Gems of Tuscany

DAY 1: Arrive Florence • Transfer to Greve in the Chianti Region of Tuscany

Travel from your home city to Florence. Arrive in Florence the next day. Welcome to the capital city of Tuscany! Transfer to Greve, in the heart of Chianti, a 40-minute drive south of Florence. Take time to unpack and settle into your Tuscan villa in Greve. Later, you will enjoy dinner at the villa. Rest, relax and take in the panoramic views!

Meals: D
Accommodations: Terre di Baccio

DAY 2: Introduction to the Chianti Region, Discover Greve, Castello di Verrazzano Tour with Tastings & Lunch, Free Evening

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Then, join your guide for an introduction to the Chianti Region. Take in the rolling landscapes of the region, learn the history of the area, taste local foods. Discover Greve and wander the boutiques, wine stores and artisan shops. Get to know your home base while in the countryside. Discover the Chianti Classico wines at Castello di Verrazzano that dates back to the 14th century. Visit their Renaissance gardens, the castle, their historic cellars and enjoy tastings + lunch. The evening will be at leisure at the villa.

Meals: B, L 
Accommodations: Terre di Baccio

Day 3: Chianti Classico E-bike Tour with Lunch, Free Evening

Join your biking guide for an E-bike tour through the Chianti vineyards and hillsides. Spend a day in the open air amid the Chianti hills with breathtaking views. Discover one of the most beautiful places in Italy - the slow way. Ride through the towns of Greve and  Montefioralle. Visit Badia Passignano, a historic Benedictine abbey built in 890. Then, loop back to Greve and stop at Pieve di San Cresci, an artist-in-residence program. View artists at work and take in the medieval setting of their studios. (Note: An alternate activity will be available for those who do not want to ride e-bikes.)

Meals: B, L
Accommodations: Terre di Baccio

Day 4: Hands-on Tuscan Cooking Class with Lunch, San Gimignano Walking Tour, Free Evening

Cook with Mauro in his kitchen while enjoying the countryside views of San Gimignano. Learn about Tuscan cooking traditions, foods and special flavors which are prepared with the best local products and vegetables from his garden. Make handmade pasta, ravioli, ribollita and other recipes from the area. After lunch, take a guided walking tour of the walled medieval village of San Gimignano. Learn about its history and the architecture of this walled medieval town with 14 Gothic tower houses. San Gimignano is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for medieval architecture within its encircling walls set on a hilltop.

Meals: B, L
Accommodations: Terre di Baccio

Day 5: Free Morning, Castello di Montefioralle Tour & Tasting, ‘Butcher of Panano’ Restaurant/Officina della Bistecca Dinner

Sleep in today! You will have the morning at leisure to relax on the grounds of the villa or take a short walk into Greve through the vineyards. Alternatively, taste Terre di Baccio's wines and olive oils. In the afternoon, you’ll head to the nearby village of Montefioralle for a tour and tastings of Chianti Classico wines at a small family-owned vineyard. Afterward, you’ll head to Panzano, a medieval town located a short distance from Greve. Wander the town and then spend the evening at Dario Ceccini’s popular restaurant, Officina della Bistecca. He is known as the 'famous butcher of Panzano' and has been featured on The Food Network. Dario is described as ‘…a personality, a celebrity and a butcher extraordinaire. He is a theatrical host, a show stopper and an artist.” - Enjoy Dario’s Florentine Bistecca (alternative options available to meat). Mostly, laugh and take in the authentic local atmosphere!

Meals: B, D
Accommodations: Terre di Baccio

Day 6: Walking Tour of Siena, visit to the Siena Cathedral/Duomo, Piazza del Campo, Lunch, Radda Cashmere Goat Farm, Free Evening

Today, you’ll head to Siena to learn about the history, piazza, architecture and art of this beautiful city. The Siena Cathedral/Duomo lies above the heart of Siena – the piazza. The Cathedral and Duomo are one of the most outstanding examples of Romanesque-Gothic churches in Italy. The architecture of the exterior and interior is unique and outstanding. The cathedral is filled with treasures by Michelangelo, Donatello, and Pisano and frescos by Pinturicchio. Learn about the history of the Piazza del Campo - regarded as one of Europe’s greatest medieval squares. After lunch in Siena, head back toward Greve. On the way, stop to visit a cashmere goat farm to meet a woman who cares for her goats and creates cashmere hand-made products. The evening will be at leisure back at the villa.

Meals: B, L
Accommodations: Terre di Baccio

Day 7: Depart Greve, Truffle Hunt in San Miniato with Lunch, Arrive Florence, Evening at Leisure

You will be up early to depart Greve and drive to San Miniato – one of the undisputed capitals of the white truffle (tuber magnatum pico). Meet Massimo, a 3rd generation truffle hunter, and his dog. Truffles, called ‘Diamonds of the Land’, are coveted by gourmands from around the world. Into the woods, you’ll follow Massimo and his dog to learn about the tradition of truffle hunting, the history, legends and the varieties of truffles. You’ll search for the truffle of the season. Afterward, enjoy lunch in his home – featuring truffles, of course! Afterward, take a walking tour in the medieval town of San Miniato – it's on a hilltop and has an important history due to its location overlooking the valley where two rivers meet. In the late afternoon, arrive in Florence and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

Meals: B, L
Accommodations: FH55 Hotel Calzaiuoli or similar

Day 8: Florence Walking Tour, Academia Museum

Today, take a walking tour through Florence with your guide taking in this shimmering city that is the cradle of the Renaissance. Florence is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – it is romantic, surprising and enchanting. This is where geniuses such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Brunelleschi and Donatello thrived and created some of the world’s more important works of art. You will see Florence’s main landmarks and major sites such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore/Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio and the Arno River. The guide will also show you his/her favorite spots. Bring your camera and get ready to learn about Florence’s eventful history, heritage, legends and colorful traditions that still live today. In the afternoon, tour the Academia Gallery. Without a doubt, Michelangelo’s marble masterpiece, the David, is what first attracts visitors to the Accademia Gallery. What is the story that inspired this sculpture?  You’ll tour the Accademia with a guide who will cover Michelangelo and the David, but will also show you works of art by Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Pontormo and other greats from the 13th to 16th centuries. Enjoy lunch at a select cafe. After lunch, you’ll have free time to wander, shop and experience the Florentine culture.

Meals: B, L
Accommodations:  Hotel Calzaiuoli similar

Day 9: Oltrarno, the Pitti Palace, Free Afternoon

Wander to Oltrarno, Florence’s trendy neighborhood, filled with artisanal boutiques, art galleries, parks, gardens and eateries. This part of Florence is best explored on foot. Get lost in the picturesque alleyways and enjoy the neighborhood’s unique mix of historic venues and Renaissance architecture. Drop into artisan workshops. Then, continue on to Palazzo Pitti, the home of the Medici family for centuries. The Pitti Palace was, in its day, the largest residence in Florence and also the most magnificent. Its fresco ceilings, famous paintings, sculptures and secret corners are amazing. Artists such as Raffael, Caravaggio and Rubens adorn the walls. Afterward, enjoy lunch at a favorite trattoria followed by a stop for a luscious gelato. The later afternoon is free to wander, shop or even visit Bobbli Gardens (or other sites) on your own.

Meals: B, L
Accommodations: Hotel Calzaiuoli or similar

Day 10: Secret Food Tour, Free Evening

In the later morning, take a food and wine tour. You'll enjoy local Italian foods and wines to make your last day in Florence truly memorable. Experience food and wine as an expression of social life and relationships. No tourist traps, we promise!  The evening will be at leisure.

Meals: B, L
Accommodations: Hotel Calzaiuoli or similar

 

Day 11:  Fly Home
Today, you will be transferred to the Florence airport for your flight home. We trust you will have had a wonderful journey!

Meals: B

COST:  Private tours are priced based on the size of the group (size can be 1+) and your dates of travel; the itinerary is customizable based on your interests and budget. Contact the office for pricing.

INCLUDES:

• 11-day private tour experiencing the best of Tuscany
• 10 nights accommodations in Greve & Florence
• Service of a certified Italian private guide + specialist guides
• Private transportation in a van or coach
• Breakfast in the hotel daily
• Gourmet meals:  select lunches & dinners showcasing artisan foods and Tuscan dishes, per Daily Itinerary
• Estate and winery tours with tastings and meals
• Visits to the towns of Greve, Montefioralle, Panzano, Radda, San Gimignano, Siena and San Miniato
• Guided introduction to the Chianti region and its wineries
• Chianti in Tuscany E-bike tour
• Hands-on Tuscan cooking class in San Gimignano
• Guided walking tour of Siena
• Visit to a cashmere goat farm in Radda
• Truffle hunt in San Miniato with lunch
• Florence Walking Tour
• Accademia Gallery Tour
• Walking Tour of the Oltararno neighborhood of Florence
• Etching workshop in Oltararno
• Entrance to the Pitti Palace
• All site admission fees
• Airport transfers
• Restaurant gratuities
• Free time to relax, take walks or go out on your own

NOT INCLUDED:

• Airfare
• Third meal
• Alcoholic beverages (some wine included at tastings)
• Gratuities for guide
• Travel Insurance

 

REGISTRATION: 

Registration for this tour can be done online via the Registration page of this website.

 

TOUR DEPOSIT:

A deposit of $2000 is required to plan your private tour. You can pay the deposit online as part of the registration process. It can be paid by e-Check, credit card or bank transfer. Please contact the office if paying by bank transfer.

 

TOUR PAYMENT:

You will receive an invoice for the balance of the tour which will be due 90 days out from departure. This can be paid by e-check, credit card or bank transfer.

 

TOUR CANCELLATION:

This tour can be canceled before 120 days out from departure. A refund will be given less a $500 service charge.  After final payment, refunds cannot be given.

If Pack A Fork cancels the tour, for any reason, all monies will be refunded.

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to offset tour cancellation, airline and other travel-related fees. We also recommend purchasing a travel insurance policy that includes coverage related to  COVID-19.

 

AIR RESERVATIONS:
Pack A Fork has partnered with Exito Travel for air reservations. Please contact Leanne Reuss, International Airfare Specialist at 800-655-4053, ext 8528. Alternatively, you can make your own airline reservations but this is a good place to start looking at flight scenarios. Flights will be roundtrip to/from Florence.

 

TRAVEL INSURANCE
It is important to purchase travel insurance at the time of tour deposit for more comprehensive coverage. Travel insurance will help protect you from trip cancellation fees, costs incurred due to trip delays/interruptions, lost or damaged baggage.

We recommend the website SquareMouth or InsureMyTrip for comparing policies. For those under age 70, we recommend World Nomads travel insurance.