Invitation

Invitation to Tuscany

Our
good friend,
Pauline Priore,
extends to you a special
Invitation to Tuscany.
Her services include preparing personalized programs and itineraries for
those who disdain large standardized tour groups and want an insider’s
look at Italy, tailored to their specific curiosities, necessities and
interests.  She has served as a personal guide, interpreter and shopping
consultant.  Pauline can organize weddings; “dawn to dusk” cruises on the
Mediterranean Sea, culinary classes, and art gallery tours.  She has
arranged “Grand Premio” weekends visits to the Ferrari and Maserati
factories, sculpturing experiences after a visit to Carrara’s marble
quarries, Chianti Classico wine estate tours, hot air balloon rides with a
champagne breakfast, and a host of “your wish becomes my command”
requests.  Whether the art treasures of Florence or the best wineries of
the Chianti are on your wish list, Pauline can create a tour just for you.

In
her own words, Pauline tells us that

Thirty years ago, in spite of the complications of learning a new
language, and beyond the stereotypes of spaghetti and pizza, I fell in
love with ITALIA!!!. Italy breathes history, art, culture, curiosity and
sophistication and offers unlimited culinary thrills (outstanding food and
excellent wines) that exalt the charm and uniqueness of this special
place. There are realities in Italy so richly textured and so
multi-faceted that they must be slowly savored, carefully touched and
fully experienced to be understood, believed and appreciated.  My  “love
story” is still ever sparkling and I would love to share it with you!

Nearly 400 years ago, a famous Frenchman, Richelieu, declared that Italy
was the heart of the world.  Then as now, much of the world’s artistic
wealth is in Italy and fully half of those treasures are located in
Tuscany.  Like all masterpieces, Tuscany can be enjoyed on many levels,
repeated over and over again, tasted, observed, talked about, compared to,
criticized and admired.  Yet, it continues to emanate its enduring
charisma and special memories.

Pauline creates her tours based on your desires and
expectations.  She believes in the Renaissance “bottega” school of
thought…each guest arrives with a different cultural background and
preparation. She envisions her role to enable you to “Experience the real
Italy.”

*. A
private walking tour of
Florence
may include Piazza del Duomo, Santa Maria del Fiore Church, Baptistry &
Ghibert’s Doors, Piazza SS. Annunziata, Ospedale degli Innocenti, Santa
Maria Novella Square & Officina, Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio,
Ponte Vecchio and Santa Croce Church, Mercato Nuovo, Piazza della
Repubblica, Palazzo Pitti, Accademia where the David is displayed, Piazza
San Marco, Chapel of the Magi, Chapel of the Medici Princes, Piazzale
Michelangelo, Oltrarno – Santo Spirito, etc., etc.and a little shopping –
why not !?!

*.
Pisa/Lucca

– Piazza dei Miracoli (5 minute photo/souvenir) and Lucca –
Pisa is just a 20 minute ride from Lucca.
Lucca
is quite charming and unique! Napoleon’s sister Elisa married Felice
Bacciocchi who was from Lucca so there’s a majestic mixture of French and
Italian allure in Lucca – tour of the city and perhaps a country villa?

*.
Chianti
Classico Tuscany
– a visit to a wine estate in the DOCG Chianti area with time at the
Castello di Verrazzano which is one if the three oldest and most
prestigious wine estates in Tuscany’s Chianti Classico Gallo Nero – Black
Rooster area.  We can include visits to villages such as Greve, Castellina
and Monteriggioni together with a tour of Siena. Other suggestions are
Montalcino and the Abbey of Sant’Antimo where Gregorian chants are sung at
the vespers.  There are excellent wines here; the Rosso di Montalcino and,
of course, the renowned Brunello.