Italy – Tuscany Private

Welcome to Florence!

Welcome to Italy!!

Arrival at Florence Airport and private transfer to the hotel near Florence, Rignano Sull'Arno. Time to settle in, welcome dinner in the hotel, and overnight stay.

Rignano sull' Arno - Explore Florence with all key sites

Morning departure with a private vehicle to Florence. Meet your local guide for a half-day private tour of Florence. Walkthrough the historical center of this amazing city and visit the Santa Croce church (outside), known as the "Pantheon of Italian Glories" where many illustrious Italians such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Rossini, and Machiavelli are buried. The visit also takes in the other religious buildings (the Baptistery, the Duomo, and Giotto’s bell tower - outside) and the houses of power in the old city (the Piazza della Signoria). Lunch at a typical restaurant. Free afternoon to stroll along Florence's elegant streets. We suggest a break at one of Florence’s oldest ice cream parlors, “Perché no!” which offers more than 33 different flavors and a precise selection of raw materials (including pistachios from Bronte, a Slow Food Presidium product, saffron, and cardamom). Return with your private car to the hotel and overnight stay.

Rignano sull'Arno - Private tour of Siena & San Gimignano

Morning departure with a private car to Siena. Meet your local guide for a full-day private tour of Siena & San Gimignano. Siena is one of the most important and most beautiful architecture in the city, including the Museum delle Contrade (each horse in the famous “Palio”, runs for a different Contrada or district). We suggest sampling some delicious traditional desserts like the Panforte in one of the most famous pastry shops in town. Free time for shopping. On the way to San Gimignano, along the ancient Via Francigena, lunch with some of the traditional local produce such as the Certaldo onion (Slow Food Presidium), and the organic extra virgin olive oil from San Gimignano in a little family-run farmhouse. Visit and talk about the techniques used in producing organic olive oil. In the afternoon you will visit the famous towers and the San Gimignano 1300 Museum: storyboards, multi-media exhibits, street scenes, and a ceramic recreation of the city as it was back in 1300. Return with your private car to the hotel and overnight stay.

The Certaldo Onion - Giovanni Boccaccio has already written about it in his sixth book of the Decameron. The onion was inserted into the town seal of Certaldo. The seal, formed by two shields, white and red, with the onion enthroned on the white part, bears the motto "By nature, I am strong and sweet, and still like I those who stay and those who work." The Certaldo Onion, therefore, can be considered a cornerstone in the identity of the town; symbol and flag of a rural civilization with ancient traditions.

Rignano sull'Arno - Discover the Chianti Hills

The entire day is dedicated to discovering the Chianti hills along the Via Chiantigena (an ancient road connecting Siena with Florence crossing over the Chianti hills) with a private car and your Tour Escort. Visit a winery in Radda in Chianti where you will meet the wine producer and visit the cellars, at the end enjoy a wine tasting. Proceed to Greve in Chianti where you will have the opportunity to visit the little historical town center. Stopping at the historical butchers “Falorni” where since 1729 they produce the specialties of the local [norcineria], the Prosciutto Saporito (Cured Ham) di Greve and all the cured products also in the various versions of pork from the Surrounding Senese hills as well as the wild boar, from the well-known Finocchiona to the Noble Salamis in Chianti, prepared with the noble parts of the pork, to the Salami to the Classical Chianti. Specialty: ‘Bistecca alla Fiorentina’ T-bone Florentine Steak, Italian veal. In the afternoon visit winery in Greve in Chianti for a wine and oil tasting. Return to the hotel and overnight.

Rignano Sull'Arno - Visit one of the most characteristic medieval city, Montepulciano

Morning departure with private car and your Tour Escort to Montepulciano, one of the most characteristic and intact medieval cities in Italy from a height of 2,000 ft. (605 meters) above sea level offers amazing views over the surrounding hillsides. Visit a typical winery for a free tasting, and then explore the wonderful town center of Montepulciano. For lunch, we suggest the old Osteria dell’Acquacheta, with its rustic and familial atmosphere. Here, you may sample some of Tuscany’s best recipes (such as the Pici all’Aglione).

In the afternoon, proceed to Pienza, the perfect example of a renaissance city, famous for its Pecorino cheese. Visit a Pecorino cheese producer, learn something about the cheese-making process, and sample the fare. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Rignano sull'Arno - Discover one of the best red wines in the world in Montalcino

Morning departure with private car and your Tour Escort to Montalcino, famous for its Brunello, one of the best red wines in the world. Montalcino, however, is also a beautiful art city, which dominates 3,000 hectares of vineyards (1,500 for Brunello alone). We suggest a visit to the Mastio della Rocca which is home to the Enoteca La Fortezza where it will be possible to buy some local products and the exceptional honey, a local specialty. Free time. Return to the Florence area and join a cooking class dedicated to the Tuscany tradition, followed by dinner. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Depart to Florence Airport

Today is the departure day. After breakfast, check out and private transfer from the hotel to Florence Airport to fly back home or to continue your journey to another Italian region.