Wine and Cheese Tasting/Pizza Making 

Start the day with a delicious Sunday Brunch.  

In the early afternoon, feel free to participate in a relaxing yoga class or enjoy the beautiful heated swimming pool and villa grounds.  

Later in the day, a cheese and wine expert will come to the villa to introduce us to an award-winning local producer’s collection of pecorino cheeses and some of the area’s renowned Chianti wines.  

Then we’ll roll up our sleeves and join the chef to make our own brick oven pizza for dinner!  

Montepulciano, Pienza and Montalcino 

We will depart after breakfast to go to the picturesque Val d’Orcia - the beautiful area of southern Tuscany that is recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site.  

Our private guide will meet us in Montepulciano, a lovely medieval and Renaissance hill town. We will visit the Church of San Biagio and the historic center, where we’ll discover a fascinating ancient underground wine cellar that dates back to the Etruscans.  

Afterward, we’ll go to Pienza, one of Tuscany’s most beautiful hill towns - and another UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll also enjoy a guided tasting of the famous local specialty: Pecorino di Pienza cheese so we can compare it to the ones we tried on Sunday.  

The next stop will be at a boutique Brunello Winery where we will meet the owners and enjoy a private tour and a wine tasting with light lunch.  

We’ll end the day by taking a walk through Montalcino, the charming fortress town that gives its name to Tuscany’s most exclusive wine, Brunello di Montalcino.  

When we get back to the villa there will be some time to relax before our chef serves dinner.  

Private Cooking Class and Castle Winery Tour 

We will depart after breakfast to go to a family-run 15th century olive estate in Chianti where we will experience authentic Tuscan country living while learning to prepare traditional recipes with the charming owner.  

This is much more than a cooking class. We will visit the beautiful estate, which includes a private chapel, see the olive groves and taste their extra virgin olive oils, stroll through the organic vegetable garden and farm before putting on our aprons to begin cooking in the impressive historic villa - surrounded by beautiful frescos.  

During our hands-on class we will prepare a full 3-course meal, as we sip wine and learn about Tuscan cuisine and the culinary secrets passed down for generations.  

After lunch, we will head to a privately-owned Chianti Castle Winery for a cellar tour and tasting. Tuscany boasts many magnificent castles where top quality wines are still produced today, thanks to their ancient cellars which offer excellent conditions for aging.  

When we get back to the villa there will be some time to relax and have cocktails by the pool before our chef serves dinner.  

Firenze - Fine Food and Art

After breakfast, we will depart for Florence - the quintessential Renaissance city.

We will meet our private guide at Florence’s most authentic open air food market, to discover the incredible selection of local specialties and gourmet foods.

This food tour will be a sensory experience, where we can taste, indulge and learn both the history and modus operandi of this centuries old, yet contemporary cuisine.

Later, we will take an introductory walking tour of the historic center and visit the famous Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo’s masterpiece, David.

After the tour, there will be some free time to explore the city before meeting up to return to the villa.

Once we are back in the countryside, we will unwind with a poolside Wine Sampling followed by a Pasta Tasting Menu prepared by our private chef.

Siena & San Gimignano 

Following breakfast at the villa, we’ll depart for Siena to meet our private guide and discover the interesting history of this famous and unique Tuscan city.  

Not only will we visit the well-known historical landmarks and architectural sites, like the impressive cathedral, but we will also learn about one of the most important things that distinguishes Siena from all the other cities in Italy: its Palio, the world-famous horse race.   

After the tour, there will be some free time for lunch and shopping.   

Then, we will all meet to continue our journey and visit San Gimignano, one of Tuscany’s most charming and well-known hill towns.  

We will stroll the quaint narrow streets - and go off the main path, to discover the more authentic qualities of this popular village. And, we will of course, stop to get a gelato at the award-winning Dondoli gelateria.  

Back at the villa, we will enjoy a special Tuscan Barbecue Night featuring the famous Bistecca Fiorentina, Florence’s signature steak. 

It’s Your Choice! 

This final day offers guests the option of returning to Florence or staying at the villa to relax. 

There will be a mid-morning departure for those who would like to go to Florence to tour independently. Drop-off in the historic center and pick-up in the late afternoon will allow guests to explore the city’s treasures at their own pace.   

Lunch will be available at the villa for those who would like to spend the day at home.   

Guests who would prefer a structured activity (in the countryside or in Florence) can select from a list of add-on options at an additional cost.

Our farewell dinner will feature a special gourmet menu to celebrate the week!  

Departure Day

We will soak in the views during one more spectacular breakfast before we depart. Then our drivers will take us back to the center of Florence where guests can make arrangements to stay additional nights or go to the airport for their departure flights home.  

Arrivederci!