Friday, August 2, 2013


Dreaming of Staying in Tuscany??
Join our 2014 escorted group tour sponsored by Burleson County Chamber of Commerce (Caldwell, TX), Collette Vacations, and Cricket Cruise & Travel, LLC:


"DISCOVER TUSCANY"
April 29 - May 8, 2014 (10 days)
After an overnight flight from Houston, TX to Rome, Italy, our tour begins in Rome with an overnight stay at the Crowne Plaza St. Peter's Rome Hotel.  The tour will meander north into the Tuscany region for 6 days staying at the Hotel Ercolini and Savi in Montecatini, Italy.

Once the tour departs Rome, we will travel north to the medieval walled city of Assisi, the birthplace of the patron saint of Italy, St. Francis.  You will tour the Basilica of St. Francis and the historic old city.  Later you will end the day in the famous spa resort town of Montecatini Terme -- your "home" for the next 6 days.


Montecatini Terme, Italy

The following day, the tour will head to the Gothic town of Siena, one of Italy's most beautiful cities with stunning palaces, mansions and the historic Piazza del Campo.  There's a breathtaking view of Siena and the Tuscan countryside at the top of the Torre Del Mangia.


Day 5 will be spent in the picturesque medieval hilltop village of San Gimignano.  It's famous for its 14 towers and magnificent vistas overlooking the vineyards of Tuscany. 
San Gimignano, Italy
 
Chianti (wine) region near Florence

Day 6 will have the group taking a cultural tour in the "Cradle of the Italian Renaissance" -- Florence.  The city has priceless Florentine treasures, such as the Academy Gallery which houses Michelangelo's statue of David.  The tour will take the group to the Piazza del Duomo (the center of religious life in medieval Florence), and the Cathedral of Santa Marie del Fiore and the impressive gilded bronze doors of the Baptistery dedicated to St. John.  There will be a Tuscan feast that night with traditional cuisine and wines while overlooking the Tuscan countryside. 

Ponte Vecchio (Florence, Italy)
((This is the ONLY bridge in Europe the Germans did NOT blow up during WWII.))

Day 7 is a day of leisure for the group.  You may choose optional tours at very reasonable prices such as an excursion to Pisa and Lucca.  In Pisa you'll find the Piazza dei Miracoli, the Cathedral or "Duomo", its historic Baptistery and the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.  Another option is a journey to historic Lucca, one of the most charming old towns in Tuscany where you can explore gothic palaces and quaint shops.

Leaning Tower (Pisa, Italy)
 
Lucca, Italy
View of the entire tomb monument dedicated to Ilaria del Carretto, wife of the 15th century lord of Lucca, Paolo Guinigi. Ilaria died shortly after giving birth to her second child at the age of 26.
 
 
Lucca, Italy
View from the walls to the inside of the city onto the city's Botanical garden.


Day 8 the group will return to Florence.  There will be a traditional Italian leather making demonstration with a visit to the family-owned Pierotucci Leather Shop.  After that stop, we'll continue on to a special presentation on the history and workmanship of fine Florentine gold.  Afterwards, the group is at leisure to explore Florence:  visit a museum, have a Tuscan lunch, or shop for local crafts (Florence is VERY well known for its fine handcrafted leather goods).

On Day 9, the group will be leaving Montecatini to go back to Rome.  There will be an optional tour to Vatican City to visit the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica.  I highly, HIGHLY recommend this tour.  It's absolutely stunningly breathtaking -- you will NEVER forget the splendor and awe of it. 

Take a virtual tour of St. Peter's (click on the map's numbers):

There will be a farewell dinner that evening with Italian music to celebrate the end of a memorable trip to the unforgettable and beautiful region of Tuscany.
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 There will be a SPECIAL TRAVEL PRESENTATION at the Burleson County Chamber of Commerce:

August 22, 2013
5:30 PM
301 N. Main St. (Caldwell, TX)

Rates INCLUDE "Hometown Roundtrip Transfers" (from Caldwell, TX to Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport [IAH]), roundtrip airfare from Houston (IAH) to Rome (FCO), all hotels, all scheduled tours, ground transportation, and most meals (8 breakfasts, 5 dinners). Optional guided tours are available at reasonable prices.

BOOK NOW rates have a $250 per person discount and are valid until October 29, 2013.
Space is limited to 20 guests.


Call LeAnne for information, brochures and to reserve your space on the tour:
 979-836-6600 or 713-446-4990