SIP, TASTE AND EXPERIENCE TUSCANY

Welcome to Tuscany

Arrival at Florence Peretola International Airport (FLR) or Santa Maria Novella Train Station. Meet & greet and transfer to your selected hotel in the heart of Chianti (approximately 40 minutes). Upon arrival, enjoy a welcome drink and relax before the introductory meeting at 6:00 PM. Dinner is at your leisure (not included). Overnight stay at the hotel.

If you wish to include a private transfer from another airport or train station in Northern or Central Italy, you can add the optional service during the booking process in the following steps.

Medieval Villages, Tuscan Flavors, and Chianti Traditions

Breakfast at the hotel. Your first stop will be Monteriggioni (approximately 30 minutes away), a small fortified village perched on a hill and completely encircled by imposing medieval walls and fourteen towers. Built in the 13th century by the Republic of Siena as a defensive stronghold against Florence, the village appears almost unchanged since the Middle Ages. Walking through the main gate, you will enter a tiny yet atmospheric square dominated by the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria Assunta. With its stone houses, quiet lanes, and breathtaking views over the Tuscan countryside, Monteriggioni offers a perfect glimpse into medieval life.

Continue to San Gimignano (approximately 30 minutes), often called the “Manhattan of the Middle Ages” because of its extraordinary skyline of medieval towers rising above the surrounding vineyards and olive groves. Once an important stop along the ancient pilgrimage route of the Via Francigena, the town flourished through trade and banking during the 13th and 14th centuries. Today it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its remarkably well-preserved historic center.

Enjoy a guided walking tour with a local expert, discovering the history and legends behind the town’s famous towers, noble palaces, and picturesque squares. You will visit landmarks such as Piazza della Cisterna, the heart of medieval life, and Piazza del Duomo, home to the beautiful Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta, renowned for its remarkable fresco cycles.

Lunch included at a local restaurant, where you will have the opportunity to enjoy traditional Tuscan cuisine.

IIn the afternoon, stop in Greve in Chianti, a charming village considered the gateway to the Chianti wine region. Here you will meet a local butcher, where the meat for dinner will be selected and purchased before being prepared and cooked later in the evening.

Continue to Lamole for a wine tasting surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Chianti hills at Mons Driadalis Winery. Mons Driadalis was born from a dream: to create unique wines with their own soul and identity, deeply connected to nature and humanity. The story began with a small “home” vineyard of just 300 Merlot vines, cared for with the same attention and dedication one would give to children. These vines are still there today, growing at their own pace and following their natural rhythm. Over time, a beautiful Sangiovese vineyard in the Chianti Classico area joined the estate, giving life to the winery’s first two wines: a rosé made from white grapes and a Chianti Classico Riserva—produced in limited quantities and crafted with great passion.

For dinner, enjoy a unique culinary experience with a local butcher, who will share the secrets behind the preparation of the traditional Bistecca alla Fiorentina. The meal features the iconic Florentine steak, paired with two Chianti Classico Riserva wines, creating an authentic and memorable Tuscan dining experience.

After dinner, return to the hotel for the overnight stay.

Olive Oil, Wine, and the Magic of Truffles

After breakfast, set off to explore the World of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Enjoy a guided tour of the mill, with a detailed explanation of each stage of production, followed by a tasting of single-variety oils and blends of varying intensity. The journey continues with a guided wine tasting, beginning with a fresh and elegant white, then moving on to a selection of refined reds. In the afternoon, experience an authentic truffle hunt. Accompanied by an expert truffle hunter and a specially trained dog, you’ll explore the nearby woods in search of these prized delicacies. Along the way, discover the natural habitats where truffles grow, the plants they grow alongside, and the secrets of finding them, all shared with passion and fascinating anecdotes.
Return to the hotel, then enjoy dinner at a local restaurant featuring dishes prepared with the treasured truffle, celebrated for its intense aroma and refined flavor.

Tuscan Wines, Aromas, and Sensory Experiences

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by departure for a historic Tuscan estate (approximately 50 minutes), nestled among the picturesque hills of the countryside. Il Peraccio is renowned for its long-standing winemaking tradition, skillfully blending centuries-old practices with modern innovation to produce elegant wines that truly express the character of the land. Guests will have the opportunity to taste a selection of the estate’s finest wines, crafted according to the ancient recipe of Bettino Ricasoli, a Tuscan white wine, and a carefully selected red blend, highlighting the distinctive flavors of the region. Upon arrival, guests will enjoy a guided tour of the vineyards and cellars, gaining insight into the estate’s history and the meticulous processes behind each bottle. The visit continues with lunch at the estate’s restaurant, perfectly paired with the same wines, offering a complete and immersive tasting experience. The tasting includes three wines—Diva, Bruno, and Il Peraccio—one white and two red wines.

In the afternoon, a unique experience awaits you: a sensory and narrative journey in the heart of the Tuscan countryside. The activity takes place at the country residence Bisarno, set among the hills of Chianti Rufina, and offers an immersive exploration of scents, memory, and tradition.

The experience unfolds as an olfactory and cultural journey. A short walk through the garden and aromatic herbs of the property introduces participants to the natural notes of the territory and helps build a shared vocabulary of scents. This is followed by an introduction to the principles of perfume perception and structure, with practical exercises designed to understand the olfactory pyramid and the language of perfumery.

The narrative culminates in a masterclass dedicated to the fragrance Respiro, with a guided exploration of its composition and the inspirations behind its creation, in dialogue with Tuscan landscapes and traditions. The experience concludes with a convivial moment: a signature drink inspired by the scents of the countryside—available in alcoholic or non-alcoholic versions—and the opportunity to discover the artisanal Respiro fragrance line.

The visit also includes a special gin and tonic tasting, offering an additional sensory journey through carefully selected botanicals and aromas.

Afterwards, transfer to the hotel situated in the heart of Mugello (approximately 1 hour), followed by free time to relax or explore the surrounding countryside at your own pace.

Dinner at your leisure (not included) and overnight stay.

Tuscan Cooking and Traditional Craftsmanship

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a hands-on cooking class at Benedetta’s home (approximately 20 minutes away), where local ingredients will be transformed into authentic Tuscan dishes. The experience concludes with a convivial lunch.

Benedetta, a chef born and raised in Mugello, runs a welcoming home restaurant where she passionately shares traditional recipes inspired by local heritage and family culinary traditions.

In the afternoon, visit a traditional knife maker in Scarperia (approximately 20 minutes), a town renowned for its centuries-old blade-making tradition. During this visit, you will discover the secrets of the craft, learning about the techniques, tools, and meticulous handwork that local artisans have passed down through generations. The experience offers a fascinating glimpse into one of Tuscany’s most historic artisanal professions and the cultural heritage that continues to define the town today.

Dinner at your leisure (not included) and overnight stay.

Exploring Chestnut Traditions and Culinary Creativity

After breakfast, depart for the Alto Mugello area, a mountainous region of northern Tuscany renowned for its chestnut forests and long-standing rural traditions. The day will be dedicated to the world of chestnuts, once considered the “bread of the mountains” by local communities.

During the excursion, you will explore the woods, learn about the history and cultivation of chestnut trees, and take part in the traditional activity of collecting chestnuts while discovering the secrets of harvesting and selecting them. Local experts will explain the significance of this product in the culture and cuisine of the region.

In the evening, a special show cooking experience will introduce you to creative ways of using chestnuts in both traditional and contemporary dishes. This will be followed by a welcome dinner featuring a creative fusion of Italian and American cuisine, prepared collaboratively by Italian and American chefs.
Overnight stay.

Tuscan Vineyards and Wine Tasting Experiences

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by departure for a beautiful winery nestled among the rolling hills of Tuscany. Podere La Botta is renowned for its elegant vineyards and traditional winemaking techniques, producing a refined selection of local wines. Upon arrival, guests will enjoy a guided wine tasting accompanied by a light lunch featuring regional specialties. Return to the hotel. Along the way, there will be a stop at a local bakery to purchase items for dinner, which you may enjoy at the hotel. Overnight stay.

Cheese, Wine, and Gourmet Pizza Experiences

After breakfast, depart to visit a local cheese maker, where you will discover the traditional methods used to produce artisanal cheeses and other dairy specialties. During the visit, you will have the opportunity to meet the producer, learn about the production process, and purchase a selection of local products directly from the source.

Afterwards, depart for Bacco del Monte (approximately 20 minutes), an elegant Tuscan winery nestled among the gentle hills of Mugello, where guests will discover the secrets of local wine production. Bacco del Monte is a family-run estate founded in the late 1970s by grandfather Sergio, who originally produced wine for his family and closest friends. Over the years, this passion evolved into a true winemaking project, lovingly carried forward by his son Enrico and granddaughter Silvia. Between 2016 and 2017, their vision took on new life with the planting of two hectares of Pinot Noir, symbolizing a harmonious balance between tradition and innovation.

Today, Bacco del Monte continues to tell a story of family, territory, and respect for nature, crafting wines born from genuine hands and a passion passed down from generation to generation. The guided visit includes an introduction to the vineyards and an explanation of the winemaking techniques, followed by a tasting of the winery’s most representative wines, accompanied by a generous platter of local cured meats and cheeses, served as a light lunch. Guests will sample four different wines: Jemini, a white wine made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir; Anjelicum, a fresh and crisp rosé; and two red wines, Torre di Ponente and Monteprimo, both 100% Pinot Noir, distinguished by different aging methods.

For dinner, you will enjoy a pizza-based meal at one of the finest restaurants in the Mugello area, where you can indulge in a unique gourmet pizza tasting experience.

Departure day: arrivederci Tuscany, until the Next Journey

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a transfer to Florence Peretola Airport for departure. As the journey comes to an end, guests leave with lasting memories of Tuscan landscapes, world-class wines, authentic flavors, and cultural heritage, carrying with them the essence of an unforgettable Italy Heritage travel experience.