Italian Delights Tours

“The Treasures of Tuscany, Umbria and

Lombardy 12 Day Tour” A Fully Escorted Intimate Land-Based Tour of Northern and Central Italy

2015 Tour Dates

May 26th to June 6th

September 8th to September 19th 2016 Tour Dates

May 24th to June 4th September 6th to September 17th

Lombardy Delights Pty Ltd, trading as Italian Delights Tours - Bentleigh, Australia. PH: +61 3 9018 6624 Email: info@italiandelights.com.au

www.italiandelights.com.au

Our Itinerary Legend for Meals provided

breakfast | lunch | dinner

Day One - (Arrival Meet and Greet Day)

Arrival: Milan/Voghera to Varzi

You will be met by Jim at Milan’s Malpensa Airport between 12.30 and 1pm, or alternatively at

the Voghera train station between 3 and 3.30pm. A well-appointed private, air-conditioned 9 seater

vehicle will transfer you to the Agristurismo "La Cascina Ca' Bella", in time to enjoy your

welcome drinks and unwind in your room or the farmhouse grounds for the afternoon. In the

evening we head off for dinner at Varzi’s “Caffe del Centro”, a delightful and lively restaurant with a menu

composed of both national and local dishes.

Day Two - (Fine Dining and Natural Beauty Day)

Bobbio – Medieval Town, Roman Bridge, Ancient Monastery, Beautiful

Scenery.

Today begins with a scenic drive through the stunning countryside of the Staffora and

Trebbia Valleys in Southern Lombardy and Emilia Romagna respectively. After

crossing the Monte Penice pass we head down to the charming medieval town of

Bobbio, in the Emilia Romagna region. Lunch is in the town’s most

elegant restaurant - "Il Piacentino", which is well known for its

delicious anti pasti and "primi". Afterwards you get the chance to explore

this little gem of a town. Two beautiful churches, a fourteen hundred year

old monastery and a beautiful Roman Bridge that is full of character, are

just some of the delights of Bobbio waiting to be discovered! Later this

afternoon we may also be able to catch up with Jim and Lynette's good

friends, Oliviero and Adelaide Masi. If Oliviero and Adelaide are at

home, we can experience the gorgeous grounds of their stunning house

and property, and guests are also able to peruse and purchase a range of artwork produced by them both.

Oliviero and Adelaide are professional artists who have exhibited work internationally over a period of over

30 years. In the evening you can simply unwind at "La Cascina Ca' Bella", or take a leisurely passeggiata in

San Sebastiano or the medieval town of Varzi, the home of Italy’s best Salame! Here you can also enjoy a

gelato, a caffe, or a delicious glass of wine (or two!), before retiring for the evening.

Day Three - (Lake Como Day)

Lake Como – Menaggio, Bellagio and the Majesty of Italy’s most beautiful lake!

Today we visit Lake Como, one of the most

beautiful lakes in Europe and a place described

by the poet Percy Shelley, as ”surpassing in

beauty everything I have ever seen hitherto”.

Amongst the famous people to grace the shores of the lake, both

past and present, are George Clooney, Gianni Versace and Pliny the

Younger in the first century AD! The day is spent in the Triangolo

Lariano, or the central section of the lake in the towns of Menaggio

and Bellaggio, where, after your ferry crossing, you can enjoy a free lunch in one of the many eateries in

Bellagio beside the Lake. On our return to “La Cascina Ca' Bella” we take you for a delicious pizza at

Varzi's Gaudi Pizzeria, Lynette and Jim’s favourite local pizzeria.

Day Four - (Market, Wining and Dining Day)

Local Market Experience – Winery visit - Fine Dining Lunch.

Today we spend the morning at the local Varzi Market.

In the morning we visit Varzi’s local market and have

the opportunity to see the delicious produce on offer, along with an

interesting assortment of other wares. The market or "mercato" was

traditionally a cattle and produce market, and cattle farmers from the

surrounding hills would congregate once a week, not only to trade in their

produce, but also to meet with their friends and fellow farmers. Today, even

though the cattle are no longer there, one can still imagine what it may have been like, as older townsfolk

gather and converse in their local dialects amidst the market’s shoppers.

In the late morning we visit an artisan and family- run winery called Ca Del Ge, which is situated 300

metres above sea level and on the 45th parallel. The owners, Sara and Stefania Padroggi, are extraordinary

and passionate wine makers, whose pride and joy is their “Passito”, a sweet, still wine made from either

Moscato (Muscat) or Croatina grapes. After our morning winery visit we continue on to lunch at the Tenuta

Terensano where we sample some delicious local wine in conjunction with local dishes specially prepared

by the owner, Valentina, who is a veritable expert in local wine and produce. After lunch guests have a free

afternoon and evening to relax at Cascina Ca Bella.

Day Five – (Classic Architecture Day)

Pavia – Certosa di Pavia – Vigevano

We begin our sixth day in the classy

university city of Pavia, once the capital

of Lombardy, which is located on the

banks of the Ticino river. We have lunch

together here at one of Pavia’s traditional restaurants for a

sample of the local fare. After lunch we head to another

hidden gem of Italy, the Certosa di Pavia, a stunning

fourteenth Century monastery hidden deep in the countryside

Pavia's Covered Bridge

between the cities of Milan and Pavia. After our visit to the Certosa we head off to the beautiful town of

Vigevano, known throughout Italy and the world as a centre of shoe-making excellence, and for its stunning

renaissance piazza - The Piazza Ducale. Guests can spend the afternoon/early evening here having a

relaxing stroll, or as the locals call it a passeggiata. Or you can simply unwind with some drinks and

aperitivi in one of the piazza's cafes whilst soaking up the ambience of this charming town!

Day Six - (“Ciao Tuscany!”)

(Lucca – Anghiari - Il Sasso Agriturismo, Tuscany)

This morning we say arrivederci to Piedmont and the

Cascina Ca' Bella and head southwards towards the

stunning region of Tuscany! Along the way we stop for

lunch in the charming town of Lucca, and after lunch we

move on to our accommodation for the next three nights at the Il Sasso

Agriturismo just below the gorgeous hilltop hamlet of Anghiari. Dinner tonight is provided and will be

enjoyed at the nearby Locanda del Castello di Sorci, which is an historic farmhouse and castle located in

beautiful grounds with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.

Day Seven - (Arezzo - Rest and Relax Day)

Arezzo – Rest and Relax by pool

This morning we visit the nearby city of Arezzo.

Guests will be free to choose a cafe or restaurant of

their choice to dine at for lunch, and following lunch

we will head back to the Il Sasso Agriturismo to enjoy

a nice restful afternoon by the pool whilst enjoying the absolutely

stunning views from the poolside area at the farmhouse! After our restful

afternoon dinner is provided at the Il Feudo del Vicario restaurant in

nearby Anghiari. Before we have dinner though, we will enjoy some

aperitivi on the terrace of the cafe Il Giardino del Vicario where the views

are to die for!

Day Eight - (A day out in Umbria!)

Gubbio – Perugia – Citerna

Today we say Buon Giorno! to the

region of Umbria. In the morning we

will be visiting two of the most beautiful

towns in the region - Gubbio and

Perugia. The morning will be spent in Gubbio, a town of

ancient origins predating Roman times. It is also well known

as the location for the shooting of the very popular Italian TV crime/comedy series, Don Matteo, starring

Terence Hill (aka Mario Girrotti!). We then move onto the University city of Perugia, which is the capital of

the region of Umbria. It has a beautiful historical centre which is dominated by the Palazzo dei Priori and

the views of the countryside below are truly breathtaking! Guests are free to dine at one of the many

eateries on offer in Perugia and after lunch we return to Il Sasso for another relaxing afternoon. In the

evening we head into the charming hamlet of Citerna for our last dinner together in this part of Tuscany at

the Ristorante Le Civette.

Day Nine - (Under the Tuscan Sun!)

Cortona – Montalcino – Abbey of

Sant’Antimo

Day nine begins with a mid-morning visit

and lunch in the town of Cortona, a

beautiful village perched on the top of a

dramatic hill overlooking some classic

Tuscan countryside. Cortona provided the setting for Frances

Maye's 1996 hit memoir titled “Under the Tuscan Sun”, which

also became a famous movie in the early-mid 2000s. We will have lunch together here prior to moving on to

the town of Montalcino, where we will be spending our last 3 days of the tour together. Montalcino is a

lovely hilltop town that is known primarily for its prized red wine, the Brunello of Montalcino. In the early

evening, and after we have settled into our hotel, the charming Il Giglio, we pay a visit to the charming

Abbey of Sant’Antimo which is only a short drive from Montalcino. Here guests are able to listen to the

monks performing their Gregorian chants at 7pm. At the same time we soak up the ambience of the idyllic

Tuscan landscape surrounding the beautiful abbey.

Day Ten - (Siena)

Siena – Pienza - Montalcino Day ten begins with a restful and leisurely morning in

Montalcino. Later in the morning we depart for one of the

most beautiful cities in all of Italy – Siena! A favourite

location of Lynette and Jim’s, Siena is the home of the

famous Palio horse race, which displays in no uncertain terms, the

rivalries that have persisted over the centuries between the different

Sienese localities (contrade). It is also famous for its culinary

delights and is an absolute must on any traveller’s itinerary when

visiting Tuscany. Guests are free to enjoy lunch at an eatery of their own choosing and enjoy the city until

the late afternoon prior to heading off to the delightful town of Pienza set in the UNESCO World Heritage

listed Val D'Orcia, and then to Montalcino for a free evening.

Day Eleven – (Under the Umbrianand

Lazio Sun!)

Orvieto – Civita di Bagnoregio - Montalcino In many ways we have left the best to last on

this wonderful journey. This morning we head

south to the magnificent Umbrian hilltop town of Orvieto, famous for its Duomo, and

also its white wine - Orvieto Classico. Guests will have enough time to thoroughly

explore this beautiful town, and whilst there will be able to visit the plethora of underground mining tunnels

and also the town’s stunning theatre. Lunch in Orvieto is free for guests to enjoy at their own leisure at one

of the many eateries on offer here - but our suggestion would be to couple an Orvieto porchetta roll with the

local Orvieto Classico wine! After lunch we take a brief side trip to the absolutely stunning town of Civita

di Bagnoregio in the province of Lazio. A charming hamlet perched high upon a large hilltop, it sits as an

island oasis, and is a true marvel and one of the most spectacular sights in all of Italy! We later return to

Montalcino to enjoy our last meal together at Il Giglio Hotel prior to departing tomorrow.

Day Twelve – (Farewell Day)

Orvieto train station – Rome’s Fiumicino Airport

Today we say farewell to the beautiful region of Tuscany. After breakfast, you will be

taken either to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, or the train station at Orvieto. Alternatively

you can make your own arrangements for your onward journey.

Arrivederci !!!!!

Accommodation

"La Cascina Ca' Bella" Agriturismo (Lombardy)

Situated a short walk from the charming town of San Sebastiano al Curone, this rustic, traditional and

immaculately maintained farm house (agriturismo) is conveniently located to the bars and eateries that the

town has to offer. The rooms are modern, clean and very comfortable and there is an outdoor common area

where guests can sit and relax with a book, or have a chat about the wonderful places that you have visited

whilst with us.

"Il Sasso Agriturismo” (Anghiari, Tuscany)

The Agriturismo “Il Sasso” is a charming, typically Tuscan farmhouse located near a little rural village

immersed in the wonderful Tuscan landscape between the charming Tevere (Valtiberina) and Sovara

Valleys. It is only 3 Km from the beautiful medieval town of Anghiari.

Il Giglio Hotel (Montalcino, Tuscany)

Il Giglio Hotel is a charming boutique hotel and apartments situated in the centre of the gorgeous town of

Montalcino. It has been owned and operated by the Machetti family since 1995 and is an absolute treat!

Your Hosts Italian Delights is owned by Lynette and Jim Romagnesi. They returned to Australia in 2007 after a two

year period living in Southern Lombardy. Lynette and Jim had many friends and family members visit them

during their stay and it was their feedback and love for this area that helped Lynette and Jim realise how

wonderful it would be if more people from outside Italy could have the opportunity to discover this magical

place.

Jim is the host on all Italian Delights tours. He was born in Melbourne, Australia and is also a dual citizen

of Italy and Australia. His father was born in Varzi, the small medieval village in the heart of the area where

the tours are undertaken. Jim is a true “Italophile”. He soaks up any information he can gather about Italy

and longs for all things Italian – its wine, food, the blessed football or "calcio", motor cars and of course the

coffee!!

Lynette is also a dual citizen of Australia and Italy. She is very keen to employ her skills in the area of

teaching, communication and cooking, so that she can be the best possible host for her guests when

participating in Italian Delight’s tours! She first travelled to Italy on her and Jim’s honeymoon. Put simply,

she fell in love with all things Italian and always dreamed that one day she would return. Ten years later her

dream came true when she spent two years in the region of Lombardy with Jim and their two sons, Jason

and Marcus. During this time her love for Italy grew as she was able to watch and learn from the local

people in the little town near to where they were staying in.

Jim and Lynette Romagnesi

Guest Testimonials

"The Treasures tour was the opportunity we were looking for; that is the ability to move between the

enchanting towns of Lombardy, Tuscany and Umbria without having to drive ourselves. Jim was an

excellent caring host and driver. He guided us through the region passing on interesting information about

local history and customs. His ability to converse fluently in Italian also eased the passage on many

occasions. All in all this was a thoroughly enjoyable and worthwhile 12 days!" Howard and Leta, Sydney.

"We have travelled extensively over the years and the 12 Day Treasures Tour was a stand out for us. It is

very difficult to name a single highlight as there were so many. The scenery, the food, the wine, the villages

and towns that the average traveller would not know existed were all sensational. The people, both our

fellow travellers and locals were a delight. Many thanks Jim for your knowledge and passion of all things

Italian. Every day was an adventure!!" Clint and Lyndal, Hobart.

"For my first experience as a single traveller in Europe your tour provided everything and more than my

expectations. Locations- absolute delightful tour guide! -weather(perfect)- accommodation- Lengths of

travel and free time was well planned. I have expressed to all my family and friends my recommendation

for Italian Delights." Rosie, Victoria.

"I would recommend the Italian Delights Tour to anyone wanting to see parts of Italy unspoiled by tourists.

Jim could not do enough to ensure your comfort. Perfect!" Leonie, Melbourne.

"I can absolutely recommend this unique tour! Every day was different, fun and interesting. Best of all was

the undivided vitality, knowledge and caring guidance of our host and hostess, Jim and Lynette. They

are such a caring and helpful couple. Our needs were their desire!"

Sue – Sydney.

“This has been such a good tour with you Jim. We know now why you love this part of the world so much.

It is beautiful! Thank you for taking such good care of us. Grazie mille!”

Adi and Roger - New Jersey, US

"Our Italian Delights tour was a great opportunity to have an "inside" look into local Italian life and really

explore Italy. The tour was intimate, and the hosts, Jim and Lynette were very caring, attentive, punctual

and knowledgeable. They always went the extra mile to ensure that our tour was memorable. Great driving

too Jim!"

Anthony - Canberra.

“Jim's attention to detail and desire to help out when we had a problem was exceptional.”Graham

- Melbourne, Australia

“This tour allowed my friends and I to experience the beauty and different cuisines relative to each

different town we visited in Italy. Various people in our party had already been to Italy and all of

the obvious popular cities, but this trip allowed them to experience something totally out of the

box and see parts of Italy that were amazing and unexpected. Thank you Jim.”

Joanne - Melbourne.

"Our Italian Delights Classic Tour exceeded all our expectations! The great thing was that each day was

different. We loved the Abbey of Sant Alberto di Butrio and also our time at the Terme di Salice. But our

best day was visiting the wonderful Piazza Ducale in Vigevano followed by the delightful trip to Pavia.

Another highlight was the special wines and special people we met along the way!"

Anne and Rosemary - Melbourne.

Guest Testimonials (cont.)

"The best parts of my Italian Delights tour were the lovely countryside, wineries, and some very good food!

I also loved the beautiful buildings of Pavia and Milan along with all the knowledge we gained from Jim,

our tour guide!"

Barbara - NSW, Australia.

"We particularly enjoyed Jim and Lynette's company and appreciated the effort they both put in to making

our stay in Italy a memorable one; Their passion for and knowledge of areas we visited was quite evident"

Barb and Pete - Melbourne.

“I would recommend this Italian Delights tour to all my friends and family and anyone who wants

to see the real Italy and its people. Thanks Jim you were great company and very professional at all

times.”

Dianne - Melbourne.

“I loved the whole local experience. There was enough culture and shopping as well. The lakes

area is just beautiful and the experience of travelling across the lakes to other towns was great. A

very enjoyable tour Jim! You were an excellent and well informed tour guide.

Bev - Adelaide.

“I really enjoyed the tour and hope to return one day. My husband would have also loved it, hope

to be back. Wonderful experience, jam packed with the best views, friendly people, great food and

memories to keep forever. Thanks Jim!”

Maree - Melbourne.

Tour Prices and Conditions

THE Italian Delights Treasures of Tuscany, Umbria and Lombardy Tour costs AUD $5,050.00 per person, twin

share (AUD$600.00 Single Supplement ) and includes:

A 12 Day stay Tuesday to Saturday

11 nights accommodation Twin Share or Double

Breakfast every day

Six evening meals and four lunches

Lake Como Ferry Crossing

All land-based transport in a private vehicle, including transfers from Malpensa Airport and Voghera train

station upon arrival and to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport and Orvieto train station upon departure.

EXCLUSIONS:

Airfares

Items of personal nature, phone calls, passport and Visas (if applicable), laundry or tips.

Personal transport, excess baggage, security and government taxes, travel insurance.

Meals not specifically mentioned in itinerary or which are referred to as "free lunches or dinners".

Entry fees to all places either mentioned or not mentioned in itinerary.

Optional excursions or activities that may be offered which are not included in the tour price.

All personal expenditure

Tours for 2015/2016

Tours for 2015/2016 commence in April/May and operate through to October. Maximum group size 14 guests - average size is 5-6 guests and tour groups rarely exceed 8 guests. This ensures that your comfort and enjoyment

are our top priority. Tours and tariffs are subject to change.

PRICES, DEPOSITS, AND PAYMENTS

Prices shown are per person, double occupancy.

The deposit is 15% of the overall tour price, or as listed on the tour registration form. This deposit is required before a

booking can be confirmed by us. Payment instructions will be sent after we have received the Booking Confirmation and Guest Details form. No booking will be reserved until the prescribed deposit is received.

Balance of the payment will be due 3 calendar months prior to the date of the first day of the tour you have booked (30 days after booking confirmation date if the date of the tour you are hoping to participate in is less than 90 days after the Booking Confirmation date). If booking is made within 30 days of the tour commencement date the full payment is required 5 days after the booking date. Payment instructions will be sent to you after we have received your Booking Confirmation and Guest Details form. After your deposit has been cleared we will send you an invoice with the due date for the balance of payment. Should your final payment fail to reach us by the date specified on your invoice, we reserve the right to cancel your booking without refund.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS:

If you cancel your tour reservation for any reason at any stage, your first deposit of 15% is non-refundable. If

cancelling more than 60 days before the tour starting date 60% of your total tour cost will be refundable.

If cancelling more than 30 days, but less than 60 days before the tour starting date, 50% of your total tour cost is

refundable for physician documented emergency medical reasons or for police documented cases of accident, flood,

fire, or crime.

If cancelling less than 30 days from the tour start date, a cancellation fee equal to 100% of the tour cost will apply. We

do not provide refunds for: non-medical personal problems; air carrier delays or cancellations; inability to obtain

passports; business problems or emergencies; etc.

In the unlikely event that we would cancel your tour, you would be entitled to a 100% refund within 2 weeks after the

tour's cancellation. Italian Delights reserves the right to cancel tours at any time for any reason such as lack of client

numbers etc.

IMPORTANT ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES INFORMATION

It is your responsibility to take note and enquire with us about the time we arrive at our arrival (pick up) and departure

(drop off) points, prior to the beginning / after the end of our tours. This should be done prior to you making any flight

or train bookings so that it is clearly understood that the arrangements will fit in with our times. Your train should

arrive at least half an hour prior to the designated pick up time, and your flight should arrive at least two hours prior to

the pick-up time. Upon your departure from the tour your train should leave no less than an hour after our intended

arrival, and your international flight should leave no less than 3 hours after our arrival times (2 hours for Italian

domestic flights and Europe-bound flights).

INSURANCE

You are required to purchase your own travel insurance to cover cancellation coverage, airline tickets, trip delay, lost

luggage or any potential medical expenses. In order to keep our tour prices low it is not possible for Italian Delights to

provide protection coverage of any sort and you agree to travel at your own risk.

LUGGAGE

You are allowed one suitcase and one small carry-on bag. If you exceed this limit there may not be space in the

vehicle(s) to transport your excess luggage and it will be at your own expense to have it transported throughout the

tour. We suggest that you bring a day pack for carrying water, guide books, jacket, rain gear, etc.

HOW PHYSICALLY FIT DO YOU HAVE TO BE?

Our tours are not athletic events. To comfortably complete them you should be able to do some moderate walks

over hills and be able to climb a number of stairs. We will also be doing a lot of walking in the towns we visit. If

you are planning a tour with us it wouldn’t hurt to prepare yourself by starting a moderate walking program at

least 2 months before the tour.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Please advise us of any special requirements such as Special Meals, Medical Requirements etc, as soon as possible. If

you get motion sickness, it is advisable to bring with you motion sickness pills, as we will be traveling along

mountainous roads at times.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

No responsibility is accepted for any loss, expense, accident, injury, or damage to any person or property due to the

actions or omissions of any person, or any cause, including but not limited to acts of God, acts of terrorism, war,

strikes, defects in machinery, breakdown of equipment, weather, quarantine, negligence, loss of baggage, or other

causes beyond our control, such losses being the responsibility of the guest.

MEMBERSHIP ON TOUR

Italian Delights reserves the right to accept, reject, or not retain any person as a tour participant whose condition or

general deportment impedes the operation of the tour or, in the opinion of the tour manager, affects the rights and

enjoyment of other guests. A guest not retained on tour shall have no cause for complaint or refund, and shall bear any

and all extra expenses that ensue.

PERMISSION FOR PHOTOS AND VIDEOS OF GUESTS

You agree that our Tour Directors or Representatives may take photographs and films of you while you are on holiday

and that these may be used in our Group brochures and/or advertising or publicity material without obtaining any

further consent or payment in respect of such photographs and/or films.

TOUR CHANGES

All information contained in this document is, to the best of our knowledge, correct. However, we reserve the right to

make changes in accommodations, visits, and itineraries at any time should it become necessary or desirable. Delays

or itinerary changes caused by strikes, bad weather, traffic, or other unforeseen circumstances are beyond our control

and we are not obliged to pay guests compensation.

REGISTRATION FORM

Italian Delights Tours 2015/2016

I/We would like to participate in the Italian Delights 2015/2016 Tour below (Please insert both the name and date of

the tour you are interested in participating in below - For commencement dates please see the front cover of this

publication.)

Tour Name:

Tour Start Date:

Please acknowledge that you have read and accepted the terms and conditions referred to on the previous page by

signing the acceptance below (one person can sign on behalf of all passengers listed in the guests details section.

Dated / / .

*Payment details will be forwarded to guests upon receipt of this completed and signed registration form. A 15% deposit is

required to confirm a place on tour. Please note that due to the very small group sizes on our tours, allocations will be given

to early bookings and deposits received.

GUEST DETAILS

GUEST ONE: GUEST TWO:

Title: Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss/Dr,Other .............................. ......................................................

Surname: ............................................................. ......................................................

Given Names: ..................................................... ......................................................

Date of Birth: ...................................................... ......................................................

Special Dietary Requirements ........................................ ......................................................

Address No. Street ....................................................................................................................................

Suburb: ................................................................

State: ...................................................... Postcode ...............

Phone: B/H ................................................................. A/H ..........................................................

Mobile: .........................................................

Email: ...........................................................................................................................................

(Please print Clearly)

Emergency Contact Person: .............................................................................................................

Phone Contact: B/H ...................................................... A/H .................................................................................

Celebrating Anything special? ..........................................................................................................