1st day ROME (OR FLORENCE)
Breakfast. Arrival airport Rome or Florence and transfer to the hotel. Welcome dinner in a Typical restaurant with the tasting of local cuisine. Overnight in hotel.
2nd day SAN GIMIGNANO - WINERY & WINE TASTING - MONTERIGGIONI
Breakfast. In the morning depart for San Gimignano, the land of the renowned towers. Lunch in a typical restaurant in the city centre. Afternoon transfer to a local winery, for a tasting of local wines. On the return to the hotel, stop and visit the small hamlet of Monteriggioni. Overnight in hotel.
3rd day BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO GOCG
Breakfast. This day is dedicated to one of the greatest Italian red wines, Il Brunello di Montalcino DOCG. Arrival at Montalcino, guided walking tour of the historical centre and visit the small Enoteca, built into a hillside. Transfer to the winery, visit the winery museum and a tasting of the two wines. Lunch in the winery's tavern with traditional menu. In the afternoon visit the winery of Biondi Santo (the creator) of the Brunello, and participate in a tasting of this noble wine. At the end of the afternoon, stop and visit of the splendid Abbey of Sant'Antimo. Evening at leisure and overnight in hotel.
4th day CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG - COOKING LESSON - FLORENTINE HILLS
Breakfast. In the morning depart for a full day excursion in the Chianti region. A three hour cooking lesson, in the preparation of typical dishes, such as fresh pasta. The lesson with a local chef will take place in a country residence in the Chianti hills. At the end of the lesson, lunch accompanied with tasting of the Chianti Classico DOCG. Afternoon excursion to the Florentine Hills. Visit of a wine cellar with wine tasting and snack. Evening at leisure and overnight in hotel.
5th day SIENA - WINE SEMINAR AT FORT MEDICEA
Breakfast. In the morning guided city tour of Siena: Piazza del Campo, Il Duomo, La Basilica di S. Domenico. Lunch at a Medieval restaurant with tasting of a typical menu of the region. In the afternoon wine seminar at the Enoteca Italiana, situated in the Fort Medicea of the 1600's. Here, visit of the museum of the DOC & DOCG Italian wines, with a wine tasting and lesson from a professional Sommelier with 5 Italian wines. Evening at leisure and overnight in hotel.
6th day MONTEPULCIANO NOBLE RED WINE - PIENZA
Breakfast. Full day dedicated in the discovery of a large Tuscan red wine, the noble wine of Montepulciano. Arrival at Montepulciano, a guided walking tour of the historical centre, called the pearl of the Five Hundreds. During the visit, stop at one of the oldest wineries situated in the heart of the city. Wine tasting. Then transfer to a large winery, visit the factory and the winery, a tasting and lunch will take place in the actual wine cellar, with a menu of local cuisine. In the afternoon transfer to Pienza, the jewel of the Rinascimento era and strolling through the streets. Late afternoon, snack with a tasting of local Pecorino cheese. Return and overnight in hotel.
7th day DEPARTURE
Breakfast. Transfer from hotel to airport or on to more Italy, extending the stay in Florence or Rome.
INCLUSIONS:
- 6 night accommodation in 4* hotel at Siena
- Welcome dinner
- 5 gourmet lunches
- unlimited local wines at meals
- one 3 hour cooking lesson
- one wine seminar at the Enoteca Italian
- all tastings and winery visits as shown in above programm
- half day visit with English speaking guide of S. Gimignano, Siena, Montepulciano
- English speaking hostess throughout the tour
- all travel by luxurious air-conditioned bus
- transfers by deluxe air conditioned bus
- all excursions as per above programm
- Dates and rates on request
