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Tuscany by the Sea 2010

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With its soft light, fabulous artistic treasures, sumptuous food and wine, and stirring landscapes, Tuscany resonates with every serious traveler.  Detailed Itinerary

STROLL through Capalbio, a medieval hilltop village with cobblestone roads and enclosed high walls LEARN how to prepare a delicious Tuscan specialty during a cooking class FERRY to Giglio Island and enjoy a private tour with a local guide (March and October departures visit Tarquinia instead) EXPLORE the beautiful cliff town of Pitigliano with a local guide TRACE the history with a local guide reveals the treasures of Pitigliano, a beautiful cliff town is revealed VISIT Magliano, a fortified city with intact walls, some dating to the 14th century EAT lunch, hosted by a local family, at an olive oil mill

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Air-Inclusive Tour Roundtrip international airfare 8 nights in 3- and 4-star hotels and a country resort 15 meals - 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners Transfers AND the option to add our Low-Cost Trip Extensions: Pre-trip: Orvieto • 2 nights $295 Post-trip: Rome • 2 nights $395 FREE use of our custom VBT bicycle and helmet Service of two bilingual VBT Trip Leaders FULL VAN SUPPORT Daily route directions and maps Welcome reception with local wine and hors d'oeuvres Sightseeing and cultural activities 5% Frequent Traveler Credit to use on your next VBT vacation Special Good Buy Discount Land-Only Tour 6 nights in a 4-star hotel and a 4 star country resort 13 meals - 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners FREE use of our custom VBT bicycle and helmet Service of two bilingual VBT Trip Leaders FULL VAN SUPPORT Daily route directions and maps Welcome reception with local wine and hors d'oeuvres Sightseeing and cultural activities 5% Frequent Traveler Credit to use on your next VBT vacation Special Good Buy Discount

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Tuscany by the Sea 2010 Click Map to Enlarge Rating Level: Easy/ Moderate This tour offers a combination of easy terrain mixed with moderate hills and is ideal for beginning and experienced cyclists. Our VBT support van is always available for those who need assistance with the hills. Full Van Support: Enjoy more flexibility and choice with full van support throughout your vacation. Group Size:14-20 Daily Mileage:15-35 miles Daily Cycling Times:2-5 hours Avg. Daily High Temperature: : Mar 59°, Apr 64°, May 71°, Jun 78°, Jul 83°, Aug 83°, Sep 78 °, Oct 71°

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Hotel Duomo This historic property, centrally located and set off of a quiet side street, is just steps from the city sights and local restaurants. With only 17 rooms, the hotel is tastefully decorated. Some rooms look out toward Orvieto’s famous Duomo. An internet connection is available in the hotel lobby. (visit the Hotel Duomo website) Tenuta La Parrina Built at the beginning of the 20th century as a large working farm, Tenuta La Parrina provided houses for workers, a church and a school. The main villa also now accommodates tourists on its 1,200 acres. Wine, olive oil, vegetables, fruits, flowers, and tasty cheeses are produced for local use, as well as exported. Located in a large park a few kilometers from a white-sand beach, the estate has mapped walking trails. (visit the Tenuta La Parrina website) Fattoria di Magliano This ancient villa, set in a secluded location in the Maremma, boasts many amenities for its visitors — even its own cantina! Converted into a comfortable hotel, the property has a warm, welcoming feel, with terra-cotta tile work and designer furniture. The Fattoria offers extensive park grounds for exploration, well-manicured gardens, and an outdoor swimming pool to refresh you after the day’s ride. An internet connection is available in the hotel lobby. (visit the Fattoria di Magliano website) Hotel Giulio Cesare A family run hotel in Rome, quietly located a few steps from the Tiber River and 10 minutes walk from Piazza Del Popolo. Once a patrician villa, this hotel has been recently redecorated in an elegant, classical style. You’ll enjoy the garden where breakfast is served and a quiet lounge with an antique fireplace. These and other touches keep this four-star hotel feeling very much like a family home. Last but not least: breakfast is said to be one of the best in Rome, because many of the products are grown by the owner in his fields north of the city, Internet is available for guests at the reception desk. Complimentary drinks in minibar in the rooms. (visit the Hotel Giulio Cesare website)

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Orvieto 2010 2 nights for only $295 • 2 nights at the Hotel Duomo or Hotel Palazzo Piccolomini • Daily breakfast • City Information Packet and guided tour of cathedral and city center • Airport transfers • Half-day guided tour and visit of the Duomo Orvieto is situated in Umbria on top of a large platform of volcanic tufa. Rising above high tufa cliffs and surrounded by defensive walls, it is among the most dramatic cities in Europe and is easily visited on foot. Some of Orvietos’ highlights include hiking, shopping for fine pottery and crafts, and delightful dinners at simple trattorias, featuring local delicacies such as truffles and mushrooms. The Etruscans founded Orvieto and left some remnants (now in the Archeological Museum) and a necropolis that you can reach on a popular two-mile hike. An underground city, a labyrinth of tunnels and caves long kept secret, lies underneath Orvieto and is now open for visit with guided tours, which can be booked on site. The Romans followed the Etruscans, and later the city became very closely connected to the Papacy. The St. Patrick’s well was built for the Popes in the mid-16th century and has unique double helical ramps for one-way traffic (originally for mules carrying water). A notable monument is the Gothic cathedral (the Duomo), with its striped façade in white and green stones, as well as its remarkable sculptures. On our included walking tour, you will visit the cathedral and San Brizio Chapel, adorned by Luca Signorelli’s masterful fresco, Last Judgment. Not many know that it inspired the famous Last Judgment of Michelangelo. The city is also full of medieval palaces, such as the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo and Fortezza dell’Albornoz, which are very pleasant to discover along the narrow cobblestone streets. Note: Single supplement for this extension is $195. top Rome 2010 (Tuscany by the Sea) 2 nights for only $395 • 2 nights at Hotel Giulio Cesare • Daily breakfast • Full information packet • Airport transfers Discover the Eternal City at your leisure as you spend two nights in Italy’s timeless capital. History, art and architecture abound, from Greek sculpture to Roman ruins. Marvel at the grandeur of the Vatican, where St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel await. Stroll through the ancient ruins of the Roman Forum and the Coliseum. Take time to walk up the Spanish Steps, toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain to ensure your return to Rome, or just spend a relaxing afternoon at a quiet outdoor café. Many attractions are within walking distance of your centrally located hotel. Only available with the Air Inclusive Package. Note: Single supplement for this extension is $245.

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Group Discount Program: You can earn a FREE VBT tour with our generous group discount program. Click here for details. Refer a Friend and Earn $100 Travel Credit: If you refer a Friend to VBT and they choose to travel with us, you earn $100 travel credit toward your next trip and your friend gets $50 off their first VBT trip. Click here for details. Good Buy Plan: The earlier you pay, the more you save. If you book early and pay in full by check, you can lock in your trip cost plus earn up to a 10% discount. 5% Frequent Traveler Credit: You will automatically receive a 5% travel credit good for your next VBT trip. This credit is good for one full year. Savings for Single Travelers: If you are on a bicycle tour where sharing is possible and you would like to share a room, we will do our best to match you with a roommate. We will charge you only 50% of the single supplement; if a match is available, we will refund you the single supplement after you return. If requested and available, single supplement is $495. Best Value Guaranteed: Click here for details. We reserve the right to correct errors. top