TUSCANY WINE TOUR (MAY 25- JUNE 3)
HIGHLIGHT
- Hotel in downtown Florence
- Villa in Fiesole and Cortona
- Daily Buffet Breakfast
- Private Tour Bus to the wineries
- 4 wine tours in different part of Tuscany
- 8 wine tasting with professional sommeliers
- 4 lunches including wine
- Bilingual Tour Manager, native of Italy, Elsa Gramola
ITINERARY
May 25
Departure to Florence
May 26
Arrival in Florence. Afternoon at your leisure.
May 27
Tuscan cooking class & Visit of Uffizi and Accademia Museums (optional).
The cookery school in Florence organizes cooking courses, especially indicated for foreigners who want to learn about Italian cooking and particularly about the delicious Tuscan and Florentine cuisine. During each lesson, two appetizers, two first courses (pasta), a second course (meat), a side dish, a dessert and a Tuscan wine to accompany the food, are presented in a simple fun method.
May 28
Program # 1 - The Way of wine in the Hills of Lunigiana and Candia.
9:00 AM. Departure from the Hotel to the Province of Massa Carrara.
The tour is characterized in many natural, cultural and historical attractions.
- Visit of two farms with wine tasting.
- Lunch in a typical restaurant in Montignoso.
In the afternoon, excursion in Apuan Alps, discovering the story of the famous “Marbles of Carrara”.
Around 7 PM. Return to the villa.
May 29
Program # 2 - Excursion to San Gimignano.
9:00 AM. Departure from the Hotel and excursion to San Gimignano where the famous “Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG” is produced.
Visit of two farms with Wine Tastings.
Lunch in a typical Restaurant in San Gimignano.
In the afternoon: visit of the town: San Gimignano.
San Gimignano is called “the beautiful towers city”! Places of interest:
- Piazza della Cisterna
- The Duomo
- The Palazzo del Popolo
- Via san Matteo and the Church of Sant’Agostino.
In San Gimignano there are many typical restaurants where the group can have lunch.
Around 6:30 PM: return to the villa.
May 30
Program # 3 – Excursions in Montepulciano – Pienza – Montalcino.
9:00 AM- Departure from the Hotel for the excursion to Montepulciano where the famous “Nobile di Montepulciano” is produced, Pienza and Montalcino where one of the most famous wine in the world, the Brunello, is produced.
- Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino wine tasting.
7 PM. Return to the Villa
May 31
Day 4 - Chianti Classico “GALLO NERO” area
09:00 Leaving
10:00 Visit of Castello di Brolio
Tour of Greve in Chianti.
13:00 – Lunch in a Typical Restaurant.
In the BOTTEGA DEL CHIANTI CLASSICO in GREVE IN CHIANTI it’s possible to buy the best Tuscan wines: Chianti Classico, Vin Santo, Grappa, ExtraVirgin Olive Oil, Rose Oil, many kind of honey, biological products, cheese and the best Italian dressed pork products. Moreover important ceramic works made by a famous handcraft.
7:30 PM. Return to the Villa
June 1
Optional - FULL DAY EXCURSION IN FLORENCE, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CITY IN THE
In the morning - Medieval Florence
Meeting with the guide and visit of Florence through the most significant medieval monuments. Palazzo di Parte Guelfa by Brunelleschi, Piazza della Signoria and its majestic Palazzo Vecchio. Visit at the palace hall, a fantastic example of Florentine renaissance art. Visit at the Bargello Museum, the oldest medieval palace of Florence, former Captain of the People’s palace and prison of the city. Dante’s Places: Dante’s Church and his house.
Visit at Orsammichele ex market and granary of Florence. End of the morning tour in Piazza Signoria.
In the afternoon - Renaissance Florence
The itinerary begins with the visit in the district of the most famous Florentine renaissance family: The Medici. Visit at San Lorenzo church by Filippo Brunelleschi; Palazzo Medici-Riccardi by Michelozzo and visit at the Dominican convent of San Marco; Piazza Santissima Annunziata where we will visit the Chiostro dei Voti inside the church, with paintings by Pontormo, Andrea del Sarto and Rosso Fiorentino. Finally, visit at the Ospedale degli Innocenti, the first renaissance building by Brunelleschi. Visit at the Cathedral and the Baptistery.
June 2
Day at your leisure
June 3
Return to Austin
