Our adventure begins with an afternoon flight from Seattle. Please check in 3-4 hours before our departure time. Onboard the plane, dinner will be served. D

This morning a breakfast snack will be served onboard the plane before we arrive in Florence, our gateway to the Tuscany Region. Upon arrival at the airport, we will collect our luggage and meet our bus driver who will take us to our awaiting motor coach. We will travel through a beautiful area of Tuscany before reaching our deluxe hotel, the Tuscany Inn, located in the heart of the charming resort town of MONTECATINI TERME. This will be our home for the next eight nights. Depending on the room availability at the hotel, we will check in right away and settle in. In the middle of the afternoon, we will meet in the lobby of our hotel and begin a leisurely stroll through the streets of the town, and learn what makes this place one of the most attractive resort spa towns in all of Italy. Tonight we will enjoy a “welcome dinner” at our hotel. B, D

This morning, following breakfast, we will drive to the medieval town of LUCCA. We will meet our local guide who will provide a very informative and leisurely walking tour of the town. There will be time for lunch on your own and great shopping before we return back to our hotel where we will meet KARLA for a special gathering. The remainder of the evening is at your leisure. B

This morning following breakfast, we will depart for the medieval town of SAN GIMIGNANO. There will be time for shopping and sightseeing in this charming town. We will leave midday and drive a short distance to the SAN DONATO WINERY, where we will enjoy wine tasting and a special lunch. We will drive back to our hotel later in the afternoon, where the remainder of the evening is at your leisure. B, L

Today, following breakfast, we will journey to the famous CINQUE TERRE. The Cinque Terre consists of five small villages along the West coast of Italy, and is considered one of the most beautiful areas in all of Europe. We will visit three of these towns today, our first being the town of Riomaggiore. We’ll have time to take photographs and walk around until we board our train for our next stop, the village of Vernazza. There will be time for lunch and shopping before we continue onto our last place, the village of Monterrosso. Later in the afternoon, we will take the train to La Spezia, where our driver and motorcoach will be waiting to take us back to our hotel. B

This morning, following breakfast, we will drive to the IL POGGIO WINERY where we will enjoy a unique opportunity to participate in an authentic TUSCANY COOKING CLASS taught by one of the local Italian grandpas (a former executive chef). We’ll learn how to prepare homemade pasta, different sauces and even the typical Italian drink, limoncelo. We will have time to walk into the vineyard and see firsthand how the grapes are grown and processed into wine. A special lunch will be prepared for our group and we will sample wines with each course that is presented to us during our meal. In the middle of the afternoon, we will stagger back to our hotel, where the remainder of the afternoon and evening is at your leisure. B, L

This morning following breakfast, KARLA will provide a fun quilt class. This afternoon is free for you to enjoy at your leisure. We are offering an “optional tour” in the afternoon to a CHOCOLATE FACTORY and also to the town of VINCI, where we will visit the homestead and museum of Leonardo Di Vinci. (Cost of this optional tour is 28 Euro per person) B

Today, following breakfast, we will participate in a very exciting trip to the historical town of SIENA. We will take a leisurely walk through the narrow streets until we arrive at the Piazza del Campo, site of the biannual Palio, Siena’s spectacular medieval-style horse race. There will be plenty of time to shop and stroll through the inviting streets on your own, as well as have an opportunity to enjoy lunch in any of the charming outdoor cafes located in the square. We will all meet in the middle of the afternoon and return back to our hotel. The remainder of the evening is free for you to enjoy on your own. Tonight, for those who are interested, we are offering an “optional dinner” an authentic Tuscan feast at the Villa Pasquini, overlooking the town of Montecatini Terme. (Cost of this dinner is 48 Euros per person and will be collected with the final payment.) B

Today, following an early breakfast, we will journey to the “Cradle of the Italian Renaissance,” the beautiful city of FLORENCE. Our local expert guide, Christina, will meet our group and enlighten us with many highlights of the city’s priceless treasures. We will take a leisurely walking tour to Piazza del Duomo and see the impressive Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the masterfully crafted bronze doors of the Baptistery. We will also view from the outside, the Church of Santa Croce, burial place of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. We will stroll from piazza to piazza, as we pass special boutique shops that will beckon us to step inside. There will also be some great information provided with regards to fabric shops and other “quilting” opportunities. Once we decide on a meeting place and time, you will have an opportunity to enjoy Florence at your leisure. Whatever you decide to do, Florence will undoubtedly be a delightful experience for you. We will meet late in the afternoon and drive back to Montecatini Terme, where the remainder of the evening is at your leisure. Tonight, we will enjoy a “farewell dinner” at our hotel and bring our Tuscany Quilting Expedition to a close. B, D

This morning we will check out of our hotel and depart for the Florence Airport for our flight back to Seattle. During our flight, lunch and a snack will be served on the plane. B, L, Snack