Join me for an exploration of Tuscany, from the rolling hills of Montalcino to the deep blue  of the Tyrrhenian Sea.  This tour is a bit different from my classic Chianti tour. This time, we focus on the other predominant wine of the region, Brunello di Montalcino AND we visit the Tuscan coast.

We spend a few days in the Val D'Orcia region, visiting Pienza, and a pecorino cheese maker and eventually start marking our way to the coast via the medieval beauty Siena!

The middle part of our tour will be in Viareggio, in a gorgeous hotel facing the sea and day trips to the walled city of Lucca for a food tour, Pisa to see the leaning tower, and a super special trip to see the Carrara marble quarries!

We finish our explorations in Florence, queen of Tuscany, with several guided tours guests can choose from.  We dine together for our farewell dinner at a local trattoria to reminisce about the time we've spent together!

I am adding on 4 days post tour in the Emilia-Romagna region - details to be released soon!  We will most likely stay in Bologna, with visits to Parma area for Parmigiano-Reggiano and prosciutto di Parma, Modena for balsamic vinegar, a Lambrusco winery, and more! I adore the foods of this region, like mortadella, tortellini (especially in brodo or broth), fried gnocchi, lasagna, any pasta 'al ragu'. Let me know if you'd like to add on after our tour!

Please read Terms & Conditions and Liability Waiver prior to registration:

Tuscany Terms and Conditions/Liability Waiver

Meals included: Dinner

Overnight:  Villa Le Prata (or similar)

Arrival on your own to Rome. 

*If you need any pre-tour stays or activities in Rome, please let me know*

Guests must plan flights from the U.S to arrive no later than Day 1.

Guests will be picked up at a central location in Rome in the afternoon for transfer to the Tuscan countryside. 

Late afternoon: TBD

Dinner:  Villa Le Prata

Tonight we celebrate the start of our tour at the luxurious restaurant of the hotel, paired with full-bodied Brunello.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight:  Villa Le Prata (or similar)

Late Morning: Pienza

We will stroll the streets of this splendid little city, a Unesco heritage site that is a superb example of Renaissance architecture.  We will enjoy a quiet morning, perhaps take a coffee together or just enjoy this gem. 

Lunch: Organic Farm

This afternoon, we visit a beautiful farm nestled in the rolling hills of the countryside. This farm has an olive grove, an organic garden, and raises sheep for the production of Pecorino di Pienza.  We will enjoy a tour and a farmhouse lunch featuring their cheeses and seasonal produce.

Late Afternoon: Montalcino

En route to the hotel, we will make  stop at this historic hilltop town for another walk.

Dinner:  On Your Own

We will offer transfer to a nearby village and guests may choose one of the cozy restaurants here, or if preferred, guests can choose to stay for dinner at the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight:  Villa Le Prata (or similar)

Morning:  On Your Own

It's fitting to have our last morning at the hotel allow for a slow start in this gorgeous location. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, or have a sleep in, or a dip in the infinity pool

Lunch:  Brunello di Montalcino 

A experience a unique medieval castle where wine has been produced for centuries. Perched on a hill crest, il castello is surrounded by bountiful vineyards originally tended by Etruscans, which today lays within the limits of Brunello di Montalcino‘s DOCG appellation. 

A tasteful lunch is paired with the wine tasting as we learn stories of the family who owned the castle in the past as well as the present life of this charming gem of the Tuscan countryside.

Late Afternoon:  Sant'Antimo Abbey

You can opt to head back to the hotel or join Heidi for a walk through the Sant'Antimo Abbey for a visit through this Renaissance church.

Dinner:  Countryside Agriturismo

We have our last dinner in this corner of Tuscany at a nearby agriturismo, with rustic but delicious preparations that reflect the season and traditions of the area.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight:  Plaza et de Russie Hotel (or similar)

Late Morning:  Siena

After breakfast, we head to Viareggio, but we make an absolutely necessary stop:  the medieval town of Siena.  We will take a guided tour to learn all about the unique horse race that Siena puts on twice a year: The Palio.

This exclusive tour, usually not available to the public, takes us inside the church where horses get the blessing, the hall with the banners won in the previous years, and the museum with the ornate costumes of the parade.

Lunch:  OYO

Lunch is at your leisure in Siena - take some time for exploring, eating, and shopping before we depart for the coast.

Evening/Dinner:  Viareggio

We check in to our 5 star Relais and Chateau hotel right on the famous promenade facing the sea. Tonight, I have reserved a table for our small group in a historic trattoria known for seafood and fish, prepared with the freshest catch of the day.

Meals included: Breakfast

Overnight:  Plaza et de Russie Hotel (or similar)

Late Morning: Pisa

Viareggio is about thirty minutes away from Pisa, once a powerful Maritime Republic. We take you to the famous piazza by skipping the crowds of tourists and help you get the classic, not-to-be-missed picture at the foot of the leaning tower.

Lunch:  OYO Pisa

You'll have some time to explore Pisa on your own and have lunch.  There IS a town worth discovering - it's not just the tower!

Afternoon:  Carrara

Next, we drive to the mountains, known as Alpi Apuane, in northern Tuscany where the finest marble on Earth has been quarried since Roman times.

Board a 4X4 vehicle and discover, with a  local expert, the fascinating stories and hardships of Carrara’s marble quarries. Enjoy scenery of unparalleled beauty, surrounded by the brightness of the “white gold” and, in the distance, the Mediterranean coastline.

Lastly, we toast with a glass of Prosecco and a tasting of a local specialty, Colonnata’s cured lard, refined with herbs and salt for 6-10 months in marble cellars. 

Evening/Dinner OYO:  Pietrasanta

On the way back to Viareggio, we spend the evening in Pietrasanta, home of artists and local people for some free time among art galleries, shopping, and plenty of choices for dinner on your own.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch (food tour)

Overnight:  Orto dei Medici (or similar)

Late Morning:  Lucca Culture and Food Tour

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and head to Lucca, which is only a quick 30 minute drive. 

Meet our passionate and knowledgeable local expert who will show us some of the highlights and hidden treasures of this wealthy community. Silk trade, pilgrims, and solid city walls made the fortune of Lucca which today is also a foodie destination.

We visit some bakeries for a tasting of local bread, then a local soup and many other specialties specific to northern Tuscany. 

Afternoon and Evening:  Florence OYO

In the afternoon we arrive in central Florence. Check-in in a 4-star hotel located steps away from all major attractions.

Tonight let our tour manager suggest historic trattoria and fine restaurants for your free dinner in Firenze.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight:  Orto dei Medici

Morning:  Accademia and the David

After breakfast, meet an experienced local tour guide and skip the line to access through the Accademia Museum. We behold striking masterworks such as Michelangelo’s David and we walk through the lively streets of Florence, among stately palazzi, the open-air museum of Piazza della Signoria, and much else.

*Note for those guests who have already enjoyed this museum on another visit, we are working on a different activity if you'd prefer to do something else. 

Afternoon and Lunch OYO

Enjoy a day at leisure to explore on your own the cradle of the Renaissance or shop among leather, gold, and fashion stores for which Florence is known for.

Evening:  Farewell Dinner

Tonight we celebrate the end of our Grand Tour of Tuscany with a traditional dinner in one of the historic trattoria near the Mercato Centrale.

Meals included:  Breakfast

And now it's time to say good-bye!  Our hotel is centrally located, and a quick cab ride away from either the train station or the airport. 

For those guests that wish to add-on a few more days with me in the Emilia-Romagna region, we will depart for Bologna in the early afternoon.