Name: A Foodie's Slow Tour of Tuscany
Brand: Zicasso
Price: 448 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.9 (2103 reviews)

Tuscan pecorino cheese on display in Tuscany, Italy

What to expect on this itinerary

Cuisine runs deep in Italy, connecting families and reflecting the soul of the chef, whether cooking rustic pasta at home or preparing gourmet dishes in a restaurant. The scent of celebrated confections emanates from display windows along the main avenues. Luscious cheeses maintain complex flavors, offering insight into the care taken during their production. Ruby-tinted wines glow against the verdant hills and cypress trees. Your 8-day foodie tour of Tuscany takes you deep into local tradition by highlighting cuisines and methods of creation, from the farm and vineyard to the table, showcasing the labors of love with every sumptuous bite you take.

Countries Visited

Italy

Places Visited

Rome, Montepulciano, Pienza, Castellina in Chianti, Greve in Chianti, Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Montalcino

Suggested Duration

8 Days

Day 1

Developing Italian Sensibilities

Italy is known as much for its delicious cuisine as its inspiring architecture spanning millennia. When you arrive in Rome, you find more than just the Colosseum standing proud, watching over the whitewashed stones of the Roman Forum. St. Peter’s Basilica rises above the city, adding to the elegant skyline of the surrounding cupolas of the city. The aroma of freshly made pasta fades with the sweet and enticing scents of creamy gelato emanating from the countless gelaterias. Your private transfer meets you at Fiumicino Airport and escorts you to a luxurious hotel situated in the heart of the historic city center. The allure of Italy radiates around you, from the gentle splashing of the Trevi Fountain to the blossoming gardens of Villa Medici.

A true introduction to the city is saved for dinner when you enter a restaurant producing authentic dishes of Rome with innovative twists near the vast public square of Campo De’ Fiori. The menu changes with the seasons, utilizing ingredients from local farms. The outdoor patio looks out onto Piazza della Cancelleria. Locals stroll past without a care in the world, intoxicated for a moment by the aromas drifting from the restaurant doors. When the cacio e pepe hits the table, pasta in a cheese and pepper pan sauce, you find how stunning and complex a simple dish can taste.

Transfer

Accommodation

Dinner

Day 2

Introduction to Tuscan Tastes

In the morning, you wake up to the vibrant aroma of fresh espresso wafting out of every café. Bakeries set sweet brioches in their windows, displayed to passersby. After breakfast, your guide meets you at the hotel and takes you out of the Eternal City, venturing northbound into the famous rolling greenery of Tuscany. Consider learning more about your highly experienced luxury Italy tour companies that strive to provide you with the most memorable trip of a lifetime. Cypress trees line the country roads, providing a picturesque view of the treasured hillsides. In the distance, you see the towering outcrop of Montepulciano, rising to a height of 1,984 feet above sea level on a limestone ridge. The medieval and Renaissance town has an ineffable charm emanating from the red tiled roofs and historic bell towers. Local vineyards stretch into the distance.

The main street runs for almost a mile connecting the main entrance gate to the main public square known as Piazza Grande. Wine cellars speckle the avenue offering samples of the wines grown around the cityscape. One of the most famous cellars belongs to the Cantucci family who converted the city’s antique jail into a wine cellar, optimizing the dim, cool space to protect the wines from climate and weather changes. The Cantucci family have owned vineyards and produced wine around Montepulciano for over 1,000 years.

When you enter the cellars, you find a paved brick room lined with two levels of barrels, separated by the walls and archways leftover from the building’s original design. Your guide leads you through the cellars explaining the harvesting and storing process, also pouring you a sample of the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. The bright red color glows in the light of the cellar. You find a bouquet of cherries and violet with a balance of structure and tannins finishing your delightful sip.

Tour

Transfer

Accommodation

Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3

Road to Chianti

In the morning, a light mist settles over the lower hills of Tuscany. The sunlight spreads across the landscape, shining over the dissipating dew, and leaving behind a layer of moisture on the grass. The herbaceous scent of the countryside accompanies your creamy morning cappuccino. After breakfast, your guide leads you down the rocky ride of Montepulciano, through the harvested herbs of Castellina in Chianti and into the medieval town enchantment with an ancient history of Greve in Chianti.

At the heart of the Chianti region, you find the main triangular plaza bordered by a colonnade. The castle, from which you felt, tasted and absorbed the aromas of various herbs grown and dried in the region, watches over the city from above. The 14th-century church of Chiesa Santa Croce adorns the square. Nearby the city is a local farm that produces a variety of goat cheeses. The farmland is awash with vast greenery touching the bordering cypress trees and draping the hills. Goats roam freely around the landscape grazing on the grass.

Your guide takes you to the property, showing you the organic methods of the farmers, from the open space to the dairy. At the end of the tour, the tangy scent of goat cheese fills the tasting room, a similar aroma to the processing room where you watched the mild filtering process. A large block of cheese sits on a rustic wooden table. The crumbly cheese has bits of tarragon and chives, to create a unique and savory flavor bursting with every bite.

Tour

Transfer

Accommodation

Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4

Renaissance of Flavor in Florence

In the morning, the vineyards around Chianti look like grids across the hillside, dividing the lush landscape between the trees. After breakfast, your guide sweeps you along the road from Chianti to the fabulous city of Florence. The medieval walls continue to arch around the northern edge of the city. The Ponte Vecchio, the Old Bridge, which crosses over the Arno River, was constructed by the Romans and rebuilt in its current form in the 14th century, lined with gold purveyors and silversmiths. Images of the Renaissance continue to decorate the city, from the Palazzo Vecchio in the public square of Piazza Signoria to the marble and bronze statues adorning buildings throughout the historic center.

Santa Croce Chruch has a marbled exterior and houses the remains of Michelangelo and Galileo. After your walking tour of the exquisite city, you venture into the celebrated gelateria of “Perche No!” The store offers over 33 flavors of gelato including green tea and saffron, using ingredients sourced from around Italy, such as pistachios from Bronte, Sicily. Your guide takes you to the back of the store where they make the gelato, showcasing the care of each ingredient before churning to make a creamy, sweet, and delectable flavor, such as milk with honey and sesame seeds.

Tour

Transfer

Accommodation

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5

Florence Gourmet

Florence comes to life in the morning, with cafes setting out their tables along the cobbled laneways and the statues in the Loggia dei Lanzi capturing the early light with a quiet sheen. After breakfast, the day is yours to explore the city at your leisure, taking in the inspiring sites and tastes in the Renaissance ambiance. The doors of the treasured, tiny sandwich shop of I Due Fratellini opens on Via dei Cimatori, offering traditional tastes of Tuscany, including a glass of regional wine. The brilliance of the Uffizi Gallery shimmers over a long and narrow cobbled square. The gallery was commissioned by Cosimo de’Medici I to provide offices for the Florentine magistrate in the 16th century.

The prominent building now houses some of the most iconic images of the Renaissance inside the gilded rooms and polished marble floors near the Arno River, including the Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli. The painting was created in the 15th century and depicts the Roman goddess of love rising from the ocean as a pearl inside a shell, arriving on the shore in an adoring fashion. The wonders of the city are only enhanced by the ambiance and tastes of dinner. A Hapsburg prince who adored the flavors and cooking style of Italy created the subtle traditional ambiance and incredible dishes of La Giostra. Today his son runs the restaurant and the kitchen, producing sensational cuisine, such as the Pecorino Toscano, ravioli stuffed with pears and sheep’s cheese.

Accommodation

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6

Journey to the Middle Ages

Outside of Florence, the emerald colors of the cypress trees line the hillsides. The gilded mosaics of the San Miniato al Monte glint in the rising sunlight. After breakfast, you leave behind the Renaissance streets of Florence embarking on the medieval streets and architecture of Siena and San Gimignano. In Siena, the cobbled streets run along the hillside, paved with wide boulevards in and the sloping half-shell of Piazza del Campo, home of the famed Palio races. Siena is divided into 17 separate districts, each known as a Contrada. During the horse races, the Piazza del Campo erupts with energetic and proud locals cheering on their horses.

The tradition dates back to the Middle Ages as you see strolling through the charismatic Museo di Contrada. Different flags represent the districts of the city, each decorated with a different animal, from wolves to snails. The regal clothing connotes the colors of the each district, accentuated by the armor and weapons the standard-bearers don. The aroma of ripening grapes drifts into the city from the hillsides, taken over by the scent of panforte, an Italian pastry, from Nannini’s. The confections showcased in the windows entice passersby who prefer savory concoctions, finding ricciarellis dusted with powdered sugar.

Tour

Transfer

Accommodation

Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7

Winning Wines of Tuscany

The towers of San Gimignano watch over the encircling countryside. Once a sign of wealth, the towers now recall the opulence and pride of the families who built them. The images of the staggering edifices linger from the previous day. Settled on a hill in Tuscany is the town of Montalcino, famous for its Brunello wine and brimming with a history that dates back to the 9th century. From the top of the town, you can look over the surrounding valleys to find a mesh of meandering vines and olive orchards. The forceful ramparts of the fortress rise out of the lush trees, resembling a storybook construct. The fortress was erected in the 14th century with six gates and standing alongside the remaining towers.

Inside the fortress, you find the Enoteca la Fortezza di Montalcino, carrying a wide variety of Brunello wines. Your guide offers a brief history of wine making in the area, encompassing a millennium and providing a timeline for the encircling region, along with the enoteca lining the main boulevard of town. Your guide opens a bottle for you to gain a better understanding of the libation known as the “King of Wines.” The dark ruby liquid swirls around the glass, emanating a luscious leathery aroma blended with rich dark fruit. The velvety texture carries hints of spice before fading away on your palate.

Tour

Transfer

Accommodation

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8

Sensory Memories

The rich aromatics of coffee scent the morning air. The slightly bitter flavor of the espresso brings the day to vibrant life. The shimmering emerald hills around Tuscany continue to inspire you. The landscape no longer just holds the lush colors of the celebrated region, but also reminds you of the flavors you have experienced, from gourmet dining to rustic farms, historic cellars to famous wines. Soon you will arrive at the Termini Train Station, where you will connect to the Fiumicino Airport for your flight home. You have discovered the true traditions of Italy, running deeper than the architecture emanating from the soulful connection and experience the people have with their food.

Transfer

Breakfast

Trip Highlights

Savor the texture and complex flavors of the King of Wines with a sampling of Brunello in a traditional enoteca (wine repository) in Montalcino
Indulge in the crumbly texture and rich tastes of goat cheese on a family-run Tuscan dairy farm
Learn how to make unique and captivating gelato from a celebrated gelateria (Italian ice cream shop) in Florence
Enjoy a private tasting of Pecorino cheese after viewing the cheese-making process
Witness the ancient techniques of drying and harvesting herbs around the Chianti region
Taste the difference of olive oil productions with a sampling at a family-run organic olive oil farmhouse
Discover the unforgettable ambiance of Renaissance and medieval towns around the Tuscan region, adding to the indelible atmosphere

Detailed Description

The pleasures of food bring community and family together. Your custom-tailored tour of Tuscany takes you into the slow food movement, allowing you to bask in the flavors of food and wine, savor the culture and heritage, and delight in the majestic surroundings. Your food discovery begins with your arrival in Rome. Your private transfer meets you at the airport and escorts you into the Eternal City. Your first dinner in Rome provides a perfect introduction to Italian cuisine and the slow food ideals, where you don’t just have dinner but experience it.

The following day, your guide takes you into Tuscany, where the celebrated hills of the province roll along the horizon. In the city of Montepulciano, you embrace the medieval town and sample the wines of the region at a historic enoteca located inside a former historic city jail. Following lunch, you delight in a tour of a farm famous for its Pecorino cheese near the Renaissance city of Pienza. Along the hills of Chianti, you stop at Castellina in Chianti for insight into the herbs of the area and the ancient techniques employed to harvest and dry.

Continue to the historic town center of Greve in Chianti and a nearby goat farm that produces fresh and zesty goat cheeses. In the remarkable city of Florence, your guide leads you on a tour along the cobbled streets, from the church of Santa Croce to the marble Duomo. In a flavorful gelateria, your guide leads you through the process of making gelato, tasting the unique and fabulous flavors along the way. The next day, you continue your exploration of Florence, taking the time to explore the museums and elegance of the city, with dinner at a restaurant providing a combination of decadence and tradition.

Outside of Florence, your tour guides you through the medieval towns of Siena and San Gimignano. Discover the history of Siena’s famous horse races and the sensational towers of San Gimignano, sampling exquisite olive oils at a family-owned farm along the way. Once in Montalcino, the vines, which produce the King of Wines, Brunello, decorate the countryside outside of town. Visit a local enoteca inside the historic fortress and tour cellars lining the medieval streets. On your final morning in Italy, your private transfer escorts you to the train station in Rome where you continue onward to Fiumicino Airport for your flight home.

Starting Price

$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

Accommodations
In-country transportation
Some or all activities and tours
Expert trip planning
24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 2103 reviews

Luxury Italy Group Tour Review: Rome, Tuscany, Chianti, Montepulciano, Montalcino, Siena, Florence, Pisa, Lucca, San Gimignano

THE BEST VACATION EVER!!!!

I must admit that I was somewhat uncomfortable arranging a group tour to Italy with someone I communicated with only via the Internet and telephone. However, after my first communication with our agent -- I knew that she “had it.” She understood exactly what we wanted to do. She was right-on in both concept and execution.

Our ten-day adventure in Italy began with a private transfer with an English speaking local driver from the Rome airport to our fantastic 3 star boutique hotel located right in the historical center of Rome. During our three days in Rome, we had fantastic private tours of Ancient Rome, the Coliseum, and the Vatican Museums. Extremely knowledgeable, English-speaking guides led all of our tours. Sense of Italy had arranged for VIP, skip the line, priority entrance for all tours -- saving us from long waits in long lines.

After our busy 3 days in Rome, we departed via private van transfer from our hotel in Rome to the Chianti Region of Tuscany. The transfer included stops on the Val D’ Orcia to visit the amazing Villages of Montalcino and Montepulciano. The “light lunch” and wine tasting we enjoyed in Montalcino was one of the highlights of our trip. In Tuscany we stayed 7 Nights in a beautiful, historic villa located on one of the best wine estates of Chianti (Villa Le Corti near San Casciano) where we were met with a fantastic welcome dinner. During our time in Tuscany we were transported by private van from our villa to private tours of Siena, San Gimignano, Florence, Pisa and Lucca. On each of our stops we were met by knowledgeable English speaking guides that clearly were proud of the history of their country, and were anxious to share it. Interspersed in all of this activity were numerous exceptional meals with opportunities to taste (and drink) very fine Italian wines.

When we finally were forced to leave Italy, our agent arranged for private transport accommodating our varying departure times from the Florence airport and train station.

Thanks to this travel company and our agent for designing the perfect vacation for our group. The only complaint that I heard was that we ate too much — wow was all the food delicious. I really don’t know how she did it. All of the tours were great — the van drivers friendly and helpful, the guides knowledgeable, and the sites spectacular. Our stay in the villa was a great experience. We were treated royally everywhere. We all marveled at our agent's ability to get us, the vans, the guides, the food and wine, etc. all at the right place at the right time. She is a genius!!!!

Jeff E

Review: Luxury Italy Vacation, Rome, Tuscany, Florence, Chianti, Siena, San Gimignano, Greve, Vatican, Trastevere Food Tour

Wonderful 10 day trip to central Italy planned by this Italy travel company. We spent the first part of the trip at Castello di Casole in the Tuscan countryside, then Florence and the final part of the trip in Rome. While in Tuscany, we took day trips to Montalcino, Siena, Montepulciano, Pienza, San Gimignano and Greve. We had walking tours in Florence and Rome. our agent at this travel company planned all the details, transfer drivers, tour guides and hotel arrangements. Everything went according to plan and was of outstanding quality. The agency gave us a very detailed package of information with all the relevant details for each day.

Great Vacation

Italy Trip Review: Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Chianti, San Gimignano, Montepulciano, Montalcino, Lake Como, Cooking Class

My husband and I just returned from a two-week vacation in Italy. With the help of Zicasso and our travel company, we were able to fit every wish into this short time.

We started out in Rome, then went on to Florence for some amazing history. We then traveled to the Tuscany and Chianti countryside for private cooking and wine experiences. We loved the small villages we explored and the little family-owned wineries and olive farms.

A highlight was staying in a bed and breakfast in Ponzano that overlooked the beautiful olive gardens and countryside. We explored the small villages of San Gimignano, Montepulciano, and Montalcino, and felt like we had discovered authentic local life.

The tail of our trip was spent in the beautiful Lake Como area, with a day trip to Lugano, Switzerland.

Travel Review: Luxury Italy Anniversary Vacation, Rome, Venice, Florence, Positano, Ravello, San Gimignano, Montepulciano, Tuscany

We took this trip last year, and I realized when I came back to Zicasso to plan our next trip that I had never posted a review.

This was a 25th anniversary trip for my husband and me. We splurged on this trip. We wanted something special. We were overwhelmed by a trip that not only met, but far exceeded our expectations. Our Italy travel agent planned every detail and stayed in contact with us throughout our travels. She gave us a flip phone and called us shortly after we reached each destination to make sure everything was to our liking. And when we did run into a slight problem with our gondola ride in Venice, I was able to get in touch with our agent on a Sunday, and she took care of it immediately. Every driver and tour guide she set us up with was professional and well-informed about their part of the country. And they all spoke English very well. We felt pampered every step of the way.

Even with 2 weeks to spend in Italy, it felt like a whirlwind trip. Our agent managed to fit in everything we wanted to see and do and some things we hadn't even known we wanted: A gondola ride and a tour of St. Mark's in Venice; a guided trip to the Accademia to see the statue of David and to the Uffizi Gallery, as well as time to walk across the Ponte Vecchio in Florence; wine tasting in Tuscany, not only of Chianti but also Brunello di Montalcino (what a treat); visits to Siena, San Gimignano, Montepulciano, and others in the area; a guided tour of Pompeii; visits to Amalfi, Ravello, and an inland winery near the Amalfi coast; a private cooking class; guided tours of the Colosseum, the Forum, the Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Basilica.

My husband and I would wholeheartedly recommend this agent and her travel company to anyone who is planning a trip to Italy.

Travel Review: Italy Birthday Vacation, Florence Cinque Terre, Siena, Tuscany, San Gimignano, Lucca, Sailing Pesto Making Class

The 2 weeks in Italy our travel agent planned for us was fantastic. We has a fantastic schedule with experienced and excellent guides. This was my first time in Italy, a 60th birthday trip with my sisters, we have varied interests and she hit the mark on them all! The hotel location in Sestri Levante was the perfect location. The weather was beautiful for late Sept., we enjoyed the beach and calm Mediterranean waters when we were relaxing back at the hotel. The guide on our hike in Cinque Terra was very good. We did not know what to expect. His knowledge on the history of the area kept us more than expected. The guide knew the area and was able to rearrange our schedule due to rough winds that cancelled the ferry.

I would have never taken a pesto making class, but it was a highlight!

The sailing day was absolutely perfect. The weather was beautiful, and the skipper was a true sailor!

On our way to Florence we stopped in Lucca and a winery that were fantastic. The driver was prompt and informative. Our hotel in Florence had the perfect location! Close to both sides of the river to explore by foot every day. The 2 days with our guide were fantastic! She was excellent in every way, she knew the history, art and even helped with restaurant suggestions and reservations. Having a guide was the perfect way to not only see the sights but understand the time period and history. The day trips out of Florence to Chianti, Siena and San Gimignano, were perfect with wine-tasting interspersed with visiting the smaller towns in the Tuscany region. The weather was beautiful both a weeks we were in Italy.

The trip exceeded our expectations in every-way and we will all be repeat customers!!

Thanks for making my 60th birthday trip, the trip of a lifetime!

Travel Review: Anniversary Trip to Italy, Rome, Florence, Pisa, San Gimignano, Positano, Truffle Hunt, Cooking Class, Food Tour

Locations Visited: Venice, Verona, Florence, San Gimignano, Siena, Pienze, Rome, Pompeii, Positano

My husband and I planned this trip for our 10-year anniversary. I’m a person with high expectation and this travel agency exceeded all my expectations. The entire trip was dream.

We opted for personalized tours and transport for 95% of our trip. All of our drivers were wonderful. They arrived on time and made sure we made it to all of our destinations without issue. They had the contact information for the tour guides we were meeting. Upon arrival to our first hotel, a local cell phone and gift were given to us. Having the iPhone during our trip made any needed communication with our agent and his team a breeze. In addition, we used the phone apps for navigation throughout the cities we visited. We made a last-minute request for an additional private transport, and our agent was able to make it happen. We greatly appreciated their customer service.

We participated in a several unique experiences while in Italy. We went truffle hunting in Pienza, which was amazing. After, we were served a meal that highlighted truffles and the cheeses made locally. In addition, we did a cooking day in Rome. This was a private cooking class where we made pasta, several sauces, and appetizers. The one disappointment is that we never received the recipes from the chef (we were told by the chef that they would be emailed to us). However, this is a knock on the chef and not our travel agent. Once the class was done, we were served a meal in a private garden area. Lastly, we did a food walking tour in Rome. This was an amazing way to find local cuisine that we wouldn’t have known about otherwise. A wonderful experience.

All of our tour guides were excellent. They were knowledgeable, friendly, and familiar with the cities. We had one guide that really went into the details and reasons for expressions in the art. We didn’t care for that, but we didn’t specify that ahead of time or to the guide. It was wonderful seeing her excitement and passion for all of the amazing working works of art and sculpture that we saw.

Overall, I would highly recommend this travel agent and his team if you are traveling to Italy!! You will not be disappointed. We gave him our wish list of activities, accommodation preferences, etc. ahead of time and he made sure we got them all! Thank you for such a wonderful and memorable trip. If we are able to return to Italy, you will be hearing from us.

Zicasso in the News

A Foodie's Slow Tour of Tuscany

What to expect on this itinerary

Countries Visited

Places Visited

Suggested Duration

Customizable Itinerary

Developing Italian Sensibilities

Introduction to Tuscan Tastes

Road to Chianti

Renaissance of Flavor in Florence

Florence Gourmet

Journey to the Middle Ages

Winning Wines of Tuscany

Sensory Memories

Trip Highlights

Detailed Description

Starting Price

What's Included

Verified Traveler Reviews

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