After some time to sleep in and a light breakfast we are off to Montalcino, home to many of Tuscany’s finest wine estates. Here the legendary Brunello di Montalcino, the regal majesty of Tuscan wines is made. The savoury 100 per cent Sangiovese wines made from the local clone, are renowned for their mix of power, elegance, depth of flavour and savoury fruit flavours. This morning will visit one if its grand estates, before making way to our favourite lunch spot (Il Leccio) in the region, found in the tiny hamlet of San’Angelo in Colle. Here course of antipasti and pasta will flow as will the wine. After lunch we will visit the town, before returning to the villa for a wine tasting of the wine and olive oils produced on the estate we are staying. Transportation, breakfast, 2 wine tastings, lunch with wine, dinner at villa with wine

Breakfast:  8:00 am

Departure: 10:00 am

Winery 1: 10:30 am - 12:30 pm (Mastrojanni)
Lunch Barbi: 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Winery 2: 3:00 pm - 5;00 pm (Altesino)
Transfer to Villa: 5:00-5:30 pm
Dinner at Villa: 7:30 pm

Today we’ll be staying close to home (and what a home it is!). In the morning we will be transported to the town of Montalcino. You will have time to visit its famous fortress which boasts a wine tasting bar and shop, walking the famed cobblestone streets where you might visit some of its boutique leather shop (we have our favourite), fine linen shops, and wine shops. Of course, you may just decided to walk its perimeter or sit in one of its cafes overlooking the incredible Val D'Orcia below. It's like a painting. We will prepare a light lunch (salads, cheese, cured meats) at the main villa. For those that pre-booked the wine tasting (Cost 20 Euro cash) at Castelnuovo Tancredi.

Breakfast, light lunch, cooking class, hiking or biking, dinner at villa with wine *price of golf, not included   amministrazione@castelnuovotancredi.it

9:00 am breakfast
10:00 am pickup at villa
10:30-12:30 pm Montalcino
1:00 light lunch at villa
1:45-2:00 For those that booked the wine tasting,walk to Castelnouvo Tancredi
2:00-3:30 Castelnuove Trancredi (20 Euro cash pp)
4:00-5:00 Massage for those who have pre-booked experience
5:30 pm option cooking demo with guest chef Gabriela Carrozzini
6:30 pm dinner

No visit to Tuscany is complete without a visit to Siena. Today we begin with a walk to the central Piazza del Campo. Enroute we will pop into the world famous Cafe Nannini for cappuccino. We'll leave you at Piazza to embrace the incredible views of this magnificent central square where the year Palio horse race is held. You may opt for lunch in the piazza, or duck behind the town hall to the fish market where a couple excellent, less expensive restaurants, exist. At 1:30 we will meet back again at the Piazza where we will meet our guide Barbara Cucini. Barbara is a historian we have been working with for close to 15 years. Through Barbara you will discover why SIena is regarded as one of the hearts of Renaissance including a visit to the spectacular Duomo. Following our visit to Siena, we will return to our villa for a wine tasting, meal prepared by your host.

Breakfast, historian led tour of Siena, dinner with wine  

8:30 am breakfast
9:30 an departure
10:30 am departure
11:15-`1:30 Free time
1:30-3:30 guided tour
3:30-4:15 transfer to villa
6:00 departure for Montalcino
6:30-9:00 dinner in Alle Loggia di Piazza, Montalcino

After a nice breakfast, you’ll explore the local towns of Southern Tuscany. First stop is Pienza for a visit to this fabulous tourist town that is rich in great shopping, spectacular views and scents of Pecorino cheese. Next stop is the hilltop town of Montepulciano. It’s a little bigger and busier than Pienza but is rich shopping, including our favourite store, Bottega del Rame, where some of the best copper pots in the world are made. Tonight we’ll have a light meal highlighted with a cheese plate featuring what else, Pecorino. Breakfast, cheese tasting, visits to Pienza and Montepulciano, dinner with wine.

9:00 am breakfast
10:00 am drive to Pienza
11:00 am to 12:15 pm free time in Pienza
12:15 - 12:30 transfer to cheese house
12:30-1:15 cheese tasting
1:30 pm-2:00 pm transfer to Montepulciano
2:00-4:00 pm free time in Montepulciano
4:00-5:00 transfer to villa
7:30 pm dinner at villa

After breakfast, we will pack up and move on from our Southern Tuscan home.Today we’ll immerse ourselves in the famous wines of Chianti Classico. Chianti Classico was the first region in the world to be demarcated in 1716. Over the last three centuries numerous battles for the prized land between Florence and Siena have taken place. Thankfully, the one thing that continues to survive and thrive are the vineyards. The rolling hills, with their famous albarese and galestro soil, are a sanctuary for vines and olive trees. Here both grand estates and small farms co-exist creating a beautiful tapestry of agricultural splendour. Today we’ll visit two estates, including having lunch at one of them before we settle into our new villa outside of the town of San Gimignano. After a long day, tonight’s dinner will be simple. Featuring salads, cheese and cured meats.

9:00 am breakfast
10:00 am departure
10:30 am - 2:30 visit/lunch Castello di Bossi
2:30-3:30 transfer to San Gimignano
3:30-5:30 wine tasting at Panizzi
5:30-6:00 transfer to villa
8:00 light dinner at villa

Today we’ll embark on a picturesque day trip from San Gimignano to Lucca, enjoying the scenic Tuscan countryside along the way. While there you’ll have time to explore Lucca's well-preserved Renaissance walls, charming piazzas, and historic towers. Indulge in local cuisine and soak in the rich cultural heritage of this enchanting city before we return to San Gimignano, for a visit of this famed city of towers. Tonight, our guest chefs prepare a meal for the group at the villa.

Breakfast 9:00 am
10:00 am transfer to Luca
11:00 am  free time in Lucca
2:00 pm San Gimignano
3:00 pm walking-tour San Gimignano
5:00 pm transfer to villa

7:30 pm Chef Rachel and Daniele prepared dinner

We’ll make our way to Poggibonsi train station. From there we will train to Florence. Today you’ll enjoy Florence – a city brimming with passion and culture. The wine lovers may opt to enjoy a Master Class on Tuscan wine but others may simply choose to revel in the culture of Florence, and there’s lot as may choose to visit one of many museums such as the Accademia (where David resides) or the famous Uffizi Museum.  Or you may want to join your host as he peruses Florence's market for ingredients for dinner. Please be advised advance booking of tickets for Accademia and Uffizi are highly recommended. Foodies visit the amazing food market. After exploring Florence, we’ll have a fantastic final dinner at Poggio Alloro, an organic farm, inn and restaurant with views overlooking San Gimigano. There we can, recount the tales of the past 8 days.

9:00 am breakfast
10:00 am transfer to Florence
11:00-5:00 pm free time in Florence
5:00 pm to 6:00 transfer to Poggio Alloro,
6:30-9:00 pm final dinner
Transfer to villa

5:00 am transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport