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The good and simple life of Italy is an artwork in itself. Venture
inside the culture, meet the people, eat the local dishes and get close enough to
the land to smell the flowers and pick the herbs. Drink with your eyes, breathe through
your skin, think with your tastebuds. Lose yourself in Italys intoxicating sensuality.
Talk to the old man who runs the local general store, shop for dinner at outdoor markets,
eat newly harvested wild strawberries, drink fresh Chianti wine from a vintners own
cask, indulge in the rich fruity olive oil the countess produces from her own soil,
walk the dirt paths instead of pointing at them from a tour bus. Let Italys magical
allure enchant you!
Includes:
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Accommodations Charming
300-year-old stone country houses. Rooms based on double occupancy; LIMITED AVAILABILITY
single occupancy for $489 additional supplement (while single rooms last)
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At least two meals everyday
(includes breakfast every day). House meals are cooked by a staff chef, enjoyed family-style
around the table. Wine served with each house dinner. |
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Great group of gay men
from Urban Outings |
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3 Program Staff Coordinators
& 1 Staff Chef |
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Swimming Pool |
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Program outings including:
Siena, Florence, Hilltown visits, Tuscan Culinary Day, Winery Tour, Spa Day, and more |
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Spa entry fee (includes
access to cold & thermal pools, gym, showers, etc.) |
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Private group bus charter
to and from airport in Rome |
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Ground transportation
for scheduled itinerary outings |
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Practically all-inclusive,
you almost never need to touch your wallet while traveling!
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Not included: Other meals;
gratuities for staff, guides & housekeeping; spa treatments; any additional entertainment
& expenses not mentioned as included in package.
Packages & Prices:
> From NYC,
DC, Boston, Philadelphia: $2895 Active Member Price / $2995 Non-member*;
includes roundtrip airfare on Lufthansa
> From Other US Cities Served by Lufthansa (Atlanta, Charlotte,
Chicago, Dallas/Ft.Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Portland,
San Francisco): Program package including roundtrip discount group airfare on Lufthansa
is available (coach class, connection in Germany). Star Alliance frequent flyers may
redeem miles for these flights. Contact Urban Outings (info below) for specific prices.
> Elsewhere, Land Only Package (not applicable to travelers from
NYC, DC, Boston, Philadelphia): $2265 Non-member price with no airfare included. This
option is available for those coming from other cities who will make their own airfare
arrangements.
*Not a Urban Outings Active
Member? Become an Active Member by purchasing a Urban Outings membership plan by May
31, 2004 and youll pay the Active Member price for this trip!
Registration Deadline:
Friday, March 26, 2004. Spaces are available on a first come, first served basis.
Payments:
A non-refundable deposit of $995 is due upon signing up for the trip in order to secure
your spot. The remaining balance is due by Friday, March 26, 2004. Full trip payment
must be received by Friday, March 26, 2004.
To Sign Up:
Download the Trip Enrollment Form, fill it out, and fax it to (212) 584-9385 or mail
it to Urban Outings, Attn: Trips, 1133 Broadway #1416, New York, NY 10010. Your space
in the trip is not secure until your Trip Enrollment Form AND deposit payment have
been received.
>>Download
Trip Enrollment Form
Questions?
Contact will@urbanoutings.com, or phone
(212) 505-9985 x214 or (800) 495-7091 x214.
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Inside Tuscany is specifically
designed as a hands-on, sensory program with each day dedicated to a different Tuscan
experience or excursion. Itinerary is subject to change; participation in scheduled
events is always optional.
Saturday: Arrival
in Rome; ride to Vagliagli, Tuscany. Orientation with wine and dinner
Sunday: Morning
visit to Etruscan tombs and Castellina with lecture, or visit to Pontignano monastery
and gardens, or small hilltowns of Volpaia and Panzano. Afternoon group barbecue with
entire group, valley nature walk. Evening supper and wine at local enoteca (included)
Monday: Day
in Siena morning guided historical/architectural walking tour of medieval city;
rest of the day free for lunch, shopping, museums, etc. (independent lunch). Evening
return home for dinner.
Tuesday: Tuscan
Culinary Day morning outdoor market in Poggibonsi; buy ingredients for dinner; visit
hilltown for picnic lunch picnic (included). Afternoon cooking class (pasta making),
or winery tour or visit to Pontignano monastery.
Wednesday: Tuscan
Hilltown Day visit San Gimignano and Volterra (noted for alabaster and the Etruscan
museum) with lunch in a country trattoria (lunch included)
Thursday: Florence
All Day Excursion Reservations at Uffizi museum for those interested; independent
exploration of Florence. Return early evening unless group decides differently. (independent
lunch and dinner)
Friday: Winery
Tour excursion to Buon Convento abbey, Montalcino for lunch (not included) and wine
tasting. OR Spa Day Relax at a local spa (entry fee included), optional activities
such as massage, facial, etc. are additional. Final dinner at home. (independent lunch)
Saturday: Departure
late morning, van returns group to Rome airport for flight home
Other possible activities
include: Visiting hilltowns such as Volterra (famous for alabaster and the Etruscan
museum), Colle di Val dElsa (noted for crystal production); San Gimignano (the Manhattan
of Tuscany, remnants of medieval family towers); Buonconvento-Pienza-Montalcino (abbey
and wine towns); and much more.
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