Travel with Flavors From Afar
Inside Tuscany Wine and Food
$2750 Includes Everything Except Airfare!
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Travel in Italy with Flavors From Afar.
We love sharing our favorite insider spots in Tuscany with you. Whether it's day-tripping to food and wine destinations, or living inside local traditions that gets your travel compass resonating, you'll find lots to love about our Inside Tuscany Food and Wine Trip.
Comments from our travelers:
"A simple Thank you isn't good enough. Our trip exceeded our expectations - beginning with the villa, then all of the wonderful excursions, topped off with the absolute best food ever..." Jenna C.
"It was such a wonderful experience and you both were amazing hosts. Thanks again for the trip of a lifetime!" Marsha V.
"In all, it was just simply a marvelous trip. It was nothing like any tour I've ever taken. Gary and Nancy made everything in Italy so easy for us. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat!" Jene G.
What's Included: $2750 includes lodging (double occupancy), meals, ground transportation during the week, cooking class, wine tasting, lunch at Luca's, and welcome reception appetizers and wine. Airfare not included. Meet us in Siena, we do the rest!
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Day One
Arrive Siena and drive to Montestigliano, our base for the week. We will have welcome hors' d'oeuvres and wine at the villa, followed by a wonderful first meal in Cateni in Orgia. Sleep off that jet lag, and then....
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Day Two
We start the day with a tour of the vineyards. Next, we have a wine tasting and cooking class with Sarah Fioroni, all with breathtaking views of San Gimignano. We'll tour the working farm with the Tuscan Chianina cattle, then on to the walled city of San Gimignano. This town is known as the "New York" of Tuscany with its famed towers and wonderful gelato. We'll have dinner at Le Vecchie Mura, a restaurant embedded in the walls of the city.
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Day Three
We'll visit historic Deruta, center of Italy's ceramics industry for centuries. Our favorite is Luca Pimpinelli's shop. His designs contain all the traditional components, mixed together in an altogether edgy fashion. There's a ceramics museum nearby for those who are interested in learning more. Following shopping, we'll retire to the home of Luca's sister, Michela, who fixes up a fabulous Umbrian meal. Back to the villa, with a light meal at a local restaurant.
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Day Four
Next up, Florence, Tuscany's lovely Renaissance center. Nancy and Gary will take the group on an optional low-key walking tour of the city. We'll enter from the south and walk over the Ponte Vecchio, check out the gold jewelry for sale and the lovers locking their hearts away and tossing the keys. Then, on to the Duomo where we can view the inside and "Heaven and Hell" under the dome, then climb the tower top if you like. There's a wonderful San Lorenzo market, fun for shopping and people watching, followed by the Mercato Centrale, Florence's huge and eclectic food market. We'll visit Antinori for lunch, owned by the family of the eponymous wine, where beautiful insiders dine. We'll take a walk through the old Medici pharmacy with smells and potions galore for today's visitors. You may opt to visit the Uffizi Gallery (Birth of Venus) or Accademia (Michaelangelo's David) during the day. We suggest you order tickets online before you go (not included in the price of the tour) and we'll make sure you have time to meet us at Antinori for lunch!
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Day Five
Wednesday opens with a trip to the Siena market. We'll mix with locals, pick up some local produce, bread, even clothing and cutlery if we like it. Then we'll drive to Dievole, one of our favorite Chianti wineries for a tasting. Our host is Dario Castagno, New York Times Bestselling author of Too Much Tuscan Sun. We'll taste several wines paired with food in different rooms and builidings on the winery estate while Dario spins history all around us. It's possible to send wine home, if you desire. Gelato on the ride back in Castellina in Chianti.
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Day Six
We'll visit a Cinta Senese pig farm, where locals are re-invigorating a local pig that was all but extinct twenty years ago. We'll learn about the breed, see the baby pigs, tour their grounds and learn about the production and care that's lavished on this unique Tuscan breed. Following, we'll enter the home of owner Daniele, taste the local wine and olive oil, and ... the porchetta! Then it's on to Santa Margherita, a tiny goat farm where excellent organic fresh goat cheese is carefully prepared. We'll visit the goats, hear the story of the producer, then visit an old mill in the country for lunch with a tasting of the products.
Later, we'll venture to Siena for an afternoon in a medieval setting, in contrast to renaissane Florence. We'll take a walking tour of the famous cathedral, and head to the Campo (site of the famous Palio horse race) for cappuccino or vino. Dinner in Siena, then we'll return to the Campo to watch the moon rise behind its famous tower, Torre del Mangia.
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Day Seven
Last day in the Tuscan hills, so we head to Montepulciano, home of Vino Nobile. Brunello tasting at Antinori near Montepulciano. Lunch at a local haunt in town with a trip to the workshop of our favorite coppersmith, followed by a tour and optional tasting of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano at Contucci Cantini in the main square. Optional sidetrip to Pienza, with shop after shop of Pecorino cheese in all stages - fresh, aged, with herbs, you name it! Or, as another option (we're all about options!) for those wanting to spend more time in our lovely villa, you can stay at home base, read, write, and reflect on your experience so far.
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Last Day
Head to Siena and homeward, or on to another destination. Buon Viaggio! If you'd like to sign up, click here if you choose to order online. You may also call us at 214.696.2327 or send an email to sales@flavorsfromafar.com to sign up or request more information..
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Terms and Conditions
Ah yes, the details! Click here to see information regarding deposits, payment, and the like!
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