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AUTHENTIC VACATION
Language skills can be learned and practiced on vacation ! It’s an excellent way to start speaking Italian, quickly and simply, and it’s funny!
Duration
8 Days
Meeting point
Castiglione del Lago
Organiser
Travel agency TASTE AND SLOW ITALY (AGENZIA ON LINE)

Taste and Slow Italy a brand of Trasimeno Viaggi, the contact with the real Italian lifestyle. We offer authentic travel solutions, specializing in fully personalized tours and tailor made to your individual interests, schedule and budget.

Taste and Slow Italy — Italian Tour Operator and DMC (Destination Management Company)— will allow you not only to discover the best Italian destinations but also to establish contact with the real Italian lifestyle. We offer authentic travel solutions to everyone, from tour operators to individual travelers, specializing in fully personalized tours and tailor made to your individual interests, schedule and budget. Being located right at the centre of Italy -on the border between Umbria, Lazio and Tuscany- we can easily provide you with the best locations, accommodation and services of all over Italy. The utmost attention to detail, highly personalized service, the reliability of carefully selected suppliers over the years and our long experience in this field allow us to deliver a high quality offer. We know that every travel is a discover and every holiday a unique experience.Our Italian professional brand is recognized as reliable and qualified. Taste and Slow Italy got a Top Rate Web Reputation. Accredited by our regional Chamber of Commerce. A potential partner, which is reading about us, could not miss a distinctive detail: a Technical Director leads our company. An important added value indeed. Italian Government authority confers this job title. Our company activity is also as Travel Agency for outgoing clients since 1985. Every package and tour organized is steady secure and safe. Each package is the result after a deep and planned study. We provide services to many affirmed partners all over the world, as agents and T.O.

We create custom-made tours all over Italy for Tour Operators, Travel Agents and individual travelers around the world. We share our know-how regarding the territory, culture, history and enogastronomy of our country offering you a variety of experiences and services according to your needs, from package tours to discover Italy; from cooking lessons to daily tours including tasting experiences, events, shows, shopping and much more. We place our experience, professionalism and assistance at your disposal in order to assure you a memorable and authentic experience.

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Language skills can be learned and practiced on vacation ! It’s an excellent way to start speaking Italian, quickly and simply, and it’s funny!The Institute Lingua Più and the tour operator Taste and Slow Italy will arrange weekly events and activities that complement your learning, so that you can immediately go out into the real world and practice what you have learned with Italian native speakers.Of course, there will be time spent in class, if you wish, but classes with Lingua Più’s teachers are friendly, relaxed events staged just after breakfast as an introduction to the day’s activities. The Lingua Più staff is made up of qualified English-speaking native Italian teachers, who collaborate together to produce entertaining and efficient language courses and, more importantly, a memorable Italian vacation.

Contract terms

TERMS & CONDITIONS

1.- GENERAL CONDITIONS. The contract is subject to the disposition of the law of 27/12/77 no.1084, approved and executed in the international convention relating to travel contract (CCV), to the disposition of DIR. 90/314/CEE and to the D.L. 17.03.95 n. 111 related to “all inclusive Tours”. Moreover the contract is subject to the disposition of the Warsaw Convention of 12/10/1929 about international flight transportation approved and executed by the Law 19/05/1932 n. 41; of the Berna Convention of 25/02/1961 about Train Transportation,executed by Law 02/03/1963 n. 806. The liability of Trasimeno Travel sas-Taste and Slow Italy is limited to the above laws. Trasimeno Travel sas-Taste and Slow Italy acts as tour operator and agent. All arrangements for transport or conveyance or for hotel accommodations are made by Trasimeno Travel sas-Taste and Slow Italy as agent of the suppliers. By utilizing the services of suppliers, you agree that neither Trasimeno Travel sas-Taste and Slow Italy nor any subsidiary of Trasimeno Travel sas-Taste and Slow Italy shall be liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident or delay incurred by your or those traveling with you directly or indirectly from any acts or default of the suppliers or from any occurrence or condition beyond the control of Trasimeno Travel sas-Taste and Slow Italy, including defects in vehicles or breakdown in equipment.

2.- TERMS OF RESERVATION. Reservation requests should be sent by fax or e-mail indicating personal records (copy of your passport), address, telephone number, name, surname and date of service requested. The reservation’s acceptance is subjected to availability of services at the time of request. The booking implies the acceptance of all conditions of the present Contract. Any booking request should be confirmed by a written confirmation from Trasimeno Travel sas - Taste and Slow Italy. Trasimeno Travel sas - Taste and Slow Italy will not be responsible for any reservation not confirmed.

3.- PAYMENTS. A 30% deposit payment is required upon receipt of our confirmation of the reservation. Final payment is due 45 days prior to the arrival date. If a booking is made within 45 days of the departure date, full payments are due immediately. Payments of bookings that involve means of transportation (flights, boats, trains) are subjected to the booking policies applied by IATA or the single means of transportation (for flights, boats and trains the full amount have to be payed immediately).

4.- SUBSTITUTION/CANCELLATION. 4.1.- SUBSTITUTION (just in case of land services, not for means of transport)Should client wish to substitute participants, substitution can only be accepted in writing by the person who signed the booking or in writing by the travel agent through whom the booking was made at least 4 working days before arrival. At the same time organizer should receive all information about substitute (name,surname, sex). The organizer will not be responsible for an eventual nonacceptance of the new name by the suppliers.Substitute and client will be both responsible for the payment of the tour and for all the extra costs of substitution.Substitute will be informed on the amount of extra costs before applying substitution. 4.2.- CANCELLATION POLICY. Cancellations of tour bookings (apart from the cases described in art.4.3) are subjected to a cancellation fee according to the following scale, together with the expenses due to the services cancellation (the indicated dates do not include the day of cancellation):- For cancellations more than 45 days before arrival will be charged a penalty corresponding to 30% of the total amount.- For cancellations till 30 days prior to arrival will be charged a penalty corresponding to 50% of the total amount.- For cancellations till 15 prior to arrival will be charged a penalty corresponding to 75%of the total amount.- For cancellations beyond this time limit, after arrival dates, no-show or due to missing ornot valid personal documents or health precaution’s document, the total amount will becharged. All cancellations should be notified in writing and confirmed by Trasimeno Travel sas-Taste and Slow Italy. Trasimeno Travel sas-Taste and Slow Italy will not be responsible for cancellations not confirmed charging client with total amount. Cancellations of bookings that involve means of transportation(flights, boats, trains) are subjected to the cancellation policies applied by IATA or the single means of transportation. 4.3.- CANCELLATION WITHOUT PENALTIES. The client could cancel the travel with no penalties if there is a significant change in one of the essential elements of the Contract, such as:• increased tour price (more than 10% of total amount)• postponed departure date (more than 2 working days)• changed accommodation’s level. In this case the client should notify in writing in 2 working days after the change communication if he decides to cancel the tour or accept the change. Without communication by the client, the change will be accepted. If the client will decide to recede the Contract he can decide to:• use an alternative package tour, without surcharge or, if the package is of inferior quality, with restitution of the difference of price• have the restitution of the payed part of total amount. This restitution will be made in 7 working days after the notification of the refund’s request. 4.4.- CANCELLATIONS BY Trasimeno Travel sas - Taste and Slow Italy. In respect to art. 10 of the above cited law no. 1084 of 27/12/77 for unforeseen events or changes depending on third parties Trasimeno Travel sas-Taste and Slow Italy reserves the right to vary itineraries and any tour departure or to cancel reservation totally or partially with no charges or obligations apart from the restitution of the payed part of the amount in these case:a) for unforeseen events No reductions or credit notes will be given under circumstances amounting to a “Force Majeure” which means: war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, natural disaster, fire, closure of airports and ports, adverse weather conditions b) if the minimum number of participants is not reached, which would be economical to operate. In this event Trasimeno travel will offer an alternative available of comparable standards. Client has the choice of accepting the changed arrangements as notified or canceling reserved travel service, in this case Trasimeno Travel will return all money client has paid.No reimbursement will be granted to any client who is not at the place of departure at the time established;similarly, no reimbursement will be granted to clients who loose contact with the guide or do not complete the tour. Trasimeno Travel is also not responsible for partial closure of Museums and delays caused by third parties.

5.- CLIENT’S SPECIAL REQUESTS Client’s special request should be communicated in writing at time of booking. The Organizer will have the right to accept the requests or not, after having verified the availability of required services with its suppliers. The Organizer will communicate in writing to the travel agent the costs related to these requests if realizable.

6.- CHANGES REQUESTED BY THE CLIENT Changes requested by the client after the booking is confirmed by the Organizer are subjected to operative expenses for Trasimeno Travel sas-Taste and Slow Italy and to penalties defined by the suppliers. The amount of the change expense will be defined in each single case. The diminished number of clients in a booking is considered as partial cancellation (4.2. cancellation policies).

7.- RESPONSIBILITIES. The responsibility of Trasimeno Travel sas-Taste and Slow Italy in its quality of tour organizer for the clients and their goods is ruled by International laws cited at art.1. The responsibility of Trasimeno Travel sas-Taste and Slow Italy cannot exceed the limits contemplated by law.

8 DELAIS OR OTHER CHANGES THE DAY OF DEPARTURE OR RETURN. In case of operative changes under circumstances amounting to a “Force Majeure” in the immediate period before departure or arrival, Trasimeno Travel sas-Taste and Slow Italy will operate in every possible way to reduce inconvenient for the client.

9.- NOTIFICATION OBLIGATION. Every defect should be immediately notified to the Organizer in 10 days from the time of return.

10 .- PRICE REVIEW. Quotations are calculated on the base of the tariffs valid at time of publication. Quotes could change in every moment due to variation in exchange rates, cost services and carriers’ tariffs. The established price could not vary in the 20 days before the departure date. The client could refuse the contract as art.4.3. If price increases more than 10%, if he send a written communication to the Organizer in 2 working days after the change communication. In any case objections about the price won’t be accepted during or after the tour.

11.- INSURANCE POLICY FOR CANCELLATION POLICIES. At the moment of booking we suggest to make an insurance policy (compulsory) against the penalties derived by the renounce of the tour. The cost of this policy is based on the tour’s price.

12.- OUR LEGAL IDENTITY, LICENCE AND LIABILITY INSURANCE POLICY. Trasimeno Travel S.a.s.Via Novella 1/F Castiglione del Lago 06061 Perugia Italy, Telephone[0039] 075 953969 and fax [0039] 075 9652654

Released by Perugia Province License n. CAT.13/B/1985/3^ issued on may 9th 1985.Third-party public liability insurance issued by Sara Assicurazioni n. 50/0494267

13.- DISPUTE. In case of dispute, the competent law court, will be Perugia

14.- PAYMENTS. Payments are accepted by credit card or bank transfer to: Trasimeno Travel sas-Taste and Slow Italy Unipol Banca (Castiglione del Lago, Perugia) IBAN: IT35E0312738350000000001147BIC/SWIFT CODE: BAECIT2B In this case a copy of the bank transfer receipt is requested by fax. (+39 075 9652654) or mail

16 PRIVACY. Personal data could be communicated by Trasimeno Travel sas-Taste and Slow Italy to services’ suppliers for reasons strictly linked to the travel. The client can in every moment change these data according to the article 7 of Privacy Code (D.lgs.n.196/2003).Compulsory communication art. 16, law 269/68: “the law punish with reclusion crimes concerning prostitution and minor pornography.

What is included

WHAT IS INCLUDED

- 8 days / 7 nights agriturismo lodge; meals treatment as specified above (beverages included)

- Tour Escort / Teacher during the whole tour

- Bus with private driver- Italian language lessons 

- Lingua Più School Of Languages, Official Training Centre, recognized by the Italian Government Authority.

- 3 light lunch and tasting

- 7 dinner in restaurant or farm- A theatre performance experience

- City tax 

What is not included

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

- Supplement for DUS room: € 30,00 per person per day

- Private transfers requested on free time

- Medical, baggage insurance

- Everything not mentioned in “the price includes”

Program
8 Days

Language skills can be learned and practiced on vacation ! It’s an excellent way to start speaking Italian, quickly and simply, and it’s funny!The Institute Lingua Più and the tour operator Taste and Slow Italy will arrange weekly events and activities that complement your learning, so that you can immediately go out into the real world and practice what you have learned with Italian native speakers.Of course, there will be time spent in class, if you wish, but classes with Lingua Più’s teachers are friendly, relaxed events staged just after breakfast as an introduction to the day’s activities. The Lingua Più staff is made up of qualified English-speaking native Italian teachers, who collaborate together to produce entertaining and efficient language courses and, more importantly, a memorable Italian vacation.

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ARRIVAL IN ROME AT FIUMICINO AIRPORT

Around noon up to 4:00 p.m. Meeting with your private bus driver and transfer from airport to a villageon the Trasimeno Lake shores. The tour hosting facility class is called “agriturismo”.The agriturismo is a particular class of facility and it is rather an Italian peculiarity. To be qualified asagriturismo you have to be a real agricultural farm with accommodation services in a rural environment.Our teacher will wait for you for the lodging check in. Aperitivo di Benvenuto with Taste and Slow Italy team to welcome the guests ! During the aperitivo it will be introduced the “learning tour” programme.Dinner with our Teacher in a typical local restaurant.Our unconventional tip: in Italy while banqueting it is “a must” to have a conversation about what we are eating and how it is prepared… Everyone has his own personal recipe and variable to share. The first Italian smart lesson starts here!Overnight stay

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AROUND UMBRIA

BreakfastMorning: 09:00 a.m. - 01:00 p.m. Italian lesson on site (at accommodation) with the Teacher. During the lesson the Teacher will also introduce the third day tour around Trasimeno lake shores.Light lunch in the lodge

Afternoon: 03:00 p.m. departure with your Teacher to explore the magnificent and fascinating Perugia. The main city in Umbria, typical for its center, medieval streets and squares with some ancient Etruscan architectural contamination. Full of multicultural life, you can compare Perugia as an “extra small version” of London or NY. If well assisted it is quite impossible to feel bore there.

Perugia tour with a local professional guide

The tour of Perugia will start in the center of the city at Piazza Grande (now also known as Piazza IV Novembre). Perugia historical center walking tour.The city of Perugia is the capital city of the entire region of Umbria. The town is placed between Lago Trasimeno and the Alta Valle del Tevere (Upper Tiber Valley), an untouched land of abbeys and monasteries and flowers filled hills. Piazza IV Novembre has been the center of civil and religious power in the city since it was established by the Etruscans, before the Romans. In the center of the square stands the impressive Fontana Maggiore, the city symbol and one of the finest medieval fountains in Italy. It was completed in the late 13th century to welcome the water of the Monte Pacciano aqueduct and was considered so important that Nicola and Giovanni Pisano were commissioned to design and decorate it.A walk around the lower basin takes you past paneled scenes from the Old Testament, the story of the founding of Rome, an astrological calendar that appears to relate to local farming practices, and a representation of the seven arts.The 14th-century Palazzo dei Priori, leads off from the left of the fountain along the main street Corso Vannucci. It is a remarkable palace built of local white and red travertine and fronted on the fountain side by a large semi-circular staircase.Rocca Paolina and Saint Peter’s church in Perugia.Rocca Paolina is an amazing place to visit. An ancient underground town commissioned by Pope Paolo III in the 16th century.In San Pietro we will see its baroque architecture and a singular canvas: Trionfo dell'Ordine dei Benedettini, paint by Antonio Vassilacchi called “l’Aliense”. This painter was the protagonist of an absolute outrage to the Church power, doing a sharp revenge to affirm his own freedom of expression: a genuine renaissance “bohemian” guy.Our unconventional tip: this can be occasion to do a nice competition among the participants tounderstand what real is hidden in the canvas, starting to observe near the canvas, then moving little by little until someone will perceive the hidden image.Despite its fascinating characteristic this canvas is almost unknown, but this painting is documented as the biggest canvas ever painted in the Middle Age. It represents the triumph of the Benedictine Order, it depicts saints, popes, cardinals, bishops and abbots founders of Religious Orders that surround St.Benedict of Norcia. It occupies the entire top of the entrance wall of the church. Why this canvas is so special to deserve to be mentioned in a tour? The countless characters larger than natural dimensions make us imagine the magnificence of the painting, but the strange detail is that the subject was severely imposed to the painter, so he took a revenge worthy of a great artist and a precursor of contemporary digital techniques.The best place to observe it is towards the main altar, but if you do not know what is hidden on it you only see the numerous characters. In reality all these outline a single image. It appears an evocative figure.We must also consider that this canvas was not for the priest nor the people, the rule of reciting the Mass watching the people was approved recently, but not in 1592 indeed. The picture is quite descriptive and hearing its story is really impressive.

Dinner in a typical restaurant in Castiglione del Lago, a Pizza just on the lake shores.

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ALL DAY OUT!

Breakfast

In the morning departure to Castiglione del Lago with the Tour Escort (the Teacher held a previous lesson with information about the places that will be visited, providing the necessary vocabulary to be able to interact with locals - according to the participants’ language level). Students practice Italian in such a pleasant way that they don’t even realize they are studying!Escorted visit of Castiglione del LagoThe historic centre of Castiglione del Lago is surrounded by medieval walls. 

Private local guide tour

The amazing Ducal Palace and Fortress offer a monumental passage into the past with the walls frescoed with representations of the Battle of Lepanto and Ascanio della Corgna’s adventurous life episodes. A covered fortified path leads onto the castle walls with their handsome panoramic views over the lake landscapes. There is also a pleasing walk around the outside of the castle walls along the olive trees. Inside the town, along the via del Forte is the sixteenth century Church of San Domenico, whilst the parochial Church of Santa Maria Maddalena is at the top of the main street. It was remodeled in the 19th century, but preserves some precious paintings from the previous Romanic Church. In the principal piazza you face the old Town Hall with its tower and chiming clock.Lunch at leisure in Castiglione del LagoOur unconventional tip: you can choose wide variety of restaurants, the Tour Escort will suggest you the right restaurant depending on your personal tastes. In Castiglione you can find charming restaurants, little nice street-food corners, vegan brasseries.In the afternoon: Trasimeno Lake mini-cruise by private boat and visit to the islands. Isola Maggiore and Isola Polvese. Singular landscapes and colors… you can live the experience to walk in this particular environment characterized by olive trees and ancient lifestyle.

Dinner in a fancy restaurant in Castiglione del Lago.

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ALL DAY TALKING ABOUT INNOVATIVE ITALIAN DESIGN AND FASHION!

Breakfast

Morning: a day dedicated to the Italian fashion design and accessories. We will visit an emerging fashion Italian brand, with the Teacher. The brand is Vodivì. We will start visiting their production site leather atelier. An expert designer will you introduce how it is made Vodivì “wearable art” masterpieces.Why we suggest this atelier instead other?

• It is a perfect sample of Italian design style

• They are a worthy local start up

• They propose an innovative design inspired to the Umbrian territories and colors

• They start to come into the international public eye

• The exclusive use of sustainable raw materials

• They objectively realize a refined but at the same time “bohemian” design… suitable for

• professional or informal daily use.

Products bearing VODIVÌ brand offer unique high-quality features, while respecting the well-being of people and the environment. Research and design come together in the skilled hands of the Umbrian artisanal tradition, conferring upon their products refinement, tailoring and innovation.

The accuracy in the details and in the artisanal packaging enhances the uniqueness of every single item in each collection.They are enriched by the choice of select raw materials, such as the metal accessories, handcolored leather from the Consorzio Toscano, vegetable-tanned leather, the glass beads withtheir irregular nuances, typical of the artisanal glasswork technique realized in Umbertide, pure silver from the gold district of Arezzo, the pink stone from Monte Subasio, with their sophisticated, entirely hand-modeled forms.Lunch at leisure in Perugia city centre.Our unconventional tip: you can choose wide variety of restaurants, the Teacher will suggest you the right restaurant depending on your personal tastes. But if you want to live a pop experience we suggest you a nice restaurant called Dal Mi Cocco. But it has to be booked in advance !Departure to the lodge. In the late afternoon you will be the “absolute stars” and Vodivì will organize an exclusive private fashion-show exposing last collections.Tasting a typical Italian appetizer or aperitivo, a professional designer will you introduce the originalconcepts that inspired Vodivì. A perfect occasion to understand the Italian fashion style “behind the curtains”.

Dinner in a local restaurant

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A DIVE INTO THE WINE CULTURE OF UMBRIA

Breakfast

Morning: 09:00 am - 01:00 pm Italian lessons on site (at accommodation) and then lesson with the Teacher.

Departure, by private bus, to visit an excellent wine farm and cellar.Light lunch and wine tasting session and afternoon seminar on farm.

Previously the Teacher helps students to learn the necessary Italian vocabulary and linguistic forms(according to the participants’ language level).

The lesson is based on what wine means in the Italian culture, and we have a perfect speaker: Anna, the owner of this nice cellar. She is an affirmed sommelier and able to explain you how to combine the wine and the different kind of foods.During a party or business meeting break in your country it is always cool and impressive have a role of wine connoisseur, isn’t it? Anna can teach you the wine basic rules and taste suggestion to distinguish a good wine. A special dinner in a particular place… a typical farm “Km Zero”.Km Zero is an innovative Italian concept to value the food short supply chain. The menu dishes areproduced directly on farmhouse or other neighbor agricultural companies. But the added value is much more. This farm is certified organic indeed. Fabio the farmer will be happy to explain you the organic agriculture methods and importance. Organic agriculture substitutes the chemical additives with natural and sustainable methods. We remind you that Italy is considered as the most reliable organic producer in the world, due to the production severe European Union rules and protocols.

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EMERALD TREASURE OF UMBRIA AND A GREAT EXPERIENCE SURPRISE

Breakfast

Late morning. Departure with the Tour Escort towards an Extravirgin Olive Oil farm. Light lunch based on Km Zero food. The star will be the emerald Extravirgin Olive Oil of Umbria, maybe the most award winning in the world! Afternoon: an incredible and unconventional experience.

We have an appointment in an experimental theatre. An amusing expedient to improve the Italian language learning method, the attempt to aid you to make experience of Italian culture and style of life. Be ready, anything can happen...This afternoon is worth the entire travel. 

A lovely surprise.Dinner in a restaurant specialized in truffle dishes menu. The truffles are directly harvested by the owner Francesca and her brother around their private woods between Tuscany and Umbria.

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ALL DAY AT LEISURE

Breakfast

All day at leisure

Our staff will be glad to suggest you the best way to live a nice day in Umbria according to your personal interests.... Art, fashion and shopping, sports, food, wine, Vespa ride...

All services has to be booked in advance as extra budget.

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SEE YOU SOON UMBRIA!!!

Breakfast

Departure to Rome Fiumicino airport by private bus

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Contact
Fax
075/9652617
Address
Via Novella, 1 (06061) Castiglione del Lago PG