September 2024
The Best Food and Wine Tour of Tuscany!
Our authentic food and wine tour of Tuscany will be a vacation you will be talking about long after you return home. I fell in love with Tuscany on my first visit in 2013 and have been returning every chance I could! This land-only tour package itinerary, full of carefully hand-selected activities and experiences, was designed using my many years of personal travel experiences, and proud to offer it to you.
The 8 Days/7 Nights food tour of Tuscany will be spent in a charming farmhouse with pool that has 6 bedrooms with double beds, each with a private bathroom. Our tour “family” will have family dinners together enjoying homemade traditional Tuscan dishes made on-premise at our farmhouse accommodations. Music is a theme that resonates on this tour, beginning with traditional Florentine and Tuscan songs at our welcome pizza party and ending our week-long vacation with some of the Best Arias of Italian Opera sung by professional at our farewell dinner. We will sharpen our knowledge of Italian food and learn all about the staples of Tuscan cuisine: bread, cheese, olive oil and truffles. Expect to return home with better cooking skills than when we arrived, through planned hands-on workshops, and cooking classes. And, of course, we will relax and get to know local Tuscan people in their homes as we do a cultural exchange via conversations over multiple glasses of wine.
I am excited to be the Tour Leader of this tour and accompany the group on this experience and show you what made me fall in love with Tuscany and maybe, just maybe, you might spark your own love affair
Food and Wine Tour of Tuscany Daily Itinerary
DAY 1: The ultimate food and wine tour of Tuscany begins! Chianti Winery + Breadmaking Workshop.
We will pick you up in Florence in the late morning and head to the Chianti region, enjoying a lovely lunch at a family owned winery and enjoy authentic “cucina chiantigiana”.
After that, we will visit the picturesque village of Montefioralle, awarded as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
We will then check in at the accommodations, meet your host, and get familiar to your new home for the week, leaving time for you to relax and enjoy all the magical beauty.
In the afternoon, we will meet Beppe and learn all about his craft. He is “il Panaio”, our trusted baker and bread expert. Beppe will tell us about the different kind of flours and the characteristics of the ancient grains and he will share his secrets to making delicious bread, pizza and focaccia.
Tonight’s dinner served at the farmhouse is a welcome feast pizza party with an amazing live concert with traditional Florentine and Tuscan songs. Benvenuti!
DAY 2: Truffle Experience + Discover Certaldo + Visit Monteriggioni.
Our journey will begin with a unique truffle hunt in the forest with trained dogs and Luigi, our experienced local truffle hunter. Though the experience starts in the fields, it will end up in the kitchen, where we will learn all the secrets and best culinary recipes with a luncheon featuring dishes made with fresh truffles.
After lunch, we will enjoy a relaxing walk in the medieval castle of Certaldo, stopping at a pottery workshop where you could find unique gifts for your family and friends!
The afternoon will be spent in Monteriggioni, one of the best- preserved towns of the Middle Ages. It is an ideal location for a walk through history as we will be able to see an interesting collection of Medieval and Renaissance armors and weapons. We may even be greeted by the Lord of the Castle and treated to a unique performance by the Monteriggioni drummers or a knights combat re-enactment.
Now we head home to the farmhouse for a little relaxation.
Dinner tonight is the BEST homemade pasta you have ever had at our favorite trattoria. owned by two brothers.
DAY 3: Greve in Chianti + Olive Oil Experience with Bistecca alla Fiorentina + Foodie hike in the vineyards with Prosecco + Sunset aperitivo.
We will begin our day with a lovely walk in the beautiful village of Greve in Chianti, with time to enjoy the beautiful shops.
Afterward, we visit a family-owned olive oil producer on this food and wine tour of Tuscany, and learn everything you wanted to learn about high quality extra virgin olive oil. After a guided tour, we lunch with this lovely family, sampling delicious specialties all paired with olive oil. Among other specialties, you will also be able to taste the famous Bistecca alla Fiorentina. Delizioso!
After lunch, we take a playful and picturesque hike amongst the vineyards and olive groves with our guide Beppe. During this short hike, we see the Tuscan land from another perspective, as we enjoy local snacks in the fields and toast the beautiful vista with a good glass of wine.
In the evening, we will enjoy a visit to the stunning Badia a Passignano abbey, a Middle age monastery still belonging to the monks, enjoying a sunset aperitivo in a lovely wine bar with stunning views over the green rolling hills.
DAY 4: San Gimignano with Silversmith + Vernaccia winery with saffron based lunch + Siena
We start the day with a visit to the medieval village of San Gimignano which is famous for its multiple medieval towers. After our arrival, you can explore a bit on your own. For instance, you could enjoy shopping in the many traditional shops or choose to taste the “best gelato in the world”. Also we visit a beautiful silversmith workshop there, admiring how Matteo is able to create pure magic in front of our eyes.
Our delicious food and wine tour of Tuscany will then visit another family owned business – an organic wine producer that makes the most famous Tuscan white wine with DOCG certification – the organic Vernaccia di San Gimignano! Here we will enjoy a guided tour of the farm and a saffron-based lunch that is expertly paired with the Vernaccia wine.
After lunch we will head to the stunning town of Siena, where we can admire the majestic beauty of the Duomo and hear stories about the famous Palio, (a charming tradition from Siena that goes back to the Middle Ages) while enjoying a real espresso in the stunning Piazza del Campo and tasting the “Senesi” delicious traditional sweets of this town.
DAY 5: Castellina in Chianti
Free Day in Castellina. It’s all about YOU today! Sleep in. Have a late breakfast. Lay poolside and read a book. Spend some downtime in the hotel’s wellness center. Walk into town and explore. Sit at a cafe and people watch. Do some retail shopping therapy. We will give you some ideas of what you can do locally today. It is a free day to do whatever you desire. Breakfast included. Lunch and dinner on your own today.
DAY 6: The Val D'Orcia experience: Pecorino cheese in Pienza + Bagno Vignoni with Thermal Springs
We begin the Val d’Orcia experience with a walk through the beautiful village of Pienza, a marvelous village, a protected UNESCO world heritage sites.
Our food and wine tour of Tuscany continues as we visit an organic pecorino cheese maker who will give us a guided tour of their fascinating farm. Here we learning everything we ever wanted to know about the 100% Tuscan and famous Pecorino Cheese and finish by enjoying a cheese-themed lunch with a stunning view over the Val D’Orcia Valley.
After lunch, we drive to visit Bagno Vignoni, a quaint hamlet known for their thermal springs. Although you cannot bathe there, we will go to Antiche Terme Romane Libere in Parco dei Mulini to enjoy an optional quick dip in the open air thermal baths. (Don’t forget to pack your bathing suits).
Evening of dinner and relaxation at the farmhouse.
DAY 7: Radda in Chianti and Golden Valley + Cashmere + “Under the Tuscan Sun” Lunch Experience + Cooking Class with Sunset dinner and Live Opera Concert
We begin with a quick visit to Radda in Chianti, exploring the lovely shops and alleys, making sure to stop for a group picture at the famous Golden Valley of Panzano (one of the best views of Chianti).
Then off to a Cashmere goat farm. We learn about the habits of cashmere goats, their names, how they are raised, how their lovely fiber it is harvested and processed into a finished garment. For those who love animals and incredibly soft and pure cashmere, this is going to be an amazing experience! Nora has invited us to a perfect light lunch “Under the Tuscan Sun” experience at her beautiful home.
In the afternoon, we visit the home of Chef Lucrezia, and enjoy a delicious cooking class learning the dishes of Italian tradition, followed by a delectable dinner at sunset time with a spectacular view on the Tuscan hills paired with excellent and hand-selected Italian wines. Dessert and Italian-style espresso will be served accompanied by the sounds of the Best Arias of Italian Opera, La Traviata, Madame Butterfly, Le Nozze di Figaro and La Bohème by professional musicians.
A perfect end to your perfect food and wine tour of Tuscany!
DAY 8: Departure Day
Time to say “Arrivederci!”
We’ll have an early breakfast together and then return as a group to Florence, one last journey together.
Some will enjoy Florence for a few days and others will continue their travels by train or air. We know you’ll take with you the memories of a wonderful week!
Your home for the week.
You will be based on a property that was a noble family’s stately palazzo and farm that has been completely renovated into a four star hotel. It is family owned and operated, centrally located on the main street in the village of Castellina in Chianti, with a garden and pool, a wellness center, gorgeous views of the valley and beautiful rooms each with private bathroom and air conditioning. Plenty of outdoor space to have your own little slice of paradise.
the food and wine tour of Tuscany particulars...
Inclusions.
8 Days/ 7 nights lodging (with private bath) in Chianti in a beautifully restored palazzo with pool
Breakfast daily as outlined in the itinerary. Most lunches and dinners as outlined in the itinerary. Enjoy a glass of beer or wine at group meals.
Local ground transportation for the entire week to/ from all scheduled activities
Services of a local, English-speaking informal guide for select group activities
All scheduled activities, visits, food and wine tastings, workshops, cooking classes, and demonstrations
Entry fees for select group activities as outlined in the itinerary
Exclusions.
International flights and/or other transportation to/ from the transfer point in Florence, Italy.
Tips for Tour Leader, coach driver and local guides.*
Optional Travel and/or medical insurance
Any other additional meals, drink or other alcoholic beverages not specifically mentioned as included
Souvenirs and other personal expenses
Tour Date: September 15 - 22, 2024
-
Trip Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
-
GROUP SIZE: Very Small Group 8 Minimum / 12 Maximum
-
more food and wine tour of Tuscany particulars...
Age & Physical Fitness
This tour is not suitable for children 12 and under, nor women over three (3) months pregnant. Also, there will be a fair degree of physical activity on this tour and you must be fit enough to walk on steep cobbled streets, gravel, hilly terrain, easy mountain trails and rough farm dirt tracks and stone paths and have a level of fitness which would not spoil other participants’ enjoyment by slowing them down. If in doubt, please consult us before booking.
Transfers
Group Pickup/Dropoff to/from the train station in Florence is included (Stazione Santa Maria Novella, Firenze). We can also arrange for airport transfers for an additional fee.
Diet
Most dietary requirements can be accommodated as long as you tell us in advance. Please bear in mind that this tour focuses on the art of choosing, cooking and eating good food. If your diet is very restricted, or you have significant food allergies, you may not get full enjoyment from it and this tour many not be the right fit for you.
Weather
Weather is no longer average, but here’s what the statistics say for a typical September in Tuscany:
Firenze: Low 58F / High 80F
Panzano (home base): Low 56F / High 74F
*Tipping & Gratuities
Tipping is not included in this tour. It’s customary to tip your Tour Leader, bus driver, and local guides as a token of appreciation. Further information and recommended tipping amounts will be sent prior to departure.
Gratuity for waitstaff on meals in tour program are included.
Dress
Informal. Shorts, jeans, or slacks are acceptable everywhere. Good sturdy walking shoes required for daily walks, farm visits and cobbled streets. Pack a swimsuit and sandals for the pool, beach and thermal bath.
FAQs
Florence Peretola Airport (FLR) is best. We will provide a group pickup at the transfer point (TBA) on day one typically around 10:30am returning on the last day by noon. You will be asked for your flight details closer to departure time and we will let you know the pickup point.
No problem. You can easily hop on a train to Florence and we will make sure you know where the meeting point for Day 1 is. Trains run frequently – check the schedule <a href=\”https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html\
Yes, Wifi is available, but it is in the countryside and service can be spotty at times. Yes, there are hairdryers (upon request), so no need to pack one if you need it
After making your deposit, you’ll get a confirmation email letting you know we’ve received your payment and your booking is confirmed. Then, as the departure date nears (about 90-120 days out), we’ll be in touch via email with helpful tips and further information
If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Pete
Making memories
the September 2022 Tour.
The trip leader, tour operator and/or tour coordinator reserve the right to make adjustments to the published itinerary whenever, in their sole discretion, conditions warrant, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort and/or safety of the group.