Tuscany

“There is nowhere like Tuscany. Its beauty is not only physical, but meta-physical. It has inspired the world’s finest artists and architects, composers and singers. No camera can capture its beauty, nor can any author describe it adequately. It is the obsessive passion of its lovers, who never tire of its wondrous charms. And as if these are not enough, it is home to some of the finest wines in the world and a cuisine whose simple honesty makes it the envy of all.”

Full Itinarary

Full detailed Itinerary including Venice and Rome
(Possibility of joining for part - as indicated in green)

Friday: Meeting point: Rome Airport Hilton Hotel: Minyan 07.15, kosher breakfast 08.00, depart 09.00
Please see note below re arriving the day before
Pitigliano: "little Jerusalem" This striking cliff-top village was until the 1930's home to a thriving Jewish community-we'll visit the former ghetto with its synagogue and museum. Lucca: our base - hopefully there will be time for an overview tour of Lucca, preferably by bicycle around the famous city walls, before driving to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat.

Shabbat: Short stroll in vicinity of hotel Before the end of Shabbat: walk into Lucca town After Shabbat, leave Lucca for Pisa No trip would be complete without seeing the tower- at night the day-trippers and souvenir vendors are gone; Jewish Pisa is also featured.

Sunday: Florence - guided walking tour Statue of David, the cathedral (duomo), Piazza della Repubblica, Ponte Vecchio and famous synagogue. After lunch, free time in Florence If you wish to visit the Uffizi Gallery you should pre-book. Otherwise you can explore this gorgeous city in greater depth according to your interests, visiting palaces, museums and galleries, the leather market and stores, many of which are open on Sunday. Depart Florence, via Piazzale Michelangelo From here you will get the best panorama of the city. Those wishing to stay longer in Florence may return later by train or bus. Hands-on cooking session with the master chef.

Monday:
Villa Torrigiani Lucca is famous for its aristocratic villas; this one is most interesting as we'll be able to tour both inside the villa and the gardens.
Barga In this medieval mountain top village where time has stood still for hundreds of years you'll climb the winding narrow streets to the duomo at the top of the village to breathe the clean air and enjoy the 360º panorama.
Lucca Take a bike or a segway to tour the town, stroll among the shops and piazzas or just people-watch in our café where the "tab" is always open for our guests and the ice cream is kosher.
Opera: mini concert in Lucca, Puccini's birthplace Enjoy a one-hour selection of arias, mainly by Puccini in this, his birthplace and where nearly all his operas were first performed.

Tuesday:
San Gimignano -the "Manhattan" of Tuscany Free time to explore the famous city of towers-climb to the top, see the stores, enjoy a coffee, take lots of pictures.
Agriturismo - Kosher Winery Visit an Agriturismo - a uniquely Italian concept. This one has Europe's ONLY fully kosher winery, Terra di Seta. After a wine-tasting aperitif we'll enjoy our lunch while looking out over the gorgeous Tuscan countryside.
Siena Visit the famous Piazza del Campo, home of the Palio horse race, the beautiful synagogue, daven mincha, and, if we are lucky, meet one of the community's leaders; free time for wandering around this bustling ancient university city.

Wednesday:
Viareggio – capital of the Versilia Coast One of the busiest seaside resorts, dating from the mid-19th century: we'll just pass through en route to...
Forte dei Marmi – market day Tuscany's most elegant seaside resort, home to Andrea Bocelli and a great weekly country textile market; wander around, shop in the market or the adjacent haute couture boutiques, and then join us for a piazza-side lunch.
Hike on the Cinque Terre For years one of the highlights of this trip- a 2 hour challenging hike overlooking the sea.
Hands-on cooking session with the master chef

Thursday:
Lucca – last chance
After breakfast, we'll take you to Pisa airport or station for the journey
home.

Price from $3,950 per person sharing
(DLX room and single supplements available)
Pre-Tour Rome Option: we can arrange a wonderful 2-day program including 4* hotel, all meals and 3 guided tours
We will be pleased to help you arrange flights and extra hotels.

Important:

• There may be changes to the schedule and hotel reservations dependent upon internal flights. We will make every effort to visit every location mentioned.

Every day: full buffet breakfast, light lunch on the move,
elegant served dinner, 3 tefillot.

PRICE EXCLUDES

• flights: you will be met at Venice airport , thereafter all transport is included, including transfers to Pisa and Rome airports for departure.
• "serious" cycling: your ride around the walls of Lucca is included, but for
  serious bikers we can arrange professional cycle rentals with or without
  professional guides.
• spending money for shopping: Lucca's stores are gorgeous and not
  overpriced as the town is not too touristy. The village markets of Tuscany
  are a must. Free time will be given in Siena, Florence and San Gimignano
  for you to choose whether to sight-see or spend!!
• upgrades: deluxe rooms (DLX), and single occupancy are available at an
  additional price (see booking form).
• extensions: if you wish to arrive in Lucca before the trip commences or
  (more commonly) stay for a few days after, on a kosher full board basis,
  this is sometimes possible.
• tips: we recommend 150 euro/$225 per person for the full tour; this covers gratuities for drivers, chefs, waiters and chambermaids: we will collect and distribute for you.

Deposit, Cancellation Fees & Policy:
A $500 USD Deposit per person must be received at the time of booking in order to confirm your reservation. Payment in full is due 90 days before departure. A minimum number of participants are required to operate tour dates. If a minimum number has not been reached prior to tour departure and the tour is cancelled you will receive a FULL refund.

• 90 days before departure bookings are refundable less a $100 administration fee
• 60-90 days prior to departure: $500 + $100 per passenger
• 30-60 days prior to departure: $1,000 + $100 per passenger
• Less than 30 working days prior to departure: 100% of total - no refund
• We strongly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance encompassing both cancellation and medical insurance is very important and we can not stress that enough. We strongly recommend that our clients are adequately insured when travelling. It is crucial to purchase the travel insurance within 14 days from the 1st payment that you make for this trip (flights/cruise/tour etc). Your payment is made directly to the insurance company.

We highly recommend the 'cancel for any reason' upgrade option.

Our preferred policies are Travel Safe (USA & Canadian residents), Travel Select (USA residents) and Global Trip Protection Elite (All other Nationalities).

For an obligation free quote and further details email Yonah insurance@eddiestravel.com