Tuscany Wine Tours

Your English speaking private chauffeur will meet you at the airport, and you will transfer to your very special boutique hotel, in the wonderful Piazza Santa Maria Novella, just a few steps from the Renaissance church bearing the same name.

Welcome to Florence! Check into your luxurious hotel, a small mansion that resembles an art gallery. After you freshen up, your own private art guide will pick you up and you’ll discover the best highlights of Florence. After a welcome aperitif with your charming guide, enjoy a guided walking tour of Florence's "Centro Storico" including the Mercato Centrale (the mind boggling food market), the Piazza della Signoria (the gorgeous square where the Uffizi gallery, Neptune's fountain and the Palazzo Vecchio are all located), and plenty of hidden gourmet gems enroute. The city’s cobblestone streets, lively atmosphere, and stunning artistic history all add to the enchanting atmosphere. Many writers and artist have been captivated by this city including, Henry James, Albert Camus, and Mark Twain.

In the afternoon, sip a glass of wine on a stylish terrace or get in some shopping or sightseeing. Tonight’s dinner is a special treat- dinner at Cibreo. This restaurant is one of favorite gourmet haunts in Italy. The New York Times described Fabio (Cibreo´s chef owner) best when they said, "he talks like a poet and cooks like a wizard". Fabio is definitely one of the best chefs in Florence, and indeed Italy, a maestro.

Overnight:

4* Luxury Hotel, Stylish converted mansion in Florence, in a superior room

Meals Included in Price:

Welcome aperitif, Welcome basket & Keepsake Book of Wine Tour & Special Present. Full dinner with wine.

Transfers:

Airport transfer, guided walking tour of Florence

Full breakfast in your sophisticated hotel. Today will be a wine tasting extravaganza!

Your charming chauffeur guide will pick you up at your boutique hotel and you will transfer by Mercedes to a top producer in Chianti Classico, through the enchanting Chiantigiana route. You will be treated like a VIP and receive a private visit and wine tasting at a top estate such as Badia a Coltibuono or Capannelle. A gift will be waiting for you! This is the land of Sangiovese and you will taste different expressions of this noble grape.

Get ready for an unforgettable wine country lunch in a traditional and authentic “trattoria”. You’ll have views of vine-covered gentle hills crisscrossed with olive groves. The style of cuisine is classic Tuscan fare – rustic bread covered with extra virgin Olive Oil straight from the oil press, Tuscan salami, Ribollita (vegetable bread soup), Maltagliati with duck ragú, Ravioli stuffed with pecorino and spinach… and then there is the homemade dessert!

After lunch, you will carry on to the spectacular town of Siena. Your own personal art guide will meet you and take you on an “insider’s tour” of Siena. Walk off that lunch and discover some wonderful hidden corners of this charming town.

After your tour of Siena you’ll travel to your hotel for the next two nights- a hill-topped castle! Free evening to enjoy the restaurant of the hotel on your own.

Overnight:

4* Castle hotel in the countryside of Montalcino in a junior suite

Meals Included in Price:

Full breakfast, wonderful Tuscan lunch with wine

Transfers:

Florence- Chianti Classico wine villages- Siena

Full breakfast in the castle. Today, you will taste incredible Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wines!

Your chauffeur guide will pick you up and take you first to Montalcino. This ancient village is best known for its elixir red Brunello di Montalcino wines, made with the Sangiovese Grosso grape varietal. Enjoy a VIP private visit to a Brunello producer such as the prestigious Poggio Antico estate. On the way to the winery, you can stop for a quick visit to the stunning ruins of the 9th century Abbazia di Sant’Antimo. At the winery you will tour the barrel caves, the installations, take in the gorgeous views and taste Brunello “Riservas” and also Rosso di Montalcinos.

Lunch will be in the Michelin starred restaurant of the winery, where Roberto Minnetti will give you a personal chef’s welcome. His cuisine is world famous and signature dishes include his Chianina beef tartare and ravioli in a wild boar sauce. After a delicious lunch, carry on to Montepulciano.

Of Etruscan origin, Montepulciano is one of the most beautiful (and steepest) hill towns in Tuscany. The fortified hamlet was built along a narrow bridge made of natural tufa. Montepulciano is an absolute treat and of course a mythical name for wine lovers. Perfectly preserved and historic, there are darling enotecas (wine bars), gourmet shops and historic palaces, fabulous. The Vino Nobile wines of Montepulciano, were the first to be given the ultimate quality level of DOCG certification. Which is why you are here! You’ll visit a top estate such as Valdpiatta or Avignonesi and enjoy a tasting of Vino Nobile wines.

In the late afternoon, enjoy free time on your own in Montepulciano and transfer back to your castle hotel.

Overnight:

4* Castle hotel in the countryside of Montalcino in a junior suite

Meals Included in Price:

Full breakfast, Lunch with wine in Michelin stared restaurant

Transfers:

Hotel- Montalcino- Montepulciano- Hotel

Full breakfast at your castle hotel. Check out.

Today, you'll travel southwest, from Montalcino to the mythical Maremma Wine Region. The drive takes you from the cypress-covered hills of Montalcino into the beautiful and wild Maremma region. The Maremma is one of the most interesting areas of Tuscany, and curiously “undiscovered” by non-Italians. It is more famous locally for buffalo mozzarella, glamorous beaches on the Tyrrhenian sea, and millionaire’s yachts in Porto Argentario. It is also, interestingly, famous for its cowboys. The ‘butteri’ (cowboys) notoriously beat Buffalo Bill in 1911 when he challenged them to a contest of breaking in the colts.

For us wine lovers, it is also the home of some of the biggest wine names in the world such as Ornellaia and Sassicaia. We will save the wine tasting for tomorrow to give you a chance today to soak up some culture. You will visit Montemerano, Pitigliano and other little villages before checking-in into your beautiful and villa hotel. Lunch in this gorgeous town, called Italy’s “Little Jerusalem” for its Jewish heritage and ancient synagogue. Afternoon, sightseeing in wonderful little villages.

In the evening you will arrive to your country villa style hotel, a delicious property. This is a five star hotel that was once an aristocratic hunting lodge. It is certainly the most luxurious property in Southern Tuscany and you will love it! Alain Ducasse, France’s most famous chef, is the consultant chef here and he has created a Tuscan inspired creative menu, wonderful. Overnight on your own to enjoy the restaurant of the hotel.

Overnight:

5* Ultra Luxury Villa style hotel, deluxe room

Meals Included in Price:

Full breakfast, Lunch in Pitigliano (with wine)

Transfers:

Montalcino- Pitigliano- sightseeing in Maremma- Castiglione della Pescaia

Full breakfast in your elegant Tuscan country hotel.

Today is all about Super Tuscans! In the last 3 decades, there has been an explosion of tiny "garage" style wineries making some of the world’s best (and most expensive) wines. These days, the wines from Maremma can cost up to 500 dollars a bottle!

You will enjoy a wonderful wine tasting day, taking in two superb cellars such as Petra (designed by the famed Mario Botta) and Ornellaia in the castle crowned village of Bolgheri (one of the best cellars in Italy). After your wine “breakfast”, you’ll have one of the best meals on the tour- an unforgettable lunch at our favorite restaurant in the region, Ombrone. This converted 13th century "Frantoio" (olive oil mill) is fabulous. Your hosts are extremely charming and you will enjoy an olive oil tasting before your Tuscan style lunch.

In the afternoon, your chauffeur guide will be on hand and you can visit the beaches of the Maremma, do some sightseeing in medieval villages or go back to your ultra luxury little hotel to enjoy it.

Overnight:

5* Ultra Luxury Villa style hotel, deluxe room

Meals Included in Price:

Full breakfast, wine tastings, olive oil tasting, full lunch with wines

Transfers:

Castiglione della Pescaia- Maremma wine villages- Castiglione

Full breakfast at elegant hotel.

Today you will enjoy an excursion to San Gimignano on the way back to Florence. San Gimignano is a gorgeous medieval village called “the Manhattan of Tuscany” because of its many towers (medieval, of course!).

From the wild Maremma you will drive northeast into the beautiful rolling hills covered in vines, olives and historic villages. Stop in San Gimignano with your driver guide for a few hours. Take in the lovely cobblestoned streets lined with ristoranti, wine shops, ceramic shops, etc. Visit the medieval palaces and art museums. Sit on a terrace before you leave, tasting the local white tipple, Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

Upon arrival to Florence, you will stay in the same lovely boutique hotel as your first night. Enjoy a last night in Florence on your own, with a last gift waiting for you in your room. We recommend Enoteca Pinchiorri for dinner if you want a famed Michelin starred chef or Alle Murate if you are looking for something charming and lively, enjoy your last notte in Florence.

Overnight:

4* Luxury Hotel, Stylish converted mansion in Florence, in a superior room

Meals Included in Price:

Full Breakfast Farewell present in your room

Transfers:

Maremma- San Gimignano- Florence

Full breakfast at elegant hotel.

This concludes your wine tour of Tuscany, with wine tasting in Chianti, Montalcino, Montepulciano and the Maremma. You will leave with many gourmet goodies and gifts, and above all with a deeper appreciation of Tuscan wines, art and architecture.

We can arrange for extra days in Rome or Venice, contact us for details.

End of Services.

Meals Included in Price:

Full Breakfast

Transfers:

Airport transfer to Florence

Prices:

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

• Final price depends on chosen style of accommodation and dining. Please contact us with your group size (minimum 2 guests, no maximum group size), travel dates and preferences and we will send you custom pricing.
• Discounts available for larger groups
• Please note that our tours are available upon demand for PRIVATE GROUPS and are not scheduled tours for mixed groups.

What's Included:

• All luxury Transportation and transfers for 7 days/ 6 nights
• Bilingual driver guide
• Special additional wine guide for 4 days
• Local certified art guides in Florence and Siena
• All accommodation in luxury hotels (superior 4 and 5 stars) in superior rooms and junior suites
• 6 Full Breakfasts
• 4 wonderful wine country Lunches with wines, mineral water, other beverages (1 at Michelin star)
• 1 spectacular welcome dinner with extra special wines selected
• Welcome aperitif cocktails (Champagne/Campari Fizz/Negroni, etc)
• Professional Wine Tasting Presentations with Winemakers/Owners/top staff
• All VIP Winery Visits and Wine Tastings: minimum 5 Boutique and Premium wineries incl. Super Tuscans, Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti Classico
• Olive Oil and Wine gifts
• Various Wine Gifts with bottles signed by the winemakers
• All Entrance Fees to Cultural Sites (Art museums, etc)
• Excursions to Siena, Pitigliano and San Gimignano
• Detailed Itinerary of Tour- Keepsake Book
• Keepsake personalized menus
• Welcome gifts and farewell gift
• Bottled water, juice, soft drinks and snacks available during the drives
• All local taxes

What's Not Included:

• Flights
• Meals and Drinks not Specified
• Personal Expenses such as Telephone, Minibar, etc
• Tips and Gratuities (Guides, Restaurants, etc)
• Travel Insurance (Strongly recommended)
• Cancellation Insurance