Our recent Taste of Tuscany surpassed our expectations. For sure the WOW factor is alive and well in Italy! Our tour guide Lidia was fantastic, the food was incredible, the sights breath-taking and our travel companions were wonderful.

Oct 15 -On arrival in Rome we were met by our enthusiastic tour conductor Lidia Bernardin. Our first night in Rome was extra special with dinner and entertainment at a Roman Trattoria followed by a tour of the city at night. Our Roman Highlights tour concluded with a visit to the illuminated Trevi Fountain. Of course we all threw a coin into the fountain in the hopes that we would return to Rome.

Oct 16 – Our full day sightseeing tour included a visit to the Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museum. Here we admired the artistic masterpieces collected and commissioned by the Popes. We viewed the famous Tapestry Gallery and Gallery of the Maps, as well as the masterpieces in the Sistine Chapel. Later in the day we visited the Forum and the Coliseum. A full Italian dinner was the perfect ending to a perfect day. The menu was fantastic and the entertainment was great fun. No doubt we will remember these entertainers for a long time as most of us bought their CD’s!

Oct 17 – This morning we travelled into the rolling hills of Umbria, through the vineyards and tobacco fields of Tuscany and on to our hotel in Florence. The Ambassadori was a very centrally located hotel that provided a fantastic location for our visit to Florence. From the Ambassadori Hotel we could easily stroll through the picturesque streets of Florence. Piazzas, charming stores and cafes are abundant and needless to say there was a flurry of shopping bags that came through the door as the gals returned to the hotel each day.

After a short walk from our hotel we arrived at a delightful restaurant where we enjoyed a glass of wine and a short lecture on the principals of Italian cooking. We stayed on at the quaint restaurant and enjoyed a memorable dinner of Tuscan cuisine.

Oct 18 –Tuscan Lifestyle Experience- Our morning visit to the fruit and vegetable market was followed by a private cooking lesson in Florence’s ultra chic restaurant - Beccofino. Sandra our delightful cooking instructor divided our women into groups and guided them as they created an assortment of traditional Italian recipes. Everyone loved the experience and savoured every mouthful of our wonderful creations.

Oct 19 –Greve Excursion in Chianti –Today we enjoyed an exhilarating drive in the Chianti hills on our way to the charming town of Greve. During the morning we visited the wine and olive oil outlet of IL Palagio. http://www.castelloilpalagio.it

IL Palagio is one of the most famous fourteenth century castles and is situated in the wonderful and unique hills of Chianti.

That evening our farmhouse barbeque on the outskirts of Florence offered a combination of regional food and great music. Italian opera singers and musicians were outstanding performers at dinner. Soloists serenaded our ladies and created a very memorable night.

Oct 20 – After breakfast we embarked on a walking tour with our local guide, which included a visit to the Accademia to see the recently restored “David” of Michelangelo as well as Piazza Signoria and the multi-coloured Doumo. We were all very moved at the sight of David. The size and beauty of this statue is remarkable and the experience proved to be an emotional one for many of the ladies.

In the afternoon we travelled into the countryside to an olive-oil mill for a delicious lunch and olive-oil tasting at Azienda Agricola Marzalla (www.marzalla.it)

The olive mill was situated on a farm with a 17^th century villa which is linked to the Ministry of Fine Arts, due to its historical interest and beautiful landscape. In the restaurant “Il Poderino” where we ate lunch you can enjoy traditional Tuscan dishes in romantic surroundings.

Following lunch we made our way to Pisa where we visited the Square of Miracles with its monumental Cathedral and famous Leaning Bell Tower. Many of us got a little silly with our pictures - positioning ourselves so we appear to be holding up the leaning Tower of Pisa.

Dinner that evening was arranged for us at the spectacular Borghese Palace. A feast for the eyes as well as the stomach! In a sumptuous Renaissance Palace we were served a delicious banquet of Tuscan cuisine. The main course was brought to us by waiters in Renaissance dress. We were entertained with Renaissance music, dancing and songs by a troop of singers and dancers in the flowing robes of the Medici era.

Oct 21 - San Gimignano Excursion

Today we drove to the nearby town of San Gimignano – the “Medieval Manhattan” of Tuscany. Surrounded by fields of sunflowers, vineyards and olive groves, this is Italy’s best preserved medieval city. Strolling through the winding cobblestone streets gave us an excellent idea of daily life in Italy during the Middle Ages.

After leaving San Gimignano, (or “San Jim” as the locals say) the next stop was Venice. Following our dinner along the Grand Canal we boarded our private motor launch for a breath-taking introduction to this magical city! First we cruised along the Grand Canal by private water taxi admiring the elegant Palazzos, illuminated by magnificent chandeliers. We passed under the Rialto Bridge and then reached “the most beautiful drawing room in the world”- St Mark’s Square. Here we had time to gaze at the impressive architecture followed by front row seating at one of the chic al fresco cafés. Under the stars we sipped champagne and listed to the music of an Italian maestro and his world class orchestra.

Oct 22 - After breakfast we learned more about Venice through an orientation cruise along the Giudecca and over to St. Mark’s Square. Here we witnessed a demonstration of the ancient art of Murano glass-blowing in one of the city’s oldest workshops. With our afternoon at leisure many of the women shopped, some chose to stroll and sightsee, while other gals preferred to people watch and sip Bellini’s along the Grand Canal. (Tough job but somebody has to do it – hahaha)

In the late afternoon we embarked on a lagoon cruise that brought us to our destination of Burano – “the island of the fisherman – a photographer’s paradise.” Here, the cameras clicked non-stop as we captured the charming multi-coloured cottages of the locals. Our sumptuous seafood dinner was complimented by regional wines and the company of our new travel friends.

Oct 23 – We began our day with a guided tour along the Grand Canal to the Rialto Bridge. Later, we learned a great deal during a walking tour through the “calle”, seeing such famous sites as the house of Marco Polo, as well as beautiful, architectural works of art. Our afternoon at leisure gave everyone an opportunity to spend more time on areas that were of specific interest. Many women were fascinated by the magnificent Doges Palace – home to the rulers of the Venetian republic for hundreds of years. As well, the Basilica of St. Mark the evangelist, patron saint of the city of Venice was an incredible sight. Together we admired the stunning golden mosaics and wonderful Byzantine architecture. 

Gondola Serenade

You can’t be in Venice without the experience of enjoying a romantic gondola ride. Ours was particularly memorable in that we were serenaded by private musicians in our group of gondolas. The journey along the canal is full of character and colour. Words like “fantasy” and “incredible” were in the air as we glided past the charming Venetian homes.

Oct 24 – Departure from Venice - Today we said “arrivederci Italia” and headed back “across the pond”.

Following hugs and farewells we said goodbye to all our travel friends and look forward to seeing each other on our next Broad Horizons adventure.

To view pictures of our amazing trip to Italy – please go to our website

www.broadhorizonsnetwork.com   and click on PHOTO ALBUM