Best of Florence & Chianti
Art, Food and Wine Tour

HIGHLIGHTS

• A nine-day accompanied food & wine holiday in Renaissance Florence, Chianti Classico and Montalcino & Montepulciano regions of Tuscany

• Eight nights total lodging in charming 4 star historical accommodations in Florence & Chianti:

  • Two nights lodging in our Florence 4 star boutique hotel adjacent to the Ponte Vecchio

  • Four nights lodging at our Gaiole in Chianti partner winery resort (12th century former abbey)

  • Two nights lodging in our northern Chianti partner deluxe 16th century castle winery resort

• Full time bi-lingual host for the duration of the tour

• Small group (maximum 14 guests) accompanied tour with licensed guides

• All breakfasts and lunches (7 total), dinners (6 total) included in carefully selected trattorias, restaurants and winery osterie

• All land transportation in private coach

• Fabulous "welcome cocktail" in Florence

• Privately guided city tours in Florence, Siena, Montepulciano

• Free day in San Gimignano for shopping

• Guided visit & entrance tickets to the Accademia  Gallery (museum) in Florence.

• Guided country tour to the breathtaking Val d'Orcia and the Brunello di Montalcino wine region

• Visit to cheese farm with tasting

• Visit to Castellina-in-Chianti for lunch & shopping

• Visit to an artisanal ceramics manufacturer in Chianti

• Excursion to the medieval town of Montepulciano for a city tour and a special tasting (from 2024)

• Family style dinner at a Brunello di Montalcino winery

• Six premium tastings throughout Chianti/Vernaccia and the Montalcino & Montepulciano regions in Tuscany & in Florence

• Olive oil and balsamic tastings in selected wineries

• Market visit in Greve-in-Chianti

• One hands-on cooking class in the heart of Chianti

• Shopping and relax time included

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

• Ideal for "first-timers" as well as "repeat visitors" to Tuscany

• Level of walking on this tour: MODERATE

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ACCOMMODATIONS

Eight nights in charming 4-star quality hotels, historical residences, wineries/country resorts. Room configurations are standard double occupancy with Italian queen size beds. Twin beds (in double occupancy) may not be available at all locations. Single/solo travelers (in their own rooms) will incur a surcharge of $US 800.00 for 2024 and $US 825.00 for 2025 tours. Please note that because of the historical architecture of the properties we partner with, rooms are unique and will likely vary in size. In many instances, it is possible to up-grade standard rooms to deluxe or suites on our tours. Please inquire when booking for supplemental prices for such upgrades.

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MEALS

All breakfasts and nearly all lunches and dinners included (two meals are included daily and there will be many days in which all meals are included as per itinerary).   We hand-pick all restaurants and trattorias on our tours so as to give guests the best experience possible.  Regional wines included at all lunches and dinners.

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TRANSFERS

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

 

All land transportation is supplied as per tour specific itinerary including a complimentary transfer at tour end from Chianti residence to the Florence airport and central train stations (SMN). Departure time at tour end (day 9) will be at 11.00 am, if you have a flight prior to 1:30 pm we will arrange a transfer via taxi, however not complimentary. NB: If you add on days at the completion of the scheduled tour, you will NOT be able to benefit from the the complimentary transfer to the airport or train station.  Naturally we will assist you in reserving a taxi or other service so that you can get to either the airport, train station or other destination in the area.

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GUIDED TOURS

There are four private guided city tours - Florence, Siena & San Gimignano, Montepulciano in addition to the country tour of the Val d'Orcia to an amazing pecorino cheese farm as well the Santa Giulia winery to taste wonderful wines in the Montalcino region. Included are entrance tickets to the Accademia Gallery in Florence. 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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COOKING CLASS

You will spend the afternoon in the kitchen of our 12th century abbey in the heart of Chianti for a wonderful hands-on cooking class. You will prepare a full-course meal with the guidance and supervision of your exuberant teacher, Patrizia and her team.  Your menu will be comprised of dishes typical to the region and nearly all ingredients used are from the property of the abbey.  During the lesson there will be a "break" where you will taste some of the abbey's white wines.   Dinner will be family-style, naturally including wine from the abbey.

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WINERY VISITS

There are 5 winery visits with premium tastings plus an additional introductory tasting in Florence on this tour.  All wineries are located in Tuscany.  You will be touring a variety of wineries from a larger commercial winery to small family owned ones. You will be visiting their cellars, their production facilities and tasting rooms.  Our winery partners on this tour will be only in Tuscany that includes the Chianti, Montalcino & Montepulcio regions. During wine tours & tastings you will be presented either 3 or 4 different wines and in selected wineries you will also be tasting olive oils and vinegars.  Two of the six wineries will be hosting a wine lesson (Chianti 101) giving you the essentials of how the particular wines are produced, aged and brought to market.

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GROUP TOUR SIZE

Groups range from a minimum of.... oh there is no minimum....to a maximum of 14, not too many but just enough!

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AMALFI COAST TOUR

Add this magnificent Amalfi coastal tour on to your scheduled food & wine tour to create the perfect two week Italian vacation package! Visit the "Amalfi Coast" page for tour details. Available spring and fall.

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TIPS & GRATUITIES

Dining tips are included in your tour.  Should you desire to give a few euros to the hotel staff for the extra great service, that will be very much appreciated. 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 tips Euro 5-10 per day for guides and Euro 5 for our coach drivers.

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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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