The Riches of the Mediterranean - Educational Student Travel

150 Dorset Street. Suite 245 PMB 191 South Burlington, Vermont 05403
The Riches of the Mediterranean
Tuscany, Emilia Romagna and Provence
April 26 – May 12, 2016
Day 1 – Tuesday, April 26 - Florence to Volterra
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2.30 pm: Group rendezvous at Florence International Airport. Drive to
Volterra. Check in to agriturismo accommodation in the countryside outside
the hill-top town of Volterra. A guided walk around the estate followed by
dinner & introductions at the accommodation.
At dinner the farm’s own produce will be served, including wines, cheeses,
olive oil, cured meats, fresh pasta, bread, etc. Accommodation: Agriturismo
Lischeto, in the Volterra countryside.
Day 2 – Wednesday, April 27 - Volterra
B/D
A short drive to Volterra. A 2-hour morning walking tour focused on
Volterra’s Etruscan, Roman and Medieval past, guided by historian Annie
Adair, including a visit to the workshop of renowned alabaster craftsman
Roberto Chiti.
Late morning, free time to explore more of Volterra and to find lunch.
An afternoon tasting-tour of wineries, and food producers (olive oil, salami,
cheese, honey, etc.) in the countryside around Volterra guided by Annie’s
husband, sommelier Francesco Gronchi. Return to the accommodation.
8pm: a short drive to dinner at the small family-run Trattoria da Badó,
serving very typical Volterran cuisine and local wines.
www.trattoriadabado.com
Accommodation: Agriturismo Lischeto, in the Volterra countryside.
Day 3 - Thursday, April 28 - Volterra to Lucca
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We will begin our day with a 1-hour rural walk, gently downhill along a
quiet country road through a classic country landscape of olive groves,
vineyards and rustic farm buildings.
This morning, a Tuscan cooking class focused on the preparation of fresh
pasta, gnocchi, risotto and various sauces, ending with lunch cooked by the
group.
An afternoon scenic drive across Tuscany to Lucca. Check in at the
accommodation, followed by an orientation walk (with bike-ride option)
around the city centre. Free evening.
Overnight, Hotel Ilaria in Lucca’s historic center.
Day 4 – Friday, April 29 - Lucca, Pruno and Pietrasanta
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There will be a day-trip today to Pruno and the villages of the Alpi Apuane,
led by local mountain guides and environmental educators, Silvia Malquori
and Alessandro Galeffi, with lunch served in their chestnut mill-home.
Alternatively, for those keen to stretch their legs, one of the guides will lead
a hike (5- hours return) to the summit of Monte Forato, notable for the
massive hole that pierces the mountain just below its’ summit, the result of
wind and water erosion.
On the way back to Lucca we’ll stop in at the small town of Pietrasanta to
join the locals on their customary passeggiata (evening stroll) around the
piazza before a wood-fired dinner in the legendary trattoria Da Beppino.
www.dabeppino.it.
Overnight, Hotel Ilaria in Lucca’s historic center.
Day 5 – Saturday, April 30 - Lucca
B/D
A free day to enjoy Lucca’s markets, art galleries, museums, cathedral,
public gardens and Renaissance-era walls on foot or by bicycle. The guides
will lead an afternoon bike-ride (with long and short options) around
Lucca’s medieval-era walls and further afield into the countryside for those
interested. 7pm: Group rendezvous for la passeggiata (evening stroll)
followed by dinner together in a local restaurant. Overnight, Hotel Ilaria in
Lucca’s historic center.
Day 6 – Sunday, May 1 - Lucca to Parma
B/L
After breakfast we’ll drive into the Garfagnana valley (drive-time: 1 hour
30) for a 2-hour walk along a quiet trail through chestnut forest and fields of
spring wild-flowers to lunch (as always: typical, local cuisine) in a small
village.
An afternoon to enjoy the Garfagnana valley’s small towns, historic sites,
museums, markets and special events before driving over the Apennine Alps
and down into Parma. Check-in to our accommodations.
Free evening, with the opportunity of attending an opera or concert
performance at the Teatro Regio theatre.
Accommodation: 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments in Palazzo Dalla Rosa
Prati in Parma’s historic centre. www.palazzodallarosaprati.it
Day 7 – Monday, May 2 - Parma
B/L
After breakfast, a private behind-the-scenes tour of the famous Teatro Regio
theatre (est. 1829). Parma is the birthplace of Giuseppi Verdi, and the theatre
is renowned for its productions of his work and others.
www.teatroregioparma.org
For the remainder of the day, a tasting-tour with food producers along the
Langhirano River, known as Parma’s Food Valley. Local produce includes
Lambrusco, Gutturnio and Malvasia wine, prosciutto, ham and other cured
meats, parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar, olives, tomatoes, mushrooms and
truffles.
Free evening, with another opportunity to attend an opera or concert
performance at the Teatro Regio theatre.
Accommodation: Palazzo Dalla Rosa Prati, Parma.
Day 8 – Tuesday, May 3 - Parma
B/D
A day to enjoy Parma’s art galleries, museums, cathedral and public gardens
on foot or by bicycle. We’ll start with three short, privately-guided tours of
these quirky cultural gems:
‘la Camera di San Paolo’, a small chapel, elaborately painted by Correggio
in the 16th century; ‘l’Antica Spezierie’, an apothecary (pharmacy)
established by Benedictine monks more than 1000 years ago; the ‘Castello
dei Burrattini’, a museum of puppetry, an Italian and international tradition
dating back to antiquity.
From there individual group members can explore Parma at their leisure.
Admission tickets will be provided for the Cathedral and Baptistry, the
Ducal Palace and its Gardens, and the Galleria Nazionale art gallery, home
to works by Leonardo da Vinci, Canaletto, El Greco, and many others.
Evening group rendezvous for one last Italian passeggiata (evening stroll),
followed by a special ‘arrivederci Italia’ dinner in a private room of a local
restaurant.
Accommodation: Palazzo Dalla Rosa Prati, Parma.
Day 9 – Wednesday, May 4 - Parma to Aix-en-Provence
B/D
Departure after breakfast this morning from Florence, drive through your
familiar home of Tuscany to your new home in France. Arrival on the
French Riviera “La Cotes d’Azur” for lunch in the greater Nice area before
your arrival in “Aix-en-Provence”. This evening walk under the plane trees
and the many fountains that line the “Cours Mirabeau”, before dinner.
Accommodations: Hotel Roi Rene.
Day 10 – Thursday, May 5 - Aix-en-Provence
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Today you will be able to relax in Aix walking around this typical
“Provencal” city. You may wish to begin at the “Place de la Marie” for the
flower and local food market before visiting the “Musee Granet” and the
“Atelier Cezanne”.
Dinner this evening, on your own, at recommended restaurants or maybe one
that you have found during your wander in the afternoon.
Accommodations: Hotel Roi Rene.
Day 11 – Friday, May 6 - Marseilles and Cassis
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Depart after breakfast for a visit of “Marseille”, it was here that the Greeks
first introduced the grape and the olive, which has become so linked with
Provence, in 600 B.C. Walk around the “Vieux Ports” before a seafood
lunch, maybe “Bouillabaisse”, from the catch of the day. Then along the
scenic “Route des Cretes” a short drive to “Cassis”. Absorb the beauty of
this charming port that has attracted so many 20th century artists, including
the Bloomsbury group. As we have seen the beauty of the Mediterranean
coast by land, we will now take the boat for a cruise along the “Calanques”.
Time permitting some may choose to hike back along the calanques. Early
evening wine tasting, Cassis is one of the three oldest A.O.C. regions (1936)
in France. Dinner will be en route as you return to Aix for the evening.
Accommodations: Hotel Roi Rene.
Day 12 - Saturday May 7 - Mt St, Victoire, Aix-en-Provence
B/L/D
Early morning wake-up to visit a bakery and see the “Boulanger” baking
bread, fresh everyday in the French tradition. Return to the hotel for
breakfast with the group’s late sleepers before departing for your hike at the
foot of “Cezanne’ Sainte Victoire” and the “Carrieres de Bibemus”.
After a picnic lunch, return to Aix, via Picasso’s village of “Vauvenargues”,
for a relaxing afternoon walking around town shopping. This evening taste
and learn to match different wines while preparing your evening meal with a
local chef.
Accommodations: Hotel Roi Rene.
Day 13 – Sunday, May 8 – L’Isle sur la Sorgue
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Today we will visit “l’Isle sur la Sorgue”, this small quiet town on the
banks of the river “Sorgue” that comes alive every Sunday, a tradition since
1590, with its Antique market and shops. The town has depended for
hundreds of years on the Sorgue for its defense, a moat surrounded the walls
until well into the 1700s, as well as for fishing, its artisan mills and trade.
Return to Aix for the evening and dinner on your own.
Accommodations: Hotel Roi Rene.
Day 14 – Monday, May 9 - Les Baux
B/D
Depart Aix for les Baux de Provence and its fortified cliff village built by
the lords of les Baux in the 10th century. At the foot of the cliff and castle are
fields of olive trees “Oliveraies” for an olive production that is reputed as
the best olive oil in the world.
Discover a local olive producer with an “Aperitif” of the local wines before
lunch. Before leaving Les Baux you will enter the enchanting “Carrieres
des Lumieres” the original sound and light show that is inside an old bauxite
mine. This evening you will arrive at your country lodging in time to explore
and prepare for dinner.
Day 15 – Tuesday, May 10 - Avignon
B/D
After breakfast depart for the fortified papal city of “Avignon” with a visit
of the “Palais des Papes” and the bridge known from the childrens’ song
“Sur le Pont d’Avignon”. Board your ship for a cruise with lunch along the
“Rhone” river for a scenic view of Avignon and “Villeneuve les Avignon”
before arriving in the “Chateauneuf-du-Papes” wine region. This afternoon
will be spent discovering this region with its world-renowned vineyards and
a wine tasting. Return to your lodging for dinner this evening.
Day 16 – Wednesday, May 11 - Luberon Valley villages
B/D
Today will be spent in the Luberon valley with visits of the charming
villages including; Roussillon, Lourmarin and Gordes*.
Day 17 – Thursday, May 12
Depart for USA
TRIP INCLUDES
16 nights’ superior class accommodations with private bath
Breakfast daily
Bilingual escort throughout the trip
Local connoisseurs for special events
6 Lunches with wine
10 Dinners– three courses with wine
Private vehicle travel throughout, from pick-up at Florence
International Airport on day 1 through to the group’s departure
from Marseilles on day 17
The Volterra history tour and tasting tour, day 2.
Cooking-classes, days 3 and 12
Parma tasting tour, day 7.
2 Wine discoveries and tastings
The Teatro Regio theatre tour (day 7), and admission into Parma’s
‘Camera di San Paolo’, ‘l’Antica Spezierie’, ‘Castello dei
Burrattini’, Cathedral & Baptistry, Ducal Palace & Gardens, and
the Galleria Nazionale, day 8.
TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE
International Flights
Lunch on days 2, 5 and 8. Dinner on days 3, 6 and 7.
Drinks unless otherwise noted
Bike-hire (an option in Lucca and Parma).
Admission into museums, galleries, monuments, etc. except those
named and included above
Tips and gratuities
Travel Insurance
** ETS reserves the right to make changes to the itinerary as
circumstances dictate.
COST OF TRIP:
15-17 passengers - $5,972
20 passengers - $5,422.