TUSCANY
This itinerary is available for private groups of 6 or more!
Ask me about a private group tour! Six is the magic number of participants needed to experience this adventure exclusively for your group of family and friends!
View of Tuscan vineyard
Highlights
- Four star accommodations in centrally located hotel - no packing and unpacking during the week!
- Three private culinary experiences with meals following
- Welcome dinner
- Private English speaking city tour led by licensed guide
- Private wine tastings and day trip to Chianti & San Gimignano with lunch on the winery and plenty of wine samples
- Private culinary city tour visiting world famous shops with plenty of samples provided
- Private day trip to Pisa and Lucca
- Private day trip to Siena
- Farewell dinner
- Leisure time on your own
Overview
The week in Tuscany kicks off with check-in at our four star accommodations. Centrally located, we will remain here for the week, so unpack and make yourself at home. No jumping around from hotel to hotel this week. We will experience the scenic views of Tuscany and sample wines in the wine regions of Chianti and San Gimignano with a memorable lunch on the winery. The week will also take us to the world famous cities of Pisa, Lucca and Siena for what are sure to be photo opportunities. We will also partake in three private cooking lessons and pick up a few culinary tips from our native Tuscan instructors. Our walking city tour in Florence will allow us to get to know our host city while our walking culinary tour will give us the opportunity to sample some of Tuscany's most traditional products.
The week in Tuscany kicks off with check-in at our four star accommodations. Centrally located, we will remain here for the week, so unpack and make yourself at home. No jumping around from hotel to hotel this week. We will experience the scenic views of Tuscany and sample wines in the wine regions of Chianti and San Gimignano with a memorable lunch on the winery. The week will also take us to the world famous cities of Pisa, Lucca and Siena for what are sure to be photo opportunities. We will also partake in three private cooking lessons and pick up a few culinary tips from our native Tuscan instructors. Our walking city tour in Florence will allow us to get to know our host city while our walking culinary tour will give us the opportunity to sample some of Tuscany's most traditional products.
Sunset over the Arno River
Homes over the Arno River
Day 1 - Arrival & Welcome Dinner
Afternoon: Arrive and settle in your four-star accommodations in the early afternoon. Our hotel is centrally located near the city's main attractions. Unpack and make yourself at home knowing you will not need to repack until your departure. Enjoy the nearby sights of our home for the week, stretch your legs in the nearby shops or grab your first gelato.
Evening: In the evening, we will meet for our first group activity. We will enjoy a welcome dinner with our fellow travelers and get our first taste of the regional cuisine and wine that we will be enjoying throughout the week.
Afternoon: Arrive and settle in your four-star accommodations in the early afternoon. Our hotel is centrally located near the city's main attractions. Unpack and make yourself at home knowing you will not need to repack until your departure. Enjoy the nearby sights of our home for the week, stretch your legs in the nearby shops or grab your first gelato.
Evening: In the evening, we will meet for our first group activity. We will enjoy a welcome dinner with our fellow travelers and get our first taste of the regional cuisine and wine that we will be enjoying throughout the week.
Santa Maria Novella Church
Day 2 - Private Cooking Class & Walking Tour
Morning: After breakfast at the hotel, we will head towards San Lorenzo Market where our cooking experience begins. Under the guidance of our chef instructor, we will select fresh and healthy ingredients needed for our cooking lesson. Following the market visit in the morning, we will proceed to the school where we will learn how to prepare typical Italian Tuscan dishes. Grab an apron and be prepared to cook up a delicious Tuscan lunch to be enjoyed by all in the group.
Afternoon: In the afternoon, we will walk off our lunch with a private city tour from our English speaking, certified city guide. Walk the streets of the Medici's, Donatello and Dante as well as the lesser known side streets of the city. We will visit major churches, such as the Santa Maria Novella among others.
Evening: Evening and dinner on your own at your leisure.
Morning: After breakfast at the hotel, we will head towards San Lorenzo Market where our cooking experience begins. Under the guidance of our chef instructor, we will select fresh and healthy ingredients needed for our cooking lesson. Following the market visit in the morning, we will proceed to the school where we will learn how to prepare typical Italian Tuscan dishes. Grab an apron and be prepared to cook up a delicious Tuscan lunch to be enjoyed by all in the group.
Afternoon: In the afternoon, we will walk off our lunch with a private city tour from our English speaking, certified city guide. Walk the streets of the Medici's, Donatello and Dante as well as the lesser known side streets of the city. We will visit major churches, such as the Santa Maria Novella among others.
Evening: Evening and dinner on your own at your leisure.
San Gimignano Vineyard
Day 3 - Day Trip to Chianti Region
Morning: After breakfast at the hotel, our private driver will pick us up and we will make our way to Chianti. Discover the wines of the region and visit the cellar of an 18th century villa in the heart of the region. Learn the aging process and the process of wine and olive oil making.
Afternoon: We make our way to San Gimignano for a wine-tasting lesson as well as a memorable lunch on our second vineyard visit. Lunch may include typical items such as antipasti toscani, ribollita or lasagna. We will also get the chance to visit the world famous Dondoli Gelateria for a world-class gelato experience.
Evening: Evening and dinner, if needed after our day's eating activities, will be on your own and at your leisure.
Morning: After breakfast at the hotel, our private driver will pick us up and we will make our way to Chianti. Discover the wines of the region and visit the cellar of an 18th century villa in the heart of the region. Learn the aging process and the process of wine and olive oil making.
Afternoon: We make our way to San Gimignano for a wine-tasting lesson as well as a memorable lunch on our second vineyard visit. Lunch may include typical items such as antipasti toscani, ribollita or lasagna. We will also get the chance to visit the world famous Dondoli Gelateria for a world-class gelato experience.
Evening: Evening and dinner, if needed after our day's eating activities, will be on your own and at your leisure.
One of many local specialty shops
Day 4 - Walking Foodie Tour & Cooking Lesson
Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel but be sure to leave room for our many tastings from our culinary walking tour. We will enjoy local specialties at family owned shops and savor Florence’s “street food” of cured meats, cheeses, olive oil, baked goods, breads, chocolates, and artisan gelato. A visit to the world-famous Mercato Centrale is also on our agenda.
Afternoon: Enjoy some time on your own in the afternoon, but don't indulge, we're in for a treat this evening!
Evening: In the evening, we will head back to our culinary studio for our second private dinner cooking lesson. Be prepared to work for your 4-course dinner tonight as we prepare antipasti, a first and second course and of course, dinner would be incomplete without dessert. A truly memorable dinner experience is expected tonight!
Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel but be sure to leave room for our many tastings from our culinary walking tour. We will enjoy local specialties at family owned shops and savor Florence’s “street food” of cured meats, cheeses, olive oil, baked goods, breads, chocolates, and artisan gelato. A visit to the world-famous Mercato Centrale is also on our agenda.
Afternoon: Enjoy some time on your own in the afternoon, but don't indulge, we're in for a treat this evening!
Evening: In the evening, we will head back to our culinary studio for our second private dinner cooking lesson. Be prepared to work for your 4-course dinner tonight as we prepare antipasti, a first and second course and of course, dinner would be incomplete without dessert. A truly memorable dinner experience is expected tonight!
Baptistery in Pisa
Day 5 - Day Trip to Lucca & Pisa
Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we head off on our day trip to Lucca and Pisa. The driver will pick us up at 9:00AM. We will visit Lucca first and walk the streets filled with shops and cafes. We will visit Puccini's birthplace museum as well as San Michele Church. Lunch will be in a trattoria in Lucca.
Afternoon: Get your camera ready for what will be a memorable afternoon. After lunch, we make our way to the world famous city of Pisa and the world famous Miracle Square. Admire the Leaning Tower, Baptistery and Cathedral. Pick up a few gifts to take back, snap lots of pictures and take it all in.
Evening: We will return to Florence around 5:00PM and you can enjoy dinner on your own.
Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we head off on our day trip to Lucca and Pisa. The driver will pick us up at 9:00AM. We will visit Lucca first and walk the streets filled with shops and cafes. We will visit Puccini's birthplace museum as well as San Michele Church. Lunch will be in a trattoria in Lucca.
Afternoon: Get your camera ready for what will be a memorable afternoon. After lunch, we make our way to the world famous city of Pisa and the world famous Miracle Square. Admire the Leaning Tower, Baptistery and Cathedral. Pick up a few gifts to take back, snap lots of pictures and take it all in.
Evening: We will return to Florence around 5:00PM and you can enjoy dinner on your own.
The square in Siena.
Day 6 - Day Trip to Siena & Pizza Making Lesson
Morning: Today we head to another major attraction and perhaps Italy's loveliest city, Siena! Located on top of three hills, Siena can easily be called Italy's ultimate hill town. Today, we will visit Siena Cathedral, probably the most precious of Tuscan churches, the Campo Square, famous for the "Palio," the annual historic horse-race, the Town Hall, Palazzo Salimbeni and San Domenico Church. Pedestrian friendly, as only residents and cabbies are permitted, Siena is sure to leave an impression. We can walk about the narrow streets, enjoy the adorned balconies and relax with a gelato along the way.
Evening: After our morning visit to Siena, you will have some time to rest before heading back to the kitchen for our final cooking class. Learn to prepare a delicious homestyle pizza & focaccia and get all the needed tips to make it at home. We will also be making our dessert, gelato, of course! Enjoy dinner with the group before heading back to the hotel.
Morning: Today we head to another major attraction and perhaps Italy's loveliest city, Siena! Located on top of three hills, Siena can easily be called Italy's ultimate hill town. Today, we will visit Siena Cathedral, probably the most precious of Tuscan churches, the Campo Square, famous for the "Palio," the annual historic horse-race, the Town Hall, Palazzo Salimbeni and San Domenico Church. Pedestrian friendly, as only residents and cabbies are permitted, Siena is sure to leave an impression. We can walk about the narrow streets, enjoy the adorned balconies and relax with a gelato along the way.
Evening: After our morning visit to Siena, you will have some time to rest before heading back to the kitchen for our final cooking class. Learn to prepare a delicious homestyle pizza & focaccia and get all the needed tips to make it at home. We will also be making our dessert, gelato, of course! Enjoy dinner with the group before heading back to the hotel.
Relaxing over a Tuscan lunch
Day 7 - Farewell Dinner
Morning & Afternoon: Our time in Tuscany is sadly winding down. Today you can enjoy the day on your own to walk about the city with freedom. Visit a museum we didn’t get a chance to see, return to a place where we’ve been that left an impression, pick up a few foodie gifts for your friends or simply enjoy Italy’s “Il Dolce Far Niente” – literally, the sweetness of doing nothing!!
Dinner: A farewell dinner is planned for our last evening in Florence. Enjoy a delicious meal with wine, exchange stories and e-mail addresses with your traveling companions and toast to our wonderful week.
Morning & Afternoon: Our time in Tuscany is sadly winding down. Today you can enjoy the day on your own to walk about the city with freedom. Visit a museum we didn’t get a chance to see, return to a place where we’ve been that left an impression, pick up a few foodie gifts for your friends or simply enjoy Italy’s “Il Dolce Far Niente” – literally, the sweetness of doing nothing!!
Dinner: A farewell dinner is planned for our last evening in Florence. Enjoy a delicious meal with wine, exchange stories and e-mail addresses with your traveling companions and toast to our wonderful week.
Typical view of Tuscan countryside
Day 8 - Check-Out
Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out.
*Day to day specifics subject to change*
Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out.
*Day to day specifics subject to change*
PRICE, INCLUSIONS, EXCLUSIONS
NOT INCLUDED:
- 7 Nights Accommodations in Four-Star Hotel in Central Location in Florence
- Daily Breakfast at Your Hotel
- Private Luxury Transportation Throughout Tour for Day Trips
- Welcome Dinner Celebration
- Thank you Dinner Celebration
- Lunch on Winery
- Lunch in Lucca
- Day trip to Lucca and Pisa
- Winery visit in Chianti & San Gimignano with Wine-Tasting Lessons & Samples
- Three Private Culinary Lessons with Tuscan Intructors with Meals Following
- Private City Tour Led by English Speaking Certified Guide
- Private Culinary Tour With Ample Samples Throughout Walk
- Visit to Mercato Centrale
NOT INCLUDED:
- Airfare / Flights
- Personal purchases of any sort
- Hotel incidentals such as phone calls, mini bars, room service and other amenities
- Meals and wine not stated above
- Airport / Train transfers
- Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is HIGHLY recommended in order to protect your investment. This is to ensure that you are covered in the event of loss due to cancellation by traveler or host, medical emergency, flight cancellation, lost luggage or other like event
- Hotel City Tax of 4.50 Euros per person / per night, to be paid directly to hotel by guest
Price & Details
$3,695 Per Person for Double Occupancy / Please Inquire for Single Occupancy (limited)
8 Days / 7 Nights
$1,000 Deposit is required and it will be applied towards overall tour cost!
Francesca Montillo, Native Italian, Owner and Tour Leader Accompanies all Activities
Contact Francesca at francesca@thelazyitalian.com for booking/reservation and further details.
$3,695 Per Person for Double Occupancy / Please Inquire for Single Occupancy (limited)
8 Days / 7 Nights
$1,000 Deposit is required and it will be applied towards overall tour cost!
Francesca Montillo, Native Italian, Owner and Tour Leader Accompanies all Activities
Contact Francesca at francesca@thelazyitalian.com for booking/reservation and further details.
If you would like to reserve a spot for this tour, or have any questions, please use the contact form below and we will send you the necessary booking instructions or additional information.
A deposit of $1,000 per person plus signed travel agreement is required to secure your spot.
