Come
take an inside look at the ancient traditions unique to Tuscany. Visit a
leather workshop, a crystal factory and the original vineyard of Chianti.
Based in the fairytale town of Siena you’ll experience a Tuscany not seen by
many tourists, taste fine wine, dine at fantastic restaurants and find out
why Tuscany will stay in your heart long after you’ve left.
DAY 1 • GREVE
IN CHIANTI (VERRAZZANO CASTLE) - CHIANTI AREA
Will pick you up in Florence and take you into the Chianti countryside. Your
first stop will be at a leather factory where you will learn how Italian
leather is worked by hand to produce top of the line purses, jackets, shoes
and more. Then you are off to the Verrazzano castle. Once home to the
famous explorer for whom the Verrazzano bridge in NYC was named for, the
castle bears a long and glorious history. It is now one of the finest
producers of Chianti wine. Here you will be led on an enthusiastic tour of
the grounds and cellars to be followed by a comparative tasting of several
of their wines and lunch made from products produced on the grounds. Here at
Verrazzano they produce their own wild boar sausage, honey, balsamic vinegar
and much more. After lunch you will be taken to Siena where after being
checked into your hotel, in the heart of the city, you will have time to
explore the town on your own and enjoy dinner.
(L)
DAY 2 •
MONTERIGGIONI – COLLE VAL D’ELSA – SAN GIMIGNANO
After breakfast you will head to Monteriggioni. Once a Sienese stronghold
during wars with Florence in the middle ages, Monteriggioni is now a sleepy
village that seems to have kept modern times outside of it’s medieval walls.
Enjoy a quite stroll here before visiting Colle Val D’Elsa. This charming
town is well know for it’s production of very high quality crystal. Here you
will get the chance to tour a crystal factory and see how the artisans work
their trade. This truly unique experience will be followed by a lovely lunch
at a typical Tuscan restaurant in Colle Val D’Elsa. In the afternoon you
will head to the famous city of towers, San Gimignano. Seventeen soaring
towers outlined by the blue Tuscan sky remind you of the glorious past of
San Gimignano. Once a major trading center along the Francigena way during
medieval times, San Gimignano is now appreciated for it’s beauty, charm and
spectacular views. After this visit, you will return to your hotel for
dinner.
(B/L/D)
DAY 3
• MELETO
CASTLE
– BROLIO CASTLE
This day is dedicated to tow of the oldest and most representative castles
in Chianti. They are steeped in history and legend and are not what fairy
tales are made of. These imposing fortresses were important military
structures that now are famous of the production of Chianti.
First up Meleto castle, close to Gaiole in Chianti. This imposing medieval
castle still maintains it’s original structure. With solid round towers and
intense fortifications built in 1400 this castle was a protagonist in the
ferocious battles between Florence and Siena that stretched out over the
entire dark ages. Heading south you will find the Brolio Castle which
belongs to one of the most important families in Tuscany, the Ricasoli
family. Time for lunch near the Castle. The baron Bettino Ricasoli, also known as the iron baron, was not
only an important political figure during the unification of Italy but also
wrote the original recipe for Chianti Classico as we know it today. Many
legend surround the Brolio castle. Many believe that the ghost of the baron
can still be seen, dressed in black on a white horse, roaming the
countryside during the night. After your day of Castles you will return to
Siena for dinner in the historic center.
(B/L/D)
DAY
4
After breakfast we will take you to Florence where you will continue on to
your next destination.
(B)
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