Pelletiere Estate
Itinerary
Depart the USA for Italy.
MONTECATINI
Upon arrival, proceed to baggage claim. After clearing customs, you will be met by your English-speaking Discovery Program Guide who will assist you onto your deluxe motorcoach. You will arrive at the nearby spa resort town of Montecatini, your home for the next seven nights. Montecatini is situated in the northern part of Tuscany, just outside of Florence, in the heart of the Italian art cradle. One of the many highlights of this tour is that there is no “packing and unpacking” . . . a relaxed way to experience this wonderful region of Italy. Have a Welcome Reception and briefing this evening at the hotel. Then enjoy your first real Italian meal this evening in the dining room at the hotel.
PISA
In the morning, you will visit Pisa. The square of Mirades contains some breathtaking monuments: the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral, the Baptistry, the monumental cemetery and the Opa Museum. Exploring is easy as everything is located within a few hundred yards of each other. Maybe taste a local cappuccino at one of the cafes on the square. Later, learn to make pasta by hand with a professional chef-instructor for a truly memorable experience. Your cooking class covers the basics of different styles of pasta. Nibble on light appetizers and a glass of wine as you begin to prepare the pasta meal. When you have finished, enjoy your dinner.
SAN GIMIGNANO - CHIANTI
After breakfast we travel into the heart of Tuscany. As we travel south you will recognize many of the landscapes from the movie “Under the Tuscan Sun,” filmed in this area. Visiting the walled city of San Gimignano, the best-preserved medieval village in Italy, you will admire the many towers that once served as the skyscrapers of the 13th and 14th centuries. We will stroll around the tiny streets leading to the top of the village, maybe stop in one of the many cafes and small trattorias for a sandwich and a “gelato”... Italian ice cream. As you drive south through the wine country of Chianti this afternoon, we will experience Fattoria Poggio Alloro winery. Three generations of Fioronis continue to work the land using age-old practices, growing a bounty of fruits, vegetables, and cereal crops, such as wheat for pasta, olives for extravirgin olive oil, and grapes for their award winning wines. Sarah Fioroni, chef, cooking instructor, sommelier, and manager of her family’s organic farm, will shares stories of family traditions and daily life at Fattoria Poggio Alloro as we enjoy a private tasting.
MONTECATINI / CINQUE TERRE
Today, enjoy a full day Tour of Cinque Terre where you’ll find rugged beauty and a slow pace. Named for the five towns of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, this portion of the Italian Riviera is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with a string of centuries-old seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline. In each of the five towns, colorful houses and ancient vineyards cling to steep terraces, fishing boats bob in harbors and trattorias turn out seafood specialties along with the Liguria region’s famous sauce, pesto.
FLORENCE
After breakfast, you’ll travel to the heart of the Tuscan region and the city of Florence, which has produced famous artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Dante and Michelangelo. Your tour of Florence will include a visit to the Piazza del Duomo to see its massive bronze “Gates of Paradise,” Signoria Square, the 13th century Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Giotto Tower and the Church of Santa Croce where Michelangelo is buried. The afternoon will be free to sightsee or shop in Florence.
MONTECATINI (SUPER TUSCAN)
Day at leisure or take an optional tour to Ornellaia, Grattamacco, or Argentiera to experience the beautiful Tuscan countryside and a tour and tasting at an exclusive wine estate. You will start the day’s journey with a brief stop in the medieval town of Bolgheri, to wet your palate with a tasting of three super wines from three different Tuscan coastline DOC regions. From there, continue on to one of the most celebrated Tuscan wine estates. Your visit begins with a walking tour through the estate’s famed vineyards, and hear the history of this beautiful and unspoiled land. Enjoy a tasting of several of their varietals, followed by a traditional Tuscan four course lunch at the winery paired with a selection of current releases.
MONTECATINI (VENICE)
Day at leisure or take an optional full day tour to Venice. Enjoy a city tour of Venice where you will see St. Mark’s Cathedral and Doge’s palace. This afternoon, make a life memory as you enjoy the sights, sounds and the hustle and bustle of Venice while cruising the Grand Canal aboard a traditional wood carved gondola boat. While cruising be sure to look for the Rialto Bridge which is the most famous and oldest of the four bridges that span the Grand Canal. Venice is a must-do Italian experience. Enjoy! This evening enjoy a delicious Tuscan feast with your fellow travelers as a tribute to your new fond memories of Italy.
MONTECATINI - USA
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your return flight to the U.S.Frequently Asked Questions
More Information
For more information or to make reservations, please contact Kaley Honzel (866) 295-1283 or khonzel@foodandwinetrails.com. Click Here to Download the Reservation Form
How do I sign up for this journey?
For more information, or to book today please visit: Pelletiere Estate Vineyards & Winery Online Booking or call Perfect Pairings at (800) 614-8613
Travel Protection
As a guest traveling with the Pelletiere Estate Vineyard & Winery, you will receive complimentary comprehensive trip interruption insurance including medical, baggage, missed connection coverage. Trip Cancellation coverage is NOT included in this package. You may choose to purchase additional coverage to protect your vacation in the event of unforeseen circumstances that may require you to cancel your trip. We are pleased to offer several options to protect your travel investment. Option 1: Travel Guard Trip Cancellation Coverage - This plan covers cancellations related to medical situations for you and or a family member. To purchase this insurance and get the pre-existing conditions waiver, you need to purchase the coverage the same day you make your deposit for the trip. The cost for this coverage is 7.2% over the total amount of coverage you wish to purchase (i.e. $3,000 worth of coverage costs $216. $4,000 worth of coverage costs $288). For more info click HERE. For residents in: FL, IN, KS, MN, MO, NY and WA click HERE. Option 2: Hancock Cancel For Any Reason Trip Cancellation Coverage (CFAR) which must be purchased the same day you make your deposit. The pricing for this is based on age and the amount of coverage purchased. Click HERE to obtain a quote & purchase your coverage; be sure to select the optional CFAR Insurance. This plan allows you the flexibility to cancel your trip at any time. Keep in mind, if you cancel for any reason other than medical reasons, they will only refund you up to 50% of the amount of coverage purchased. If you cancel for medical reasons, this coverage allows for a refund up to 100%. If you have specific medical or insurance questions, please feel free to call Travel Guard directly at 1.866.385.4839 or John Hancock at 1.866.888.7803.
When is my Payment due?
A $600 deposit is required to secure your reservation. A preliminary invoice will be provided with your reservation confirmation; giving you an opportunity to view our services and confirm the pricing matches the materials you’ve received so far. If there are any discrepancies, please contact your Operations Manager as soon as possible to review. We will then send you an official invoice approximately 120 days prior to departure. This invoice is due approximately 110 days prior to travel. This is an excellent time to let us know if you are planning to extend your stay, participate in a pre or post-tour option, or if you’re interested in upgrading your travel arrangements in some way. Once you’ve paid for the trip, we will begin finalizing airline tickets and other important travel arrangements. If you wait until after this time to let us know these important details, it may become very expensive to make those changes (Changes made after ticketing will be done at your expense). So, if you’re thinking about any of these options, put them in writing to your Operations Manager, Brian Garrison (bgarrison@adelmantravel.com) prior to paying your invoice.
When will I get more information on optional tours?
Optional tour information will be sent out to all travelers approximately 110 days prior to travel. You will have plenty of time to review and pre-pay for these tours prior to travel.
Can I upgrade my seat assignment or flights?
In most cases, yes, you can upgrade your seats to Comfort Class, Premium Economy Class or even Business Class if the request is made prior to ticketing. If you are interested in receiving upgrade options, please contact your Operations Manager so that we may work on your request when the time comes. Additional fees will apply based on your final selections. Full payment will be required for additional services at the time of purchase. Seating upgrades are non-refundable once purchased.
Can I use my frequent flyer points to upgrade my flights?
Possibly. We recommend you contact your airline provider directly for details and then continue with our air department accordingly. We will need to know which “Class of Service” you need to be booked in, in order to receive the upgrade you wish.
Can I extend their trip or travel from a different home city? If so, how does that work and what is the cost?
Absolutely. We are happy to work with you and your guests in making special travel arrangements. These are handled on a case-by-case basis approximately 120 days prior to the trip. Guests wishing to extend their trip or travel from a different home city should put their detailed requests in writing as soon as possible so that we can begin working on the research for their trips. Approximately 75-100 days prior to their travel dates, Perfect Pairings/ Adelman Travel will send these guests information detailing their travel options. At that time, the guest may elect to use our services, cancel their request and simply travel with the group, or make their own arrangements. Either way, they must return the materials with their final selection noted so that we can finalize ticketing arrangements on their behalf.
Can I make my own flight arrangements?
Yes. If you are interested in making your own flight arrangements, please let us know and we will provide you with a deduction on your final invoice.
How are seat assignments handled?
Every airline has different rules regarding group seating. As a courtesy, Perfect Pairings/ Adelman Travel makes every effort to secure appropriate seating for you and your travel companion. However, we cannot guarantee that the individual airlines will honor our requests. Therefore, if your particular seat assignment is essential to your travel, we encourage our guests to contact the airlines approximately 1 week prior to travel to inquire as to your assignment. Please note that many airlines will wait to confirm arrangements for group seating until airport check in. Additionally, due to the nature of travel, airlines may change aircraft up until the time of departure; which may affect any pre-confirmed seating arrangements.