Luxury Tuscan Cultural Vacation

Activity/Tour

Take a unique journey through the heart of the Tuscany. It's our belief that wine and food are keys to discovering and understanding lands and regions. Food and wine harbour secrets of local history, of centuries-old crafts and methods, of cultural and often religious conventions, of the produce of the surrounding countrysides. Recipes, ingredients and tastes all change with changing times and conditions, and countless cooks throughout the centuries have written, as it were, coded histories in their pots and pans. Wine and food have always signified cumulative experience and skills, conviviality, manners, family relationships, entertainment and social sharing, not to mention life and ethnic survival.

Discover a region still untouched by mass tourism and rich in natural beauty at your own pace.

Typical Day

A Wine, Food and Culture Vacation in Tuscany Program

Day one - Florence wine and food walk and aperitif with Florentine internationally acclaimed journalist.
Day two" San Gimignano and Colle val d'Elsa Crystal and Saffron
Day three" Chianti Classico Wine and Extra Virgin Olive oilTour
Day four " Brunello Wine Tour
Day five " Market walk and Hands on Cooking class
Day six " Pecorino Cheese and Cinta Senese tour
Day seven " Departure

Program for Cultural Wine and Food Tour Tuscany

Pickup and transfer from airport to hotel.


Day 1:Gourmet Wine and Food in Florence (4pm)

You'll also learn about Tuscany's incredible produce and winemaking legacy, famous throughout the world.
Your first stop will be in an enoteca, or wine bar, for a tasting of two fine white wines from the outlying countryside, and to enjoy delicious local snacks.
As your guide leads you through the tasting, you'll talk about how wine is made in Tuscany and learn more about the region's traditions, its most esteemed wines, and leading producers and winemakers. As you walk to your next tasting, you'll discover the grand palazzos of Florence's historic winemaking families, as well as tiny side-alley wine shops to fully understand the city's colorful wine history. You may taste some of Florence's famous gelato, or visit one of the cities chocolate producers. Your guide will take you past a busy lamprodotto stand where you can taste Florences version of fast food. Visit a refined gourmet food shop, and discuss the ingredients that go into the traditional Tuscan dishes, tasting Tuscan regional favorites and discussing food and wine. You will have plenty of time to purchase unique gourmet food gifts to take back home with you or enjoy later at your hotel.
After this visit your guide will take you to one of Florence's more famous bars for an aperitif with the locals. Enjoy the sights and sounds of a busy Florentine tradition when work is finished for the day, and friends meet for a drink and snack before dinner.
 

Day 2: Brunello Wine Tour
Tuscany as you dream it

HIGHLIGHTS
Accompanied by english speaking driver Leonardo
Vip treatment at two incredible Brunello vineyards, Silvio Nardi and Soldera
Tasting of top Tenute Silvio Nardi and Soldera wines
Lunch in a delicious local trattoria
A visit to the charming town of Motalcino

You will spend the perfect day exploring the Brunello di Montalcino wine region. Your English-speaking driver will meet you at your hotel. Wine journalist, editor and teacher Fi
Chianti Classico is truly the heart of Tuscany and its primary wine zone. The region's fame was confirmed in 1716 when Grand Duke Cosimo III de' Medici issued an ordinance to regulate the wine trade after some unscrupulous merchants labeled as “Chianti” a consignment of wines from dubious sources. Thus Tuscany became the first European state to safeguard an appellation of origin (label to distinguish wines). Today the Chianti Classico is one of Tuscany's most prestigious DOCG areas. The s
ylippo will accompany you all day. You will enjoy an amazing guided visit and tasting at the Tenute Silvio Nardi, an extensive estate dotted with small vineyards that makes modern, sleek, reliably excellent Brunello. Your wonderful lunch will be at Il Leccio trattoria, on top of the hilltop village St. Angelo in Colle, overlooking the splendid Orcia valley, an elegant Tuscan restaurant with superb wine list and authentic, fresh tastes. Next up is a guided visit and tasting at Soldera, an“old school” master of Italian wines. The cellar is immersed in an incredible ancient rose
garden. Gianfranco, the owner, makes no compromises with his wine and philosophy of wine production. His divine Brunello has the best aging potential.
You will have plenty of time to visit the charming town of Montalcino and taste some incredible vintage Brunello in a fine wine shop as well as explore the town with its incredible views of the surrounding hills and valleys.

Day 3 Anna's market walk and Cooking Class in Florence with Lunch
Your day of authentic Italian cooking begins when Anna meets you at the market and welcomes you to the world of Tuscan fresh cuisine.
After selecting the ingredients, she will take you back to her charming house in Florence. Anna doesn't speak English, but she loves to cook and to teach. Passionate and gifted in the kitchen, she has found that over the years her enthusiasm and patient demonstrations perfectly transmit her precious lessons to her eager students, even without a common language. However, her friendly, outgoing and English-speaking assistant Barbara will also be on hand to make sure no cooking tips or techniques are lost in translation.

Anna's recipes are based on the blending of two strong and timeless cuisines: Tuscan and Sicilian. The key elements of the Tuscan cuisine are simplicity and freshness. While Sicilian cuisine draws on a wider and often more exotic range of ingredients, as you'd expect from this historically complex island. Anna will show you how to chop, braise, boil, bake, roast, and simmer an entire meal during your wonderful day creating unforgettable dishes in her intimate Florence kitchen.

Anna's Profile
Anna is a small, bouncy woman who puts all at ease with her endless good cheer and irresistible warmth. Originally from Sicily, Anna has been living in Florence for over forty-five years. When she is not doing cooking classes, she spends her time running a children's hand-made clothing shop. The wonderful tailor-made dresses she creates are a rare and treasured find these days.

The cooking classes take place in Anna's charming home, an eighteenth-century house just outside the old Florence city walls. This quiet residential area in the hills overlooking the city is an easy ten minute bus or taxi ride from the historical city center of Florence. Your hands-on cooking class will take place in Anna's small kitchen with all the essentials. When the weather is nice Anna will set the table in her beautiful little garden just off the kitchen so you can enjoy the meal in the Tuscan sunshine.
 

Day 4 San Gimignano and Colle Val d’Elsa. Saffron and Crystal.


HIGHLIGHTS
Enjoy the friendly services of Silvia, your English-Speaking guide all day
Visit to a crystal factory
Visit to the medieval city of San Gimignano and its 14 towers
Visit to an olive oil and saffron farm with a delicious organic lunch

Our first stop is Colle Val D'Elsa where you will tour a crystal factory (they even make crystal for Tiffanys) and have a chance to purchase this dazzling product. Next up is the town of San Gimignano. You will be transported back to medieval times as you visit this amazingly well preserved medieval town known as the “city of the fair towers” with its fourteen soaring towers (of the seventy-six original) that dominate the skyline. You can wander the narrow streets, learn about the art, history and local gourmet products with a special focus on the locally-produced zafferano or saffron, and white Vernaccia di San Gimignano wine. After your city visit, it is time to drive out through the rolling green hills into the countryside to Castagnolino, an organic farm. The farm cultivates the special purple crocus flower that saffron comes from, as well as extra virgin olive oil, vegetables, and an abundance of Tuscan herbs such as rosemary, thyme, lavender, mint, and sage. You’ll learn about the farm’s sustainable production of the tiny red threads known as saffron. After a short tour, you will enjoy a delicious meal served on an open terrace with a splendid view across the hills to San Gimignano and its towers. Your meal, starring at least one golden yellow saffron dish, will be prepared by the farm's owner who makes homemade pastas from scratch and utilizes fresh vegetables and herbs from the farm's garden located just a few steps away. The genuine, intense, fresh taste of these dishes highlight the day's unique experience of truly enjoying a meal directly from farm-to-table with the owners themselves, who will delight in explaining more about their lives in San Gimignano, and the cultural significance of the Via Francigena which runs near their property all the way to Rome.

Day 5 Chianti Classico Wine and olive oil Tour
Mysteries, Castles and fine wines

HIGHLIGHTS
Accompanied by Leonardo a Florentine driver that speaks fluent english
Guided visit to two incredible wineries in the Chianti Classico
Guided tastings of top Chianti Classico wines at both wineries
Lunch in a 10th century Abbey, Osteria di Passignano
A visit to the quaint town of San Donato in Poggio
Visit to an olive oil press and a guided tasting of extra virgin olive oil

Symbol of the Chianti Classico consortium is the gallo nero or black rooster, which you will see adorning roadsigns and wine bottles throughout the region. The Chianti area was developed in the mid-1800s by Baron Bettino Ricasoli, who made Chianti wine by combining: Sangiovese grapes for strength and character, Cannaiolo grapes for grace and Malvasia grapes for zest. However, this wine was intended to be drunk young and was not suitable for aging. The modern “recipe” for Chianti Classico must have at least 80% Sangiovese grapes with the remaining 20% to be decided upon by the winemaker. Modern Chianti Classico is often very well suited to aging, especially the Reserva wines. Your Chianti Classico adventure begins with a leisurely drive through the beautiful Chainti Classico landscape. Your first stop will be a marvellous cantina in the Chianti Classico with outstanding wines and olive oils. You will enjoy a visit to the cellars and wine tasting, as well as learning about the farms incredible olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is not only a staple on the Tuscan table, it is a source of pride and joy to Tuscans! The spicy, intense, green extra virgin olive oil you will taste on this tour barely resembles (if at all!) the extra virgin olive oil for sale in a grocery store at home. This authentic Tuscan olive oil comes from only specific olive varietals, is harvested early and pressed immediately to preserve the intense aromas and flavors... just a drizzle will have your taste buds singing. During your tour of the press, you will learn how olive oil is extracted from olives, traditional versus modern techniques of extraction, the importance of factors such as harvest period, weather and heat during processing etc. Then you will have a chance to sample the extra virgin olive oil you have been learning about. With the help of your expert guide, you will learn how professionals taste extra virgin olive oil and how you can judge the quality based on certain positive or negative characteristics present in the oil. You will also learn about tree varietals, different techniques of cultivation, and the differences between oils produced in different regions in Italy and the world.
You will have lunch at Osteria di Passignano, 10th century Abbey surrounded by mystic cypress trees and one of Antinori's headquarters, Michelin star cuisine adapted from Tuscan specialities and an amazing wine list. You will then have time to explore the charming town of San Donato in Poggio. In the afternoon, you will have a guided visit to your second top winery of the day, Isole e Olena, headed by maybe one of the five most important Italian vigneron, Paolo de Marchi. His cult wine, Cepparello, is one of the highest rated pure Sangiovese expressions.

Finish tour at new accommodation in Radda di Chianti.


Day 6 Cinta Senese and Terrific Goat Cheeses
See, learn, taste

HIGHLIGHTS
Explore southern Terre di siena with your own expert guide
Discover captivating hilltop towns
Visit a Cinta senese breed farm
Learn how top quality cured meats and cheeses are made
Taste delicious food products at the farm

The day’s tour begins with a visit to a farm that raises free range Cinta Senese breed pigs and to it's neighbour goat cheese farm. The Cinta Senese, an ancient breed originating in the Sienese countryside, is known to everyone as the pig with the collar. A streak of white covers it from shoulders to trotters, standing out on its black pelt almost as if it were a trademark. It is one of the oldest autochthonous Italian breeds also represented in Lorenzetti’s marvellous fresco, The Allegory of Good Government. The great “comeback” of the Sienese Cinta is due to a higher percentage (57%) of oleic or “good” fat as opposed to the normal pig’s 50%, which makes the meat tastier, healthier and of a fine intense red colour. Before lunch we'll meet Maria, her husband and sun. The family have dedicated their life to cheese making and today are known as
some of Italy's top quality cheese farms. Our lunch of course will consist of a buffet of excellent local cheeses and cured meats.
In the afternoon you’ll visit Pienza, in the Val d’Orcia Valley (both of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List). Pienza was a small fortified hilltop community which Pope Pius II (Enea Silvio Piccolomini, who became Pope in 1458) sought to transform into an ‘ideal’ Renaissance city. Today the town is well furnished with fine architectural and artistic works.
It is also a good place to discover local food products, in particular the famous pecorino sheep cheese, Pecorino di Pienza. At a local cheese shop you will see (and taste!) the pecorino in many stages of aging from soft-fresh-mild to hard-crumbly-winey, in all shapes and sizes.

On the morning of departure, transfer to airport.

Age range, type of group

Suitable for wine and food lovers looking for a Tuscan vacation like no other.

Sleeping and meals

Four nights at centrally located 4 star hotel Plaza Lucchesi, double occupancy rooms
Two nights at Palazzo Leopoldo, 4 star boutique hotel in Chianti
Seven breakfasts

We believe that most people would rather add a day or two to their trip, and stay in nice accommodations when possible, rather than return home feeling as if they had been on a forced march, and the accommodations and excursions on this tour reflect this.

The beautiful Florentine territory is known for its history, charming small villages, fortressed castles, natural sulfuric pools, and regional foods. The particular beauty of its picturesque landscape of Tufo cliffs, abandoned convents, cultivated fields, and its wild and mysterious forests make the area an unforgettable and little-known destination for travelers.

Policies & Restrictions

This is small group travel at its best.
One of the greatest benefits that you will enjoy when you choose a Le Baccanti trip is the intimate, exclusive experience that is not present on larger coach style tours.
A smaller group means more personal attention, more privacy and more individual space. You won’t get lost in a crowd with us; group size is limited to 10 people per trip.

Rates

THE PRICE INCLUDES
Transfer to from airport (a shuttle will be arranged based on arrival times in Florence airport)
Travel by luxury bus for the wine tours, cheese tour and saffron tour
Four nights at centrally located 4 star hotel Plaza Lucchesi, double occupancy rooms
Two nights at Palazzo Leopoldo, 4 star boutique hotel in Chianti
Seven breakfasts
The services of a friendly wine expert for the wine tours
The services of a friendly food expert expert guide for the cheese, saffron and market tour
A cooking course with Benedetta Vitali at Zibibbo restaurant
All ingredients
Six lunches ( a blending of seated lunches in traditional restaurants, fine dining and/or lunches at the farms)
Private visits to a cheese farm, cinta senese farm, two wineries, saffron farm and olive oil press
Tasting of current release products
Tasting of local food products during the market walk
One farewell dinner with Wine Challenge Competition
Parking fees, highway fees and driver's expenses
City access taxes
Informative material
20% Vat tax

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
Flights
Personal expenses
Travel insurance

EXTRAS
Any other good or service not listed above
Wines different from our selections

Discounts Offered

Groups of over 6 receive 10% discount