Buffalo/Niagara worldwide Travel Meetup

May 18-25, 2024

Join us for a week of exploration under the Tuscan sun. This is the perfect itinerary for a first time or repeat visit to this fascinating region. Inspiring views, fantastic cuisine and immersion in the spectacular Italian culture, art and history will provide you with memories of a lifetime.

Our May 2024 Tuscan Retreat takes place at a beautiful villa just outside of Lucca, Italy!! Our days start with delicious buffet breakfast provided by our own personal chef before we head out for our daily excursion to explore the region.

Day 1: Plan your flights so that you arrive in Florence sometime this day. You’re picked up at the airport or the central train station and brought to this fabulous villa where you will check in, freshen up a bit and relax! Maybe a little stroll around the villa property…. And/or relax next to the pool with an aperitivo to kick off our week in Tuscany!

Day 2: Today’s excursions start with Pisa, where we’ll check out the famous Leaning Tower. Then, we head to Lucca for a private tour of this charming little town. Later, dinner is prepared for us at the villa by our own personal chef for the week!

Day 3: You’re in for a treat today, with a private guided walking tour of beautiful Siena, the center of which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site! We’ll see it all, including the iconic shell-shaped piazza which is the site of the annual Palio horse race.

Day 4: Today is hiking day! Well, for those up for the challenge, that is…. We’ll take on the iconic “blue path” Cinque Terre hike from Monterosso to Vernazza (don’t worry, there are options for non-hikers who still want to explore these fabulous towns!). From Vernazza, we can continue the hike (if the path is open) or we can hop from town to town on the very convenient train that runs along the coast. Regardless, our ultimate destination will be Manarola, where we will savor our “aperitivo” and take in the gorgeous coastal scenery.

Day 5: Today, we will continue that Tuscan vibe with our own private cooking class and a visit to San Gimignano! Lunch today will be the result of our own work – an authentic Italian meal, made by YOU (wine sampling will also be on the menu)! Afterwards, we’ll head to San Gimignano, where we’ll have some free time to explore this charming walled-in town, famous for its many towers, saffron and a wonderful white wine.

Day 6: Our destination today is the beautiful heart of Tuscany, Florence!! We’ll have a full day to spend in this beautiful city. Our private tour guide will meet us for a guided walking tour that will include all of the key landmarks in Florence. We’ll also have skip-the-line access to the Accademia Gallery where you can see the original Statue of David with your very own eyes. The rest of the day is open for you to spend how you choose – shop, eat, explore!!

Day 7: The grand finale for our week in Tuscany is today – a tour through the Chianti region! First stop is a private visit at a family-run olive estate in Chianti. It’s perched on a hill, covered with olive trees, overlooking Florence in the distance. We’ll have a tour of the estate and learn about its history from the owner. We’ll also learn a bit about how top-quality extra virgin olive oil is produced, along with sampling!! Afterwards, we’ll head to an organic farm to learn how balsamic vinegar is made and do some sampling of the local specialties paired with some of their delicious wines. We’ll finish the day at a beautiful family-owned boutique castle winery where they’ve been making wine since 1596! The castle, where the owners reside, dates back to 1577 and we get a private tour!!! After visiting the estate and the cellar we’ll enjoy a tasting of their award-winning Chianti wines accompanied by some local Tuscan specialties.

Day 8: We check out by 10am – transportation back to the Florence airport or central train station will be provided.

Includes:

• 7 nights/8 days accommodation at a fabulous villa just outside of Lucca (about 45 min from Florence), includes city taxes
• Each bedroom has private bathroom, AC, Wi-Fi (TV in common area)
• Amenities at the villa include a pool, volleyball, ping pong, bocce
• Airport transfers to/from Florence airport or central train station
• Meals at the villa – all breakfasts, and dinners when not on excursions, includes table wine with dinner
• Cooking class
• Optional day trip excursions outlined above are included in the price – Cinque Terre hike, Siena, Florence, Chianti region, Pisa, Lucca, San Gimignano

Does not include: air fare, travel insurance, tips, meals during excursions, incidental purchases
Pricing: $4950 pp double occupancy; $5650 pp for a single
Limited availability — don’t wait! $500 deposit to reserve your spot

Experience the wonders of SICILY with our customized, small group tour.

Itinerary starts with van transportation from Catania airport and ends with transportation to Palermo airport. Highlights include a boat tour in the Aeolian Islands, guided walking/food tours, wine and olive oil tastings, cooking class, UNESCO park visits in Syracuse and Agrigento, a visit to the Turkish Steps, and so much more!! Check out the itinerary below and/or reach out with any questions!

Dates: September 1-11, 2024 – max participants 8 (only 3 spots left)

Itinerary:
Day 1 (Sun, Sept 1) – Arrival in Sicily. Welcome to Sicily!! Transportation from Catania airport to hotel in Milazzo (2 nights). Welcome dinner.

Day 2 (Mon, Sept 2) – Aeolian Islands. Full day boat tour (weather permitting) – Lipari, Panarea, Stromboli (including highly-anticipated evening view of lava flow on Stromboli).

Day 3 (Tues, Sept 3) – Wine/Olive Oil Tasting. Winery visits at the Foothills of Mt Etna. Lunch at one of the wineries. Afternoon arrival at our hotel in Taormina where we stay for 2 nights.

Day 4 (Weds, Sept 4) – Catania/Taormina. Private guided walking food tour/lunch in Catania – we’ll visit the most important sites and taste the traditional foods of the region. Afternoon/evening free time to explore beautiful Taormina.

Day 5 (Thurs, Sept 5) – Siracusa/Ortigia. Morning visit to the archaeological park in Siracusa. Afternoon check in at our hotel in Ortigia (where we stay for 3 nights). Late afternoon cooking class where we learn to make traditional arancini and cannoli.

Day 6 (Fri, Sept 6) – Inland exploration from Ortigia. Full day of visiting some of the towns in more central southern Sicily – Ragusa, Modica (including a tour of the oldest chocolate factory in Sicily), and Noto.

Day 7 (Sat, Sept 7) – Coastal exploration from Ortigia. Another opportunity to explore the area around Ortigia. This time we visit the coastal towns: Portopalo, Marzememi, Isola Vendicari. Lots of free time to explore on your own or with the group.

Day 8 (Sun, Sept 8) – Western Sicily. Change of scenery today as we head to Agrigento for a visit to the Valle dei Templi, UNESCO world heritage site featuring an important example of ancient classical Sicilian culture. Here we participate in a private guided tour on electric scooters for some additional excitement and fun. Short visit to the Turkish Steps and then we check in at our hotel in Trapani, where we ‘ll stay for 1 night. Option to join the group for dinner and evening free time in the lovely town of Erice.

Day 9 (Mon, Sept 9) – Palermo. Private guided walking food tour of Palermo, featuring the most important sites along with typical food specialties of the region. Guided tour of Monreale and cathedral. Afternoon check in at our hotel in Cefalu, where we stay for our last 2 nights.

Day 10 (Tues, Sept 10) – Free day in Cefalu. Free time to go to the beach, shop, and/or explore Cefalu. Group farewell dinner.
Day 11 (Weds, Sept 11) – Departure. Transportation provided to the group for departure from Palermo airport.

Includes: 10 nights’ accommodation (2 in Milazzo, 2 in Taormina, 3 in Ortigia, 1 in Trapani, and 2 in Cefalu); meals included: 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners (welcome and farewell), all transportation other than the transatlantic flights (includes gas, tolls, and parking); cooking class; private guided walking food tours of Catania and Palermo; entrance to UNESCO sites in Syracuse and Agrigento; tour of chocolate factory in Modica; tourist trains in Ragusa, Modica, and/or Noto; wine tasting at 2 wineries near Mt Etna.
Personalized additions either before or after the noted itinerary are possible and gladly accommodated for additional costs.

Price: $5700 pp single occupancy; $5200 pp double occupancy. (Trip subject to modification as necessary (due to weather, etc).)

Not included: airfare, tips, meals and activity costs other than those noted, “optional” activities, travel insurance.