SUMMARY OF TRIP INFORMATION
Title of trip
Leadership
Location(s)
Dates
Cycle Tuscany- A Food and Wine Tour
Leader Lisa Graves
Co-leader Albert Mandell
Tuscany, Italy
September 24 to October 1 2016
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)
Advertised cost
Airfare range if not included
When should the trip notice be
published in AMC Outdoors?
Do you wish to have your trip
listed online before it is
published in AMC Outdoors?
Smaller trips and leader
subsidization
Bicycling Road
Minimum
Select one of those checked above.
Maximum
14
14
$ 2300
Does it include airfare? No
$ 1250 to 1300
Will leaders assist participants with flights? Yes
First Appearance: Month May
Year 2015
Last Appearance: Month July
Year 2016
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. January 2015
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 207 966 1224
Work
WFA Expiration: 04-2015
Cell (610)999-7080
CPR BLS Expiration: 04-2015
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.
Leading Cycling Tuscany in September 2015 with Dick Cable.
Cycling trips in Maine June 2013 to August 2014. 5 to 8 participants.
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 1 of 6
Self led cycling trip to Tuscany in October 2009
Co-leader name
Co-leader address
Co-leader email
Co-leader phone
Wilderness first aid training
CPR training*
Prior leading experience
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?
Albert Mandell
177 Hersey Hill Rd Minot, ME 04258
mandell.ah@pg.com
Home 207 966 1224
Work 607 316 5773
Cell
WFR Expiration: 6/2017
CPR Expiration: 6/2016
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.
Puerto Rico Snorkeling April 2014 18 participants Co-Leader
Stonington, ME Kayaking, September 2014 12 participants Leader
Extensive cycling in US and Italy.
Runs bike maintenance clinic for ME AMC
Extensive knowledge of wine.
Yes If yes, please describe below:
Lisa co-led this trip in September, 2014. She is co-leading it with Dick Cable in
September 2015. Al and Lisa cycled this area of Tuscany in a self led trip in October
2009.
Leader: No
Co-leader: No
Neither speaks fluently. However we both speak enough to
communicate the basics. We have just purchased an audio program and
are studying. We will have a translation book and phone app for any
situation that requires more.
Couples
Do the leader and co-leader
have a significant personal
relationship?
Yes, we are married. If yes, please list who has agreed to be your back-up in case
one or both of you need to drop out. This is required for approval!
Rami Haddad has agreed to be our backup.
(Lisa has promised presents from Tuscany in the event Rami does not get to go.)
Private trips Do either of you
lead trips that are private - not
sponsored by the AMC?
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
cycling (approximately 30 miles a day) 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
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?
wine tastings. We will use taxis for ground transportation instead of renting a van.
Ground transport is needed from and to the train station. The luggage will be transported
by taxi between the two hotels.
Accommodations are in 3 star hotels.
Hotels on 2014 and 2015 Tuscany trips were/are Il Choistro in Pienza, Hotel Palazzuolo
in San Quirico and 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 prepare their lunches and snacks to bring on the day's rides or purchase
lunch on the way. 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 or bus will be used to transport participants to 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 maintanence 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 July. 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
Form Revised July 2013
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 3 of 6
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,
during part of or for the
please describe why you will be using them rather than doing this trip on your own:
entire trip?
Name of tour operator/guide
service
Tour operator website
Safety record
Please provide information
about their safety record.
Insurance
Liability? Yes No
Maximum amt: $
Do they have liability
Are they willing to list AMC as an
Yes No
insurance?
additional insured?
Emergency response
Please describe the outfitters’
response plan in the case of an
emergency.
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.
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.
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 Phone contacts:
Phone contacts, language,
The emergency number for Italy is 112. Calls to 911 are redirected to 112.
documentation, distance
Specific emergency numbers are:
from emergency services
Ambulance – 118; Fire – 115; State Police – 113
Lisa and Al 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. We have our own van for transport.
Form Revised July 2013
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 4 of 6
Cicloposse is also available for emergencies.
Cicloposse
Bike Rental. Available for emergencies.
Marco (marco@cicloposse.com)
Giuliana (giuliana@cicloposse.com)
Via I Maggio, 27 53026 Pienza Siena, Italy
Phone: (39) 0578 749983
Mobile: 345 0371289
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 Al will each have a cell phone.
Lisa and Al 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
Form Revised July 2013
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 5 of 6
Oral Surgeon
Via Boldrini, 2
53024 Montalcino
Italy
Phone number +39 0577 849376
COST AND BUDGET DETAILS
Current exchange is EU 1.21 The budget is calculated at EU 1.40
Foreign currencies
For int’l trips list each foreign currency, the
Since the exchange rate is out of our control we are using a conservative
current $US dollar exchange rate and what
conversion rate. We have also used the maximum 8% contingency.
contingencies you have if that rate changes. If
a tour operator or agent is being used, what
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 Cicloposse: credit card and 10% to reserve bikes. Full refund if canceled within 60
operators, etc., and when?
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 January 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 acceptance. Balance of $800. due
Participant deposits
What are the initial deposit and
by May 1, 2016
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 January 1, 2016 = full refund. For cancellations after January 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