TASTES OF TUSCANY TOUR

Italian Autumn October 2011

Your Tour Director, well-known ex-restrateur,

Daintree Tourism, has vast experience in tour

 escorting both in Italy and Croatia. Robyn has

wealth of knowledge and passion for this part of

the world. Robbie, (as she prefers to be known)

will delight in sharing her time with her guests,

making sure all care is taken to ensure all

participants have a wonderful and memorable 

 time away.

 

                 Pretty town of Barga in Tuscany    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Highlights

  • Small group personalised tour.

  •  Professional Tour Escort and Excellent Local Guide

  •  Exquisite Tuscan Villa accommodation

  •  Air-conditioned first class transport

  •  Traditional Tuscan Cuisine and Wines

  •   Visiting Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Cinque Terra, Lucca, Greve, Panzano.

  •   Explore magical hilltop villages of Pienza, Panzano and Monteriggioni

 

Price per person  AUD $4500 pp twin share

Single supplement AUD$720

 ITINERARY

Monday 10 October

Transfer from Rome Fiumicino airport to our accommodation in the beautiful Val dOrcia for the next four nights. Welcome dinner as prepared especially for us by our hosts Silvano and Eliana.The cuisine is absolutely exquisite and the hospitality second to none!

 

Tuesday 11 October

Learn and watch how to make pecorino cheese and ricotta, tasting the delicious produce. Today we'll visit a cheese making farm and taste some Pecorino di Pienza, washed down with well-known local wines of quality. Later, a visit to nearby Montepulcino, where we will enjoy the sights,sounds and tastes in this very Renaissance city. In the Piazza is a coppersmith, one of the last in Tuscany.  Late afternoon we'll browse and shop for that special gift, taking our time and savouring the unique atmospere of this picturesque hill town before heading home for dinner along la Foce, a very panoramic route.

Wednesday 12 October

Today we visit the exquisite hilltop town of Pienza over-looking the Val D'Orcia, world famous for it's Pecorino Cheese. Here we'll enjoy a cosy lunch at my favourite little courtyard restaurant.

After lunch we return to La Palazzina for a cooking lesson (after a snooze) with Eliana and then relax with a glass of wine and enjoy the fruits of our labour..  

Thursday 13 October

A morning guided tour in the atmospheric city of Siena, followed by an afternoon spent exploring the magical San Gimignano, and lunch at my favourite vine covered courtyard Enoteca, with great local specialities and a glass or two of the local wines.

 Friday 14 October

A lazy start and an unhurried journey through Tuscany, stopping for a lunch along the way in the walled hilltop town of Monteriggioni, brings us to our villa in the heartland of Chianti which will be our base for the rest of the tour.

An afternoon to settle in to our new 'home' and explore the surroundings.

Welcome drinks and dinner in the evening.

 
Saturday 15 October

A free day  morning and an afternoon spent exploring Lucca. The landscaped Renaissance walls, the amphitheatre still bearing traces of its Roman and mediaeval origins, many churches, paintings and sculptures. This is the weekend of the monthly antiques fair when the streets and piazzas are bustling with vendors of everything from furniture and paintings to silver, kitchen implements, embroidery and books.

Happy hour drinks followed by an evening  Puccini concert, .

 

Sunday 16 October

Today is market day in Panzano. A very beautiful village with great views and great local produce. A visit to the Cafaggio Vineyards  is on our list today after we visit  Dario Cecchini's Macelleria and tonight we'll dine in Dario's popular restaurant with the locals.

 

Monday 17 October

In the morning we help pick olives at our villa and take the harvest to the 'frantoio' for pressing. A picnic lunch in the olive grove will add to our day immersed in nature.

Today is a free day to explore and shop for those special gifts, visiting the outlet shopping centre late afternoon. 

 

Tuesday 18 October

Everyone agrees that the Cinque Terre (the Five Lands) is one of the most beautiful stretches of Italian coastline. The best view of the cultivated terraces and rocky cliffs is from the sea. We sail by boat which stops at each of the picturesque villages, giving you time to explore. You can choose to walk between one or two on the well-marked trails and get back on the boat when youre tired.

 

Wednesday 19 October

A full day spent exploring Florence, San Lorenzo markets, the fresh food market hall, the ArtGalleries, boutiques, shopping for those special shoes and accessories, lunch with local friends at a favourite restaurant and coffee at the famous GIlli Cafe in Piazza della Republica.

Plenty of time for any special individual pursuits, bookings can be made to suit at extra cost. 

Thursday 20 October

Departure. Transport provided to Florence Railway or Airport

 Accommodation Agriturismo 'La Palazzina'

An 18th century hunting lodge, set in oak and cypress parkland, has been sensitively restored retaining period features while incorporating modern conveniences. Today it possesses the qualities of a fine country house to which owners Silvano and Eliana give guests a warm welcome.

PRICE PER PERSON: AUD $4500.00 per person SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:  AUD  $720.00

 

The Itinerary is subject to change if necessary due to weather or other events outside our control.

 

INCLUDES

Luxury accommodation for 10 nights

Local ground transportation for 11 days

Daily continental breakfast,

3 course gourmet lunch OR dinner with wine included.

Entrance to wine tasting, cheese tasting,concert, cooking lessons, guided visits with producers.

 

DOES NOT INCLUDE

Airfares

Travel and cancellation insurance

Wines and beverages, other than those served with meals, additional meals

Personal expenses such as telephone, mini-bar, etc.

  

ENQUIRIES and BOOKINGS :

Slow Tours to Italy and Croatia

Daintree tourism

E-mail: info@daintreetourism.com.au

Website: daintreetourism.com.au