2008 - 2009 Autumn Sojourns

Strada Privata's most discerning and seasoned guests choose the fall: the time of "La Vendemmia", Tuscany's grape harvest. The grape and also olive harvesting are perhaps the most celebrated annual traditions of Tuscan culture. September and October see the full sun ripening of the grapes and the olives when they are ready to harvest in Northwestern Tuscany.



Lucca and Tuscany's northwest coast - a cultural discovery sojourn in the festive
grape and olive harvest time - 12 days in september and october, 2008, 2009

Lucca, the birth place of Giacomo Puccini with its monumental tree-lined wall is Strada Privata's longtime and favorite "home" in Tuscany. 2008 is the celebration of Puccini's 150th birthday. Situated in Northwest Tuscany's center, Lucca is around 30 minutes by car from Firenze and a few minutes to the lovely Versilian seacoast. The major autostradas to the north, south, east and west are easily reached from Lucca.

Come to the quiet nad serenity of this medieval and renaissance town. You bicycle or leisurely explore on foot inside the city walls, leaving your car outside the city gates. Enjoy bicycling, strolling and picnicing on the cool pathways atop Lucca's massive walls. In the distance you will see the Appenine mountain chain and at a dimmer distance Carrara's marble mountains.

In autumn beyond Lucca's sophisticated ambience there will be "Sagre": small towns and country villages come alive with festivals celebrating the harvest: local vino, delicious food of the regions and folkloric traditions going back to the middle ages. In autumn Strada Privata invites you to explore the Strada Del Vino e Dell'Olio in the Lucchese hills. We always suggest a range of lodging: bed and breakfasts in restored farmhouses, private villas and an elegant hotel villa with swimming pool just outside Lucca.


Here are some itinerary favorites*. The style and content of the trip comes finally from a thoughtful collaboration with our guests. whether Strada Privata accompanies you or is along as "your silent guide".


A 12 day trip includes ( as an example)

pick up at the Pisa airport. welcome lunch and settling in to our villa hotel just outside of Lucca

the next 11 days:

• a relaxed and informative history and walkabout around Lucca and
its graceful daily small town life

• a tasting visit with a privately arranged lunch at a small family winery and vineyard
in the Lucca hills ( the super tuscan wines)

• The marble quarries of Carrara and lunch high up in the quarries, accompanied
and guided by a favorite marble sculptor

• Pietrasanta- international sculpture center- visits to the studio of a well known
sculptor working in bronze and marble

• visits to a famous ancient bronze foundery, a marble outdoor studio, with working sculptors

• an artisan studio

• Montecatini - a day of beauty and wellness in this Roman built spa-health and
cutting edge beauty treatments. all chosen by you when you book for the trip.

• olive harvesting and an olive mill

• antique open markets of Lucca and Pietrasanta

• a day in Liguria in the Cinque Terre, the five fishing villages with their steep
vine covered hills dropping down into the ligurian sea. swimming and walking
special local seafood lunch

• activities- trekking in the Apuani hills, horseback riding, golf and swimming in
the Versilian coastal waters and boat trips to an off shore island for diving and
cave swimming, relaxing with a picnic lunch

• wine festivals in small country hill towns - dancing music and dinner.

• concerts and opera evenings

• the villas outside Lucca built by Napoleons sister.

• an Horticultural afternoon in a famous private garden in Lucca

• Firenze (Florence) - a day and evening with a guide into the corners of Firenze
not usually seen, the uffizi and the accadamia( the David) lunch in a typical
florentine trattoria and dinner at Harry's bar or a place that looks over the city.

• shopping in Lucca, Montecatini, and Firenze

• departure from the Pisa airport on the 12th day afternoon

• detailed itineraries will be available in customized form for you upon booking.

Come travel the private way with Strada Privata. See Tuscany as you want to.
Live the ancient town and country village life. Avanti

*upon booking you will receive for approval detailed itineraries

Price and Conditions:

• Land only tour price: starts at $2,200 per person based on double occupancy.
Tour price based on 8-10 paying sojourn guests, single supplement $600.00
• Nonrefundable Deposit: $750.00 due upon booking, balance due 15 days after, 10% discount if paid in full upon booking
• Cancellations and Refunds: Strada Privata provides no refunds for any part of the land trip or airfare.
• Proof of purchase of a comprehensive travelers insurance with full cancellation refunding and medical coverage is required by Strada Privata to book your trip

Included: Land Tour (only) Price Includes
• Transport to and from the Pisa Airport
• Lodging
• Car/Van with driver daily
• Wine tasting and lunch at a private winery, a walking tour of Lucca, and escorted day trips in your itinerary
• Suggested restaurants, driving maps, assistance with private car rental
• Meals as indicated, welcome and farewell dinner plus some lunches

Not Included:
• International airfare
• Travelers Insurance
• Any meals, hotels, transportation costs or private car rental outside your approved itinerary