- Imagine seeing the art, architecture, and sights of the most beautiful cities and towns of Tuscany--and understanding what you're seeing.
- Imagine tasting delicious authentic food and wine--and learning to prepare a complete Tuscan menu.
- Imagine shopping, laughing, and relaxing in Italy
The Best of Tuscany Tour is designed to give you an in-depth experience of all the best of this delightful region. It's a civilized tour with plenty of free time and a leisurely pace.
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 in medieval Siena and San Gimignano, tiny Monteriggione 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, she will always be right there with you to answer questions and point out treasures.
We are pleased to announce that this tour includes a hands-on cooking class
at a beautiful villa outside of Florence. The class is conducted in
English by an Italian chef. You'll learn to prepare traditional Tuscan
specialties in this hands-on class, 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. Unlike most tours, you can order what you like off the menu--no
pre-cooked
"tourist special" spaghetti platters for you! Take a look at Meals on the Tour for more information.
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.
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.
Sign up with your deposit by March 1, 2010 and save $400.00 of the tour price.
If you're ready to join the tour, read over Prices and Deadlines, then 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 12 women.
Day Zero - October 2 - This is your travel day. To arrive in Florence on Sunday, October 3rd, most flights will leave the U.S. on Saturday, October 2nd. 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 for the tour. Take a stroll to marvel at the magnificent Duomo. 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 my 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 me 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 - Travel through the beautiful Tuscan countryside in a mini-bus for a guided tour of the medieval city of Siena and the ancient town of towers--San Gimignano,and a stop in Tuscany's best-preserved walled village, Monteriggione. 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, we'll savor real Italian pizza at a favorite local pizzeria.
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 - We have teamed up with a great cooking school in a beautiful villa outside Florence to offer you a special hands-on cooking class. You will learn to prepare a full Italian meal of regional Tuscan specialties, from appetizer to dessert (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 Se
ven - Today I'll take you on my Secret Shopping Tour and show you
all my 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. After the evening talk, we'll dine at a local trattoria.
Day Eight - 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 beautiful restaurant that serves foods from all over the Mediterranean.
Day Nine- -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 Ten - October 12th--fly home
Please note: This is a tentative schedule. The essentials will remain the same, but final details and exact dates of side trips may change.
Questions? Email paula@TimeofYourLifeTours.net. Click here to Sign-Up now.
