Bursting with quaint medieval villages, undulating fields of neatly planted vineyards and olive groves, traditional cuisine, and not to mention large, elegant, and antiquated art cities, Tuscany is the perfect place to visit for those looking for a taste of la dolce vita! Adore the streets of Renaissance Florence, plunge deep into the calm countryside and experience picture-perfect Siena, Pienza and Montepulciano!
Welcome to Tuscany! Arrive independently in Florence before meeting your tour guide at your hotel in the afternoon for a welcome briefing. Begin to discover the city with an orientation tour of the town, taking in sights including the Pontevecchio and Piazza della Signoria. Overnight in Florence.
Start your exploration of Florence from the unknown and most picturesque sides of the city. Visit the market of San Lorenzo where it’s possible to see the food arriving from the Tuscan countryside. It’s a chance to taste lots of varieties of local cheeses, fruits, vegetables, and bread. In the afternoon, meet your guide in the hotel and get ready to explore the heart of the town. Lorenzo de Medici transformed Florence into the cradle of the Renaissance by attracting the best artists, architects and writers of the time; Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli who he commissioned to produce various works of art and architecture. We’ll visit Piazza della Signoria, walk by the Palazzo Vecchio, the Duomo with Giotto’s bell tower (exterior) and the Ponte Vecchio. The walkthrough Florence will end with a, visit the Accademia and experience the masterpiece of Michelangelo, including the Statue of David! Overnight in Florence. Meals: B
Today visit two of the most beautiful towns in Tuscany, Siena and San Gimignano. Starting from Florence, you will arrive in Siena passing along the beautiful hills of Chianti. Once in town, you will enjoy a guided walking tour highlights of the city. You will learn everything about the 17 medieval city districts that compete against each other in the Palio, called Contrade. Your journey continues to San Gimignano. After some free time in San Gimignano, gaze in awe at a marvellous sunset on the Tuscan hills and then enjoy a typical Tuscan dinner in the cellar of a fascinating noble Villa in the Chianti countryside. During your dinner you will also enjoy a wine tasting, pairing different wines with the various courses of your Tuscan meal. Coming back to Florence, you will stop at Piazzale Michelangelo belvedere, for a breathtaking view of Florence, admiring all the lights of the city. Overnight in Florence. Meals: B, D
In the morning, take a little walk in the city center and visit Florence Farmers’ Market and discover all its beautiful colours and authenticity, getting to know the butchers, bakers and farmers which Florentines buy their ingredients from. Later, reach a fascinating villa in the Chianti countryside where you will have the opportunity to learn about Tuscan food and prepare your dishes under the attentive guidance of an expert Chef. The experience includes lunch, wine tasting of 3 wines and a visit to a boutique winery in Chianti. Return to Florence late afternoon and overnight. Meals: B, L
After breakfast, depart from Florence. Upon arrival in Pienza free time to have a walk in the city centre. This charming village is widely known as the “ideal city of the Renaissance”. Afterwards, departure for Montepulciano and guided visit of the city. Montepulciano, just eleven kilometres away from Pienza is nestled between the Val D’Orcia and Val di Chiana, which is a quintessential Tuscan medieval village, boasting a green landscape of rolling hills, castle walls and ramparts, thermal springs and fine wine! The town is also famous worldwide for its Vino Nobile, an Italian product par excellence. Besides the wine and other excellences of this town related to food, such as pici pasta, pork, lentils and so on, there are many things worth visiting here. You will have the chance to taste all these excellent things during your lunch that will be served in a local trattoria, paired with a wine tasting. In the end, continue to the Montepulciano area where you will arrive late afternoon. Meals: B, L
After a long week in Tuscany, your Estate is the perfect spot to relax and recover energy. You can read your favourite book in the gorgeous garden, walking along the shady roads around your villa, enjoy horse riding or visit the town of Cortona, just 10 minutes away. Among the many activities available, we suggest having a cooking class with the resident chef. The cuisine of Tuscany stands out for its simplicity and sobriety which combines well with the refinement and attention for high-quality local products. You can enjoy a class in a beautiful kitchen located in an evocative setting, where thanks to an experienced chef you will learn all the secrets of the traditional recipes. Tonight, enjoy a full dinner paired with Tuscan wines to say goodbye to Tuscany. Overnight in Montepulciano. Meals: B, D
Bid farewell to Italy as you are transferred from the Montepulciano area to Rome (city or airport) or Florence (city or airport). Meals: B
