Current Itineraries (please scroll down):
Food Focus: Puglia
Wednesday, October 26 – Friday, November 4, 2022
Join tour host Lori Chisholm on this foodie and cultural adventure to the “heel of the boot” where orecchiette pasta and primitivo wine rule the food menu and trulli houses and expansive olive groves rule the landscape. The enchanting ‘white city’ of Ostuni will be our first home base and from there we’ll move to ‘Florence of the south’, the baroque city of Lecce. Matera, Locorotondo, Grottaglie, Martina Franca and Alberobello – all are on our agenda for their beauty, their architecture or their special cuisines. Walking and food tours, artisan visits, winery and farm visits, and a cooking class are all part of the package in this as yet under-touristed region of Italia. Max 11 guests.
Tour Cost - LAND ONLY $ 3745.00 CAD per person sharing twin accommodation
(add $145 CAD if paying by credit card)
Single supplement $ 445.00 CAD (sold out)
B = breakfast, L = lunch, T = tastings, D = dinner
PROPOSED ITINERARY (subject to change)
Day 1 – Wednesday, October 26 D
Check in to Ostuni’s beautiful, 4 star Hotel La Terra (http://www.laterrahotel.it/en/home-en) in time to freshen up before welcome cocktails followed by our first group dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Ostuni.
Day 2 – Thursday, October 27 - Ostuni B, T, L
This morning after breakfast, we’ll meet our local guide for a walking tour of Ostuni. Then, wine will become the focus for the afternoon as we enjoy a private tour and tasting at a local organic winery followed by a light lunch. Overnight Ostuni.
Day 3 – Friday, October 28 - Martina Franca and countryside B, T, L
This morning after breakfast, my friend Marco will escort us to a lovely masseria in the Martina Franca countryside. Renowned for their cheese production, they will teach us all we need to know (hands on!) about their specialty followed by some tasty appetizers. From the masseria we’ll head to the historic centre of Martina Franca for a brief tour and a coffee break. Overnight Ostuni.
Day 4 – Saturday, October 29 - Pezze di Greco and Alberobello B, L
An 18th century masseria will be our first destination after breakfast today as we are going to see both modern and traditional techniques for olive oil production. Of course, tasting the oil will be a highlight! Then, we’ll have a private lunch in an ancient delicatessen in Alberobello followed by a tour of this astonishing trulli community. Overnight Ostuni.
Day 5 – Sunday, October 30 - Ostuni and Locorotondo B, L
this region. We’ll lunch on what we’ve made with a little local wine, then head off for a tour/walkabout of Locorotondo, a lovely little town sitting high on the Valle D’Itria landscape. Overnight Ostuni.
Day 6 – Monday, October 31 - free day! B
It’s up to you how and where you spend the day. Local trains will get you up or down the coast to Monopoli or Polignano al Mare or Brindisi. The hotel spa may be an option and the terrace is a must. Shopping? Exploring? (Packing for tomorrow’s transfer to Lecce!) Overnight Ostuni.
Day 7 – Tuesday, November 1 - Lecce B, L, D
After breakfast and checkout, we’ll head south through the countryside to the gorgeous Baroque town Lecce stopping for a sensory wine tasting and light lunch on the way. We’ll check into the Suite Hotel Santa Chiara (https://www.santachiaralecce.it/) with its location just steps from the cathedral. Tonight, we’ll have a group dinner in a local trattoria. Overnight Lecce.
Day 8 – Wednesday, November 2 - Lecce B, L
Like so many cities in Italy, Lecce has its own particular food specialties. Later in the morning, we’ll sample a number of these today during a city walking tour with our local guide, Antonella. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening but get your bags packed for tomorrow! Overnight Lecce.
Day 9 – Thursday, November 3 - Grottaglie and Matera B, L, D
After breakfast and checkout, we head northwest a bit to Grottaglie, the Puglian centre for ceramics. We will observe some local artists (perhaps shop a wee bit!),enjoy a light lunch and move on to Matera in the province of Basilicata. Matera has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the 2019 European Capital of Culture. We’ll have a historical walking tour of the fascinating sassi, ancient cave dwellings still inhabited today. Then we’ll check in to our stunning cave hotel complete with its own winery (http://ilpalazzottomatera.it/) . I’ll leave you on your own to enjoy the hotel experience, then we’ll gather for a cocktail followed by our farewell dinner in a great ristorante. Overnight Matera.
Day 10 – Friday, November 4 – Bari B
After breakfast, our final transfer will be a quick trip to Bari, the capital of Puglia and a transportation hub. You can be dropped at the train station or the airport.
Tour Cost: Land only CAD $ 3745.00 per person Single supplement CAD $ 445.00 (Singles now sold out.)
Tour cost includes:
9 nights’ accommodation in 4 star, centrally-located hotels
9 breakfasts
Local city taxes
Welcome cocktail, farewell cocktail
Welcome dinner and farewell dinner, both with wine, water and coffee
Group dinner Lecce
7 lunches
winery visit with tour and tasting
3 farm/production visits with tours and/or tastings
Nonna cooking experience with lunch
5 city walking tours with local guides
1 food/city tour with local guide
All ground transportation by private coach/minivan from start (Ostuni) to end of tour (Bari)
Guide and driver gratuities
Dedicated tour leader throughout
Tour cost does not include:
Items of a personal nature
Air transportation and taxes
Ground transportation to Ostuni from airport or train station
Beverages with meals unless stated in the itinerary
Insurance – please call the Pauwels Travel office for information
Food Focus: Bologna
Sample Itinerary (subject to change)
Join foodie tour host Lori Chisholm on this ten-day adventure into Italy’s most iconic food region. Walking tours, a food tour, a cooking class and farm visits with tastings are balanced with other cultural experiences and lots of free time. We’ll stay in Bologna and Reggio Emilia and wander to Ravenna and Modena. Space is limited to 10 guests.
Please note, walking tours and farm visits range in time from 2 hours to 4 hours on cobbled streets and rough ground.
The tour starts at the hotel in Bologna on March 25. We are happy to make flight arrangements for you and encourage you to arrive early and/or stay on after the tour winds up.
Tour Cost – LAND ONLY - $3,460 CAD per person sharing twin accommodation ($3,325 if paying by cheque)
Single supplement $395
B = breakfast, L = lunch, T = tastings, D = dinner
Day 1 – Monday, March 25 – Bologna D
Arrival in Bologna. The capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, Bologna has a comprehensive food tradition and has one of the widest and most well-preserved medieval historical centres. We’ll meet at our 4-star boutique hotel ( www.art-hotel-commercianti.com/ ) in the historic centre, our home for six nights.
We’ll start our Emilia Romagna adventure with cocktails followed by dinner in a local trattoria.
Day 2 – Tuesday, March 26 – Bologna B
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll g orient ourselves with a historical walking tour of Bologna with a local guide. The rest of the day will be free to discover all the reasons this city is known as “La Dotta, La Grassa, and La Rossa” – the learned, the fat and the red.
Day 3 – Wednesday, March 27 – Bologna B L
Enjoy a light breakfast this morning as we will be heading out for a three-hour foodie tour with a renowned local, Andrea Chierici, who is the go-to Emilia Romagna guide for television productions around the world. He’ll teach us about the Bolognese food culture and introduce us to some of the classic specialties of the region. He will also have lots of great suggestions for dinner on your own tonight.
Day 4 – Thursday, March 28 – Ravenna B T
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll be off in our private coach for a day trip to Ravenna. It’s all about the mosaics here! We’ll meet our English-speaking local guide and visit various sites, monuments and churches. Lunch will be up to you and we’ll have a little free time before heading back towards Bologna.
On our way back, we’ll stop in the countryside to learn about the production of extra virgin olive oil. The olive grove lies in the Bologna hills, part of a splendid hill top residence dating back to the 18th century. At the end of the visit, we’ll have an opportunity to do some comparative tastings of extra virgin organic olive oil and two other extra virgin olive oils.
Day 5 – Friday, March 29 – Bologna B
Today is a free day. It is a short and inexpensive train ride to Venice, Verona or Florence. Alternatively, FICO Eataly, a foodie theme park, has just opened up outside Bologna city centre. So enormous is this park, they provide bicycles for you to visit all of the farmers and vendors! Another possibility is the long, uphill hike to Basilica San Luca – you walk under the porticoes the whole way to arrive at breathtaking views of the city and countryside. There is no shortage of activities to occupy yourselves with.
Day 6 – Saturday, March 30 – Bologna B L
Today after breakfast, we will attend a cooking class in the city centre. Andrea has arranged for a hands-on pasta lesson with some professional chefs. Naturally, we’ll be lunching on the food we ourselves have produced! Enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening wandering about this beautiful old city.
Day 7 – Sunday, March 31 – Maranello, Modena, Reggio Emilia B L T D
We are in for a busy day! After breakfast, we’ll check out of our Bologna hotel and transfer to Reggio Emilia. On the way, we absolutely must stop at Museo Ferrari in Maranello.
The museum visit will be followed by a group lunch at a local restaurant close to the museum.
After lunch, it’s on to Modena, “a masterpiece of human creative genius”. Think: balsamic vinegar and Giuseppe Verdi, Unesco Heritage Sites and the world’s greatest chef, Massimo Bottura. Here, we’ll have a private city tour with a local guide.
From Modena, we’ll make our way to Reggio Emilia, better known as “città del Tricolore”, Tricolour City, as the Italian flag - green, white and red – was designed here. We’ll be checking in to the four- star Hotel delle Notarie (http://www.albergonotarie.it/en/ ) an enchanting historical hotel located in the town centre, perfectly connected with the most important and interesting monuments of the city.
We’ll enjoy a group dinner tonight at a lovely restaurant which serves dishes exclusive to this area of the province.
Day 8 – Monday, April 1 – Parma countryside B L T
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we’ll be off on another busy day trip. First, we will appreciate the incredible amount of work and craftsmanship that goes into the production of each wheel of Parmagiano Reggiano as we visit a producer of the King of Cheeses and taste his masterpieces. We may even take part in the production process and of course, we will finish with yummy tastings of the cheese at its various ages.
We’ll have a group lunch highlighting all kinds of local products – ham, cheese, bread and the local wine that is designed to go with it all.
In the early afternoon, I have something a little different in store. We’ll be visiting a fascinating biodiversity farm to meet the farmers/scientists who have rejuvenated breeds of pigs and cows and species of olive trees and other indigenous plants.
Finally, on the way back, we’ll stop to discover a traditional balsamic vinegar and lambrusco producer. We’ll enjoy some tastings here before heading back to Reggio Emilia for a free evening.
Day 9 – Tuesday, April 2 – Reggio Emilia B D
Today, our guide will officially introduce us to Reggio Emilia with a private walking tour including visits to local artisans.
Lunch and the afternoon are up to you.
Tonight, we have a very special farewell dinner arranged in Reggio Emilia. Within walking distance of the hotel, our restaurant has an interesting back story and some of the most amazing Michelin-quality food you have ever indulged in!
Day 10 – Wednesday, April 3 – Reggio Emilia to Bologna B
Breakfast at our hotel and check-out for our early transfer to Bologna (train station or airport).
Enjoy your flight back to Canada or the rest of your journey through Italy!
Tour Cost: LAND ONLY $3460 if paying by credit card; $3325 if paying in full by cheque
Single Supplement $395
Tour cost includes:
9 nights’ accommodation in centrally-located, 4-star hotels
Breakfast daily
4 lunches; welcome dinner Bologna; group dinner in Reggio Emilia with wine; farewell dinner in Reggio Emilia with wine
Private cheese, oil, vinegar and wine tastings with visits as described in the itinerary
Private city tours in Bologna, Ravenna, Modena, Reggio Emilia + all associated admissions
Private food tour in Bologna
Private cooking class in Bologna with professional chefs
Ferrari museum, private biodiversity farm visit
All transportation by private coach from tour start to finish as per the itinerary
Driver and guide gratuities
*if purchasing air transportation through Pauwels, a 2-hour lounge pass for Toronto airport
Tour cost does not include:
Ground and air transportation from and to Toronto and transfers to the Bologna hotel
Items of a personal nature
Beverages with meals unless noted in the itinerary or above
Insurance – please contact Pauwels Travel for rates
Wednesday, October 26 – Friday, November 4, 2022
Join tour host Lori Chisholm on this foodie and cultural adventure to the “heel of the boot” where orecchiette pasta and primitivo wine rule the food menu and trulli houses and expansive olive groves rule the landscape. The enchanting ‘white city’ of Ostuni will be our first home base and from there we’ll move to ‘Florence of the south’, the baroque city of Lecce. Matera, Locorotondo, Grottaglie, Martina Franca and Alberobello – all are on our agenda for their beauty, their architecture or their special cuisines. Walking and food tours, artisan visits, winery and farm visits, and a cooking class are all part of the package in this as yet under-touristed region of Italia. Max 11 guests.
Tour Cost - LAND ONLY $ 3745.00 CAD per person sharing twin accommodation
(add $145 CAD if paying by credit card)
Single supplement $ 445.00 CAD (sold out)
B = breakfast, L = lunch, T = tastings, D = dinner
PROPOSED ITINERARY (subject to change)
Day 1 – Wednesday, October 26 D
Check in to Ostuni’s beautiful, 4 star Hotel La Terra (http://www.laterrahotel.it/en/home-en) in time to freshen up before welcome cocktails followed by our first group dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Ostuni.
Day 2 – Thursday, October 27 - Ostuni B, T, L
This morning after breakfast, we’ll meet our local guide for a walking tour of Ostuni. Then, wine will become the focus for the afternoon as we enjoy a private tour and tasting at a local organic winery followed by a light lunch. Overnight Ostuni.
Day 3 – Friday, October 28 - Martina Franca and countryside B, T, L
This morning after breakfast, my friend Marco will escort us to a lovely masseria in the Martina Franca countryside. Renowned for their cheese production, they will teach us all we need to know (hands on!) about their specialty followed by some tasty appetizers. From the masseria we’ll head to the historic centre of Martina Franca for a brief tour and a coffee break. Overnight Ostuni.
Day 4 – Saturday, October 29 - Pezze di Greco and Alberobello B, L
An 18th century masseria will be our first destination after breakfast today as we are going to see both modern and traditional techniques for olive oil production. Of course, tasting the oil will be a highlight! Then, we’ll have a private lunch in an ancient delicatessen in Alberobello followed by a tour of this astonishing trulli community. Overnight Ostuni.
Day 5 – Sunday, October 30 - Ostuni and Locorotondo B, L
this region. We’ll lunch on what we’ve made with a little local wine, then head off for a tour/walkabout of Locorotondo, a lovely little town sitting high on the Valle D’Itria landscape. Overnight Ostuni.
Day 6 – Monday, October 31 - free day! B
It’s up to you how and where you spend the day. Local trains will get you up or down the coast to Monopoli or Polignano al Mare or Brindisi. The hotel spa may be an option and the terrace is a must. Shopping? Exploring? (Packing for tomorrow’s transfer to Lecce!) Overnight Ostuni.
Day 7 – Tuesday, November 1 - Lecce B, L, D
After breakfast and checkout, we’ll head south through the countryside to the gorgeous Baroque town Lecce stopping for a sensory wine tasting and light lunch on the way. We’ll check into the Suite Hotel Santa Chiara (https://www.santachiaralecce.it/) with its location just steps from the cathedral. Tonight, we’ll have a group dinner in a local trattoria. Overnight Lecce.
Day 8 – Wednesday, November 2 - Lecce B, L
Like so many cities in Italy, Lecce has its own particular food specialties. Later in the morning, we’ll sample a number of these today during a city walking tour with our local guide, Antonella. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening but get your bags packed for tomorrow! Overnight Lecce.
Day 9 – Thursday, November 3 - Grottaglie and Matera B, L, D
After breakfast and checkout, we head northwest a bit to Grottaglie, the Puglian centre for ceramics. We will observe some local artists (perhaps shop a wee bit!),enjoy a light lunch and move on to Matera in the province of Basilicata. Matera has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the 2019 European Capital of Culture. We’ll have a historical walking tour of the fascinating sassi, ancient cave dwellings still inhabited today. Then we’ll check in to our stunning cave hotel complete with its own winery (http://ilpalazzottomatera.it/) . I’ll leave you on your own to enjoy the hotel experience, then we’ll gather for a cocktail followed by our farewell dinner in a great ristorante. Overnight Matera.
Day 10 – Friday, November 4 – Bari B
After breakfast, our final transfer will be a quick trip to Bari, the capital of Puglia and a transportation hub. You can be dropped at the train station or the airport.
Tour Cost: Land only CAD $ 3745.00 per person Single supplement CAD $ 445.00 (Singles now sold out.)
Tour cost includes:
9 nights’ accommodation in 4 star, centrally-located hotels
9 breakfasts
Local city taxes
Welcome cocktail, farewell cocktail
Welcome dinner and farewell dinner, both with wine, water and coffee
Group dinner Lecce
7 lunches
winery visit with tour and tasting
3 farm/production visits with tours and/or tastings
Nonna cooking experience with lunch
5 city walking tours with local guides
1 food/city tour with local guide
All ground transportation by private coach/minivan from start (Ostuni) to end of tour (Bari)
Guide and driver gratuities
Dedicated tour leader throughout
Tour cost does not include:
Items of a personal nature
Air transportation and taxes
Ground transportation to Ostuni from airport or train station
Beverages with meals unless stated in the itinerary
Insurance – please call the Pauwels Travel office for information
Food Focus: Bologna
Sample Itinerary (subject to change)
Join foodie tour host Lori Chisholm on this ten-day adventure into Italy’s most iconic food region. Walking tours, a food tour, a cooking class and farm visits with tastings are balanced with other cultural experiences and lots of free time. We’ll stay in Bologna and Reggio Emilia and wander to Ravenna and Modena. Space is limited to 10 guests.
Please note, walking tours and farm visits range in time from 2 hours to 4 hours on cobbled streets and rough ground.
The tour starts at the hotel in Bologna on March 25. We are happy to make flight arrangements for you and encourage you to arrive early and/or stay on after the tour winds up.
Tour Cost – LAND ONLY - $3,460 CAD per person sharing twin accommodation ($3,325 if paying by cheque)
Single supplement $395
B = breakfast, L = lunch, T = tastings, D = dinner
Day 1 – Monday, March 25 – Bologna D
Arrival in Bologna. The capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, Bologna has a comprehensive food tradition and has one of the widest and most well-preserved medieval historical centres. We’ll meet at our 4-star boutique hotel ( www.art-hotel-commercianti.com/ ) in the historic centre, our home for six nights.
We’ll start our Emilia Romagna adventure with cocktails followed by dinner in a local trattoria.
Day 2 – Tuesday, March 26 – Bologna B
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll g orient ourselves with a historical walking tour of Bologna with a local guide. The rest of the day will be free to discover all the reasons this city is known as “La Dotta, La Grassa, and La Rossa” – the learned, the fat and the red.
Day 3 – Wednesday, March 27 – Bologna B L
Enjoy a light breakfast this morning as we will be heading out for a three-hour foodie tour with a renowned local, Andrea Chierici, who is the go-to Emilia Romagna guide for television productions around the world. He’ll teach us about the Bolognese food culture and introduce us to some of the classic specialties of the region. He will also have lots of great suggestions for dinner on your own tonight.
Day 4 – Thursday, March 28 – Ravenna B T
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll be off in our private coach for a day trip to Ravenna. It’s all about the mosaics here! We’ll meet our English-speaking local guide and visit various sites, monuments and churches. Lunch will be up to you and we’ll have a little free time before heading back towards Bologna.
On our way back, we’ll stop in the countryside to learn about the production of extra virgin olive oil. The olive grove lies in the Bologna hills, part of a splendid hill top residence dating back to the 18th century. At the end of the visit, we’ll have an opportunity to do some comparative tastings of extra virgin organic olive oil and two other extra virgin olive oils.
Day 5 – Friday, March 29 – Bologna B
Today is a free day. It is a short and inexpensive train ride to Venice, Verona or Florence. Alternatively, FICO Eataly, a foodie theme park, has just opened up outside Bologna city centre. So enormous is this park, they provide bicycles for you to visit all of the farmers and vendors! Another possibility is the long, uphill hike to Basilica San Luca – you walk under the porticoes the whole way to arrive at breathtaking views of the city and countryside. There is no shortage of activities to occupy yourselves with.
Day 6 – Saturday, March 30 – Bologna B L
Today after breakfast, we will attend a cooking class in the city centre. Andrea has arranged for a hands-on pasta lesson with some professional chefs. Naturally, we’ll be lunching on the food we ourselves have produced! Enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening wandering about this beautiful old city.
Day 7 – Sunday, March 31 – Maranello, Modena, Reggio Emilia B L T D
We are in for a busy day! After breakfast, we’ll check out of our Bologna hotel and transfer to Reggio Emilia. On the way, we absolutely must stop at Museo Ferrari in Maranello.
The museum visit will be followed by a group lunch at a local restaurant close to the museum.
After lunch, it’s on to Modena, “a masterpiece of human creative genius”. Think: balsamic vinegar and Giuseppe Verdi, Unesco Heritage Sites and the world’s greatest chef, Massimo Bottura. Here, we’ll have a private city tour with a local guide.
From Modena, we’ll make our way to Reggio Emilia, better known as “città del Tricolore”, Tricolour City, as the Italian flag - green, white and red – was designed here. We’ll be checking in to the four- star Hotel delle Notarie (http://www.albergonotarie.it/en/ ) an enchanting historical hotel located in the town centre, perfectly connected with the most important and interesting monuments of the city.
We’ll enjoy a group dinner tonight at a lovely restaurant which serves dishes exclusive to this area of the province.
Day 8 – Monday, April 1 – Parma countryside B L T
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we’ll be off on another busy day trip. First, we will appreciate the incredible amount of work and craftsmanship that goes into the production of each wheel of Parmagiano Reggiano as we visit a producer of the King of Cheeses and taste his masterpieces. We may even take part in the production process and of course, we will finish with yummy tastings of the cheese at its various ages.
We’ll have a group lunch highlighting all kinds of local products – ham, cheese, bread and the local wine that is designed to go with it all.
In the early afternoon, I have something a little different in store. We’ll be visiting a fascinating biodiversity farm to meet the farmers/scientists who have rejuvenated breeds of pigs and cows and species of olive trees and other indigenous plants.
Finally, on the way back, we’ll stop to discover a traditional balsamic vinegar and lambrusco producer. We’ll enjoy some tastings here before heading back to Reggio Emilia for a free evening.
Day 9 – Tuesday, April 2 – Reggio Emilia B D
Today, our guide will officially introduce us to Reggio Emilia with a private walking tour including visits to local artisans.
Lunch and the afternoon are up to you.
Tonight, we have a very special farewell dinner arranged in Reggio Emilia. Within walking distance of the hotel, our restaurant has an interesting back story and some of the most amazing Michelin-quality food you have ever indulged in!
Day 10 – Wednesday, April 3 – Reggio Emilia to Bologna B
Breakfast at our hotel and check-out for our early transfer to Bologna (train station or airport).
Enjoy your flight back to Canada or the rest of your journey through Italy!
Tour Cost: LAND ONLY $3460 if paying by credit card; $3325 if paying in full by cheque
Single Supplement $395
Tour cost includes:
9 nights’ accommodation in centrally-located, 4-star hotels
Breakfast daily
4 lunches; welcome dinner Bologna; group dinner in Reggio Emilia with wine; farewell dinner in Reggio Emilia with wine
Private cheese, oil, vinegar and wine tastings with visits as described in the itinerary
Private city tours in Bologna, Ravenna, Modena, Reggio Emilia + all associated admissions
Private food tour in Bologna
Private cooking class in Bologna with professional chefs
Ferrari museum, private biodiversity farm visit
All transportation by private coach from tour start to finish as per the itinerary
Driver and guide gratuities
*if purchasing air transportation through Pauwels, a 2-hour lounge pass for Toronto airport
Tour cost does not include:
Ground and air transportation from and to Toronto and transfers to the Bologna hotel
Items of a personal nature
Beverages with meals unless noted in the itinerary or above
Insurance – please contact Pauwels Travel for rates
Food Focus: Florence
- Sample Itinerary
Proposed itinerary – subject to change
Day 1:
Evening flight to Amsterdam with KLM. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.
Day 2: D
Morning arrival in Amsterdam where there will be a brief delay before boarding our connecting flight to Florence. Transfer by taxi to our very comfortable, 3*Hotel Corona d’Italia (www.hotelcoronaditalia.com), centrally located at the corner of the famous San Lorenzo Market. Time to settle in, freshen up and begin our exploration of this beautiful city. We’ll meet later for cocktails before we stroll to our first Italian meal in a nearby family-owned trattoria.
Day 3: B
After breakfast, our expert local guide Alessandra will take us on a personal orientation walking tour of Florence. We’ll learn about Brunelleschi’s magnificent cathedral dome and Ghiberti’s Baptistry doors. After lunch on our own, we’ll re-group for a guided tour of the Accademia where we’ll marvel at Michaelangelo’s Prisoners and his greatest masterpiece, the colossal David. Finally, we’ll visit the Church of Santa Croce where we’ll hear the intriguing stories of the tombs of Michaelangelo, Macchiavelli and Galileo. The balance of the day is free for exploring. (Alessandra may change the order of the visits.)
Day 4: B, L
This morning after a leisurely but necessarily light breakfast, we join my good friend Antoinette of Taste Florence ( www.tasteflorence.com ) for our personal food tour through the city. During the tour we will try local regional specialities including wine and sweets. We will visit the Mercato Centrale to taste cheeses, sauces, chutneys and crostini; enjoy a tutorial tasting of balsamic vinegar and olive oils and participate in a wine tasting at a local enoteca. Naturally, we must finish up with dessert, so the tour will end at a gelateria for gelato and chocolate - fresh, natural ingredients only, here! The rest of the day is free to do as you please.
Day 5: B, L
Today our driver will pick us up at the hotel in a comfortable, 16-passenger vehicle for our trip to Certaldo. There we will spend the morning with Giuseppina at her renowned cooking school. We’ll prepare a 4-course meal and enjoy it along with wine, and leave with a souvenir apron. We’ll continue on to San Gimignano whose skyline is dominated by a multitude of medieval towers and its shops filled with art, artifacts and local products. We’ll wander, perhaps climb the torre for some breathtaking views, and enjoy some of Italy’s best gelato. Our return to the hotel by 6:00 p.m. will allow us time for dinner (if we still have room!).
Day 6: B
This morning after breakfast, we’ll devote our time to the wondrous Renaissance art of the Uffizi Gallery. The finest collection of Italian paintings anywhere includes masterpieces by DaVinci, Botticelli and Michaelangelo. Take as much time as you like, enjoy lunch on your own, and continue your exploration of the churches, galleries and markets of Florence.
Day 7: B, L
Eat a light breakfast today because we have lots of locally-produced delicacies ahead of us! Once again, our driver will be picking us up, this time for a day trip to the Tuscan countryside south and west of Florence. We’ll start with a visit to a family-run cheese farm where we’ll have the opportunity to meet some farmers with a very interesting history. We’ll enjoy a vineyard walk, a tour of the dairy and cellar and then a lunch with wine, cheese, salumi, breads and olive oil. From one farm to another: it’s time to learn about olive oil from the people who harvest the olives and process them in the time-honoured way. At Tenuta San Vito, an organic agriturismo, we’ll taste their extra virgin olive oil as well as their family-produced wines. We should be home by 4:00.
Day 8: B
After breakfast, we will have the day to tour, visit, re-visit, explore and, of course, shop for souvenirs. There are lots of options: a day trip to Pisa, Bologna, Venice or Siena? ( we are 5 minutes from the train station!)...the Bargello Gallery?…the Pitti palace? …a climb up the Duomo?...a wander through the Oltrarno district…?
Day 9: B, D
After breakfast, you will have most of the day free but we will gather at 4:00 to be picked up in our Mercedes for dinner in Panzano in Chianti. On the way, we’ll stop in the lovely little town of Greve in Chianti. Upon arrival in this town, we’ll stroll and take an aperitivo in a local enoteca. Off to a further aperitivo at the Macelleria Cecchini, home of Dario Cecchini, the world’s most famous - and infamous! - butcher. Upstairs, we will enjoy one of the most exciting meals in all of Italy: a five-course dinner, prepared in front of us, featuring bistecca alla Fiorentina, fresh bread, and unlimited Chianti. (vegetarian option available) We’ll be home late but we can sleep in in the morning…
Day 10: B, D
We will have the morning and afternoon free to continue exploring Florence, and to revisit our favourite shops and cafés. At our farewell dinner, we’ll celebrate our fabulous week in a typical Tuscan ristorante, enjoying our last chance at true, home-cooked Italian.
Day 11: B
Morning transfer by taxi to the Florence Airport for our return to Toronto via Paris.
Welcome Home!
Tour Price includes:
- Sample Itinerary
Proposed itinerary – subject to change
Day 1:
Evening flight to Amsterdam with KLM. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.
Day 2: D
Morning arrival in Amsterdam where there will be a brief delay before boarding our connecting flight to Florence. Transfer by taxi to our very comfortable, 3*Hotel Corona d’Italia (www.hotelcoronaditalia.com), centrally located at the corner of the famous San Lorenzo Market. Time to settle in, freshen up and begin our exploration of this beautiful city. We’ll meet later for cocktails before we stroll to our first Italian meal in a nearby family-owned trattoria.
Day 3: B
After breakfast, our expert local guide Alessandra will take us on a personal orientation walking tour of Florence. We’ll learn about Brunelleschi’s magnificent cathedral dome and Ghiberti’s Baptistry doors. After lunch on our own, we’ll re-group for a guided tour of the Accademia where we’ll marvel at Michaelangelo’s Prisoners and his greatest masterpiece, the colossal David. Finally, we’ll visit the Church of Santa Croce where we’ll hear the intriguing stories of the tombs of Michaelangelo, Macchiavelli and Galileo. The balance of the day is free for exploring. (Alessandra may change the order of the visits.)
Day 4: B, L
This morning after a leisurely but necessarily light breakfast, we join my good friend Antoinette of Taste Florence ( www.tasteflorence.com ) for our personal food tour through the city. During the tour we will try local regional specialities including wine and sweets. We will visit the Mercato Centrale to taste cheeses, sauces, chutneys and crostini; enjoy a tutorial tasting of balsamic vinegar and olive oils and participate in a wine tasting at a local enoteca. Naturally, we must finish up with dessert, so the tour will end at a gelateria for gelato and chocolate - fresh, natural ingredients only, here! The rest of the day is free to do as you please.
Day 5: B, L
Today our driver will pick us up at the hotel in a comfortable, 16-passenger vehicle for our trip to Certaldo. There we will spend the morning with Giuseppina at her renowned cooking school. We’ll prepare a 4-course meal and enjoy it along with wine, and leave with a souvenir apron. We’ll continue on to San Gimignano whose skyline is dominated by a multitude of medieval towers and its shops filled with art, artifacts and local products. We’ll wander, perhaps climb the torre for some breathtaking views, and enjoy some of Italy’s best gelato. Our return to the hotel by 6:00 p.m. will allow us time for dinner (if we still have room!).
Day 6: B
This morning after breakfast, we’ll devote our time to the wondrous Renaissance art of the Uffizi Gallery. The finest collection of Italian paintings anywhere includes masterpieces by DaVinci, Botticelli and Michaelangelo. Take as much time as you like, enjoy lunch on your own, and continue your exploration of the churches, galleries and markets of Florence.
Day 7: B, L
Eat a light breakfast today because we have lots of locally-produced delicacies ahead of us! Once again, our driver will be picking us up, this time for a day trip to the Tuscan countryside south and west of Florence. We’ll start with a visit to a family-run cheese farm where we’ll have the opportunity to meet some farmers with a very interesting history. We’ll enjoy a vineyard walk, a tour of the dairy and cellar and then a lunch with wine, cheese, salumi, breads and olive oil. From one farm to another: it’s time to learn about olive oil from the people who harvest the olives and process them in the time-honoured way. At Tenuta San Vito, an organic agriturismo, we’ll taste their extra virgin olive oil as well as their family-produced wines. We should be home by 4:00.
Day 8: B
After breakfast, we will have the day to tour, visit, re-visit, explore and, of course, shop for souvenirs. There are lots of options: a day trip to Pisa, Bologna, Venice or Siena? ( we are 5 minutes from the train station!)...the Bargello Gallery?…the Pitti palace? …a climb up the Duomo?...a wander through the Oltrarno district…?
Day 9: B, D
After breakfast, you will have most of the day free but we will gather at 4:00 to be picked up in our Mercedes for dinner in Panzano in Chianti. On the way, we’ll stop in the lovely little town of Greve in Chianti. Upon arrival in this town, we’ll stroll and take an aperitivo in a local enoteca. Off to a further aperitivo at the Macelleria Cecchini, home of Dario Cecchini, the world’s most famous - and infamous! - butcher. Upstairs, we will enjoy one of the most exciting meals in all of Italy: a five-course dinner, prepared in front of us, featuring bistecca alla Fiorentina, fresh bread, and unlimited Chianti. (vegetarian option available) We’ll be home late but we can sleep in in the morning…
Day 10: B, D
We will have the morning and afternoon free to continue exploring Florence, and to revisit our favourite shops and cafés. At our farewell dinner, we’ll celebrate our fabulous week in a typical Tuscan ristorante, enjoying our last chance at true, home-cooked Italian.
Day 11: B
Morning transfer by taxi to the Florence Airport for our return to Toronto via Paris.
Welcome Home!
Tour Price includes:
- return air transportation with KLM/Air France
- all transfers and transportation as per the itinerary
- 9 nights’ accommodation in a superior tourist-class 3-star hotel, based on double occupancy
(single supplement $465.00); wifi included - daily breakfast (9)
- 6 meals as per the itinerary including welcome dinner, Panzano dinner featuring bistecca alla fiorentina, and farewell dinner
- welcome aperitivo, Greve aperitivo
- 5 activities exclusive to our group of 11:
› private historical walking tour with expert guide + whisper headsets
› private food tour (walking) with expert guide + substantial tastings
› day trip for private cooking class with lunch and wine, and visit to San Gimignano with gelato
› private day trip to the Tuscan countryside with farm visits/tours, lunch
and tastings
› late afternoon/evening excursion to Chianti region - admissions to:
Accademia Gallery
Uffizi Gallery
Santa Croce
San Gimignano Tower - driver and guide gratuities
***2-hour lounge pass at Toronto airport if you sign on 90 days in advance
- transfers to & from Toronto International airport
- beverages with meals
- expenses of a personal nature
- insurance – please contact Pauwels Travel for rates