itinerary 

 

day 1  arrival 

Late afternoon transfers from Florence city center or train station to our villa in the countryside of Reggello to the south of Florence. First group meeting in the late afternoon for an orientation cocktail. Group supper prepared by a private chef.

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day 2  explore the neighborhood of the Valdarno 

In the land of terre nuove / frontier villages see an early work by Renaissance trailblazer Masaccio and another by Fra Angelico who used Masaccio's terrestrial formulas as a base for his heavenly visions. In the charming village of San Giovanni Valdarno, founded by Florence in 1301 to stake their claim on the territory, we'll discover their intriguing urban legend, take time to explore the city center with it's pleasant proto-Renaissance urban plan and have a group lunch of sangiovannese specialties in the piazza. Back to the villa for a late afternoon cooking class and group supper. 

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day 3   Chianti Classico

Visit an artisanal pasta factory for a discussion of ancient grains, good gluten and traditional pasta production methods. Winery visit at Lamole, the highest point in Chianti Classico and its own sub-denomination with a small production of excellent wines from just eight family farms. Follow the winemaker through her terraced vineyards and taste her delicately beautiful interpretation of sangiovese. Tasting lunch with the winemaker in the old castle of Lamole. Free time in Greve in Chianti. Evening cooking lesson and group supper.

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day 4  Florence 

Day in Florence with a private guide for an historical walking tour in the morning and then the rest of the day to explore on your own, visit museums, galleries, shops and enjoy the city. Optional private tours to the Accademia (Michelangelo’s David) or to the Uffizi (paintings gallery with Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, etc.). Apericena (cocktails and heavy hors d'oeuvres) in the city.

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day 5  Carmignano, free time 

Morning visit to the village of Carmignano to see Pontormo’s ground breaking Mannerist painting of the Visitation still hanging in the church for which it was commissioned. Visit to a producer of agresto, a condiment made from unripe grapes following an ancient Roman process. We'll eat a typical Tuscan lunch on the terrace at a great countryside restaurant and spend the afternoon relaxing at the villa. Evening cooking lesson and group supper.

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day 6 Pratomagno and Arezzo  

Up into the foothills of Pratomagno for a visit to the Romanesque church at Gropina with Longobard sculptural decoration and to explore the medieval village of Loro Ciuffenna. Lunch on the mountain at a charming home restaurant with vegetable garden and in-house productions of everything from bread and pasta to jams. Afternoon in Arezzo, an historical palimpsest where the vibrant modern city exists within the old medieval structure. See Roman ruins, medieval architecture, their Romanesque pieve and the Piero della Francesca early Renaissance frescoes. The pedestrian streets and piazzas of the historic center are lively with Aretini making the passeggiata, nice shops for fabrics, clothing, leather goods and antiques plus wine bars for a late afternoon aperitivo. We’ll make two visits as a group to see medieval and renaissance art and architecture and you’ll have free time to explore on your own and have an early supper.

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day 7 Olive Oil and the Castle of Poppiano

Walk through Elaine's olive groves and participate in a guided tasting of olive oil, learn how high quality olive oil is made, why it's good for you, how to recognize the good stuff and how to use it in the kitchen. Lunch in a country restaurant followed by dessert and coffee at Elaine's farmhouse and we'll make artisan visits in the borgo of the castle of Poppiano (painter, jewelry maker, woodworker). Group supper at the villa prepared by a private chef. 

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day 8  departure

Transfers to Florence Amerigo Vespucci airport FLR or to Florence Santa Maria Novella train station.  

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Please note that this is an initial itinerary to provide a template of what to expect.

The people and places that we will be visiting are not typical tourist destinations

so plans may be modified at the last minute. We will craft the final itinerary

to provide the experience as described above.

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details

With a group of 10 - 12 travelers we’ll stay at a beautifully renovated farmhouse on an estate in the countryside of Reggello in Tuscany; there’s a great view from the pool, the house gets spectacular sunsets and it’s near to Florence and also to the superstrada for going out and about. We will have a private van and driver for all ground transportation.

Note that there are steps to the bedrooms in the villa and that your activity level should allow you to walk for 2 - 4 miles per day including up and down steps, on uneven cobblestone streets and through vineyards and olive groves that are planted on hills and terraces.

Request the guest registration document for all information including cost, payment terms, cancellation policy, etc.

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