October 13-26, 2008

The Tastes of Tuscany Tour is designed to give you an in-depth experience of all the best of this delightful region. Our lovely hotel in Florence will serve as  your base--so you can unpack once and really settle in. From the time you arrive, you can relax and enjoy yourself, knowing you are in expert hands.

You will explore Tuscan art, history, cuisine, and culture from earliest Roman times in charming Fiesole, medieval Siena and San Gimignano, and of course, the jewel of the Renaissance, Florence, and its nearby ancient rival, Pisa.

And, you'll understand what you're seeing thanks to our evening talk when Paula will provide fascinating background information and prepare you for the next day's adventures. Of course, we will always be right there with you to answer questions and point out treasures.

We are pleased to announce that this tour includes two days of cooking classes at a beautiful villa outside of Florence. The classes are conducted in English by an Italian chef. You'll learn to prepare traditional Tuscan specialties in these hands-on classes, suitable for all levels of cooks. Then, you'll enjoy the fruits of your labor with wine from the estate's own vineyards.

You will also savor the tastes of regional specialties and local wines in the authentic restaurants and trattorias we've carefully chosen. Take a look at Meals on the Tour. Unlike most tours, you can order what you like off the menu--no pre-cooked "tourist special" spaghetti platters for you!

If you like to shop, we know all the best shops for everything from handmade Tuscan crafts (including leather, ceramics,and fine paper goods) to gifts and souvenirs in all price ranges.

Highlights of the tour include:

*Michelangelo's David

*Secret Shopping Tour

*Uffizi Museum

*Boboli Gardens

*Day trips to Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano & Fiesole

Read over the itinerary and other information below. If you have any questions  email us at: info@timeofyourlifetours.net and be sure to include your phone number if you'd like us to call.

If you're ready to join the tour, print the Sign-Up Form , fill it in, and send it to us with your $1000 deposit to reserve your space. We've had lots of interest in this tour, so please don't delay and risk disappointment! NOTE: Space is limited to 8 women.

  The Tastes of Tuscany: October 13 - 26, 2008

Day Zero - October 12th - This is your travel day. To arrive in Florence on October 13th, most flights will leave on Sunday, October 12th. The two closest airports are Florence and Pisa.(For more information about arranging your flights, please see Frequently Asked Questions)

Day One - Arrive in Florence where we'll be waiting to greet you at our art-filled hotel. Unpack and relax; this is your home during for the tour. We'll gather on the hotel's rooftop terrace for an orientation talk and a glass of wine before heading out for a gala "welcome to Florence" dinner.

Day Two - You'll really get oriented this morning when you take a leisurely three-hour walking tour of Florence's historic center with an experienced English-speaking guide. The afternoon is free for you to explore, shop, or relax. Our evening talk will focus on the treasures of the Uffizi Museum in preparation for tomorrow's visit. We'll have dinner at one of our favorite, off-the-beaten-track restaurants.

Day Three - We'll bypass the long lines and walk right into the Uffizi with our reserved tickets. Spend as much or as little time as you like exploring one of the world's greatest art museums, home to Botticelli's Primavera, and countless Renaissance masterpieces. Walk with us or wander on your own. Take time to browse the huge museum shop. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you wish. After our evening wine and talk, we'll dine on authentic Tuscan cuisine at a nearby trattoria.

Day Four -  We have teamed up with a great cooking school in a beautiful villa outside Florence to offer you two special hands-on cooking classes (see Day Nine also). You will learn to prepare a full Italian meal of regional Tuscan specialties, from appetizer to dessert (and including fresh pasta), and then enjoy the fruits of your labor with wines from the estate. We'll meet for our evening talk and then dinner (if you have any room!) is on your own. We can help with recommendations and reservations.

Day Five - Once again, we'll bypass the line and walk right into the Galleria dell' Accademia where you'll feast your eyes on Michelangelo's incredible David. Next, we'll stroll over to the Medici-Riccardi Palace with its gorgeous frescoed chapel (pictured on the left). Finally, we'll spend some time at the nearby Pietre Dure Museum, a small gem that tourists rarely have time to see. Later in the afternoon, we'll indulge our senses in the not-to-be-missed Santa Maria Novella Perfumery. This is the one you've read about, a 400 year old delight--and a great place to find gifts.We'll relax over wine and our evening talk before heading out for another delicious dinner.

Day Six - Today we'll take you on our Secret Shopping Tour and show you all our favorite shops and open-air markets. We'll visit shops for Italian kitchen ware, leather, jewelry, handmade paper, pottery, and more. We'll also stroll the fabulous food hall, the Mercato Centrale (pictured here) with its incredible array of cheese, meat, pastas, vegetables, olive oil, and all sorts of Italian delicacies. We'll have lunch at the Mercato, and later after our evening talk dinner is on your own. Perhaps you'll want to picnic.

Day Seven - We'll board a train for the short hop down to amazing Pisa. You'll have plenty of time to explore the famous Campo Dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles), home of the Leaning Tower, magnificent Cathedral, Baptistery, and a couple of small but fine museums. Back in Florence, after our evening talk, we'll have dinner at a special restaurant.

  Day Eight - Today we'll visit the lovely Museum of San Marco. This former monastery house the world's best collection of Fra Angelico's lovely paintings (like the Annunciation pictured here)--right on the wall of the monk's cells. We'll also visit some of Florence's most dramatic and beautiful churches. We'll meet in the evening for an art talk and wine, and we'll have dinner at our favorite pizzeria.

Day Nine - You'll head back out to the villa for your second day of cooking classes. Today you will learn how to prepare a truly decadent Italian meal that pulls out all the stops. With these authentic recipes and techniques you'll be bringing home a slice of Tuscan culinary history. You'll sit down and enjoy the fruits of your labor with wine from the estate before returning to Florence. We'll meet for our evening talk, and dinner is on your own. Perhaps a light bite at a nearby trattoria?

Day Ten - Today we'll stroll the famous Ponte Vecchio with its glittering gold and jewelry shops and cross over the Arno River to browse the Pitti Palace complex of museums and the famous Boboli gardens. We'll gather as usual in the evening and have dinner in a typical Florentine restaurant.

Day Eleven - Travel through the beautiful Tuscan countryside in a mini-bus for a guided tour of the medieval town of Siena and the ancient village of towers--San Gimignano--with time to explore and shop in both. You'll also enjoy a splendid buffet lunch at a family-run farm and vineyard in the heart of Tuscany. You'll sample a variety of the vineyard's wines and get a glimpse of life outside the cities. Be sure to bring your camera! Tonight, after our wine and talk, you'll have a chance to sample the restaurant of your choice (we can recommend and make reservations).

Day Twelve - We'll catch a city bus for the short ride up into the hills and the tiny town of Fiesole. We'll explore the Roman ruins and Etruscan artifacts at the archaeological museum, browse the small art museum, and savor all the pleasures of this lovely town. We'll enjoy a special tasting menu for lunch at a beautiful restaurant with stunning views.

Day Thirteen - You are free to spend your last day as you wish--bicycle, shop, browse, return to your favorite museum-- before joining us for a special farewell dinner.

Day Fourteen- October 26th - fly home.