Autumn In Tuscany-Cook With Panini Girl In Lucca

Hi everyone:
I’ve had some interest in a trip to Lucca for the fall so I’m putting together a tour for the middle of October. Send me an email (paninigirl4@gmail.com) to place a reservation or with any questions. Sign up before the end of June and there’s a 10% discount.

Dates: October 13 to October 20
Total Price Per Person: $2975.

The Details:
We will be staying in a beautiful, large apartment in a recently restored 15th century building located in the heart of the historical center of Lucca. It’s just a short walk to the ancient walls surrounding the centro storico-the perfect place for a walk or bike ride with a bird’s eye view of the town. Our week will focus on food and wine of Lucca and the surrounding area.

Fall is a great time of year to visit Tuscany. The weather is still beautiful (a little cooler) and the crowds are down. Chestnuts and mushrooms are in season and there are local “sagras” celebrating the food of the region. No trip to Tuscany is complete without a visit to Florence, so we will spend a day there exploring, tasting and shopping!

What’s Included:
2 cooking classes with participation (1 with Panini Girl, 1 with local cooks from Lucca)
Visit to the “Cacioteca” in Lucca (fabulous cheese shop) for a cheese and salumi tasting
Day trip to Florence with a guided tour of the Sant’Ambrogio food market and specialty food shops in the neighborhood, time for shopping
Day trip to the countryside of the Garfagnana to visit a baker and get the scoop on his craft of making bread
Day trip to the charming town of Pistoia for market day
Visit to Lucca’s Palazzo Pfanner
All transportation for day trips out of town
Seven nights’ accommodations
All breakfasts
5 lunches and 6 dinners
Wine with meals
Water, coffee, wine and snacks stocked in the apartment

More details to come about other activities in the area. Itinerary subject to change with regard to weather.

Reservations
Due to the unpredictability of the value of the US dollar versus the Euro, this price is subject to change. Your price will be the one quoted at the time of your deposit.
Deposit: $975 is due within seven days of making your reservation. Balance is due 90 days prior to the first day of the trip. I accept Paypal.

Cancellation Fees:
Before July 13, 2012: $250.
July 13 -August 13, 2012: $900.
August 14-September 21, 2012: $1800.
After September 21, 2012: no refund available

It is strongly advised that you purchase trip cancellation insurance as cancellation fees apply regardless of reason for cancellation. Check out information at www.insuremytrip.com.

What’s Not Included:
Airfare, transfers from airport to and from Lucca, travel insurance, phone calls, laundry services, alcoholic beverages other than host ordered. Schedule subject to change.

Come along and be prepared for lots of amazing food, new friends, stunning scenery and lots of laughs. I’m available to help you with your travel plans so get in touch! paninigirl4@gmail.com

Testimonials

For years my husband and I traveled independently through Italy. After losing him I wondered if I would ever be able to go again. Panini Girl made that possible. Her depth of knowledge and love of Italy shine through in the trips she planned for us. Traveling with her was relaxing and enjoyable while still being an interesting and exciting adventure. This trip taught me there are many types of experiences to be had and enjoyed in life with others. I look forward to my next travel with Panini Girl. Valerie D.

The Panini Girl experience is an all encompassing look at the gastronomic landscape of Tuscany. With it’s old world charm and small town feel, Lucca is the ideal home base for the week’s activities. This was my first trip to Italy and I look forward to returning soon to discover more with Panini Girl. Abbie M.

This was a trip of a lifetime for me! Being a novice traveler I felt safe and comfortable and really enjoyed the itinerary. It was great to have someone facilitate the details. I enjoyed everything about this trip-the food we ate, the wine, the scenery and the beautiful country of Italy. Thank you Panini Girl! Gail S.

My trip to Lucca in May 2011 with Panini Girl far exceeded my expectations, which were already quite high. Our apartment was beautiful, spacious, centrally located and the kitchen was the perfect place for the hands-on cooking lessons. The trips were perfectly planned and varied. We took a food tour of Florence and hit every culinary highlight from aged balsamics to gelato and ended with a tasting in a beautiful wine cellar. Our trip to a nearby open market provided fabulous food for our dinner one night. We visited a centuries old sheep farm and watched as owners made pecorino and fresh ricotta and prepared homemade pasta for our fabulous farmer’s lunch feast. Somehow we still found time to shop for souvenirs and relax with personal down time from our planned activities. I really look forward to another trip with Panini Girl. Patti O.