SUMMER 2012 EUROPEAN TOUR
Liberal Ladies Who Lunch
"Turning America Blue, One Plate at a Time"
Liberal Ladies Who Lunch are planning a trip to France and Italy this summer. This is not a group tour in the traditional sense, as each member is responsible for making her own flight arrangements and may opt out of activities you feel are too strenuous or expensive for you. We will do our best to recommend flights and to lodge and travel within the countries together so that this will be a group experience.
In France, Annette Maxberry-Carrara will be in charge of the group outings, and in Italy, Julie Burns will take over. Both women have spent extensive time in their respective countries, and both women are fluent in the language. Neither Julie nor Annette will be making any profit from the trip and are donating thier time, energy and money to guiding you through areas they have seen numerous times but still love. Since all activities and food choices are optional, there are no set expenses except for lodging and some transportation.
You may participate in all or a portion of the trip, but you will be responsible for finding your own transportation to and from the spot on the tour you are joining or leaving. We will assist you with instructions when possible, but it will be easiest to join the group at the beginning of the trip and return at the same time.
July 12 - July 28, 2012
Thursday, July 12, Departure
Friday, July 13, Arrive Paris in the morning.
Check into hotel, settle in, take short nap.
Catch hop-on hop-off bus for general tour of Paris. Dinner at a charming restaurant overlooking the Seine.
Saturday, July 14, Explore Paris: Left Bank, Notre Dame, St. Chapelle, dine al fresco at a sidewalk cafe and celebrate Bastille Day with concerts and dancing in the streets.
Sunday, July 15, Visit the gardens of Monet's Giverney & the Palace of Versailles by bus (includes lunch). Relaxing dinner in Paris.
Monday, July 16, Museums in the morning: either Musee D'Orsay (impressionist art) or The Louvre (classics). Shopping in the afternoon at Galleries Lafayette. That night we'll have dinner at a charming French bistro and take a ride on a bateau mouche to see Paris by night.
Tuesday, July 17, Explore the Marais. Visit the former Jewish ghetto of Paris that is now a center of culture and commerce. Shopping and afternoon tea at Mariage Freres. Dinner near the Bastille.
Wednesday, July 18, Train to Gap--rent car in Gap and drive to Crots to stay at the beautifully restored Chateau de Picomtal, a place full of history and ghosts. Spectacularly beautiful area. Dinner in the village of Embrun.
Thursday, July 19, Day-long cooking class.Prepare classic recipes for a dinner open to the public in the evening in a convivial atmosphere. The classes take place in the professionally-equipped kitchen and are taught by two chefs, Laurent Berruyer and Luc Eyriey.
Friday, July 20, Market day in the village, visit one of the weekly markets of Provence. Buy fresh foods, cheese, sausages, and flowers. Explore the region. Picnic lunch. Some may want to take part in water sports or hiking. Dinner out.
Saturday, July 21, leave for Italy, Travel Day. Travel by train to Florence, rent car, drive to villa, unpack and settle in. Dinner out
Sunday, July 22 Drive to Pisa (to see the Leaning Tower and Duomo.) Drive to Lucca for lunch then a walking tour of the town. This lovely medieval town retains its encircling wall and is the home of Giocomo Puccini. It's famous for its food.
Monday, July 23 Castles and Chianti Day Tour--picked up at villa by service, return late afternoon. Dinner out locally.
Tuesday, July 24 Drive to Florence, the treasure of Western civilization. Tour Uffizi and Accademia . Duomo and Giotto towers. Chiesa di Santa Croce where all the Renaissance luminaries from Michelangelo to Galileo are entombed. Ponte Vecchio. Dinner in Florence.
Wednesday, July 25 Drive to Siena, another beautiful medieval city with much to see and do.
Thursday, July 26 Drive to San Gimignano and Volterra, enchanting Tuscan hill towns. Volterra is famous for alabaster and is an Etruscan town which predates the Romans. San Gimignano, unchanged since the middle ages, is my favorite Tuscan hill town. Eat in San Gimignano.
Friday, July 27 Optional destinations: Montalcino and Montipulciano are two beautiful and famous Tuscan cities, wine centers. Alternatively, we could drive to Arezzo or even go over to Umbria and the city of Assisi. We must choose.
Saturday, July 28 AM Check out of villa, drive to Florence to return car. Flights home. If anyone has an evening flight, we can see a bit more of Florence. Julie is staying on in Tuscany to visit family so there will be no rush.
(All dates and activities are subject to change.)
Got questions? Send us an email, and we'll be happy to answer them as best we can.
Tentative Itinerary and Projected Expenses
Estimated cost: $8,000-$10,000. (It's always better to prepare for more and be delighted if you spend less.) Deposits for all hotels and vehicles due by Feb. 15th. You are responsible for making your own air reservations. We will try to find good flights that you can all take together. If you find great fares somewhere, please let us know.
YOU MUST RESERVE YOUR PLACE BY FEB. 15, 2012!!!!!!!!!!!
Air Fare: $1500 -- $2200
Food, lodging, transportation
France: $3351 -- $4751
Tuscany: $2500
Total: $7351.00 - $9451.00
SIGN ME UP!!!!!!!
You must reserve your place no later than Feb. 15, 2012
