Friday, May 25, 2007

May 25, 2007

Coconut Grove, FL, May 2007 -- Tuscan Way, the nine-year-old company known for its Tuscan cooking vacations, is showcasing a seven-day yoga and wellness package, October 20-26, at Villa Poggiarello, an 18th-century villa surrounded by vineyards, rolling hills, medieval villages and natural parks, just outside Siena. As a wonderful addition to the program, Tuscan Way has arranged for acclaimed lyric soprano, Karine Eva Darrah, to perform and lecture throughout the week, sharing her magnificent voice and depth of knowledge of both established and new operas.

This extraordinary program, priced at the 2006 rate of $2,590 per person, double, provides a high level of personal attention to students along with a mixture of Eastern health principles (Ayurvedic & Chinese), delicious fresh Tuscan foods and the slower, arguably healthier lifestyle of Tuscan life. The classes, ranging from hour-long meditations to instruction in Vinyassa and Hatha yoga, are taught by the renowned husband-wife yoga teaching team of Michi Holley & Brandon Jones, who run an acupuncture and yoga center in Hawaii and travel the world teaching yoga at resorts and to celebrities like Sting and John McEnroe.

Ms. Darrah, who has performed to critical acclaim throughout Europe, the United States and the Far East, brings a lengthy list of roles including classics like Mimi and Musetta in "La Boheme", Nedda in "Pagliacci" and Susanna in the "Marriage of Figaro", as well as new roles she created - Jasmine in Carla Lucero's "Wournos" and Penguine in Wilson's "The Wedding". Further information on Ms. Darrah can be found at www.karineeva.com.

The all-inclusive trip includes accommodations in one of 10 private apartments sleeping between two to six each; all meals (with vegetarian options); two hours per day of instructor-led Yoga in small groups; wine tasting at vineyards in Pienza, Montepulciano or Montalcino; daily guided excursions to Siena, Vetulonia, Montepescali, Roccatederughi, Porto Santo Stefano, Talmone, Porto Ercole and Castiglione; and transfers to/from Rome.

Tuscan Way participants are also introduced to "La Cucina Povera Tuscana" -- the art of the traditional peasant's style of using locally grown ingredients to prepare the freshest of dishes. Romeo Innocenti, known throughout the area for his culinary talents, especially with certain Maremma seafood dishes, teaches optional hands-on cooking classes in an informal style, glasses of Carmignano and Chianti wines always within arm's reach.

Reservations, brochures and additional information can be obtained from Tuscan Way, 2829 Bird Avenue, PMB 242, Coconut Grove, FL, 33133; telephone (800) 766-2390 or (305) 598-8368, website: www.tuscanway.com.

Media Contact
Elliot Gillies, (212) 724-7783, elliotgillies@gzpr.com