Trip Summary
10 Days | Start & End: Florence, Italy
Nights 1-3 in Florence - Nights 4-5 in Greve
Nights 6-9 in San Quirico d'Orcia
Maximum group size: 12
Minimum age: 18
Accommodations 4 stars
– Dates –
Spring 2016: May 17th - May 26th
June 14th - June 23rd
Fall 2016: October 11th - October 20th
Highlights of our Trip
- 3 nights in the heart of Florence delving into the art, culture, craft
and food of the city - 2 nights at the wine and olive estate Vignamaggio in the Chianti
- 4 nights in the center of the charming medieval town of San Quirico d'Orcia in Val Dorcia
- Exploration of the land, agriculture and local products of the region
- Hands on learning with our 3 cooking classes highlighting the regional
in -season aspects of the local cuisine - Exclusive wine tastings with our friends and local producers in Chianti, Montalcino and Montepulciano
- In depth encounters with our chefs, artisans, winemakers, farmers, historians and art experts
Summary
Our Tuscan adventure is a trip for all travelers who relish the idea of going beyond the tourist route to find a piece of the “real” Italy. The Italy that inspires and lingers on in lifelong memories.
Florence, is the cradle of the Renaissance, and famous for some of the world's most celebrated artists, architects and scientists. Today it remains a vibrant city rich in culture, heritage and craft, where artisans still flourish and traditions from centuries ago are found in the workshops, kitchens and homes of its residents. It is here we start our trip and spend three days delving into its treasures.
While in the city we will eat with the locals, sip an aperitivo, explore the central market and cook with a local chef. We will discover the renaissance art in the Medici’s secret passage, the Vasari corridor, and in the Oltrarno neighborhood we will learn from the artisans about their dedication to handmade crafts.
From the city we travel south to Chianti, a land of agriculture, wine production and rich traditions. Visiting with our friends along the way, learning about their lives and their land. We will stay in the Villa Vignamaggio a 14th century estate and birthplace of the Mona Lisa. This 400-acre property is a wine and olive oil producing estate and a fascinating two-night stop.
Moving onwards from Chianti, we explore the countryside of southern Tuscany and the tapestry of artisans who call this area home. This is the land of spectacular scenery, stunning medieval villages and rich culinary traditions. We will visit some iconic Tuscan towns as well as some on the path less trodden.
Our home for the remainder of our stay is the Palazzo Capitano in the heart of San Q’uirico d'Orcia, a medieval town ideally located and known for its authenticity and genuine warm welcome.
Our adventures continue, with new experiences every day: hands on lessons in traditional food making, tasting world class wines, learning about cheese production, or the work of leather and ceramics artisans to name a few. Each encounter with our local experts will be an authentic and memorable experience.
The pace of our trips allows for time with your fellow travelers to have fun and share experiences. But equally there is plenty of opportunity to be at your leisure and seek out those special meals, museums or must-sees that are personal to you.
Moving at a relaxed pace, we will enjoy the places we stay, the people we meet and the towns and villages we visit.