2004 Pre-Conference Trip to Rome and Tuscany 10-18 June (TBC)

Thursday, 10 June depart US

Friday, 11 June arrive Rome
Welcome party in a private home in the center of Rome.

Overnight Rome at the famous and recently renovated 5 Star Grand Hotel Plaza Roma (executive double rooms). The Hotel, one of the oldest and most prestigious hotels in Rome, is located in the heart of the historical center, just a few steps away from Trinita’ dei Monti, otherwise known as the Spanish Steps where most of the elegant shops are found.

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Saturday, 12 June A rare guided tour of the Vatican gardens and possibly other private areas of the Vatican. Fr. Henry from Glenstal Abbey, now residing in Rome, will join us on our Vatican tour and at the Villa dinner.

Reception at Irish Embassy hosted by His Excellency Frank Cogan, the Ambassador of Ireland.

Dinner at Alfredo, the restaurant that invented the famous Fettuccine al Alfredo.

Overnight Rome, Grand Hotel Plaza Roma.

Sunday, 13 June Guided walking tour in the historical center, with highlights of Renaissance and Baroque Rome. A special private evening of dinner and music in an underground Roman villa – a villa more than 2000 years old! This villa has been transformed into a very small (in the round) theater, where in the adjacent rooms private parties may be held. On the ground floor is a most unique piano bar specializing in antique songs dating from the 12th century.

Overnight Rome, Grand Hotel Plaza Roma.

Monday, 14 June 9:30 am transfer to Cortona with light box lunch provided on bus. Cortona, an ancient Etruscan city, will be our base in Tuscany. From here we will explore the hill towns known worldwide for their art, antiques, mediaeval history, and the Etruscan civilization. (As well as being famous for their fashion, shoes, and gold jewelry.)

1:00 pm to 6:00 pm at leisure.

Wine tasting and a simple dinner at Enoteca Pane e Vino in Cortona.

Overnight in Cortona, at the elegantly modernized Renaissance palace 4 star Albergo San Michele (superior rooms). The Hotel is in the historical heart of the Etruscan Mediaeval town of Cortona.

Tuesday, 15 June Seeing the beautiful countryside of Tuscany along with outlet shopping – designer names at the best prices! While shoppers enjoy the high-end outlets with Ginny Michelli, others can visit Arezzo with Giancarlo Michelli. Arezzo, located in eastern Tuscany, is a medieval town dating back to the 1200s and it is truly a wonderful place to walk, taking in all the graces of that period in time.

Return to hotel in time to rest before leaving for a very special dinner at Il Falconiere, located just outside of Cortona, award winning restaurant and winery, highly rated in Wine Spectator. Last century this noble house was home to a poet, Antonio Guadagnoli, who lived here for 10 years until his death in 1858. The original buildings, which date back to the 1600, were recently restored to their former glory.

Overnight Cortona, Albergo San Michele.

Wednesday, 16 June A day to see magnificent Florence, lunch at the Palazzo Antinori. Early evening, a stop in the hills above Florence for a glass of wine at the famous 5-star Villa San Michele. After returning to Cortona, we will have a wonderful Italian pizza in Cortona!

Overnight Cortona, Albergo San Michele.

Thursday, 17 June A special day in the hills of Montalcino and Montepulciano, home of the extraordinary wines of Brunello and Nobile. We will visit the antique cellars of Redi, a producer of one of the best Nobile wines. Montepulciano is a wonderful 15th century town full of wine shops and other shops selling traditional, local objects made of olive wood.

A gourmet lunch and a very special Brunello at Poggio Antico winery, highly rated in the Wine Spectator. Dinner will be very light in Cortona.

Overnight Cortona, Albergo San Michele.

Friday, 18 June Departure day. This morning before departing, we will visit Cortona’s superb museums – Museo Diocesano and Museo dell’ Accademia. We will have a late lunch, on the way to Rome, in Torgiano (south of Perugia) at a 5-star resort hotel, Tre Vasselle. This resort is the property of Lungarotti, the number one winery and wine in Umbria.

Flight out of Rome departs 7:45 pm (Aer Lingus Fl 407) and arrives Dublin 10:00 pm.

Friday, 18 June 10:00 pm arrival in Dublin from Rome for Ireland Funds Annual Conference.

Antique purchases too large for one’s suitcase can be shipped back to the US by arrangement with the organizers of the tour.

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