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Culinary Tour of Tuscany

Depart:
Independent Tour-Land Only

7 Days/ 6 Nights

Daily January 1-December 31

A tour which explores a region that is full of sprawling vineyards, rolling hills, charming old cities and artistic masterpieces. Visit the magnificent Florence; the “Cradle of the Renaissance”, Siena; famous for the Palio horse race, the Chianti area, Montepulciano and Montalcino; known all over the world for their prestigious wines, San Gimignano; with its tall towers. Visit wineries and cellars, sample excellent wines, rare cold cuts, Pecorino cheeses with olive oil, and shop for delicacies in the many food shops.
Price per Person:

Please Call or Email for prices.

Package Includes:

6 nights first clas accommodation all with private facilities
Breakfast each morning
3 lunches-drinks not included
3 dinners-drinks not included
6 guided tastings of Slow Food wines and/or Presidia products from the Tuscany region
Transportation between cities
English speaking guiding
Sightseeing as per itinerary
Entrance fees to: Church of Santa Croce, Florence, Contrade Museum, Siena, 1300 Museum, San Gimignano
Hotel taxes and service charges

Itinerary

Day 1 Rome
Arrive in Rome and make you own way to the hotel. Time to settle in before taking part in a welcome dinner in a traditional restaurant: Grappolo d’oro. During the evening there will be an introduction to the tour, the Slow Food philosophy, the activities carried out by the association and the Terra Madre Foundation. Overnight at the Hotel The Independent or similar.

Day 2 Rome-Montepulciano-Pienza
Morning departure for Montepulciano, one of the most characteristic and intact medieval cities in Italy which, from a height of 605 meters above sea level, offers amazing views over the surrounding hillsides. Visit the Enoteca Contucci for some wine tasting and then explore the wonderful town center of Montepulciano where lunch will be held in the old Osteria dell’ Acquacheta. Here you will sample some of Tuscany’s best recipes (such as Pici all’Aglione). In the afternoon head for Pienza, a perfect example of a renaissance city, famed for its Pecorino cheese. Visit a Pecorino cheese producer Pianporcino Farm and learn something about the cheese-making process and sample the fare. Transfer to hotel Villa Il Palagio in Rignano Sull Arno (Florence) for overnight

Day 3 Florence-Chianti-Florence
Entire day given to discover the Chianti hills along the Via Chiantigena (an ancient road which connects Siena with Florence crossing over the hills of Chianti). Stop at Castellina in Chianti for an explanation on aromatic herbs harvested and dried following the ancient techniques of Duccio Fontani. Lunch at the Osteria Mangiando. Mangiando in Greve in Chianti. Set off for the wonderful city of Greve, to visit the little historical town center and then head for the Podere Le Fornaci where there will be some sampling of organic cheeses (including baby goats cheese and fresh ricotta) made from the milk of the goats that graze in the Chianti hills. Return to the hotel for Overnight.

Day 4 Florence
A day dedicated to the Renaissance city of Florence. Walk through the historical center of the city and visit the Santa Croce church, known as the “Pantheon of Italian Glories” where many illustrious Italians such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Rossini and Machiavelli are buried. The visit also takes in the other religious buildings (the Baptistry, the Duomo and Giotto’s bell tower) and the houses of power in the old city (the Piazza della Signoria). You will enjoy a break in one of Florence’s oldest ice cream parlors, “Perche no!”, which offers more than 33 different flavors and a precise selection of ingredients (including pistachios from Bronte, a Slow Food Presidium product, saffron and cardamom). There will be a short demonstration on how the ice cream is made along with some small samples. An afternoon at leisure to stroll along Florence’s elegant streets, visit the Uffizi Gallery or shop at the leather market. Traditional dinner at Osteria Tripperia Il Magazzino.

Day 5 Florence-Siena-San Gimignano-Florence
A morning departure for Siena. Guided tour of the most beautiful architecture in the city, including the Museum delle Contrade (each horse in the famous “Palio”, runs for a different Contrada or district). There is a chance to sample some delicious traditional desserts like the Panforte in one of the famous pastry shops in town and some free time for shopping before departing for San Gimignano. Lunch is served on the way serving up some of the traditional local produce such as the Certaldo onion (Slow Food Presidium), and organic extra virgin olive oil from San Gimignano at the little family-run farmhouse Il Castagnolino. Visit and have a talk on the techniques used to produce organic olive oil. In the afternoon visit the famous towers and the San Gimignano 1300 Museum: storyboards, multimedia exhibits, street scenes and a ceramic recreation of the city as it was back in 1300. Return to the hotel for overnight.

Day 6 Florence-Montalcino-Florence
Morning departure for Montalcino, famous for its Brunello, one of the best red wines in the world. Montalcino itself is also a beautiful art city which dominates 3,000 hectares of vineyards (1,500 for Brunello alone). There is a visit to the Mastio della Rocca which is home to the Enoteca La Fortezza where it will be possible to buy some local products including the exceptional honey, a local specialty, and sample some wine. There is some free time before a visit to one of leading wine producers in the area for a tasting and a tour of the cellars: Azienda Casanova dei Neri. Return to the hotel for overnight.

Day 7 Florence-End of Tour
After breakfast self transfer to the train station or airport. You can extend your stay in Florence or continue to Rome, the Amalfi coast or Sicily.

Additional nights available.




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