Through extraordinary, authentic food and wine experiences, explore Tuscany’s Brunello and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wine country and really get to know local people. They feel like new friends by the time you leave.
In private visits with Brunello and Vino Nobile winery owners in their cellars, learn first hand how they make these top Italian reds and drink them right with the people who make them with so much passion.
Cook and eat traditional Tuscan dishes and feel part of Tuscan life with a charming home cook in his country kitchen. Experience cooking with an exceptional local chef in his restaurant up in a hamlet where gourmets in the know go.
Your Tuscan home is a lovely four star property, formerly a monastery, now beautifully restored, keeping its historic atmosphere, in the heart of walled hill town, Pienza. You can easily step out into real local life in town. Relax in the peaceful gardens or by the pool with stunning views of the Orcia valley.
A “wow” Tuscan buffet for your senses, heart and soul.
Tour Includes
Accommodation in superior four star hotels throughout
All arrival and departure transfers
Breakfast daily
Cellar Tour
Cooking class
English speaking professional tour guide
Excellent Photo Opportunities
Food and beverage sampling
Wine and Olive Oil Tastings
Wine Estate Visit
Wine Tastings
Olive mill visit & olive oil tasting
Optional country walk
Walking tours in Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano & Siena
Pecorino cheese tasting
Tour Does Not Include
All personal expenses at hotels
International flights
5 dinners
Wine with meals so you can choose wines you like
Hotel Package :
Day
1
Welcome to Pienza
D
Meeting Time
Meeting Location
Chiusi train station
Description:
Private transfer from Chiusi railway station to Pienza, a walled hill town.
Arrive at 4 star hotel, an ex-monastery, beautifully restored with frescoes, magnificent Val D’Orcia views, gardens and swimming pool, in the heart of Pienza.
Welcome dinner in a great local restaurant.
Day
2
Explore Pienza, country walk, cheese tasting, winery visit
B L
Description:
Explore charming Pienza on guided walk.
Drive through a splendid valley to walled hill town, Montichiello. Enjoy two hour optional walk along country roads on a spectacular ridge with 360 degree valley views from Montichiello to Pienza. Your van will follow you, so you can walk or ride in the van.
In Pienza enjoy lunch at a typical Tuscan restaurant. The manager (and sommelier) gives a cheese tasting of various styles of Pienza’s famous pecorino cheeses.
Visit a winery in a 14th century palazzo in the little hill town, Montefollonico. The owner takes you on a cellar tour and leads you through a tasting of his Rosso di Montepulciano, Vino Nobile and Vin Santo. In good weather, chat about life on his garden terrace with views across the valley to Montepulciano.
Drive back to Pienza for light dinner on your own.
Day
3
Explore Montalcino, country cooking class, Brunello wine tasting
B L
Description:
Drive to a lovely valley near Montalcino to the home of Alberto, a fabulous cook and formerly an artisan olive oil producer. In his country kitchen, cook traditional Tuscan dishes that were vanishing from local cuisine. Dine on your creations around his dining room table.
Visit a family’s Brunello winery to walk through their cellars, discover what makes Brunello so special and taste their Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino.
Visit 1000 year old Romanesque Sant’Antimo church. Set in an idyllic valley, stand in awe at at the quintessential Tuscan view of cypresses zigzagging up hills, olive trees, vineyards and fields.
With your guide, stroll through medieval hill town, Montalcino, home to Brunello wine. At the enoteca (wine shop) in a medieval fortress, learn more about Brunello with a staff member and taste a variety of Brunellos.
Drive home. Enjoy a light dinner on your own in Pienza.
Drive to hill town Montepulciano, famous for Vino Nobile, another top Italian red wine, and its lovely Renaissance palazzos and stunning views. Relax over a cappuccino in a beautiful 19th century café.
Cook with the chef in an excellent restaurant in Montepulciano. Lunch of Tuscan dishes with creative touches at the restaurant.
Explore Montepulciano on a guided walk. Visit a local winery’s shop to taste Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and more. Free time in Montepulciano to browse stores selling tablecloths and ceramics, leather goods and art.
Light dinner on your own in Pienza.
Day
5
Explore Siena
B L
Description:
Drive to Siena. Morning walking tour with a Siena guide in the historic centre to learn about Siena’s history, art and architecture.
Light lunch together in Siena. Afternoon free to shop, explore or just hang out.
Drive back to Pienza. Dinner on your own.
Day
6
Cooking in hamlet with top chef, olive mill visit & tasting in San Quirico
B L
Description:
Drive into hills of Monte Amiata to a hamlet to a restaurant well known for its outstanding cuisine, especially its mushroom dishes. Gourmets in the know drive miles to eat there.
Cook beside chef and owner Roberto, the epitome of warm hospitality, an excellent cooking teacher and a charming man passionate about food and wine. An extraordinary experience! Dine on your creations with wines specially chosen by Roberto.
If you wish, visit a nearby park of intriguing, fun modern sculpture, managed by Roberto.
In less touristed, medieval hamlet, San Quirico, visit a family-run olive oil mill to taste their olive oil. The owner tells you everything you want to know about olive oil.
Light dinner on your own in Pienza.
Day
7
Ciao for now
B
Description:
Leave after breakfast for Chiusi train station.
If you’d like a private driver for points beyond, we can arrange it for you.
superior
Val D'Orcia
Relais Il Chiostro di Pienza
Rating :
4 Star
Former convent in heart of Pienza's medieval centre on the main street, now beautifully renovated. Lovely Val D'Orcia views, gardens, pool. Elevator. Breakfast buffet.
Tip: do not allow the staff to give you a room overlooking the narrow dark little street. Ask for valley views or courtyard view rooms.
Please contact us today by either phone or email for pricing and we will be happy to assist you in achieving the best possible pricing for this package!
Escorted Multi-Day Tours 
