Lidia's Italy - Travel

TUSCANY WITH FELIDIA WINE DIRECTOR

Tanya Bastianich Manuali of Esperienze Italiane and David Weitzenhoffer
of Felidia Welcome you to Tuscan Wine Country May 2-9, 2004

Sunday, May 2
Departures

Monday, May 3
You will arrive at the Florence airport on your own and transfer to the charming Relais Fattoria Vignale in Radda in Chianti. Following lunch at the hotel served with a selection of wines from Tuscany, you will have time to rest. Our first outing this afternoon will be a visit to Felsina, acclaimed producer of one of Tuscany's most important Chianti Classicos-Rancia, as well as the Super Tuscan, Fontalloro. Tanya Bastianich, noted art historian, will introduce you to the history of this area, and David Weitzenhoffer, Wine Director of New York's Felidia, will introduce you to the wines that you will be enjoying during the trip.

Tuesday, May 4
This morning, David will discuss the broad characteristics of the Chianti Classico region. Your first visit will be the elegant Monsanto estate. The Bianchi family is one of the most important wine producers in Italy; they will walk us through their magnificent cellar and then warmly welcome us for a country Tuscan lunch accompanied by their wines in the family compound on the estate.

In the afternoon, David will focus on the spectacular wines from the Panzano region of Chianti. You will start with a visit to the Manetti family's Fontodi estate, which produces the legendary Flaccianello and Vigna del Sorbo. From Panzano you will head to the Castello di Volpaia estate in Radda where you will meet with Giovanna Stianti, owner and winemaker. Giovanna is also a wonderful home cook, and she will invite us in her kitchen for a demonstration of some of Tuscany's most typical and traditional dishes. You will enjoy dinner at the estate with Giovanna's wines.

Wednesday, May 5
This morning Siena, the financial capital of medieval Italy, awaits us. Tanya will introduce us to the Palazzo Pubblico, outside of which the Sienese perform the traditional Palio horserace, and inside of which the Madonna reigns supreme. We will learn about the famous Guidoriccio fresco and its controversial attribution to Simone Martini, the Lorenzetti Good and Bad Government frescoes, and Simone Martini's Maesta'. Your visit will continue to the religious center of Siena, the Cathedral complex, where you will have the opportunity to view one of the most stunningly beautiful masterpieces of the Renaissance, the Piccolomini Library. Following your pilgrimage to the sites of Siena, you will relax with Felidia Wine Director David Weitzenhoffer again, as he leads us through a tasting of Tuscan wines at Enoteca I Terzi. This evening you will dine in the company of the elegant Princess Coralia Pignatelli della Leonessa at her wine estate, a combination of a medieval fortified town and modern Italian style.

Thursday, May 6
Today you will be focusing on Brunello di Montalcino with David. On your way to the Montalcino area, you will make a brief stop at the magnificent, not often visited Monastery of Monte Oliveto Maggiore to see some of the most interesting frescoes in Italy. You will then visit the famous Biondi Santi estate where Brunello di Montalcino was first produced for a tasting and tour of the cellars. Following, you will lunch at Poggio Antico.

Following lunch, you will pay a visit to Mastrojanni estate for a tasting of their Brunello di Montalcino and other wines and visit with their, as well as Lidia's, consulting enologist Maurizio Castelli. You will have the evening free.

Friday, May 7
This morning David will take us into the Bulgheri area, a luscious green part of Tuscany where Chianina beef is raised. You will visit the one of the renowned Supertuscan wineries followed by a tasting and country lunch. David will then take us to taste one his favorite wines at the estate of Le Macchiole. Following our visit, you will head back towards Florence where we will spend the next two nights at the five star Villa Medici. You will enjoy a free evening in Florence.

Saturday, May 8
This morning we will experience the artistic splendors of the cradle of Renaissance Florence with Tanya. We will visit the religious and civic centers of 14th and 15th century Florence, complemented with the sculpture of Donatello and Michelangelo at the Bargello. Lunch and afternoon will be at your leisure. Our evening will be hosted by a character and legend of Florence, Fabio Picchi, at the famous and fabulous Cibreo, where only true Tuscan cuisine is served.

Sunday, May 9
Departures from Florence
Price per person: $ 4150.00 per person (land only)

More details can be learned by calling Shelly Burgess Nicotra at 800-480-2426 or via email at travel_tuscany.html.

Lidia's Esperienze Italiane Travel
243 E. 58th Street, New York, NY 10022
800-480-2426 or 212-758-1488
www.lidiasitaly.com