FLAVOURS OF ITALY

Begin In Rome with guided sightseeing, a Roman dinner party, and a hands-on Italian cooking lesson. Travel through the beautiful Apennines to Tuscany, with a stop in Pienza to sample its famed pecorino cheese, and in the Montalcino wine area for a winery tour, lunch, and to learn about the process involved with producing Brunelo di Montalcino.

See the sight in renaissance Florence and pause for an evening of dinner and regional wines at a local Tuscan restaurant. An excursion to Verrazzano Castle includes wine tasting and the chance to learn about the creation of the acclaimed Chianti Classico. On to Modena for a special balsamic vinegar tasting and enjoy an introduction to one Italy's best-known cheeses. Conclude your holiday in breathtaking Venice.

DAY BY DAY

DAY 1 : ARRIVE IN ROME - ITALY

Time to rest or start exploring Eternal City. At 6 pm meet your Tour Director and traveling companions to a special welcome dinner within one of Rome's lively restaurants. ( D )

DAY 2 : ROME

Sightseeing with your Local Guide starts with a visit to the VATICAN MUSEUM AND SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo's ceiling paintings and The Last Judgment. Continue to monumental ST. PETER'S SQUARE and BASILICA. Cross the Tiber and visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman Legions marched in triumph. This afternoon time to explore the city on your own, relax, or join your Local Guide for an optional work that takes you the magnificent marbled Trevi Fountain, Navona Square, the well-preserved Roman Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, and finishes with a Roman dinner party. ( BB )

DAY 3 : ROMES AND ITALIAN COOKING LESSONS

This morning, a COOKING LESSON introduces you to the culinary secrets of some traditional Italian dishes. Afterward, savor the delicious Rome's hidden treasures at your own pace, or just sit on a terrace and watch people go by. Tonight, why not join an optional dinner with a local specialties at one of Rome's famous restaurants ? (BB, L)

DAY 4 : ROME, PIENZA, MOCTALCINO, TUSCANY

Travel nprth into Tuscany through the lush Apennine Mountains, stoping in the renaissance town of Pienza. Renowned for Pecorino cheese, enjoy an exclusive CHEESE TASTING here before continuing to the Montalcino wine area. The ALTESINO ESTATE  and winery is beautifully located in the eastern hills of Montalcino and housed in an elegant 14th-century building known as the Palazzo Altesi. For the past 30 years the estate has been a trendsetter in the production of Brunello di Montalcino. We will tour the winery and taste a selection of their famed Brunello di Montalcino while the wine maker discusses the innovations that made their wines famous. Lunch will be served at the estate. An afternoon arrival at your hotel in Tuscany. ( BB, L )

DAY 5 : TUSCANY - EXCURSION TO FLORENCE

All day is dedicated to Florence, "Cradle of the Renaissance". Follow your Local Guide to the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo's celebrated David and the magnificent CATHEDRAL. Admire Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistry's heavy broze "Gate Of Paradise", and sculpture -studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. Time for independent sightseeing and browsing through the shops. Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry sold by the ounce are attractive buys. This evening, enjoy dinner paired with regional wines at local Tuscan restaurant. ( BB, D )

DAY 6 : TUSCANY - EXCURSION TO SIENA & VERAZZANO CASTLE

Today, a guided visit of Siena introduces you to PIAZZO DEL CAMPO and the Palazzo Pubblico, the city's finest gothic palace and home to the CIVIC MUSEUM, housing masterpieces of Sienese painting giants Simone Martini and Ambrogio Lorenzetti. Time in Siena at leisure to explore on your own or you may opt to visit Nannini, one of Burt Wolf's favourite places for Tuscan cakes. Later, visit VERAZZANO CASTLE, where you will hear about the fine art of blending four types of  grapes to obtain the famous Chianti Classico; here, enjoy WINE TASTING and luch before returning to your hotel. ( BB,L )

DAY 7 : TUSCANY, MODENA, VENICE

A scenic drive through the Apennine Mountains and the fertile Po area to Mondena to visit one of the oldest producers of balsamic vinegar. After learning about the production process, partake in a VINEGAR TASTING of the final product. Next, enjoy an introduction to one of Italy's most well-known cheeses with a visit to a PARMESAN FACTORY. In the afternoon, continue to Venice. Enter in style by private boat, you may want to join an optional dinner tonight.

DAY 8 : VENICE

Highlights of your walking tour with a Local Guide are ST.MARK'S SQUARE and the BYZANTINE BASILICA, lavish DOGES'PALACE and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS  fashion their delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. Spend the remainder of the morning and afternoon as you wish. (BB)

DAY 9 : AT LEISURE IN VENICE

A full day to enjoy Venice at your own pace. This city has attracted and inspired photographers from all over the world because of its breathtaking settings. Consider an optional tour with included lunch to the wine region of Prosecco and Treviso. This evening, and included farewell dinner celebrates the success of your italian vacation. (BB, D)

DAY 10: VENICE

Your tour ends this morning after breakfast. (BB)

PT Kemang Nusantara Travel