7 Day Self-Drive Holiday
From AU$2,050* per person, twin share
A self-drive itinerary to explore a region of sprawling vineyards, rolling hills, charming old cities, masterpieces of art and gourmandise!
Kick off with a welcome dinner in the magnificent Florence, then overnight at your stunning Tuscan villa in the countryside. Visit the “Cradle of the Renaissance”, Siena, famous for the Palio horse race and enjoy a lunch with some of the traditional local produce such as the Certaldo onion (Slow Food Presidium), and the organic olive oil in the village of San Gimignano.
Drive through the Chianti Hills,Montepulciano and Montalcino, known all over the world for their prestigious wines and taste the delicious, authentic dishes of the regional cuisine eating at restaurants selected among those recommended by Slow Food in the “Osterie d’Italia” guide, small “trattorie” that still use fresh, local produce and traditional recipes for their dishes. Then, walk through Pienza, the perfect example of a renaissance city, famous for its Pecorino cheese. Visit a Pecorino cheese producer, learn something about the cheesemaking process, and sample the fare.
Slow Food is an organization that promotes local food and traditional cooking. It was founded by Carlo Petrini in Italy in 1986 and has since spread worldwide. Promoted as an alternative to fast food, it strives to preserve traditional and regional cuisine and encourages farming of plants, seeds, and livestock characteristic of the local ecosystem. It promotes local small businesses and sustainable foods. It also focuses on food quality, rather than quantity. It was the first established part of the broader slow movement. It speaks out against overproduction and food waste. It sees globalisation as a process in which small and local farmers and food producers should be simultaneously protected from and included in the global food
Rates
| Price Per Person, Twin Share | |
| Travel Season | From Price |
| 4 January – 24 December 2023 | AU$2,050* |
| . | |
| Bookings are subject to availability. Valid for sale until 30 June 2023, unless sold out prior. Peak and Holiday surcharges apply | |
Inclusions
Highlights:
- Staying at the charming hotel Villa il Palagio in the Chianti area, boasting a wide green park with an amazing outdoor swimming pool & bar for Villa Il Palagio’s guests to enjoy!
- Chance of sampling several Slow Food Presidia products – high-quality, traditional foods and beverages at risk of “extinction” such as the Certaldo Onion, The Pienza Pecorino and many more!
- Explore Montepulciano, a characteristic medieval city at a height of 605 metres above sea level offering amazing views over the surrounding hillsides!
- Walk through the historical centre of Florence and explore the main hightlights such as Santa Croce church, the Baptistery, the Duomo and Giotto’s bell tower– during your private guided walking tour!
- Take in the splendid views as you drive toSan Gimignano, a UNESCO world heritage site, famous for the still intact medieval town and, then, to Siena, recognized by the UNESCO as a “heritage of the humanity”
- Sample the Brunello, one of the best red wines in the world, and other wines of the Montalcino vineyards
- Take part to a cooking classdedicated to the Tuscany tradition
Includes:
- 6 nights in Chianti at Villa il Palagio – 4* or similar
- Car Hire Credit of $700
- Daily Buffet Breakfast
- Dinner after the cooking lesson
- Slow Food welcome dinner at the hotel
- Light lunch in family-run farmhouse in San Gimignano
- Lunch at “Osterie d’Italia” typical Slow Food restaurants
- Cooking class in Florence
- 3 Guided Tastings of foods and/or wines from the Tuscany region
- Private guided tour of Florence
Itinerary:
Day 1: Florence → Rignano sull’Arno
Arrival to the hotel near Florence. Time to settle in, enjoy a welcome dinner.
Overnight for 6 nights in the Chianti area at Villa il Palagio or similar including breakfast daily.
Day2: Rignano sull’Arno→ Florence→ Rignano sull’Arno
Morning departure for Florence. Private guided tour of Florence. Walk through the historical centre of this amazing city and visit the Santa Croce church where many illustrious Italians such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Rossini and Machiavelli are buried. The visit also takes in the other religious buildings (the Baptistery, the Duomo and Giotto’s bell tower – outside) and the houses of power in the old city (the Piazza della Signoria).
Lunch at typical restaurant (Slow Food is an organisation that promotes local food and traditional cooking). Free afternoon in Florence, then return to your hotel.
Day3: Rignano sull’Arno→Siena → San Gimignano→ Rignano sull’Arno
Visit Siena at your leisure in the morning, one of the most important and most beautiful architecture in the city. On the way to San Gimignano along the ancient Via Francigena, lunch with some of the traditional local produce such as the Certaldo onion (Slow Food Presidium is an organisation that promotes local food and traditional cooking), and the organic extra virgin olive oil from San Gimignano in a little family-run farmhouse. Visit and have a talk on the techniques used in producing organic olive oil.
In the afternoon, at your own pace visit the famous towers and the San Gimignano 1300 Museum: storyboards, multi-media exhibits, street scenes and a ceramic recreation of the city as it was back in 1300. Return to the hotel.
Day 4: Rignano sull’Arno→Radda in Chianti → Greve in Chianti→Rignano sull’Arno
Entire day dedicated to discovering the Chianti hills along the Via Chiantigena (an ancient road connecting Siena with Florence crossing over the Chianti hills). Visit a winery in Radda in Chianti where you will meet the wine producer and visit to the cellars, at the end enjoy a wine tasting.
In the afternoon visit winery in Greve in Chianti for a wine and oil tasting. Return to the hotel and overnight.
Day 5: Rignano sull’Arno→Montepulciano → Pienza→ Rignano sull’Arno
Morning departure for Montepulciano, one of the most characteristic and intact medieval cities in Italy which from a height of 605 metres above sea level offers amazing views over the surrounding hillsides. Visit typical winery for a free tasting, and then explore the wonderful town centre of Montepulciano.
Free Lunch and, then, proceed to Pienza, the perfect example of a renaissance city, famous for its Pecorino cheese. Visit a Pecorino cheese producer, learn something about the cheesemaking process, and sample the fare (Slow Food is an organisation that promotes local food and traditional cooking). Return to the hotel.
Day 6: Rignano sull’Arno→Montalcino→ Florence
Morning departure for Montalcino, famous for its Brunello, one of the best red wines in the world. Montalcino, however, is also a beautiful art city, which dominates 3,000 hectares of vineyards (1,500 for Brunello alone). Free time and Lunch.
Return to Florence area and join a cooking class dedicated to the Tuscany tradition, followed by dinner.
Day 7: Rignano sull’Arno
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and our services come to an end.
Terms & Conditions
*Terms & Conditions:
- Bookings subject to availability.
- Prices are per person twin share, in Australian Dollars.
- Pricing correct as at 3 January 2023 and may fluctuate due to changes in availability, surcharges, fees or taxes.
- Standard Travel Club Terms and Conditions apply.
- This tour is offered and managed by Entire Travel and their terms and conditions apply.
- No airfares are included in the featured package, but assistance with booking can be provided.
- Cancellation and change fees apply. Bookings are non-transferable.
- Travel insurance is not included in the package. Please ensure you have valid Travel Insurance, or request a quotation.
