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This week long journey focuses on the rich gastronomic traditions of Tuscany and its extraordinary fresh produce and providores. You’ll visit vineyards and medieval hilltop towns, enjoy wonderful culinary experiences and explore the medieval towns of the Etruscan Coast.
Private Tour Rates
| Tour Share | Rates From |
| Twin | $11,880 |
| Solo | $21,820 |
The above rates are in the share stipulated and in AUD. Rates should be used as a guide only as depending on the desired travel time costings may change. Please ask one of our Travel Specialists for more details.
Itinerary
Day 1: Florence – Chianti
Transfer to your hotel in the heart of the Chianti countryside. Almost every town in Tuscany boasts marvellous attractions. This gentle mountainous region offers ancient, unspoiled towns, Etruscan walls, imposing castles and the Brunelli and Chianti wine regions. It further boasts a Leaning Tower, impressive frescoes and beautiful abbeys. There is more to the region, however, than rolling landscapes and vineyards. To the north, the mountains are famed for their marble, and to the south, there are elevated pockets of coastal landscapes.
Castello del Nero (Deluxe Room)
Day 2: Chianti
A full day private gastronomic excursion to some of Tuscany’s lovely hilltop towns such as Greve and Castellina in Chianti, and enjoy a wine tasting at local vineyards. Your driver-guide will take you to the villages known for their traditional foods; such as schiacciata con olio (typical foccacia-like bread with oil) and finocchiona (soft salami with fennel seeds). Drive through the forests where in October the famous porcini mushrooms are found. The area is also known for its preserves so even if out of season, you will be able to find mushrooms, artichokes and other vegetables sott’olio (preserved in oil).
You may also wish to visit the village of Panzano in Chianti, home to the ‘mad butcher’ of Chianti, well-known for incredible cuts of meat such as the traditional bisteccca fiorentina (Florentine T-bone steak) which can exceed 4 inches in height! Also enjoy a visit to one of the small Chianti Classico wineries in the region (B).
Castello del Nero (Deluxe Room)
Day 3: Chianti – Florence – Chianti
This morning transfer to a cooking school in the centre of Florence. After introductions you are taken on a market tour to select your ingredients for the day and sample some local produce. Return for a private hands-on cooking lesson where you will learn some local and national culinary secrets and enjoy the fruits of your labour over lunch (B,L).
Castello del Nero (Deluxe Room)
Day 4: Chianti – Pisa – Chianti
A full day private tour to Pisa where you’ll explore the Piazza dei Miracoli and the famous Leaning Tower on foot. An afternoon of chocolate indulgence with visits to small producers and traditional chocolaterias (B).
Castello del Nero (Deluxe Room)
Day 5: Chianti – Siena
Today is a full day excursion through the Tuscan countryside to the well-known towns of Siena and San Gimignano and further afield into Colle Val d’Elsa. First stop is the picturesque medieval town of San Gimignano, known for its surviving towers. You may visit the Collegiata containing 15th century frescoes, the Palazzo del Popolo, now the municipal museum containing Renaissance paintings, and the Church of Sant’Agostino. With your driver-guide, experience the other typical, but less well known, culinary specialties of this abundant area: saffron and honey.
After lunch in Siena see the Piazza del Campo, one of the finest main squares in Italy, and the Palazzo Pubblico which has served as Siena’s Town Hall since the 1300s. Visit the Duomo, considered to be one of the finest Gothic cathedrals in Italy with unforgettable frescoes in the Piccolomini Library (B).
Grand Hotel Continental (Deluxe Room)
Day 6: Siena- Val D’Orcia – Siena
To the south-east of Siena, visit Pienza and nearby Montepulciano, an archetypal Tuscan hilltop town with superb views. Taste some of the wines of the region and visit a local farmhouse for a private cheese making demonstration and tasting. The owner gives you a brief introduction to the estate followed by an explanation about Pecorino and Ricotta making. You are able to visit the laboratory and learn about the entire process of cheese making (B).
Grand Hotel Continental (Deluxe Room)
Day 7: Siena – Etruscan Coast – Siena
Explore the Etruscan Coast, also known as the Maremma, and enjoy some of Italy’s best wines. Visit the medieval town of Bolgheri with its famed avenue of cypresses, the charming hill-top village of Castagneto Carducci and the famous “Via Bolgherese” wine trail. Enjoy a private excursion through the Ornellaia vineyards followed by a visit to the cellar and a wine tasting (B).
Grand Hotel Continental (Deluxe Room)
Day 8: Depart Siena
Transfer to the airport for onward flight (B).
