New Culinary Tour Beckons Travelers To Off-Season Tuscany

Classic Journeys guests to ring in New Year with finest regional cuisine

La Jolla, CA (May 2010) – It may be off-season to some, but there’s certainly nothing “off” about Tuscany in late December, especially with the spirit of the holidays hovering in the air.

The buses that carry the summer hordes have long since gone into hibernation, the lanes are hushed...even the bicyclists who normally hug the roads have magically disappeared. Yet the fields remain a patchwork of brilliant green, and residents of the hilltowns often awaken to a dusting of snow on the red-tiled rooftops. The chill in the air only makes the hospitality warmer and the food and wine of this remarkable region taste even richer.

That’s precisely the experience captured by Classic Journeys on its special-edition Taste of Tuscany Culinary Tour departing on December 28.

Over one incomparable week, guests will enjoy daily scenic walks, personal cooking instructions in welcoming cucinas, and private tastings of Tuscany’s finest wines, cheeses and freshly pressed olive oils, from the Mugello Valley to Montepulciano.

The adventure begins in Cortona, made famous by American author and local resident Frances Mayes.  From a luxurious base at the 18th-century Villa Marsili overlooking Lake Trasimeno, guests venture out on village streets and rural paths (one of which leads to a local friend’s farmhouse kitchen).

From the countryside, guests head to Florence, just in time to bid each other Felice Anno Nuovo with a flourish. An elegant dinner and one-of-a-kind theatrical performance at Opera et Gusto are followed by a gala open-air classical concert in Piazza della Signoria, the city’s most famous square...all leading up to a brilliant fireworks display that showcases the Renaissance skyline.

In the vineyards of Chianti, the golden light of San Gimignano, and the medieval splendor of Siena, the heart of winter reveals a side of Tuscany that most others never see. Cost for this seven-day, six-night adventure is $4095 per person, double occupancy, with a single supplement of just $595.

To find out more about Classic Journeys’ special-edition Tuscany culinary tour making its debut this December, click on www.classicjourneys.com/tuscanyculinary for full details and daily agendas, or contact a Guest Services Coordinator directly at (800) 200-3887.

About Classic Journeys:

Classic Journeys offers cultural walking adventures, culinary tours and family journeys in North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the South Pacific. Guests enjoy luxury accommodations and gourmet meals that reflect the best of each region, coupled with soft adventure activities, daily interactions with locals, and native guides who make countries and cultures come alive. Tours are six to 12 days long with two to four hours of easy-going walking per day. Land-only tour prices range from $2495 to $7995 per person (with discounts for small groups and children traveling with parents). Average tour size is 10, limited to a maximum of 18 guests per departure. Full details and links to itineraries are available at www.ClassicJourneys.com.

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