Jewish Travel Division of EMCO Travel, LLC Since 1993 Toll-free 877-466-2934.  Phone 727-254-4373 Fax: 203-653-5586 email:  info@JewishTravelAgency.com

 "Taste of Tuscany": the classic tours, 2010

with master cooking classes

Since 2006, a unique tour concept has evolved, providing luxurious cultural and gastronomic enjoyment for intimate groups of discerning kosher travelers.

 The tours offer:

• beautiful hotel accommodation in a historic building restored to the highest level while maintaining authentic features
• one hotel for the entire duration of your stay – no packing and unpacking and freedom to take days “off”
• intimate groups of like-minded, cultured individuals, who appreciate the finer things in life (and who don't usually travel with groups)
• day trips of general and Jewish interest – ancient Pitigliano, fabulous Florence, Pisa and its tower (but not only), proud Siena, lovely Lucca, San Gimignano, Barga and the Garfagnana
• visit to a noble villa, to help understand better the current demography of "old Europe"
• breath-taking (pun intended) hiking in the hills of the Cinque Terre 
• an opportunity to meet some of the remaining local Jewish people and hear their fascinating stories
• authentic Tuscan cuisine, prepared by renowned local chefs, with minimal adaption for reasons of Kashrut
• unlimited Italian non-mevushal wines – Pitigliano light red and white, Chianti rosso and rosso di Montalcino
• the world's best ice cream and coffee – decide yourself whether San Gimignano, Lucca or Barga is better
• fashion, household and leather shopping in the markets and towns
• hands-on cooking with "maestri" - master chef teachers; Tuscany is famous for its multitudinous cooking schools
• cycling – a "must" around the walls of Lucca; for serious bikers we can arrange serious cycling with/out a professional guide

Kashrut: a mashgiach tmidi will represent the Chief Rabbi of Florence, Rabbi Levi; we use regular milk, but chalav yisrael observers can be accommodated.

"Taste of Tuscany"

Typical itinerary

subject to change - due to any one of a hundred Italian variables

 Friday: 09.00 depart Rome airport (FCO)

                Light snacks will be available on the bus

               11.30 arrive Pitigliano "little Jerusalem"

This striking cliff-top village was formerly home to a thriving Jewish community – we'll visit the ghetto with its synagogue and museum.

Picnic lunch in town piazza

17.00 arrive Lucca

Hopefully there will be time for an overview tour of Lucca, preferably by bicycle around the famous city walls, before driving to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat. Kabbalat Shabbat and dinner according to season. 

Shabbat: 0800 coffee and cake : 0830 Shachrit : 1015 full breakfast

11.30 short stroll in vicinity of hotel

1400 Mincha, Shabbat lunch and rest to recover from the journey!!

Before the end of Shabbat: walk into Lucca town

A light supper will be served before or after the of end of Shabbat

Half-hour after Shabbat, leave Lucca for Pisa

No trip would be complete without seeing the tower – "after hours" the stalls of kitsch and the day-trippers are gone; Jewish Pisa is also featured

 Sunday: 08.00 Shachrit: 08.30 breakfast: depart 09.30

10.45 Florence - guided walking tour (Firenze)

Statue of David, the cathedral (duomo), Piazza della Repubblica, Ponte Vecchio and famous synagogue (ending with mincha)

14.30 picnic lunch

15.30 free time in Florence

If you wish to visit the Uffizi Gallery you should pre-book. Otherwise you can explore this gorgeous city in greater depth according to your interests, visiting palaces, museums and galleries, the leather market and stores.

17.30 depart Florence, via Piazzale Michelangelo

From here you will get the best panorama of the city. Those wishing to stay longer in Florence may return later by train or bus.

19.00 hands-on cooking session in our hotel, or relax

21.00 Ma’ariv and dinner

Monday: 08.00 Shachrit : 08.45 breakfast: depart 09.45

10.30 arrive Villa Torrigiani

Lucca is famous for its aristocratic villas; this one is most interesting as we'll be able to tour both inside the villa and the gardens: depart 12.00

12.45 arrive Barga

In this medieval mountain top village where time has stood still for hundreds of years you’ll climb the winding narrow streets to the duomo at the top of the village to breathe the clean air and enjoy the 360º panorama; picnic lunch in Barga: depart 14.30

16.00 arrive Viareggio

Take a “surrey” or a bike to ride the promenaded or tour the town; the shops are open!! Mincha in the shul: depart 18.00

19.00 mini opera concert in Lucca or cooking session

21.00 Ma’ariv and dinner

Tuesday: 08.00 Shachrit : 08.30 breakfast: depart 09.30

11.15 arrive at San Gimignano

Free time to explore the famous city of towers – climb to the top, see the stores, enjoy a coffee, take lots of pictures

13.00 visit agriturismo Bibbiano

Uniquely Italian concept: producers of wine and oil and a thriving vacation rental business with the ultimate view:  picnic lunch and swim

15.30 Siena

Visit the famous Piazza del Campo, home of the Palio horse race, the beautiful synagogue, daven mincha, and, if we are lucky, meet one of the community's leaders; free time for wandering around this bustling ancient university city: depart 1900

2100 Ma’ariv and dinner

Wednesday: 08.00 Shachrit : 08.30 breakfast ; 09.30 depart

10.30 arrive at Forte dei Marmi

Tuscany’s most elegant seaside resort, home to Andrea Bocelli and a great weekly country textile market; wander around, shop, sip coffee and people-watch; picnic lunch: leave 13.30

15.10 La Spezia train to Corniglia for hike on Cinque Terre

18.24 train back from Vernazza to La Spezia and bus back to hotel

20.30 Ma’ariv and farewell dinner

Thursday: 0800 Shachrit : 0845 breakfast

          1030 depart hotel for Pisa airport and train station

Those with later departures can take a train from Lucca to Pisa station/airport every half hour, at 12 and 42 minutes past the hour to Pisa airport; the journey takes 30 - 43 minutes.

Price from 3025 euro per person (deluxe and single rooms supplement)

Naomi's promise: "From the minute you land, until the minute you take off, you will not need to spend one cent". (You'll probably spend many cents, but that's because you want to, not because you have to!!)

 We will be pleased to help you arrange flights and extra hotels. If you wish to have a Rome (or other) pre/post tour, we will help there too.

not included in the price of your trip

• flights: most (but not all) tours run from Friday a.m. to Thursday a.m. You will be met at Rome Fiumicino airport 0900; on departure day, we will bring you to Pisa Galileo Galilei airport or to Pisa/Lucca train stations.
• "serious" cycling: your ride around the walls is on us, but we can arrange cycling tours with professional guides and professional bikes.
• spending money for shopping: Lucca's stores are gorgeous and not overpriced as the town is not too touristy. The village markets of Tuscany are a must. Free time will be given in Siena, Florence and San Gimignano for you to choose whether to sight-see or spend!!
• upgrades: deluxe rooms (DLX), and single occupancy are available at an additional price (see booking form).

·         extensions: if you wish to arrive in Lucca before the trip commences or (more commonly) stay for a few days after, on a kosher full board basis, this is sometimes possible.

·         insurance: all clients should be aware that while all efforts are made to avoid any problems before during or after your trip, Naomi carries no insurance for your health or luggage. While using the services only of registered suppliers, we recommend that you purchase fully comprehensive travel insurance as Naomi cannot be held liable for any mishaps during your stay.

• tips: at your discretion, but we recommend 100 euro per person for the week for drivers, chefs, waiters and chambermaids and can make the distribution for you

important suggestion:

• Whether or not you intended to spend time in Rome before your tour, we strongly recommend you stay the night before the tour starts in a hotel by the airport (the Hilton is IN the airport with shuttles to the city), in case your flight is delayed. We cannot wait for late arrivals as it is unfair to other guests. The cost of "catching up" by taxi/plane is MUCH greater than the cost of a night at the airport hotels!!

Dates in 2010

Special tours

April 16^th-22^nd: writers’ workshop  

April 23^rd – 29^th: artists’ workshop, cycling  (Staying in 5* villa hotel designed by Michelangelo: supplement 825 euro per person )

May 11^th-16^th: singles tour

 Classic tours

June 11^th–17^th: classic tour - all welcome

July 22^nd–28^th: classic tour - all welcome

October 22^th–28^th: classic tour - all welcome

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In addition to these dates, we will be pleased to tailor a week in Tuscany for your group according to your needs and preferences.
so if you are planning a family gathering, a club or synagogue trip, a business promotion, a charity fundraiser, a bar/bat-mitzvah, a wedding or any other specific group activity, contact us.

Inquire for more info or to book

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Toll-free 877-466-2934.  Phone 727-254-4373
email:  info@JewishTravelAgency.com
www.JewishTravelAgency.com

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