Tuscan Experience

Overview

Enjoy two weeks under the Tuscan sun in a 15th century villa

For traveller’s keen to indulge their passion for authentic Italian food, Renaissance treasures and a deliciously relaxing stay in a 15th century villa in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, the Tuscan Experience is ‘La Dolce Vita’ personified. Not only will this holiday be the most relaxing 15 days ever, there’s opportunity to learn more about Italian food combined with a discovery of the riches of this extraordinary region with genial host – Renato Di Stefano.

The setting: Nestled in the Chianti hills, overlooking valleys rich in history, is the 15th century manor house - Castellare de’ Sernigi. Once owned by wealthy merchants and patrons of the arts – the Sernigi family, It’s enviable location in the heart of Tuscany in the thousand-year-old hamlet of Palazzuolo, a stone’s throw from Siena, San Gimignano and Florence, makes Castellare de’ Sernigi an idyllic base. Lovingly restored, the finely appointed and fully air-conditioned 7-bedroom villa each with Tuscan views and en suite bathroom is furnished with antiques, two large upstairs sitting rooms with picturesque views, spacious dining and living room, well-equipped kitchen and cellar. Surrounding the villa, in the lovely gardens are furnished seating areas, a large stone terrace with arbour covered al fresco dining area, and swimming pool with surrounding stone deck.

Your Host: Renato has a passion for Italy, Italian food and the romantic Italian language. From an early age, under his Nonna’s guidance, Renato learned the correlation between choice, fresh ingredients often gathered at local markets and delicious meals. His childhood experiences together with the repertoire of tips and tricks learned while helping Nonna prepare family meals laid the foundations for Renato’s love of good food and traditional Italian cooking.

Departure dates:

• 09 September - 23 September 2023

Tour costs 2023:

Twin share per person      $8,895*
Single supplement            $1,800*

Inclusions

• 13 nights’ accommodation— Villa Castellare de’ Sernigi

• 1 night accommodation—Pensione Sorriso, Vernazza, Cinque Terre 

• Travel by mini-bus, train and boat as per itinerary

• Sightseeing per itinerary with entry fees 

• Culinary art sessions (optional) including fresh pasta making 

• 32 meals including a help-yourself breakfast daily, welcome lunch and traditional dinners prepared by local cook with limited wine* 

• Hosted from Florence (day 1-15) including transfers to/from Florence

• Services of professional guides at selected locations 

• Pre-departure function with antipasti and wine, tour notes and booklet 

*Additional wine can be purchased 

**Due to the nature of Italian cuisine we are unable to cater for food allergies or food intolerances.

  
Please note there will be some walking where guests must negotiate cobblestoned streets and hilly terrain.

Itinerary

DAY 1 SATURDAY: FLORENCE TO CASTELLARE DE’ SERNIGI 

Meet at Florence Santa Maria Novella rail station, for the transfer at 1.00pm to villa Castellare de’ Sernigi. Enjoy a delicious welcome lunch at the villa. Later, join Renato for an estate tour then relax before a light dinner. (L,D)

DAY 2 SUNDAY: ANTINORY WINERY 

Enjoy Sunday morning at leisure. Later, visit Antinory winery in Bargino for a degustation of fine wines followed by lunch. Tonight, enjoy a dinner of wood oven pizza at a local pizzeria (B,L,D)

DAY 3 MONDAY: FLORENCE 

In Piazza Della Repubblica in the heart of Florence, savour a coffee at Bar Gilli followed by a guided orientation walking tour of Florence. See the magnificent Duomo, the majestic Renaissance palaces, Ponte Vecchio and Piazza Della Signoria. The afternoon is at leisure. (B,D)

DAY 4 TUESDAY: CASTELLARE DE’ SERNIGI 

At leisure. Later, partake in a culinary art session with Renato and help prepare lunch. Following a long and relaxed lunch the afternoon is at leisure to play a few rounds of bocce in the garden. Aperitivo at sunset is followed by dinner (not included) at a local restaurant (B,L)

DAY 5 WEDNESDAY: SAN GIMIGNANO AND VOLTERRA

Visit San Gimignano. Dominating the Vald’Elsa, it is one of Europe’s best-preserved hill top medieval towns. Continue to medieval Volterra, known for it’s Etruscan museum and Roman theatre. (B,D) 

DAY 6 THURSDAY: TAVARNELLE

Walking to Tavarnelle, stroll through the open market square as Renato selects ingredients for a hands-on culinary art session and delicious villa lunch. The afternoon is at leisure. (B,L,D)

DAY 7 FRIDAY: VERNAZZA AND LE CINQUE TERRE 

Journey by mini bus to La Spezia – gateway to the legendary Cinque Terre – five villages that straddle a picturesque serrated coastline. Take a boat trip (weather permitting) or a train trip to Vernazza. This afternoon, consider taking the local train to Rio Maggiore to walk the Via dell’Amore then visit Manarola and Corniglia before returning to Vernazza. Perhaps join Renato for dinner (not included) at a seaside restaurant, then a nightcap at the Blue Marlin bar. (B)

Stay Pensione Sorriso, Vernazza – 1 night (B) 

DAY 8 SATURDAY: LUCCA AND PISA 

Travel by train to La Spezia then by mini bus to medieval Lucca – birthplace of composer Puccini and surrounded by imposing Renaissance walls and beautiful gardens. Continuing to Pisa, see the Piazza Del Duomo with the famous leaning tower. (B,D)

Stay Castellare de’ Sernigi – 7 nights (B,D)

DAY 9 SUNDAY: TAVARNELLE VAL DI PESA 

At leisure. Later, join Renato in the kitchen as he prepares a delicious lunch. This afternoon visit the Badia a Passignano for a tour of this 11th century abbey. Dinner (not included) is at the Antica Scuderia restaurnat (B,L)

DAY 10 MONDAY: MONTEPULCIANO, PIENZA AND MONTALCINO 

Discover the hilltop medieval and Renaissance town of Montepulciano and 15th century Pienza - capital of Pecorino cheese. Wine tasting and lunch is at a boutique Brunello winery, before a visit to medieval Montalcino, famed for Brunello di Montalcino wine. (B,L,D)

DAY 11 TUESDAY: SIENA 

Travel to Siena and explore this medieval masterpiece - Italy before the Renaissance, magically transported to the modern day. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the Villa. (B,D)

DAY 12 WEDNESDAY: TAVARNELLE 

Enjoy a walk to Tavarnelle and the atmospheric open market in the piazza. Lunch is at local taverna and the afternoon is at leisure (B,L,D) 

DAY 13 THURSDAY: FLORENCE 

Travelling to Florence embark on a guided visit of the galleria dell’Accademia to marvel at Michaelangelo’s ‘David’. Also visit the Galleria Degli Uffizi for a guided tour of the Renaissance trasures. (B,D)

DAY 14 FRIDAY: BARBERINO

Walk to medieval Barberino. Enjoy lunch with spectacular views of the Val d’Elsa (not included) then return to Tavernelle for a welcome gelato. Rest of the afternoon is at leisure to rest and make preparations for morning departure. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner at the villa. (B,D) 

DAY 15 SATURDAY: CASTELLARE DE’ SERNIGI TO FLORENCE 

Farewell Castellare de’ Sernigi today with a 9:00 am transfer to the Florence train station (B)