Taste the Life of Tuscany is a 1-week tour based in the 2,500 year-old hill town of Chiusi in southern Tuscany between Rome and Florence. The dates are September 27 to October 4, 2009. The cost is $4495 based on double room occupancy with a $700 single traveler supplement. We'll provide 7 nights in a four-star hotel, all meals and beverages, guide service, transportation in comfortable vans, taxes and gratuities. Our meeting point is the Chiusi railroad station and, as air and land travel to there are not included, we suggest you fly to Rome and take the fast Inter-City train to Tuscany. We meet you in Chiusi and take you to our beautiful and historic four-star hotel, the Villa Il Patriarca.

Chiusi is an ancient town steeped in tradition and is an important center of Etruscan history and archaeology. The Etruscans were ancestors of the Romans and you will be dazzled by their contribution to this classic culture. Your own Arizona Antique hound and expert appraiser Catherine Baron will be at your side as you explore the labyrinth of Etruscan tunnels beneath Chiusi and the wonderful Etruscan Archaeological museum. We will tour the nearby communities of Cetona, Montepulciano and Pienza where you will observe and savor the peaceful life of Tuscany. This year’s tour coincides with the renowned Arezzo Antiques Fair. With Catherine's expertise, you can bring home treasures that will make your friends Verde with envy. As all of the sight-seeing and antiquing will make you hungry, you’ll enjoy delightful meals featuring the most delectable delicacies of Tuscan cuisine. Some meals will be served in the private homes of Linda and Larry's Italian friends. As Larry is a professional interpreter, language is no barrier in discovering the delights of this beautiful Mediterranean area. Maybe he'll even teach you a little Italian!

Spaces are limited and are first class all the way. For more information contact the Grossmans at (520) 299-4718, or online at www.TasteTheLifeOf Tuscany.com. Catherine Baron is always available to talk about art and fun excursions at (520) 299-4481.