TUSCAN TREASURES

DAY 1- ARRIVAL IN FLORENCE/CHIANTI

Arrival at Florence Airport and transfer to your hotel in the Chianti area. Check in at the hotel. Lunch at leisure and balance of the day at leisure to relax or discover the wonderful surroundings . Welcome dinner in hotel based on typical Tuscan dishes and overnight in Chianti.

ESSENCE SPECIALS:

 

• Welcome dinner in your countryside resort, drinks included.

DAY 2 – SIENA AND SAN GIMIGNANO

In the morning departure to San Gimignano, also called " the medieval Manhattan " . Visit of a local farm with light lunch based on typical products of the area. In the afternoon meet with your private English speaking guide in front of San Domenico Church and start of the Siena guided city tour ( 3 hours) – visit of the Cathedral, Piazza del Campo & Palazzo Pubblico, the historical centre. Return in the hotel in the early evening. Dinner on own and overnight in Chianti.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

 

• Piazza della Cisterna, the medieval towers and the Cathedral complex in S.Gimignano.
  
• The Cathedral, Piazza del Campo, S.Domenico church.
  

ESSENCE SPECIALS:

 

• Complete typical country lunch with wine tasting in the beautiful wine estate Poggio Alloro in S.Gimignano countryside.


• Exclusive opening of the "contrada" museum.

DO NOT MISS:

 

• PA stop at Nannini coffee bar, a real institution in Siena for a great Italian espresso.


• The Palio race, taking place twice a year in July and August and representing an eternal evidence of local ancestral folklore.

DAY 3- CHIANTI AREA AND WINE TASTING

In the morning departure towards the Chianti Fiorentino area, where you will visit Greve in Chianti, a colorful medieval village which is the region capital. Wine tasting in a local winery and lunch in Panzano in Chianti. In the afternoon visit of Radda in Chianti with its typical and quaint street. Visit of the cellar and wine tasting in a family run wine estate. Return in hotel in the early evening. Dinner on own and overnight in Chianti.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

 

• Chianti landscapes and charming medieval villages.


• Brolio Castle’s gardens.

ESSENCE SPECIALS:

 

• Wine tastings and cellar visit in Castello di Verrazzano in Greve in Chianti.


• Lunch at Mc Dario’s ( the owner is the famous Dario Cecchini, the artistic butcher’s, with menu based on Chianti hamburger and fresh vegetables).


• Wine tasting and cellars visit at Brolio Castle, where Chianti Classico was officially born.

DAY 4 - AREZZO AND CORTONA

In the morning departure towards Arezzo, an importan Tuscan art city with several medieval and Renaissance traces. Meeting with your local guide for a visit of the town. Lunch at leisure. In the afternoon visit of Cortona, protected by imposing city walls, on your own. Return in hotel. Dinner on own and overnight in Chianti.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

 

• Piazza Grande, the medieval square, with the Vasarian Loggia, the Cathedral of Saint Donato in Arezzo.


• Piazza Garibaldi, the city walls, the narrow well-preserved streets in Cortona.

DO NOT MISS:

 

• The Joust of the Saracen, the most important celebration in Arezzo, an ancient game of chivalry taking place in medieval times and consisting in a re-enactement of the tournaments accompanied by a costume procession..

DAY 5 - VAL D’ORCIA, PIENZA, FOOD AND WINE TASTING

In the morning departure to Val d’Orcia, a charming valley of Southern Tuscany. Visit of a cheese factory with cheese tasting to folllow. Afterwards, visit of the perfectly- preserved Pienza on own and lunch at leisure. In the afternoon visit of a wine estate cellars near Montalcino, with and wine tasting to follow: try the famous Brunello, the Montalcino area wine! Later on, stop in Montalcino and visit of the village at leisure. Return to the hotel, dinner on own and overnight in Chianti.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

 

• Pienza architecture, the first historical example of urban planning and construction.


• St Antimo Abbey, an ancient abbey surrounded by a mystical atmosphere.


• Montalcino city centre and excellently preserved fortress.

ESSENCE SPECIALS:

 

• Cheese tasting in Podere il Casale in Pienza.


• Wine tasting and cellar visit at Fattoria Altesino in Montalcino.

DO NOT MISS:

 

• St. Francis church, one of the most important Renaissance churches, the Love and the Kiss scenographic streets in Pienza.


• Pecorino cheese shops in Pienza.


• The Gregorian chaints in St Antimo abbey.

DAY 6 - COOKING CLASS IN CHIANTI

In the morning departure towards Castellina in Chianti and meeting with a professional chef who will teach you the secrets of Tuscan cuisine. Visit of the local outdoor market. Hands-on cooking class: demonstrate your ability and learn the secrets of culinary art! Lunch to follow based on your efforts. Balance of the day at leisure. Dinner at leisure and overnight in hotel in Chianti.

ESSENCE SPECIALS:

 

• Private cooking class in Querceto wine estate in Chianti with lunch and drinks included. Your Chef Laura will be pleased to show you how to prepare a Tuscan lunch and to lead you to the visit of the estate wine cellars.

DAY 7- FLORENCE

"Breakfast. In the morning private transfer from Chianti to your Florence hotel. Check in the reserved room and lunch on own. In the afternoon enjoy a private walking tour of the city with engl. speaking guide. Dinner on own and overnight"

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

 

• St Croce Church.


• Piazza Signoria and Palazzo vecchio.


• Ponte Vecchio.


• Cathedral complex.

DO NOT MISS:

 

• An aperitif at Procacci (famous for its truffles’ sandwiches).


• An espresso at the historical Café Rivoire.


• An ice-cream at Gelateria dei Neri, with more than 50 flavours to choose from.


• A lampredotto sandwich at a local kiosk.


• St Lorenzo market.


• A dinner at Ristorante Il Targa, out of the touristic circuits, overlooking the Arno river.


• Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo or in Fiesole hill.

DAY 8 - FLORENCE

Today you will have plenty of time at disposal to visit Florence on your own. We suggest you to visit the Uffizi Gallery or the Boboli Gardens which are definitely worth a visit. Enjoy a walk down Florence shopping streets, indulge in a typical Tuscan lunch, have fun discovering the beauties of Oltrarno, the most authentic part of Florence. Farewell typical dinner in a local trattoria. Overnight in Florence.

ESSENCE SPECIALS:

 

• Typical dinner based on the famous Florentine steak and Tuscan specialties.

DO NOT MISS:

 

• Uffizi Gallery and Accademia Gallery (reservations on request).


• The Oltrarno district, with Pitti Palace and Boboli and Bardini Gardens.


• The Gucci and Ferragamo museums.


• Luxury shopping in Via Tornabuoni, the Florence fashion district.


• An aperitif in S.Spirito square

DAY 9 - CHECK OUT

Buffet breakfast in Hotel. Check out and transfer to Florence airport.

OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR THE TOUR: 3*, 4*, 5* HOTELS, VILLAS AND HISTORICAL RESIDENCES, ALL THE TOURS CAN BE PERSONALIZED AND TAILOR MADE PRICE: ON REQUEST AT INFO@ESSENCEOFITALY.IT