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The Most Beautiful Medieval Towns in Tuscany

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The Chianti Classico region of Tuscany is the heart of the Chianti wine region. It is the region between Florence and Siena with gentle hills, rolling vineyards, olive groves, countryside stone houses and medieval hilltop towns. Known for its panoramic landscapes, rich history, delectable cuisine and Chianti Classico wineries, it is perhaps one the of most beautiful wine regions in the world. Each town has its unique history, architecture and charms. Here a some of the hilltop towns on our tour.
GREVE
Greve the center of the Chianti wine industry. Greve regularly hosts a Slow Food marketplace and the Chianti Classico Expo in its piazza.  Piazza Matteotti is lined with attractive shops, wine stores, artisan product shops, restaurants and tasting rooms. There is also a Wine Museum to learn about the history of winemaking in the Chianti Classico region.
PANZANO
Panzano is a small, charming medieval town located on a high ridge surrounded by Chianti Classico vineyards. Panzano’s views are of vineyards dotted with cypress tress, olive groves, and farmhouses. Panzano has range of restaurants and ‘enotecas’/wine tasting shops. It is home of the famous ‘Butcher of Panzano’, Dario Cecchini, featured on The Food Network. Guests will enjoy dinner at his restaurant, La Officina. He is the ‘heart of Panzano’ and a true character!
MONTEFIORALLE
The village of Montefioralle is still enclosed within its original walls. During the Middle Ages, it was one of the largest military and administrative centers in the area. It is believed to date back to 1085 AD. The village itself is virtually free of cars. The cobbled passageways lead to the entrance of its main castle. Vineyards stretch in every direction.  Guests will taste at Montefioralle Winery – a small family-owned vineyard.
RADDA
Radda is a classic small Chianti town. Crowning a hill amongst a sea of vines, it is a sunny cluster of haphazard, medieval and thoroughly charming buildings. Its hilltop offers 360-degree panoramas. Chianti Cashmere Goat Farm is a small private agritourism just outside Radda. Snuggled against the hillside is the farmhouse surrounded by unflawed nature, cashmere goats and extraordinary wildlife. Guests will visit the farm, meet the goats and learn how cashmere goats are raised.  Owner and ‘goat whisperer’, Nora, makes products from goat fibers such as handwoven scarves, shawls, throws and also goat milk skincare products.
SAN GIMIGNANO
San Gimignano is a walled village halfway between Florence and Siena. It is famous for its medieval towers that rise above all the other buildings. In the height of its glory, San Gimignano’s patrician families had built 72 tower-houses as symbols of their wealth and power. Although only 14 have survived today, San Gimignano still retains its feudal atmosphere and appearance. This town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
SIENA
Siena is the most southern town on the tour and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city center is distinguished by its medieval brick buildings and fan-shaped central square, Piazza del Campo. The Siena Cathedral, a focal point of the city, is a medieval Roman Catholic church completed around 1370. Its interior and exterior are constructed of distinctive white and dark green marble in alternating stripes. Built in two stages, the Siena Cathedral combines elements of Gothic, Romanesque and Classical architecture. It is not to be missed!
SAN MINIATO
San Miniato is in the province of Pisa. In its history, San Miniato served as a beacon for both friend and foe. Known by the Romans as Quarto, it is set on three dominant hills which served as a strategic lookout to the Arno River and the valley below. Its geographic position was important to north/south travel along the Via Francigena that connected France to Rome during the Middle Ages. This route was traveled by an uninterrupted flow of men, armies, trade and cultures. San Miniato today is the center of Tuscany’s white truffle region. We will follow a 3rd generation truffle hunter and his dog through the woods searching for the ‘diamonds of the land’. Afterward, lunch will be served in his home.
Are you excited to learn more about this charming towns? Join us for our Tuscany and Cinque Terre Tour!

 

Maine Tour Highlights

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MAINE: A Windjamming & Culinary Adventure

Private Tour
Go solo or with friends – you pick the dates

The adventure starts in beautiful Bar Harbor, Maine. Bar Harbor is the gateway to Acadia National Park and the largest town on Mount Desert Island. It’s known for its natural beauty, rich history, port scene and, of course, fresh Maine lobster. Explore Acadia National Park: take in the views of Maine’s islands from the summit of Cadillac Mountain and hike on Ocean Path with its stunning rocky coastline. Then, on to Rockland to embark on a four-day sail on the historic Schooner Ladona. Originally launched in 1922 as a personal yacht, it is now one in the fleet of Maine’s historic windjammers (restored in 2015). Relax, enjoy the spectacular scenery as it breezes by, visit fishing villages, spot wildlife and chat with fellow travelers. Hike onshore and have the best lobster you’ve likely ever eaten at a lobster bake – will become a memory for life! The cuisine reflects the pure aesthetic of Maine with fresh, local ingredients carefully prepared by Ladona’s Chef Anna. What she can do in a small galley is remarkable! After the sailing, visit the charming town of Camden and tour the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Finally, follow a local guide in Portland’s Old Port District to learn about its rich history, the seafood industry and culinary scene. Portland has been consistently been named one of America’s foodiest cities. While in Portland, visit three of Portland’s iconic lighthouses. This 11-day tour to Maine is the epic Maine summer vacation!

 

 

Ocean Path, Acadia National Park

 

 

Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park

 

 

Bar Harbor

 

 

Windjamming on Schooner Ladona, Rockland

 

 

 

Captain J.R. & Chef Anna Miller – simply the best!

 

 

Gourmet Breakfasts, Lunches & Dinners

 

 

Dinner on Schooner Ladona

 

 

 Relaxation

 

 

Traditional Maine Lobster Bake

 

 

Camden Harbor

 

 

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

 

 

Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth

 

 

Portland’s Culinary Treats

 

 

Portland ‘s Breweries

 

 

Scales Restaurant, Portland
(more than yum! )

 

If you want to read more about one of our recent Maine tours, check out our travel blog!

 

 

The Fragile Beauty of Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula

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The pristine beauty of the Kenai Peninsula’s fjords, snow-capped peaks, waterfalls, rushing rivers and mighty glaciers are some of the most spectacular landscapes in Alaska. While Denali is certainly the marquee attraction, the Kenai Peninsula is a close second. This wonderland and its inhabitants are breathtaking, yet fragile, today.

The Kenai Peninsula extends approximately 150 miles into the Gulf of Alaska south of Anchorage, separated from the mainland on the west by the Cook Inlet and on the east by Prince William Sound. The towering Kenai Mountains form its southeast spine. But the region’s crown jewel is the Kenai Fjords National Park where 40 glaciers flow to meet the water.

 

 

The Kenai Peninsula is one of the great wildlife centers of the world. Boisterous gulls and puffins nest, colonies of sea lions bask in the sun, eagles soar, humpbacks and orcas slip gracefully through the waves and sea otters float on the water protecting their pups. 

 

 

Fingers of ice spilling out of the Chugach Mountains mark Alaska’s rapidly changing landscape. There are approximately 500 miles of ancient ice covering Kenai Fjords National Park, most of which is in continuous retreat. Exit Glacier outside Seward, is one of the most accessible by car and hiking. It is a finger of cracked blue-white ice that drops off of the Harding Icefield. It is 14 square miles and is an icon for climate change today. Its accelerated retreat up the valley is closely monitored. President Obama visited Exit Glacier in 2015 at the glacier’s melting terminus.

 

 

This trip includes three days in Kenai National Park out of Seward. Cruise through the fjords, observe wildlife, hike, kayak and learn with our two award-winning Alaskan guides. Discover Alaska through their experienced eyes!

Seward, Alaska