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Florence, Lucca, Volterra, Valgiano, and San Miniato
After selling out our first Tuscan Getaway in just 3 days, and amassing a wait list to boot, we decided to launch the same event but this time in the Fall, when there are lots of truffles in the forest. Tuscany is at it's most delicious in Autumn as local markets are teeming with freshly foraged mushrooms, chestnuts, and olives. The weather is also very pleasant for lots of walking and dining al fresco.
The getaway begins with three unforgettable nights in beautiful Florence. Next we are taking over our very own luxury villa nestled in the Tuscan hills, just outside of Lucca, complete with a private chef. From this fabulous home away from home, we’ll spend six days exploring the surrounding area. Join us as we enjoy everything that Tuscany has to offer – breathtaking scenery, delicious culinary experiences, historic exploration, art, culture, truffles, shopping and local wines. We’ll also enjoy each other’s company, sharing our stories and experiences, forging new friendships, and having some fun along the way.
We’re limiting our Tuscan Getaway to 12 ladies so that everyone has their own room with private bathroom. This will fill up fast so don’t delay booking your place.
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12 Women are Welcome
Itinerary...
Day 1 - Arrival to Florence
Monday, October 21
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Fly in to Florence. Transportation will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Check in and relax. For those who arrive earlier in the day, the afternoon is yours to roam and explore. We can even recommend a lovely spa if you'd like to indulge in a massage. Our welcome dinner will be served within walking distance of the hotel. After, we get a good night's sleep to reduce jetlag.
Driving Time: :30 Minutes
Day 2 - Florence ... Museums and Gregorian Chants
Tuesday, October 22
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Coffee and breakfast. Today there is an optional yoga class, followed by an informal walking tour. Prior to travel, we will assist in pre-booking amazing experiences ... David, Uffizi, Duomo, Santa Margherita de' Cerchi, Boboli Gardens. In the evening we all meet to hear the Gregorian Chant at San Miniato al Monte, overlooking the city. Dinner is in San Frediano.
Walking Time: Up to you!
Day 3 - Florence ... History and Art
Wednesday, October 23
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Coffee and breakfast. Then ... Ponte Vecchio, Accademia, Wine Windows, Pitti Palace, Artisans in Oltrarno, Perfume, Scarves, Doors, San Lorenzo Food Market, and Santa Maria Novella - the oldest pharmacy in the world. Our Guide to Florence will list the best walking tours, you choose your favorite. In the evening we all meet for cocktails and mocktails, followed by dinner.
Walking Time: Up to you!
Day 4 - Florence ... Departure for Lucca
Thursday, October 24
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Coffee and breakfast. Sleep in, pack, and leave your bags with reception as you enjoy a few more hours of life in Florence. The driver will be waiting at your hotel by 3:00pm to take you to your private villa in Lucca. Check in, relax, have a swim. Chef Simona is our private chef for the entire stay. She will serve dinner in the garden room, with beautiful views of the Tuscan hills.
Driving Time: 1:15 Hours
Day 5 - Private Villa ... Wine and Relaxation
Friday, October 25
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Morning stretch, coffee and breakfast. After 4 whirlwind days in Florence, today we indulge in a bit of self care. Visit the grotto on the lower level of the villa where there is a heated pool and sauna. Massages are available upon request. In the afternoon we walk to lunch. Visit the winery across the road to stock up on a few bottles. Dinner is at our precious villa.
Driving Time: 0:00 Minutes
Day 6 - Truffle Hunting ... San Miniato and Family Dinner
Saturday, October 26
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Morning stretch, coffee and breakfast. First stop, San Miniato! This hilltop town was the backdrop of a 1982 movie called "Night of the Shooting Stars". It is beautiful with historic buildings boasting simple exteriors and sumptuous interiors. After a solo lunch, we meet Massimo and his dogs for truffle hunting in the forest, followed by dinner and wine with his family.
Driving Time: 2:00 Hours
Day 7 - Lucca ... Walking the Walls
Sunday, October 27
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Morning stretch, coffee and breakfast. After lunch with Chef Simona, we drive to Lucca to walk the medieval walls (4k). Historical circumstances demanded that Lucca fortify itself, but now the walls are a pedestrian promenade. Enjoy a self guided exploration curated by Solo in Style, with a few surprises along the way. Option to rent a bicycle. Dinner is in Lucca.
Driving Time: 1:00 Hour
Day 8 - Volterra ... Sightseeing and Shopping
Monday, October 28
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Morning stretch, coffee and breakfast. Drive to the breathtaking, walled town of Volterra ... the Etruscan city in Tuscany. It is one of our favorites. Here we have another self guided exploration curated by Solo in Style, with a few surprises along the way. We all meet for a delicious lunch in Volterra before heading back to our villa, where Chef Simona prepares dinner.
Driving Time: 3:30 Hours
Day 9 - Nature Day ... Cooking Class and White Party
Tuesday, October 29
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Morning stretch, coffee and breakfast. Spend the morning relaxing at the villa. Read, write, join us for a nature walk, and enjoy the grotto. Lunch is then a cooking class with wine tasting and tremendous views ... it is within walking distance. No cars today. Our farewell to Italy dinner is a WHITE PARTY bbq at Villa Lucca with a fun photo shoot.
Driving Time: 0:00 Minutes
Day 10 - Home Sweet Home
Wednesday, October 30
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Bid a reluctant yet grateful farewell to Tuscany. You leave with the most exceptional memories, a Solo in Style outlook on the future, and an all new set of FANTASTIC FRIENDS to boot! Transport to Florence Airport.
Driving Time: 1:00 Hour
Your Hosts...
DEBORAH
Founder, Solo in Style
Deborah has always loved to travel and when she found herself suddenly divorced aged 50, her response was to go it alone. It was scary, fabulous, and empowering, in equal measure, and she was instantly hooked. As a solo female traveller over the age of 50, a huge and growing demographic, Deborah felt ignored by the travel industry. This prompted her to create Solo In Style with the idea of connecting like-minded women to encourage and support one another with their solo travels. Alongside a successful 30-year career in marketing, fine wine & culinary arts, Deborah, now aged 63, continues to expand Solo in Style globally to support and encourage as many women as possible to fulfil their solo travel ambitions.
Laura
Founder, Mallorca by Design
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Laura has always been passionate about encouraging women to push their boundaries in order to become powerful. She truly believes this can only be done when you align yourself with other capable women who are willing to support each other. Courage is contagious. Laura is 56 years old, a group fitness instructor, a nationally ranked ballroom dance champion, a triathlete, an entrepreneur, and an extroverted introvert who loves to travel solo. She has been published in Cosmopolitan, Competitor, Shape, Triathlete, and New York Magazine for her accomplishments in the fitness and travel industries. Her celebrity clients include Nicole Kidman, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Keith Urban and Soledad O'Brien.
Pricing and Details...
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Pricing Per Person - 9 Nights
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5,950 Euro per person - Private Room and Bath
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1,000 Euro deposit due at the time of registration – Payment due in full by July 1, 2024
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All rooms are FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. They are private with private bath, varying in decor and layout. The earlier you book, the more options you have to choose from.​​
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Included ​
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9 nights accommodation
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All transportation in Tuscany
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Private chef in Lucca
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All meals - except 4 lunches, 3 in Florence and 1 in San Miniato. We give you the freedom to taste a few delicacies of your own choosing, at your own pace.
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Activities...
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Hiking​ / Walking
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"Feel Good" Stretch Sessions
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Yoga Class in Florence
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Truffle Hunting Tour with Dinner and Wine Tasting ​
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Cooking Class with Wine Tasting
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​Tours in Medieval Villages - we offer guide books for each village with maps to discover history, culture, food, shopping, and as always ... there are surprises along the way!
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2 dedicated hosts to look after you for the entire trip
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Surprise and Delight moments
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Solo in Style gift bags!
Not Included
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Flights
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Alcohol other than our 2 Wine Tastings
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4 Lunches
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Tips and Gratuities
Questions and Information
Please contact Laura for more information… laura@mallorcabydesign.com
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Cancellation Policy
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1,000 euro penalty if cancelled prior to July 1, 2024
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No refund if cancelled on or after July 1, 2024. We will assist you in re-selling your spot to another Solo In Style member, but this is not guaranteed. If we re-sell your spot, there is a 500 euro cancellation fee.
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Subject To Change
All details are subject to change, in order to improve the client experience
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Terms and Conditions...
We are truly looking forward to hosting our wonderful Solo in Style members in Tuscany! There is some important information to note before we get to the fun part. Please read our terms and conditions below, as well as our Q&A, as it is your responsibility to be entirely aware of our policies and what to expect.
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Physical ability and health requirements
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Our events have a great deal of walking to best explore and enjoy each location. There will be hills and stairs and it is entirely possible that we may walk 5+ miles per day, spending many hours on our feet. We require all guests to have a base level of fitness that allows them to do that. We will provide plenty of downtime for rest and recovery, plus our villa in Lucca has a hot tub and sauna, and we are able to book you a massage if requested. However, we ask that you be cognizant of the itinerary and all that you will experience prior to registering for our event.
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If you have special health issues or take medications, we ask that you advise us prior to registering for our event so that we can ensure there are no red flags and that you are a good fit for the planned itinerary.
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Booking flights and event preparation
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Flights should not be booked until we approve your registration and application. We will also require a minimum number of participants to officially launch our event. Once that number is reached, we will alert you, no later than 90 days prior to travel.
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We require all guests to follow the guidelines of travel in Italy at the time of the event. Currently there are NO Covid requirements. If Italy changes their policy, proof of vaccination must be supplied via email, in the same name as your tour booking, at least 30 days before the tour commences. If you are unable to provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccination and Italy is requiring this for travel, you will not be permitted to join the group, and a refund will not be available to you. We are additionally unable to provide refunds if you are denied entry because of failure to comply with the COVID requirements, or any requirements of any destination we visit.
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Travel insurance must be obtained privately by each and every guest. We ask for proof of insurance prior to travel, and reserve the right to deny participation to anyone who does not have it, with no refund for any payments made.
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Methods of payment
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At this time we are only accepting bank transfers in EURO.
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Cancellation policy
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1,000 euro penalty if cancelled on or prior to July 1, 2024
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No refund if cancelled on or after July 1, 2024. We will assist in selling your spot to another Solo In Style member but this is not guaranteed. If we manage to re-sell your spot, there is a 500 euro cancellation fee.
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Application process
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Our goal is always to ensure the best possible experience for our guests. Because of this, our process is to ask you to be very sure that the itinerary is suited to your preferences. You then RSVP, fill out our application form, pay your deposit, and schedule a one-on-one call so we can get to know each other. This process is not only FUN, but is also designed to ensure that every guest has a spectacular experience, and that we are able to exceed expectations.
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Photos and videos
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One of the most fun aspects of any travel event is the photos and videos taken to reflect on when the trip is done. We provide a shared folder where everyone can drop and share media. We will also share our best footage. Guests are welcome to post these images on social media. You may not sell or otherwise use any of the images taken by us or our photographers and videographers or other guests for commercial purposes. When registering for our event you agree and acknowledge that your image and likeness may be used in future promotional material, by both Solo in Style, and our partner companies. We only use the "good ones" where everyone looks great! If you prefer not to be photographed or to appear in any videos, please let us know ahead of time.
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Waiver
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Please be prepared to sign a ‘Waiver of Responsibility’ form before you begin your tour. This form is an understanding that all guests need to exercise judgement and care at all times to ensure their own safety and that of their fellow travelers.
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Alcohol and other substances
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Italy is known for its wine. If you plan to drink, we ask you to do so responsibly. The idea is to enjoy, but not to become inebriated. Drugs and illegal substances will never be tolerated.
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Force majeure
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In case of a Force Majeure event, we are not responsible for performing our obligations and will not be responsible for any resulting damages. A Force Majeure Event is any circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including without limitation acts of nature, terrorist activities, insurrection, explosion, flood, earthquake, tempest, forceful wind, fire or accident, war or threat of war declared or undeclared, sabotage, civil disturbance, labor strikes, requisition, pandemics, sickness, quarantine, government intervention, weather conditions, and unforeseen circumstances. If we, and/or our partners or agents, are affected by a Force Majeure Event, we, and/or our partners or agents, may vary or cancel any itinerary or activity without any obligation or liability.
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Disclaimer
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Solo in Style and all our representatives act only in capacity as agents for the guest in all matters connected with travel, sight-seeing journeys and transportation. You agree that we are held free of responsibility for any damage occasioned by any cause. These causes will be laid out more fully in our waiver, which you are required to sign prior to travel. ​
Questions and Answers...
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What will the weather be like?
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October is the best month to explore Tuscany if you prefer less crowds but appreciate warm temperatures. The weather is particularly pleasant with temperatures around 70°F/21°C during the day and 55°F/13°C at night.
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What is the maximum group size?
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12 women plus 2 organizers.
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How will the rooms be allocated?
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All rooms are private and en-suite for maximum comfort and solo time. The are each uniquely beautiful in layout and decor, reserved on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED basis. The earlier you submit your deposit, the more choices you will have.
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What level of fitness do I need for this event?
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Count on quite a bit of walking to explore various cities and villages. At times this includes steep hills, stairs and cobblestones. We offer optional stretch classes and massage treatments to assist in restoration.
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What should I pack for this trip?
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A pack list will be sent to each and every guest prior to travel. Casual clothing throughout the event, comfortable shoes are a must, swimwear for the pool and loose fitting workout clothes (if participating). The pack list will be much more detailed.
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Do I need my own travel insurance?
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Yes. Solo In Style requires each guest to purchase personal travel insurance for the duration of the trip. It's truly the safest and most secure way to travel.
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Will I have to share a room or bathroom?
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Never ... all rooms are private and en-suite. They vary in layout and decor ... ground floor, top floor, balcony. And they are allocated on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED basis, depending on when we receive your deposit.
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Can any and all dietary requirements be accommodated?
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Most dietary requirements can be accommodated, although pure vegan or gluten free can be challenging in Italy. We have a private chef in Lucca, so that makes it easier. In restaurants we will do our best, but if there is a "must try" restaurant that does not offer these options, we may still add it to the itinerary. In that case, we offer suggestions for restaurants that meet your requirements.
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What type of payments do you accept?
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We only accept bank transfers in the form of EURO for all payments. If you are converting from another currency, we recommend companies like WISE or Revolut as an inexpensive way to pay. You may also do a direct transfer through your bank. We do not accept credit cards at this time.
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How do I submit my deposit?
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On the day that the event registration opens, there is a link to RSVP and fill out our application. Once we receive that from you, we will send you the precise details on how to pay. 12 women are welcome, first come, first served.
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What is your cancellation policy?
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1,000 euro cancellation penalty if you cancel prior to July 1, 2024. No refund if cancelled on or after July 1, 2024. We will assist you in selling your spot to another Solo In Style member, but this is not guaranteed. If we are able to sell your spot, there is a 500 euro cancellation fee.
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What are COVID measures in Italy and what does Solo In Style require?
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Solo In Style will ask all guests to follow all requirements of travel to Italy at the time of the event. There are currently no COVID related requirements to enter Italy.
Who will be welcome to join this travel event?
This trip is exclusively for members of Solo In Style ... women 50+ years of age with a brilliant outlook on life who love to travel and desire to meet like-minded women.
How will airport transport be arranged and managed?
We will do our best to accommodate different arrival and departure times with various pick ups and drop offs, however, it is possible that an earlier flight will have to wait for a later flight to arrive before being transported. These decisions are made once all guests have booked their flights. We strive to make your experience as comfortable as possible.
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The Process...
RSVP, fill out the application, pay your deposit, then schedule a private Zoom chat so that we can get to know each other, and so that we can strive to meet and exceed your expectations in Tuscany. After that, we invite you to join the group. This event is about breathtaking scenery, delicious culinary experiences, historic exploration, art, culture, shopping and local wines, but we also want to share our stories and forge new friendships with like minded women.