Sapori di Toscana

Chef Vincenzo D’Arista grew up in Naples and started working in his

family restaurant at age 14 but in 1985 he moved with his

family to Tuscany where he became involved with organic

farming techniques and in producing high quality extra

virgin olive oil. He developed a passion for fine

wines and had the pleasure of working in the

vineyards of such great winemakers as San

Giusto a Rentennano in the Chianti Classico

region. Vincenzo was co-owner and chef at Vin-

cenzo’s Restaurant in Solomans Island, Maryland.

Today he’s working as a private chef, cooking instruc-

tor, and leader of culinary trips to Italy.

On this trip Vincenzo will introduce us to chefs, winemakers

and the wonderful people of Tuscany. You’ll have the kind of ex-

perience that comes through traveling with an insider. The trip

brings together many beautiful, quaint and historic elements from

Siena, Florence and the famous hill towns of Tuscany, its warm and

welcoming homes, bountiful fields, and spectacular countryside.

Join us to experience a true taste of

Tuscany.

Registration information is available at:

http://meetup.com/passatempo

Experience Tuscany Like a True Tuscan

The best way to taste the full flavor of Tuscany is to travel with an Italian chef who knows

Tuscany from having lived there.

Coordinated by Chef Vincenzo D’Arista, Umberto Tatafiore and Keith Gilbert

Small G

roup Tour

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Tuscany is a magical place in the autumn harvest sea-

son. The haze, the smells, the soft noises of the work in

the countryside, the cool breeze, the good food and col-

ors. Life is returning back to normal after the summer

excitement.

Early October temperatures during the daytime are usu-

ally in the 60s or 70’s and they drop in the evening to

the 50s. You will need to pack smartly and dress ap-

propriately for the season.

There will be a Buon Viaggio party prior to our trip

where we will review trip specifics and allow you to

meet your travel companions in advance. The trip in-

cludes scheduled free time that will enable you to re-

lax, explore on your own and savor “la dolce vita”.

In this document you’ll find the pricing and a detailed

itinerary. The Trip Registration Form is available on

our website at http://meetup.com/passatempo

Join me for this very special tour and let me introduce

you to winemakers, chefs and the wonderful people of

Tuscany. My family lives in this most picturesque re-

gion where I have worked extensively in the food and

wine industry. Throughout the years I have taken great

pride and pleasure in sharing my Italian experience,

great food and classic wines with numerous visitors.

My initial food and wine tours were made up of my

students and customers. These trips were so successful

that I have continued to offer openings for these trips.

My colleagues and friends in the restaurant and wine

industry and my familiarity with this region and its his-

tory, lend a familiar atmosphere to this travel experi-

ence. I look forward to a week of touring with stimu-

lating, instructive and original events.

Cordiali saluti,

Vincenzo D’Arista

ORVIETO SAN GIUSTO A RENTENNANO BROLIO MONTE AMIATA

SIENA PISA FIRENZE SAN GIMIGNANO VOLTERRA

Buongiorno a tutti!

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$3,900 September 28 - October 7

8 NIGHTS 18 MEALS

Prices are per person, double occupancy. For single

occupancy, please add $350.

What’s included: Round trip airfare (economy air-

fare from Dulles International Airport to Rome and

return from Pisa); all ground transportation outlined in

the itinerary; meals as identified in the detailed itiner-

ary; accommodations as identified in the itinerary,

based on double occupancy; cooking and language

lessons; baggage handling for one bag, plus one carry-

on bag per person.

What’s not included: Passport photos and fees; visa

photos and fees as required; meals other than speci-

fied; personal items such as wines, liquors, and valet/

laundry charges; other items not specifically men-

tioned as included.

Each day of the itinerary includes a note indicating

which meals are included for that day of the trip: B =

breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner.

Day 1 & 2 : Getting There

Your journey begins with an overnight flight departing

on Friday, September 28th from Dulles International

Airport to the Leonardo Da Vinci Airport, Rome.

On Saturday Morning, September 29 at the Leonardo

Da Vinci Airport we will board mini-vans for the trip

to our lodging in Tuscany. We’ll stop in Orvieto for

lunch.

Orvieto is a town in southwestern Umbria, situated on

the flat summit of a large butte of volcanic tuff. Visi-

tors are drawn to Orvieto because of the convenient

location, the idyllic setting, and the Duomo, which is

one of the greatest Gothic buildings in Europe. We’ll

stroll around Orvie-

to and lunch at a

trattoria. Lunch is

prepared with time

honored recipes.

After lunch we pro-

ceed to Tenuta di

Monaciano which will be our home for the next seven

nights. The Estate of Monaciano is only 7 km from the

historic center of Siena, nestled between the hills of

the Chianti.

You will have the chance to settle in, get to know the

property, and enjoy some light food and beverage on

your first evening! (L,D)

Sunday Day 3 : La Festa dell'Uva

September in Chianti is the month of the harvest,

but in Impruneta it is the month of the grape festival

above all. Preparations involve not only the towns-

folk, but also friends and residents in the surrounding

area. The core of the event, which takes place on the

last Sunday of the month in the main square, is a con-

test that sees the town’s four neighborhoods set

against one another: S.Antonio in white; SS.Marie in

blue; Fornaci in red like the terracotta of the facto-

ries in the area; and, Pallò in green. On the battle

ground, there’s a procession of carts, three for each

neighborhood, similar to those of the famous Via-

reggio Carnival, but set up according to a theme and

accompanied with dancing and street shows that

(Continued on page 4)

Tour Pricing

Detailed Itinerary

4

bring hundreds of people into the square. It’s a show

that enchants onlookers and which entails a huge

amount of work by the locals of each neighborhood.

The townsfolk of all ages have spent many a sleepless

night dedicated to decorating each cart and rehearsing

the choreography of the dances or even making the cos-

tumes. It is an undertaking that is also linked with tradi-

tion, entertainment and a desire to be together; a tribute

to the grape and its nectar that has made this region fa-

mous. (B, L, D)

Monday Day 4 : Let’s visit Siena!

Today we’ll visit Siena. This is one of Italy’s most vis-

ited tourist attractions famous for its cuisine, art, muse-

ums, and well-preserved medieval architecture.

Along the way to Siena is charming Monteriggioni.

This medieval walled town, located on a natural hillock,

was built by the Sienese in 1213 as a front line in their

wars against Florence. We’ll take a walk along the mas-

sive walls from where you can admire great views over

the Tuscan country side.

Our first stop in Siena is Piazza del Campo. The twice-

per-year horse-race, Palio di Siena, is held around the

edges of the piazza. The piazza is characterized by its

peculiar shell-shape and the important buildings facing

the square. Among these the Palazzo Comunale, built

with red bricks and decorated with white marble, and

which hosts the beautiful Civic Museum. Inside the

museum are many masterpieces by Sienese artists such

as the stunning Maestà (The Virgin Mary Enthroned) by

Simone Martini and the frescoes of Good and Bad Gov-

ernment by Ambrogio Lorenzetti. Next to the Palazzo

Comunale the Torre del Mangia rises up. The bell

tower is among the highest and oldest towers in Italy

from which you can admire a wonderful 360° view of

Siena and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. Once

back on the ground, take a closer look at the marble

Fountain of Joy (Fonte Gaia) by Jacopo della Quer-

cia that stands on one side of the Piazza del Campo.

The city's outline is marked by the profile of the splendid

Duomo of Siena, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.

The cathedral is a perfect example of Romanesque-

Gothic style. Inside, the spectacular floor in hard stone

mosaics depicting 56 different scenes deserves to be ad-

mired. Then there are many beautiful artworks, such as

the octagonal marble pulpit by Nicola Pisano. From the

left nave you can enter into the Piccolomini Library,

frescoed by Pinturicchio. Next to the Duomo stands the

large Baptistery with a large hexagonal baptismal font

made by famous artists such as Donatello.

Then there is the Church of San Domenico, character-

ized by the massive architecture and its Holy Head, a

venerated relic of Saint Catherine from Siena, and the

(Continued on page 5)

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Museum Complex of Santa Maria della Scala that

melts both past and present history of Siena in the dis-

play great art works of Sienese artists.

The two Siena museums that definitely deserve a visit

are the Opera del Duomo Museum, displaying the

unique Maestà by Duccio di Buoninsegna and the Na-

tional Art Gallery, showing works by Simone Martini,

Duccio di Buoninsegna and other important Sienese

artists.

As you walk around

in Siena you’ll see

that each neighbor-

hood (or “contrada”

in Italian) is con-

spicuously repre-

sented by its own

animal mascot or

symbol. You’ll see signs, statues, flags, and many other

items depicting the contrada symbols. The contrade are

competitive with one another, especially during Palio.

Each horse in the race represents a contrada. The winner

has quite a celebration and bragging rights. It’s fun to

make a picture of the neighborhood markers and try col-

lecting one for each of the 17 contrade.

We’ll have an evening of great fun when we arrive at the

home of Michele and Stella Russo in the Chianti coun-

tryside. We’ll be kneading pizza dough and eating pizza

straight out of their wood burning oven. (B, D)

Tuesday Day 5 : San Gimignano & Volterra

We will visit two of the most well preserved medieval

towns of Tuscany. San Gimignano’s cultural and natu-

ral patrimony have been recognized by UNESCO, but

even more impressive is the medieval skyline made up

of the 14 remaining towers and the great views from the

top. San Gimignano rises on a hill (334m high) dominat-

ing the Elsa Valley with its towers dating back to the

11th century.

Once in San Gimignano, other than admiring the famous

towers, you can also see the "Duomo" or Collegiate

Church, the "Palazzo del Popolo", the "Palazzo Nuovo

del Podestà" (which is now the town hall), S. Agostino

Church, the Museum of Holy Relics, and the infamous

Museum of Torture, which displays early instruments of

torture and reminds everyone that cruelty and violence

existed even way back then. On a lighter note, there are

numerous shops which sell local products including the

"Vernaccia" wine.

Later we will drive to visit another amazing hill top

town: Volterra. A city founded by the Etruscans (a pop-

ulation present in Italy before the Romans). The town is

compact and great for walking. You will enjoy the beau-

tiful landscapes and have a walk in the town center with

its amazing medieval square (Piazza dei Priori), the ro-

man amphitheater and the Etruscan ruins. It’s truly un-

forgettable…

Dinner on the way to our estate. (B, D)

Wednesday Day 6 : Monte Amiata

Today we go to Monte

Amiata, in southern Tuscany,

to visit a ceramics shop, an

olive wood factory to see hand

-crafted delights, and more!

Monte Amiata is a volcanic

cone that rises 600 m about the

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surrounding plateau to reach a total height of 1732 m,

making it the second highest volcano in Italy. Mt Etna,

the highest, rises to 3315 m. Monte Amiata last erupted

about 180,000 years ago and continues to fuel many

thermal springs (terme) around its base. Many regard

this area as one of the most beautiful natural environ-

ments in Italy.

We’ll enjoy a gelato and cappuccino on our way to Cas-

tel del Piano. You will be enthralled by the rich colors

the trees are offering in Autumn with the red's and gold's

of the beech, chestnut, and oak trees.

We’ll visit the medieval town of Santa Fiora for lunch

in a well preserved medieval village. The village is at an

altitude of 800 meters, situated at the foot of Monte

Amiata.

Evening cooking lesson with Vincenzo! (B, L, D)

Thursday Day 7 : A Free Day in Florence

Spend the day in Florence which is arguably the last

preserved Renaissance

city in the world and is

regarded by many as the

art capital of Italy. Flor-

ence's museums, palaces,

and churches house some

of the greatest artistic

treasures in the world.

The most popular and

important sites in Flor-

ence include the Cathe-

dral, the Baptistery, the

Uffizi, the Bargello, and

the Accademia. The churches of Santa Maria Novella

and Santa Croce are veritable art galleries, and the li-

brary of San Lorenzo is a magnificent exhibition of Mi-

chelangelo's architectural genius. Wander some of the

oldest streets in the city until you reach the Arno River,

cross the Ponte Vecchio, and experience the "newest"

area of Florence, the Oltrarno.

Be sure to set aside time to see the vast and varied art

collection housed in the Pitti Palace. When you grow

weary of museums and monuments, head outdoors.

Spend time at the Boboli Gardens or climb the hill to

the church of San Miniato al Monte to experience an

enchanting view of Florence.

In the evening we’ll go to the home of Chef Lucia Zuc-

coni for a gourmet dinner and wine. Chef Lucia, born in

Florence, is a fabulous chef who makes her recipes from

fresh, seasonal, and organic ingredients. Lucia conducts

cooking classes throughout Tuscany for Italian and for-

eign tourists. She continues to develop her expertise by

attending culinary classes and learning cooking tech-

niques of the Slow Food Movement of which she is a

member. (B, D)

Friday Day 8 : Winery Tour & Brolio Castle

Before touring the winery and castle we’ll take a side

trip to Gaiole in Chianti. The American magazine

Forbes put this town number one in its list of "Europe's

Most Idyllic Places to Live." Shop the quaint shops with

hand-painted ceramics, see the prosciutto shop, grab a

cappuccino and more!

We will proceed to San Giusto a Rentennano. The

wine estate began life as a medieval monastery of Cister-

cian nuns and was called San Giusto alle Monache (“of

7

the Nuns”). The medieval estate came into the Martini di

Cigala family through marriage in 1914. Enjoy the cellar

tour and wine tasting hosted by Luca and Elizabetta,

members of the Martini di Cigala family. Lunch includes

local food specialties.

The San Giusto wines are perennial stars with Parker,

Tanzer and the Wine Spectator as well, garnering only

the highest accolades.

After touring the winery we’ll visit Brolio Castle. The

castle has been in the Ricasoli family since the 11th cen-

tury. It’s still used as a private residence but a few of the

140 rooms house a museum. We’ll also stroll beautifully

landscaped castle gardens. Let’s be sure to walk around

the castle ramparts to see the fantastic views of vine-

yards, woods, and the valley below. We’ll have dinner

at Osteria del Castello in the shadow of Brolio Castle

amongst the vineyards of Chianti. (B, L, D)

Saturday Day 9 : The Leaning Tower !

On our last full day in Italy

we’ll go to Pisa where we’ll

see one of Italy’s most famous

landmarks, The Leaning Tow-

er of Pisa (Italian: Torre pen-

dente). The Leaning Tower is

the Campanile, or freestanding

bell tower, of the cathedral of

the Italian city of Pisa. It is sit-

uated behind the Cathedral and

is the third oldest structure in

Pisa's Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo) after the

Cathedral and the Baptistry. (B, L, D)

Sunday Day 10 : Arrivederci, Toscana!

This is the point in the trip where we need to say

“Arrivederci, Toscana”. We’ll end our beautiful trip

with a relaxed trip to the Galileo Galilei International

Airport for our departure. (B)

This is a very special, exclusive, small group tour limited

to only 15 travelers. Availability is on a first-come-first-

served basis, so don’t delay in reserving your spot. No

spots are held without a deposit.

To register for this food & wine tour, please make a

check payable to Passatempo LLC in the amount of

$500.00 for the initial deposit. Send the check together

with registration form and a copy of your passport to :

Passatempo, LLC

12508 Village Square Terrace STE 401

Rockville, MD 20852-1909

Balance is due June 15, 2012. The Trip Registration

Form is available for download from our website at

http://meetup.com/passatempo or it can be requested by

email and/or mail.

If minimum participation of 10 travelers is not met, your

deposit is 100% refundable. For details on all the Terms

& Conditions, please refer to the Trip Registration Form.

If you have any questions, please call (202) 643-1861.

Booking the trip

8

12508 Village Square Terrace STE 401

Rockville, MD 20852-1909

Office: (202) 643-1861

http://meetup.com/passatempo

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