Naomi Boutique Kosher Tours is proud to present the Susie Fishbein VIP Gourmet  Kosher Tuscany Tour

June / July 2012

(with Venice pre- and Rome post- extensions)

A unique opportunity to enjoy Tuscany to the full the incomparable while observing Kashrut and Shabbat, in the company of Susie Fishbein, the celebrated Israeli Kosher cookbook author, chef and TV personality

Tuscany …. or “La Bella Toscana”

“There is nowhere like Tuscany. Its beauty is not only physical, but meta-physical. It has inspired the world’s finest artists and architects, composers and singers. No camera can capture its beauty, nor can any author describe it adequately. It is the obsessive passion of its lovers, who never tire of its wondrous charms. And as if these are not enough, it is home to some of the finest wines in the world and a cuisine whose simple honesty makes it the envy of all.” From his “Introduction to Tuscany” by Eliao di Monte d’Oro, traveler and bon-vivant

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

For the committed Jew, the discovery, in this “heaven on earth”, of a rich tapestry of Jewish life makes a visit here all the more remarkable. At Naomi Boutique tours, we have created an itinerary which includes all the highlights of the most exclusive tours of the region, and enhances the experience by providing the very best Tuscan cuisine and program content for today’s savvy observant Jewish traveler.

To name but some of the stops, many familiar, others less so: the main cities of Florence of the Renaissance and Siena of the Palio horse race, Pisa of the tower and Lucca of the walls, beautiful Pitigliano a.k.a. “la piccola Gerusalemme”, the awe-inspiring Cinque Terre (hike), an Agriturismo, an operatic performance and some master classes with master chefs.

All this comes with authentic Tuscan cooking (under strict hashgacha), washed down with superb kosher Chiantis and other selected vintage wines as available.

Our accommodation in Tuscany, The Villa Principessa, is the former home of Elisa, Princess of Lucca, and sister of Napoleon Bonaparte - a magnificent villa whose origins go back 900 years, lately restored and converted into an elegant hotel. This will be our base for the Tuscany part of the tour so there will be no checking in and out every day, and no packing or unpacking. Whenever you wish to take off on your own, there is no problem; just come back for dinner!!!

You’ll dine on authentic Tuscan food, prepared by local chefs, served with natural Italian elegance, taste a variety of Italian kosher wines, enjoy the world's best coffee and home-made gelato, and be surrounded by art, architecture and music. There’ll be time for shopping – in country markets and couture stores - for ceramics, textiles and jewelry by leading local craftsmen.

Top local guides will lead fascinating tours of general and Jewish interest – from unreal Pitigliano, to Florence, home of the Renaissance, Pisa’s tower, subtle Siena, lovely Lucca, San Gimignano, Forte dei Marmi, Viareggio, Barga in the Garfagnana … and a host of gorgeous villages. We’ll hike part of the fabulous Cinque Terre trail high up overlooking the Ligurian Sea and cycle: for everyone, the city of Lucca’s walls, and for serious bikers, serious rides!!

Most especially on this tour will be the emphasis on the food: you’ll cook with master Italian chefs, while Susie is your host in the kitchen.

In short, a full itinerary designed to ensure the maximum possible enjoyment of one of the most exquisitely beautiful regions on earth, in a rich, warm and open Jewish atmosphere, with no dress code or Jewish learning program!!!!!

Full detailed Itinerary including Venice and Rome (possibility of joining for part - as indicated in green)

Friday June 29th 11.15am Meet at Venice Marco Polo airport

Recommend flights (not included in the price ) : from:- NYC: Thursday 20h00 Delta /Alitalia, arr 10h40 TLV: Friday 05h15 Alitalia via Rome arr 10h25 London: Friday 07h40 Gatwick arr 10h50

Boat transfer from the airport to our hotel in Venice.

We will take a boat tour of Venice before lunch and a Jewish ghetto walking tour after lunch.

Latest candle-lighting 20h45

Services in the ghetto followed by dinner.

Shabbat June 30th

Breakfast in the hotel, then Shul in the ghetto

Lunch back in our hotel

Walking tour of Venice

Seuda Shlishit Havdala 22h00 followed by Venice by night

Sunday July 1st 08h00 Breakfast 09h00 express Train to Florence (luggage will be taken separately straight to our hotel in Lucca) [*Info for those wishing to join the tour in Florence: From: - TLV - Alitalia via Rome arr 10h40 to Florence - London (STN) Ryanair arr 09h40 to Pisa, then shuttle]

11h30 arr Florence - guided walking tour of the historic city centre, followed by picnic lunch in the park by Florence’s historic Shul, and then a tour of the Shul.

The rest of the afternoon is yours for sightseeing, visiting galleries, palaces and the famous leather market. We will give you maps and suggestions – those wishing to visit the Uffizi / Accademia should pre-book for a visit at about 16h00.

19h00 leave Florence

20h30 Welcome Dinner

Monday July 2nd

08h30 Breakfast: depart 09h30

10h15 Villa Torrigiani: the Lucca area is famous for its aristocratic villas this is one of the most interesting as we'll be able to tour both inside the villa and in the gardens

12h30 leave for Barga: lunch in the square will be followed by a walk up to the top of this picturesque medieval town for a magnificent 360° panorama of the Apuan Alps

16h00 arrive Lucca; everyone is invited to cycle around and through this beautiful town.

19h00 either – cooking session with Susie in the hotel or mini-opera concert in town

21h00 Dinner

23h00 Pisa by night – an experience

Tuesday July 3rd

08h30 Breakfast : depart 09h30

11h15 San Gimignano: famous town of towers, the Manhattan of Tuscany, from the 13th century!! Climb to the top for the view, see the crafts stores and enjoy coffee in the square

12h45 Leave for visit to an “Agriturismo” – a unique Italian concept of agricultural tourism amid vines and olive trees with a spectacular view: lunch

14h30 leave for Siena: known inter alia for its Palio horse race, its beautiful pre-unification synagogue, its Piazza del Campo, its cathedral and public palace. A little free time too.

18h30 Depart Siena

20h30 Dinner at the hotel

Wednesday July 4th

08h30 Breakfast : depart 09h30

10h30 Arrive at Forte dei Marmi - the Versilia coast’s top resort where Andrea Bocelli lives and many Milanese Jews have their summer homes. This is where you’ll find one of the most popular country markets offering a huge variety of discounted designer clothes and ceramics

13h00 Viareggio, the Versilia Coast’s most popular upscale beach resort is where we’ll stop for lunch

16h00 Back to the hotel for a major session with Susie and the chefs / swimming / cycling for serious cyclists / free time in Lucca

20h30 Dinner

Thursday July 5th

08h30 Breakfast : depart 09h30 for Cinque Terre hike

11h00 train from La Spezia to Corniglia; then hike – different levels as required

14h00 lunch and free time in Vernazza

16h00 train back to La Spezia, bus to hotel

18h30 Final cooking session (with other activity options as above)

20h30 Gala Dinner

Friday July 6th [*Info for those wishing to arrive home for Shabbat: There are early morning flights from Pisa airport, 25 minutes from our hotel, which will arrive in TLV, NYC and LON by 13h00 – 14h00 local time] 08h00 Breakfast (luggage loaded on bus)

09h30 Depart south towards Rome

12h00 Arrive Pitigliano: visit the ancient Jewish ghetto, with its recently restored synagogue; perhaps we will meet the only Jewish lady who still lives here and is the inspiration behind the preservation of the village once known as “la piccola Gerusalemme” (little Jerusalem).

Lunch in the piazza.

14h30 depart Pitigliano

17h00 Rome arrival at our luxury hotel, time to prepare for Shabbat

Latest candle-lighting 20h30

Kabbalat Shabbat, Ma’ariv in Great Synagogue 20h30 dinner followed by Oneg Shabbat with Rabbi Bahbout of Rome Shabbat July 7th A day of walking, praying and eating – we will use the opportunity to get to know the area of Rome around the hotel and learn a little more aout the Italian Jews – not Sefardim, not Ashkenazim, but “Italkim” with a nussach and minhagim that vary from city to city.

Sunday July 8th (17th Tammuz)

What could be more appropriate for this date than a tour of ancient Rome including the famous engraving on the arch of Titus of the treasures of the Bet HaMikdash being carried away by the Romans.

There will also be a tour of Jewish Rome and the famous Jewish tour of the Vatican.

Monday July 9th

Flights to TLV, NYC and London at your convenience throughout the day

Price for entire tour, 10 nights, 11 days

$7700 per person sharing (DLX and SGL supplements available)

Part tour prices: 5 nights Tuscany Sun – Thurs $3750

2 nights Venice $2000

3 nights Rome $2700

The by-now famous Naomi Tour promise: from the minute we meet you until the minute we say goodbye, everything in the program is included in the price of your tour

Not included in the price of your trip

• flights: you will be met at Venice airport , thereafter all transport is included, including transfers to Pisa and Rome airports for departure

• "serious" cycling: your ride around the walls of Lucca is included, but for serious riders we can arrange professional cycle rentals with or without professional guides.

• 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).

• 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: we recommend 150 euro/$225 per person for the full tour; this covers gratuities for drivers, chefs, waiters and chambermaids: we will collect and distribute for you.

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Tefillot: morning, noon and night every day

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