WINE TOURS

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Great Wine and Gluttonous Moments




Description

Eight day tour bus discovering the beauty of Tuscany and it unquestionable gastronomic treasures & pleasures. Tour with an English-speaking escort in a deluxe mini bus. Pick up at Florence airport. Private transfers available.


Itinerary

Day 1
  • Arrive in Naples and transfer from Naples Airport/rail station to hotel
  • A welcome cocktail followed by dinner (D)

Day 2
  • At 9 am meet with our escort at the Florence airport to begin the tour
  • To San Gimignano, the medieval jewel of the province of Siena defined as the city of beautiful towers for a guided visit of the historical centre and free time for shopping
  • A tasting lunch at local farm - producers of Vernaccia of San Gimignano
  • An afternoon in Volterra, with a guided visit and stop at an alabaster laboratory
  • Check-in at hotel – enjoy a welcome drink and some free time to relax
  • Welcome dinner in the hotel’s excellent restaurant and overnight stay

Day 3
  • After breakfast, departure for Siena, known universally as the city of the Palio
  • Meet with guide with will take us to the most interesting and characteristic corners:
    the Basilica of San Domenico, the house of Saint Catherine, the Duomo, Piazza del Campo and the Palazzo Pubblico, etc.
  • The excursion will conclude at the Enoteca Italiana of Siena, where at lunch time we will visit the fascinating permanent showroom of Italian DOC and DOCG wines; the wines are from every region in Italy, house in the 16th Century Medici Fortress
  • A lunch with tasting will be guided by a Sommelier followed by an afternoon visit to a Chianti Classico producer where we will have an intenerate tasting in different rooms of their lovely villa
  • Return to hotel for an overnight stay

Day 4
  • After breakfast at hotel departure to villa in the Sienese countryside for a 3 hour cooking class - with full student participation we will create a sumptuous Tuscan meal, to be enjoyed by all for lunch! - recipes will be given to all
  • After lunch visit to the unique roofless Abbey of San Galgano, noted to be the custodian of the “sword in the rock: placed by San Galgano himself
  • Return to hotel

Day 5
  • After breakfast this day will be dedicated to Florence,the cradle of the Italian art, with a morning guided visit of the centre
  • A free afternoon to have lunch, o sight see, to visit museums or to shop
  • Return to hotel for dinner with typical menu at Castle of Monteriggioni and overnight stay

Day 6
  • After breakfast departure for Lucca and the elegant city home of the great composer Puccini
  • A guided visit of the historical center and then transfer to a nearby villa for a tasting and lunch of typical products the farm has to offer; this includes extra-virgin olive oil, wine, spelt, and salami
  • After lunch, a must see is the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa - an emotionally moving and magical place
  • Return to the hotel for an overnight stay

Day 7
  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • This day is dedicated to the a famous Runnel Wine of Montalcino
  • First, stop to a renowned local producer to visit their cellar museum along with a tasting of the wine - the king of reds
  • Lunch follows in a typical trattoria offering a local menu
  • An afternoon visit to the splendid Romanesque Abbey of Sant’Antimo, where the Gregorian mass is still celebrated
  • Walk through the town of Montalcino before returning to the hotel for an overnight stay

Day 8
  • After breakfast, we’ll take a dive into the Tuscan Renaissance to visit 2 splendid centres: Pienza and Montepulciano; first to the Pienza for a walk through the town that embodies the elegance of Renaissance architecture; afterwards, we will pay homage to one of the famous products of this area, Pecorino cheese of Pienza, with a guided visit to a cheese factory with tasting
  • Lunch on your own
  • An afternoon guided visit of Montepulciano and most fascinating cellars in Italy; they are found right in the heart of the town, built on an Etruscan settlement.
  • Tasting the cellar’s wine, amongst which is the prestigious Vino Nobile of Montepulciano
  • Farewell dinner in restaurant in Siena
  • Return to hotel for an overnight stay

Day 9
  • After breakfast, a group pick-up and departure of airport in Florence to return to various points of origin
  • Extended stays are possible in Florence, Siena and the rest of Italy by request

Tour Includes

  • Pick-up at Florence airport
  • 7 nights accommodation in 4 star superior hotel
  • 4 star superior hotels with breakfast
  • 4 lunches - restaurant or farms
  • 3 dinners in restaurants as indicated and 1 in hotel
  • 1 cooking class, beverages included
  • English speaking guide and deluxe mini-bus
  • 3 winery visits with tasting as indicted
  • ˝ day guided tours San Gimignano; Siena, Volterra, Florence, Lucca, & Montepulcian
  • Cheese factory tour in Pienza with tasting







2006 Rates Based on Double
  • Euros 2550.00



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