Question 1

What is the average age of tour guests and where do most come from?

Accepted Answer

We target the 45-75 age group and in general are guests are in good physical shape and are able to walk the cobble stone streets without any issues.  Our tours guests come from the USA, Canada and Austrialia for the most part.

Question 2

What is the procedure to book a vacation/tour with you?

Accepted Answer

You can firstly visit the appropriote page on our website entitled "How to Book a Tasting Tuscany Tour".  You are more than welcome to email us to ask any tour related questions and naturally to schedule a phone call-back.

Question 3

Are there excursions and other activites included in your tours?

Accepted Answer

Yes we offer an array of activities and excursions however they depend greatly on which tour you are booked on. Many will include visits to hill-top towns, museum visits, church visits, food market visits, winery visits, cooking classes etc.  As this is your vacation, NOTHING IS REQUIRED.  If you feel like staying back at the hotel for the day, no problem.  All we ask is that you advise of the day prior of your intentions not to take part.

Question 4

How many people take part in your tours and what are the sizes of your tours?

Accepted Answer

All trips with Tasting Tuscany LLC are intentionally kept small so the experience feels personal and relaxed.
Most tours have a maximum of 12 to 16 guests, depending on the itinerary.
Small group sizes allow us to:
Visit family-run wineries and farms that larger tours cannot access
Dine in smaller regional restaurants and trattorias
Provide a more flexible, friendly travel atmosphere
Many guests comment that the small group environment makes it easy to meet fellow travelers and enjoy a shared experience.

Question 5

Can you tell me a little about Tasting Tuscany?

Accepted Answer

Tasting Tuscany Sas was formed in Italy in the late 1980's as a tour consultancy and later developed into a tour operator in 1994 with the first food & wine tour offered in Tuscany.  Later the company was moved out of Italy to the USA as Tasting Tucsany LLC in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  The owner has always been Marc Berarducci as principle partner and today some of his family has joined the business.  Tasting Tuscany operates of the US and works as a tour operator focusing on Italy, specifically Tuscany, Amalfi, Venice, Puglia.

Question 6

Will I receive tour details and itineraries prior to the tour?

Accepted Answer

Yes of course!  You will receive our Welcome Pack a week or so after booking which contains a lot of useful tour details, maps and travel suggestions.  You will also receive about 6-8 weeks prior to your tour the "tour time-line" which is a very detailed hour-by-hour tour itinerary.

Question 7

How soon should I register my desired tour with you?

Accepted Answer

As all our groups are very small it is highly suggested to book 9-12 months prior.  If you are part of a small group of friends and family then perhaps at least 12 months prior to your selected tour period.

Question 8

What type of accommodation can guests expect?

Accepted Answer

Tours with Tasting Tuscany LLC stay in carefully selected 4-star hotels, boutique properties, and countryside winery estates.
For example, a typical itinerary may include:
A boutique hotel in the historic center of Florence near the Ponte Vecchio
A historic abbey or manor house in the hills of the Chianti wine region
Winery resorts surrounded by vineyards and olive groves
Rooms are usually double occupancy, though single rooms are available for an additional supplement.

Question 9

When is the best time to visit Tuscany on your tours?

Accepted Answer

Most tours with Tasting Tuscany LLC run during spring and fall, when the weather is ideal for travel and the countryside is especially beautiful.
Spring offers blooming landscapes and mild temperatures, while fall is famous for the grape harvest, olive harvest, and seasonal food festivals throughout Tuscany.
These seasons also allow guests to enjoy outdoor meals, vineyard visits, and scenic countryside drives.

Question 10

When do I need to pay for a tour and what is the cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

To register for a tour you will need to complete the registration form on the website and also deposit a non-refundable booking deposit of US$550 per person.  Registrations occur on a continual basis.  Tour final payments are due twice per year: All fall tours have a final payment deadline of April 1.  All spring tours have a final payment deadline of December 1.
Cancellation policy is outline on the registration form and detailed on the "booking form" which you will be requested to sign and return.  We do all tours to be re-scheduled up to 12 months from the date of the orignal tour start date as long as we are advised within 6 weeks of the start of the tour.  We do advise guests to consider "travel insurance" to protect your vacation investment.  We have partnered with "Generali" howeve you are free to work with any broker you desire.

Question 11

What is Tasting Tuscany and what kind of trips do you offer?

Accepted Answer

Tasting Tuscany LLC specializes in small-group food, wine, and cooking vacations in Italy. Our tours are designed for travelers who want to experience the culture of Italy through its cuisine, local wines, and historic towns.
Most of our tours take place in Tuscany and include destinations such as Florence, the Chianti wine region, and the Val d'Orcia, along with visits to medieval villages, wineries, farms, and artisan shops. We also offer additional itineraries that travel beyond Tuscany, including tours that continue to Venice or extend to the Amalfi Coast.
Each trip combines guided sightseeing, cooking experiences, wine tastings, and regional dining so guests can explore Italy in a relaxed and immersive way.

Question 12

How long are your tours in Italy?

Accepted Answer

Most tours with Tasting Tuscany LLC range from 5 to 9 days, depending on the itinerary.
For example:
Our signature Florence and Chianti food and wine tour runs 8 nights and 9 days.
Our Chianti cooking vacation typically lasts 7 nights and 8 days.
Our Amalfi Coast extension tour runs 4 nights and 5 days.
Many travelers combine tours to create a longer Italian vacation. For example, guests often begin with a Tuscany food and wine tour and then add the Amalfi Coast extension to create a two-week experience.

Question 13

How do I book a tour with Tasting Tuscany?

Accepted Answer

Booking a tour with Tasting Tuscany LLC is simple.
Choose your preferred tour and travel dates.
Complete the online registration form.
Submit the required deposit to secure your spot.
A non-refundable deposit (typically around $550 per person) confirms your reservation, and the remaining balance is due several months before the tour begins. Guests receive a confirmation invoice and welcome materials after booking.
Because tour groups are small, many departures sell out early, so booking in advance is recommended.

Question 14

What is included in a Tasting Tuscany tour package?

Accepted Answer

Most tours with Tasting Tuscany LLC are designed to be nearly all-inclusive so you can relax and enjoy the experience.
Typical inclusions are:
Accommodation in carefully selected 4-star hotels, historic villas, or winery resorts
Daily breakfasts and most lunches or dinners
Regional wines served with meals
Private transportation during the tour
Guided tours of historic towns and cultural sites
Winery visits and tastings
Cooking classes with local chefs
Entrance tickets for select museums and landmarks
Guests also travel with a bilingual tour host and licensed guides throughout the trip.
Airfare, travel insurance, and some optional personal expenses are not included.

Question 15

Do I need cooking experience to join a cooking vacation?

Accepted Answer

No cooking experience is required.
Our cooking tours are designed for anyone who loves Italian food and wants to learn how it is prepared locally. During a typical Chianti cooking vacation with Tasting Tuscany LLC, guests participate in five hands-on cooking classes held in authentic settings such as farmhouses, wineries, and historic estates.
Each class typically lasts 3 to 4 hours and focuses on traditional Tuscan dishes like:
handmade pasta
seasonal vegetable dishes
regional meats
classic Italian desserts
At the end of each lesson, everyone sits down together to enjoy the meal that they prepared with local wines.

Question 16

What kinds of wineries and wine tastings are included?

Accepted Answer

Wine is an important part of the experience with Tasting Tuscany LLC, and our tours include several guided winery visits.
Guests typically visit a mix of family-owned wineries and historic estates in regions such as:
the Chianti Classico area
Montalcino
Montepulciano
During tastings, guests usually sample three to four wines, and many visits also include tastings of olive oil or balsamic products. Some wineries also host informal wine lessons explaining how Tuscan wines are produced and aged.

Question 17

Can I extend my trip or arrive early?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many guests choose to extend their Italian vacation.
If you would like to arrive early in Florence or stay longer after the tour, Tasting Tuscany LLC can provide recommendations and help coordinate additional hotel nights or travel plans. Guests are usually encouraged to arrive at least one day before the tour begins to adjust to the time difference and explore the city.

Tasting Tuscany
F.A.Q's

Here are some frequently asked questions by our visitors

Frequently asked questions

What is the average age of tour guests and where do most come from?

What is the procedure to book a vacation/tour with you?

Are there excursions and other activites included in your tours?

How many people take part in your tours and what are the sizes of your tours?

Can you tell me a little about Tasting Tuscany?

Will I receive tour details and itineraries prior to the tour?

How soon should I register my desired tour with you?

What type of accommodation can guests expect?

When is the best time to visit Tuscany on your tours?

When do I need to pay for a tour and what is the cancellation policy?

What is Tasting Tuscany and what kind of trips do you offer?

How long are your tours in Italy?

How do I book a tour with Tasting Tuscany?

What is included in a Tasting Tuscany tour package?

Do I need cooking experience to join a cooking vacation?

What kinds of wineries and wine tastings are included?

Can I extend my trip or arrive early?

Tasting Tuscany F.A.Q's

Here are some frequently asked questions by our visitors

Frequently asked questions

What is the average age of tour guests and where do most come from?

What is the procedure to book a vacation/tour with you?

Are there excursions and other activites included in your tours?

How many people take part in your tours and what are the sizes of your tours?

Can you tell me a little about Tasting Tuscany?

Will I receive tour details and itineraries prior to the tour?

How soon should I register my desired tour with you?

What type of accommodation can guests expect?

When is the best time to visit Tuscany on your tours?

When do I need to pay for a tour and what is the cancellation policy?

What is Tasting Tuscany and what kind of trips do you offer?

How long are your tours in Italy?

How do I book a tour with Tasting Tuscany?

What is included in a Tasting Tuscany tour package?

Do I need cooking experience to join a cooking vacation?

What kinds of wineries and wine tastings are included?

Can I extend my trip or arrive early?

Tasting Tuscany
F.A.Q's