PAST TOURS

ITALIAN RIVIERA & CINQUE TERRE 2025
From Coastal Beauties to Inland Gems, Discover a Foodie Paradise
Trip Dates: September 5 - 14, 2025 (SOLD OUT)

Join us Sept 5 - 14, 2025 for a once in a lifetime tour of the Italian Riviera and Cinque Terre! On your 10-day tour, experience the beauty of the Ligurian coast, stunning architecture, rich history, vibrant culture, and world-class cuisine as we make our way through one of the most beautiful regions of the Mediterranean. This foodie centric tour includes cooking classes, a boat cruise, and several winery tours. You'll see Genova (Genoa) with its noble palaces and medieval alleyways, while the beauty and elegance of Portofino will amaze you. Cinque Terre, with its colorful little towns, picturesque landscapes and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea will be a highlight of our tour. This culinary centric experience will take you throughout Liguria, allowing you to discover the culture of the region through its food. By moving just a few kilometers, you will discover radically different ingredients and culinary traditions, all the while immersed in breathtaking landscapes. Connect with local people and travel off the beaten path to get in touch with Italy’s most authentic side. Your journey begins with 2 nights in Milan, the city of the famous Duomo cathedral and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, with its rich history, fashion culture and museums. We then venture to our boutique accommodation for 8 days on the Italian Riviera near Cinque Terre.

ROME & TUSCANY 2025
Discover the Essence of Italy
Trip Dates: May 20 - 29, 2025

Join us May 20 - 29, 2025 for a once in a lifetime tour of Rome and Tuscany! On your 10-day tour, experience stunning architecture, rich history, vibrant culture, and world-class cuisine as we make our way through two of the most beautiful and historic regions of Italy. Spend 4 nights in Rome as we explore the winding cobblestone streets and top highlights of the Eternal City. You'll take a private tour of the St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican, walk down the streets of the Ancient Roman Forum, dine in the medieval Trastevere neighborhood, see the Pantheon, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, sip wine on a rooftop garden bar, and get to truly live like a Roman. Enjoy a day trip outside the city to the famous Villa d'Este with its 51 fountains and nymphaeums, 398 spouts, 364 water jets, 64 waterfalls, and 220 basins, fed by 875 metres of canals, channels and cascades, and all working entirely by the force of gravity, without pumps. Spend 5 nights in the heart of Tuscany, Massa Marittima, exploring hilltop villages, dramatic landscapes, and historic vineyards all while being treated to first-class foods and top-notch wines. We will visit the famous town of Siena with its magnificent cathedral. Enjoy a day trip to Florence with a private guided tour of the Accademia Gallery, which houses the famous Statue of David as well as the Uffizi Gallery which houses the great masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance. 

DATES & PRICES

Tour Dates:
May 20 - 29, 2025 

Pricing: 
Double: $2,800 per person
Single: $2,950 per person

Non-refundable Deposit: $300 per person
To reserve your place, email [email protected]. The tour coordinator will then contact you to complete your reservation and tour deposit.

RESERVE NOW
Questions about the tour? Schedule a call with the tour coordinator by email sending an email to: [email protected]

The Colosseum, Rome

St Peter's Basilica, Rome

Siena, Tuscany

Firenze (Florence), Tuscany

TRANSPORTATION

We have a professional chauffeur who will take care of all your transportation needs to and from the airport as well as to our various destinations on our trip.

HOTELS

​All of your premium hotels are included on tour. Our 4-star accommodations are perfectly situated in each destination, and private transfers to and from the airport are included in your tour experience. Breakfast is always included each day of your journey.

FLIGHTS

Tour members will fly into and out of Roma Fiumicino "Leonardo da Vinci" Airport (FCO). If you are departing from the U.S., you will need to depart on May 19, 2025 in order to arrive in Rome on May 20. Tour will begin early afternoon of May 20, concluding in the morning of May 29, 2025. To allow for maximum flexibility, your flight arrangements are not included. Your tour guide, Michael Cross, can assist with booking airfare as requested, shopping out the best rates and flight schedules.

The Duomo of Siena, Tuscany

The Pantheon, Rome

ITINERARY

(The meals included with the tour will be mentioned in the itinerary below: B = Breakfast ; D = Dinner ; L = Lunch ; NI = Meal Not Included)

​Day 1 | Residenza Flaminio Gaio Luxury Suites , Rome

​Arrival & Welcome Dinner

Arrive at Roma Fiumicino "Leonardo Da Vinci" Airport (FCO), where your tour guide, Michael Cross, will welcome you. Our professional chauffeur will transfer you to the Residenza Flaminio Gaio Luxury Suites situated two blocks from the Piazza del Popolo on the Tiber River. Our journey begins in the afternoon by exploring the stunning Piazza del Popolo with its Egyptian obelisk of Ramesses II, the "twin" churches of Santa Maria in Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli, and the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo which contains masterpieces of famous Italian artists, such as Raphael, Bernini, Caravaggio, Pinturicchio, and Bramante. In the evening, we explore the Prati neighborhood with a stop at Castroni (NI) to enjoy their famous coffee and pastries. Enjoy a welcome dinner alongside your fellow travelers at the Terrazza Les Etoile, a luxurious rooftop restaurant and garden with one of the most panoramic views of Rome, setting the stage for an incredible Italian experience.  D

Day 2 | Residenza Flaminio Gaio Luxury Suites, Rome

Trastevere: Rome's Most Enchanting District

Discover Rome's most famous neighborhood, Trastevere, a charming labyrinth of medieval cobbled lanes flanked by atmospheric bars, cafes, and restaurants. We begin in the main piazza, the central square, home to one of the oldest churches in Rome and a primary hangout in the evening to watch street performers and entertainers. You'll explore the grand Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere. The church, as you see it, now mostly dates back to the 12th century, with its tall campanile (bell tower) and embellished facade with golden mosaics. The church sits on its original fourth-century foundation and its interior is stunning. Enjoy a typical Roman lunch at the Prosciutteria Cantina Dei Papi (NI) before stopping for a sweet treat at Biscottificio Innoccenti (NI), the best shop for Roman biscotti. The afternoon brings you two options: 1) Enjoy some free time by strolling through the cobbled streets, dipping into vintage shops and little boutiques. One of the hippest neighborhoods in the city, Monti is filled with independent clothing brands and interior decor shops. 2) Take a walking tour with your tour guide, Michael Cross, across the Tiber River to the Colosseum and Roman Forum where you'll walk in the footsteps of the Caesars. The evening brings you back to Trastevere where you’ll savor the authentic flavors of Roman cuisine with a typical Roman dinner at Impiccetta Ristorante in the heart of Trastevere.  B, D 

Day 3 | Residenza Flaminio Gaio Luxury Suites, Rome

Treasures of Rome: The Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, & Piazza Navona

Our third day begins with a private tour of the stunning Italian National Gallery of Art at Palazzo Barberini with famed art curator, Yuri Primarosa. You'll see timeless works of art by Caravaggio, Piero di Cosimo, Fra Angelico, and many other Italian and international artists. After our tour we'll stop for lunch (NI) on our way to the majestic Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi), the most famous of the Roman fountains: a jewel of water and stone. The fountain is fed water by the only ancient aqueduct (from 19 BC) continuously to this day. Before leaving, don't forget to throw a coin into the fountain, you will definitely return to Rome, as the custom says. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a bit of romance, perhaps even an Italian love, you will have to toss a second and a third coin to make sure that the wedding bells will ring soon. The afternoon first takes us to Venchi Cioccolato e Gelato, (NI) Rome's famous chocolate shop and gelateria, and to the nearby Pantheon, built during the reign of Caesar Augustus (27 BC – AD 14) and rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian in 126 AD. The Pantheon's dome is still the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome.  After a stop in the iconic Piazza Navona, you'll enjoy dinner at an authentic Roman pizzeria.  B, D

Day 4 | Residenza Flaminio Gaio Luxury Suites, Rome

The Vatican & St Peter's Basilica

After breakfast, we embark on a tour of St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Construction of the present basilica began on 18 April 1506 and was completed on 18 November 1626. Designed principally by Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, and Carlo Maderno, with piazza and fittings by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, St. Peter's is one of the most renowned works of Italian Renaissance architecture. Inside you will see Michelangelo's Pietà and Bernini's Baldacchino. We then climb the Cupola of St. Peter's Basilica, the tallest dome in the world, where you'll see one of the most stunning views of Rome. Enjoy some much-deserved free time for the rest of this glorious day by going to one of the many shopping districts, watching the street artists in Piazza Navona, climbing the Spanish Steps to the Convent of Trinità dei Monti, soaking up the artistic vibes of Via Margutta, wandering the paths of Villa Borghese, or just relaxing at your hotel. Dinner will be on your own this evening.  B

Day 5 | Tenuta il Cicalino, Massa Marittima, Tuscany

Villa D'Este & Arrival in Tuscany 

Today we venture to the region of Tuscany, the beating heart of Italy. On our way, we take a scenic detour to visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the majestic 16th century Villa D'Este in Tivoli with its lush gardens, 51 fountains and nymphaeums, 398 spouts, 364 water jets, 64 waterfalls, and 220 basins, fed by 875 metres of canals, channels and cascades, and all working entirely by the force of gravity, without pumps. We arrive at our charming agriturismo, Tenuta il Cicalino, a rustic villa surrounded by vineyards and olive groves managed for generations by the Vecchioni family. After settling in, enjoy a delightful Tuscan apericena prepared for us by Chef Riccardo Zanni at the villa's restaurant. B, L, D

Day 6 | ​Tenuta il Cicalino, Massa Marittima, Tuscany

Tuscan Wine Tour in the Heart of Maremma 

Today is a relaxing day at our villa in Massa Marittima. After a bounteous breakfast, take a swim in one of the five outdoor or indoor pools, discover the property by taking a stroll on the many pathways on the campus, enjoy one of the Finnish saunas, the mineral spa, or one of the three Jacuzzis. Our tour of the property winery begins just after noon where we'll sample the many vintages that the Vecchioni family tend. The present vineyard covers an area of about 15.000 sq.mt and the principal wine variety is the Cabernet Franc which uses the cordon trained and spur-pruned system. Il Cicalino's olive oil is among the finest in the country and is produced right alongside their renowned wine. Olives and wine grapes share similar environmental requirements – the region's climate, along with an abundance of prime soil conditions, create an environment for olive trees and grapevines to thrive. Enjoy an olive oil tasting, providing you with the opportunity to savor and learn about different varieties and blends. In the heart of the olive groves and facing the ancient town of Massa Marittima, is the villa's restaurant, where you'll have the opportunity to dine in a typically Tuscan environment relishing traditional dishes. B, D

Day 7 | ​Tenuta il Cicalino, Massa Marittima, Tuscany

Poggetti Estate Winery & Massa Marittima

Just a few minutes away from our villa is the Poggetti Estate, the Moris family's historic property in the Tuscan Maremma. Situated at an elevated position just 10 minutes from the Bay of Follonica, the property boasts spectacular views of pristine agricultural plots and the islands of Elba and Montecristo beyond. Enjoy a private wine tasting and tour of Morisfarms Winery with Giulio Parentini, owner of the property. In this iconic property, the Parentini family produces olive oil and wines from the IGT Toscana and DOC Maremma Toscana appellations. After touring the medieval town of Massa Marittima, we enjoy a bounteous dinner at the Poggetti Estate with the Parentini family. B, D

Day 8 | ​Tenuta il Cicalino, Massa Marittima, Tuscany

Florence & Uffizi Gallery

Today we embark on a road trip to Florence (Firenze) where you'll see one of the world’s most recognizable statues with an express visit to the Accademia Gallery, home of Michelangelo’s Statue of David. You'll climb to the top of Brunelleschi’s famous dome which caps the Florence Cathedral. A private guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery awaits you in the afternoon. Famous worldwide for its outstanding collections of ancient sculptures and paintings (from the Middle Ages to the Modern period), the Uffizi has collections of paintings from the 14th-century and Renaissance period and include some absolute masterpieces: Giotto, Simone Martini, Piero della Francesca, Beato Angelico, Filippo Lippi, Botticelli, Mantegna, Correggio, Leonardo, Raffaello, Michelangelo and Caravaggio, in addition to many precious works by European painters. The Gallery boasts an invaluable collection of ancient statues and busts from the Medici family, which adorns the corridors and consists of ancient Roman copies of lost Greek sculptures. Enjoy a free evening in one of the most beautiful Italian cities, Florence.  B

Day 9 | ​Tenuta il Cicalino, Massa Marittima, Tuscany 

Siena, Medieval Jewel of Tuscany

Not far from our villa is the iconic town of Siena. Its entire historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We begin our tour at the Piazza del Campo, the large square that hosts the Palio horse race, stopping for a Sienese coffee or gelato (NI). You’ll then tour the Duomo di Siena (Siena Cathedral), the city's top attraction. Consecrated in 1179, the Gothic cathedral took hundreds of years to build: generations of families contributed to its construction through the 14th century, and the church features sculptures by artists like Michelangelo and Donatello. If you're not afraid of heights, you’ll see the Porta del Cielo (Gate of Heaven) which takes you in and around the cathedral's dome. Our final dinner on this fabulous journey will be at one of Siena’s top restaurants near the Piazza del Campo, an experience you'll be sure to never forget. B, D 

Day 10 | Departure

Arrivederci (Farewell)

Enjoy a final breakfast at Tenuta il Cicalino as we depart for Rome airport. B

HOTELS

​​All of your premium hotels are included on tour. Hand selected 4-star accommodations are perfectly situated in each destination. 

Nights 1-4: Residenza Flaminio Gaio Luxury Suites, Piazza del Popolo, Roma (Rome)

Nights 4-9: Tenuta Agriturismo il Cicalino, Massa Marittima, Toscana (Tuscany)

WHAT'S INCLUDED

A small group of just 8 -15 people
9 nights premium, 4-star accommodation
Full-time services of expert tour host Michael Cross
Private Transportation with driver and tour director
Airport transfers to and from hotel on arrival and departure
17 meals (9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 7 dinners)

VENICE & NORTHEASTERN ITALY 2024
​From the Dolomiti Mountains to the Adriatic Sea, Explore the Treasures of La Serenissima
​Trip Dates: September 10 - 19, 2024

Join us September 10 - 19, 2024 for a spectacular tour of Venice and Northeastern Italy including day trips to Verona, Vicenza, Padova, the rolling hills of Valdobbiadene and Conegliano, the Dolomiti Mountains, Trieste, and Istria. Experience one of the most beautiful regions in Italy with its stunning landscapes and architecture, to its rich history and vibrant culture. See the ancient treasures of the once majestic Venetian Republic. Journey with us for an iconic prosecco wine route experience in the rolling hills of Veneto just south of the Alps. Gaze upon timeless masterpieces of Italian Renaissance artists Giotto and Titian. Experience a luxury boat cruise of the Venetian lagoon. Taste Italian cuisine at its finest and the myriad of its regional flavors. You don't want to miss out on this once in a lifetime tour! Inquire: [email protected]

DATES & PRICES

Tour Dates:
September 10 - 19, 2024 

Pricing: 
Double: $2,800 per person
Single: $2,950 per person

Non-refundable Deposit: $300 per person
To reserve your place, email [email protected]. The tour coordinator will then contact you to complete your reservation and tour deposit.

RESERVE NOW
Questions about the tour? Schedule a call with the tour coordinator by email sending an email to: [email protected]

Le colline del Prosecco, Valdobbiadene, Veneto

The city of Verona on the River Adige

Villa Barbaro, Maser, Veneto

The Grand Canal in Venice

Castello di Miramare, Trieste

Rovigno, Istria

TRANSPORTATION

We have a professional chauffeur who will take care of all your transportation needs to and from the airport as well as to our various destinations on our trip.

HOTELS

​All of your premium hotels are included on tour. Our 4-star accommodations are perfectly situated in each destination, and private transfers to and from the airport are included in your tour experience. Breakfast is always included each day of your journey.

FLIGHTS

Tour members will fly into and out of Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE). If you are departing from the U.S., you will need to depart on September 9, 2024 in order to arrive in Venice on September 10. Tour will begin early afternoon of September 10, concluding in the morning of September 19, 2024. To allow for maximum flexibility, your flight arrangements are not included. Your tour guide, Michael Cross, can assist with booking airfare as requested, shopping out the best rates and flight schedules.

Basilica di Sant'Antonio, Padova

Piazza Unità d'Italia, Trieste

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ITINERARY

(The meals included with the tour will be mentioned in the itinerary below: B = Breakfast ; D = Dinner ; L = Lunch)

​Day 1 | Relais Monaco Country Hotel & Spa, Venice

​Arrival & Treviso City Tour

Arrive at Venice Marco Polo International Airport (VCE), where your tour guide, Michael Cross, will welcome you. Our professional chauffeur will transfer you to the 4-star Relais Monaco Country Hotel & Spa, a majestic Venetian villa that dates back to the 1800s located just outside the hustle and bustle of Venice. The hotel offers an elegant and friendly atmosphere and includes indoor and outdoor pools as well as a spa. Our journey begins in the afternoon by exploring the beautiful town of Treviso, just outside Venice, known for being the birthplace of Italy's most famous dessert Tiramisù. After a walking tour of the historic old town, enjoy a welcome dinner alongside your fellow travelers, setting the stage for an incredible Italian experience.  D

Day 2 | Relais Monaco Country Hotel & Spa, Venice

Venice & Grand Canal Cruise

Enjoy a luxurious private boat cruise in the Venetian lagoon. From the water, you’ll see the Doge’s Palace, St. Mark's Basilica, and other beautiful palaces like never before. During the excursion, we'll visit the Island of Murano and tour one of the famous glass factories. After enjoying an authentic Venetian café, you will have the opportunity to walk across the picturesque Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal. You'll see the Piazza San Marco and admire the interior of St Mark's Basilica, built in the 9th century with a private guided tour. If your heart so desires, you'll have the option to enjoy a gondola ride or take a tour of the Doge's Palace, Gallerie dell'Accademia, or S.Maria Gloriosa dei Frari which houses masterpieces of the Venetian Rennaissance. A gastronomic journey of fine Venetian cuisine awaits you at La Vigna Ristorante at the Relais Monaco upon our return.  B, D

Day 3 | Relais Monaco Country Hotel & Spa, Venice

Prosecco Wine Tour: Villa di Maser, Conegliano, & Valdobbiadene

Our third day brings you to the rolling hills of Veneto just 15 minutes from the Relais Monaco. Journey with us for an iconic prosecco wine route experience in the picturesque villages of Valdobbiadene and Conegliano, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, you will visit Villa di Maser (Villa Barbaro), a magnificent 16th century countryside villa adorned with frescoes by Paolo Veronese and built by Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. Surrounded by vineyards, Villa Barbaro is the ideal place to enjoy an abundant apericena provided by Casa Diamante.  B, D

Day 4 | Relais Monaco Country Hotel & Spa, Venice

Padova & Scrovegni Chapel

Our day trip to Padova will be filled with history, culture, and beauty where you'll see the ancient University of Padova where Galileo Galilei and Nicolaus Copernicus walked its halls. You'll visit the Basilica di Sant'Antonio, a mix of Romanesque, Gothic, and Byzantine styles which houses the tomb St. Anthony. You'll see the Prato della Valle around which shoppers from around the globe flock, eyeing the latest in fashion. The afternoon brings us to a guided tour of the famous Scrovegni Chapel fully decorated with Giotto's frescoes. Enjoy dinner in Padova to close yet another beautiful day.  B, D

Day 5 | Relais Monaco Country Hotel & Spa, Venice

Verona & Vicenza

Today we venture towards Verona and Vicenza, bastions of art, history, culture, and good wine. You'll discover the place where the legendary lovers, Romeo & Juliet, lived and died in Verona, the city of love. After our tour of Juliet's house adorned with Rennaissance frescoes, you will see the impressive ancient Roman Arena of Verona, built in 30 A.D. during the reign of Emperor Tiberius Caesar.  After a pause for a delightful lunch break in Verona, you will visit the Palladian Basilica in Vicenza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in 1546 by renowned Rennaissance architect Andrea Palladio. We conclude this splendid day in Vicenza where you'll have time to walk around the town, enjoying a private dinner on your own.  B

Day 6 | ​Cardo Boutique & Wine Resort, Trieste

Dolomiti Mountains 

After breakfast, our journey takes us through the picturesque and imposing Dolomiti Mountains and on to the next leg of your trip to Trieste. Enroute, explore the stunning 10,568 ft Monte Cristallo and then relish a delightful lunch on the Lago di Misurina where the 1956 Winter Olympic speed skating events were held – the last time Olympic speed skating events were held on natural ice. We then drive through the gorgeous countryside until we arrive at Cardo Boutique & Wine Resort where you will stay for the remainder of the journey. Nestled on the Karst plateau famous for its landscapes, the cliffs overlooking the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea, and the rolling hills of the hinterland from which magnificent panoramas can be enjoyed, Cardo is surrounded by organically cultivated property vineyards and orchards. A magical place, just a few minutes from Trieste, where local wines are made on property.  Savor a magnificent dinner upon arrival at Cardo.  B, L, D

Day 7 | ​Cardo Boutique & Wine Resort, Trieste

Trieste & Castello di Miramare

Spend the day in Trieste, a magnificent city with the largest square in Europe overlooking the sea. First, you'll tour the Castello di Miramare, a 19th-century castle with majestic gardens situated on the Gulf of Trieste on the Adriatic Sea. Built from 1856 to 1860 for Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian and his wife, Charlotte of Belgium, the castle is not only a beautiful architectural masterpiece but also a cultural icon that has inspired literature and film. You'll see the glorious Piazza Unità d'Italia and the Molo Audace and then experience the best of Italian coffee culture at Caffè degli Specchi. The afternoon will take us on a walk past the Piazza della Borsa and on to the Cathedral of San Giusto, built in the 6th century AD on top of a Roman temple. See the Roman ruins and amphitheater before enjoying a delicious Triestine dinner.  B, D

Day 8 | ​Cardo Boutique & Wine Resort, Trieste

Istria: Montona & Grisignana 

Today you will venture into the breathtaking peninsula of Istria, a heart-shaped peninsula and the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea. We begin with a tour of the medieval town Grisignana, known as the "city of artists". Then we'll visit the stunning mountain top village of Montona (Motovun), birthplace of racecar legend, Mario Andretti. We'll meet with expert tour guide Martina Dagostini who will show us the hidden treasures of these two villages. Central Istria is well-known for its truffles (tartufi) and its award-winning olive oil. Savor the local flavors with a typical Istrian dinner in the rolling hills of central Istria.  B, D

Day 9 | ​Cardo Boutique & Wine Resort, Trieste

Istria: Rovigno & Dinner on Adriatic Sea

The last full day brings you to one of the most picturesque and romantic places in the Mediterranean, Rovigno, Istria. The old town is built on an island, which was only connected with the mainland in the 18th century. In the morning, you'll stroll along the harbor, wander through the Old Town and climb the Bell Tower at the Cattedrale di Sant'Eufemia. In the afternoon, take a dip into the Adriatic Sea at one of Rovigno's stunning beaches. Rovigno also boasts one of the best culinary destinations in the region with access to superb truffles, olive oil and wine. Enjoy cocktails on the waterfront at sunset and a farewell dinner to remember. B, D.

Day 10 | Departure

Arrivederci (Farewell)

Enjoy a final breakfast at Cardo Boutique & Wine Resort as we depart for Venice airport. B

HOTELS

​​All of your premium hotels are included on tour. Hand selected 4-star accommodations are perfectly situated in each destination. 

Nights 1-5: ​Relais Monaco Country Hotel & Spa, Venice

Nights 5-9: ​Cardo Boutique & Wine Resort, Trieste

WHAT'S INCLUDED

A small group of just 7-15 people
9 nights premium, 4-star accommodation
Full-time services of expert tour host Michael Cross
Private Transportation by luxury vehicle with driver and tour director
Airport transfers to and from hotel on arrival and departure
18 meals (9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 8 dinners)