Quintessential 10-Day Tuscany Food and Wine Tour

Florence is a fascinating city of art, fashion, tradition, and gastronomy. Here, elegant palaces line cobbled lanes, and the aroma of freshly brewed espresso lingers among the scattered bakeries. Your flight will land at Florence Peretola Airport, where your private transfer will greet you upon your arrival and escort you into the heart of the city. After settling in to the comforts of your luxurious accommodation, your guide will introduce you to the marvels of Florence. First, you will explore the bustling neighborhood of San Lorenzo. Eventually, you will step into the majestic display of architecture in the San Lorenzo Church.

This morning, your guide will lead you on an artistic discovery of the city, beginning with a visit to the Uffizi Gallery, which was built in the 16th century as the magistrate’s office. Your guide will eventually lead you to Botticelli’s Birth of Venus. In the afternoon, you will meet your instructor for a cooking course under the tutelage of a local chef. During your course, you will learn the art of Tuscan flavors. As you prepare a multi-course meal, you will also learn how to make fresh pasta.

In the morning, you will venture to the Galleria dell’Accademia with your guide to view the majestic statue of David by Michelangelo. The museum was founded in the 18th century as an art school and features works from the 13th to the 16th centuries. Michelangelo’s David will captivate you as it stands 17 feet tall with remarkable details. In the evening, you will continue your exploration of Florence with a private gelato tour. Your tour will lead you through the historic center of the city to the best gelato shops known to locals.

Today, you will venture outside of Florence with your private driver to find the iconic Tuscan countryside that is flush with cypress trees and olive groves. Vineyards spread across the foothills, and medieval villages crown the lush knolls. The Chianti region produces some of Tuscany’s finest wines. After exploring the charms of Radda in Chianti and noticing the remarkable collections of enoteche that display stunning wines from around the wider Chianti region and greater Tuscany, your guide will escort you to a nearby vineyard that is overseen by an antique castle. Wine production on the property has taken place for over a millennium. You can explore the vineyard with your guide before sampling a variety of wines.

The sunlight will wash over the Chianti countryside in the morning, returning the lush vineyards into view before breakfast. Your private transfer will greet you at your hotel and escort you to a meeting with an oenologist. During this meeting, you will learn the secrets of making wine in the heart of Tuscany. You can walk through the vineyards on the property to find a collection of grape varietals, such as Sangiovese, Merlot, and Syrah. Here, you will be a winemaker for the day and learn how to blend your own Tuscan wine. At lunch, you will enjoy traditional Tuscan cuisine and wine pairing.

This morning, you will make your way to the hilltop town of Pienza. Your guide will explore some of the history of the city with you and its connection to the cuisine of Val d’Orcia. Soon, you will arrive at a shop with a display window filled with pecorino cheese. The earthy and pungent aroma from the cheese will drift through the door before you have a chance to sample it. On the outskirts of town, you will visit a private farm that is celebrated for the pecorino it produces. Here, your guide will lead a workshop that will unveil the techniques and process of the cheese.

Today, you will travel to the city of Siena in the morning with your private transfer. After settling in to your beautiful accommodations, your guide will lead you on a tour of the fabulous city. The splendor of the Duomo dominates the skyline of the city. The black and white façade will provide a captivating image of elegance. You will be able to tour this fascinating structure. In the afternoon, your guide will introduce you to a local enoteca that specializes in Brunello di Montalcino. Here, you can sample the variety of Tuscan wines that have been aged in oak barrels for at least five years.

The precious village of Bolgheri represents one of Tuscany’s most quintessential storybook towns. You will travel with your private driver to the idyllic hamlet. The narrow streets and charming homes depict the small size of the village but boast an indelible enchantment. Artisan shops offer samples of locally made olive oils, and wine shops display stunning collections of local wines. After strolling through town, you will visit a celebrated winery that is surrounded by the natural splendor of the Tuscan countryside. Here, your guide will introduce you to the grapes that produce traditional super Tuscans, such as Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc.

In the morning, you will venture to the rolling hills with a guide. Here, you will traverse the bountiful landscape in search of the truffle. You and your guide will set out with dogs in search of the hidden treasure that is deeply associated with the exclusive cuisines and elite dishes of Italy. You will wander along the foothills of the medieval village of San Giovanni d’Asso. The dogs will scour the soils before finding a truffle among the roots of a tree. After your excursion, you will return to a charming osteria in the village for a mouthwatering meal that highlights the characteristics of the truffle.

After breakfast, your private transfer will meet you at the hotel and escort you to Florence Peretola International Airport, bringing an end to your spectacular food and wine tour of Tuscany.