Appetite To Travel: Tuscany Experience

Join Appetite To Travel on an Exclusive 6-night Culinary Tour in Tuscany M AY 3 R D -1 0 T H , 2 0 2 0 / S TAY I N C O R TO N A , T U S C A N Y

6 - D AY I TA LY C U L I N A R Y TO U R I T I N E R A R Y D AY 1 : Y O U R I TA LY C U L I N A R Y TO U R B E G I N S

Welcome to Tuscany, Italy’s rustic, tranquil and historic heartland and home to world class wine and cuisine, lush rolling landscapes, and medieval hill towns. Your culinary tour of Italy begins as we pickyou up from your Florence accommodations or the Florence airport Our destination today is Cortona, the stunning setting for the movie “Under the Tuscan Sun.” On our way to Cortona, we’ll visit Siena, arguably Italy’s most beautiful medieval city, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set on three hills in the Chianti region, Siena is a must-see on any visit to Tuscany. Siena’s heart is its central piazza called Il Campo, which is best known worldwide for the famous Palio di Siena, a horse race run around the piazza twice each summer. We’ll tour the ancient town on foot, stopping at its most renowned bakeryto taste the local “Ricciarelli,” a traditional Sienese cookie made from almonds, sugar, and egg whites.

We’ll then transfer to our lovely boutique hotel, walking distance to Cortona’s central piazza.

Dinner tonight is at your leisure.

Drive Time: Approximately 2 hours Meals Included: None

D AY 2 : I TA L I A N C O O K I N G C L A S S

This morning you will walk to the historic center of Cortona for one of the most interesting and traditional cooking classes in Tuscany. We’ll meet Antonella, an eclectic and talented chef who is also a journalist and expert on local culture. Her charming kitchen has a massive fireplace and a view of the ancient alleys and roofs of Cortona. Working with the best seasonal ingredients, Chef Antonella will guide you in the hands-on preparation of an unforgettable meal, from antipasto to dessert, including the local pici pasta with ragù. We’ll then sit down at the large kitchen table for our hearty lunch, paired with the perfect wine. Saluti!

This afternoon we’ll tour local food producers, visiting a greengrocer, a butcher, and a beekeeper.

We’ll also visit a family-owned farm in the Chiana Valley, set on over 37 acres of grain, fields of sunflowers, alfalfa and beautiful vineyards. The farm house has been in the same family for four generations. All of their products are made traditionally without preservatives or dyes, including cheese that is made from raw milk and aged from from 15 days to 12 months. Learning the customs and traditions of rural life, we’ll relax at the farm and taste their various products, such as raviggiolo, ricotta and pecorino cheeses paired with Vin Santo (dessert wine), artisan jam, fresh vegetables and fruits, and extra virgin olive oil.

In the late afternoon, just in time for an aperitivo, we’ll head back to Cortona for an ice cream cocktail class. The drinks we prepare will incorporate what is available at the local artisan gelato shop that day. Examples might include a White Lady using gin, triple sec and lemon sorbet, or a strawberry daiquiri using rum, lime juice and strawberry ice cream. Perfect for a late summer afternoon!

Dinner tonight is at your leisure, assuming you still have room!

Drive Time: Approximately 1 hour Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and tastings

D AY 3 : V I S I T T H E W I N E R I E S O F T U S C A N Y

Our Italy culinary tour continues as we spend the day exploring the Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and world-famous wine region.

We’ll start the day at Braccesca Winery, one of the best wineries in Tuscany, for a tour, tasting and lunch. We’ll explore the vineyards and cellar of this luscious wine estate and then enjoy an exclusive, private tasting of their excellent wines including Syrah and Vino de Nobile, one of the most popular Tuscan wines. We’ll then sit down for a delicious lunch paired with Braccesca wines.

After lunch we’ll stroll the beautiful hill towns of Pienza and Montepulciano, famous for their excellent cheese and wine production. We’ll visit an artisanal cheese workshop in Pienza where you will have the opportunity to taste pecorino di Pienza cheese at different ages. And we’ll end the day at Talosa winery, where we’ll tour the cellar and taste several of their award-winning wines accompanied by local pecorino cheese and bruschetta.

Drive Time: Approximately 2 hours Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and tastings

D AY 4 : PA S TA C O O K I N G C L A S S

Today is a relaxing day in the town of Cortona.

In the morning we’ll walk to our second cooking class, where you will uncover the secrets of perfect, fresh pasta. Learn to make tagliatelle, a long, flat, ribbon pasta, and pappardelle, which is much wider. Then choose from lasagne, gnocchi, or gorgonzola and walnut ravioli. Are you getting hungry yet? We’ll finish just in time to sit down to a hearty lunch - paired with wine, of course - to enjoy the fruits of our labor.

The afternoon is yours to explore Cortona. Stroll the piazza, or perhaps work off your pasta and venture off the beaten path with a moderate, 5-mile round trip hike to Le Celle Hermitage.

Walk in the footsteps of Franciscan monks hearing only the sounds of nature, and revel in this serene and spiritual setting that dates back to the 13th Century.

Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

D AY 5 : T R U F F L E H U N T & M I C H E L I N - R AT E D D I N N E R

One of the highlights of our Italy culinary tours is a truffle hunt, which takes place in a “tartufaia” (woodlands where truffles are found) on a family farm and vineyard. Together with our truffle expert and his trained dogs, we stroll through the woods as the dogs sniff out the precious truffles. You’ll even have the chance to handle the truffle dogs directly if you are interested. During the walk, our guide will give you an introduction to the world of Italian truffles, particularly the species of truffles in Tuscany. We’ll learn where and how the truffles are found, how to preserve them properly at home, how they are used in cooking, and what recipes complement them the most. After the hunt, we will head to the farmhouse with our new-found treasure, just in time for lunch al fresco that is paired with the lovely wines that are produced on-site. Our farm-to-table meal includes truffles and other local and seasonal ingredients, such as handmade pasta from flour milled on the premises, local meats and cheeses, and herbs from the garden.

For one of the highlights of Tuscan food this week, our dinner is at the Michelin-starred Il Falconiere, run by award-winning executive chef Silvia Regi Baracchi. This is a meal you may never forget!

Drive Time: Approximately 1 hour Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner D AY 6 : O U R I TA LY C U L I N A R Y TO U R E N D S

Sadly, our culinary tour of Italy is over today. We return you to the Florence airport in time for your departure flight.

Drive Time: Approximately 2 hours Meals Included: Breakfast

M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N

Not Included: -Airfare -Gratuities -Any mandatory ciry taxes -Insurances OVERVIEW

Departure on May 2nd and arriving in Florence on May 3rd.

There are two leisurely days in Florence in Cortona,Tuscany, followed by the Virtuoso exclusive Access Culinary tour in Cortona (Tuscany) from the 5th to the 10th.

There will be an amazing insider optional Rome extension from the 10th to the 13th of May. C O N TA C T

Vicki Aubert at vicki@passportandgo.com or +1-802-505-1055

Registration

A deposit of 20% per person is required to secure your reservation on this tour. We can only hold an available seat for up to 48 hours without a deposit.

• Complete the registration form and pay 20% deposit with credit card online via PayPal (www.AppetiteToTravel.com/paynow).

• Or you may mail a completed registration form, a photocopy of your passport, and a check payable (the cash discount applies to payments by check) to Appetite To Travel for TUSCANY TOUR 2020.

MAIL TO: Appetite to Travel P.O. Box 4181 Bryan, Texas 77805 Tour $5650 (deposit $1130) Cash discount prices: Tour $5485 (deposit $1097) Rome extension $1550 (deposit $310) Rome extension $1500 (deposit $300) Single room supplement $990 Rome single room supplement $400

Program Conditions

Included in the program: Transfers with group to/from airport; shared double room in quality hotel; breakfast daily; English speaking guide; transfer to and entrance fees for tours listed.

Not included in price: Tips are kindly appreciated to our drivers, Italy-based guides, and chefs (at your discretion but we approximate total of $60-90per person); tour price is based on double occupancy, single room charge of $990 cash discount or $1050 if paid by credit card; cancellation and trip insurance and is strongly recommended and can be purchased separately, prices vary on your desired coverage; laundry; drinks except as detailed; excess baggage fees; any increase in fees and taxes that may occur between the printing of this brochure and issuing of tickets or reservations.

Payment schedule: A deposit of 20% of the total land-based trip cost is due at the time of registration. Final payment is due February 1, 2020. Partial payments are accepted up by cash, check, or credit card until this day.

Tour Documents: The name on your documents must match your name as it appears on your passport. You must forward a copy of the photo/informational page of your passport within two weeks of enrollment on the tour.

Meals: Breakfast at your hotel is provided daily. This tour also provides five lunches and 2 dinners. All other meals are “on your own”.

Luggage: Limit of one suitcase and one carry on per person (this does not include purses), not to exceed 50 pounds or 62 inches.

Transfers: Transport between airport and hotel is included in the standard program. However, those who request changes from the standard program are responsible for their own transfers.

Flights: We recommend booking with our group’s agent, see below.

Itinerary length: Because of circumstances our of our control after brochures are printed, Appetite To Travel reserves the right to shorten or lengthen the itinerary accordingly and, whenever possible you will be notified in writing. If changes necessitate extra overnights, there will be additional charges.

Cancellation fees: From the day of registration to 120 days prior to departure the 20% non-refundable registration fee is the only charge. Thereafter, the following charges apply: 119-90 days: 40% of total cost; 89-60 days 60% of total cost; 59-45 days 80% of total cost; 44 days to the day of departure 100% of total cost. All claims must be received in writing.

Required Insurance: Travel medical insurance, separate from health insurance, is required by many of our vendors and must be purchased with this tour.

Our group’s travel agent is Vicki Aubert. She is also our recommendation for arranging necessary medical and trip insurance, flights, and any other excursions, tours, or extensions you desire. Vicki@PassportAndGo.com | +1-802-505-1055.

Statement of Responsibility

Appetite To Travel agrees to provide the itinerary described in this brochure, and this represents the entire agreement between the passenger and his agent, the Tour Host, and Tour Operator.

All prices, itineraries, and schedules are subject to regulations and changes thereof by acts of Government, International Agreement, and Airlines adjustments, rules, and regulations.

Appetite To Travel reserves the right to change or withdraw the tour, in whole or in part at any time. In the event of a change, the sole exclusive obligation of Appetite To Travel will be to refund pro rata any payments received. In the event of rescheduling of the tour due to unforeseen circumstances, the cancellation and refund clause will apply. Appetite To Travel my decline to accept or retain any individual as a participant in the tour at any time. If any tour participant leaves or is removed from the tour, Appetite To Travel is not responsible for any related expenses. Except for the willful negligence of its direct employees, the tour operator assumes no liability or responsibility for any injuries, inconveniences, illness, irregularity or incidental damages occasioned by circumstances beyond the control of the tour operator, or by any person or reason whatsoever, including, but not limited to events such as strikes, revolts, wars, natural disasters, closure of airports or hotels, negligence or omission of and by third party providing services or facilities related to or included in this tour or any part thereof, or in arranging for the same, or acts or omissions of the Tour Host.

Enrollment and payment for the tour constitutes your acceptance of the Program Conditions and Statement of Responsibility. The program conditions become a binding agreement when your enrollment and payment are received and accepted by Appetite To Travel of College Station, Texas. This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas.

www.AppetiteToTravel.com

Tour Registration Form Please complete this form for each traveler.

TRIP Tour Name & Starting Date: _____________________________________________________________________

TRAVELER Name as it appears on passport: __________________________________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip: _________________________________________________________________________________ Country: _______________________________________________________________________________________ Phone (day): ____________________________________________________________________________________ Phone (evening): ________________________________________________________________________________ Fax: ___________________________________________________________________________________________ E-mail: ________________________________________________________________________________________

ACCOMODATIONS Please check one

o Traveling as one, will pay single supplement charge (see itinerary for details) o Couple or friends – please indicate name __________________________________________ Preference:

o double bed

o single beds

DEPOSIT

A deposit of 20% is required to reserve your tour. The balance of your tour is due 120 days before departure.

Form of payment: Please check one o PayPal online via www.AppetiteToTravel.com/paynow o Check payable to Appetite To Travel # _________ o Cash amount _____________ presented to _______________________ on _____________________

Note: please mail a copy of your passport photo/name page along with your registration form.

MAILING ADDRESS: Appetite to Travel P.O. Box 4181 Bryan, Texas 77805

www.AppetiteToTravel.com