Girls’ Tuscan Getaway Highlights
- Visit the Tuscany of your dreams on this awesome trip and create a memory of a lifetime.
- Stay in the Noble House of an authentic Renaissance Villa where you will cook Tuscan family recipes with our professional Chef.
- Visit Greve, the main market and wine town in the heart of the Chianti region.
- Walk past vineyards to the Catello di Brolio, home of the original Chianti Classico recipe.
- Sip a perfect glass of wine at a Tuscan vineyard.
- Guided visit to important Tuscan towns of Lucca, Florence and Volpaia.
- Enjoy a unique personal adventure in the company of other women.
- Be treated to quintessential Tuscan landscapes and rolling hills.
- Walk between the iconic cypress trees made famous by Renaissance painters.
- This is a bespoke travel group limited to a maximum of 10 people.
Custom departures year round. Group departures May 29, 2015.
| Trip Length | 7 days/6 nights |
| Start/Finish | Florence/Florence |
| Walk Rating | Easy to Moderate |
| Included | All breakfasts, some lunches, four dinners, cooking lesson, wine tasting. |
| Hotels | Luxury accommodations included in pricing. |
| Price per person | $3,495* |
| Single Supplement | $550* |
* All prices in US dollars. Ask about personalizing this trip for your departure dates.
DAY 1
Our driver will pick you in Florence at 1:30 p.m. for a transfer to Villa Il Paradisio on the outskirts of Florence.
This UNESCO heritage property is an original Renaissance Villa that has been in the same family since the 1600s. Our hosts carefully maintain the vineyards and olive groves that make up the estate and where you will be free to wander amidst the olive groves and vines, as this is your home for the next 4 nights. There is time to freshen up before our pizza marathon dinner prepared in the special brick oven and enjoyed in the gardens with local organic wines. (D)
Accommodations: Villa Il Paradisino
DAY 2
A guided walk through Florence’s historic centre, a pedestrian city, filled with incredible renaissance architecture. Included are some of the most famous monuments – the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, Signorini Square and more. In the afternoon there is time to wander on your own, shop or visit a museum. You can spend the afternoon continuing to meander the streets of Florence, visit a museum, walk in the Boboli gardens, or return to the villa for some R & R. Dinner is on your own tonight. (B)
Accommodations: Villa Il Paradisino
DAY 3
Now that you have become acquainted with Florence, the surrounding environment and some of the local markets, you will have the morning to relax on the grounds of Il Paradisino or find your way into Florence to meander on your own. Don’t forget to return by 3 p.m. for the start to the cooking part of the Florence cooking holiday. Begin with a tour of the garden and an introduction to organic farming and select the perfect herbs for each meal, and finally pick your herbs to be used while cooking. As part of our garden tour we will point out the trees, vegetable gardens and introduce you to our agricultural methods. After this, we take you in to main Villa that has Chef Costanza’s family home since the XVIII century. The exquisite and large kitchen has been modified so that everyone can participate in cooking the 5-course meal (about 3 hours) using only Florentine family recipes complimented with fresh organic ingredients from the garden or from local markets. And finally it is time to enjoy the fruits of your labor, but first we want you to return to your rooms and change for dinner.
We will greet you in the garden with a glass of wine to clear your palate before entering the villa where your dinner will be served to you in regal style.(B, D)
Accommodations: Villa Il Paradisino
DAY 4
We have an early start today heading to the ancient and medieval village of Lucca. Settled once by the enigmatic Etruscans who formed the basis of Italian society have left many relics worth visiting. It is also famous as the birthplace of Puccini. (B)
Accommodations: Villa Il Paradisino
DAY 5
After a gourmet breakfast you will be driven into Tuscany’s glorious countryside. We’ll visit the medieval hamlets of Volpaie and wander around the outskirts of this charming village. Lunch at a perfect spot carefully selected for the finest quality organic produce and typical Tuscan food. Then, it’s a guided walk in the city of Greve, the most important wine town in all of Chianti. In the afternoon, enjoy the wonderful surroundings provided by Villa Il Barone. Embrace the surrounding nature, take a dip in the pool, enjoy a spa treatment, or wander the extensive ground. Dinner tonight is a treat at one of our favorite country restaurants. (B, D)
Accommodations: Villa Le Barone or equivalent
DAY 6
We begin with an early start for a day trip to the medieval city of Siena, a must see stop on your Tuscan journey. (Note: For private groups Siena can be substituted with Pienza and Bagno Vignoni) We will share a farewell dinner at Villa Le Barone.
Accommodations: Villa Le Barone or equivalent (B, D)
DAY 7
All good things come to an end. After breakfast we say our good-byes and transfer to Florence. You have the option of a direct transfer to the Florence airport or let us help you extend your stay be it in Rome or on the beaches along the coastline. (B)
INCLUDED:
6 nights accommodation with en-suite facilities, 6 breakfasts, 4 dinners, 1 lunch, full-time, professional guide, guided walks each day, guided tours of Florence, Lucca & Greve, wine and specialty foods tastings, paid entrance to all included activities, all land transfers during the tour, taxes and service charges at hotels and restaurants, travel guidance for pre/post-tour activities.
NOT INCLUDED:: Airfares, airport taxes, travel insurance (mandatory), pre and post trip travel, personal purchases, mini-bar services, alcohol unless specifically included, OPC contribution, gratuities for guide and driver.
OUR HOTELS
Villa Le Barone
This hotel is an oasis of serenity in the heart of Chianti. The former manor house has been in the famous Robbia family since the 16th century. It is lovingly cared for with vistas over the vineyards and olive groves. Each room is carefully designed in keeping with traditions and modern amenities.
Panzano in Chianti
50022 Greve in Chianti
Tel. +39 055 85 26 21
Villa Il Paradisino
The accommodations at Il Paradisino are in the fully renovated Noble house originally built in the 15th century.The quiet oasis is on the outskirts of Florence within easy reach of the busy city centre. The property reflects the purity and simplicity of Tuscan style and is surrounded by forests, olive groves, vineyards and gardens – all yours to walk around and enjoy.
Località Colonnata
Via Cafiero, 57
50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze
Tel: 39 055 4494824
*Please note that some routes may be modified as required upon arrival in each location.
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