Itinerary

March 13th - Trip begins in Italy
Settle in at the Villa il Leccio, located in Strada in the middle of classic Chianti, an area of immense natural beauty and renowned for its popular wines. Enjoy a guided visit to S. Andrea vineyards and cellars. At a wine tasting we will learn about Chianti classico, Chianti classico Riserva and Sangiovese 100%.

This evening savour a Tuscan welcome dinner with your fellow travellers at Cantinetta di Rignana.

March 14th - Greve and Panzano in Chianti
Our stay in Tuscany begins with a short drive through the hilly countryside to Greve, a market town of the Chianti region, where we enjoy a guided visit of the market square and a tour of the laboratory of a salumi artisan.

Today we visit the winery Casaloste (Chianti classico, Chianti classico Riserva, Don Vincenzo) for a private tour and tasting. We have lunch at the charming Fattoria Di Montagliari in Panzno, and then we visit the winery Cennatoio (Chianti classico, Chianti classico Riserva, Arcibaldo, Mammolo, Rosso fiorentino) and enjoy another wine tasting.

In the late afternoon we embark on a guided walking tour led by our local expert through the Antinori's vineyards at Badia a Passignano, and then we return to relax at Il Leccio.

March 15th - Castellina in Chianti
This morning we are off to Monteriggioni, a Medieval town impressively situated on a hill above the Elsa Valley. It is surrounded by a complete circuit of 13th-century walls, perfectly preserved, with 14 impressive towers. We go on a guided tour of the village and visit the vineyards and winery of Castello della Paneretta or Castello di Monsanto (Chianti classico,Chianti classico Riserva, Torre a Decima, Terrine) and enjoy a wine tasting.

Light lunch on your own in Castellina. Then we visit the winery Isole e Olena (Chianti classico, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cepparello, Syrah) and enjoy another wine tasting.

We return in the afternoon to our hotel for our 1st Cooking Lesson with our private chef, who will help us prepare a delicious traditional Tuscan meal. You will work for 2 hours at a Tuscan menu; then you will have a dinner served to you with the products of your work and the appropriate wines.

March 16th - Siena and S.Gimignano
After a leisurely breakfast this morning we will travel through the Tuscan countryside to Siena, one of Italy's best-preserved medieval towns, built on three hills and surrounded by well-preserved walls steeped in the history of ancient Italy. Our expert guide will give us a tour of the main monuments in town.

After lunch on your own we will visit the winery Panizzi (Vernaccia di S.Gimignano, Vernaccia di S.Gimignano Riserva and Ceraso Rosso) and meet with the owners for a private tour of their estate.

We go on a guided visit of the beautiful village of S.Gimignano and then return to Il Leccio to relax in the late afternoon.

March 17th - Montalcino
No wine trip to Italy is complete without a visit to Montalcino, a walled hilltop town in the heart of Tuscany. It is situated amid a landscape of rolling hills, winding roads and acres of vineyards that produce some of Italy's most esteemed red wines, like those of Altesino. Altesino is renowned for its Brunello di Montalcino, Riserva Montosoli, Alte d'Altesi and Palazzo d'Altesi. We visit Altesino to taste their famous wines, and then we go on a guided tour of Montalcino and explore its famous castle.

Enjoy lunch today at the Taverna Del Grappolo Blu. Located in the historic center of Montalcino, the Taverna Del Grappolo Blu features traditional Tuscan cuisine in a relaxed family setting.

Next, visit the Abbey of San Galgano and conclude with a stop at the winery Il Poggione. (Brunello di Montalcino and Riserva and Rosso di Montalcino.) Founded over a century ago, this family-run vineyard has been forever associated with the world's finest San Giovesse varietals.

March 18th - Certaldo and S. Casciano
Today we take a guided tour of the charming medieval hilltop town of Certaldo and we visit the cheese artisan laboratory of Corzano e Paterno. This farm also produces a very good wine: Chianti Terre di Corzano.

Our lunch this afternoon is at the cozy Osteria del Ponte Rotto in San Casciano.

After lunch we return to Il Leccio for an afternoon free to relax or explore.

March 19th - Montepulciano
This morning we leave early for Montepulciano, a renaissance town in Southern Tuscany famous for its "Nobile" wine. We go on a guided tour of the town and visit the world-famous cellars of Poliziano in Piazza Grande (Rosso e Nobile di Montepulciano, Le Stanze del Poliziano). We taste the wines of Poliziano and then enjoy lunch at the charming Restaurant Da Diva.

In the afternoon we tour Il Canneto (Rosso e Nobile di Montepulciano) and enjoy another wine tasting.

Tonight, get your chef's aprons ready for our 2nd cooking lesson.

March 20th - Florence
Our trip concludes in Florence, the magnificent Renaissance city on the Arno River. We'll explore Florence by foot, including a privately guided visit of the Palatina Gallery, where we'll learn from our expert guide about the impact of wine and food on the Renaissance painters.

Our home for the night is the Hotel Silla on the shores of the Arno River. Our Farewell Dinner will be held at the smart Tuscan restaurant Trattoria Icche c'è c'è.

March 21st – Return to US
Today we are up early for our transfer to the airport and our return flight to the United States.

Arrivederci!!

CST#1018299-10