A WOMEN'S ADVENTURE TO ITALY!
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From: Mariah C.
Date: Monday, March 22, 2010, 10:16 PM
Subject: A Women's Adventure to Italy!
ID: 269892

To a group of amazing women, I wanted to share with this Constellations group about a new venture I'm undertaking and see if any of you might be interested in supporting or joining me!

I have long had a passion for world travel, as well as a love for gathering and connecting with women of all ages and walks of life. I had a recent epiphany while traveling in Egypt earlier this year – I can combine these two passions by organizing and leading tours for women to exciting international destinations. The purpose of these trips would be twofold – to soak up the sites, history and culture of the destination, as well as connect with interesting women both from the group and at the local destination to expand personal horizons and global community.

I’m excited to explore this concept further in the coming year by leading a trip to Italy!

My very dear Italian friend Sara has agreed to partner with me to plan this amazing trip, as well as to join me as co-tour leader, translator and guide. Sara teaches both Italian and French literature as well as the languages, and is passionate and knowledgeable about the culture and history of her country. Not to mention she is full of energy, love, and joy and is a remarkable guide!

As we prepare for this trip, we’d like to invite you – or your friends, mothers, daughters, sisters, etc. – to join us for this adventure. I’ve outlined the details we know so far below. Please let me know if you might be interested in joining us, and also feel free to email/call if you’d like to chat and learn more. Please also forward this invitation to other women friends you think might be interested!

Thank you all for your support—let the adventures begin!

Mariah Cherniss -- mariah.cherniss@gmail.com 408-460-0245

Trip: Authentic Italy

A taste of the “real” Italy – Travel through wine country, the Alps, and the Italian Rivera. Explore cities, castles, and villages. Spend time with the locals learning about the history and culture and experimenting with fine Italian cuisine and wine.

Dates: September 4 to 10, 2010 (6 nights, 7 days)

Group: 10-12 women – friends, mothers, daughters, sisters and women of all ages looking to explore, connect, and take pleasure in the many delights of Italy

Itinerary (to be confirmed): (Note: send me an email if you'd like the version of this itinerary that includes links to all the places...this bulletin board format doesn't allow links)

Day 1: Arrival day – We will begin our journey in Torino, Italy, near the base of the Alps and the heart of Italy’s northwestern wine country. Torino was the very first capital of Italy and more recently host of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. This now cosmopolitan city has a rich history and culture and is known for its baroque and neo-classical architecture, museums (it boasts the largest Egyptian museum outside Cairo), stunning royal palaces, art galleries, shopping and fine dining. There will be an optional afternoon shopping and sightseeing excursion on arrival day, in addition to a welcome dinner for our party hosted by a group of local Italian women.

Day 2: City Sightseeing – We will enjoy a full day taking in the sights, history and culture of Torino. You may choose to join the group for a locally guided tour, or spend the day exploring on your own.

Day 3: Relax and Renew – After two days of the city, relaxation is what we have in mind for today. After a late breakfast, we will embark on a beautiful, scenic drive through the Italian Alps to the village of Vinadio, where we will soak and rejuvenate in the hot thermal pools of Terme di Vinadio. If you really want to pamper yourself, you can enjoy a massage, facial, or body wrap. In the late afternoon, we will make our way back through the mountains to the picturesque town of Cuneo where an Italian family will welcome us for a delicious dinner of the local cuisine.

Day 4: Wine Tasting and Truffle Hunting – Today we will immerse ourselves in the countryside of the Piedmont region and all that it has to offer. We will visit two of the region’s most famous historic towns – Alba, known in medieval times as the “town of the 100 towers” and home to the country’s renowned white truffles, and Asti, the region’s wine capital. The day will include an excursion with a local “truffle hunter” (followed by truffle tasting), wine tour and tasting of the region’s noteworthy deep red wines, and plenty of time to stroll and shop in the charming squares and passageways of the towns.

Day 5: Castles and Cooking – In the morning, we will venture to Viale Castello Manta and explore the enchanting medieval castle and nearby town of Saluzzo. In the afternoon, we will be welcomed by a local Italian chef who will guide us through a marvelous and memorable culinary experience from start to finish – be sure to leave room for dessert!

Day 6: The Italian Riviera – It’s time for some fresh sea air and the mystique of the Italian Riviera. We will pack our bags and enjoy a scenic drive to the coastal region of Liguria where we will spend the day moving leisurely from town to town with options to stroll along the beaches, hike on the hillsides for panoramic views, shop at the many quaint boutiques, or sip fine Italian espresso at the seaside cafes. We will stay the night in one of these cute coastal towns and enjoy a superb seafood feast at sunset.

Day 7: City by the Sea – For our final day together, we will travel to the city of Genoa, birthplace of Christopher Columbus and an important ancient and present-day seaport. We will have several hours to get a feel for the city, with the option of a guided tour. After a farewell group lunch, the official tour concludes and you may continue your journey to other great sites and cities in Italy or conclude your Italian expedition and return home.

First Time to Italy?: If this is your first visit to Italy, and you don’t want to miss some of the most famous sites the country has to offer, we recommend you spend an additional 3-5 days before or after the tour to venture to places like Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, Venice and Naples. If you want to fly solo or have a girlfriend in tow, Sara and I will gladly assist you in mapping out your route and arranging transport and accommodations. Alternatively, if there are a few people who would like to stay an additional 3-4 days after the tour concludes and travel as a group to see some of these sites, we can offer a tour “add-on” and will make the arrangements and go with you to the destinations the group selects.

Travel Arrangements: The tour will start in Torino and conclude in Genoa. If you’d like, we are happy to help you book your flight and ensure you find a good deal. We can also assist in making arrangements if you’d like to arrive early or stay longer.

If you will be arriving to Italy on the tour start date, we recommend you fly in to Torino (aka: Turin). If you will already be in Italy, we can provide instructions on how best to arrive to the city.

If you will be departing back home on the tour end date, we recommend you fly out of Genoa (aka: Genova). If you will be continuing on your journey in Italy from Genoa, it is very easy to take the train from Genoa to Cinque Terre, Milan, Rome, Florence, and other major destinations.

Accommodation: Accommodations will be in charming countryside and seaside villas/estates. Rooms will be double occupancy with the option to pay a single supplement for a private room.

Transport: Private transport throughout the trip will be provided.

Meals: Breakfast daily and most dinners will be included. Lunch will be mostly on your own.

Cost: Exact cost still TBD – but we are estimating around $2,000 USD (does not include airfare, which is currently running around $1,000 from Western U.S. major airports). The final tour price will include accommodation, transport, breakfast daily, most dinners, and all primary activities (e.g., thermal pools, wine/truffle tour, cooking course, etc.). You will be responsible for the additional cost of your flight, trip insurance, meals not included, and optional activities (e.g., museum entrance fees, city tours). More information on final cost, required deposit, and cancellation policy will follow upon request.

The Full Experience: One of my goals is to have a holistic approach to these adventures – incorporating some fun “before we go” opportunities and a very thoughtful prep package (trip website with all details coming soon!), in addition to some special follow-up elements to remember the experience and keep the connections alive. While this Italy adventure is the first of what I hope to be many worldly women adventures – and there will of course be opportunities to learn along the way – rest assured, we are well-organized and will ensure a wonderfully enriching and memorable experience for everyone before, during and after!

About the organizers

Mariah got the travel bug on her first trip to Europe at the age of 18 when she realized how rich the world is in both people and places. Since that first trip, she has made travel a top life priority. She has visited nearly 40 countries (having been to Italy three times) and lived in four. She met Sara while traveling in Thailand while on a one-year “Round the World” adventure with her husband, Eric, and was delighted when Sara serendipitously moved up the road less than two years later. Mariah is excited to share her love of travel with other women by organizing small group, experiential tours to some of her favorite destinations. In her professional endeavors, Mariah works as a consultant on “the people side of business” with Blue Beyond Consulting.

Sara was born in Cuneo in the south of Piedmont, beneath the Italian Alps. Upon graduating from secondary school, she attended university in Turin, which quickly became her second home. She loves her culture and is very knowledgeable about the history and literature of her country. She is most passionate about Italian cuisine, age-old traditions, the beauty of her region’s landscape and the close- knit and welcoming Italian community. Before starting her international PhD at the University of Turin in Italian and French language and literature, she taught high school Italian and Latin. Over the past four years, her studies (and her husband Sam, who is a post-doc in scientific research) have taken her to live and work in Paris, France; Heidelberg, Germany; and most recently Palo Alto, CA (Stanford University). In addition to her recent excursions living abroad, she has traveled extensively in Italy and Europe, as well as to Japan, Thailand, Myanmar, South America and the U.S. She believes that learning about and understanding other cultures is a wonderful way to expand oneself. This is why she is excited and eager to share the secrets and treasures of her own country and culture with others.