June 2018

Your Own Private Group Trip– Your Way

By |2018-06-14T05:55:49-05:00June 14th, 2018|Informational, Travel Tips, Tuscany, Uncategorized|

Your Own Private Group Trip– Your Way

Consider a trip you’ll never forget. Italy is the perfect destination to let loose and enjoy the finer things in life, and when your closest friends accompany you, the experience is greatly enhanced. A fun-filled week of good food, good friends, and the novelty of exploring a lovely country is a fantastic way to do achieve total bliss. Let us at show you why a trip to Tuscany is the perfect setting for an unforgettable private group trip!

Whether you’re a fan of food and wine, admiring art and architecture, shopping, or simply relaxing, a small, private group trip through Tuscany has a little something for everyone. Stroll through the beautiful towns of Siena, Florence and Pisa, taking in the sights and experience the Italian lifestyle firsthand, then visit the famous walled city of Lucca and experience Renaissance-era history as it lives on in the modern age. Besides becoming familiar with the lovely towns of Tuscany, you may also sample the best of Tuscany’s varied and delicious cuisine and indulge in the best Tuscan wines. How about taking a tour of the legendary Uffizi Gallery, where some of the world’s finest works of Renaissance art are housed? You will live like a local, going on guided tours given by residents of these towns who know them inside and out, offering an intimate glimpse into the heart and soul of Italy that you won’t find anywhere else.

For a more hands-on experience, perhaps you would enjoy Cooking Under the Tuscan Sun where your group will become acquainted with the techniques, ingredients, and traditions that give Italian food its well-deserved reputation as some of the best in the world. As a result, you will gain a newfound appreciation and understanding of the importance of food within Italian culture, thus dramatically altering and improving your own approach to food. Wouldn’t it be amazing to see how truffles, some of the world’s most prized delicacies, are collected?  How about learning how to make pasta by hand, as well as authentic pizza? Why not tour a winery in Chianti, where you’ll sample some of Tuscany’s most delicious wines right at the source? Well, your group could have the privilege of doing all this and more, resulting in a truly memorable, once-in-a-lifetime vacation that will be reminisced upon for years to come.

Above all else, Italy is a wonderful place to simply relax, reflect, and appreciate life. Don’t stress about planning an itinerary; with our Women’s Only Experiences, that’s all taken care of. Don’t worry about feeding yourself and your group, either, or where you’ll stay. Leave that all to A Toast to Travel! You’re about to embark on one of the most rewarding journeys of your life, and an equally grand celebration, free of worries and stress, should be in order. Let the natural beauty and rich history of Italy complement the joy of your friendships and the exciting new journey you’re about to embark on with your dearest love.  Life is short, so why not live it to the fullest?

So if you have a group of 8 or more, whether it’s a special birthday, family reunion, retirement trip, alumni reunion, bachelor/bachelorette destination party, girls’ trip, romantic couples’ trip or a corporate/organizational business or charity outing, A Toast to Travel can host your private group and make it special and memorable.  We will host you on your chosen date and help customize the experience for the needs of the group.  One of our most popular experiences, Highlights of Florence and Tuscany Experience is sure to be a crowd pleaser!  If you’re the one who has to do all the planning but would rather leave it to the experts while you enjoy, contact us so you can enjoy la Dolce Vita.

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What are the best wines in Tuscany?

By |2018-06-12T05:45:34-05:00June 12th, 2018|Brunello di Montalcino, Feature, Features, Tuscany, Wine|

What are the best wines in Tuscany?

Italy is known for producing a number of quality wines, and this is especially true of Tuscany. Sangiovese grapes, with their fruity and aromatic aura, are the foundation of Tuscan winemaking. Tuscany’s hilly terrain and warm Mediterranean climate prove beneficial for the growth of these grapes, meaning that Tuscany has no shortage of delicious wine. Whether you desire a journey to experience Tuscany’s best wines or you are simply curious as to what they consist of, here’s a rundown of the best that Tuscany has to offer!

Without a doubt, Chianti is one of the best known and loved wines to come out of Tuscany. Chianti wines are made within the Chianti region of Tuscany, and while they vary in composition, some common traits that are generally shared among them include a dry character, a bright, cherry-like aroma and flavor, and a satisfying level of acidity. Like many Italian wines, Chianti tastes excellent with food. More specifically, it pairs well with many meat dishes (an example being the legendary Bistecca alla Fiorentina, or T-bone steak) and dishes containing red sauce. Chiantis, like many Tuscan wines, are primarily made from the Sangiovese grape.

Another delicious wine originating in Tuscany is Brunello di Montalcino. Known as one of the most rare and expensive wines to come out of Italy, Brunello di Montalcino is grown in vineyards surrounding the town of Montalcino, about 50 miles south of Florence. As per governmental regulations, Brunello di Montalcino must be made from 100% Sangiovese grapes. What separates this wine from others made of Sangiovese grapes, however, is the conditions in which the grapes are grown. Montalcino’s climate and altitude are such that the grapes ripen more fully than anywhere else in Tuscany, giving the wine a distinctly unique profile. Brunello di Montalcino retains a fruity character but has darker traits than Chianti, with notes of blackberry, chocolate, and leather, among other things. Like Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino has a high level of acidity, which makes it a terrific wine to pair with food (especially grilled meats).

So while Montalcino and Chianti hold the distinction of being Tuscany’s two main Sangiovese variants, Tuscany is also home to the “Super Tuscans.”  What, exactly, have the super Tuscans done to earn the title of “Super?” While nobody knows for sure where the name originated, Super Tuscans are unique from other Tuscan wine in that they don’t adhere to the strict regulations of the Italian government’s classification system. This allows winemakers to create red blends with non-indigenous grapes, resulting in more inventive, creative and delicious wines. Some super Tuscans retain the use of Sangiovese grapes, whereas others may be made solely from Merlot or a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah; no matter what, though, Super Tuscans all share the tendency to have big, bold flavors and a high level of desirability.

The scope of winemaking in Tuscany is quite vast—some other varieties of Tuscan wine include Bolgheri, Rosso di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano all of which have the Italian government’s seal of approval. If there’s one thing we can be certain of, there’s a Tuscan wine out there to suit any personal taste. On our Highlights of Florence and Tuscany Experience, good food and good wine abound, so why not take the opportunity to sample the best wines in Tuscany with us at A Toast to Travel?

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What’s the Fashion Capital of Italy?

By |2018-06-03T11:50:40-05:00June 3rd, 2018|General, hidden gems, Italy Shopping|

Italy Fashion-Milano-600
Italy Fashion D&G Firenze
Italy Fashion Armani Milano

What’s the Fashion Capital of Italy?

Prada, Gucci, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana–when you think of the high-end fashion industry, it’s likely many of those famous Italian brands immediately come to mind. It’s no secret that Italy is a powerhouse within the world of fashion, but how did this come to be? What does fashion really mean to Italians? For starters, Italians are known for their attention to dressing well–they adhere to the term “la bella figura,” which translates to “the beautiful figure.” The story goes back to the 11th century and the Renaissance period, when Italy was considered the leading trendsetter of fashion in Europe. This designation was lost throughout the 17th to 20th centuries.

Following WWII, however, Italian fashion experienced a resurgence and is now considered one of the most influential fashion centers in the world. There are a number of reasons for this. On a technical level, there’s the Italian way of craftsmanship and attention to detail, as well as an emphasis on high-quality textiles. So while the clothes themselves have plenty to do with it, there’s some interesting historical context to consider as well. The Marshall Plan, a post-WWII U.S. program designed to aid the economies of war-torn European countries, helped to boost the Italian textile industry. Then, in 1951, Italian businessman Giovanni Battista Giorgini held a fashion show in Florence with the goal of elevating Italy to its original standing in the fashion world, and it worked. By the 1960s, a variety of American celebrities and public figures, inlcuding First Lady Jackie Onassis Kennedy, could be seen sporting the latest Italian designs. Italian fashion had become synonymous with Hollywood Chic.

Florence remained the fashion capital of Italy throughout the 1950s and 1960s, but by the 1970s, this distinction began to sway toward Milan and Rome. The 1970s also marked a turning point for Italian fashion, with clothing and accessories becoming less geared towards only the rich and famous. An emphasis on ready-to-wear clothing was made as well, with a focus on jeans and miniskirts, for example. Today, Italy remains at the top, and the industry remains centered on Rome and Milan.

Despite having lost its distinction as the fashion hotspot of Italy, Florence still remains a relevant outpost for Italian fashion, and nothing can take away the fact that Florence spurred the resurgence of Italian fashion in the 20th century. If you were to visit Florence today, you would find a number of high-end boutiques and shopping districts. Florence’s main shopping street, called Via de’ Tornabuoni, is known for its array of luxury fashion boutiques. Some of these include Gucci (whose headquarters are located in Florence), Armani, Enrico Coveri, Roberto Cavalli, and Emilio Pucci. In addition to the high-end, world-class fashion outlets, major fashion labels such as Prada and Chanel maintain large offices within Florence. The pervasiveness of the fashion industry within Florence speaks to the importance of fashion to Italians!

If you find yourself curious in the world of fashion, or you happen to be a huge fan of it, you’ll be happy to know that an all-inclusive tour of Italy on our Highlights of Florence and Tuscany Experience will take you right through the heart of it all in Florence! Part of living like a local is experiencing every cultural beacon that makes a place unique—in the case of Florence, fashion is a part of this. Fashion, food, art, and architecture are all integral to experiencing Italy, and we stand behind this at A Toast to Travel!

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5 Packing Tips for Women

By |2018-06-01T17:10:54-05:00June 1st, 2018|Feature, Travel Tips, Tuscany, Women's Travel|

Packing tips for women
Packing tips for women-1
Packing tips for women travelers

5 Packing Tips for Women

Taking a vacation, while normally a great experience, can also be stressful if you are not adequately prepared. If you’d agree that travel is one of life’s most rewarding and exciting activities, (like we do at A Toast to Travel) then perhaps you’d also say that it comes at the cost of having to pack. Unless, of course, you’re one of the few people who seem to enjoy this step, and there’s nothing wrong with that. For most everyone else, though, packing may induce irritating feelings of dread, and if not done properly, it can cause further headaches during your travels. Here are a few packing tips for women that should serve to make any vacation experience easier and more enjoyable!

  1. Leave some room in your suitcase – Apart from making the process of hauling your bags a little less strenuous, this tip is particularly useful if you plan on doing a little shopping (which would be difficult to pass up if you were to visit, say, Florence, Italy).  If you find yourself having some difficulties with this, then perhaps this next tip will prove helpful…
  2. Wear your heaviest/clunkiest stuff on the airplane – This can do a couple of things for you. Either it will create more open space in your bag so that you may take home any purchases made on your trip, or it will allow you to load the bag up with smaller, less space-consuming articles of clothing. Bonus benefit – if you have a tendency to get cold, especially on airplanes, more layers will prove helpful!
  3. Keep your most important valuables out of your checked luggage – If you travel with any medicines, extremely sentimental objects, important documents, etc., it is in your best interests to keep them with you at all times. As much as we want to believe that our luggage will always be taken care of as best as possible by the airlines, mishaps do happen, and bags do get lost. So in the unlikely event that this happens to you, save yourself the headache of replacing the objects that matter most!
  4. Make sure you know exactly what’s in your carry on before you head to security – Airport security can and will be strict about adhering to the guidelines of carry on luggage. This means that if, for example, you’re trying to bring home a bottle of Italian wine, and you completely forgot you left it in your backpack, you’ll probably never get to enjoy that bottle of Italian wine unless you’re willing to exit the security line and check it in.
  5. Make sure all your liquids/gels/cosmetics are stored in accordance with security guidelines – This is an unfortunate reality of the world we live in, but there’s no way around it. Not only will adequate preparation for this save time at the security checkpoint, but it will also ensure that any expensive/valuable cosmetics you own won’t be tossed out!

Well, there you have it! Some of these might seem like common sense, but there’s nothing wrong with brushing up on them. Hopefully they can help make your next trip, whether it be our Highlights of Florence and Tuscany Experience or something else entirely, a little less stressful and a lot more enjoyable.

5 Packing Tips for Women

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