5:00 PM - Welcome tour of the Villa

 7:30 PM  - Welcome dinner with wines at the Villa restaurant. 

 Today we have included: welcome tour of the villa with cellars followed by wine tasting and typical snacks and a welcome dinner at the villa (4 courses with drinks).

Have breakfast at the Villa.  

9:00 AM  This morning, we will travel to San Miniato (about 1 hour and half journey), home of the World’s best white truffles. You will join a local expert who will take you through the Tuscan forests where the white truffles are found. After your walk, enjoy lunch based on fresh truffles (starter, first course and dessert with drinks included).  

3:00 PM  Guided visit of a winery located at the foot of the hills of San Miniato. Here you will taste and learn the history of Sangiovese, the symbolic grape of Tuscany, but also the vine that more than any other manages to take on different connotations depending on where it is grown. 

4:30 PM  transfer back to the Villa (1 hour and half journey, arrival around 6:00 PM) and rest of the day at leisure. 

Today we have included: breakfast; bus service as per itinerary; truffle hunt with lunch and drinks; wine tasting (3 wines and snacks); overnight.

After you've prepared your lunch, you'll sit down in a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy your creation, paired perfectly with a selection of Castello di Volpaia wines. Parting ways with the chef, you'll drive to the nearby beautiful village of Radda in Chianti where you'll have some free time to wonder around before the return drive to Colle di Val d'Elsa.

8:30 AM  After breakfast at the Villa, journey to Arezzo. 

9:30 AM  Embark on a two-hour guided visit of the beautiful city that holds an abundance of history. Start in Piazza Duomo and admire the exterior of the Cathedral a temple dated back to 13th century. Then head to the Piazza Grande, famous for being the set of Roberto Benigni’s movie “Life is beautiful”. Here you will see the façade of the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria della Pieve , The Palace of the Lay Fraternity and the arches od the passageway known as Loggiato di Vasari, a place worth of a postcard!  

11:30 AM  Continue for Cortona (45 minutes) and stop at a farm for light lunch with drinks.  

2:00 PM   Guided visit of Cortona where you will find some rare treasures, with typical Tuscan architecture rich in history and beauty. Between the many churches, “palazzo” and "bottega", you can see Piazza della Repubblica and then heading down via Casali, named after one of the famous noblemen of Cortona, you will come to the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, also known as the Duomo. The present structure was built over the remains of an ancient Roman temple in the XV century and compared to the rest of the city, it is rather modern.  

4:00 PM  Depart for an exclusive destination in the area CASTELLO DI GARGONZA! 

5:00 PM  be ready to get cooking with the Chef Laura Franceschetti! 

You will learn the fine art of making bruschetta, handmade fresh dumplings (gnocchetti) and tiramisu dessert during a traditional cooking class ending with dinner (that will also include a second course) and local wines. Salad Mista will be also served. 

8:30 PM  travel back to your Villa (1 hour journey, arrival around 9:30 PM). 

8:30 AM  After breakfast at the Villa, depart to Florence and make a quick stop at the American Cemetery.  

10:00 AM  Once arrived in Florence the group will split in different smaller groups to have a food and art tour of the city.  Let’s start from the Sant’Ambrogio market, a real Florentine spot unknown by the tourists, a perfect location to learn about local cuisine and cooking habits. The market offers many tasty options, such as the classic crostino nero (chicken liver pate), some tasty pecorino cheese and salami coming from the surrounding hills of Tuscany. We offer a comprehensive cultural city experience. Along this tasty walking tour of Florence travelers will also learn about history, traditions and local handicraft.

The itinerary has been carefully designed in order to make foodies taste the most traditional street food specialties of Florence, such as the fried coccolo with stracchino cheese and the challenging panino al lampredotto, probably the most beloved by the locals. You will sip some wine too!

Streaty Florence food tour ends in the heart of the city center with a final treat that makes all palates fresh and happy…gelato! Florentines claim to be the inventors of the very first gelato flavor in Italy, the one and only crema buontalenti! Get ready to experience the Italian history through the unforgettable flavors of the streets!

Time at leisure in Florence to continue exploring Florence on own. 

3:00 PM  Depart towards Lucca area to reach Antico Casale. 

 4:30 PM Tour of the farm to pick vegetables that will be used for your cooking class based on local genuine products, ending with lunch drinks included. You will prepare Bruschette, Zuppa Frantoiana (vegetables soup), pasta (Tagliatelle) and Zuccotto Fiorentino (typical local dessert) 

8:30 PM  Transfer back to the Villa (1 hour and half journey). 

Today we have included: breakfast, bus at disposal with a second driver for the extra driving hours; small group food walking tours with tasting mentioned; visit, cooking class and dinner with drinks at Antico Casale; overnight. 

8:00 AM  After breakfast at the Villa, depart to Siena. 

 9:30 AM  Visit the Mercato delle Merci and then strolling along the narrow Medieval streets of the city, flanked by splendid palaces and historic shops, you will reach Piazza del Campo, of which the Palazzo Pubblico (Town Hall) is the focal point. You will suddenly get to the spectacular Cathedral of the 12th century, of which you can admire the magnificent architecture and the splendor of the polychrome marbles. 

During the walking tour you will stop to taste three of the typical local sweets: ricciarelli, cantucci and panforte. 

Enjoy some time at leisure for shopping and lunch on own. 

 3:30 PM  Depart to towards San Gimignano for independent visit (no guided tour)

 5:30 PM  Explore the village with your tour manager and stop for an ice cream tasting with award-winning, master ice-cream maker, Sergio Dondoli. 

 6:30 PM  Reach Tenuta Torciano and enjoy a tour of the farm followed by an excellent wine pairing dinner including with Fiorentina Steak (Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti Classico). 

Menu: Tuscan cheeses, salami and bruschetta; Truffle Lasagna or Tuscan Ribollita Soup; Fiorentina steak (6 cm, cooked 5/8 minutes each side and standing 15 minutes) with Vegetable side dish; Vanilla Ice Cream with Balsamic Vinegar and Cantuccini Biscuits.

Tasting of Local products (Oils, Balsamic Vinegar and Dessert Wine)

 9:00 PM  Transfer back to the villa (1 hour and half journey).

 Today we have included: breakfast, bus at disposal as per itinerary; half day guide Siena (2 hours); local sweet tastings Siena; Sergio Dondoli ice cream; dinner with Fiorentina steak and wine; overnight  

Breakfast at the hotel 

Today passengers can choose to participate to the Optional Cinque Terre Tour.

For the passengers that are not choosing this optional tour they will participate in the Morning Pizza Making Class at Villa il Casagrande:

 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM  hands on pizza making session with introducing of the pizza story and its evolution. 

Inclusions: pizza making class with lunch and drinks 

Breakfast at your Villa. 

Cooking lesson by Chef Mamma Anna. She will arrive teach you how to prepare typical Tuscan dishes and other Italian specialties. Afterwards, you will eat your lunch or dinner.

You will learn how to make Tuscan Crostone with Chicken Sauce, Lasagna, Roast Pork with Beans “all’Uccelletta” and Cantucci Toscani. 

 10:00 AM  group # 1 start the cooking class ending with lunch drinks included.

5:00 PM  group # 2 start the cooking class ending with dinner drinks included.

9:00 AM  Depart for Montepulciano (1 hour journey) and spend your day exploring the town and having 2 wine tasting, 1 including light lunch (Talosa and Crociani wineries).

 2:30 PM  Reach Montalcino area to visit another a very exclusive estate which hosts the densest vineyard in the world. Enjoy a 2 hour wine tour including vineyards tour, Golden cellar tour and tasting of 5 wines, Brunello di Montalcino included (Podere Le Ripi winery). 

 5:00 PM  Transfer back to the Villa. 

 7:30 PM  Tonight enjoy a Farewell dinner with wines at a local restaurant. Restaurant and Menu TBA.

 Today we have included: breakfast; wine tasting at 3 different wineries, one including light lunch; farewell dinner at a local restaurant (4 courses with drinks); overnight.

Breakfast at the Villa and end of the Tuscan experience 

Departure transfer on your own

 Today we have included: breakfast (served or boxed).

 ****More details about optional add-ons will be coming soon!

What’s included

• A fully customized itinerary based on your interests and schedule
• 24/7 in-destination support from our local office
• All accommodation stays, tours and transfers for scheduled activities are covered, unless otherwise listed in the itinerary
• A private driver for tours and transfers (in some countries our local private guides also act as your driver - your Destination Expert will discuss with you if applicable)
• Local private guides or shared tours that take you through your itinerary highlights and experiences, your final itinerary will confirm the type of tour
• A greeting at the airport or at your accommodation from one of our representatives – your expert will confirm your meet and greet location with yo
• Breakfast each morning at your hotel, plus any meals indicated in the itinerary
• One suitcase and one carry-on per person for trip transfers

What’s not included

• Your international airfare – please do let your expert know if you’d like to receive pricing from our Air Team
• Travel insurance, which we offer and can be purchased after you’ve booked your tour
• Tips for services and experiences
• Lunches and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), unless specified in the itinerary
• Excess baggage charges, and where applicable, baggage not included in your fare
• Personal charges such as laundry, phone calls, SIM cards or room service
• Early check-in or late check-out from hotels (unless otherwise specified)
• Additional sightseeing, activities and experiences outside of your itinerary
• Optional enhancements like room or flight upgrades, or local camera or video fees
• Passport fees, immunization costs, and local departure taxes (when applicable)
• All meals unless stated in itinerary