DESTINATION: BARGA
Barga is a renowned hilltop town in Garfagnana, the area set in northwestern Tuscany in the province of Lucca, famous for its marvelous and varied landscape. Located right in the heart of the Serchio Valley, the streets of Barga are dotted with pastel colored Renaissance buildings that reveal the influence that Florence has had on the city since 1341. This photogenic town is enchanting and beaming with character.
Current Average Temperature: 55° F / 65° F
RENAISSANCE TUSCANY IL CIOCCO RESORT & SPA
Nestled on the hill of an expansive 60-hectare estate in the heart of Italy’s most beloved region, Tuscany, the Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa overlooks the mountainous Serchio Valley, one of the most unexplored areas of Italy. One hour from Florence and Pisa, the resort features 180 luxurious rooms, a spa, two restaurants, two swimming pools, on-site cooking lessons, and a variety of off-property excursions ranging from visits to local wineries, medieval towns, and more, giving travelers an authentic taste of Tuscany. The resort is perched on gorgeously landscaped grounds in the Serchio Valley, one of Tuscany's most pristine areas.
DESTINATION: LUCCA
Lucca is a historical city located in Tuscany and is known as the city of a hundred churches due to its large amount of historical religious structures. Lucca is touted for its fantastic medieval city walls that still encircle most of the historic old town. Bustling with vivacious energy, Lucca also has fantastic museums, gorgeous public squares and a fine selection of individually owned restaurants and bars that exude Italian charm from every angle.
Current Average Temperature: 53° F / 63° F
GRAND UNIVERSE LA RESIDENZA
An accompaniment to Grand Universe Lucca, the new Grand Universe La Residenza opened June 1, 2023. The collection of 10 suites and residences pay homage to the storied heritage of Lucca and the noble Mansi family, while providing an upscale experience for today’s eclectic traveler. With a history dating back to 1572, the three-story Grand Universe La Residenza – then called “Palazzo Mansi on Carrara Street” – was one of many properties that belonged to the Mansi family, one of the most successful silk merchants of the sixteenth century. The family home was passed down for generations and now begins its new chapter as an expansion of the Grand Universe Lucca hotel. The one- and two-bedroom residences include a fully equipped kitchen, and almost all spaces feature roomy living areas for entertaining and relaxation post-Lucca exploration. Residences and suites range from 415 to 1,188 square feet and are adorned with welcoming silk curtains and silk upholstered chairs, as well as other decorative details and antique artifacts, paying tribute to the Mansi family legacy and its silk heritage, the design thoughtfully blends a sophisticated and minimal aesthetic with contemporary amenities. Guests of La Residenza receive exclusive access to The Majordomo – The Butler of La Residenza –alongside other amenities, including an in-room Nespresso machine, WiFi, air conditioning, flat screen TV, Bluetooth Speaker, and Molton Brown bath products.
GRAND UNIVERSE LUCCA
Fit for Tuscan royalty, the magnificently restored Italian ‘palazzo’ redefines experiential luxury in Lucca’s cultural city centre. Grand Universe Lucca, Autograph Collection, made its debut in November, 2020 and proudly holds the title as the only brand hotel to reside within the walled city. The hotel offers 55 superbly appointed rooms and suites and stands proudly adjacent to the Piazza Napoleone and across from the iconic Teatro del Giglio, where performances by Lucchesi composers Puccini, Catalani and Luporini have inspired a moving music culture that beats well into the present day. Interiors splendidly blend timeless elegance and contemporary comforts. Textiles drawn by earthy shades of grape red, pine green and Tuscan sun yellow, reflect the city’s famous silk production heritage, while delicate wall tapestries pay homage to the region’s vineyard patterns. Music, one of the hotel’s inherent pillars, inspires the name of each room category -- from the ‘Piccolo Room’ to the ‘Puccini Suite’, named after the beloved composer who frequently visited the monumental Hotel Universo e Tosca in the early 1900s.
TRIP CONTACT INFORMATION
Jody Diamond
Diamond PR
+1 786-503-4124
jody@diamondpr.com
Diamond PR Office
Miami: +1-305-854-3544
granduniverse@diamondpr.com
Brickell Travel
blue@brickelltravel.com
(305) 779-8299 / 305-770-8399 (after hours)
(in the event of any flight issues, please call or email Brickell Travel and notify Diamond PR team)
Diamond PR
+1 786-503-4124
jody@diamondpr.com
Diamond PR Office
Miami: +1-305-854-3544
granduniverse@diamondpr.com
Brickell Travel
blue@brickelltravel.com
(305) 779-8299 / 305-770-8399 (after hours)
(in the event of any flight issues, please call or email Brickell Travel and notify Diamond PR team)
OUR GROUP
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WHAT TO PACK
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WHAT'S INCLUDED FOR YOU:
Roundtrip airfare to Italy with one checked bag, roundtrip airport and ground transfers to the hotels, accommodations, activities and group meals as outlined on the itinerary. Just sign your check to your room, but tips, if you choose to leave one, will appear on your credit card.
WHAT YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR:
Gratuities are at your discretion. They will be applied to your credit card on file if added to your tab. You'll also be responsible for long-distance phone calls, mini bar items, room service and any miscellaneous expenses (i.e. boutique purchases) and any food/beverage purchase outside of what's outlined on the itinerary. Please note you will need to provide a credit card at check-in for any incidentals not included in the trip.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Arrivals: March 22
Departures: March 27
ITINERARY
FRIDAY, MARCH 22
Ongoing Arrivals
Benvenuta! We're so glad you made it to Italy. After you've made it to baggage claim, look out for your driver who will be holding a sign that says press trip or your name. Then you'll be on your way over to Renaissance Tuscany.
Arrivals to Renaissance Tuscany & Dinner at Leisure
Snooze or stroll, it's up to you. Whenever you're hungry, grab a bite to eat at La Veranda at the hotel and sign it to your room.
SATURDAY, MARCH 23
Morning at Leisure
Whether you're an early riser, or you want to get a couple extra hours of sleep, the morning is yours to do as you please. Grab some breakfast at your leisure, or enjoy some room service while admiring the views from your balcony.
12:00 PM
Wine Tasting & Lunch at Podere Concori
It wouldn't be Italy without a wine tasting! Home to one of Tuscany's highest vineyard sites, we'll have a taste of some of the region's best wines at Podere Concori, paired with a delicious hand-made lunch and stunning views. Podere Concori uses the biodynamic method to produce wines and do so in respect for the land and those who live there.
Afternoon at Leisure
Catch up on some emails, take a dip in the pool or simply relax and take in the views. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at the resort!
6:00 PM
Evening Stroll & Dinner at Ristorante L'Altana
Barga is an enchanting town to discover, surrounded by a lush green landscape with valleys and mountains in the background. We'll stop for dinner at Ristorante L'Altana to enjoy more Tuscan wine, and locally made pastas.
SUNDAY, MARCH 24
Breakfast
Buongiorno! We have another exciting day ahead of us, so fuel up with a bite to eat at La Veranda.
8:00 AM
Departure to Cinque Borghi
It's time for the hike of your Tuscan dreams. The stunning views are worth the climb through vineyards and lemon trees. Afterward, we'll reward ourselves with a delicious lunch at a local trattoria. Wear sneakers and comfortable workout attire.
4:00 PM
Cooking Class with The Property's Chef
Roll up your sleeves and tie up your apron, we're cooking pasta the authentic Italian way with the property's chef. We'll cut and cook now, and enjoy during our dinner. Don't worry, we have a few bottles of wine to be our sous chefs.
7:00 PM
Dinner at La Veranda
Tonight we're eating on property, and enjoying the fruits (pastas?) of our labor, along with immaculate views of the Serchio Valley.
MONDAY, MARCH 25
At Leisure
Breakfast & Check Out
Take one last bite and kiss Barga goodbye - it's time for our next adventure!
9:00 AM
Transfer to Lucca
10:00 AM
Check-in to Grand Universe La Residenza
Benvenuto a Lucca, the city known for its rich musical history. La Residenza opened just under a year ago and has quickly made its mark as one of the premier lodging locations within the city. The collection of one- and two-bedroom suites and residences boast impeccable design and impressive living space.
11:00 AM
Bike Ride & Picnic Lunch
We're going to explore the city of Lucca from the best possible vantage point - from the top! We'll hop on some bicycles and head out for a light ride atop these famous walls that encircle the city. Dress cozy, we'll stop and have a picnic for lunch along the way.
3:00 PM
Musical Tour with TurisLucca
Born in 1858, Giacomo Puccini was the last of a dynasty of composers from Lucca that created a centuries-long legacy in the world. At just 10 years old Puccini enrolled in music classes and eventually became the most famous composer living. In honor of the 100th anniversary of his death, we will embark on a musical tour of the city that raised him.
7:30 PM
Dinner at La Linea
Pizza in Italy, what more could you want? Located in the heart of Lucca, La Linea serves up good food and good company.
TUESDAY, MARCH 26
10:00 AM
Check-in to Grand Universe Lucca
It's time to check out La Residenza's sister property, Grand Universe Lucca. This restored Italian 'palazzo' welcomes you with open arms. Get settled in your room, and head to the hotel's restaurant, Legacy, for some breakfast.
9:00 AM
Visit to the Marble Quarries of Carrara
It's time to hop into a jeep and head to the Carrara marble quarries, a set of active, abandoned and historical quarries located between the municipalities of Carrara and Massa in the Apuan Alps. They have been used since antiquity to extract Carrara marble and are the main source of marble for sculpture and construction. While there, we'll have a tasting of Colonnata Lard, a local delicacy of cured pork fat, and wine.
Lunch At Leisure
Enjoy lunch at Legacy at your leisure, or venture out into the city and find a bite to eat at a local café.
Afternoon at Leisure
Enjoy the city! Explore the beauty that this under-the-radar city has to offer.
5:00 PM
Olive Oil Tasting
This afternoon we'll try a variety of local olive oils at the property's Eterno Wine Cellar, with Oil Master Fausto Borrella.
6:00 PM
Champagne Aperitif at the Sommita’ Martin Orsyn Rooftop Terrace & Dinner at Legacy
If you haven't fallen in love with Lucca yet, a romantic rooftop champagne dinner will be sure to seal the deal. The Sommitá Martin Orsyn terrace is the first Martin Orsyn branded terrace in Italy. Afterward, we'll indulge with a bite to eat at the hotel's signature restaurant, Legacy.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27
Breakfast & Morning at Leisure
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and savor the last bite of Italy.
Transfer to Airport
Check out with the front desk and meet the shuttle with your packed bags in the lobby. Ciao!
6:00 AM - Brandon Departure to FLR Airport
6:30 AM - Sharon Departure to FLR Airport
8:00 AM - Jody, Kaitlyn & Sherra Departure (Kaitlyn to the FLR train station, Sherra to the FLR Airport)
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