**2008 Trip Currently SOLD OUT**

please contact us for information on our 2009 trip!

Come With Us To Italy!- Autumn 2009

Every year for the past decade we have organized culinary and cultural holiday excursions to Italy.  Most of Cafe Capriccio's staff have joined one or more of these groups so that they can better understand the Cafe's purpose and commitment to Italian traditions.  Our Italian holidays are designed for individuals who wish to become acquainted with the beauty and splendor of Italy, its culture, traditions and cuisine.  We are particularly excited to offer travel opportunities in the spring and fall to a fabulous vineyard near Florence, in the Chianti hills.  Fattoria Lavacchio, pictured here, is an organic farm that produces spectacular wines and olive oil, includes a great restaurant and is set in one of Tuscany's most picturesque areas.  We also offer excursions in Sicily, Napoli and the Amalfi Coast, Rome, the Northern Lakes, The Italian Riviera, Sardinia and other wonderful locations.  Our Italian holidays are for small groups of friends and families.  We invite you to bring together your friends and family for one of our memorable travel adventures.  (photos courtesy of Tuscany '07 traveler and photographer B.A. Nilsson)

Wine Harvest in Chianti ~ High Culture in Florence
Four Days and Nights at a Fabulous Vineyard in Chianti; Three Days & Nights in The Center of Florence
 September ~ October, 2008

Join me for an unforgettable week in Tuscany.  We stay at Fattoria Lavacchio, a fabulous vineyard in Chianti and then travel to nearby Florence for an unforgettable sojourn in the center of Italy's greatest Renaissance city.  We visit vineyards, fabulous Tuscan towns, great restaurants & kitchens, enjoy cooking lessons, learn wine making and olive oil production techniques. The cost is  $4,500 per person (double occupancy).  Price includes: Airfare, Transportation from Albany to Newark Airport, Fabulous Accommodations at the Vineyard, Four Star Superior Hotel in the Heart of Florence, Land Transportation, Breakfast and Dinner each Day, most Lunches, Extensive Wine Tastings, Events, Excursions, Cooking Demonstrations, Guides, Accommodations—Everything!-- Single Supplement $500.  Payments may be made in three installments:  First payment is $1,500 pp when you decide to go; Second payment of $1,500 on May 15; Third payment of $1,500 on July 1.

SAMPLE SCHEDULE FROM 2008 TRIP                  

Sept. 27 ~

Depart US for Florence, Italy (Air France from Newark Airport - Limo Shuttle to Airport)
Sept. 28 ~     

Upon arrival in Florence, we will be escorted to Fattoria Lavacchio, our new  home in Tuscany.  We enjoy a splendid Tuscan lunch, settle in, rest, explore the vineyard, and get comfortable before dinner at Mulino a Vento, the Fattoria’s superb restaurant.

Sept. 29 ~

In the morning we tour Fattoria Lavacchio, the vineyards, wine making, and olive oil production facilities, the mill and stables.  All are invited to attend a cooking demonstration followed by lunch alla Toscana. We spend the afternoon at leisure on the farm, swimming, horseback riding, hiking, or exploring the fascinating surroundings.   A grand dinner will be served on the farm

Sept. 30 ~

October 1 ~

Today we visit the nearby town of Rufina for a visit to Enoteca Villa Poggio Reale, a wonderful wine museum that includes exhibits from all of the important wine producers in the Chianti district of Rufina.  Our day includes a marvelous lunch and a grand wine tasting of Rufina vintages.  Later we return to the farm for dinner and revelry  .

After breakfast we depart for Florence, located about 30 minutes from Fattoria Lavacchio.  We check into our 4-star superior hotel in the center of town.  Our first excursion will be a guided walking tour of Florence, including stops at the Duomo, Giotto's Bell Tower, Dante's Church, Piazza Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, and much more.  We'll have lunch in town and a grand dinner.

October 3 ~

In the morning we will tour the Uffizi Gallery, Italy's greatest Renaissance museum.  We'll have free time for lunch, shopping and sight seeing in the afternoon, always accompanied by our expert guide.  This evening we'll dine again in the Florentine style.

October 4 ~

After breakfast we visit the Accademia for a close up view of Michelangelo's David, recently restored.  We will plan the rest of our final day in Florence based on our interests.  There is so much to see and do, it is wise to remain flexible.  In the evening, another Florentine feast.

This is no ordinary vineyard!

Fattoria Lavacchio is an organic farm that produces 7 wine varieties and exquisite extra virgin olive oil pressed at the estate.  The estate is set in the magnificent surroundings of Montefiesole, about 16 kilometers from Florence.  The extraordinary panoramic views from 400 meters above sea level, across the Chianti countryside, are stupendous.  Activities on the farm include equestrian, mounting biking, cooking demonstrations, programs devoted to wine and olive oil production, Italian language study, ceramics workshops, swimming, among others.  

Café Capriccio has been taking groups to Fattoria Lavacchio for 9 years.  Many of our staff have visited the fattoria and can speak with authority about it.  Please feel free to discuss the fattoria and our programs  with, Michael, Dennis, Franco, Jeanette, Anita, Joe Armstrong,or myself.  Of all the places we visit in Italy, this is our favorite.  We hope you can join us for our next excursion to Fattoria Lavacchio in the Fall of 2008.  Autumn in Tuscany is a grand event. Discover it with us.