Culinary Treasures of Tuscany & Florence 8 Days

Arrive in Florence, where you will enjoy a personalized Meet & Greet service, with assistance from the aircraft through passport control and luggage collection. Transfer by private vehicle to your elegant countryside retreat in Tuscany for a five-night stay. Surrounded by the rolling hills of Chianti and Umbria, the region offers an enchanting tapestry of vineyards, olive groves, and medieval hilltop villages. This evening, enjoy a refined Welcome Dinner as you begin your luxury journey through the heart of Tuscany.

Today, immerse yourself in an intimate, hands-on organic cooking experience. Enjoy a welcome drink as your chef introduces the day’s menu, then don your apron and join the culinary team to master traditional Tuscan recipes. Savor the elegant lunch you’ve prepared - paired with local wines. In the afternoon, visit a prestigious olive oil estate to learn the secrets of traditional production. Enjoy a guided tasting of premium organic extra-virgin olive oil, accompanied by balsamic vinegar and Chianti Classico. A gourmet dinner awaits this evening.

This morning, travel to Volterra, one of Tuscany’s oldest and most atmospheric towns. Enjoy free time to wander through artisan boutiques, ancient stone lanes, and sweeping panoramic viewpoints. Continue to a family-run farmhouse renowned for its saffron cultivation and indulge in a traditional lunch showcasing the prized spice. In the afternoon, arrive in San Gimignano, famed for its medieval towers and remarkably preserved skyline. Treat yourself to artisanal gelato from one of Italy’s most celebrated gelaterias. Later, visit a charming Tuscan farmhouse for an unforgettable dinner of regional specialities paired with local wines.

Begin a scenic journey to Lake Trasimeno, a jewel of the Umbrian countryside. Surrounded by olive groves, vineyards, sunflower fields, and medieval villages, the landscape is truly cinematic. Cruise to Isola Maggiore, the lake’s only inhabited island, where time seems suspended. Savor a traditional Umbrian lunch in a lakeside restaurant. Return to your hotel in Tuscany and enjoy a relaxing evening at leisure.

Enjoy an unhurried day to relax and explore Tuscany as you wish—enjoy spa time, wine tasting, or a leisurely walk through the countryside. Alternatively, join an optional full-day excursion to Pisa and Lucca. Admire the architectural wonders of Pisa’s Campo dei Miracoli, including the world-famous Leaning Tower. Continue to Lucca, an exquisite walled city known for its cobblestone streets and elegant Gothic palaces— one of Tuscany’s best-preserved gems.

This morning, head to Siena, the medieval heart of Tuscany. Join a local expert for a private walking tour through its historic center, concluding in the spectacular Piazza del Campo, home to the famed Palio horse race. Enjoy lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon, visit a prestigious Tuscan estate to explore the world of truffles. Enjoy tastings of truffle- infused olive oil, bruschetta, artisanal salami, pecorino, and estate wines, followed by an elegant dinner overlooking the vineyards. Continue to Florence and check into your luxury hotel for a two-night stay.

Explore Florence with your expert guide, beginning at the Accademia Gallery to admire Michelangelo’s original David, a masterpiece that continues to inspire awe centuries later. Visit the Cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistry with its iconic “Gates of Paradise,” followed by the stately Piazza della Signoria, an open-air gallery of Renaissance art. Continue to Santa Croce, the final resting place of Michelangelo, Galileo, and other illustrious figures. This evening is yours to enjoy Florence’s world-class dining at your leisure.

Private transfer to Florence Airport for your flight home—carrying beautifully curated memories of Tuscany and Florence. You may also choose to extend your journey with a 3-night extension in Rome.