What comes to mind when you think of Tuscany? Perhaps it’s the cityscape of Florence, steeped in history and dominated by the grand Duomo Cathedral. Maybe it’s the rolling green and yellow fields of the Tuscan countryside, with cypress trees lining the roads like sentinels. Or is it Pisa and pizza? Whatever you are thinking of, the reality is even more idyllic. The region is home to Italy’s most exported wine, Chianti and the birthplace of the Super-Tuscans. Whilst Tuscanyis a dream for oenophiles and art history lovers, there is truly something for every traveller to get stuck into and enjoy. We have 5 of our best day trips to prove there’s more to the region than leaning towers and wine in straw baskets!
Always dreamed of owning a vineyard but don’t have a few million euros to spare? This tour can give you a taste of what it’s like to make your own wine. Learn about the native grape varieties and how to blend them with expert winemakers at a historic villa in Chianti. You then get to bottle your own blend, which is kept at the winery to mature. A few weeks later, when you are back home and reminiscing about your holiday, your very own personalised wine will be delivered for you to enjoy!
Channel Michael Caine in the Italian Job, except in a vintage Fiat 500, not a Mini… Explore the verdant Chianti countryside with panoramic pit stops and explore the olive groves that produce the “green gold” of Tuscany; extra virgin olive oil. The final stop along the way is at a glorious Renaissance villa, where you can take a turn about the formal gardens and venture down into the medieval cellars. Enjoy a light lunch, red and white wine tasting and you can even sample some of the estate’s olive oil. Don’t worry, we don’t expect you to drive home…
What better way to explore Florence than eating your way around it? This half day tour around the culinary hotspots of the city is every gourmand’s dream. Guided by a local expert, you can get insider tips on where and what to eat whilst you are there. Visit various markets, shops and artisan bakers, each with a story to tell about the history and culture of the city. You can taste everything that Tuscany is famous for; the wine, the bread, the oil, the salami, the cheese, the gelato, the sweets. We could go on for days!
The Super-Tuscans are called so for good reason. In the 1970s as a rebellion against the restrictive regulations of DOC wines, a few winemakers started making wines that were classified as simple vino da tavola. Soon the exceptional quality of these wines became internationally renowned and today they command some of highest prices in the world.
On this tour you can experience some of the magic for yourself, with a personal tour and tasting at two of Bolgheri’s finest boutique wineries. This is followed by lunch at La Pineta, a Michelin-starred seafood restaurant where the chefs work closely with local winemakers to give guests the ultimate gastronomic experience.
Fancy showing the folks back home your Italian culinary flair? Learn all there is to know about the classic Tuscan favourites, all within the heart of Florence. Learn how to create perfect pizza and gelato from scratch – talk about recipes you;ll actually use! The class is taught by a top local chef and the atmosphere is fun and relaxed, so don’t worry if your cooking skills leave something to be desired. You can take the recipes home with you and after all that hard work, you get to sit down and eat a delicious dinner with your course-mates paired with delicious local wines.
Prices start from £30 pp.
For more information, be sure to read our Tuscany Travel Guide or if you need help in deciding where to go and what to do, let us organise a bespoke tour just for you.
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