WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Private group arrival/departure transfers (transfers based on group air arrival/departure times)
• Private transportation on a coach and/or van as per itinerary
• 2 nights superior accommodation in Florence, 8 nights villa accommodation at Il Palagio
• Daily breakfast, 2 lunches (1 local restaurant, 1 cooking class), 8  dinners (including a glass of wine)
• Welcome basket of food & wine in each apartment
• Guided tours of Florence, Volterra, Colle Val D’Elsa, Siena, Chianti Hills
• ½ day visit to San Gimignano
• Guided tour of Il Palagio Organic Vineyard & Olive Grove with wine tasting
• Services of an English-speaking Local Guide
• Services of a Broad Escapes Tour Manager
• Includes all applicable taxes and service charges
• 24-hour Ellison Travel & Tours Ltd. Emergency Contact Number while on tour

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

• Insurance has not been included as part of your tour package. Broad Escapes strongly recommends the purchase of Manulife Insurance coverage for Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, COVID-19 Travel Plan, Comprehensive Assistance, Health Coverage, Individual Accident Coverage and Baggage and Personal Effects Insurance. Contact us for rates and complete details.
• International airfare – Inquire with us about group space
• Passport, visas, government processing fees, vaccinations, COVID tests, if required at time of travel
• Luggage handling
• Beverages & Meals not mentioned
• Items of personal nature
• Gratuities
• Additional taxes, fuel surcharges or service charges levied by the governments or our suppliers
• European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) fee (effective 2024 for visa-free non-EU citizens to visit the European Union Zone https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/etias/)

OPTIONS

• International Flights – A designated group flight from Toronto will be assigned. We would be pleased to book your flights from Toronto or any other departure gateway.
• Arrival and departure transfers – for those not arriving & departing on group flights

Proof of medical insurance coverage is mandatory to participate in this tour. Broad Escapes strongly recommends the purchase of Manulife Insurance coverage for Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, COVID-19 Travel Plan, Comprehensive Assistance, Health Coverage, Individual Accident Coverage and Baggage and Personal Effects Insurance. Contact your agent for rates and complete details.

DAY 1 | Thursday, May 16 (D)
ARRIVE FLORENCE
*Independent arrival at the Florence Airport
Welcome to Florence, Italy, the showcase of civilization! Upon arrival meet our private group transfer and check in to our centrally located hotel. In the afternoon enjoy an orientation stroll through the streets and surrounding neighbourhood. Gather in the evening for a welcome dinner.

Note: This is a land only tour, however, Broad Escapes will have a designated group flight from Toronto. The group transfer will be based on the recommended group flight arrival time. Private transfers (additional cost) can be arranged for those arriving at a different time/date. Flights from all gateways can be arranged through Broad Escapes.

Overnight Florence – Hotel de la Ville (or similar) – 1 night

DAY 2 | Friday, May 17 (BD)
FLORENCE – IL PALAGIO VILLA
After breakfast, meet our English speaking local guide and enjoy a walking tour of Florence. During the tour our guide will point out famous sites such as the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery, Piazze della Signori, Santa Croce and more. Enjoy time for lunch (at own expense) and leisure then regroup to proceed by coach to Panzano in Chianti. Enjoy a welcome cocktail upon arrival at Villa Il Palagio and meet the villa owner for an orientation meeting and check in. Settle in to unpack, relax or stroll around the villa property and enjoy the spectacular views of the vineyards and rolling Tuscany hills. Conclude the day with a group dinner, including local wines, served in the comfort of the villa.

Overnight Panzano – Villa Il Palagio – 8 nights

Villa Il Palagio is located within walking distance to the town of Panzano in Chianti, in the heart of Tuscany and is halfway between Florence and Siena. Immersed in its natural settings made of vineyards and olive groves, the villa offers five lovely and comfortable apartments, large gardens, a swimming pool, barbecue as well as a wonderful view of the Tuscan countryside. This rural retreat has been renovated but maintains the original stone walls, ceilings, and wooden beams. Its rustic Tuscan style combines functionality and comfort with authentic beauty. Each apartment is uniquely furnished, some with balconies, others with terraces or garden areas. Since it’s a farmhouse, some apartments are on the main floor and others on the second floor. Some are larger than others, but all have a nice living room, a well-equipped kitchen, spacious bedrooms and bathrooms with showers and all have the unique characteristics of a traditional Tuscan Farmhouse. The villa has a lovely community room where breakfasts and group dinners will be served.

Day 3 | Saturday, May 18 (BLD)
DAY VISIT TO VOLTERRA & COLLE VAL D’ELSA
After breakfast at the villa, depart with our English speaking local guide on a full day excursion by private coach. The first stop is the small town of Volterra. Here you’ll explore and experience life as a Tuscan in this vibrant hill town. Continue o the medieval village of Colle Val D’Elsa, with its narrow lanes and magnificent 15th and 16th century noble houses. Enjoy a light lunch in a local trattoria with time to explore before returning to the villa.

Day 4 | Sunday, May 19 (B)
IL PALAGIO VILLA
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast served at the villa. Today is a day of exploration in and around the villa. It is also market day in Panzano (08h00 – 18h00) complete with locally-grown organic food, local products, art, and crafts. You’ll want to spend some of your day with the locals in this quaint hillside village. For those who are energetic, hike to Greve or rent a bike and cycle along the countryside. Or simply sit by the pool and enjoy a good book. The day is yours to explore!

Day 5 | Monday, May 20 (BD)
DAY VISIT TO SIENA
After breakfast meet our English-speaking local guide and board our private coach for a full day guided excursion to Siena. This charming town and UNESCO world heritage site is famous for its medieval cityscape, its museums, its cuisine and “The Palio”, a horse race which is run right through the middle of town twice a year. Here you will enjoy a guided walking tour and then have the remainder of the day at leisure to meander through the shops and sites of Siena or relax in an outdoor café and watch the world go by. Dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant before returning to our villa.

Day 6 | Tuesday, May 21 BD
IL PALAGIO VILLA
Today we have a fantastic day planned for you at the villa. We begin a half day tour of the Il Palagio organic vineyard and olive grove complete with wine tasting and local cheeses. Learn the process of how they create their award-winning organic estate wines in the Chianti Classico world of wine. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Conclude the day with a group dinner, including local wines, served in the comfort of the villa.

DAY 7 | Wednesday, May 22 BD
DAY VISIT TO CHIANTI HILLS
After breakfast depart with our English-speaking local guide for a day of discovery in Panzano and the surrounding Chianti Hills. Visit churches with beautiful artistic treasures, the medieval castle of Panzano and spectacular villages with hidden treasures in this stunning Tuscan countryside. After a memorable day return to the villa for a relaxing dinner and evening at leisure.

Day 8 | Thursday, May 23 (BL)
IL PALAGIO VILLA
Enjoy the morning at leisure at the villa. Later, partake in a private cooking class with a local chef who will teach the secrets of Tuscan and Chianti cuisine. Afterwards enjoy the delightful dishes for lunch accompanied by Chianti wines, oil, and honey from the Il Palagio Estate. The afternoon and evening are at leisure at the villa or stroll into town and visit the shops in the piazza.

Day 9 | Friday, May 24 (BD)
SAN GIMIGNANO
Board our private coach for a half day visit to the hill town of San Gimignano, home to 14 medieval towers. Enjoy the town sites, with time for lunch (at own expense), or sip a glass of the famous light and fruity Vernaccia di San Gimignano white wine in an outdoor café. Return to the villa for leisure time to rest, relax and freshen up for dinner. Tonight, we have our final villa dinner. Enjoy the culinary delights prepared and illustrated by a local gourmet chef.

Day 10 | Saturday, May 25  (BD)
IL PALAGIO VILLA TO FLORENCE
This morning we say farewell to the villa and board our private coach to depart for the renaissance city of Florence. Upon arrival at our hotel, store luggage, and the remainder of the day will be at leisure for personal exploration. Choose to visit the sites or the famous museums, Uffizi or Accademia (advance reservations recommended for both), shop for leather in San Lorenzo Market or simply sit in one of Florence’s many outdoor cafés. (Florentine shopping hours: daily 9:30am to noon or 1:00pm and 3:00pm or 3:30pm to 7:30pm, though many shops are staying open over that mid-afternoon “riposo”). Tonight, enjoy our farewell dinner at a local restaurant and reminisce with fellow BE travellers about the fabulous memories shared in Italy!

Overnight Florence – Hotel de la Ville (or similar) – 1 night

Day 11 | Sunday, May 26 (B)
DEPART FLORENCE
It’s time to bid farewell to Italy, with a private group transfer to the Florence Airport.

Departure from hotel will connect with the designated group flight, with check-in 3 hours prior. Those flying at a similar time as the designated group flight are welcome to transfer to the airport with the group. Arrangements for those departing at a different date/time can be arranged at an additional cost.

B – Breakfast / L – Lunch / D – Dinner

**While it is our intention to adhere to the itinerary described above, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the tour. Due to traffic or other circumstances beyond our control, it may be necessary or desirable to make alterations. Broad Escapes reserves the right to change the itinerary when deemed necessary.*

$5,800 CAD
twin classic occupancy

$6,150 CAD
twin deluxe occupancy

Based on maximum 16 passengers
Single Supplement $1,100 CAD
Deposit $700.00 & insurance due: at time of booking
Balance due: February 16, 2024