest of the day to explore on your own, you around this main piazza during the famed Palio. church of St. Francis, and the lesser-known but might linger over a sumptuous meal at a sidewalk Included meals: breakfast, light lunch equally picturesque . cafe in Piazza Navona. Included entrances: Brunello wine tasting, Siena Included meal: breakfast Included meal: breakfast Cathedral, Piccolomini Library Included entrance: Colosseum Day 9: Orvieto & Rome Day 7: Cortona and Perugia Journey across Umbrian valleys en route to Rome. Day 11: Spend another day at your leisure in Continue your travels across Tuscan landscape to Stop along the way in Orvieto, which you’ll reach Rome or take an optional tour of Vatican City, with reach , the historic location of the via funicular, for a wine tasting followed by a light visits to the Vatican Museum, St. Peter’s Basilica battle between Hannibal and the Romans. After a lunch. Arrive in Rome, the Eternal City, in time for and the Sistine Chapel. Tonight, enjoy a festive lunch of Umbria specialties, transfer to the hillside this evening’s farewell dinner. evening at our optional Dinner with Tenors. town of Cortona, where there will be time to mean- Included meals: breakfast, light lunch, dinner Included meal: breakfast der through the steep, narrow streets and look for Included entrances: Funicular ride, Orvieto wine tasting the remains of the original city wall, before a visit Day 12: A Go Ahead representative accompanies to the Museum of the Etruscan Academy of Cor- Day 10: Departure you to the airport for your return flight home. tona, home to an impressive collection of Etruscan Linger in Rome for two nights on our tour exten- Included meal: breakfast artifacts. Cross from Tuscany into Umbrian and ar- sion. Otherwise, a Go Ahead representative accom- (In the case of early morning departures, breakfast rive in Perugia by nightfall. panies you to the airport for your flight home. may not be included.) Included meals: breakfast, lunch Included meal: breakfast Included entrance: Museum of the Etruscan Academy (In the case of early morning departures, breakfast Extension is available on select departure dates, may not be included.) and space is limited. Please call early to hold Day 8: Perugia sightseeing your spot. Extension also requires a minimum of A local guide introduces you to the vibrant streets 10 travelers. and landmarks of Perugia, the medieval town sym- bolized by the Etruscan Arch. See the Palazzo dei

goaheadtours.com 1-800-438-7672 goaheadtours.ca Overnights Florence ITALY 3 Florence

San Gimignano 2 Siena Siena 2 Perugia Cortona Perugia Montalcino 1 Rome

Orvieto

Rome

Travel Pace: 2 Climate

Travel pace levels are based on criteria such The following guide provides the average as length of tour, number of cities visited, temperatures for a sampling of the regions number of included activities, as well as on your itinerary. length of flights and land transfers. Jan 35˚–51˚F / 2˚–11˚C 1 - leisurely 3 - active Feb 37˚–54˚F / 3˚–12˚C 2 - comfortable 4 - challenging Mar 41˚–59˚F / 5˚–15˚C Apr 46˚–66˚F / 8˚–19˚C May 52˚–74˚F / 11˚–23˚C June 58˚–81˚F / 14˚–27˚C Walking on Tour July–Aug 63˚–88˚F / 17˚–31˚C This tour calls for a low-to-medium amount Sep 58˚–80˚F / 14˚–27˚C of walking. Sightseeing is primarily conduct- Oct 50˚–70˚F / 10˚–21˚C ed via bus. However, you’ll find that many of Nov 42˚–59˚F / 6˚–15˚C the cities on tour are easily explored on Dec 36˚–51˚F / 2˚–11˚C foot.

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goaheadtours.com 1-800-438-7672 goaheadtours.ca Pre-departure information for your tour

Passport and Visa Requirements Cuisine Electricity In order to enter Italy, U.S. and Canadian citizens This tour is specifically designed to highlight the Italy operates on the European standard 220 volts. need a valid passport. The expiration date must celebrated cuisine of the Italian countryside. Never- extend at least six months beyond the date of your theless, the itinerary also allows for plenty of free Time Zones return home. No visa is required for U.S. or Cana- time for you to explore the Italian fare on your own. Italy is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time dian citizens. If you are not a U.S. or Canadian Be sure to try those less familiar pasta sauces and (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Standard citizen, you must contact the Italian consulate for the vast range of cured hams, cheeses, rustic Time (EST). When it is noon in New York, it’s 6 p.m. your specific entry requirements. breads and desserts. Tuscany is known for its wine, in Florence. oil, sauces and pasta, favoring subtle, lighter pas- Airport and Departure Taxes tas and desserts (mostly cookies and breads) made Currency All airport and departure taxes for this tour are with nuts, fruit and honey. For authentic meals, try The euro is the currency you’ll be using on your included in the total trip cost printed on your in- local trattorias, small restaurants often with only a tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available voice. couple of open tables and hand-printed menus. in Italy, although it’s worth ordering some currency tend to indulge in long, often boisterous from your local bank to use when you first arrive. Baggage Allowance meals featuring wines and the occasional beer, fol- We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards Airlines have varying weight restrictions on lug- lowed by the requisite after-dinner drinks, grappa and credit cards, which can be used to access cash gage. Some airlines may impose additional charg- or limoncello. at local banks, as needed. You can use most debit/ es if you choose to check any baggage. Please credit cards at ATMs on the international networks contact your airline or refer to its website for de- Arrival & Transportation Information Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your tailed information regarding your airline’s checked Round-trip flights arrive in Florence and depart home bank about withdrawal fees. We suggest in- baggage policies. Bear in mind that your luggage from Rome. When you first arrive at the airport in forming your bank and credit card company of your will probably weigh more on your return trip due Italy, a Go Ahead representative will meet you after travel plans, so they don’t confuse your interna- to souvenir shopping. We allow only one suitcase clearing customs. Please remain in the arrival tional purchases for fraudulent charges. per person. One carry-on bag is also permitted, lounge, as the representative might be escorting provided that it does not exceed 45 inches (length one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time Tipping + width + height). There may be times when you of your arrival. At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to will have to handle your own bags, and you’ll find offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We that lightweight luggage provides a distinct advan- All other included transportation on this tour is by recommend tipping in your tour country’s currency, tage. Make sure you label your baggage and carry private motor coach. In your free time, you may the equivalent of $3USD/CAD per person per day valuables, medication and documents in your wish to explore the major cities of Florence and for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/CAD per carry-on luggage. Rome by public transportation. Florence is split up person per day for your Tour Director. If applicable, into two separate sections by the Arno River, with we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD/CAD Clothing and Packing Tips most of the attractions spread out around the per local guide. Tips can only be paid in cash. To ensure you’re comfortable while out exploring, Duomo. The city is walkable, although frequent lo- Please keep current local currency exchange rates we recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting cal buses are also available. in mind when tipping. clothing that can be easily layered. For sightsee- ing, we suggest bringing a sturdy pair of walking Museums in Florence Purchasing Optional Excursions on Tour shoes or sneakers, as well as a lightweight sports Steeped in culture and history, the museums of If you have not yet purchased your optional excur- jacket or rainwear. If you’re planning a visit to a Florence are popular attractions that you might sions, you may be able to do so while on your high-end restaurant or performance, you may also consider visiting during your free time in the city. tour. Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in want to bring dressier attire. Also, please remem- However, Go Ahead recommends that you make USD only), Visa, MasterCard or American Express ber that it’s preferable to avoid showing bare legs reservations two months in advance if you would as payment for optional excursions. Please be ad- or shoulders during visits to churches or other reli- like to visit any of the museums in Florence, par- vised that if you pay for an excursion by credit gious sites (entrance may be denied on this basis). ticularly the Uffizi or the Accademia. For more in- card while on tour, it may take up to three months formation about the museums, go to www.polo- for your card to be charged. Some optional excur- Health museale.firenze.it/english/musei. sions may only be purchased in advance. See the There are no major health risks associated with separate “Optional Excursions” sheet for more in- traveling to Italy. Travelers should be in reasonable Recommended times to visit are 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. formation. health to take our scheduled walks, although we on Day 2, or after 4 p.m. on Day 4 if you are join- will make every effort to accommodate those who ing the Lucca & Colle Verde excursion. Please note International travel is, by its very nature, unpredict- chose to stay behind. Be sure to check with your that the museums are closed on Monday. able. We must therefore reserve the right to change doctor or local health care provider for the latest this itinerary without advanced notice to meet with updates and personal travel requirements. local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to the current catalog for terms & conditions, dates and prices.

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goaheadtours.com 1-800-438-7672 goaheadtours.ca