TRUFFLES & TREASURES OF ITALY II Gourmet Adventures in Umbria, Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont and Tuscany October 27 November 11, 2018 Join Laurel Pine in celebrating Italy s white truffle season while exploring the exquisite gastronomic and artistic treasures in Umbria, Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont and Tuscany. Our fifteen-day culinary tour includes exclusive tastings, chef-led cooking demonstrations, private guides, the Alba Truffle festival, dining at Michelin-starred restaurants (including a number one restaurant in the world!) and accommodations in carefully chosen four and five-star properties. This is your chance to meet and have experiences with some of Italy s most influential and worldfamous chefs and producers of Italy s finest food products, uniquely available in a Laurel Pine, Living Luxury tour. Relationships with our industry contacts enable us to provide you exclusive access. For example, we will spend an entire day with Urbani Truffles at their world headquarters, enjoy a private tour and tasting at Antica Acetaia Dodi, where Italy s finest Traditional Balsamic Vinegar is made, and spend six glorious days in Tuscany at Villa Valentina, with custom-designed, white truffle focused menus planned and prepared by Chefs David Verzello and Laurel Pine. This is a unique small-group luxury tour through the heart of Italy, escorted by Laurel Pine. We hope you will join us for this amazing gourmet adventure, where you will very likely create memories and friendships to last a lifetime. Limited to 14 participants.
ITINERARY TRUFFLES & TREASURES OF ITALY II Sat, Oct 27 Meet at Rome Airport Hilton Hotel, travel to Assisi Arrive at Rome, Fiumicino Airport, then travel via our private motor coach to our first meal in Italy, lunch at two Michelin-starred Vissani! After lunch, it s only an hour drive through the Italian countryside to Assisi, a stunningly beautiful Umbrian hill town with a thousand-year history. Our fivestar hotel has been newly created in modern design over a former monastery, which was built above Roman ruins. In the Spa, which is designated a Museum for its historic remains, you may enjoy bathing, steaming, and massage among ancient limestone columns and arches. We ll continue to get acquainted during dinner at the hotel restaurant, which uses almost exclusively Umbrian products. (L, D) Hotel: Nun Assisi Relais & Spa Museum Vissani, where refined dishes and unique flavors are linked with innovation and respect for Italian tradition.
Sun, Oct 28 Explore Assisi Our private guide will meet us at our hilltop hotel, and introduce us to the treasures of Assisi. We ll meander down the picturesque streets, which are lined with blush-colored limestone buildings dating to medieval times. Our guided tour will culminate at the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, which is decorated with frescoes by the greatest artists of the Gothic period, such as Cimabue, Giotto, and Simone Martini. We ll enjoy lunch with a sweeping view of the valley, followed by free time for the afternoon for exploring the rest of Assisi on your own or relaxing in the Spa. In the evening, a wine tasting with regional appetizers at Bibenda, led by our charming and knowledgeable host, Nila. Hotel: Nun Assisi Relais & Spa Museum
Mon, Oct 29 Truffle Hunt and Tour This morning we will travel towards Spoleto for a truffle hunt in the hills, and to see the headquarters of Urbani, the world s foremost distributor of Truffles. We ll have a tour of their plant before our cooking demonstration and white truffle lunch on site. After this spectacular day with Urbani Truffles, we ll return to Assisi for a free evening. (B,L) Hotel: Nun Assisi Relais & Spa Museum Tues, Oct 30 Ravenna Mosaics and Bologna We ll depart Assisi in the morning to visit Ravenna, a city whose extensive 5 th century Byzantine mosaics are considered the finest in Italy, if not the world. With our private guide, we ll visit the Basilica of San Vitale and the tomb of Galla Placidia, brilliant with colored mosaics. After lunch we ll continue our tour, seeing Dante s Tomb and the other principal sights of Ravenna. It s a short drive to Bologna, the gastronomic capital of Italy. Located in the center of historic Bologna, we ll settle into our 5-star luxurious hotel. If you wish, dine in the hotel s Michelin recommended restaurant or take a 5-minute walk to Eataly or another nearby restaurant for dinner. (B,L) Hotel: Grand Hotel Majestic Bologna Wed, Oct 31 Bologna s Treasures After breakfast at the hotel s bountiful buffet, we ll have a guided tour of the historic center of Bologna. In the afternoon we ll enjoy private tastings of mortadella, filled pastas, and other specialties of the area, including pastries. Free afternoon to shop and further explore Bologna on your own, then we will regroup for a contemporary dinner at Michelin-starred I Portici. Hotel: Grand Hotel Majestic Bologna Thurs, Nov 1 Eataly World and White Truffle Dinner Today we will visit the largest Eataly location in the world! During our visit to the newly built 20-acre theme park for foodies, we ll learn about how world-famous foods of Italy such as Parmigiano- Reggiano, pasta, and olive oil are farmed, harvested, and processed. After an immersive experience at Eataly World, we ll enjoy a white truffle dinner at Amerigo 1934, a charming restaurant in the hills outside of the city of Bologna. (B,D) Hotel: Grand Hotel Majestic Bologna
Fri, Nov 2 Balsamic Vinegar, World s Best Restaurant and Culatello Tasting (9 am) Leaving Bologna after breakfast in the morning, we will travel to Reggio Emilia, and tour Antica Acetaia Dodi, where Italy s finest Traditional Balsamic Vinegar is made, and taste their products. Afterward, we ll dine on contemporary Italian cuisine at Osteria Francescana, voted number 1 in the world in 2016. Next stop: a 12 th Century castle, now a comfortable Agriturismo, where the finest culatello (similar to prosciutto, only better!) is made. We ll see how the hams are aged, then taste aged culatello, a delightful snack prior to retiring for the evening. Every room at this unique property has an original fireplace! (Rooms in castle will be reserved for first seven bookings.) (B,L) Hotel: Antica Corte Pallavicina Relais Taste culatello in its different forms and tour the cellar where famous chefs reserve culatelli years in advance. Sat, Nov 3 Agriturismo, Tuscan Villa In the morning we ll tour the farm and vineyard, and see the famous black pigs, followed by a special lunch at the castle s Michelin-starred restaurant. After lunch, we ll drive through the Italian countryside to Piedmont. We ll arrive at our hotel (Relais and Chateaux) formerly a 17th Century monastery. We will dine tonight in our hotel s Michelin-starred restaurant, Giodo da Costigliole. (B,L) Hotel: Relais San Maurizio
Sun, Nov 4 Truffle Festival and Market After breakfast in our hotel, we ll depart for the Alba Sunday Market, which will be buzzing, with vendors selling artisanal local specialties such as baked goods, cheese, salumi, honey, Torrone (nougat), fresh pastas, anchovies, and produce. Lunch at Piazza Duomo, #15 in the world. In the afternoon we will enjoy a guided tour through the Langhe countryside, taking in the beautiful views, on our way to Barolo, where we will visit the wine museum and taste Piemont s famous wines, Barolo and Barbaresco. (B,L) Hotel: Relais San Maurizio
Mon, Nov 5 Italian Rivera and Arrival at Tuscan Villa This morning we ll be on our way to the Villa Valentina, in Vorno, Tuscany. (3.5 hour drive), stopping for a seafood lunch on the Italian Riviera. When we arrive we ll have a tour of the grounds and get settled in our spacious rooms before dinner together in the Villa s unique dining room. Our chef will prepare a welcoming Tuscan regional dinner. Tues, Nov 6 Historic Town of Lucca After enjoying a typical Italian breakfast at the Villa, we will leave for Lucca for a guided tour of this charming town whose historic center reveals its ancient Roman and medieval past. Afterwards, a wine tasting lunch at Valgiano, then dinner and cooking class with chef David and Laurel back at the Villa.
Wed, Nov 7 Market in Pistoia and Vorno Lunch This morning we will be visiting the bustling market town of Pistoia to help the chef choose fresh produce and regional delicacies for dinner. We will return to Vorno to have lunch at Cucina Dello Scompiglio, a lovely country restaurant at the bottom of the village of Vorno. We will return to the villa for a fun pasta making dinner. Thurs, Nov 8 Treasures of Florence Leaving the Villa in the morning, we will be guided through Florence by a local art and history professor. Florence, famous for its wealth of art, architecture and cultural heritage, is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance. Perhaps most famous of all, it is home to Michelangelo s David at the Galleria dell'academia. We ll enjoy lunch at Michelin-starred Ora d Aria in Florence and sightseeing will continue in the afternoon. Returning to the Villa in the early evening, we will join the chef for a light dinner. A fabulous lunch at Michelin-starred Ora d Aria while sightseeing in Florence.
Fri, Nov 9 Super Tuscan Winery Visits and Lunch Today we will enjoy an exclusive tour and tasting at Ornellaia, one of Italy s top wineries and producer of Super Tuscan Bordeaux-style wines. Next, we will taste the elegant and complex Sassicaia Super Tuscan wines at Tenuta Sa Guido in Bolgheri and have lunch in the quaint village. After a day of tasting magnificent Tuscan wines, we will return to the Villa to relax and enjoy our chef-prepared dinner. Sat, Nov 10 Spa, Relaxation, Shopping Our final day will be a relaxing one, allowing you to take in the beauty of the Tuscan Villa and prepare for your departure back to the US, or further travel in Europe. Our farewell dinner will be held at the famous Michelin-starred Butterfly restaurant in Lucca. Sun, Nov 11 Departure from Villa to Airport After breakfast at the Villa, prepare to leave for the airport of your choosing (Pisa is closest, and a one hour flight to Rome, about $100). Grazie! Arrivederci!
What is included in the Tour? Accommodations in unique four and five star properties, mostly in upgraded rooms. Breakfast and at least one large meal including DO wines provided daily (designated on itinerary as B, L, D). Entrance fees to all museums, private tours and tastings listed on the itinerary, service charges and tips for meals designated on the itinerary, and tips for drivers and guides are all included. Transportation in a comfortable and spacious motorcoach with private driver. Airfare from and return to the US is not included. Per Person Double Occupancy $14,185 Per Person Single Occupancy $16,125 Room upgrades available at an additional charge Reservation Process 1. Print and complete the Reservation form and mail to Laurel Pine along with your deposit check of $2500 per person. 2. Travel insurance: The purchase of comprehensive travel insurance, which will cover medical emergencies and cancellation fees, is strongly advised and should be purchased within 15 days of booking. Laurel Pine, Living Luxury LLC reserves the right to withdraw or modify our culinary vacations at any time (a minimum of ten participants is required to confirm the trip). In circumstances where we are unable to provide the trip booked, we will return all monies paid or offer an alternative culinary vacation. TERMS AND CONDITIONS Reservations To confirm a booking on the tour, complete the reservation form and mail it to Laurel Pine, Living Luxury, 316 California Ave. #34, Reno, NV, 89509, with your check deposit of $2,500 per person. Prompt receipt of this deposit is essential to confirm our hotel, restaurant and guide reservations, which require partial prepayment. Balance due April 1, 2018. Reservations will be accepted until full complement is reached. Requests for space after tour is filled will be placed on a waiting list. Tour limited to 14 participants; we require a minimum of 10 participants to confirm the tour. Cancellation Regardless of reason, cancellations would result in a costly process of letters, toll calls, record adjustments, refund checks, etc., plus a loss of time that may not permit resale. Cancellation insurance is highly recommended, and applies if a participant cancels for an insured reason, such as a documented medical or family emergency. For more information about comprehensive travel insurance, contact Laurel Pine at 510-590-6693 or your travel agent. Cancellation Fee Schedule (cancellation for non-insured reasons) From 7 days after date of Booking: $1000 Prior to May 1, 2018: $6,000 After May 1, 2018 or trip in progress: no refund. In the event of passenger cancellation, all payments for travel service not provided to the passenger shall be promptly refunded in accordance with the agreed-to terms and conditions, unless the passenger otherwise instructs the seller of travel in writing. Air Travel We can recommend an expert agent who can arrange your air tickets, if requested. Suggested Airports: Arrive at Rome (FCO) Friday, October 26 th or Saturday morning no later than 7:30 am. We will be meeting between 9 10 am at the Rome Airport Hilton Hotel lobby. Depart from Pisa Airport unless you will engage in further travel. Meals Meals included in the cost of the tour are indicated at the end of each day on the itinerary as B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner. Bottled mineral water is included with lunches and dinners. DOC wines are included with dinners and most lunches. Luggage Handling of one or two pieces of normal-sized luggage per person is included. One carry-on bag is allowed as your own responsibility. Transfers Transportation to the hotel in Rome is the responsibility of participants, as is transportation to the airport at the end of the tour (we can coordinate this, but the cost is not included in the tour price). Escort and Guides Tour designer and organizer Laurel Pine will accompany the group on the entire itinerary. Licensed local guides will provide information and insight for attractions on the itinerary. Other services Included are entrance fees to places on the itinerary, service charges and tips for meals designated on the itinerary, and tips for drivers and guides. No refunds will be made for services and meals not used by group members. Not included Personal items such as individual food or beverage orders, room service, valet/laundry service, optional activities, meals not included on the itinerary, tipping for personal services not part of the tour s included features, transfers not specifically mentioned as being included.
Responsibility: Laurel Pine and Laurel Pine, Living Luxury LLC and its representatives or agents acting on its behalf shall not be or become liable or responsible for any loss, injury, or damage to person or property in connection with any means of transportation or other services resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, dangers incident to the air or sea, breakdown in any kind of machinery or equipment, strikes, riots, terrorism, thefts, pilferage, epidemics, quarantine, or from whatsoever cause. Furthermore, tour organizer Laurel Pine reserves the right to withdraw the Tour or any part of it and make such alterations in accommodations and to the itinerary as deemed necessary and advisable, and reserves the right to accept or decline or retain any person as a tour member whether before departure or en-route. In such event, equitable amounts of monies will be refunded. Any expense incurred by delays or events beyond her control shall be borne by the clients. Should the foreign exchange rate change significantly (more than 3% from 1.2) before full payment has been made, Laurel Pine, Living Luxury reserves the right to adjust the tour price and/or adjust the itinerary accordingly. CASOT Disclosures: This business is not a participant in the California Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation. Pursuant to California Law, Laurel Pine, Living Luxury LLC has a trust account. CSOT #2118335-40 By becoming a member of the tour group, participant agrees to the above-mentioned conditions and agrees to hold harmless Laurel Pine and Laurel Pine, Living Luxury LLC. RESERVATION FORM Name(s) exactly as on passport Date of birth Date of birth Address Phone Email Rooming alone* or sharing with 1 bed or 2 beds *Single supplement applies I have read the Terms and Conditions and agree to its terms (please sign) (please sign) Amount enclosed $ (deposit is $2500 per person) Name of person(s) to contact in case of emergency Relationship to traveler Phone Mobile Phone email Please make check payable to Laurel Pine, Living Luxury LLC, and mail along with this reservation form. Please use separate forms if travelers have different addresses or contact information. Mail to: Laurel Pine Laurel Pine, Living Luxury LLC 316 California Ave #34 Reno, NV 89509