Montalcino (Tuscany) and Rome
April 20 – 24, 2008  › Reserve Today
July 20 – 24, 2008  › Reserve Today
October 19 – 23, 2008  › Reserve Today

Our Luxury Wine & Culinary Expedition in Tuscany is a very special four-night package created for the savvy food and wine lover. Hosted by the Castello Banfi vineyard estate in Montalcino, Tuscany, guests will enjoy customized cooking classes led by Heinz Beck, Rome's only Michelin three-star chef and one of only five in all of Italy. Chef Beck, also a certified sommelier, is a passionate dynamo of energy and creativity. His cooking workshops will focus on traditional Tuscan cuisine and its contemporary interpretations.


The incredible culinary education will be complimented by wine tastings and visits to local artisan food producers of honey, cheese, olive oil and other Tuscan bounties. Castello Banfi winemakers and sommeliers will guide the wine appreciation program, starting in the vineyards to explore the unique soil types and vines that ideally pair for maximum expression of character and depths. In the winery, they will demonstrate how that promise is carried through by blending innovation and tradition to nuture wines. Tasters will join winemakers to follow the development of wine through the long, patient aging process, and then taste and compare the results in our tasting room under uniform, methodical processes established by experts.

Castello Banfi is internationally acclaimed for its clonal research to improve upon the region's historical Brunello di Montalcino, and it was the first wine estate in the world to be internationally recognized for exceptional environmental, ethical and social responsibility. Signature wines of Castello Banfi include the single-vineyard reserve Poggio all'Oro and unfiltered cru Poggio alle Mura Brunellos, proprietary cuvées ExclesuS, SummuS and Cum Laude, and single-vineyard varietal wines including Tavernelle Cabernet Sauvginon, Colvecchio Syrah and San Angelo Pinot Grigio.

The estate visit culminates with dinner prepared by Castello Banfi's chef Guido Havercock, an early protégé of Beck who earned Castello Banfi's own Michelin star within a year of its opening. The group will then travel to Rome for an overnight at the stellar Cavalieri Hilton Hotel, perched atop Monte Mario with breathtaking views of the Eternal City, and a farewell dinner by Chef Beck at his own La Pergola rooftop garden.

DAYS 1-3: MONTALCINO (Tuscany region)
Cypress trees, olive groves, medieval villages and winding roads have created the evocative, world famous landscape of Tuscany. In the heart of the countryside, about 40 kilometers south of the medieval city of Siena, lies Montalcino, a world class wine growing region producing the spectacular Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino wines. The cuisine of this area is hearty, simple and supremely satisfying: aromatic extra virgin olive oils, wild mushrooms, truffles, pecorino cheese, cured meats, honey, and, most importantly, game ranging from venison to wild boar.

DAY 4: ROME (Lazio region)
Very few cities in the world compare to Rome in terms of grandeur. The city is a gigantic open-air museum of art, religion and history, especially ancient history, yet has embraced modernity and remains a capital of creativity, style and prominence.

The highlight of the night in Rome will be dinner on the garden terrace of La Pergola, a Michelin three-star restaurant. all cuisine prepared by Chef Beck and paired with exceptional wines. If you are interested in staying longer in Rome, Maverick can assist in planning a post-trip extension so you can make use of more time in the Eternal City, including hotel, restaurant, wine bar, tour guide, shopping and transportation recommendations. As our European office is based in Rome, we know the city intimately.

Montalcino – Il Borgo at Castello Banfi
The five-star Il Borgo at the Castello Banfi will host guests for the Montalcino portion of the package. Il Borgo is a 17th century hamlet, nestled alongside the Castello Banfi, a medieval fortress, with just 14 rooms. Private amenities include a swimming pool, pergola-covered cloister garden, breakfast nook and reading room within the castle keep. Each room and suite was designed uniquely by Italy's preeminent interior designer, Federico Forquet.





Rome – Cavalieri Hilton Resort & Spa
Situated on the highest hilltop of Rome with 15 acres of Mediterranean gardens and panoramic views, the 5-star, luxury Rome Cavalieri Hilton Resort & Spa offers a wide variety of luxurious outdoor and indoor facilities.

Luxury Tuscan Wine & Cuisine Expedition
This package is designed for anyone who loves great food and wine, yet wants to go beyond the typical culinary tour. We will have guests who are enogastronomic enthusiasts and others who simply know what tastes good.

Typical Guests
SPECIAL NOTE: This package has been created in partnership with the Castello Banfi estate in Tuscany. It is not exclusive to Maverick guests — there will also be guests of Castello Banfi. However each set of dates for this package will be limited to only 14 guests, so we encourage you to inquire as soon as possible if you have interest.

The cost for the Luxury Tuscan Wine & Cuisine Expedition is:

• $4,475 per person, double occupany
  
• + $1,125 per person, single occupancy
• 4 nights
• Meet: Montalcino, Italy (transfer from airports in Florence, Rome or Milan can be arranged separately)
• Depart: Rome, Italy

• Premier 5-star accommodations for the duration of the trip
• Taxes and gratuities for accommodations
• All transportation that is part of the group itinerary, including boats, private cars, charter buses and trains
• All breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, wine tastings and other culinary experiences as specified on the program's Trip Itinerary & Planner
• All pre-planned group excursions, activities and events, including tickets, guides, classes, equipment, meals and transport

Availability:
There is currently availability for this package.

How to Reserve:
If you are ready to reserve your spot today, simply go to Reserve Now to complete the easy and secure online reservations process.

If you need to speak with a Maverick travel consultant, please contact us via phone (888-628-2386) or email info@maverickadventures.com.

Please enjoy the following articles:

› Restaurant Review: La Pergola (Rome) – The New York Times (July 1, 2007)

› Castello Banfi – American Know-How Meets Italian Tradition in the Vineyards of Montalcino – Wine News