Treasures of Italy - Escorted Motorcoach Tour

Treasures of Italy - with Guaranteed Departures!
Enjoy the best of Italy during your unique journey highlighting the rich history and spectacular beauty of this majestic country. You will enjoy the best of traditional cities including Florence, Venice and Rome.
Tour Highlights:

• 10 Meals: Breakfasts and Dinners
• Great for Groups and Individuals
• In Rome see the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, St. Peter's Basilica
• In Siena visit Piazza del Campo and the Municipal Palace
• In Assisi view the Churches of St. Francis and St. Claire
• In Florence visit the Accademia - home of Michangel's "David"
• In Padua see Donatello's masterpiece - the "Gattamelata"
• In Venice vist the famous Square of St. Mark and the Bridge of Sighs

Your Treasures of Italy tour includes:

• Six (6) nights accommodation at four star hotels (3 star superior in Venice) with downtown locations for six (6) nights
• American or continental (no eggs) buffet breakfast daily, except for day of arrival.
• Half-day tour of Rome: Monumental Rome.
• Round-trip transfer with private car/minibus with driver and assistant.
• Four (4) dinners.
• Service charges and local taxes included (excluding tips to driver and guides.)
• Professional headset system from day 04 to end of tour as needed for commentary.
• Ground transportation by deluxe motorcoach from day four until the end of tour.
• Scenic drives through the beautiful Tuscan countryside and medival towns via the Autostrade del Sole and through the Emilia Romagna region, land of world famous "prosciutto" and parmigiano choose and the Veneto region, world famous for it's Villa Palladio.
• Multi-lingual tour escort beginning on day four.
• Sightseeing as per the itinerary.
• Local guides and entrance fees during the tour.
• Porterage of one suitcase per person.
• Celtic Tours flight bag and portfolio of travel documents.
  Travel to Italy with Celtic Tours World Vacations

NEW TOUR! Tuscan Experience with Rome- Semi-Escorted Tour

Tuscan Experience with Rome!

Our new Tuscan Experience will continue to enchant you! Enjoy an independent night in Rome, the Eternal City! Followed by 5-nights at the Villa Casagrande, a wine-producing villa constructed in 1392. You will find ourselves strolling down quiet lanes bound by stone walls, cypress trees and cream-colored villas. A true Tuscan Experience!

Tour Highlights:

• Daily touring from one location - no unpacking!
• 8 meals; Breakfast & Dinners - with drinks included
• See Florence and the Tuscany Region, Chianti, Sienna and San Gimignano

Your Tuscan Experience tour includes:

• Private transfer on arrival from Rome airport to your Rome hotel.
• One (1) night accommodation at Hotel Windrose or similar in Rome. (Upgrades to other hotels available).
• Five (5) nights accommodations at Villa Casagrande in Chianti, Italy.
• Private transfer from your Rome hotel to the Villa Casagrande.
• Welcome dinner at the Villa with drinks included.
• Italian buffet breakfast daily excluding the day of arrival.
• Half-day English speaking guide for Florence visit (3-hours).
• One farewell dinner at the Villa with wine and water included.
• Full day tour excursion to Chianti region (8-hours).
• Full day English speaking guide (6-hours) in Chianti.
• Visit to a butcher in Chianti for Tuscan salami tasting.
• Visit and wine tasting at Verrazzano Castle.
• Optional Cooking Class
• Roundtrip transfer by car or minibus for Siena and San Gimignano visit.
• Half-day English speaking guide for Siena visit (3-hours)
• Private transfer from Villa to Florence Airport (transfer from Villa to Rome can also be arranged for a supplement)
   
   
  Travel to Italy with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Tuscan Countryside

Tuscan Countryside Villa Stay - An ideal spot for a restful and enjoyable holiday in the Tuscan Region!
NEW for 2013, we are excited to introduce this Tuscan Countryside Package featuring the Fattoria Degli Usignoli positioned between the Arno Valley and the Chianti Hills, just 17 miles from Florence. This villa over looks a beautiful landscape of vineyards and cypress-lined fields.
This is an excellent package for both individual and group travel and has become a popular base for touring the Tuscan Region while enjoying the warmth and charm of Fattoria Degli Usignoli!
The Fattoria Degli Usignoli features two swimming pools, two bars, tennis court, playgroud, billiard rooms, and bowling green. Horse riding and mountian bike hiring is available. This property is great for families!
Tour Highlights:

• 3 Meals: Breakfast & One (1) Dinner
• Great for Groups and Individuals
• Wine tasting and appetizers

Your Tuscan Countryside Villa Stay Includes:

• Roundtrip airport transfers (from/to Florence Apt)
• 3 Nights Accommodation at the Fattoria Degli Usignoli 
• Italian buffet breakfast, except day of arrival
• One (1) welcome dinner 

Note: City Tax not included and must be paid directly to the hotel

Taste of Tuscany - A Celtic Exclusive!
Our Taste of Tuscany Villa package features an authentic Italian Villa for three nights in the historical center of Figline Valdarno, a small town strategically located between Florence, Arezzo, and Siena. 
This is an excellent program for both individual and group travel and has become a popular base for touring the Tuscan Region while enjoying the warmth and charm of Villa Casagrande!


Tour Highlights:

• 3 Meals: Breakfast & Dinners
• Great for Groups and Individuals
• Wine Tasting and appetizers* (*Wine tasting held Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday only)

Your Taste of Tuscany Villa Stay Includes:

• Roundtrip airport transfers (from/to Florence Apt)
• 3 Nights Accommodation at the Villa Casagrande in Chianti, or similar Tuscan Villa
• Italian buffet breakfast, except day of arrival
• Special welcome dinne with drinks
• *Wine Tasting focusing on regional wines with appetizers    

Note: City Tax not included and must be paid directly to the hotel
Travel to Italy with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Tuscan Experience Sale plus

Save $200 Per Couple on Land on Tuscan Experience

departing May 12, 2011. Use code CS100

Plus, Get $300 Credit Per Couple on Land for Future Celtic Tour

8 Nights or Longer*

Learn More about our Tuscan Experience

Travel to Ireland, Britain, Italy, Australia and New Zealand. . . Endless Possibilities


*Credit must be used towards new bookings only and cannot be combined with any other sales, promotions or discounted pricing. Credit is good towards Future tours 8 nights or longer to Ireland or Italy, from our brochure.

***These specials are for new bookings only and must be on deposit by March 16, 2011.

San Gimignano

San Gimignano: a small, walled hill town with 14 towers rising from the Elsa Valley, in the province of Siena, Tuscany. Known for its famous medieval architecture, long-standing towers and some of the best wine in Italy, San Gimignano is well worth a visit!

The town was founded in the 3^rd Century by Etruscans. As a stop along the Catholic Pilgrimage route, the town grew in importance and wealth up until the mid-1300’s when the population was seriously decreased by the Black Death Plague.

In the following centuries San Gimignano overcame its decline and isolation when its beauty and cultural importance together with its agricultural heritage were rediscovered. Known primarily for its towers that date back to the 11th and 13th centuries, the architecture of the city was influenced by Pisa, Siena and Florence.

The town also is known for the white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, grown in the area. Since the Renaissance it has been considered one of Italy's finest white wines.

Beautiful San Gimignano is an optional tour on Celtic Tours Tuscan Experience.

Sicilian Heritage

Sicilian Heritage!

Enjoy a visit to the land of sun, Sicily! This stunning island offers a landscape of fascinating and dramatic beauty. Mt. Etna, rising in the center of a volcanic area of Sicily, is the highest active volcano in Europe. The isles of Stromboli and Vulcano are also active volcanoes. Features a visit to the famous village of Corleone, featured in the “Godfather” series! Along with breathtaking scenery, Sicily welcomes you with delicious cuisine as well as the warmth and hospitality of its people.

Your Sicilian Heritage Tour includes:

*Six nights accommodations at first class hotels with private bath/shower.
*Transportation by private deluxe air-conditioned motor coach throughout.
*Services of a professional English-speaking tour director.
*Daily Italian buffet breakfasts at the hotel except the day of the arrival.
*One (1) welcome dinner + One (1) farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Taormina (wine and water included for both of the dinners.)
*One (1) wine tasting at Marsala restaurant.
*Entrance fees to: Benedictine Abbey of Monreale; Doric Temple in Segesta; Valley of Temples in Agrigento; Roman Villa del Casale in Piazza Armerina; Archeological Park in Siracusa; Greek Theatre in Taormina.
*Visit to the famous village of Corleone.
*Porterage of one suitcase per person.
*Local taxes and tips (excluding tips to driver and guide).
*Celtic Tours flight bag and portfolio of travel documents.

Learn more about this great Tour of Italy!

Limoncello

When life hands you lemons, fly to Italy and drink Limoncello!

Limoncello, a refreshing, intensely lemony cordial hails from southern Italy. It originated on the Isle of Capri in the 19th century, where innkeeper Vincenza Canale treated her patrons to her homemade liqueur. Word spread among travelers about her delightful liqueur and eventually the family began bottling it commercially.

For many Italians, sharing a glass of lemon liqueur with friends, new or old, is the essence of hospitality. When dinner is done, out comes a bottle of fragrant limoncello. Prepared from grain alcohol, infused with lemon peel and sweetened with sugar, it can be sipped as is or drizzled over poundcake, fruit salad or ice cream. One nip tingles the tongue and subsequent sips pack a surprising wallop.

What better way to enjoy this delightful beverage than in Italy! Celtic Tours is pleased to announce the Special Date Tour: Tuscan Experience: Learn more

Tuscan Cuisine

Each region in Italy has its own unique cuisine, and Tuscany is a good starting point for exploring the best in Italian food. Tuscan cuisine is appreciated world-round for its fine natural and favorful ingredients. A look at the Tuscan countryside reveals some of the key ingredients in local cooking: olive groves with their silvery sheen, fairytale forests of chestnut trees, hillsides blanketed in grape vines, angelic sheep lolling among ruins, fragrant rosemary and sage bushes lining gardens. Tuscan cooking is simple and seasonal, without the heavy sauces found in other regions.

Traditionally, meals in Italy usually contain 3 or 4 courses. Meals are seen as a time to spend with family and friends, thus daily meals can be longer than in other cultures. Lunch, or Pranzo, is considered the most important meal of the day. During lunch hours (typically 12 noon to 2:00) schoolchildren are allowed to go home and most shops close for a pausa, which is characteristic of that easygoing Italian way of life that visitors find so alluring and desirable.

What better way to learn more about traditional Tuscan cuisine, then to take a cooking class at an historical Tuscan Villa, located in the heart of Chianti. Together with the Villa Casagrande’s Chef Paola Eoncini, you will prepare typical Tuscan dishes and other specialties as well as decadent sweets and Tuscan cakes. Learn more by visiting Celtic Tours website.