HIGHLIGHTS

• Small group fully accompanied with licensed guides​ and full-time bi-lingual host

• Seven nights lodging in 4 star hotels

  • Two nights in 4-star boutique hotel adjacent to Ponte Vecchio in Florence​

  • Five nights in 4-star historic manor-house hotel with access to spa in Radda-in-Chianti

  • All rooms have ensuite baths and laundry service is available

• This tour is based on double standard accommodations and priced per person (upgrades possible)

• All breakfasts and most lunches & dinners included in carefully selected trattorias, restaurants and winery resorts (cooking class meals are considered as lunches/dinners)

• All land transportation in private coach

• Small group (maximum 12 guests) accompanied tour with licensed guides

• Five amazing hands-on cooking classes all around Chianti & the Val d'Orcia (including a 12th century abbey & 15th century castle winery resort in northern Chianti, a working organic farm near Pienza, a 12th century castle near Gaiole in Chianti and at a cheese farm near Cortona!)

• A memorable medieval roof-top cocktail in Florence

• Guided city tours in Florence, Pienza, Cortona & Volterra

• Free half-day shopping in San Gimignano

• Guided visit and entrance tickets to the "Medici Chapel" in Florence

• Guided visit and entrance tickets to the "Great Masters in Santa Croce Basilica"

• Winery tours (2) with premium tastings in Chianti Classico

• Market visit in Florence at "Mercato centrale"

• Excursions to the UNESCO Heritage site of Val d'Orcia and Crete Senesi

• Olive oil and balsamic tastings in wineries

• Cheese farm visit with cooking class

• A very special pizza making class in the country-side of the Val d'Orcia

• Visits to artisanal perfume and leather shops in Florence

• Relax and shopping time included!

• This tour is ideal for "first-timers" as well as "repeat visitors" to Italy

• This tour can be combined with the "Amalfi Coast & Ravello" tour

• Level of walking on this tour: MODERATE

• Professional chefs may not gain additional cooking knowledge. Perfect for Italian food lovers.

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 ACCOMMODATIONS 

Seven nights in charming 4-star hotels & country resorts of which 2 nights in the historical center of Florence located just minutes from the Ponte Vecchio in a contemporary boutique hotel part of the Lungarno Collection of luxury hotels and five nights in a historic 15th century manor house hotel, located in charming Radda-in-Chianti where you have at your disposition spa, in-door pool & restaurants. The hill-top village has lovely shops and magnificent views of the Chianti vineyards.  Room configurations are double standard occupancy (in Italian queen beds).  Single rooms (solo travelers) will incur a supplemental charge of  $US 800.00 for 2024 and 2025 tours and $US850.00 for 2026.  In many instances, it is possible to up-grade standard rooms to deluxe/superior or suites on our tours.

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COOKING CLASSES

During the course of the week in magical Chianti, you will experience FIVE hands-on cooking classes around the Chianti area.  Your kitchens will be in charming farm houses and wineries.  Your instructors will be local Tuscans from the area who love what they do.... cook for others !!  Classes are 3 to 4 hour sessions and will generally include 4 courses in general (with the exception of the Pizza Making day) with local wines. Following each lesson we eat all that was prepared as one big happy Italian family!  You don't need to have any experience in cooking, we'll show you the ropes!

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Classes are designed to give a real hands-on approach showcasing the tradition of Tuscany cooking. While lessons are in different locations around Chianti the common thread is the same throughout....  a love of Italian food and culture!

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You'll be in the hands of the chefs of wineries, local restaurants and professional culinary instructors around Chianti. Lessons will generally include: Antipasti, Primi (starter which often is pasta, soup, vegetable based dish), Secondo (entrees) which will include a protein or vegetable based and Dolci.  Instructors will bring to the lessons their flair and unique specialties in their kitchens.  Each participant will receive their own Tasting Tuscany Apron and Recipes following each lesson.

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MEALS

ALL breakfasts and either lunch or dinner daily are included during the 8 day period as indicated in the itinerary.  Cooking classes will take the place of meals when scheduled during lunch or dinner, other meals are included as per itinerary.

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WINE TASTING

There are 2 winery tours in the Chianti region with tastings that generally include 3-4 varieties of wines. 

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TRANSFERS

The tour begins at the hotel on day one. Taxi service is readily available upon your arrival at the Florence airport and train station and the flat rate to the hotel in the city center is approximately Euros 27.

All land transportation is provided as per the tour specific itinerary's destinations and excursions. At the tour end, we will arrange for a complementary transfer from the Chianti residence at 11.00 am to the Florence train station SMN. Should you have a flight departure prior to 1:30 pm on the last day will require a transfer by either taxi or private driver at an earlier time which is NOT included in tour fees, however we will organize the logistics for you. 

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GUIDED CITY TOURS

There are 3 city tours led by licensed guides: Florence, Cortona, Monteriggioni (2024 only), Volterra (from 2025). Included in City Tours are entrance tickets to the Medici Chapel and Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence.  City tours walking tours vary in length from 1.5 to 2.5 hours.  Moderate walking is involved on this tour.  Please bring comfortable shoes that are appropriate for walking the inclined hard stone city streets of our renaissance and medieval towns.

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GROUP SIZE

Maximum of 12 guests, not too many but just enough!

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TIPS & GRATUITIES

Tips for meals are naturally included in tour fees, however our licensed tour guides and coach drivers are selected because of their expertise and people skills.  We feel it important to let them know if they are doing a great job and tips are always appreciated. We do suggest tipping of Euro 5-10 per day for guides and Euro 5 for our coach drivers.

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AMALFI & RAVELLO TOUR

Add this magnificent tour on to your scheduled cooking tour. Available spring & fall.  Visit the "Amalfi Coast" tour page for details.

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EXTEND YOUR STAY

Let us know if you want to arrive early or stay on after your tour. It is suggested to arrive at least 1 day prior to your tour so that you can acclimate to the change in time zones. Should you like to prolong your stay in Italy,  we'll be happy to give you ideas and of course if you simply want to stay on and relax at one of our partner hotels or country resorts that's always a great plan.  Please inform us of your intentions when booking your tour to ensure your reservations. 

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