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What a view.

DuVine traveler Jill Karl knows that, after a Tuscany bike tour, or any DuVine Adventures cycling tour, it feels great to kick back and restore all those tired muscles you used throughout the last week.  Amidst the magical scenery of the Siena hills, in the southern-most tip of Tuscany she found the small and elegant  Fonteverde Spa, the perfect spot to do just that.

Within these sweet hills filled with olive groves, vineyards, vast nature, and streams is the exclusive resort frequented by the chic of Rome for its privacy. Just 124 miles from Rome and 93 miles from Florence, you can experience the rich thermal spring waters full of therapeutic gifts.

The drive takes you through one of the most beautiful parts of Tuscany. You will feel as if you are in a Renaissance painting as you roll through the medieval village of San Casciano dei Bagni, Val d’ Orcia. Up on the hill to the left is the exclusive resort Fonteverde, built in the 17th century. It lies amongst precious hot springs whose therapeutic properties have been well known since ancient times. With its 42 rich thermal springs, this is so much more than our vision of an American spa. Its extensive facility offers natural treatments, specialist consultations, diagnostics and checkups, a full medical staff, nutrition, and aesthetic medicine in addition to its natural thermal hot waters, therapeutic pools, and holistic center.

Upon entering the spa, it doesn’t take long to immerse yourself in all this spa has to offer. As you enter the spa you notice several marble stone fountains in the halls, which have water running out of them. Be careful taking a swig of what appears to be fresh, cold water…. The first surprise is that the water is warm! The second is that it tastes terrible! But somehow you drink several cups because, as the woman told my friends and I, it is full of rich and healing minerals. “Its good for you, take more!” So we did – and somehow we instantly felt like we were cleansing ourselves already.

The first step to revitalizing our equilibrium was to bathe in the warm restorative pools. They offer massages with strong water jets that generate both tone and energy. There is also a warm waterfall which you can sit under and take in the benefits of  thermal spring waters pouring over your head and body. Its feels sooo good!

Just a little shower.

Then I was off to the Bioaquam circuit pool, which lies in front of one of the most spectacular panoramic views nature can offer. This ancient treatment combines hot water with powerful hydromassage. The heavenly outdoor hydromassages are in underwater marble “armchairs” and outdoor beds overlooking the magnificent Tuscan countryside. The hydromassages activate circulation and provide energy to the legs and the venous lymphatic and arterial systems. They also have a delicate peeling effect on the skin. They take a limited amount of people (8 at a time), for a 50 minute session.

After bathing in the hot, restorative pools we took a thalaquam. We entered an enchanting dark private room with a small pool. The ceiling is navy blue with stars dotted around it. There are chimes and a pot of hot tea by the side of the steps. The atmosphere is full of pure energy as you enjoy 20 minutes of quiet, floating effortlessly and silently on your back in saline water. The ancient theory: to stimulate the five energy factors which regulate your rhythm and align the body, heart, and soul. Then it’s salidarium time: we lay down on a bed of sea salt crystals with a warm heavenly blanket over us. This treatment stimulates circulation of the blood, intensifies breathing, and frees the body of toxins. It’s an INTENSE energetic flow.

Lastly, we took a thermal mud treatment, which they say will help with toning, contouring, and relaxing the body. As if I was not relaxed already! First they lay you on a warm heated bed, then they gently buff your skin with a fine, horsehair brush. From there they spread a thick mud all over your body. You’re then bound tight in what feels like cling wrap from head to toe,  as the attendee covers your eyes, plays soft music, and dims the lights, leaving you to rest for a half an hour. When you unwrap into a warm shower you miraculously feel 5 pounds lighter and completely regenerated.

Totally relaxed.

Because I want to try it all, I also took one last treatment of Alma Maris, which is an intense yet pleasant massage with small bags filled with a 102 degree warm salt and soaked in precious aromatic oils. Wrapped in warm perfumes, it gives you immediate relaxation.

One would think you would leave drained and exhausted, but surprisingly all this anti-oxidizing makes you feel cleansed, hydrated, nourished, and energized. My friends felt the same way!

You can visit Fonteverde as a day guest or stay at the wonderful small and elegant Relais Hotel. There are 66 rooms, the premises filled with terraces overlooking fields and majestic hills. The restaurant, Ferinando I, offers wonderful views and serves excellent Tuscan cuisine and wonderful Italian wines.

Fonteverde is a dreamy place to unwind and refresh after a day or a week of biking on a DuVine Tuscany bike tour, while still enjoying the peace of nature.

How to get to Fonteverde

By car: Autostrada del Sole (A1), from the north take the Chiusi-Chianciano Terme exit; from the south the Fabro exit. Follow the signs for San Casciano dei Bagni.

By train: railway station of Chiusi, 20 minutes from San Casciano dei Bagni.

By plane: nearest airports Rome (124 m), Florence (93 m).

info@fonteverdespa.com
www.fonteverdespa.com

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It was a full house at the ultimate soiree.

We’ve had DuVine soirees in the past. We’ve celebrated our loyal guests, our valued partners, and our favorite causes. But never quite like this. Never on such a grand scale. On Friday, January 27, we topped all our past celebrations, bringing the DuVine Experience in full to the Taj in Boston. Judging by the pictures alone, it’s pretty clear that all in attendance had a blast.

One of the real highlights of the night was our raffle and silent auction, which raised a hefty sum of money for the Pan-Mass Challenge, which we’re partnering with this year to benefit the great cause that is the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and its Jimmy Fund. Up for grabs in the raffle was a ticket to Portugal’s stunning Azores islands, courtesy of the Consul General of Portugal, Paulo Cunha Alves, who was in attendance himself. And the items on the auction table were no less incredible: Red Sox and Celtics tickets; a four-course dinner for four at Rialto; a Tom Brady autographed Sports Illustrated magazine; a two night stay at the Wauwinet in Nantucket; a bike ride with the PMC’s Billy Starr and DuVine founder Andy Levine; and much, much more. All proceeds went to the Pan-Mass Challenge.

Andy gets the party started.

As all of you know by now, we at DuVine love to have a good time. If you’ve ever been on a DuVine bike tour, it’s hard to miss. The same goes for when we get together to celebrate. It’s actually hard to say what is more fun: a DuVine bike tour, or the soiree. It’s a close call, so we’ll let you decide. But after we were done chatting over a few drinks, some scrumptious appetizers, and an array of delicious entrees, Alisa and Andy got the party started. With their inspiring speeches and Andy’s memorable song and dance routine, the party was in full swing as everyone took to the dance floor for what quickly became a night to remember. From the food to the dancing, the photo booth to the auction, and everything in between, it could not have been any better. These things don’t just happen on their own, though, and there are quite a few people who deserve our thanks for making it all happen.

A big thanks is owed to everyone who made the auction possible. Their huge generosity is the reason that we were able to make such a wonderful donation to the Pan-Mass Challenge, and they absolutely deserve our recognition. Supplying the awesome auction prizes were: the Wauwinet hotel; Honest Tea; Nashoba Valley Ski Area; photographer Eric Levin (who also ran the crazy-fun photo booth); Steven Zevitas Gallery; Gstarfit; LAZ Parking; Lisa Pierpont and Boldfacers; Rialto Restaurant and Jody Adams; La Montage gallery; John Deputy, the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston; and La Morra restaurant.

Another group of people absolutely crucial to the success of this fantastic event were our valued partners and sponsors, without whom this night never would have gotten off the ground. So, for their outstanding contribution to a great night and a great cause, we want to recognize: Isablle Perny from Atout France; Sharon Katzav from the Israel Ministry of Tourism; Fionna Dunne from Tourism Ireland; David K. Richter and Jess Canor from CitationAir; Laurence Gagnon from the Delegation du Quebec a Boston; Paulo Cunha Alves, the Consul General of Portugal; Pascal Marmier, the Consul General of Switzerland; Christophe Guilhou, the Consul General of France; Jody Adams of Rialto Restaurant; Pamela Feick from JG Blackbook; Aoife Owens and Heather Daly from Nantucket Island Resorts; and Patrick Blangy from the Taj. In addition to our dedicated DuVine staff, each of these people made an invaluable contribution to the night’s success.

Team DuVine.

Last but not least, a huge thank you is owed to all the DuViners out there. Without you, we would have nothing to celebrate. Without you, we would not be anywhere near where we are today, and it is thanks to you that the DuVine style is flourishing. 2011 was an outstanding year, but we can already tell that 2012 is shaping up to be even better. With new bike tours in France, Italy, Spain, and more, as well as new Pro Series cycling tours that will push you to your limit, there is so much to do this year. So keep on riding, and stay DuVine. We can’t wait to see you on the road soon!

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“As the saying goes, the squeaky wheel gets the grease, and this is as true in news coverage as it is in cycling.  Understandably, news organizations are quick to cover bad news – civil wars, natural disasters, and brutal dictators – but rarely report on good government or peaceful societies.  Good news doesn’t make for good headlines, so our exposure to much of the world is often no more than a catalog of disasters.  Nowhere is this more true than in Central America.  In the North American imagination, the mention of this region conjures up images of endless civil wars, banana republics, and repressive dictatorships.

I have to admit that I held the same stereotypes before traveling on DuVine’s Costa Rica active adventure tour.  Nestled between Nicaragua and Panama in an area comparable to that of Denmark, Costa Rica is an oasis of peace, environmental protection, and human development.  Unlike most of Spain’s New World Colonies dominated by powerful landowners, this area was largely settled by small farmers and developed a much more egalitarian economic and political culture than the rest of Latin America.

Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948 and has invested heavily in universal education and infrastructure projects.  With its varied terrain, the country is home to 5% of the world’s biodiversity, and Costa Ricans have taken an enlightened approach to this natural bounty.  Renewable energy, sustainable development, and ecotourism are the phrases heard everywhere.  Instead of cutting down their rainforests, the Costa Ricans have built ziplines and ecolodges to extract a different kind of income from these areas while protecting a global good.

The combination of an educated population, stable political environment, and incredible biodiversity makes this a great destination for active adventure travelers.  The streets are safe, it’s easy to get around (even if you speak no Spanish), the tourist infrastructure is top-notch, and the people are genuinely friendly.  On the DuVine active adventure tour you will bike on the Irazu volcano outside of the capital, raft down one of the world’s top whitewater rivers on the Atlantic side of the country, zipline through the Arenal rainforest, and bike to a secluded Pacific beach for an afternoon of surfing.  In the mornings you wake up to the cries of toucans and sip a fresh smoothie before heading out on your next adventure.  It’s a “pura vida” (good life) as the locals say.”

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The peaceful sunset on the coast of Brittany.

For the 2012 season, DuVine Adventures has added an all new bicycle tour to our French repertoire: the Brittany bike tour. We are extremely excited about and proud of it, but our French cycling tour extraordinaire, DuVine guide Vincent Reboul, might be even more elated than anyone else. While he has lived all over France, he has fallen truly in love with the singular and spectacular region of Brittany, and cannot wait to be leading bike tours there. Find out why:

In the 1990’s I lived in Brittany for seven years. Being a “modern gypsy” as I am, seven years is the maximum amount of time I can spend in the same place. This is a record for me and my lifestyle – I must have loved the place.

Looking back, I can say without a doubt these years have been amongst the nicest in my life. I’ve met some of my best friends on this French peninsula, and where the land here ends, the neartest neighbors for the Bretons are Americans across the Atlantic. Maybe this is why I’m leading tours for DuVine today?

Before I thought to be a DuVine tour guide, I was teaching tennis in a small town in northern Brittany called Tréguier. Bretagne is like an Island: You can easily drive everywhere and the distances are never too long. If you stay in the middle of the country the sea is at an equal distance away wherever you go, about 100km (except from the east).

I say “country” intentionally because, even if this region is part of France today, that has not always been the case and you can still feel the air of independence and uniqueness, and sometimes the notion is so drastic that you really have the impression of being in an entirely different Pays (which means country in French).

Need some examples? Here’s your proof that Bretagne is really a different place:

1) The Breton language: Never say to a Bretonnisant that Breton is a dialect or he will be very upset likely not talk to you anymore. Remember the expression têtu comme un breton (stubborn like a Breton).

Can you resist these treats?

The language is part of the Celtic family (actually, a variation of Breton is spoken in Wales and Galicia). It is a very peculiar language and, like in Ireland or Cataluña, you may see signs along the road in both French and Breton. My mother, who now lives in Central Bretagne, was amazed by the fact that if you watch TV or listen to the  radio, two hours a day is dedicated to Breton only and you don’t understand a word of it – no translation is permitted. 300,000 Bretons speak the language today, and after WWII almost nobody was speaking French there. This just shows you how much Bretagne was isolated for such a long time.

2) Another unique trait is the dancing: It is not at all folklore, and remember, don’t upset the bretonnisant. It is a serious matter .Very different from the aérial Irish dances, the Breton dances are quite the opposite and are more down to earth. You stick to your partner the whole time, even when the dance brings you down to the ground.

The origin of the dances comes from a ritual when a new house was built, during which all the inhabitants would gather to stamp the clay ground of the main room. All these dances occur during events called fez noz (night feast) or fez deiz (day feast). The energy you feel during this dance is incredible.

3) The instruments played during these show are the third unique aspect of Brittany: A small diatonic accordion, a bombarde (very small kind of flute that makes sounds that can raise the dead), a biniou (a Breton bagpipe), and singers, of course. Going to a fez noz in Britanny will be the experience of a lifetime that you will surely never forget. You don’t have to dance, you can grab a beer and just observe the locals – you will feel as if you have traveled back in time.

4) The food is also very different: If you are a seafood lover this is the place to go. It has the best oysters and best lobsters in France. Brittany is not known for its wine, but great cider and an alcohol made with honey, called souchen, are available in plenty. And they are delicious.

Galettes, buckwheat crepes, stuffed with all kind of delicacies such as andouille sausage and apple together is fantastic. Regular crepes are just for dessert, and just as good. A real crêperie should always offer a lait ribot (a kind of sour drinkable yogurt) to go with galettes. Don’t leave without trying kouign aman, probably the worst enemy for anyone watching their weight! They are just too good to resist. Or you may want to try a far breton: a flan cake stuffed with pruneau. There is no wine but local beers abound, and are my second favorite, after the ones in Belgium and Ireland.

One of these ships may be catching your dinner tonight.

5) The architecture looks austère in this part of the country, and all the houses have a slate roof and most are made of granite. You will find beautiful churches and calvaires as well, but the most interesting are the monuments from the Neolithic age. Megoliths of tumulus, cromlech, standing stones (known as menhirs), and stone tumulus known as dolmens are a striking view, like mushrooms in a field. The south of Bretagne is particularly blessed with such magnificent ancient structures.

For a non-Breton, the most important subject is the weather. Of course, Brest, the most western city in France, can claim to be the rainiest place in the country, but the truth is that, in Bretagne, you’ll experience all kinds of weather in a single day. There is a saying here that goes: “En Bretagne il ne pleut que sur les cons” (in Brittany it rains only on the idiots). I have a saying on my own: “Authenticity is in Bretagne, superficiality is in Paris.”

Go to south Brittany with DuVine and you will not regret it. People are shy, but when the ice is broken they are amongst the nicest around. To prove my point, here is a little true story: One day of cafard, I decided to stop for a drink in a bar that I’d never seen before. I entered the bar anyway and ordered something, sitting down at the comptoir. The only other customers there were two men and a woman, who appeared to be musicians. We started to chat and they soon realized that I was a little depressed. Without questioning me, they started to play music for me and improvised a little concert. I was touched by their incredible generosity and will never forget that gesture. The Breton people gave without waiting to be asked or without asking anything in return!

DEGEMER MAT: Thank you very much
BREIZH DA VIKEN: Breton forever
KENAVO AVE SHALL: Goodbye and see you soon…on a bike tour in Brittany!

-Vincent

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This year, the DuVine soiree has another exciting component to it. As a major sponsor of the 2012 Pan-Mass Challenge, an event near and dear to our hearts, we’re also holding silent auctions for 25 awesome prizes, the proceeds from which will all benefit the Jimmy Fund in its battle against cancer. This is a cause we can all get behind. Check out this video with DuVine Founder Andy Levine, previewing the stellar event.

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Eat.

Mottos are fun, tag-lines are catchy, mission statements are vital, and vision statements are in vogue. But to me, bike, eat, drink, sleep is none of these – it is my formula. It is an equation. It is a recipe. It is how I live my life and design my tours. After sixteen seasons of perfecting my formula, just like all great inventors, I must protect it.

A few years back I formally trademarked DuVine Adventures and Bike. Eat. Drink. Sleep. This is our recipe and we are the only company that will offer this style of travel to you. I call it the “DuVine Style.”

So what is DuVine Style? DuVine Style is scenic, safe, and exhilarating biking. Fresh, local, lovingly prepared food. Wine, blended with care, often harvested locally and included with every meal. DuVine Style is like a famous vintage, blended in equal parts with sophisticated and welcoming lodging.

This is Bike. Eat. Drink. Sleep.

The DuVine experience.

Every day on a DuVine tour exudes this energy and perfect combination of ingredients. When visiting a new destination, developing a new itinerary, or referring a popular tour, these four components are my beacon. If even one component is missing, it doesn’t pass my test.

Travel is serious business. I take the fact that our guests spend valuable time and money with us seriously and I value their trust that we will deliver a quality tour. DuVine guides provide six consecutive days of service, which is made possible by our great local vendors, partners, and friends.

Additionally, I strive everyday to ensure we offer the best value in the industry. Smaller group sizes, the most exclusions (such as wine and road bikes), complimentary pre- and post-travel planning services, and more are all part of every DuVine Adventure.

I stand by our recipe and look forward to sharing it with you. Call me anytime to discuss your next DuVine bike tour.

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