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Arno River from Ponte Vecchio
Mercato Nuovo
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Joe & Sara's villa in Fiesole
Palazzo Vecchio
Sally with daugter and granddaughter at Caffe Giglio Piazza della Republica
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Sally with granddaughter, Lucia, at a market
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Duomo Santa Maria della Fiore
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Piazza della Signoria
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Dining al fresco at one of many lovely cafes
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Carousel at Piazza Republica
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Santa Croce & the Neptune Fountain
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"The trip exceeded my expectations. I had no idea we would see so much, do so much, cook so much, and laugh so much." - Cathy D.
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Sally Maraventano Presents her 53rd Tour of Italy: A Florentine Adventure
October 18-25, 2008
For the past fifteen years I have led over fifty culinary tours to various regions of Italy. Each experience has had a flavor of its own, highlighting
the warm and friendly people of each province and its glorious foods and wines. In all of this time I always dreamt of designing a program in the city of Florence, where I studied Italian language
and culture as a college student.
Jewel of the Renaissance, rich in the art works of Michelangelo, Rafaello, Brunelleschi, Leonardo da Vinci, Ghiberti, Della Robbia, Botticelli, Fra
Angelico and so many other masters, Firenze delights the eye and excites the palette.
With the help of Rolando Beramendi, a friend and colleague of fifteen years, a native Florentine, wine expert and "foodie" extraordinaire, I have created an itinerary offering the best of the city and the countryside. I hope that you will join us in experiencing an extraordinary week of culinary and cultural delights.
Our home for the week will be the lovely and renowned Hotel Helvetia & Bristol, a member of CHARMING, located steps from the
Piazza della Republica and the Duomo. From this gracious hotel, you can walk to any of the extraordinary museums, churches, markets, The Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria and
restaurants the city offers. Each day promises a lavish breakfast and outstanding culinary events.
- Sunday Evening - Meet in the bar of the hotel and walk together to a local trattoria for a relaxing welcome dinner.
- Monday - Rolando Beramendi leads a walking tour of the city of Firenze including its famous outdoor markets.
Late afternoon, a hands-on cooking class at the Helvetia & Bristol Hotel with Chef Enzo Petté; aperitif and dinner in the elegant dining room.
- Tuesday - Excursion to Castello di Nipozzano, the vineyards and winery of the renowned Frescobaldi family. After a tour of the
cellars a sumptuous multi-course luncheon accompanied, of course, by their excellent wines and superb extra-virgin olive oil, Laudemio. Free for dinner.
- Wednesday - Free day for walking the city, visiting the Duomo, museums and galleries, the Uffizi, the Accademia or shopping on
the fashionable Via Tournabuoni. Don't forget the Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens! Private lesson and dinner at Da Cammillo, one of Firenze's oldest trattoria, closed this
night to the public and reserved for our group.
- Thursday - A day of fabulous wine and food in Carmignano, the picturesque countryside west of Firenze. A visit first to
Tenuta di Capezzana, a family owned and well recognized winery known for its extra-virgin olive oil and quality wines. A cooking class at Da Delfina, a famous restaurant in Artimino
with owner, Chef Carlo Cioni is the highlight of the day! The luncheon following in the dining room of the rustic farmhouse will feature a traditional Tuscan menu with vegetables from Carlo's organic garden. Free for dinner.
- Friday - Our last day to take in the sights of Florence, to shop in the designer boutiques and to enjoy an espresso or cappuccino in the historic
Piazza della Signoria. For those who would like to visit Fiesole, I will take you up to this charming town, high above Firenze where our son Joe, his wife Sara and our granddaughters Abbie and
Lucia live. We will visit the Etruscan and Roman Ruins and museum and then have a leisurely lunch at a local trattoria. Our Farewell Dinner, back in Firenze is at
Fuor d`Aqua, a superb restaurant known for its bounty of "just caught fish"!
I have limited participants to 14 including my husband and me. This is the perfect number for a tour where we travel as a family. Please note: The order
of our itinerary may change and many other surprises will be included. Land cost for our week in Firenze is $4850 including all VAT taxes. Tipping of hotel staff is at your discretion.
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