Springtime in Tuscany A Plant Lover’s Journey
May 15 ~ May 26, 2010

Saturday, May 15 Rendezvous in Firenze (Florence)

For those arriving by plane into Florence Airport on May 15th We will pick you up at the curb-side outside of Baggage Claim between 11 am – 12:30 pm. The airport in Florence is small and easy to find your way around in. Pick up your luggage and wait for us on the curb in front of Baggage Claim. Please be sure to send us your flight itinerary at least four weeks before departure date.

For those arriving in Italy at an earlier date/time: if you would like to pickup service to Villa Certano, meet us at 10 am at the Main Train Station in Florence S.M. Novella This is a very busy station, but is centrally located and easy to get to by bus, train and taxi. We will be waiting for you in the grassy area in front of the station. Look for our Plant Lover’s Journey sign. Do not wait for us inside the train station nor in the area where all the buses come in. For address of Villa Certano, see at end of this itinerary and/or email/call Richard for directions if driving. If for any reason, you arrive in Florence past the pick up time, you can easily take the train/bus to Siena and then get a taxi to Villa Certano. Call Richard's cell phone if this happens.

• 2 ~ Arrival at Villa Certano & Lunch Located just minutes from Siena, this 400 year-old villa is home to our hosts Hedy and Mario Baldassarrini and their daughter Annalisa. Get settled into your room. A hearty lunch will be offered in the Villa kitchen.
• 3 ~ 4 Rest Time
• 4 ~ 5:30 Opening Circle & Introductions
• 6 ~ 7:30 Italian Feast at the villa. After Dinner Annalisa will present an informal talk on Siena and Villa Certano.

Sunday, May 16

• 7:30 ~ 8:30 Join Natalie for an hour of stretching & yoga.
• 8 ~ 9 Breakfast at the Villa
• 10 ~ 12 Hike the Tuscan countryside. This morning’s walk will depart from the villa and wind through the beautiful Tuscan countryside to a beautiful old chapel. We’ll plan our hike in time to arrive for the noon mass and experience the angelic singing in the chapel. Along the route we will explore the many familiar and unfamiliar plants of Tuscany.
• 1 ~ 2 Lunch at the villa
• 2 ~ 4 Tour Villa Certano. Join Annalisa for a tour of the 100-acre 400 year-old Villa Certano. This ancient setting has 20 acres of olive trees, 20 acres of grape vineyards, a small wine making operation, a 1200 year-old abandoned church nestled between the villa & the winery, a formal rose garden and much more.
• 4 ~ 5 Free time Rest and wander the villa grounds
• 5 ~ 6 Edible and Medicinal Herbs of Tuscany Walk around the villa discovering Italy’s rich herbal heritage with Rosemary.
• 7 ~ 9 Dinner at Costalapino We will be dining together in one of Siena’s many traditional eateries.
• 7 ~ 8 Breakfast at the Villa
• 8 ~ Depart for full day trip to Volterra and the Exploration of the Tuscan countryside The “magic and mysterious” city of Volterra has its roots in three thousand years of history. The ancient city walls, the imposing Porta all’Arco, the Necropolis of Marmini and the numerous archaeological finds conserved in the Museo Etrusco Guarnacci bear testimony of the Etruscan period. The alabaster craft whose history is inseparable from that of the history of the city, represents an other point of great interest. Volterra stands on a rocky hill some 1770 feet above the sea level, located between the rivers Bra and Cecina, and is surrounded by strong walls. The district is rich in alabaster, the working of which was an important industry of the city, and in mineral waters, such as those of S. Felice and the Moie, or salt springs. Still more important are the Soffoni of Larderello, from which boric acid is extracted, the sulphur lake of Monterotondo, the copper springs of Caporciano, and the baths of Montecatini.
• 9 ~ 12 Hike Monte Nero The area of Monte Nero, just a few kilometers from Volterra is distinguished by the great mass of molten rock sculptured by the waters of the Strolla into narrow valleys, deep gorges and picturesque water falls set amidst lush vegetation.
• 1 ~ 2 Picnic lunch
• 2 ~ 5 Guided Tour of outdoor Etruscan sites and Etruscan Guarnacci museum in Volterra The richness of the Etruscan finds made in and near Volterra make it a mecca for enthusiasts of all things Etruscan, with an unparalleled collection of Etruscan antiquities being displayed.
• 5 ~ 7 Free time in Volterra Volterra, a haven of Etruscan, Roman, Medieval and Rennaissance art, dominates the Cecina Valley, 550 metres above sea level, affording a spectacular view. The city still retains traces of its majestic past which gradually unfurls as you wander through the narrow streets and explore the Etruscan Museum, The Art Gallery and Museum of Sacred Art. And yet Volterra’s charm not only lies in its ancient history but in the surrounding countryside, a slow traditional way of life and its age-old tradition of alabaster carving.
• 7 ~ 9 Dinner Together in Volterra

Tuesday, May 18

• 7 ~ 8 Early Breakfast
• 9 ~ 12 Visit the local organic farm Spannocchia The mission of the Spannocchia Foundation is to encourage global dialogue about sustaining cultural landscapes for future generations through the example of the Tenuta di Spannocchia. We will have a short historical tour of the property with an explanation of the mezzadria system and the agriculture of the area with owner Randall Stratton and then a tour of our organic garden with our garden manager Carmen. The garden tours consists of a walk through our terraced gardens with an explanation about rotation, pest control, planting, seasonality, compost, varietals, etc. Forty acres of grains and legumes are cultivated for animal feed, along with wheat and farro for human consumption. Over 700 olive trees, extensive vegetable gardens, and five acres of vineyard also contribute to supplying the needs of feeding Spannocchia's guests and program participants, as most of the meat, eggs, whole grains, fresh vegetables, honey, olive oil, and wine used in the kitchen and dining room come from the estate. Spannocchia illustrates a nearly complete, self-sustaining, cyclical system of agriculture, whereby crops feed the animals, the animals produce the manure that is used to fertilize the fields to grow the next cycle of crops, the animals and crops feed the human residents and visitors, and the humans provide the labor necessary to make it all work.
• 12 ~ 1 Picnic lunch
• 2 ~ 6 Visit to San Giovanni Terme in Rapolano. Tuscany has a rich tradition of taking the waters. We will be visiting a hot-springs where we will be soaking in the healing mineral waters. For those who wish, optional
• 7 ~ 9 Dinner
• 9 ~ Home to Villa

Wednesday, May 19th

* Morning tea and Coffee will be available

• 7 ~8 Yoga Join Natalie for an hour of stretching, yoga and meditation. Or early morning optional trip to Siena for the Open Air Market
• 7:30 ~ 8:30 Breakfast
• 9 ~ 12 Siena Market
• 12 ~ 1:30 Lunch on your own in Siena
• 2 ~ 3 We will meet at 2 pm to discover some of Siena's most treasured sites. Siena is a Gothic walled city with the same number of people today as 700 years ago. Its red brick lanes cascade everywhere It was the first European city to eliminate autos from its main piazza (square). Sitting atop a hill, the IL Campo, is Siena’s great central piazza. Its gently tilted cobblestone floor provides the perfect invitation to sit and people watch. Siena’s Duomo (cathedral) is as Baroque as Gothic gets. The heads of 172 Popes peer down from the ceiling over the fine inlaid art on the floor. Wandering the streets and “loitering” in the square is magical, especially at night. Nannini’s at Piazza Salimbeni has first rate gelato.
• 3:30 ~ 6 A visit to the Orto Botanico of Siena. Siena’s Botanical Gardens “Orto Botanico” has over 3000 species and is contained within the walls of Siena. Part of Siena’s university we will tour the gardens and examine ancient herbarium pressings. Some of the faculty will talk to us about Tuscan herbalism.
• 6:30 ~ 8 Classical Music Concert The Associazione Musicale “Concerto Classico a Siena” is a music society founded by Franz and Ilse Moser, who moved to Tuscany from Vienna in 2002. After 18 years of organizing classical music events in Austria, they brought their experience and enthusiasm to Italy. The mission of Concerto Classico a Siena is to present quality chamber music in unique and intimate settings.
• 8:30 ~ 10 Dinner We will be dining together at one of Siena traditional eateries.

Thursday, May 20th

• 7 ~ 8 Early Breakfast
• 8 ~ Depart for Full Day Trip to Perugia and Assisi.
• 10 ~ 2 Perugia This most important hill city of Umbria has 3,000 years of history concentrated in an area that is truly on a human scale. We will given a guided visit of the Medieval Gardens This is a very special garden that mingles art and history, with plants that narrate myths, legends and sacred stories.
• 3 ~ 7 Assisi Around 1200 a simple friar from Assisi challenged the decadence of the church with the powerful message of non-materialism, simplicity, and to ‘slow down and smell the flowers. Francis’ message of love and sensitivity to the environment has a broad and timeless appeal. The Basilica of St. Francis the centerpiece of the “Hill of Paradise” is one of the artistic highlights of medieval Europe. The damage from the 1997 earthquake has been completely repaired. A Visit to the Grotto and original Chapel of St. Francis. As pilgrims, we will travel up into the hills of Assisi and walk to the caves in which St. Francis meditated. Be prepared to experience the profound and sacred. This hilltop chapel with its live oaks is another shrine to St. Francis.

Friday, May 21th

* Morning tea and Coffee will be available

• 7:30 ~ 8:30 Yoga Join Natalie for an hour of stretching & yoga
• 8 ~ 9 Breakfast
• 10 ~ 12:30 Spa morning at Villa Certano with Rosemary or optional horseback riding trip Join Rosemary doing natural facials and hand and food massage. For those who want, spend a couple of hours (around 65 Euro for 2 hours) on horseback exploring the nearby countryside. Prior horseback riding experience is helpful but not necessary. You must let us know this in advance so we can arrange to have the horses available
• 1 ~ 2 Lunch at the Villa 2 ~ 6 Pack up and Free time 6 ~ 7:30 ~ Group Prepared Dinner at the Villa and time to enjoy our last night at the Villa.

Saturday, May 22nd

• 6 ~ Early morning breakfast we’ll pack the picnic lunch; We will be departing Villa Certano and taking our belongings on the bus with us.
• 7 ~ Depart Villa and travel to Camaldoli for a day of hiking in ancient beech wood, oak and fir forests.

This was the highlight for many of us on previous trips. Camaldoli, one of the great monastic centers of the forest, is tiny and set in densely wooded mountains. The monastery contains a 16th century pharmacy where the monks sell herbal preparations. The austere hermitage houses monks who live under the vow of silence. The walk starts through ancient beech and fir woods. It then ambles through high mountain meadows and mixed woods. It offers one of the most panoramic views of Tuscany. We’ll spend the day hiking, ending up at the Granduca in Campigna for dinner. For those on the trip who wish not to hike, an equally magical day is planned. They will visit an ancient monastery and meet up with the rest of the group at the Granduca, a forest lodge for a grand feast.

Sunday, May 23rd

• 7:30 ~ 8:30 Yoga After hiking our muscles are so ready for a good stretch
• 8 ~ 9 Breakfast in the lodge.
• 9 ~ 12 Relax the morning at the Granduca
• 1 ~ 2 Lunch
• 2 ~ 5 Optional hike or have an afternoon of leisure
• 7 Relax time ~ dinner at the Granduca lodge

Monday May 24th

• 7:30 ~ 8:30 Breakfast
• 8:30 ~ We’ll leave the mountains and head towards Firenze Firenze (Florence) is the home of the Renaissance and birthplace of the western modern world. All of Florence is imbued with the best of the human spirit. From the masterpieces of art and sculpture, to the food and markets, Florence delightfully overwhelms the senses. Enjoy some of the best people watching anywhere in the world.
• Noon ~ 1 Check into our lodging in Florence
• 1 ~ 2 Lunch
• 2:30 ~ 4 Guided Tour the Pharmacy of Santa Maria Novella Adjacent to the Piazza Di Santa Maria Novella is one of the worlds oldest pharmacies established by the Dominican fathers in 1221. Since that time the Pharmacy of Santa Maria Novella has been making all kinds of perfumes, potions, powders and pomades, and nothing much seems to have changed in the intervening centuries except for the installation of a modern cash register.
• 4 ~ Free time to shop, eat and sightsee: Visit the famous outdoor markets of Firenze. Wander the streets, sample the gelato, rub the bronze pig’s snout fountain for good luck, and stand on the Pointe Vecchio, Firenze’s most famous bridge. Dinner in Firenze is on your own. Choose to get away from the rest of the group and discover a small eatery on your own or join a group to dine together. We’ll spend the night in a small hotel in the heart of Florence so that those of you who wish to can sample the night-life.

Tuesday May 25th

• 7 ~ 8 Early breakfast We will eat early and then walk to the Simplers Botanical Garden
• 9 ~ 11 Guided Tour of Simplers Botanical Gardens. IL Giardino dei Semplici was started in the 1500’s. It serves as an education and research facility as well as a repository of rare and endangered plants and trees.
• 11 ~ 3 Free Time to Explore Firenze
• 3 ~ 5 Guided Tour the Ufizzi Gallery The greatest collection of Italian paintings anywhere in the world. Experience works of Da Vinci, Raphael, Rubens, Titian, Michelangelo, and Botticelli. Be prepared to discover the authentic, experience of the divine.
• 6 ~ 8 Closing Circle An opportunity to reflect on our time in Italy ‘living the good life’ and our journey together, highlights, blessings, shadows and lessons. Let’s rejoice and create ceremony and honor this magical time we have shared.
• 8:30 ~ 10 Farewell Dinner Celebration. We will dine together in a local osteria in the heart of Florence and celebrate.

Wednesday May 26th

• 8:30 ~ 9:30 Breakfast
• 9:30 ~ 10:30 Final packing and goodbyes

“Birthplace of the Renaissance, the region gets it name from the Etruscans, the most powerful civilization of pre-Roman Italy. Its walled cities, cypress lined roads, and patchwork hills have been written about and photographed with such unrivaled enthusiasm that the image of the place seems to have insinuated itself in the public consciousness, even in the minds of those who have yet to set foot on its fertile soil. A cynic might expect the ‘real’ Tuscany to disappoint, for how could it ever live up to all the attention it received? And yet whenever I come home to the Tuscany ~ even after the shortest absence ~ its startling beauty, its richness and abundance strike me with a freshness that belies the many years I have spent here” ~ Lori de Mori

• Address of Villa Certano: 53010 Costalpino Siena
• Phone number to call at Villa Certano: 0577 349108
• Richard’s email address: liebmann@wave.bicv.net
• Richard’s Cell (331).598.6429