The Taste of Tuscany

Meals Included
7 breakfasts, 1 lunch (with wine tasting)

Meals
Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your group leader will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. The above information applies to G Adventures group trips. For Independent trips please check the itinerary for details of meals included. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.

Transport
Local bus/train, walking

Local Flights
If required all local flights are included in the cost of your tours unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.

Accommodation
Comfort hotels (7 nts)

Day 1 Florence
Welcome to Florence! As your fellow travellers are arriving throughout the day, there are no planned activities until your Group Meeting this evening, so check-in to the hotel (check-in time is approx 3pm) and enjoy the city. Check the notice boards or ask at reception for the exact time and location of the group meeting. After the meeting, you can head out for a meal at a local restaurant with the group (optional). Please make every effort to arrive on time for this important welcome meeting. If you are delayed and will arrive late, please inform us - contact numbers are provided in these notes. Your Tour Leader will then leave you a message at the front desk informing you of where and when to meet up.

Day 2-3 Florence (2B 1L)
Cradle of the Renaissance and home to a staggeringly high proportion of the world's great art treasures, Florence is a must-see. It is also justly renowned for its cuisine, its fine wines and the excellent shopping opportunities it affords. Today we will start our exploration of Florence with an orientation walk. You will then have time to enjoy whichever of Florence's many museums or attractions appeals to you - make your advance bookings for any time after 11am. In the evening we will take a walk through Florence and up to Piazzale Michelangelo where you can admire the glorious views across the Arno to the skyline of Florence. On Day 3 we leave the city and travel by public bus to the Chianti countryside. We will enjoy a short walk to admire the Tuscan countryside followed by a light lunch and winetasting of the famous local vintage. Estimated travel time Florence to Greve in Chianti - 1 hr each way

Days 4-5 Lucca (2B)
On the morning of Day 4 we pay a visit to the fascinating covered market, to see and smell and possibly taste some of the renowned Tuscan delicacies. Why not help your leader to select produce for a lunchtime picnic or an evening aperitivo (even try out your Italian and do the ordering?) Then we travel by local train to the charming small medieval town of Lucca. With its narrow pedestrianised streets, white marble churches, and encircling city walls, Lucca is a delight to wander around. The city walls are justly famous; built in 1555 they remain completely intact and boast a 4.3km circular pedestrian and cycle route, with magnificent views of the city and the surrounding countryside. On Day 5 we make the most of the opportunity and hire bikes to cycle the entire city ramparts - a distance of 4.5km with no motorised vehicles. Why not get together with your fellow travellers and enjoy a picnic on the extensive viewpoints up there? Other attractions in Lucca include the Cathedral of San Martino, the landmark Torre Guinigi with its commanding position overlooking the entire city, and of course the chance to attend a Puccini concert. Lucca was the birthplace of the famous composer and there are regular concerts of his most famous arias to be enjoyed throughout the year. Lucca is also the perfect place to kick back and relax in one of the many beautiful piazzas, admire the historic beauty of the town, and enjoy a traditional Italian aperitivo. Then continue to dinner of delicious Lucchese specialities in one of the many restaurants specialising in local cuisine. Lucca is justly proud of its olive oils, its tortellini and its hearty vegetable and barley soups - why not come and try them for yourself? Estimated travel time Florence to Lucca - 2 hrs

Days 6-7 Siena (2B)
We depart this morning by local train to Pisa, where we store our luggage and walk through the city to see the famous Leaning Tower, cathedral and Baptistry. (Note that entrance fees are not included, if you wish to go into one of the monuments or climb the tower your Tour Leader will be ahppy to assist you in buying a ticket) Then we continue in the afternoon to Siena, home of the world-renowned Palio horseback race which is held in the main Piazza twice a year. Enjoy a brief sightseeing/orientation walk with your group leader of this beautiful red-brick town with its stunning Gothic architecture and fascinating tower. On Day 7 you will have free time to explore Siena, visit the Cathedral or Piazza, or stroll the streets and relax at a pavement cafe. Other options for Siena include a self-guided walking tour of Siena's streets with notes (we can provide these free, we have our own specially-designed walking tour) or a day trip to San Gimignano, or you could hire a bike and explore the surrounding countryside. Your Tour Leader will be able to help and advise you. Of course, you will want to know what the dining will be like - and we are sure that Siena will not disappoint. Sienese specialities include rich and delicious game dishes like wild boar, pheasant and rabbit; "pici", a thick and hollow type of spaghetti, delicious with local Cacio sheeps' cheese; and for dessert, why not finish off in style with vin santo e cantucci? Dunk your crunchy almond biscuits into the heavenly dessert wine until they are crumbly and then... enjoy! Estimated travel time Lucca to Pisa - 45 mins Estimated travel time Pisa to Siena - 2.5 hrs

Day 8 Siena (B)
Depart at any time.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
5/5/2012 - 5/12/2012	$CALL
6/9/2012 - 6/16/2012	$CALL
7/21/2012 - 7/28/2012	$CALL
8/18/2012 - 8/25/2012	$CALL
9/29/2012 - 10/6/2012	$CALL
5/4/2013 - 5/11/2013	$CALL
6/8/2013 - 6/15/2013	$CALL
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Group Leader Description
This G Adventures group trip is accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects.

Group Size Notes
Max 15, Avg 10

Your Fellow Travellers
As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and are likely to be of a variety of ages too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part.

Highlights
Enjoying the culture and history of Tuscany, visiting world-renowned museums, cycling around a medieval city, sampling the local cuisine and Chianti wine.

Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Important Notes
1. It is important to note that in Europe, all guiding is based around local guides all of whom are licensed to work only in a particular city. As such, our leaders are able to provide orientation walks which will show you the layout of each town and city as well as the location of local services such as post offices and laundromats, but are unable to legally share historical facts and figures in public places. 2. In Europe it is very rare to find elevators in train stations, hotels or other public places. We use public transport on this trip, which means you will need to carry your luggage from platform to platform, in and out of trains and buses etc. and also possibly up several flights of stairs. You will also need to be able to stow your luggage safely on trains and buses. It is therefore essential that you pack light and bring luggage which is compact and lightweight, and which you can easily transport. The carrying of your luggage remains your responsibility at all times. 3.Please note that if you wish to visit popular museums such as the Uffizi or Accademia Galleries in Florence, to avoid waiting in line for a long time (especially in high season May-September when it could be a question of hours!), it is advisable to reserve tickets in advance. Tickets can be reserved online at various websites including www.florenceart.it or www.virtualuffizi.com for Florence and www.tickitaly.com for all. Please make your reservations for 11am or after on Day 2 of your tour, when you will have a free day to enjoy Florence. Most Museums are closed on Mondays.

Single Travellers
We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

What to Take
Our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. We highly recommend using a backpack, sports bag or soft compact suitcase, whichever you find easiest to carry, plus a small daypack.

Checklist
Suggested Items: •Light fleece top •Light windproof/waterproof jacket •Sun hat •Personal clothing for mild to hot weather (See also "What to Take" and "Local Dress" sections of this dossier) •Sturdy walking shoes •Sunblock •Sunglasses •Toiletries •Watch or alarm clock •Money belt •First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking) Optional Items: •Camera and film •Reading/writing material •Water bottle •Swimwear Documents: •Passport (with photocopies) •Travel insurance (with photocopies) •Airline tickets (with photocopies) •EUR cash •Credit or debit card (see personal spending money) •G Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information and dossier •Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required

Visas
Contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. It is your responsibility to have the correct travel documentation. While we provide the following information in good faith, it is vital that you check yourself and understand that you are fully responsible for your own visa requirements. All visitors to the EU (European Union) and EEC (European Economic Community) countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand passport holders do not need a visa to visit the Schengen area (see below), however they may not stay longer than three months in any 6-month period. For other nationalities, travelling in Europe has been simplified with the introduction of the Schengen visa. As a visitor to the Schengen area (Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Portugal, Finland, Italy, Spain, France, Luxembourg, Sweden, Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland) you will enjoy the many advantages of this unified visa system. Generally speaking with a Schengen visa, you may enter one Schengen country and travel freely throughout the Schengen region during the validity of your visa. There are limited border controls at Schengen borders, if any at all. Please note that the UK and Ireland are NOT part of the Schengen agreement. A Schengen visa is applied for at the Embassy or Consulate of the Schengen country in which you will be spending the most nights on your trip to the Schengen space. If you are only visiting one country on your trip then you apply for your visa at the Consulate of this Schengen country.

Tipping
It is customary in Europe to leave a small tip for service providers, such as waiters, if you are pleased with the service (€1-2). Tipping is an expected - though not compulsory - component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides. You may do this individually, or your Tour Leader will offer to collect the money and tip as a group. Recommendations for tipping local guides would range from €3-5 per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Also at the end of each trip if you felt your G Adventures Tour Leader or skipper did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline €20-25 per person, per week can be used.

Health
Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure. You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit and hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that quite often we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. When selecting your trip please carefully read the brochure and itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please refer to the Physical and Culture Shock ratings in this dossier for trip specific information. For travellers over 70 years a completed Medical Form is required. G Adventures reserves the right to exclude any traveller from all or part of a trip without refund if in the reasonable opinion of our group leader they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group.

Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

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