Spoil yourself with traditional Tuscan cuisine as you learn about the art of wine, honey and olive oil production. The fertile farmlands surrounded by cypress trees and olive groves make this an agrarian wonderland where you are sure to lose your sense of time walking through fields of red poppies and sunflowers.
Day 1 & 2: Chianti Classico Farm; Making of Wine, Olive Oil & Honey: After meeting you in Firenze/Florence we transfer to a farmstay/villa, once home to a 16th century bishop in and located in the heart of the Chianti Classico region. We walk within the Antinori wine region to a forgotten Abbey that was founded by the Vallombroso monks in the 13th century. Your guide will point out the many secrets of the surrounding nature and upon our return you enjoy an extensive private tour of the winery we stay and sample their supple wines, olive oil and honey before relaxing at the vanishing edge pool spilling over into the lush Tuscan countryside. For dinner indulge in Italy's finest cuisine where fresh truffles may spoil your palate forever. The 2nd day's walk explores the soft colorful landscapes of fine lines formed by the numerous vineyards, gently rolling hills and fields of sunflowers--simply unforgettable. Our trail leads us to some of the charming wine making towns the Chianti is renowned, and allows us many opportunities to sample the many products of the region. From one tiny hamlet to another we balance our stay in the land of the gallo nero (black rooster) with time to shop and enjoy the moments in a relaxed manner.
Day 3-4: Etruscans & Medieval Towers: Before leaving the Chianti Classico region we walk one last trail that leads us to the fascinating Etruscans tombs. Just as archeologist discovered the key to understanding these original italians, you will learn about a civilization that held women in equal esteem to the scorn of their counterparts. After a gourmet picnic lunch we enjoy a short hike to the medieval skyscrapers of San Gimingano where a romantic quality leaves many feeling giddy. Here we enjoy a tour of the town climb the towers, shop & explore before dining in the medieval center. The next day we walk along the remnants of the Etruscan salt roads to an ancient fortress town surrounded by crumbling towers & commanding vast spectacular views. Our return takes us through a region of hamlets rich in castles, villas and medieval remnants or we visit Voltera, an important Etruscan and Roman hilltown and home to Italy's finest Etruscan museum and center of several alabaster workshops.
Day 5: Crete Landscape: We walk through the strange landscape known as Crete, a bare, ash gray soil of deeply fissured hills and distant views, and end up in the land of Brunello wines, one of Italy's most prestigious. An extensive tasting is scheduled at the end of our day. Along our path we visit the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore--a "must-see". Here the significant frescoes of Sodoma & Signorelli are displayed. We then walk along the original stone path of medieval & ancient Rome, farm tracks through rolling hills filled with black cypress & scattered oak as well as along the"strada bianca", often seen as Mary's pathway in Medieval religious art. Our route leads us to the cloister of Sant'Anna di Camprena--the location for the filming of The English Patient before a tasting of the "King of Red Wines"--Brunello.
Day 6 & 7 (optional): Tuscan Cooking Class and Transfers: Imagine cooking a full course Tuscan menu in the heart of Tuscany at a magnificent 16th century Villa. Enjoy an intimate hands-on experience of how to cook with the basic simple ingredients to create a grand contemporary feast. Before heading to the countryside Villa we all enjoy a private walking tour of Siena then transfer those who are finishing their tour a day early to either the Siena train station or for those that wish to stay in this wonderful town--to your hotel. Those remaining will serve up a feast to remember and have time enough to enjoy one more walk before embracing the romantic evening light of Siena.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Inclusions & highlights:
• All 3-star lodging in/near medieval center and outstanding farm/winery stay w/ breakfast
• All full course dinners but one & (1) picnic lunch
• Winery tour & Chianti & Brunello wine tastings
• Private Siena City tour, visits to Etruscan tombs and important hamlets & Abbeys
• Optional walking routes for multiple levels
• Maps, snacks and water for trail
• All tour transfers including meet/depart, van support and luggage transfer
• Multi-lingual guide(s)
• All entrance fees to scheduled visits
• Half-day cooking school option
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