The Tastes of Tuscany

T his savory Experience is dedicated to food and wine, and to groups of couples or adults who take true delight in exploring all of the nuances of gastronomic pleasure. Travelers who appreciate the difference between the ‘tuber’ truffle and the chocolate truffle; culinary pioneers who are not afraid of exploring unfamiliar territory.

We will take you from the bustling city of Florence … to the secret woodlands in Tuscany. You will visit lively markets, intimate cantinas, expansive vineyards, stroll through rolling fields of olive groves and cook with a professional chef in the comfort of your own kitchen. One night is even dedicated to an authentic pig or lamb roast in your Tuscany home!

Leave the ‘picky’ eaters behind and embark on your own path to discover why Italy is at the apex of culinary excellence.

Highlights

• Seven night stay at a beautifully restored farmhouse in the Val d’Orcia
• An authentic ‘pig- or lamb-roast’ at home mid-week with typical Tuscan side dishes
• Gastronomic tour of the food markets in Florence (includes round-trip train tickets)
• Two private boutique winery tours with wine-tasting and lunch (round-trip transportation included)
• Truffle hunt with a farmer and his truffle-sniffing dog, followed by tastings and lunch (round trip transportation included)
• At-home gastronomic extravaganza including cooking class and tasting of oil, wine, cheese and chocolate with a professional chef and sommelier

Flavors of Florence – from Fagiolini to Fettucine

Stimulate all of your senses as you sample your way through the bustling Mercato Centrale, located in one of most animated and picturesque piazzas in Florence. Your experienced private guide will lead you to the ‘best’ stalls where you will meet gregarious Italian vendors, learn about their products and sample their wares … from formaggio and focaccia, to tiramisu and tripe. Let the aromas of freshly baked pastry embrace you on your journey, as you savor the creations of a local pasticcerie. Even the most dormant of taste buds will be awakened along this scrumptious culinary journey through the streets of the city. And be sure to leave room for gelato tasting - an absolute ‘must do’ in our Florentine culinary Experience.

Vineyard Heaven

The mere images of burgundy nectar, sensuously wrapping itself around the inside of a crystal goblet is enough to intoxicate! We will take you into the heart of two very special, and different, family wineries in the Val d’Orcia – one producing the famous Nobile wine in Montepulciano, the other producing the incomparable Brunello of Montalcino. Walk through the vineyards, and hear first hand the secrets to successful winemaking. Learn about the different grapes, methods of harvesting, fermentation, bottling and storage. Taste a variety of Nobile wines in Montepulciano and enjoy a traditional Tuscan lunch with the family. Then, on to Montalcino where you will visit the original ancient wine cellars on the family estate, and their newest facility, where you’ll taste three special varieties of the famed Brunellos.

Truffle in Paradise

Truffles (not the chocolate ones) … you’ve heard about them, read about them, maybe even tasted one long ago. These elusive tubers have earned the respect and awe of food aficionados worldwide. Join an actual truffle hunt with a local Tuscan farmer and his truffle-sniffing dog as they search for the distinctive scent amongst the woodlands of Tuscany. Learn the closely guarded secrets of where and how truffles hide and grow. Experience the joy of discovery and see the care that is taken to harvest these prized possessions. Smell and taste the different varieties. Then sit down to enjoy a homemade lunch prepared with this delicacy used in myriad ways. A true immersion into the wonders of truffles.

Buon Appetito - A Tuscany sampler

Olio, formaggio, cioccolato e vino; four staples of the Italian diet. Our master chef and sommelier unite their resources to create a delectable evening of tasting and sampling. Taste a variety of olive oils – solo and as flavoring in Panzanella and Pappa al Pomodori. We’ll follow this with a selection of 9 Tuscan cheeses – made with sheep, cow and goat milk – accompanied by bread and crackers, honey, fresh fruits and mustards. Then join the chef in the kitchen to make a variety of chocolate delights – including chocolate cake, white chocolate and coconut truffle (the ‘other’ truffle) and the incomparable Tiramisu. Throughout this Experience, our sommelier will be serving carefully selected Italian wines to complement each of the dishes presented.

Customize this experience

If you prefer, we can custom design a unique Experience for you and your group, incorporating some of the activities in this Experience as a starting point. We’ll be happy to suggest alternate activities that reflect your personal tastes and preferences. Please call or email us — let us know what special touches would make this vacation one that you’ll always cherish and remember. We’ll work with you to combine unique, one-of-a-kind moments (some that take place right at your home!) with thoughtfully coordinated excursions to ensure that you have a joyful, enriching experience.

Guests will stay at Podere I Troscioni, a restored Tuscan farmhouse with sweeping views of the Val d'Orcia. Other villa options are available for this Experience (price varies with choice of villa).

Food vendor displays a selection of fungi porcini (porcini mushrooms) from his stall at the food market.

The landscape of Tuscany suggests an artist's canvas painted with vineyards and olive trees.

You’ll visit two family wineries in the Val d’Orcia where you will learn about grape varieties, harvesting techniques and wine production.

Our master chef and sommelier will team up to present you with a delightful evening of tasting and sampling.