Tuscany & Piedmont Tour For Food and Wine Lovers

Luxury Italian Culinary and Wine Vacation, Piedmont & Tuscany:

Highlights:

• Wine Tasting Tours of Tuscany, Piedmont and Franciacorta
• Visit Castles and Historic Wineries
• Private Cooking Class
• Cheese Making Visit
• Unique "Foodie" Experiences
• Walking Tours of the Art Cities
• Idyllic Italian Villages

View images of Piedmont

What kind of a traveller do you consider yourself? Do you like to visit the small towns, the quaint restaurants, the traditional shops, when you travel? Do you love food and wine? Luxurious, historic hotels? Your own private chauffeur? If the answer is yes yes yes, then this is the Luxury Italian Wine Tour for you! We have designed this very special itinerary with the savvy traveller in mind. The tour begins in Florence, one of Italy's most stunningly beautiful cities. You will travel by chauffeured Mercedes and have your own private bilingual guide. You'll visit historic and also modern, cutting edge wineries. You'll explore cities with your own private art guides, enjoy a private cooking class of Tuscan classics, taste Italian Olive Oils, cured hams and artisan cheeses, and of course see countless medieval villages and lovely towns along the way. This private tour is an introductory taste to the best Tuscany and Piedmont have to offer.

From Florence, you will continue your journey throughout Tuscany before heading north to Piedmont, stopping enroute to the chic and fabulous coastal town of Portofino on the Italian Riviera. You'll stop off in the Italian gourmet heartland of Emilia Romagna (home to Balsamic Vinegar, Parma Ham and Parmigiano Cheese) before returning to Florence. Wine regions you will visit include Chianti Classico, Montalcino (Brunello), Maremma (Super Tuscans), Piemonte (Barolo, Barbaresco, Gavi) and Franciacorta (best bubbly in Italy). You'll also have a chance to see some of the most important art collections in the world, including the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. This tour of Italy is the trip of a lifetime, let us be your guide!

- Arrive to Florence

- Mercedes transfer from the airport to your lovely hotel

- Free afternoon in Florence to rest or explore.

- In the late afternoon, we will organize a wonderful private tour of Florence for you. You will have your own personal art guide to take you on a walking tour of the major sights in historic Florence and its hidden gourmet corners.

- We will make a dinner reservation for you in Florence at a glamorous restaurant.

Overnight:

4* Luxurious and charming hotel, historic Florence

Meals Included in Price:

Welcome bottle of wine in hotel room

Transfers:

Airport/ Train Station transfers

- 9:30 AM Today is a wine tasting excursion into beautiful Chianti! Your charming chauffeur guide will pick you up at your Florence hotel and you will transfer by Mercedes to a top producer of Chianti Classico DOCG, Castello di Fonterutoli

- This gorgeous winery encompasses a castle and dominates a lovely hamlet, only a few miles away from the "Chiantigiana", the Roman road that leads from Florence to Siena.

- The Mazzei family are the owners of the Fonterutoli estate and it has been in their family since 1435! The history of the estate is fascinating, full of interesting characters such as Filippo Mazzei. Filippo was an eccentric and intellectual, and invited by his friend Thomas Jefferson at the end of the 18th century to plant vineyards near Jefferson's home in Virginia. Filippo Mazzei ended up not only leaving his vines, but also participating in the American Revolution and the drafting of the U.S. Constitution! One of the first Italian Americans.

- You will enjoy a leisurely visit of the estate, followed by a tasting of the top wines and then lunch in wine country. After wine tasting, you will transfer to lovely Siena, where you will stay overnight. Free time for dinner.

Overnight:

5* Ultra Luxury Hotel, Siena

Meals Included in Price:

Full Breakfast, Tuscan Lunch with fabulous wines

Transfers:

None

- Full breakfast at your gorgeous palatial hotel.

- Today you will enjoy an excursion to Montalcino. You will transfer by chauffeured Mercedes through beautiful Tuscany, enjoying the idyllic rolling hills, medieval towns and cypress lined roads. The drive to Montalcino from Siena is a pleasant 40 minute treat.

- Visit a top winery in Montalcino, such as the famed Poggio Antico. Your hosts will greet you warmly and you will visit the beautiful cellar, enjoy the fabulous views and of course taste a range of their best wines, from Rosso di Montalcino to the high end Brunellos. Before leaving, you will receive a gourmet gift

- Enjoy a delightful lunch in a special restaurant right at the winery. The dining experience is five star, and you will enjoy elegant surroundings, with a stunning view of the vineyards overlooking Monte Amiata.

- After your relaxed lunch, you'll transfer back to Siena and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.

Overnight:

5* Ultra Luxury Hotel, Siena

Meals Included in Price:

Full Breakfast , Gourmet Lunch with wine

- Full breakfast at your gorgeous palatial hotel.

- Today you will explore the fabulous medieval villages of Tuscany, including Monteriggioni, San Gimignano and Massa Marittima, before checking into to your aristocratic country residence.

- You will leave Siena, first heading north to the darling little hamlet of Monteriggioni, a haven for artists and locals. Have a coffee or an aperitif and enjoy a walk around the little walled village. After your little stretch, continue on to the marvellously preserved town of San Gimignano, dubbed the "Medieval Manhattan" for its soaring stone towers.

- Enjoy lunch on your own at any one of San Gimignano traditional cafes or mama and papa run "trattorie", before continuing your Tuscan adventure on to Massa Marittima. Massa is another medieval village, 10 minutes from your hotel for the evening, and is a little gem.

- You will overnight in a romantic 17th century restored 17th century Villa, very close to the Maremma region. Your views from your room are of miles of unspoiled Tuscan countryside-vineyards and olive groves. There is a cozy restaurant run by Giuseppe Mellino, specializing in seafood and traditional Tuscan cooking. Enjoy!

Overnight:

4* Luxurious Villa Hotel in Tuscan countryside

Meals Included in Price:

Full breakfast

- Full breakfast at the villa

- Today, you will enjoy Super Tuscan wine tastings, an olive oil tasting and a very charming lunch. The afternoon is free to take in sightseeing, head to the coast, or relax at the villa.

- You will receive private visits to top estates such as Ornellaia and the ultra modern Petra (whose winery was designed by Mario Botta, leading Swiss architect).

- In the afternoon, you will have your chauffeur on hand and you can:

- Evening on your own to enjoy dinner at the villa, or taxi to nearby Massa Marittima.

Overnight:

4* Luxurious Villa Hotel in Tuscan countryside

Meals Included in Price:

Full breakfast, Lunch with excellent wines

- Today, you will leave Tuscany and head north to the region of Piemonte.

- Stop enroute to Portofino, one of the most glamorous seaside towns in Italy. Enjoy a classy lunch on your own at any of the chic eateries overlooking the bay, full of its colorful boats.

- Alternatively, you can stop for lunch at another village on the Italian Riviera.Continue on to Gavi, a fabulous white winemaking region in Piemonte.

- You'll take in a wonderful private visit at a top Gavi producer, such as Villa Sparina, where you will stay overnight right in wine country. Your hotel dates back to the 1600's and is a lovingly converted farmhouse, now a luxury four star hotel dedicated to wine lovers. There is an excellent restaurant here. Free evening on your own to enjoy the top restaurant.

Overnight:

4* Luxurious Villa Hotel in wine country

Meals Included in Price:

Full breakfast

- Full breakfast in your charming, rural villa. Today is a very special day for you wine lovers, we have saved the best for last!

- You will travel from Gavi wine country to the lovely Langhe sub region, home of Barolo Barbaresco. You'll visit one of the best Barbaresco producers, and meet the whole family. Luca, the son, is the winemaker and he will take you on a vineyard walk, also visiting the old cellar, even visiting the darling wine hamlet of Barbaresco.

- You'll indulge in a superb wine tasting of the best Barolos and Barbarescos the estate makes before sitting down to lunch with the winemaker and his family. The cuisine will be classic Piemontese, rich and pairing perfectly with the region's sultry red wines.

- After an unforgettable lunch, you will visit the castle of Grinzane Cavour, a beautiful castle in perfect condition and now home to the provincial wine museum. Free time in Grinzane to enjoy the views, taste wines at the enoteca, etc.

- Late afternoon transfer to your hotel in wine country, a four star hotel located in an 18th century villa surrounded by vineyards on one side and the historic village of Monforte d'Alba on the other.

Overnight:

4* Luxurious Villa Hotel in wine country

Meals Included in Price:

Full breakfast, Traditional Piemontese lunch with winemaking family

- Enjoy a late start today, having a leisurely breakfast and a walk around the village.

- Around 11AM you will transfer south to the little known wine region of Franciacorta (approx 2 hours 45 minutes drive).

- Check into your ultra luxury hotel, a 5* Relais and Châteaux located in a historic villa. You will have your chauffeur at your disposal and you can go for lunch on Lago d'Iseo, a picturesque lake. Or stay at the hotel, have lunch there and enjoy a spa afternoon (there is a famous spa right in the hotel).

- Free afternoon

- You will have a dinner reservation made for you at Gualtiero Marchesi, one of Italy's most distinguished chefs.

Overnight:

5* Ultra Luxurious and charming hotel, Franciacorta wine country

Meals Included in Price:

Full breakfast, Welcome bottle of wine in hotel room

- Full breakfast in your luxurious hotel, this is a highlight and might be your best breakfast in Italy!

- This morning, you will have a short but interesting visit at a nearby Franciacorta cellar, tasting some of the best bubbly in Italy!

- For lunch, you will transfer to the beautiful medieval town of Bergamo. Lunch on your own Bergamo (with recommendations)

- In the afternoon, you can stop in Lake Iseo for a digestive walk along this pretty lake, or you can head back to the hotel for some R&R or spa time.

- Free evening

Overnight:

5* Ultra Luxurious and charming hotel, Franciacorta wine country

Meals Included in Price:

Full breakfast

- Full breakfast in your luxurious hotel

- Today will be a foodie day. You'll transfer to Florence, passing through the region of Emilia Romagna.

- You will enjoy visit to a Parmigiano Reggiano cheese maturing center, learning about the entire process.

- Additionally, you will see where Parma ham is made, how it is aged and of course, you will get a taste!

- Enjoy lunch in Bologna, a gorgeous town and the capital of Emilia Romagna.

- Late afternoon transfer to Florence, free evening.

Overnight:

4* Luxurious and charming hotel, historic Florence

Meals Included in Price:

Full breakfast, ham tasting, cheese tasting

- Full breakfast in your luxurious hotel

- Today you will enjoy your last "foodie" experience of the tour, a cooking class of Tuscan cuisine.

- The venue is a private Tuscan home, located in the hills above Florence. You will be greeted like old friends, and enthral in this culinary introduction to "Cucina Povera", traditional Tuscan "Peasants" cooking. Learn how to prepare dishes such as Crostini Neri (chicken liver pate), Pappa al Pomodoro (tomato and bread country soup), Involtini di Vitella (Veal rolls), Torta di Pere e Cioccolato (Chocolate and Pear cake)

- Later you will sit down to the delicious lunch that you have helped prepare, with your cooking instructors, enjoying local wines from Chianti.

- The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy in Florence to get in some gourmet shopping or sightseeing. Tonight, you will have a reservation made for you at the 3 Michelin starred Enoteca Pinchiorri, one of Italy's most prestigious restaurants. Unforgettable!

Overnight:

4* Luxurious and charming hotel, historic Florence

Meals Included in Price:

Full breakfast, cooking class with lunch

- Full breakfast in your luxurious hotel

- This concludes your gourmet tour of Tuscany and Piedmont- for this trip. We hope to see you again!

- End of services.

Meals Included in Price:

Full breakfast

What's Included:

What's Not Included:

Prices:

This is a SAMPLE TOUR ITINERARY. Please note that our chauffeured luxury tours have the following starting prices:

More Information on Tuscany & Piedmont Wine Tours, Italy:

If you are interested in this Luxury Italian Wine Vacation, contact us today for more information. This tour can also be adapted for bigger groups with a substantial discount. All of our tours are available year round upon request for your private group of minimum 2 people. If you would like us to customize a luxury gourmet tour for you, contact us with your requirements, and we can send you a free itinerary and quote with no obligations. We organize cooking packages and wine tours from 1 day, to weekends to longer food and wine discoveries throughout Spain, Portugal & Italy. Contact us at

Email us at: info@cellartours.com