We are so fortunate to have these two people as guides for our trip to Tuscany this fall – Claude & Cristina Baud. They have been very well received by our guests on past tours! They are knowledgeable about the regions of Italy, having lived in Florence and traveled throughout Italy. They the perfect the guides for our trip! Claude & Cristina truly care about each person, are interested in what guests want to see/learn and work to provide unique experiences. They are committed to Pack A Fork! tours being outstanding. They will ask guests to try new foods (“just one bite”), point out details most visitors do not normally see, teach guests who want to learn and ensure that everyone has an authentic local experience. They also make THE BEST gourmet picnics using local artisan foods and wines! A trip with them is rewarding and ‘rich’ in so many ways. Get ready for a life experience you will not forget!
Claude Baud comes from five generations of Swiss hoteliers. Claude attended the Hotel School of Lausanne in Switzerland. He worked at the Hotel Tamaro in Ascona, Switzerland. He has also been a maitre d’ in country clubs around the United States. Claude speaks four languages: English, Spanish, French and Italian. He is a food and wine connoisseur. He has taught culinary classes and is a talented chef. Claude has been traveling and exploring regions of the world for 35 years. He is truly a ‘man of the world’. Claude has brought community together through food and wine his entire life.
Cristina Baud is a native of Madrid. Cristina’s compulsive craving for travel has taken her to over 38 countries around the world. From these travels, she has gained considerable insight in to numerous cultures, peoples, traditions and religions. Cristina has dedicated much of her life to learning from the countries she has visited or lived in. When traveling, her soul feel most engaged with the experiences it presents. Cristina also speaks four languages. Her expertise is in history, art, architecture and local cuisine. She is a delight!
Claude and Cristina have three sons. One lives in Barcelona and has won the ‘Mixologist of Spain’ award. They also have one grandson. The Bauds are from Boulder, CO and own a home in southern Spain.
Greve: Greve is the hub of the Chianti Classico region. It is the center the Chianti wine industry. Greve regularly hosts a Slow Food Market. Its central square, Piazza Matteotti, is lined with attractive shops, restaurants and tasting rooms. We’ll wander the streets of Greve, check out its shops and cafes and go to the farmer’s market. We’ll also visit the Wine Museum to learn the history of winemaking in Chianti.
Panzano: Panzano is a 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 a good range of restaurants, ‘enotecas’/wine tasting shops and is home to the famous ‘Butcher of Panzano’, Dario Cecchini, featured on The Food Network. We’ll visit his butcher shop and have dinner at his restaurant, La Officina. 
San Miniato is a medieval hilltop village (in the province of Pisa) half-way between Pisa and Florence. It is an ancient settlement above the meeting point of the Arno and Elsa Rivers giving it a rich history due to its strategic location. Its origin is BC. Ancient artifacts have been found in the surrounding area. The Tower, on the summit of the hill, dominates the valley below. San Miniato is a Tuscan ‘Slow City’ and is the center of the white truffle zone. We will go on a truffle hunt near San Miniato, take a truffle cooking class and visit this remarkable town.
Siena: Siena is the furthermost southern town we will go to in Tuscany. 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 between 1360 and 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 a site not to be missed! 
Montefioralle: The ancient village of Montefioralle is still enclosed within its original walls. During the Middle Ages, it was one of the largest military and administrative centers of the area. It is believed to date back to 1085 AD. The village itself is virtually free of cars. The ancient passageways lead to the entrance of its main castle. Vineyards stretch in every direction and there are wonderful hiking trails in the area.
San Gimignano: San Gimignano is a walled village about halfway between Florence and Siena. It is famous for its fascinating medieval towers that rise above all the other buildings. At 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, San Gimignano still retains its feudal atmosphere and appearance. This town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Later, we’ll wander the streets of the beautiful medieval town of San Miniato. This town carries a rich history and setting above a fertile valley outside Florence.