Camp dates are: October 25, 2008-November 1, 2008 - Price is $2975 per person includes everything but airfare!!!!!

THE ONE WEEK TRIP INCLUDES:

* 6 nights at Villa Gaia, near Siena, in a picturesque Country Villa.

  The villa is beautifully furnished with traditional Tuscan furniture.

* All meals as indicated in the itinerary.

* Small groups: 4 to 15 people. 

* 1 hands-on cooking course in “La Cucina Povera Toscana” – Tuscan country cooking.

* Wine tasting in Montalcino.

* Daily guided training excursions to the seaside and Castiglione della Pescaia (a fishing  

village with a striking castle), Grosseto, the enchanting towns of Montalcino (famous for  its grape vineyards that produce the celebrated Brunello wine) and Santa Fiora, as well as a guided tour of Siena.

*All transportation (to and from Rome).

* Professional triathlon coaching each day.

You will live and cook in the Tuscan countryside in the spectacular & beautiful region known as “La Maremma” – near the seaside.

“Dearest Linda, What a jewel you are. Thank you so much for everything you have done for us. This has been a relaxing wonderful week for me. This is not good-bye we'll see you next summer with my boys! Love to you, Pat”

Villa Poggiarello was written up in the “Condotta 422 – MONTEREGIO Notizario #7” of Slow Food (September 2005) recognized as a top producer of olive oil (2nd place prize in a regional competition). *View Prize Certificate*

WHERE YOU WILL STAY

In the countryside of the Seggiano township (Province of Grosseto just a few kilometers from the border with the Province of Siena) – A charming storybook landscape of a lesser-known area that is considered by many Italians to be one of the most beautiful areas of Tuscany.  It’s about 50 minutes away from the seaside, less than 1 hour South of Siena, about two hours from Florence, and two and a half hours north of Rome. 

Villa Gaia lies sheltered by the rolling hills of Monte Amiata and cooled by the sea breezes of Castiglione della Pescaia. As yet un-exploited by tourism, this region, famous for it’s sublime Italian wines, delicious, smoky Pecorino cheeses, and award winning organic olive oils, remains true to its pure Italian culture, maintaining it’s traditional Tuscan flavors and style. The Villa Gaia estate lies next to the San Bernardino 15th century Franciscan monastery. It features frescoes painted by Italian artists Bernardino Gagliardi, Clemente Maioli, Giovanni de Vecchi, and Biagio Puccini. Villa Gaia is also located in the center of some very important Italian cultural locales, where we often take part in traditional Italian cultural and music festivals, Italian art exhibits, and theatre events during the spring and summer months. Villa Gaia reminds one of the country gentry, the noble Romans and Florentines who built their homes here, with simple, comfortable elegance.

At Villa Gaia, you will live with elegant Tuscan styled creature comforts, newly designed and renovated, amidst the rich fertile lands and countryside of perhaps the most beautiful, if we daresay such a thing, lesser known micro-region in Tuscany.

AMIATA & RONDINI FORRESTERIA Amiata Apartment Rondini Apartment

WHERE YOU WILL SLEEP

Villa Gaia is comprised of a main house and a separate building.  The separate building is called La Foresteria, which has four double rooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom.  These rooms enjoy the use of a large common living room with fireplace, kitchen, laundry, storeroom, telephone and a large summer porch.

The main house has two apartments: Amiata on the first floor and Le Rondini on the second floor.  Both Amiata and Le Rondini have their own separate private entrances.  - Amiata has a large living room, kitchen, and a beautiful outdoor porch. Le Rondini has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room with a fireplace, kitchen and a 550 square foot panoramic terrace that has an external wood-burning stove.
The Foresteria is an independent cottage located at the back of the main villa. The cottage has four bedrooms with ensuite bathroom (two with twin beds and two with queen beds), a spacious kitchen and living room with fireplace, and a large outdoor porch.

AMIATA BEDROOMS
RONDINI BEDROOMS
FORRESTERIA BEDROOMS

EXCURSIONS & ITINERARY:
Experience the deep, red Italian wines; smoky; enticing Pecorino cheese; gourmet, organic, cold pressed olive oils; unspoiled vineyards and centuries-old olive groves. The pure, delicious flavors of Tuscan peasant cooking; fish fresh from the unspoiled sea, vegetables hand-picked from the Tuscan soil every morning, pasta hand-made by your chef’s nonna (grandmother). Wine tastings in ancient Italian wine cellars; the aroma of Italian breads baking in traditional stone ovens; meals enjoyed like a true Italian in authentic Tuscan trattorias (popular restaurants), shopping for groceries in an outdoor market that is hundreds of years old. These are just some of the exclusive cultural and culinary experiences you will enjoy as a welcome guest at Villa Gaia.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1 - Pick-up in Rome and arrival at Villa Gaia        
Fly to Italy . We will pick you up in Rome and then you will be accompanied by car or van to Villa Gaia - your vacation home in the hills of Southern Tuscany. After settling in, your Coaches will show you around the area, which will be your home for one week! You will have time to relax in before enjoying a welcome run with your coaches. For dinner you will enjoy a Tuscan meal prepared by the Cannaviello family.

Day 2 - Cycling Our Way to Tuscan Beaches    
In the morning, after Breakfast we will take off on a beautiful training ride to the Tuscan seaside known as “La Pineta”. It is considered to be one of the most picturesque areas along the Tuscan seaside. About half of the ride is downhill and it is about 40 miles to get to the coast. On the beach, we will go for an open water swim before relaxing with a nice lunch on the beach. We will then have some time to relax before visiting Castiglione della Pescaia - a beautiful seaside fishing village. Dinner at the villa.

Day 3 – Bacchus Bike tour to Montalcino (wine country)    
Early morning hill run and then we will set off on bike for Montalcino, a town famous for its Sangiovese grape vineyards that produce the celebrated Brunello wine. You will visit the magnificent 14 th century Rocca (a fortress) and enjoy yourself wandering around the village and exploring picturesque little shops. Lunch in a quaint family owned restaurant in Montalcino. On the way home, visit Sant’Antimo. Dinner at Villa Gaia. 

Day 4 – Morning mental skills training then Swimming & Shopping in Grosseto
No biking today because our legs will need a rest! The hills of Tuscany – YES they add up! We will start of with deep mental skills (concentration and contemplation) practice. Afterwards, we will enjoy a light breakfast before driving down to Grosseto. Before lunch, we will need to work on our swim skills with a full fledged swim clinic in downtown Grosseto - one of the few places with Olympic sized pool in Southern Tuscany! Afterwards, we will enjoy lunch in a trattoria in Grosseto We will then explore the historic center of Grosseto and shop, or window shop and enjoy post-swim snacks in several  local café bars before heading back up to Villa Gaia for a nice feast.

Day 5 – Monte Amiata – the biggest hill of them all! And the small towns of Monte Amiata
In the morning, after a light breakfast, we will tackle Monte Amiata. It is a short yet brutal challenge. Less than 10 miles of climbing but some of the toughest you’ll ever encounter. If you conquer Monte Amiata you will arrive on your bike to Southern Tuscany’s highest point: nearly 5400 feet! This will be a very special moment. Upon return we will transition into a “blood shift” run which takes you through beautiful scenery towards Merigar – a stunning Buddhist temple.

After lunch, you will have the opportunity to visit the small towns of Monte Amiata: Santa Fiora with its historic center and ancient Parish Church which contains fine terracotta bas-reliefs by Andrea della Robbia ( 15 th century), and La Peschiera, the private gardens and swimming pool of the Sforza family ( 16 th century). Dinner at Villa Gaia. 

Day 6 – Triathlon in Castiglione della Pescaia
Today, you will enjoy a trip to the seacoast to the pretty seaside village of Castiglione della Pescaia. This old fishing village stands up high on a hill with its castle looking over the turquoise bay. Here we will do a triathlon – the race is on! Swimming in the spectacular Mediterranean sea, biking along coastline and up into the hills with stunning views and running along the seaside complete with hills (what a surprise) running up past the village castle. We will then snack to hold us over while we drive to Siena where we will feast at a local restaurant. In Siena, we will visit the famous Piazza del Campo, the main square where the people from Siena (“i senesi”) organize, twice a year, a medieval horse race known as Il Palio. Facing the square there is the beautiful tour Torre del Mangia, where if you wish, you can climb up to the top to admire a marvelous view of the city. You can also visit the Duomo which is a gothic style cathedral. Once home, you will enjoy your farewell dinner at Villa Gaia.  

Day 7 – Farewell Villa Gaia and friends…        
Transfer back to Rome.

* We may be able to participate in local “Sagre” – food festivals which take place in medieval villages and towns of Southern Tuscany.

Click here for for REGISTRATION