Artful Tour of Florence & Venice: Spring 2009

May 10th-21st, 2009

The Artful Tour is designed for women who want to make the most of their time in Italy. From the minute you arrive at your lovely hotel in Florence you can relax and enjoy yourself, knowing you are safe and secure in expert hands.

We've designed this tour especially for women who want to fully experience two of Italy's most fascinating cities, who want to learn about their art and history, and who want to sample their many delights in a relaxed and extremely civilized fashion. (This is in marked contrast with the typical group tour for 25-40 people, where most of the trip is spent on the bus, with brief in-and-out visits of museum "highlights." )

Botticelli_birth_venusYou will have the time to really explore the museums and sights of Florence and Venice. And, you'll understand what you're seeing thanks to our evening talk when Paula will clue you in to the secrets behind the masterpieces and prepare you for the next day's adventures. Plus we will always be right there with you to answer questions and point out treasures.Desserts2

We've searched out the most authentic restaurants for your dining pleasure, and you can order what you like off the menu--no pre-cooked "tourist special" spaghetti platters for you! You will savor the tastes of regional specialties and local wines. Take a look at Meals on the Tour for more information.

If you like to shop, we know all the best shops for gifts and treats of all kinds and all prices.

Highlights of the tour include:

  • Michelangelo's David
  • Uffizi Museum
  • Hands-on Cooking Class
  • Gondola ride in Venice
  • Vivaldi concert
  • San Marco Basilica
  • Informative evening talks

We've also included day trips to a few of Tuscany's most lovely towns, medieval Siena and San Gimignano. and also Fiesole for great views and Roman and Etruscan sites.

Spring is a glorious time to visit Italy. The summer crowds and intense heat have not yet arrived. Flowers are blooming and the weather is warm and sunny. You'll find tempting dishes with fresh spring specialties like artichokes and baby vegetables on the menu. Shops are loaded with new colors and styles.

We hope you will join us for a fabulous trip in the company of interesting, fun-loving women just like you.

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.

**EARLY BIRD SPECIAL- Sign up and send in your deposit postmarked by October 31, 2008 and receive $200.00 off your Final Payment.

If you've been longing for Italy, here is your chance to finally live your dream...

                 An Artful Tour of Florence and Venice

                             May 10th-21st, 2009

Please note: This is a tentative schedule. The essentials will remain the same, but final details like exact dates for side trips and cooking class may change.

Day Zero - May 9th- This is your travel day. To arrive in Florence on Sunday, May 10th, most flights will leave the U.S. on Saturday, May 9th. The two closest airports are Florence and Pisa.(For more information about arranging your flights, please see Frequently Asked Questions)

Duomo_3Day One - Arrive in Florence where we'll be waiting to greet you at our art-filled hotel. Unpack and relax; we're here for seven nights. 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 in preparation for tomorrow's visit. We'll have dinner at one of our favorite, off-the-beaten-track restaurants.

Primavaera 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.

Tuscan_hills Day Four - 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).

Mr_chapel 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.

Good_tastes1 Day Six -  We have teamed up with a great cooking school in a beautiful villa outside Florence to offer you a hands-on cooking class. 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. You go home with all the recipes, too. After your lunch feast, dinner is on your own tonight.

Day Seven - We'll travel by first class train to Venice, catch a vaporetto (water bus) and float along the Grand Canal, then walk a few steps to our beautiful hotel. We'll Grand_canal_1unpack for three nights in this most magical of cities. We'll visit the famous Piazza San Marco. Perhaps the orchestra will be playing--just like in the movies. Weather permitting, we'll glide along in a gondola--a touristy but unforgettable experience-- before our evening get-together and dinner.Marcuscathedralportal5284_3

Day Eight - We'll visit the golden, many-domed Basilica San Marco and its glorious treasures, and we'll take an elevator to the top of the bell tower for unsurpassed views. Later you can choose whether to visit the Doge's Palace or the Correr Museum of Venetian history and art. You'll have some free time this afternoon to wander, explore, and shop. At our pre-dinner gathering, we'll help you plan your free day tomorrow. We'll have dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in Venice.


Interpreti_venezianiDay Nine - Today you are free to explore Venice as you choose. Perhaps you'd like to visit one or more of her fine museums and magnificent churches. Maybe you'd rather  wander and explore, shop, or relax in an outdoor cafe. The choice is yours, and of course, we can help you plan the perfect day. We'll have a light supper at a small cafe' in the evening and attend a Vivaldi concert performed by a group of Venice's finest musicians in an intimate and lovely former chapel.

Leathershop_1Day Ten - We'll catch a morning train back to Florence. In the afternoon, we'll visit some of Florence's most spectacular churches and we'll also show you our favorite leather shops. For dinner, we'll head over to our favorite pizza restaurant.

Day Eleven - 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 Twelve- May 21st - fly home.

Interested?  Click on Sign-Up Forms on the right, or email us with any questions at: info@timeofyourlifetours.net.