TASTE OF TUSCANY

7 DAYS FLAVOURS OF TUSCANY

This Tantalising Tuscany tour combines the very best of culinary experiences and our incredibly popular Taste of Tuscany tour. If you’re a fan of food, fine dining, traditional cooking techniques and the history of Italian cuisine; this is the trip for you.

Tour Commencement Dates for 2020 2nd May | 13th June | 11th July | 8th August | 3rd October.

Contact us if you are looking for a tour outside of these dates.

AU $3,950 per person, twin share Single Occupancy $450

INCLUSIONS

• Enjoy your own apartment in a Tuscan farmhouse villa for 7 nights
• Bilingual hosts & tours leaders will be on hand throughout the tour to assist you
• You’ll find provisions in your apartment for snack and breakfasts
• This trip includes no less than 4 tantalising lunches – ideal for fans of food
• For lovers of wine and Italian cuisine, you’ll be pleased to hear that 5 dinners are a part of this package
• Enjoy a Truffle Hunt, followed by a cooking experience where you’ll learn to make pasta and traditional Italian desserts
• Our guided walking tours in Cortona and Siena are some of our most popular features
• We’ll enjoy wine and olive oil tasting in Montepulciano
• Take part in wine tasting activities at local vineyards and establishments
• We’ll cater for all of your itinerary travel
• On your free days, we’d be happy to transport you to the local station
• We’ll pick you up to start your trip and drop you back off safely for your departure
• If you’d like to travel back into Cortona on your tour-free day, we can help with this, too

ITINERARY:

SAT / ARRIVAL

You’ll be personally picked up and transported to your accommodation.

Once back at the villa, you’ll be given the opportunity to unwind and settle in.

For dinner, we’ll take you into Cortona where you can enjoy your first traditional Tuscany dining experience.

SUN / CORTONA

To get the first full day of your tour off to an exciting start, we’ll head into the nearby town of Cortona; where we have plenty of things for you to see and do!

Our enthusiastic tour guide will take you on an enjoyable walk of the town, with coffee included.

To integrate you with the Tuscan lifestyle, you’ll experience lunch at a local trattoria.

With your stomach full, you’ll have the opportunity to sit and relax to your heart’s content or explore the town in greater detail.

Mid-afternoon if you feel ready to return to your apartment, we’ll give you the option to be collected and transported at this time.

If you chose to stay in Cortona or travel back home to the villa – we’ll meet back up and take you into town in preparation for your evening meal.

What better way to savour the flavours of Cortona than with a traditional aperitivo in the Piazza, followed by dinner!

MON / TRUFFLE HUNT, CHEESE & COOKING CLASS IN PIENZA

Today promises to be incredibly exciting, with plenty of adventures on the agenda. We’ll travel to Podere il Casale to get our activities underway.

You’ll then get to take part in an exhilarating truffle hunt, followed by a cooking class where you’ll learn how to prepare dishes with an Italian touch.

Once your lesson has finished, you’ll relish the free time in the Pienza, where you can explore to your heart’s content.

At 5 pm we’ll take you back to your accommodation.

You might want to pick up some ingredients for dinner or a bottle of wine to enjoy in your apartment – or by the pool as you watch the sunset.

TUE / OLIVE OIL & WINE IN MONTEPULCIANO

To get today off to a flying start, we’ll be visiting the stunning hilltop town of Montepulciano.

Once we arrive, you’ll be greeted with a coffee and given an overview of the beautiful region.

If the idea of an authentic wine tasting session appeals to you, you’ll be pleased to hear that we’ll be heading underground into an authentic wine cellar, where you’ll also have lunch. Montepulciano is famous for its luxurious olive oil, so we’ll make a stop to allow you to savour the subtle tones produced by some of the world’s most popular oil makers.

At 5 pm, we’ll head back to your accommodation where you can spend an hour or two relaxing by the pool or taking a walk around the local area.

For dinner, you’ll feel truly immersed in the Tuscan lifestyle; we intend to visit a traditional pizzeria.

WED / SIENA

The next town on our tour is Siena. We’ll head there bright and early to allow you to take in the stunning sights as we travel.

You’ll then get to enjoy a walking tour of the town, much of which dates back centuries.

In your free time, you can shop, engage with the locals, catch a quick bite to eat for lunch or relax near one of the local landmarks.

There are plenty of attractions in the town to enjoy and you’ll have several hours to do so.

We plan on heading back to your accommodation at 3:30 pm to allow you to unwind and enjoy a little leisure time.

Many of our guests take this opportunity to capture memories with their camera in the nearby scenery.

At 7 pm, we’ll head into Cortona for a stylish dinner, complete with locally produced wine to further immerse you in the Tuscan way of life.

THU / WINE TASTING IN CHIANTI

If you’re looking for an ideal gift for a loved one, the traditional and instantly recognisable bottles of Chianti wine may well be the way to go.

We’ll be heading to this traditional town early in the morning.

We’ll make a stop at Castellina for coffee where you’ll be able to get your bearings and look forward to the day ahead.

You will be enjoying lunch at the Antica Macelleria Cecchini in Panzano – a traditional eatery that specialises in a variety of Italian dishes and more.

To tingle your taste buds, we’ll then take you to a wine tasting session in Chianti, where you’ll get to savour the unique flavours and talk to the makers about their processes.

FRI / TOUR FREE DAY

As your trip slowly comes to an end, we allocate this time for you to choose the types of activities that you’d like to partake in – from exploring the nearby area to relaxing by the pool.

Whatever you choose to do, we’ll ensure that you’re back in time for a traditional Italian Aperitivo, followed by a farewell dinner to mark your visit.

SAT / DEPARTURE

In the morning, we’ll take you back to the local station where you can commence your return journey with plenty of Tuscan memories to savour for a lifetime.

Tuscan Fruit & Veg Stall

Tuscan mountain

Taste of Tuscany

Table in front of Cafe

Tuscan Street

Tuscan Hills and Villa

ACCOMMODATION

Our accommodations are nearby the historical centre of Cortona and set on wonderful grounds which include a swimming pool.

The apartments within the villa comprise one/two/three bedrooms, living area, kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities, comprising air-conditioning and WI-FI.

Located in the valley approximately 10km from the historical centre of Cortona, the accommodations, which are restored Tuscan farmhouses with old world rustic charm, become home base for the duration of the tour, allowing the traveller to settle into their own private apartment and commence their Tuscan experience.

GETTING THERE

The tour begins near the historical centre of Cortona.

Arrival to Camucia-Cortona is easily accessible via train from either Rome or Florence stations.

Either of these two major cities is a good option for your arrival in Italy and then travel to our location.

Upon arrival, we will meet you at the local train station Camucia-Cortona and will be transferred, via vehicle to the villa.

Private vehicle transfers can be arranged from Airports/ Hotels and transfer you directly to the accommodation. Quote available upon request.

CHECK IN / CHECK OUT

Check-In is from 3:30 pm.

There will be transfers from Camucia-Cortona train station at 3:30 pm & 5:30 pm.

Transfers outside of these hours will be at an additional cost of € 30.

Check Out is at 10 am.

There will be transfers to the Camucia-Cortona train station at 9 am & 10 am.

Transfers outside of these hours will be at an additional c cost of € 30.

As we are unable to store luggage, it is essential this be taken into consideration when making travel arrangements for arrival and departure days.

EXCLUSIONS

*Airfares

*Travel insurance (we advise taking out cover ahead of time)

* Entry fees to visit any museums, galleries, or public premises, not listed on the itineraries.

*Any meals outside of those listed within the itinerary.