Name: Living Slow in Tuscany (Oct 15-23, 2023)
Start: 2023-10-15T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-10-23T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Borgo San Lorenzo, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy

Sierra Busch

Email address verified

8 reviews

Oct 15 - 23, 2023

Group size: 5 - 8

Living Slow in Tuscany (Oct 15-23, 2023)

Borgo San Lorenzo, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy

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Sierra Busch

Email address verified

8 reviews

Oct 15 - 23, 2023

Group size: 5 - 8

For those who seek to live the culture instead of snapping pictures, this journey will satisfy daydreams of wandering untouched medieval villages, connecting with the land, and learning from locals along the way. This Fall adventure will have you hunting for truffles, helping with the olive harvest, & experiencing a local chestnut festival, all while surrendering to the magic of the unexpected!

Please note, we require at least 5 confirmed guests to run this trip. In the event that minimum requirements are not met within 2 months of the trip start date, you will have the choice to receive a full refund of your trip cost or credit applied to another trip within the next year. Flight costs and other costs outside of the trip itself would need to be reimbursed by the travel insurance which you are required to purchase.

I fell hard for Italy as an art student and never stopped exploring since. I scoured maps for Italy's hidden secrets, connecting with locals, learning the language, and soaking up the authentic everyday life along the way. This passion led to a career in NYC, where I worked for top agencies and startups, planning luxury vacations for VIP clients. Now living half the year in Italy, my goal is to bring my guests meaningful travel experiences that will forever connect them to the genuine spirit of Italy.

Transfers
Pick up at B&B in Florence & drop off at Florence Airport
8 nights accommodation
Private room at 1 B&B's and 1 Agriturismo. Some bathrooms are shared with 1-2 other guests
Private Driver
Private driver for excursions and visits
Experiences
All activities, workshops, and visits as described
Trip Leader
24/7, English and Italian-speaking trip leader
Flight-Booking Assist
Our flight expert will help you find the best routes and price, at no extra cost.
Meals Included:
8 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 7 dinners including wine, 1 aperitivo
Pre-trip Prep
Cultural and Italian language guidance, packing tips, and additional resources to fully connect you with what you'll experience!
Tips
for guides and drivers
Local Recommendations
Insider suggestions for each location.
Carbon Footprint Offset
A donation will be made to fund projects that reduce carbon emissions and improve daily life in impoverished areas.

Day 1
Day 1
Let's Get This Party Started!
In the morning, we'll pick you up from Florence and head straight to the countryside where we'll have the absolute treat of meeting a flock of sheep and learning how their milk is turned into delicious local cheese. After tasting the best cheese you've ever had, we'll wander a quaint little village with cobblestone lanes and colorful buildings.

Driving through a green valley dotted with autumn colors and gentle hills in the distance, we'll arrive at Poggio alle Ville, our first accommodations at a beautiful agriturismo farm with authentic Tuscan cottages surrounded by olive trees and forests. After settling in and relaxing, we'll kick things off with a Welcome Aperitivo followed by a homemade dinner on the farm! Welcome to Tuscany!

Meals Included: Cheese Tasting, Lunch, Aperitivo, Dinner
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Day 2
Day 2
Truffle Hunting + Leather Workshop
After a leisurely morning, we'll have a walk in the woods to hunt for truffles then linger over a homemade, truffle-themed lunch! After lunch you'll have the option to venture into the town of Vicchio for a workshop with a master leather craftsman. Otherwise you can enjoy free time to find a sunny spot for a cat nap or take a walk around the farm. In the evening, our hosts will serve their homemade pizza!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 3
Day 3
Olive Harvest + Wine Tasting
This morning, we'll connect with the culture by helping out with the olive harvest, followed by an oil tasting where you'll finally learn how to select a quality olive oil at home. Later we'll get to kick back at a gorgeous winery where we'll wander the vine-covered grounds and have a homemade lunch while getting to know the family that runs the vineyard. The rest of the day depends on how the group feels. We can go back to relax, visit another charming village! We'll go with the flow and surrender ourselves to the magic of the unexpected!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Wine Tasting, Dinner
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Day 4
Day 4
Hike to a Saffron Farm
After breakfast, we'll head to the village of Vicchio to kick off today's adventure. Lead by our local nature guide, we'll traverse rolling hills, passing through vineyards and fields of wheat to arrive at a humble little farm with a secret...a family-run restaurant serving incredible homemade dishes featuring their main product: Saffron. This is the perfect way to really connect with the beautiful scenery of Mugello and reward ourselves with delicious traditional food! Afterwards, we'll return to the farm to relax.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 5
Day 5
Medieval Village Visit
You'll have the morning free today to sleep in or just enjoy the scenery sitting by the pool. For lunch, we'll visit a typical salumeria where you can pile a sandwich high with delicious local cured meats, cheeses, vegetables, and other local products.

Next, we'll head to the medieval hamlet of Scarperia, famous for its production of artisanal, handcrafted knives since the 1400s. We'll visit a knife workshop that has been preserved as it was left in the 1900s. Next, we'll step inside the stunning Palazzo dei Vicari where medieval history is brought to life!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 6
Day 6
Cooking in a Palazzo
In the morning we'll visit the historic home of the Chini family, now a museum dedicated to Art Nouveau. Afterwards, we'll walk through the village of Borgo San Lorenzo, keeping an eye out for Art Nouveau details! Then, we'll bid farewell to our home on the farm and head to Palazzo Torriani in the town of Marradi. Our hosts, Anna Maria and Mariaemilia, will walk us through this gorgeous villa where their family has lived for over 500 years. After a break to settle in, we'll step into the kitchen for a cooking class. Prepare to delight your taste buds and soul!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 7
Day 7
Free Day + Festival
Marradi is known for its marrons glacés (candied chestnuts) and October is the season they are celebrated! Today you'll be free to enjoy the local chestnut festival which is full of food stands offering all the best local products and traditional food based on their prized chestnuts! Enjoy the full day to wander the village on your own and shop for souvenirs. Lunch and Dinner on your own.

Meals Included: Breakfast
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Day 8
Day 8
More Festival + Free Time
After breakfast, you'll be free for another day enjoying the festival and buying your last gifts & souvenirs to take home. There will be an optional visit to a chestnut forest and we'll have our driver on hand if we get an itch to explore! Later, we'll enjoy a final farewell dinner at the Palazzo!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 9
Day 9
Ciao Ciao!
After a delicious breakfast featuring homemade cakes and local meats & cheeses, we'll drop you at the Florence Airport. A presto! (See you again soon!)

Haven't had enough yet? We can help you plan an extended stay in Florence, Tuscany, or beyond. Just get in touch!

Meals Included: Breakfast
Read more

Day 1

Let's Get This Party Started!

In the morning, we'll pick you up from Florence and head straight to the countryside where we'll have the absolute treat of meeting a flock of sheep and learning how their milk is turned into delicious local cheese. After tasting the best cheese you've ever had, we'll wander a quaint little village with cobblestone lanes and colorful buildings.

Driving through a green valley dotted with autumn colors and gentle hills in the distance, we'll arrive at Poggio alle Ville, our first accommodations at a beautiful agriturismo farm with authentic Tuscan cottages surrounded by olive trees and forests. After settling in and relaxing, we'll kick things off with a Welcome Aperitivo followed by a homemade dinner on the farm! Welcome to Tuscany!

Meals Included: Cheese Tasting, Lunch, Aperitivo, Dinner

Sierra Busch

8 reviews

Creative Edge Travel is about slowing down to connect with what makes Italy Italy— its people. We know from experience that what you'll remember most are the interesting locals you meet on your adventure. That's why we couple unique activities with opportunities to connect with locals in a meaningful way. We go beyond the typical tourist sites to off-the-beaten-path villages and farms where our friends and artisans are waiting to share their way of life with you!

5 stars don't begin to describe the amazing 8 days I had with Sierra in Tuscany. It was my second trip to Tuscany and I thought I knew how wonderful it would be to soak up Tuscan culture again. NO, Sierra's trips are not like any I have ever experienced. The trip was full of love, joy, and appreciation. There were no lines or crowds so that one couldn't appreciate anything. Music, wine, food, laughter, learning, new friendships, moments to reflect, these are what Sierra gave me. Thank you Sierra Judy Olitsky

By Judy O for Living Slow in Tuscany (Oct 15-23, 2023) on Nov 27, 2023

This was such a wonderful experience. We were able to see Florence in a much different way. Meeting the artisans, seeing the often missed historical aspects of this amazing city, and also spending time with the locals. Thank you Sierra for this opportunity.

By Barbara J for Extension in Florence on Nov 07, 2023

The trip was great and I saw and learned a lot about Florence. I loved the Oltrano District where we stayed and also the hills of Florence and the lovely people we met along the way. The only way to visit such a beautIful city 👍🏻

By Jeanette P for Extension in Florence on Nov 07, 2023

I had a wonderful time with a lovely group of people and got to experience places I never would have done so on my own. The accommodations and itinerary was great too. I would love to do a similar trip in another region with Sierra 👍🏻

By Jeanette P for Living Slow in Tuscany (Oct 15-23, 2023) on Nov 07, 2023

This was such a wonderful experience. Sierra planned the trip perfectly down to the last detail. If you are looking for cultural immersion, this is the one. I loved the “surprise” visitors that were often planned after a packed day of amazing adventures.