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Women's Tuscan Villa EscapeOctober 4, 2010 - October 15, 2010
Porto Ercole, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
Imagine sitting on a terrace of an enchanting Italian villa  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 country estate located just outside Porto Ercole, a lovely beachside village in Tuscany. 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.
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Day 1 - We will meet you at the Rome Airport mid-day and then travel via van up the coast to our country estate where you will be greeted with a delicious antipasto party.
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Day 2 - Settle in at the villa and then in the afternoon explore Porto Ercole.
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Day 3 - Today we will have a cooking class conducted by a local from the village of Porto Ercole. And then in the afternoon, we will visit Porto Santa Stefano, Porto Ercole's sister city.
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Day 4 - Siena - 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.
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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.
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Day 6 - You will take a guided tour of the Uffizi 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 - There will be more time for shopping this morning, before returning to Porto Ercole in the afternoon.
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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.
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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 $3750.00 per person and includes all lodging, all meals at the country estate, 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 and lunches away from the villa. Limited to 9 women.
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Changing Gears Journeys
Email: changinggears1@msn.com
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