
Discover, or re-acquaint yourself with Tuscany on this feast of the senses, hosted by award-winning Chef Kevin Fonzo and the incredible Wine Fairy, Katie Barratt. Pampered on our estate, Kevin and Katie invite you to join them on a journey through Florence, Siena, Montepulciano, San Gimignano, Orvieto, Cortona, and Volterra, touching on culture, history, world-renowned food, and wine.
Experience Tuscany, the Art In Voyage way with a week of making new friends, getting to know the locals, and sharing home-made, family-style Italian meals. As always on our villa-centered journeys, do as much, or as little as you would like. The itinerary is well-balanced and offers flexibility throughout, with our courtesy vehicle available to use should you wish to escape on your own adventures.
One recurring theme on our villa-centered journeys is the authenticity of our dining experiences - whether it's at a local trattoria or at home with our chef and his counterparts. Take part in pasta and tiramisu making, or sit back and enjoy watching our chef work his magic, prosecco in hand.
Understanding the local culture and history of Tuscany enriches your experience and places the food and wine traditions that we explore into perspective. This balanced itinerary invites you to discover Tuscany's traditions, culture, and history through the eyes of our local historian-guides.
To ensure the maximum enjoyment of your experience, we have designed this journey with an inclusive approach that eliminates the typical travel stresses of planning and budgeting. All of the tours and excursions listed on this itinerary are included, as well as over eighteen meals. Arrive, and let us pamper you.
During this journey, we explore Tuscany's incredible wine regions, including Chianti, Montepulciano, and Brunello. Let's admit it, wine has to be one of the main reasons for visiting Tuscany. Maintaining our focus on authenticity, we introduce you to some of the lesser-known, exclusive wine estates that we have established great relations with.
Today, your Taste of Tuscany journey starts when our hosts fetch you from the airport, train station, or hotel in Florence or Rome. Should you be coming from Rome, we will include a stop at the beautiful town of Orvieto for lunch. A picturesque drive into the Tuscan countryside takes us to our dreamy villa which we call home for the next seven nights. In the evening, Chef Fonzo has prepared an authentic welcome dinner, paired with local wines selected by our Wine Fairy.
Sundays are best spent relaxing and exploring the remarkable property and neighborhood. Your first cooking class with Chef Fonzo will take place late morning and you will enjoy the fruits of your labor for lunch. Indulge in a complimentary massage before we depart for a wine tasting in the area. To end off your first day at the villa, another superb dinner is served, paired with wines selected at the featured estate of the day.
Today, we embark on a discovery of the medieval hill town of San Gimignano, known as the 'Town of Fine Towers.' Holding a UNESCO World Heritage Site title, the quaint town will certainly dazzle you. A Michelin Star tasting lunch at the renowned Cum Quibus will follow and serve as one of the highlights of the day. Before departing for a wine tasting, guests will have time to discover more of San Gimignano. Dinner will be served at the villa, paired with wines that were sampled throughout the day.
This morning, we make our way to the exquisite city of Florence where Paolo, our local historian, awaits for a 3-hour walking tour. Enjoy lunch and the early afternoon as you wish, or let us arrange a private artisan tour of the leather and gold craft of Florence. As we make our way back to the villa, we stop at one of our favorite Chianti wineries for a tasting amid undulating hills and impressive vineyards. Dinner will be prepared and served by Chef Fonzo.
Enter an architectural time warp as we explore the medieval masterpiece that is Siena. Our local guide receives us for a 2-hour tour of this ancient rival of Florence. Lunch will be at leisure, with recommendations made by your attentive hosts. Languorously wander through Siena's piazza and winding alleyways before we regroup for our return to the villa. Delight in a relaxing afternoon cooling off in the pool, doing as much or as little as you wish. Chef Fonzo will serve another delectable dinner.
After a morning at leisure, we depart for our final cooking class of the week. An authentic pasta-making session awaits your enjoyment, alongside the creation of other flavorful Tuscan dishes. Lunch will be served as part of the class. We then depart for our last wine tasting of the week, taking on one final DOC in the region. In the evening, as per our curated journey tradition, we hold a farewell dinner at one of our favorite Michelin-starred restaurants in a unique setting.
Today will be yours to experience as you wish, with our guidance available, as always. For guests interested in continuing touring Tuscany, one of our vehicles will head to Cortona, while another one will take guests to Volterra. If you are looking to do something different, allow us to arrange a truffle hunting experience, or a vintage car tour of the hilltop villages and wineries. Dinner at a local eatery can be arranged, or join Chef Fonzo as he teaches us about his “re-purposing“ approach to sustainability. Dinner will be accompanied by wines selected by our lovely Wine Fairy.
Tuscany may very well have stolen a piece of your heart and inspired you to discover more of Italy. We would be happy to assist in creating your very own customized journey to Venice, Rome, Lake Como, Sicily, or anywhere you may be yearning to explore. Allow one of our travel curators to guide you through the endless options we can create for you.
All journeys booked before June 30, 2021 are subjected to special, more flexible booking terms and conditions. click here to learn more
All listed retreats (hotels, villas and barges) are, at times, subject to changes. If replaced, similar or higher standards will be upheld.
In case of a cancelation at more than 60 days prior to departure, your deposit will be returned minus a $250 per person administrative fee.
NEW! Find a replacement at least 30 days prior to departure and your journey will be fully refunded, minus a $250 per person administrative fee.