SUMMARY OF TRIP INFORMATION
Title of trip
Leadership
Location(s)
Dates
Cycle Tuscany- A Food and Wine Tour
Leader Lisa Graves
Co-leader Rami Haddad
Tuscany, Italy
September 17 to 24, 2017
Total # of days 8
Type of trip
check all that apply
Backpacking
Bicycling-Mountain
Bicycling-Road - X
Camping
Cultural - X
Family
Hiking
Paddling-Canoeing
Paddling-Sea-Kayaking
Skiing-Cross-Country
(Nordic)
Trekking (e.g., hut-tohut)
Skiing-Downhill
Snorkeling
(Alpine)
Walking
Other – please describe
Primary type of trip
Number of participants
(excluding leaders)
Bicycling Road
Advertised cost
Airfare range if not included
When should the trip notice be
published in AMC Outdoors?
$ 2240.
Does it include airfare? No
$ 1200 to 1300
Will leaders assist participants with flights? Yes
First Appearance: Month May
Year 2016
Last Appearance: Month July
Year 2017
Note: AMC Outdoors is only published in Jan., March, May, July, Sept., Nov.
Yes If yes, please list the approximate month and year when it should be posted
on line. April, 2016
Minimum
Do you wish to have your trip
listed online before it is
published in AMC Outdoors?
Smaller trips and leader
subsidization
Select one of those checked above.
Maximum
14
14
Is this proposal for a small group trip – i.e., less than 14 participants and 2
leaders or 7 participants and 1 leader? No
If yes, why is a small group proposed?
If a participant fee increase of more than 15% is proposed, please explain why?
LEADER AND CO-LEADER INFORMATION
Leader name
Leader address
Leader email
Leader phone
Wilderness first aid
training
CPR training
Prior leading experience
Trip one
Trip two
Trip three
Other related trip
experience
Form Revised July 2013
Lisa Graves
177 Hersey Hill Rd Minot, ME 04258
LisaGraves221@gmail.com
Home 610 999 7080
Work
WFA Expiration: 05-2017 Will renew
Cell (610)999-7080
CPR BLS Expiration: 05-2017
Will renew
If this is your first Adventure Travel trip as a Leader you must be present at the AMC-ATC
meeting at which the trip proposal is considered.
Please list the last three longer (5+ day) trips you have led for the AMC including
destination, type of trip, dates and number of participants. Feel free to list additional
trips you have led, particularly if they demonstrate experience related to the trip you are
proposing.
Cycling Tuscany September 2014 13 participants.
Cycling Switzerland July, 2015
14 participants
Cycling Tuscany September, 2015 14 participants
Leading Cycling Tuscany in September 2016 with Al Mandell.
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 1 of 6
Co-leader name
Co-leader address
Rami Haddad
25 Wachusett Drive Lexington, MA
Co-leader email
Co-leader phone
Wilderness first aid training
CPR training*
Prior leading experience
mdxix@me.com
Cell 425 922-0454
Home
Work
WFR Expiration: Jan 2017 will renew
CPR Expiration:
Jan 2016 will renew
If you are a new co-leader you must submit an application to be an Adventure Travel
leader or co-leader prior to submitting this application. Also, it is strongly
recommended that you be present at the AMC-ATC meeting at which the trip proposal is
considered.
Please list the last three longer (5+ day) trips you have led for the AMC including
destination, type of trip, dates and number of participants. Please indicate if you were
the leader or co-leader.
Cycling Switzerland # 1527 July, 2015 14 participants Co-Leader
GR5 Part I Switzerland & France #1620 (10 participants)
Trip one
Trip two
Trip three
Other related trip experience
Scouting
Have either of you led this trip
before or traveled to this area?
Languages
Does either the co-leader or
leader speak the local language?
Yes If yes, please describe below:
Lisa co-led this trip in September, 2014 with Phil Macogni and in September 2015
with Dick Cable. She is leading the trip in September 2016 with Al Mandell
Leader: No
Co-leader: No
Couples
Do the leader and co-leader
have a significant personal
relationship?
Private trips Do either of you
lead trips that are private - not
sponsored by the AMC?
No
Neither speaks fluently. However we both speak enough to
communicate the basics. We will have a translation book and phone app
for any situation that requires more.
No If yes, please note that you cannot advertise AMC and private trips together
unless there is a clear distinction between the two in any materials you send out.
LOGISTICAL DETAILS OF TRIP
Summary
Please provide a description
of the trip and the activities
planned. If available, please
include or attach an itinerary.
Form Revised July 2013
Itinerary is in the Prospectus. This 8 day, 7 night cycle trip combines daily moderate to
advanced cycling (approximately 30 miles a day; 2500 to 3000 feet of elevation gain)
through Italy's gorgeous rolling countryside with emphasis on enjoying and learning
about the famed Tuscan food and renowned wines. We will base for four nights in Pienza
/ San Quirico area and three nights in Montalcino. Staying in these medieval towns
allows participants to stroll the town, sightsee and shop after the day's ride. In Pienza/
San Quirico our focus is on food. Our loop rides take us past farms, vineyards and olive
groves. We visit a working farm Podere Il Casale and help prepare our lunch with fresh
farm ingredients. We have a cooking class at La Fonte where we prepare our dinner. In
Montalcino the focus is on wine. Our loop rides take us past vineyards of the Sangiovase
grape which makes the famous Brunello wines. We will tour several vineyards where we
learn about wine production and have the option of wine tastings. We will use taxis for
ground transportation instead of renting a van. Ground transport is needed from and to
the train station. Also possible taxi transportation to vineyard of Altisino for those who
do not want to cycle there. The luggage will be transported by taxi between the two
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 2 of 6
Accommodations
Please describe your plans for
accommodation(s)
Meals: Please describe your
plans for providing meals. If
the budget includes any funds
for leader meals not shared
with the group please justify.
Local Transportation
Please describe your plans for
local transportation
Will leaders or participants be
drivers of motor vehicles?
Permits or permissions
Does the trip require special
permits or permissions?
(required on many U.S.
federal lands and national
parks)
Special equipment
Does the trip require special
equipment?
Special experience
Does the trip require special
skills on the part of the
participant?
hotels.
Accommodations are in 3 star hotels.
Il Choistro in Pienza, Palazzo Saloni in Montalcino.
The trip includes all breakfasts and dinners from the first Sunday dinner to the last
Sunday breakfast plus one lunch. Breakfasts are bountiful buffets provided by the hotels.
Participants can purchase their lunches and snacks to bring on the day's rides at the local
Coops. One lunch is on a farm. We help prepare this lunch and it is included in the trip
cost. Dinners: There are 4 group dinners in local restaurants, two dinners that participants
choose their own restaurant and are given an allowance and one cooking class where we
prepare our own dinner. See tab in budget “Meals” for details.
Participants travel by train to Chiusi (1.5 hours from Rome) Chiusi is a major stop on all
of the Rome- Florence lines so if participants are coming from elsewhere in Italy they
can easily get to Chiusi. Taxis will be used to transport participants from Chiusi to the
first hotel. Taxi will be used to transport participants to Chiusi or Buonconvento train
from Montalcino on the last day.
Will leaders be drivers? No Will volunteer participants be drivers? No
If so, MVR checks will be needed. See Appendix S1.
No
If yes, please describe below what you will need to do to obtain them:
If no, please describe the process you went through to find out that they were not
required:
x
Public roads
Yes If yes, please describe below what type of equipment and how you will ensure
that people know how to use it:
We are renting high end touring bikes. Participants will bring their own pedals and shoes.
The applicant questionnaire and phone screening interview will ensure that participants
are capable.
Yes If yes, please describe below what type of experience? Also describe how you
will ensure that the participant has this experience?
The trip requires the ability to cycle 30 miles of moderate to hilly terrain. The applicant
questionnaire and phone screening interview will determine prior experience and
capability. Participants do not need bike maintenance skills however the skills will be
shown to anyone interested.
Yes If yes, please describe below what you will do:
Pre-trip meeting and ride will be held in summer 2017. Date and location TBD.
Pre-trip activities
Do you plan to get your group
together before the trip for an
activity or social event?
Conservation, education and
recreation
How will this AMC-AT trip meet the
mission of the AMC?
www.outdoors.org/about/mission.cfm
Participants will experience, learn about, and appreciate the natural world each
day of the trip by: cycling each day through the spectacular rolling verdant hills;
learning about terrain and land formation; learning about farming and food
production; experiencing / enjoying the fruits of the farm/vineyards; cooking
class learning how to prepare the Tuscan food; experiencing centuries old
vineyards and learning how wine is made including the dramatic effects that
weather has on the same grape in the same place from year to year.
TOUR OPERATOR AND GUIDE SERVICE INFORMATION
This section should be completed if the trip will be using a tour operator, outfitter, guide service, travel agency or
other such company or person(s) for a significant part of the trip or for the entire trip. Any person(s) or companies
that are handling a significant portion of trip funds or arrangements need to be vetted. If there is more than one
tour operator please provide this information about each such entity.
Will this trip require a tour
No
operator or guide service
Please describe their services. If you are using a tour operator for the entire trip,
Form Revised July 2013
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 3 of 6
during part of or for the
entire trip?
Name of tour operator/guide
service
Tour operator website
Safety record
Please provide information
about their safety record.
Insurance
Do they have liability
insurance?
Emergency response
Please describe the outfitters’
response plan in the case of an
emergency.
please describe why you will be using them rather than doing this trip on your own:
Liability? Yes No
Are they willing to list AMC as an
additional insured?
Maximum amt: $
Yes No
RISK ASSESSMENT
Please assess the risks and hazards of your trip. Carefully consider each area of risk and how it may affect your
trip. Devise a plan to prevent each hazard and to respond to it if it becomes necessary. Please be very specific for
each section if applicable.
Trail conditions, river crossings, weather, wildlife (bears, snakes, etc.)
Climate/terrain
Potential hazards
Weather – specifically rain.
Response
We will not cycle when it is raining. If it starts raining while we are out we will find
shelter and wait out the rain. We will watch the forecast.
Political concerns, crime, language translation, terrorism
Foreign Country
Potential hazards
No issue. Western country. English spoken widely in Pienza and Montalcino
Response
Road conditions, drivers, insurance
Transportation
Potential hazards
Traffic while cycling.
Response
Our rides are on quiet back roads. Participants will ride in a group for better
visibility.
Level of fitness, screening concerns, experience with equipment or activity
Participants
Potential hazards
Participant is not fit to ride 30 miles of rolling hills. 2500 to 3000 feet of elevation
gain.
Response
Careful screening. Shorten length of rides if too much for many participants. Have
two groups for some sections/days with one leader with each group.
Conditions unique to this type of trip
Other
Potential hazards
Too much great Italian food!
Response
Cycle it off the next day!
EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
Please describe your plans for dealing with emergencies. Give as much detail as possible and list any special
communications equipment you may need to ensure the safety of your participants. DO NOT LEAVE THIS BLANK
Emergency communication We are in the front county.
Phone contacts, language,
Phone contacts:
documentation, distance
The emergency number for Italy is 112. Calls to 911 are redirected to 112.
from emergency services
Specific emergency numbers are:
Ambulance – 118; Fire – 115; State Police – 113
Lisa and Rami will each have a cell phone for emergency communication.
Medical care is available in Pienza and Montalcino. The closest hospital is in Siena.
See details below in Medical Care section. DF, our bike supplier is also available
Form Revised July 2013
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 4 of 6
for emergencies and serious bike issues
.
Emergency equipment
What sort of emergency first
aid or communication
equipment (satellite phone,
two-way radios) do you plan
to use, if any?
Evacuation
Please describe your plan
for evacuation from the
backcountry location if
applicable?
Medical care
Please describe the medical
care available in the area(s)
where you will be traveling
and list names and telephone
numbers for these facilities.
Lisa and Rami will each have a cell phone.
Lisa and Rami will each carry a first aid kit with them on all rides.
N/A
Depending on where we are the Hospital of Siena is anywhere from 20 to 35 miles
away.
Hospital of Siena
Le Scotte in Via Bracci 16
Phone: Tel. 0577 585111
Doctors in Pienza:
Fazio Anselmi
Via S. Gregorio, 2
53026 Pienza
Phone number +39 0578 748507
Antonio Spacone
Via Delle Case Nuove, 13
53026 Pienza
Phone number +39 0578 748417
Doctors in Montalcino:
Robert Talenti
Via Mazzini, 60
53024 Montalcino
Italy
Phone number +39 0577 847173
Silvio Trebisacce
Oral Surgeon
Via Boldrini, 2
53024 Montalcino
Italy
Phone number +39 0577 849376
COST AND BUDGET DETAILS
Foreign currencies
Form Revised July 2013
Current exchange is EU 1.13. (March 2016) The budget is calculated
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 5 of 6
For int’l trips list each foreign currency, the
at EU 1.30. Since the exchange rate is out of our control and the trip is
current $US dollar exchange rate and what
18 months away we are using a conservative conversion rate of 20%
contingencies you have if that rate changes. If
more. We have also used the maximum 8% contingency for this same
a tour operator or agent is being used, what
reason.
currency is the agent to be paid in?
The hotels require a credit card upon booking. There is no cancellation fee if made 10
Group Trip Deposits
What deposits will be required
days before the trip.
from you by airlines, hotels, tour DF Bike Supplier: credit card and 10% to reserve bikes. Full refund if canceled within
operators, etc., and when?
60 days of the trip.
Airlines- Participants will make their own reservations.
No other deposits are required.
Participants receive a full refund if they cancel by October 1, 2016
Group Trip Refunds
What is the latest date you can
cancel and still receive a full
refund of any deposits?
Deposit of $500 with application. $1000 due upon confirmation that the trip is full and
Participant deposits
What are the initial deposit and
a go. Balance of $740. due by May 1, 2017
your schedule of payments by
participants to you?
Must cancel in writing. Refunds are to the following schedule:
Cancellation policy
What will be your cancellation
Cancel by October 1, 2016 = full refund. For cancellations after October 1, 2016,
policy for the participants?
refunds will only be made if suitable replacements are found and to the extent that the
cost of the trip for other participants and leaders is not affected. Late cancellations will
likely result in no refund. Information on trip insurance will be given to all applicants.
Minimum numbers
Will you still run the trip if you
do not get the minimum number?
No If yes, please describe conditions:
Reference web links:
AMC-ATC Home Page: http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/
Forms:
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/application/
Deadlines:
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/committee/proposals/
E-Mail A
Form Revised July 2013
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 6 of 6