Today, Thursday, June 25, guests of the 2009 Algonquin Arts Benefit honoring Father Alphonse Stephenson will have the rare opportunity to bid on a one-week vacation to Florence, Italy, a Cayman Islands time share, a sports fishing excursion for six, and much more.

The gala at The Mill in Spring Lake Heights tonight starts at 6 p.m., with a silent auction and open bar. A grand dinner will be served at 7:15 p.m., followed by the star-studded entertainment.

The one-week trip to Florence offers as lodging a lovely apartment in the historic center of Florence. The apartment building has actual historic Roman ruins in the basement open for visitation.

The apartment comfortably sleeps five adults, or four adults and two children, and has two bedrooms, a living room/dining room, bathroom, fully-equipped kitchen, a bed/sitting room, and a terrace with the ultimate view.

The building also has an elevator, and there is a small staircase leading up to this penthouse apartment.

This trip is courtesy of longtime friends and supporters of Algonquin Arts, Pat King and David Clark.

The trip includes a day’s tour of the Chianti region in Tuscany with Florentine Nicoletta Pini, a visit to a small castle, and an introduction to the making of wine and olive oil.

Before wine tasting, guests will have a private, guided visit to the cellars of the estate.

There will also be a visit to Torcibrencoli, Ms. Pini’s family estate, as part of the tour.

The tour will depart at 9 a.m. and return by 5 p.m., and includes Nicoletta Pini as the personal guide, transportation by a private car, and wine and oil tasting.

In addition, the winning bidder will receive a round trip on the EuroStar Railroad to Rome, a private tour of Saint Peter’s Basilica, and two books — Basilica by R. A. Scotti, all about the building of St. Peter’s and life in Rome in the 1500s, as well as The Little Black Book of Florence and Tuscany, a special tour guidebook.

The winner of the Cayman Islands time share will enjoy a full week at the Plantation Village Resorts’ four-star facility on a beautiful beach on Grand Cayman, in a two-bedroom, two-bath, pool-view villa.

Complimentary ocean kayaks, road bikes, a lighted tennis court, a playground for children, and a gas barbecue are available.

This auction item is courtesy of Diane Turton, of Diane Turton Realtors.

The winner of the sports fishing excursion will receive a day on Low Bid, a 2005 61-foot Garlington Sport fishing boat, for a party of six.

A picnic lunch will also be included.

This auction item, available in the fall at a mutually convenient date, is courtesy of Mr. and Mrs George Harms of George Harms Construction Company.

Many other unique items and trips will also be up for auction.

Tickets to Algonquin Arts’ annual benefit honoring Father Alphonse Stephenson are $125, tax-deductible to the extent of IRS law, and must be reserved in advance.

For more information, or to reserve tickets, please contact the box office at 732-528-9211 or boxoffice@algonquinarts.org.

The hours for the box office, located at 173 Main St. in downtown Manasquan, are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Honorary chairs of this event are Tamar Tolchin and Diane Turton.