• 13 days private program
• 4 star hotel
• Private services
• Florence and Tuscan countryside
• Food and wine of Tuscany
• 11 dinners, typical Tuscan foods and wines

• Wine tasting lesson and tasting in various areas of the region
• Cooking lesson
• Book of recipes and wine log
• Horseback riding

Today your driver will take you into the Chianti Rufino - a somewhat lesser known section of the Wine Region to the west of Florence. You will visit the Abbey at Vallombrosa, an ancient Benedictine monastery nestled in a protected forest of fir and birch trees. A visit to this secluded retreat will reveal an imposing construction, dominated by an ancient bell tower that gives the monastery the aspect of a castle. Inside, you will find a wealth of artworks from several periods, and perhaps sample some of the monks' excellent home made liqueur.

You will stop for a delightful picnic before continuing to the medieval castle of Trebbio. To close our day a fascinating visit to the medieval castle still standing like it was five hundred years ago, with the exception that the dungeons are now used to store the estate's olive oil production. In October we'll also be able to see the Saffron plantations and production. Dinner at the Castle before returning to the hotel.

Day 10: Mugello Wine, Chestnuts and Knives

Today you will depart with your driver guide to the Mugello Valley, where you will taste the wine of the area and visit a chestnut plantation on horseback.

After your ride, you will return to the plantation house where a delicious, homemade Tuscan lunch will be waiting for you.

But before leaving you'll see the unusual saddle museum. On returning you will have a pleasant stop in the center at a historical bar, "Il Bar Bianco". Here in the heart of the village, in a palace full of frescos and 17th century art works, you must taste a specialty dessert by Alvaro Lombardi, chef and patron: a chestnut ice cream, the castagnaccio, fried chestnut tortellini crêpes with chestnuts and ricotta cheese or the superb marrons glacés.

You will also visit the fortified settlement of Palazzo dei Vicari to see its Renaissance fresco decorations and its Museum devoted to the history of knife production in Scarperia. You will also see the knife-maker's workshop and have the centuries old forging process explained by contemporary craftsmen. You will return to your hotel at the end of the day. Tonight's dinner will feature fresh wine and fruit of the forest.

Day 11: Truffles and Crystal

Today your driver will take you to the region around Vinci - the lands of Leonardo - for some truffle hunting. The surrounding landscape has a magical and enchanted quality, worthy of the most suggestive of the great master's images. The gentle hills of green and gold, topped by hamlets and bell towers, also testify to an agricultural past which still continues to this day. The typical Tuscan need to cultivate produce for self consumption results in an area of delightful gastronomical surprises: sweet raisin wine, salami, pastries and of course, truffles. During our guided tour, you will accompany a licensed truffle hunter and his trained truffle-sniffing dog in an exciting hunt for the prized delicacy. You also will visit a local truffle laboratory and get a chance to taste its products.

After you will visit a crystal laboratory before returning to your hotel. This evening, dinner will include white wines.

Day 12: The Tea Roads

Your driver will meet you after breakfast. Enveloped in ravishing and exotic scents, we will reach Sant'Andrea di Compito, also called the "Camellias Village" thanks to the "old Camellias from Lucca! You will start a very interesting experience, always guided by the famous "Camellias Sage" Mr Guido Cattolica. He will lead you through the tea roads in his own tea plantation.

You will be led through these evergreen shrubs, with dark and tough leaves, that during the blossom time in October exhale a delicate scent, with a light camphor's wind and from which we can obtain a spiecial drink, that will taste as thin as a needle and but once mixed with water, takes the leaves into their natural dimension.

On your return you will have an enchanting pause in Monsummano Terme to appreciate the famous chocolate of Italy. A nice tasting at the Slitti shop.

Return to the hotel for your farewell dinner with wine. Tonight you will receive a booklet with all the recipes of the dinners you have enjoyed on your program along with the list of wines.

Day 13: Departure

Today you will be transferred to the rail station or airport.

Days 5-8