KNITALY 2012

This tour will appeal to lovers of wine, scenery, history, culture, art, cashmere, good company

and good food. Husbands and non-knitters welcome.

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DAY 1: October 21st- Arrival. This is our arrival day in Florence. Our travellers fly in from all over the United States, Europe, and Canada. We check in at our hotel in Florence where we can recover from jetlag while ambling around one of the loveliest cities in the world. Beautiful Florence, that grand Renaissance lady whose streets are as fasinating as her museums, a center for art and design for centuries. Just try not falling in love with her! We stay at a boutique hotel, the Antica Dimora Johlea and Firenze, two cozy, gracious, hotels side by side within walking distance of the famous duomo.

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Knitters by a Tuscan wall

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DAY 1: October 21st- Arrival. This is our arrival day in Florence. Our travellers fly in from all over the United States, Europe, and Canada. We check in at our hotel in Florence where we can recover from jetlag while ambling around one of the loveliest cities in the world. Beautiful Florence, that grand Renaissance lady whose streets are as fasinating as her museums, a center for art and design for centuries. Just try not falling in love with her! We stay at a boutique hotel, the Antica Dimora Johlea and Firenze, two cozy, gracious, hotels side by side within walking distance of the famous Duomo and nearly every other site. Tonight, we'll go to a local trattoria for supper.

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DAY 2: October 22nd. Florence tour. I love Francesca, considering her one of the most fabulous guides anywhere. Her passion and humor will bring Florence alive as she takes us through the city's noble heart, trotting along the same streets once graced by the Medici's, Michaelangelo, Leonardo. After lunch at a local trattoria, we'll visit the Uffizi, a premier art museum in Europe housing works of art by all the great Renaissance masters.

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You had me at 'bonjorno'

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Francesca is empassioned by her city

DAY 3: October 23rd - By now you're in love with Italy, if you weren't enamored before, but we're off to deepen your affection. Today we head for Tuscany, specifically Chianti where we'll settle down for seven days at a Renaissance Villa, Poggiale. Nestled in an olive grove with its own pool and restaurant, here you'll expecience the Tuscany of postcards—olive trees, fine wine, peace. It is, of course, the perfect place for knitting and relaxing and after Florence, you'll crave a little of both. After a bit of sight-seeing en route, we'll check into the villa and perhaps launch our knitting project. That evening we'll dine at the villa.

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DAY 4: October 24th. Today we're off to Monte San Savino, a little town tucked into the side of a forested hill with one of the best yarn shops in Tuscany. I wrote about this experience in This Week in Ravelry two years ago, if you want to check it out. But, besides shopping for Italian yarn in a real Italian shop, consider this: Monte San Savino is a jewel, a totally unselfconcious town far off the tourist trail. We'll be going on market day, too, so you'll find real Italians going about their business picking out fruits and vegetables, selling knitwear and yarn for a song. And they seem to love having this little cadre of visitors visiting. It's as if to say: 'Finally, they found us! Look what we have to offer!' All our visitors have been charmed, sipping cappaccino in the cafes, ambling through the palazzo. John can take the non-yarn feasters off to his favorite spots like the antique shop where the man was thrilled to be able to share the ancient paintings on his walls but I suspect everyone will want to savour this place. There'll be time to have lunch here before boarding our bus and heading back to the villa, dropping in to the walled town of Monteriggioni on the way back to our villa. We'll be knitting for a couple of hours before dining at 'home'.

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DAY 5: October 25th. Did I mention we were in Chianti? Chianti is famous for its wine so it's only natural that we do a little wine-tasting and only fair that wine-tasting be at a castle. If the weather coperates, we'll have a picnic there after our wine sampling and then head off to meet Tuscan Cashmere on the hoof. Have you heard of Nora and her goats? She has garnered some fame as an American who adopted Tuscany along with a heard of cashmere goats and we'll get to meet a few. Yes, you can buy cashmere there, too.

 

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Tonight, we may dine out, depending on the group's desires. Otherwise, it's a relaxing evening at the villa with knitting and maybe even a little more wine. Typically, the group buys bottles (and ships even more home) which we share over conversation in the evening.

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DAY 6, OCTOBER 26th. Today we're off on a day-long exploration to Volterra, one of my favorite Tuscan walled towns and maybe one of the oldest. You'll find Roman walls built over Etruscan walls here, a Roman amphitheatre, a breath-taking view from the city walls, alabaster artists, charming shops and some of the best and most interesting Etruscan-style gold jewelry makers in the country, oh, and one of the best Etruscan Archaelogical museums. We love it. Well spend a couple of hours here ampling about on our own or in small groups, maybe grab a pizza for lunch and otherwise indulge in history, art and shopping.

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DAY 7, OCTOBER 27. Since Italy opens her shops in the morning and takes a bit of a rest in the afternoon, we'll do the same. Today we'll visit San Gimiagno in the morning, the 'Manhatten of the Middle Ages' with towers still soaring high over the fields. Besides being a mecca for shoppers, history and art abound along the two ancient streets. This is a town for ambling, licking gelato as you wander or maybe just sit on the town walls savouring the scenery. After lunch (on our own), we'll return to the villa for a relaxing afternoon knitting and sipping cappacino or expresso.

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Day 8: OCTOBER 28th: Lucca. She's almost as famous as Florence and equally lovely in a different way. Today we're off to visit this grand walled city where we'll have an escorted tour followed by time to explore on your own. After lunch we'll visit Barga, an ancient hilltown known since the middle ages for its silk trade. Today the historic center has many antique and artisan workshops that we can visit. Afterwards, we'll return to the villa for supper.

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Day 9 OCTOBER 29th: I have to take you to Cortona. To do otherwise would be a crime and this is such a beautiful, evocative, place. Yes, you know Under the Tuscan Sun but she's so much more, rich with interesting streets, churches and shops. I've visited her many times but always come away with a new discovery. Our guide will take us to the choicest places before letting us wander. Then, it's off to Sienna, the famous center of the Palo horse races and where you may still catch site of young men in breeches and hose practicing their banner swirling (we did). Savoring lunch or coffee overlooking the palazzo beneath the 15th century tower will be a memory you're not apt to forget.

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DAY 10, OCTOBER 30th: I'm sorry but we have to leave. By now you're filled with sights and savours of Italy. You're vowing to yourself to preserve some of this feeling when you return home, maybe eat fresher or simpler; maybe always have a glass of wine before bed. Something. Nevertheless, all good things must come to an end so this morning we pack up our goodies, board the bus and head for Florence, making a stop to yet another hilltown along the way. Our goal here is to arrive in Florence in time to check in to our hotel yet with enough time to take a forage off into the city to see whatever you missed the first time around. Maybe to revisit the Uffuzi, maybe climb the Duomo and view Brunelleschi's dome? Maybe prowl the markets for the perfect pashima (bet you can't buy just one)? You decide. The afternoon is yours. That night we'll stroll to a restaurant for our last meal together before flying home.

October 31st: Departure

The project? Choose any of my designs you want (I'll send you the pattern of your choice by email in advance) and I'll help you create it in the spirit of free-range influenced by Tuscany. Bring enough yarn to launch your project as we will be hitting yarn stores along the way. Once you begin knitting free-range, there will never be such a thing as enough yarn. I'll provide kits, if you'd like (extra cost).

Dining in Tuscany

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The tour includes: 9 nights accommodation with 3 nights in Florence (two upon arrival and one at the end of the trip) plus 7 nights at the Villa Poggiale. The first night included in the trip is October 21st with the last being October 30th— 9 nights. Itinerary may change slightly.  *NOTE: There are three pricing options for accommodations—'superior' and standard plus a suite in the villa. The difference is most apparent in the villa. all continental breakfasts (though both locations serve eggs on request) plus 3 dinners and 2 lunches. Most lunches are taken while in one of the hilltowns where you'll be exploring on your own or in a group. Suppers in Florence are not included and suppers at the villa are offered a la carte. Tour of Florence with our wonder guide including entrance to the Uffizi Gallery plus guided tours with licensed bi-lingual guides where noted. Informal walking tours of Volterra, San Gimiagno, the other locations we visit plus Chianti are included. Free-range, evocative knitting workshops plus PDF pattern and plenty of free-range knitting support on the side. You provide the yarn unless you'd like me to send a kit but we'll have foraging locations to feed your need, including the best-kept secret in Tuscany. All transportation within Tuscany.Travellers are responsible for initial transportation from their home to Florence return plus any taxi rides they may elect to take on their own A copy of my KNITALY book in PDF form. NOT INCLUDED: Flights to and from Italy Transportation to and from the airport Health & cancellation insurance (required) Entrance fees not described on the itinerary Meals in Florence and those noted on the itinerary. PRICE PER PERSON standard accommodations (Florence and the villa) pp double occupancy= $3750 US PRICE PER PERSON SUPERIOR Florence & the villa $4250 US pp double occupancy Price Superior Florence, Junior Suite in Villa $4500 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT $850. Let me mind a roomie for you! LOOKING FOR A ROOMIE? LET ME HELP.

Duomo and nearly every other site. Tonight, we'll go to a local trattoria for supper.

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DAY 2: October 22nd. Florence tour. I love Francesca, considering her one of the most fabulous guides anywhere. Her passion and humor will bring Florence alive as she takes us through the city's noble heart, trotting along the same streets once graced by the Medici's, Michaelangelo, Leonardo. After lunch at a local trattoria, we'll visit the Uffizi, a premier art museum in Europe housing works of art by all the great Renaissance masters.

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You had me at 'bonjorno'

*

Francesca is empassioned by her city

DAY 3: October 23rd - By now you're in love with Italy, if you weren't enamored before, but we're off to deepen your affection. Today we head for Tuscany, specifically Chianti where we'll settle down for seven days at a Renaissance Villa, Poggiale. Nestled in an olive grove with its own pool and restaurant, here you'll expecience the Tuscany of postcards—olive trees, fine wine, peace. It is, of course, the perfect place for knitting and relaxing and after Florence, you'll crave a little of both. After a bit of sight-seeing en route, we'll check into the villa and perhaps launch our knitting project. That evening we'll dine at the villa.

*

DAY 4: October 24th. Today we're off to Monte San Savino, a little town tucked into the side of a forested hill with one of the best yarn shops in Tuscany. I wrote about this experience in This Week in Ravelry two years ago, if you want to check it out. But, besides shopping for Italian yarn in a real Italian shop, consider this: Monte San Savino is a jewel, a totally unselfconcious town far off the tourist trail. We'll be going on market day, too, so you'll find real Italians going about their business picking out fruits and vegetables, selling knitwear and yarn for a song. And they seem to love having this little cadre of visitors visiting. It's as if to say: 'Finally, they found us! Look what we have to offer!' All our visitors have been charmed, sipping cappaccino in the cafes, ambling through the palazzo. John can take the non-yarn feasters off to his favorite spots like the antique shop where the man was thrilled to be able to share the ancient paintings on his walls but I suspect everyone will want to savour this place. There'll be time to have lunch here before boarding our bus and heading back to the villa, dropping in to the walled town of Monteriggioni on the way back to our villa. We'll be knitting for a couple of hours before dining at 'home'.

*

*

 

 

 *

Tonight, we may dine out, depending on the group's desires. Otherwise, it's a relaxing evening at the villa with knitting and maybe even a little more wine. Typically, the group buys bottles (and ships even more home) whch we share over conversation in the evening.

*

 *

DAY 6, OCTOBER 26th. Today we're off on a day-long exploration to Volterra, one of my favorite Tuscan walled towns and maybe one of the oldest. You'll find Roman walls built over Etruscan walls here, a Roman amphitheatre, a breath-taking view from the city walls, alabaster artists, charming shops and some of the best and most interesting Etruscan-style gold jewelry makers in the country, oh, and one of the best Etruscan Archaelogical museums. We love it. Well spend a couple of hours here ampling about on our own or in small groups, maybe grab a pizza for lunch and otherwise indulge in history, art and shopping.

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DAY 7, OCTOBER 27. Since Italy opens her shops in the morning and takes a bit of a rest in the afternoon, we'll do the same. Today we'll vist San Gimiagno in the morning, the 'Manhatten of the Middle Ages' with towers still soaring high over the fields. Besides being a mecca for shoppers, history and art abound along the two ancient streets. This is a town for ambling, licking gelato as you wander or maybe just sit on the town walls savouring the scenery. After lunch (on our own), we'll return to the villa for a relaxing afternoon knitting and sipping cappacino or expresso.

*

Day 9 OCTOBER 29th: I have to take you to Cortona. To do otherwise would be a crime and this is such a beautiful, evocative, place. Yes, you know Under the Tuscan Sun but she's so much more, rich with interesting streets, churches and shops. I've visited her many times but always come away with a new discovery. Our guide will take us to the choicest places before letting us wander. Then, it's off to Sienna, the famous center of the Palo horse races and where you may still catch site of young men in breeches and hose practicing their banner swirling (we did). Savoring lunch or coffee overlooking the palazzo beneath the 15th century tower will be a memory you're not apt to forget.

*

*

*

* 

OCTOBER 10: 30th I'm sorry but we have to leave. By now you're filled with sights and savours of Italy. You're vowing to yourself to preserve some of this feeling when you return home, maybe eat fresher or simpler; maybe always have a glass of wine before bed. Something. Nevertheless, all good things must come to an end so this morning we pack up our goodies, board the bus and head for Florence, making a stop to yet another hilltown along the way. Our goal here is to arrive in Florence in time to check in to our hotel yet with enough time to take a forage off into the city to see whatever you missed the first time around. Maybe a revisit the Uffuzi, maybe climb the Duomo and view Brunelleschi's dome? Maybe prowl the markets for the perfect pashima (bet you can't buy just one). You decide. The afternoon is yours. That night we'll stroll to a restaurant for our last meal together before flying home.

October 31st: Departure

The project? Choose any of my designs you want (I'll send you the pattern of your choice by email in advance) and I'll help you create it in the spirit of free-range influenced by Tuscany. Bring enough yarn to launch your project as we will be hitting yarn stores along the way. Once you begin knitting free-range, there will never be such a thing as enough yarn. I'll provide kits, if you'd like (extra cost).

Dining in Tuscany

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