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Women's Tuscan Villa Escape 2010April 18, 2010 - April 30, 2010
Porto Ercole
Tuscany, Italy
 Imagine sitting on a terrace of an enchanting Italian
v illa looking over the silvery green leaves of olive orchards that gently
slope down to a small village filled with colorful, old buildings, that
just happen to sit right on the edge of the incredible, beautiful, blue
Mediterranean. And, of course, you are sipping on one of the great red or
white wines produced in this region. And from here you will take day trips to the Tuscany that most Americans don't see as well as spend 2 days in Florence. This guarantees that you will leave your heart in Italy and truly become Italian.
 All of this will actually take place at Casa Moorehead, a villa located
just outside Porto Ercole, a lovely beachside village in Tuscany. Experience
true Italian cooking at the villa while also enjoying the Italian countryside,
the Mediterranean, and the colorful people of Porto Ercole.
You will come home to the villa each evening to delicious meals prepared
with fresh, local ingredients and served outside under the
grape arbor. Relax on two wonderful terraces overlooking the Mediterranean
with breath-taking views (moonlight on the Mediterranean is something to
behold.) Books (in English), some written by the villa owner’s father,
Alan Moorehead, a renown Australian author, are found throughout the house.
The villa contains 8 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, and on the 10 acres surrounding
the villa is a swimming pool and hiking trails.
Day 1 - We will meet you at the Rome Airport mid-day and then travel via van up the coast to our villa where you will be greeted with a delicious antipasto party.
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Day 2 - Relax at the villa and then in the afternoon explore Porto
Ercole.
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Day 3 - Tour the island of Giglio.
This ancient island has a remarkably preserved village at the top of its mountain. After the breath-taking bus ride to the top, you can explore the castle and then continue on down the back side of the island to a beautiful beach for swimming or just relaxing.
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Day 4 - Siena and Monteriggiono.
Siena is defined by it Gothic architecture, built in a namesake shade of reddish brown. Start your visit from the famous fan-shaped Piazza del Campo, from which you can walk to all the attractions. Shopping is great here, especially ceramics and pottery. Monteriggiono is a very unusual, ancient hilltop town in the fact that it is flat, once you get to the top, instead of having steep alleyways, as in all other hilltop towns.
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 Day 5 - Today we train to Florence. Visit the famous museums - the Accademia where Michelangelo's David is housed, and the Uffizi, Italy's greatest art gallery. Take in the spectacular Duomo and its orange-tiled dome, Florence's most famous symbol. We will take a guided evening stroll around Florence and then have dinner, before going back to our hotel in the heart of Florence. |
Day 6 - You will take a guided tour of the Uffizi and the Medici Corridor and then there will be time left to explore on your own - great shopping for leather goods and clothes. Dinner that night will be at one of Rachel Ray's favorite restaurants in Florence.
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Day 7 - Return to Porto Ercole from Florence. Visit Porto Santa Stepano, Porto Ercole's sister city.
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Day 8 - This is market day in Porto Ercole - a great time to shop for tablecloths, linens, food items, and a host of other things. You will truly feel like an Italian. Beach in afternoon - Talamone.
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Day 9 - Sovana and Pitigliano - 2 ancient Etruscan villages. You can hike the 'hollow roads' between Pitigliano and Sovana. These trails are excavated in the tufa (yellow volcanic rock typical of this area) and are like tunnels winding down from the hills to the banks of the river or valley. You will feel like you have stepped back in time.
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 Day 10 - Wine tasting at La Parrina Fattoria, a nearby working farm, dating back to the 19th century.
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Day 11 - This morning we take a panoramic drive around the hilltops overlooking the Mediterranean. We will be stopping for coffee at a lovely hotel on the edge of the cliff. We will end the day back at the villa with a Grand Italian Feast.
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Day 12 - Depart for home. We will take you to the Rome Airport or help with other arrangements if you are staying on in Italy.
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Price is $3900.00 per person and includes all lodging, all meals at the villa, breakfasts and dinners in Florence, transportation for all side trips, guided tours in Florence, and transportation to and from the Rome Airport. Price does not include airfare. Limited to 9 women.
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