Delights of Chianti

Day 1 - Arrival in Tuscany

Upon your arrival in Tuscany you will have the chance to relax and enjoy the area at leisure.Transfers to the accommodations can be arranged from your arrival point.

Day 2 - Chianti Countryside and Cooking Lesson

After breakfast departure with your private driver for a morning in the scenic Chianti region.The Chianti area is considered one of the oldest wine regions in the world, as evidenced by the medieval castles and ancient towns that line the hillsides. The Chianti dates back from the days of the Etruscans. The name is most likely taken from the noble family name of the Clantes. In the 13th century the "Lega del Chianti" was created to unite the three most important areas, Castellina, Radda and Gaiole. The black rooster became the symbol of the Lega del Chianti.Your route today will take you to the tiny village of Volpaia, and on the way you can stop to admire an old watermill. In Volpaia, a delicious lunch awaits you before your tour of the cellars and wine tasting at a prestigious local winery.In the afternoon your driver will return you to Figline Valdarno, where a cooking lesson with the expert cooking staff has been organized for you. You will enjoy private instructions in the preparation of authentic Tuscan dishes, and will enjoy your creations for dinner.Return to your hotel.

Day 3 - Olive Oil of the Arno Valley

This morning you will depart with your English speaking driver to the unique and picturesque Arno Valley. In this area you will witness man's wisdom and respect towards nature. Olive groves, vineyards and forests are blend in harmony. This is an occasion to discover all the secrets of the "yellow gold" from Tuscany: the olive oil. While visiting an olive oil mill you will discover how for centuries the Tuscans have produced the olive oil with attention and respect of the olive tree. A tasting of the mill's products will also be included.

Day 4 - Chianti Rufina Tour

Today your English speaking driver will take you into the Chianti Rufina - a somewhat lesser known section of the wine region to the West of Florence. Your tour of the region will include a fascinating visit to the medieval castle of Trebbio, still standing as it was five hundred years ago, with the exception that the dungeons are now used to store the estate's olive oil production. Your tour will conclude with the stop in Rufina to visit the wine museum, which chronicles the history of wine production in the region.

Day 5 - Mugello Valley Chestnuts and Knives

Depart with your private driver for a wonderful day and local specialities and visiting local artisans.The tour starts in the Mugello Valley, where you will taste the wine of the area. You will then have a guided walking tour of a chestnut plantation. After your tour, you will return to the plantation house where a delicious, homemade Tuscan lunch will be waiting for you. After lunch, you will have a nice stop in the historical bar of Marrati, "Il Bar Bianco." Here in the heart of the village, in a palace rich of frescos and works of the 17th century, you can taste a specialty dessert by Alvaro Lombardi: a marroni ice cream, the castagnaccio, fried tortellini of marroni, crepes with chestnuts and ricotta cheese, or the superb marrons glaces. You will also visit the fortified settlement of Palazzo dei Vicari for a chance 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 the new wine and fruit of the forest.Return to your accommodations.

Day 6 - Departure

After checking out of your hotel, depart for your onward travel. Transfers can be arranged for your next point or the airport or rail station.

Accommodations

Tuscany Hotel Villa la Borghetta ( or Similar)

Sightseeing

Chianticountryside

Radda

Volpaia Winery

Arno valley

Olive Oil Mill

Chianti Rufina

Castello di Trebbio & Wine museum

Chestnut Plantation

Palazzo Dei Vicari & Museum of Knives

Transfers

Privatetransfer from city to city as per itinerary with English speaking drivers

Meals

Breakfastat hotels daily

Wine tasting and lunch at Volpaia Winery

Cooking class followed by dinner with wines

Olive Oil tasting

Wine tasting in the Mugello

Traditional lunch at Chestnut Plantation

Tuscan Dinner at hotel

Services

Assistancefrom our Road to Italy office in Rome and local rep offices throughout Italy

Local emergency contact number daily

Does not include

Airfare

Travel Insurance (highly recommended)

Tips and gratuities to drivers and local guides