Pre-Tour - October 1st - Arrive into Florence Peretola Airport and make your way to our accommodation near the airport. You will have the day to relax and get adjusted to the time change before the tour starts the following morning. Overnight near Florence Peretola.
Day 1 - October 2nd - This morning we will meet at our Florence Airport Accommodation and then our first stop will be Greve in Chianti, gateway to the famous Chianti region. Greve's history is connected to the beautiful Castle of Montefioralle located above the town and Greve was the castle's marketplace starting in the 13th century. The market still takes place here every Saturday in the Piazza Matteotti. We will wander this lovely market town where you will want to visit the Antica Macelleria Falorni, a Tuscan butcher shop that has been in the same spot since 1729, and the Bottega dell' Artigianato, a shop specialized in hand-woven baskets and products made in olive wood. Just a few miles up the road we find Panzano where will Stop for Lunch. After some time to look around, we will head further into the Tuscan countryside and then get settled into our accommodation before dinner. Welcoming Dinner and Overnight near Foiano della Chiana. (B,L,D)
Day 2 - As we are in the Heart of Tuscany it would only make sense to spend our day visited visiting hill towns and doing some wine tasting! Two of the most famous hill towns associated with wine are Montalcino and Montepulciano. Montalcino is a classic fairytale hilltop town, set within a full circle of fortified walls and watched over by a mighty castle of medieval perfection. This beautiful village is immersed in the breathtaking Val d'Orcia Natural Park, renowned all over the world for the production of its precious Brunello red wine. The historical center is dominated by the mighty and imposing fortress built in 1361 and the views from its ramparts are spectacular, stretching towards Monte Amiata, across the Crete to Siena, and across all of the Val d'Orcia. We then make our way to Montepulciano, a medieval town of rare beauty and full of elegant Renaissance palaces, ancient churches, charming square and hidden corners. It boasts vast panoramas all over the wonderful Val d'Orcia and Val di Chiana valleys that surround it. Before exploring Montepulciano we will have Wine Tasting Experience and Typical Tuscan Lunch in an elegant, ancient wine cellar. Together with an expert sommelier, we will discover the cellar vaults and tunnels dating back to the 14th century taking us through the various steps in wine production. Dinner and Overnight Foiano della Chiana. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - Today we will explore the beautiful area of Crete Senesi in the eastern part of Siena countryside. This area, sometimes referred to as the Desert of Accona, is full of traces of ancient cultures, small medieval towns, local festivals and stunning landscapes. Our first stop will be the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, situated in a beautiful position among a forest of cypresses and oaks. The Abbey was founded in 1313 by Sienese Bernardo Tolomei who retired in this isolated place, property of his family, after he converted to Benedictine order. We then make our way to Asciano where you can find some lunch on your own and then some time to wander and explore this delightful town with its Travertine Sidewalks as there is numerous Travertine Caves in this area. This afternoon we visit my favorite hill town of Serre di Rapolano, a characteristic small hilltop village surrounded by walls on the border of Crete Senesi to the south of Siena. We will also explore Foiano della Chiana before returning home for dinner. Dinner and Overnight Foiano della Chiana. (B,D)
Day 4 - Today will be spent in and around the Villa and the estate after Brunch. Villa Michelangelo is a Luxurious Farmhouse built in the 18th century and located in the heart of the Valdichiana. The Villa is a special example of the capacity to keep the main architectonic Tuscan traditions and original features intact thanks to a wise restoration: terracotta floors, stone doors and windows, exposed wooden beams and brick ceilings have been restored using the original materials of the building. From the Villa you can enjoy an enchanting view of the Senesi Hills and of the Hills of Valdichiana. The Villa features two private Swimming Pools - one indoors and one outdoors and a private garden partly shaded by Olive Trees and by Cypresses. The garden is equipped with a sofa and armchairs, as well as with a gazebo. From the garden you Can enjoy a charming view of the Tuscan Hills. In the late afternoon we will gather for a Wine and Antipasto Lunch. You will then have more time to enjoy the estate and the house before we go into Foiano della Chiana for you to find some dinner on your own. Overnight Foiano della Chiana. (BR,L)
Day 5 - This morning we are off to Perugia located in the centre of Italy. The Province of Perugia is Umbria’s largest province with Perugia at the heart of it. The city lies on a hill 1,640 ft above sea level, with the old town spreading all around it, and partly surrounded by Etruscan and Medieval Walls. There are two city walls with the external dating back to the Middle Ages, is still intact for several miles and is marked by several entrances, such as the Cassero di Porta Sant'Angelo. While here we will have a Taste of Perugia Tour. We will stroll through a maze of medieval streets as we taste and sip our way through the capital city of Umbria, Italy's "Green Heart" with over 7 tastings, bites & sips – with locally sourced foods and much more! We will enjoy Umbria's local food and wines, including handmade pasta, truffles, chocolates, cheeses and more as we walk in the footsteps of ancient Etruscans, Roman Emperors, noble families and renaissance painters. As Perugia is the European Capital of Chocolate, we may have to find some places to do some more sampling before we return home for a late dinner. Dinner and Overnight Foiano della Chiana. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - This morning we make our way to Arezzo for a walking tour that takes in the historic center and the Church of San Francesco with its frescos by Piero della Francesca, the Pieve Santa Maria Assunta, the Piazza Grande bordered by Vasari's loggia, the Cathedral Church of San Donato, the Palazzo del Comune and the Church of San Domenico housing a Crucifix by Cimabue. We will take some time to further investigate Arezzo and all its antique and gold shops before we are off to Cortona, a small charming town in the Val di Chiana enclosed by stone walls dating back to Etruscan and Roman times. We will have lunch before taking time to explore this lovely hill town. The heart of Cortona is Piazza della Repubblica, with the Palazzo Comunale or town hall building overlooking the square. Various small shops on the main streets of offer local handmade items and gastronomical products. Great red wines are made in the area and the wine bars offer a wide selection. We then return home before making our way out again for dinner. Overnight Foiano della Chiana. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - This morning we visit the hill town of Lucignano known as the Pearl of the Val di Chiana. This small village represents one of the more extraordinary examples of medieval urban planning for its system of elliptic rings arrived intact over the centuries. As we walk through the narrow streets, between houses of stone and brick, we reach the heart of the village where we find the Square of the Tribunal, which is overlooked by the Town Hall, the Church of St. Francis and the Collegiata. Inside the 13th century Town Hall building is the Museum, the keeper of Lucignano’s Treasures with works of art from the Tuscan Middle Ages and Renaissance. After a Tour of Lucignano we make our way just down the hill to Sinalunga for Lunch. After lunch we visit Torrita di Siena, known as a mini Siena for its style, atmosphere and history that tied it to that city-state. It was built as a fortified castle hamlet at a strategic position between Siena and Montepulciano, then evolved into a full-fledged town. The city walls were built in the 1200s and have four gateways to access the town center, three are original while the fourth was added in the 1800s. The Porta Gavina offers gorgeous views across the Valdichiana. The streets that lead from the gates all culminate at Torrita's heart and civic soul, the Piazza Matteotti. Dinner on your own this evening. Overnight Foiano della Chiana. (B,L,)
Day 8 - This morning we make our way towards San Casciano in Val di Pesa near Florence where we find our home for the next week. We will first stop in Siena where we will take a Walking Tour of the City. Siena is one of the leading art cities in Tuscany and a place which has managed to preserve carefully its medieval character. Our walking tour will take in the Church of San Domenico, the magnificent palace of Monte dei Paschi bank, founded in 1472 - the oldest bank in Europe, Piazza del Campo, the Chigi-Saracini Palace and finally the Duomo with its marble pavement made with a startling sequence of 56 marble panels. We will lunch in Siena before a stop in San Gimignano, Tuscany's most famous walled hill town, famous for its medieval architecture and towers that rise above of all the surrounding buildings offering an impressive view of the city from the surrounding valley. San Gimignano offers visitors the chance to step back in time while enjoying its local products including saffron and its white wine, the Vernaccia di San Gimignano. After our visit we continue on to our Villa where you can get settled in before dinner. Dinner and Overnight San Casciano in Val di Pesa. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - Our first stop this morning is Colle di Val d'Elsa, locally known simply as Colle, stands on the oldest part of a hill a few miles from San Gimignano and Monteriggioni. Straddling the ancient Via Francigena, it has always been a thoroughfare for pilgrims and travelers, who would stop here to rest beneath its distinctive tower-houses. The fortifications here are considered a milestone in the development of the Medicean Fortified Architecture, second in importance only to the fortress of Volterra. The Volterrana Gate, also called Porta Nuova is a small fortress itself and well worth stopping to have a look! Then we make our way to Volterra, considered to be Tuscany's most underrated hill town. Far fewer people visit here as compared to San Gimignano make it a delight to navigate. We can find some lunch on your own and then we will have a tour of the city. The Piazza dei Priori is one of the most impressive town squares in Tuscany and the 13th century Palazzo dei Priori, the oldest town hall in Tuscany. While here we will visit the Roman Theater, Forum, and Baths. Construction started on the Roman Theater in the 1st century BC and behind the theater are remains of Roman Baths dating from the 4th century AD. There are also remains of the Roman Forum. During the middle ages these sites were part of a rubbish dump and were buried until excavations began in 1951. We then return home traveling through more beautiful Tuscan countryside. Dinner and Overnight San Casciano in Val di Pesa. (B,D)
Day 10 - This morning we make our way to Pisa and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Most people come to Pisa for the Tower, but this is a lovely university town where the Piazza dei Miracoli, or Square of Miracles, where the tower, the cathedral and baptistery form the city's main attraction. The city is also home to more than 20 other historic churches, several medieval palaces and various bridges across the River Arno. We then make our way to the small village of Vinci, in the rolling landscape of vineyards and olive grove between Pistoia and Empoli. Leonardo da Vinci was born here in 1452 and lived here until 1469 when he left for Florence. You will be able to find some lunch on your own here before we visit Leonardo's birth place just outside of Vinci at Anchiano where our guide will meet us. We will also visit Villa il Ferrale to see HD reproductions of Leonard's paintings and the 13th century castle which now holds the Museo Leonardino. Here you can see numerous recreations of da Vinci's inventions such a bicycle, a car, a helicopter, a parachute and a tank and the drawings that inspired the wooden models, along with various pulleys and gears and other contraptions. We will stop for dinner on our way back home. Overnight Casciano in Val di Pesa. (B,D)
Day 11 - Today will be a relaxing day in and around Villa Ripanera after a Late Brunch. The Villa dates back to the 16th century and is part of the Ripanera Winemaking Estate, where fabulous red wine and olive oil have been produced for many years. The Villa just a few minutes away from the historic town of San Casciano Val di Pesa and only about 10 miles away from Downtown Florence is surrounded by a truly magnificent garden. The property also boasts unobstructed views on the Typical Chianti Hills, dotted with vineyards and olive groves. Most of the interiors have recently been extensively renovated, including a whole new kitchen, all new bathrooms, new upholstery and refurbished bedrooms. The thorough attention to details while renovating, from the careful selection of the materials used, to the exquisitely appointed furniture and the selection of art hanging on the walls, has contributed to creating a truly unique space that perfectly blends with the villa’s original structure. With its unique blend of indoor and outdoor living, the villa provides a perfect setting to enjoy an unforgettable holiday. We will gather in mid afternoon for an Afternoon Tea with an Italian Flair! You will have more time to lounge in the house, take a swim in the pool or just enjoy the surrounds of this beautiful estate before we go off to find some dinner in San Casciano. Overnight San Casciano in Val di Pesa. (BR,AT)
Day 12 - This morning we make our way back to Greve in Chianti and then up the hill to Azienda Agricola Montefioralle Winery, a small family-run Chianti Classico Winery. Along with the Wine Tasting, we will have a Tour of the Vineyards and the Small Winery, located right in the middle of their farm. The Sieni Family themselves will describe the special features of their Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva, IGT and Vin Santo, that they produce on their farm at the base of Montefioralle. You will also have some of the best Olive Oil in Tuscany! We then make our way to Casa Brancaia Winery for Wine Tasting, a Typical Tuscan Lunch paired with Brancaia Wines and a tour of the Facility. Their wines show the authenticity and diversity of their vineyards every Brancaia wine is harmonious and has its own identity. Their portfolio today consists of six red, one white and one rosé wine, as well as a sparkling wine. Try some or all of them! The vineyard is extremely remote and is also very small and makes for a truly unique and intimate experience that you will not soon forget! After eating and drinking until we are ready to burst, we make our way back home. Dinner on your own this evening. Overnight Caciano in Val di Pesa. (B,L)
Day 13 - Today we will spend the day in the beautiful city of Florence, the Capitol of Tuscany. After entering the city we will make our way to The Duomo, the religious heart of the city. The Duomo or The Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore stands tall over the city with its magnificent Renaissance dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. The cathedral is a vast Gothic structure built on the site of the 7th century Church of Santa Reparata, the remains of which can be seen in the crypt. Our tour of the complex includes St. John's Baptistery, Brunelleschi's famous dome, and the Duomo Museum. The basilica is the third biggest church in the world. Your guide will make your visit memorable and interesting, combining local history, facts, and snippets with the unforgettable views of the city from your privileged access to the bell tower and cathedral dome. You will have some time to explore the city before we meet up for a late lunch/early dinner we will be taking an after hours tour of the Accademia Gallery Museum to see "The David". Our tour of the Accademia which will cover not only Michelangelo – his life, torment and creative genius and his sculptures which include the David, his Unfinished Slaves and St. Matthew, but also works of art by great such as Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Pontormo and other greats from the 13th to 16th centuries. in the city. We then take a walk across the Ponte Vecchio at sunset which is a must do! Overnight San Casciano in Val di Pesa. (B,D)
Day 14 - This morning we will take in a couple of our favourite castles with our first stop being Montespertoli and Castello di Sonnino. We will discover this 14th century historic residence with a thrilling tour of the courtyard, the very heart of the Castle, and the thirteenth-century tower where we will visit the room where the ancient clock is still working and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view over the surrounding valleys. We will find some lunch and then while we are in the area we will visit Castello Di Poppiano home of the Guicciardini Family since the year 1200. They are one of the most ancient Florentine Families who held a prominent position in the social , political and commercial life of Florence. Today they are more famous for their wine and olive oil. A tour of the castle will take in the Wine Making Cellar, the Underground Agin Cellar, the Olive Oil Mill, the Vinsanto Tower where the grapes are dried, The “Vinsantaia” inside the Main Tower, the Panoramic View from the Main Tower and of course the Wine Tasting! We then return home for a Farewell Dinner. Overnight Casciano in Val di Pesa. (B,L,D)
Day 15 - October 16th - This morning we return to the Florence Peretola Airport for the journey home.
