Why not combine your vacation with a once in a lifetime culinary experience?  This tour is the perfect way to discover back road villages, art, culture, and of course the full flavor of Tuscany, while still finding the time to relax.  You will taste it all, from the most prestigious wines to down home country cooking, Tuscan style. Enjoy wine tasting, a hands on cooking lesson, sightseeing and much more. You will stay in a charming family-operated hotel that opened in the beginning of the 1900s as the one and only hotel in Montalcino.

DAY 1 • MONTALCINO - SANT'ANTIMO ABBEY

You will be picked up by private car from your hotel in either Florence or Siena and taken to the heart of Tuscany to discover the richness and flavor of the area. You will begin your gastronomic journey with “Brunello di Montalcino”. Your tasting of this prestigious wine will be at Altesino, one of the most well known Brunello estates, which sits in an area so beautiful you’ll call it paradise. From the garden you can see the majestic hill town of Montalcino and the surrounding vines that produce Sangiovese “grosso” along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay. From here you will take the road for Castelnuovo dell’Abate on route you will have lunch in a local “osteria” of the nearby hamlet.

After lunch you will visit one of the best preserved Roman monuments in Tuscany, the abbey of Sant’Antimo.

In Sant’Antimo you can hear monks sing their daily Gregorian Chants as their voices eco off the ancient walls. Then you will be taken to Montalcino, your home for the next few days.

At the entrance to this ancient town lies the “Fortezza”. Built in 1362 this historical fortress has suffered many attacks on it’s walls but has never fallen. This incredible example of medieval architecture offers 360° views on its walls and a lively “enoteca” inside. You will check in at your hotel in the centre of Montalcino and have free time to discover the town. Dinner at your hotel featuring local specialties and a bottle of Brunello.

(L/D)

DAY 2 • BAGNO VIGNONI - CASTIGLIONE D'ORCIA

After breakfast, you will participate in an incredible hands on cooking lesson. With Anna, the Chef, you will prepare tasty Tuscan dishes typical of this area with fresh local produce. Enjoy the fruits of your labor for lunch along with specifically selected local wines .

In the afternoon you are off to discover two hidden villages of southern Tuscany. Your first stop will be Bagno Vignoni, a fascinating village surrounded by castles and medieval ruins. It has been an important thermal hot springs area since Roman times. The hamlet was developed around a large open air bath which was used to cure and relax weary pilgrims, and the likes of Lorenzo de Medici and Saint Catherine.  Now you too can soak your feet in the healing waters of Bagno Vignoni. You will next visit Castiglione d’Orcia. This small medieval town looks and feels as it did some 700 years ago. Once a battle ground for the Florentines and the Sienese, Castiglione lost it’s importance when Siena fell to Florence and the Medici family took over the area.  As this is a placed not usually visited by tourists you will get a special look at daily life in the Tuscan country side and have a relaxing place to sip coffee and stroll the ancient streets. After your visit to Castiglione d’Orcia you will head back Montalcino.

(B/L/D)

DAY 3 • PIENZA - MONTEPULCIANO - MONTICCHIELLO

This morning you are off to discover more of southern Tuscany. Your tour will continue to Pienza,   a jewel of Renaissance town planning created by Pope Pious II. Apart from her beauty Pienza is well known for its production of the famous Pecorino (sheep cheese). Its history begins in Roman time and by 1800’s the production methods that are used today were in use. For lunch you will eat at the only restaurant in Monticchiello, another peaceful village surrounded by an ancient wall that maintains it’s original characteristics and contains rustic stone houses. You will dine on local specialities such as pici (large hand made spaghetti), grilled meats, roast chicken and even a bit of a truffle dish. After “siesta”, the last stop of the day will be a visit to Montepulciano. This hill town once inhabited by Etruscans and then Romans, is now famous for it’s production of “Vino Nobile di Montepulciano”. The “Nobile” red wine dates back to the 1300’s when noble families had first choice of the grapes that would be used for the wines that graced their tables. In the historic center you can admire centuries old buildings, see ancient Etruscan caves now used to store wine, and taste this one of a kind, fine red wine. You will have time to explore the town on your own before heading back to Montalcino for dinner in your hotel.

(B/L/D)

DAY 4

After breakfast you will return to Florence, Siena or wherever your travels carry you.

(B)