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for more information, call: 800-935-5000 or visit:
www.centralholidays.comDAY 1
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ROME
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FRASCATI
Arrive in rome and transfer to your hotel in
frascati. Just south of rome, in the Alban Hills, lies a string of hill towns
nestled among vineyards called “Castelli romani” - "roman Castles".
frascati, a summer haunt for the roman elite and subsequent nobility
through the centuries, offers good food, fresh white wines and
captivating views of rome at a distance. This afternoon get acquainted
with this lovely town during a guided walking tour. See the magnificent
16th century Villa Aldobrandini with its impressive flat-fronted façade
and gardens, a fine example of an early Italian Baroque garden, the
beautiful Cathedral, and the many restaurants and cantinas that line
the streets and alleys before heading back to the hotel to enjoy a
delicious meal. (D)
DAY 2
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FRASCATI
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GROTTAFERRATA
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FRASCATI
Today's tour starts
with a visit of the Abbey of San Nilo in Grottaferrata. founded in 1004
by St. Nilus himself and completed a few years later by St. Bartholomew
the Younger, it remains one of Italy's most important centers of
Byzantine culture. from here, a panoramic road winds its way uphill
through beautiful scenery to the remains of ancient Tusculum. A favorite
resort of Cicero, Tusculum was the birthplace of Cato the Elder.
Destroyed by rome in 1191, its ruins are overgrown and include an
amphitheater, a theater, the forum, a wellhouse, and a stretch of the old
town walls. Enjoy a picnic (weather permitting) or lunch at a local
restaurant. Tonight dinner is at the renowned “osteria di San Cesario”,
a restaurant that specializes in the deepest-rooted culinary traditions of
the roman countryside. (B,L,D)
DAY 3
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FRASCATI
This morning you will learn the secrets of the roman
cuisine during a cooking class held by frascati’s very own resident,
culinary coach and food blogger, mrs. Josephine (Jo) Donghi. Jo will
guide you in making your own authentic Italian lunch in a creative and
fun way. The rest of the day is yours to explore frascati's alleys and
browse the many artisans, goldsmiths, antique shops and boutiques.
A feature of frascati is its "cantine", or as they are known locally,
“fraschette”. They’re essentially places where you can buy and drink
wine, and can bring your own food. During summer nights the
fraschette put their tables outside on the paved roads, and it seems like
the whole town sits on these benches drinking, talking and laughing
beneath the stars. (B,L)
DAY 4
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FRASCATI
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NEMI
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ARICCIA
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CASTEL GANDOLFO
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FRASCATI
Start your day with a visit of Nemi. Perched high above Lago di Nemi, the
smaller of the two volcanic lakes in the area, Nemi was the center of a
cult to the goddess Diana in ancient times, and the favorite holiday spot
of the emperor Caligula and Nero, who used to orchestrate refined
sumptuous banquets and feasts on luxuriously rigged rafts. Today it’s a
popular getaway from rome, and famous for its wild strawberries that
grow in the nearby woods. Next you will visit the Chigi Palace in Ariccia,
a masterpiece by Bernini. Planned in the 1600s as official residence for
Cardinal flavio Chigi, it is remarkable not only because of the artworks
hosted there, but because of the unique preservation of its paintings,
sculptures and furnishings. Ariccia is also known for its “porchetta”, a
whole spit roast pork. Enjoy a light lunch accompanied by local wine
before continuing on to Castel Gandolfo. Summer residence of the
pope, Castel Gandolfo is a peaceful little town built on the shores of
Lake Albano, the largest volcanic lake in the area. Time to stroll around
the town before heading back to your hotel. (B,L)
DAY 5
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FRASCATI
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MONTE PORZIO CATONE
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FRASCATI
This
morning tour starts with a visit to the “Scattered museum of Wine”, a
quaint little museum in monte Porzio Catone, a town named after
marcus Porcius Cato the Elder, roman Consul, born in Tusculum and
author of the treatise De Agri Cultura, (circa 160 BC). The museum was
opened in 2000 and houses a collection of wine-making utensils and
equipment. You will then proceed off the beaten track to visit the oldest
historic winery in the region. Here you will meet with people who are
passionate about the wine they produce, learn about the history of wine,
get to know more about the importance of "terroir" and discover how to
taste wine. return to frascati and the rest of the afternoon is at leisure.
Tonight dinner at a local restaurant is included. (B,D)
PRICED FROM
First class hotels:
$3,432
From price is per person, double occupancy, and based on the following hotels:
Frascati: Hotel Flora
Shaved truffles over pasta
DAY 6
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FRASCATI
This morning tour will take you to three
agribusinesses that belong to the Slow food organization, and will
introduce you to the different techniques used by these local farmers.
our first stop will be a hill-top honey bee farm where you will learn
about honeybees and the wonderful world of honey. from there, we
will go to the Erba regina country estate, that specializes in cultivating
a wide variety of herbs and whose farming techniques are closely
monitored by the Botanical Department of a roman university. Last,
we will visit a cheese farm where you will be given a demonstration in
cheese making and sample some of the cheeses. rest of the
afternoon is at leisure for independent activities. Tonight enjoy dinner
at a typical restaurant. (B,D)
DAY 7
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FRASCATI
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ROME TO USA (OR EXTEND YOUR STAY)
morning transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B)
(B) Breakfast - (L) Lunch - (D) Dinner
INCLUDED FEATURES
•
first class hotel accommodation for 6 nights
•
12 included meals consisting of:
- 6 buffet breakfasts
- 2 lunches at local restaurants
- 1 picnic lunch
- 1 dinner at hotel
- 2 dinners at local restaurants
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Assistance of a professional local representative
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Sightseeing, including local guide and all entrance fees as follows:
- Walking tour of frascati
- Half day excursion to Grottaferrata and Tusculum
- Cooking class
- full day excursion to Ariccia, Nemi and Castel Gandolfo
- Half day excursion to monte Porzio Catone with wine tasting
- Visit of cheese factory, honey farm and Erba regina
country house
•
round trip transfers from rome airport to hotel
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Baggage handling
•
Document holder and luggage tags
•
Hotel taxes and service charges