The Chianti Castles
Departure for the Chianti Classico area, located between Siena and Florence. The first stop will be at Brolio Castle: visit to its wine-cellars and guided wine tasting tour. Departure for Gaiole in Chianti travelling along the so-called "Chianti Castles road": here you can admire the Rocca di Castagnoli, Meleto Castle and San Donato in Perano Castle. Lunch in a local trattoria. In the afternoon departure for Radda in Chianti, in the heart of the Chianti Classico area and tour ends in Castellina in Chianti.
Holy places in the Orcia valley
On the road to Montalcino, stop at the abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. Guided visit of this enchanting abbey built in 1313. Transfer to Montalcino with visit to a traditional wine estate producing "D.O.C.G." Brunello followed by wine tasting. Lunch in a trattoria. In the afternoon guided sightseeing tour of Montalcino and the abbey at Sant′Antimo.
Crystal and alabaster
Visit to Colle Val d′Elsa, one of the most important European centres for the production and manifacture of crystal. Guided visit to a "moleria" i.e., a handicraftsman laboratory where real works of art are indeed created. You can watch the glass blowing process of the crystal, this is followed by a short tour on foot through the centre of this pretty Medieval town. Lunch in a local trattoria. In the afternoon guided visit to Volterra, whose subsoil is full of alabaster. Visit to a handicraftsman laboratory to watch the various techniques used in making alabaster objects.
The Etruscans at Chiusi
Departure for Chiusi and guided sightseeing tour of the town, including its Duomo (cathedral) and the National Etruscan Museum housing one of most comprehensive archeological collections in Italy. Lunch in a local trattoria. In the afternoon visit to the "cunicoli di Porsenna", beautiful underground passages only recently discovered.
Montepulciano and its wine
Departure for Montepulciano. In the morning visit to an important vineyard which produces Vino Nobile di Montepulciano D.O.C.G. Lunch and wine tasting at the estate. In the afternoon guided sightseeing tour in the beautiful town, the birthplace of Poliziano. During the tour, stop off at one of the oldest and unique wine cellars in the world, located in the heart of the town.
Pienza, San Quirico and Bagno Vignoni
Departure for Pienza and guided sightseeing tour of this town built for Pope Pius XII. Visit and tasting of Pecorino di Pienza cheese in a typical cheese factory. Lunch in a local trattoria. In the afternoon transfer to Bagno Vignoni a wonderful and tiny village built around a huge thermal spa swimming pool dating back to the 12th century. Last stop in San Quirico d′Orcia to visit its Cathedral and the Leonini gardens.
The Maremma Nature Reserve
Guided excursion to the Maremma Nature Reseve accompanied by a specialised local guide. This area is one of most enchanting in Tuscany. The length of the walk will vary according to physical fitness of the participants and their specific requirements. For wholeday excursions a picnic lunch will be arranged.
Lucca and the Villas of the Lucchesia
The area surrounding Lucca is full of splendid villas that mainly date back to the 16th century and which today have been transformed into elegant museums. The tour includes a visit to the Italian style garden at the Villa Reale, then on to Villa Torrigiani. Transfer to Lucca for lunch and in the afternoon guided tour on foot of the city.
Norcia | Daily cooking classes
Using your own car you will drive to the pretty town of Norcia where you will be met by our assistant who will escort you to the place where the cooking lesson is held, a historic manor house in the heart of the city centre. The lesson will last approx. 3 hours, during which time you will take part, hands on, in preparing a typical menu, from starters to main course, from this area. At the end of the preparation of these dishes you will sit down to taste them and they will be accompanied by local wines. In the afternoon you can spend your time exploring this beautiful Umbrian city and also perhaps visit one of the small chocolate boutiques where they prepare the famous truffle chocolates (cioccolatini al tartufo).
This excursion can be carried out using private car with driver (to be requested when booking). For pricing please refer to the costs for guided tours in the section "Extra Services".
Montefalco | Daily cooking classes
Using your own car you will arrive at the place where the lesson is held, in the centre of the hamlet town of Montefalco and where you will have an unforgettable experience under the passionate guidance of your host, who, at the end of the entertaining 3 hours cooking course, followed by lunch with a very extraordinary wine tasting session (drinks not included), will give you the chance to visit an ancient and traditional olive-oil press where the cold method of pressing is still carried out.
In the afternoon, after having spent some time exploring the highlights of Montefalco you should then go and taste its famous wine, the "Sagrantino di Montefalco" at a small local wine cellar situated in the town.
This excursion can be carried out using private car with driver (to be requested when booking). For pricing please refer to the costs for guided tours in the section "Extra Services".
Norcia | Cheese making school
Using your own car you will arrive at the cheese making factory in the Norcia area. You will be met by the expert cheese maker who will reveal to you the secrets required for the preparation of the local cheeses and who will help you with your own preparation of a ricotta cheese that you can take away with you to eat and enjoy later.
A very enjoyable experience that lasts approx. 2 hours.
In the afternoon we recommend that you visit Norcia itself or the "Valnerina" (Nera valley) with its vast plain the "Piano Grande" and the village of Castelluccio which rises above on the green glad hill providing some spectacular glimpses of this territory.
This excursion can be carried out using private car with driver (to be requested when booking). For pricing please refer to the costs for guided tours in the section "Extra Services".
Norcia | Truffle hunting
You will make your way by car to Norcia where you will meet with your expert truffle hunter ("cavatore") and his fully trained dog. From here you will head to the National park of "Monti Sibillini" and you will go on foot, the excursion will last two hours and you will enjoy some excellent scenery as you seek out these
"black diamonds" used in Italian cuisine.
At the end of the morning′s activities you will have lunch in a local restaurant where you will be able to enjoy the wonderful aroma of this product amid the dishes that you will savour. Please note that it is forbidden to hunt for truffles during the months of May and September.
The afternoon can be spent visiting the beautiful town of Norcia.
This excursion can be carried out using private car with driver (to be requested when booking). For pricing please refer to the costs for guided tours in the section "Extra Services".
Torgiano | wine and pottery
With your own car you will reach Torgiano where you will visit one of the most famous wine producing vineries in Umbria and where you will discover its glorious past and taste some of its best wine produce.
Afterwards we recommend that you visit the fascinating Wine and Olive Oil museum.
In the afternoon transfer to Deruta where you will meet with your guide who will escort you around this town which is famous for its ceramics and which are beautifully displayed in the town centre at the "Museo della Ceramica" . At the end of the tour you will visit an artisan′s boutique where you can admire his skills in ceramic manufacture and have some free time for shopping.
This excursion can be carried out using private car with driver (to be requested when booking). For pricing please refer to the costs for guided tours in the section "Extra Services".
POMPEII - Half Day
Departure from hotel in your own car to Pompeii where you will be escorted by an
expert local guide. You will visit the remains of this ancient Roman town,
buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D. ,with its houses, the Forum,
the Theatres, the Temples, the Amphitheatre, the Villas, including the
famous Villa of the Mysteries, that houses one of the most important collections
of pictorial and decorative work from the Roman world. Walking on the original
paving stones through the well-preserved rows of shops, you will feel that
you are a part of the daily life style of that period.
This excursion can be carried out using private car with driver (to be requested when booking). For pricing please refer to the costs for guided tours in the section "Extra Services".
HERCULANEUM - Half Day
Departure from hotel by your own car to Herculaneum where you will be escorted by an expert guide, you will visit Herculaneum.
It was a residential sea-side town with strong naval ties and a large fishing industry. You will be able to admire its original architecture that includes two storey buildings with balconies. Being
a small town it is very easy to get a feel for it after just one visit.
You will be able to see many luxurious houses, containing beautiful
and refined marble decorations and intricate mosaics. Of further interest is its
Thermal Baths.
This excursion can be carried out using private car with driver (to be requested when booking). For pricing please refer to the costs for guided tours in the section "Extra Services".
