Gail's Great Escapes

www.GailsGreatEscapes.com

Trip Planning, Italy, Group Tours

Escape with us to Medieval Montisi in Tuscany

Location: Southern Tuscany

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Gail's Great Escapes...

 

You know how beautiful it is. This is the Tuscany you've read about, dreamed about, and felt in your heart when you've heard its lyrical music.  You know about the art, the architecture, the food, the wine....

 

After eight years of leading small group tours, I know this area of Tuscany, and I want to share it with you. 

 

Spend a week with us in an ancient restored 15th century villa in charming Montisi in Southern Tuscany. Montisi is a fortified medieval hill town in an area where settlements date from Etruscan times. It overlooks a valley filled with olive groves, vineyards and woodlands. The view to the south includes the village of Castelmuzio, 9th century Pieve di Santo Stefano and, in the distance, Mount Amiata.

The village is home to 6 tiny churches, a full-service restaurant with grape-shaded dining terrace, a noted slow-food restaurant serving authentic ancient recipes, a prima piatti café with outdoor dining, a cinema showing both European and American films, and a classic village barino (café/bar), all within a few minutes walk. 

Within two miles, the villages of Trequanda and Castelmuzio have additional restaurants and shops. Within a ten mile drive through the Tuscan countryside are Montepulciano and Montalcino, noted for their Vino Nobile and Brunello wines. Pienza, a jewel-like Renaissance village is just 5 miles away. Along the way is the beautiful Santa Anna monastery, where "The English Patient" was filmed.

Everywhere you look is inspiration for creativity and relaxation. We will provide the suggestions, the guidance, and the opportunities, and you will have the week of your choice. No stress. No schedule but the one you make for yourself.

 

The Setting...

Your home for a week will be a restored villa filled with character and charm on the main village street. There is a large private garden on the south side that extends to the edge of the old city wall. It offers unrestricted views of the beautiful Tuscan countryside.

The oldest part of the house lies along the main street of the village and was built prior to the 15th century. In the 1700's an olive mill was built on the south or garden side. This mill operated well into the 1900s. The mill stone can be seen on the terrace in the herb and vegetable garden. The restoration, completed in spring 2004, was undertaken to preserve and enhance the history and character of the house.

The gardens are filled with roses, geraniums, yellow broom, lavender for your pillow, and rosemary and basil for your favorite Italian meal. There are lots of painting possibilities and photo oppportunities here.

Early morning brings the gentle whoosh of a hot air balloon as it rises like a mirage from the valley nearby. Evenings are filled with fabulous food at the villa, or dining in a local ristorante, sharing your day's adventures with old and new friends.

 

The Possibilities...

Included on Monday of each week is a fabulous tour with our friend, Pino Teresi.  He will drive you through the countryside where " The English Patient" was filmed to a Vino Nobile winery and a copper artisan's workshop in Montepulciano, and to charming Pienza for a pecorino cheese tasting. Pino taught in an agricultural school for many years, grows his own vines, and is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the Italian land and culture.  Pino will astound you with his knowledge of art and architecture, and everything to do with The Grape.

 

We'll also have informal painting classes with a local artist, Elizabeth Cochrane, and visit her home and studio. Liz has experience teaching all levels of aspiring artists.

She will change the way you look at your world, and you'll have great fun!

Learn more about her at www.elizabethcochrane.com.

 

Your own personal creativity may lead you to relax by the pool with a glass of vino listening to the cuckoo, the strange call of the peacocks, or the beautiful song of the nightingales. You may decide to hike through the olive groves and vineyards to the ruin down the hill, or drive to Siena for the Wednesday market.

The area is known for beautiful countryside walks, abbeys, hilltop villages, many wineries, bicycle touring and magnificent hot air balloon trips, with Montisi-based "Ballooning in Tuscany" located five minutes away. Tuscany from the sky is exceptional, as is the lovely champagne breakfast after the flight.

Villages throughout the area feature wonderful small shops of local wines, ceramics, cheeses, gelati, antiques, and art. Every village has restaurants with delicious local specialties. Ancient hot mineral baths dating from Roman times are close by.

Pienza, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Montefollonico, Siena, Cortona, Monte Oliveto Maggiore are all an easy drive for daytrips. Florence is 1.5 hours by car, Rome is 2 hours.

The possibilities in this area are endless!

 

The Group...

The villa offers 8 double bedrooms with private baths, to accommodate 16 guests. Each bedroom has a queen-sized bed. There is one bedroom located on the first floor with no steps.

Sometimes friends will reserve their week together, or a couple will come alone and end up with a house full of new friends by the end of their time with us.  Couples and singles are welcome in any of our weeks!

 

As your host, and a resident of Montisi 6 months of the year, I look forward to helping you enjoy this most beautiful part of Tuscany. My local friends will become yours, and I will share with you my favorite places in this area. I will have a suggested itinerary for your week, but you are free to pursue it as you wish. This is not a rigid tour where you are led around each day, climbing on and off a bus. It's a chance for you to find your OWN Tuscany.

Bring your paints, your camera, your journal, your sense of humor, and your sense of adventure. We'll have a great time!

Visit my website for more information and loads of pictures. Reserve your space now for 2010: www.GailsGreatEscapes.com

 

2010 Dates and Prices:

May 22 - 29:   Couples and Singles
May 29 - June 5:   Couples and Singles  

 

Price:

As the rooms vary somewhat in size and view, they are priced accordingly ranging from $1700 per person, double occupancy, to $1900 per person, double occupancy.

Price includes:

• 7 nights accommodation with private bath
• 7 breakfasts, and lunches when you are at the villa. A variety of food will be available for fix-it-yourself breakfast and lunch, when you want it, on YOUR schedule!
• 3 fabulous Tuscan dinners at the villa
• All the local wine you can drink
• All-day winery and cheese-tasting tour
• Informal art lessons at the villa with local artist, Elizabeth Cochrane
• Thursday Night Party, Under The Tuscan Stars, a tradition with our groups.  We invite our friends from Montisi, expats nearby, and other travelers in the area to join us.  Liz and Pino entertain with songs from all musical eras, and we sing-a-long, too.  It's great fun and an evening you won't forget!

 

Please email or call  770-992-4429  for more information regarding our trips.

I will also be happy to assist you in planning the remainder of your vacation. 

 

Contact Information

Company: Gail's Great Escapes

Name: Gail Hecko

Street: 1274 Canton Street

City: Roswell

State/Province: Georgia

Country: USA

Zip/Postal Code: 30075

Phone: 770-992-4429

Website: www.GailsGreatEscapes.com

E-mail: Click here to send an e-mail inquiry