GUSTI DELLA TOSCANA

Informazioni generali

DurataDestinazionePartenza
5 giorni e 4 notti
Italia (Pienza, Montalcino, Gaiole in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti, Siena)
Italia (Roma, Firenze, Pisa)

Descrizione

Day 1 Siena

Arrival in afternoon. Check-in at your hotel in Siena and the you are free to discover the new surroundings. Maybe you want to relax at one of the many cafés. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2 Chianti: Castellina in Chianti, Radda in Cianti, Gaiole in Chianti

Today we head to Chianti, a territory of charming hill-towns and scenic roads lined with cypress trees, grapevines and olive grove, stretching from Florence to Siena, world famous for its wine production. Our first stop is Castellina in Chianti, the most ancient of the Chianti League Towns, dominated by a massive castle offering breath-taking panoramic views of the countryside. You will be amazed at its many historical buildings that belonged to the Florentine and Senese aristocratic families. The next stop is Radda in Chianti, town which has preserved its original medieval look. The ancient walls are still defending the centre with narrow cobblestone streets surrounding the 15th century Palazzo del Podesta. This is a wonderful town to walk or to sip a glass of wine watching the spectacular panorama of the vineyard covered hills before continue to the beautiful small village of Gaiole in Chianti that dates back to the Middle Ages. We will stop not far, to the Meleto Castle, one of the properties were the famous Ricasoli-Firidolfi families have produced great wines since the 12th century. The Barone Bettino Ricasoli was the first to create the recipe for what became the wine for the region, the great red Chianti wine. He determined the mix of three different grape varietals in different quantities; his recipe was used up until 1967 to produce Chianti Classico DOC. We will have a tour of castle and its marvellous gardens, followed by lunch and tasting of the famous Chanti wines. Return for dinner and overnight stay in Siena.

Day 3 Siena 

We will travel through the Tuscan countryside to reach the historic city of Siena, built on the hills, in the middle of the pilgrimage road Via Francigena. Our guide will lead you through the city’s history and local culture strolling the streets lined with medieval and Renaissance palaces to the Piazza del Campo, unusually formed in a half-moon shape, where the famous Palio horse race is held twice a year. We will visit the outstanding cathedral, one of Italy’s greatest, a masterpiece of Italian Romanesque-Gothic architecture. Built in black and white marble it has fine and intricate carvings by Giovanni Pisano and boasts works by Donatello, Pinturicchio, Nicola Pisano, Bernini, Michelangelo and others. A pleasant break for wine and oil tasting is organised at the Medici fortress. During the afternoon, you are free to explore as you wish the town, or just enjoy a coffee in the main square watching the world go by. Don’t forget to taste the local typical panforte (fruit cake) or other Tuscan sweets, perhaps in the long tradition pastry shop of the famous singer Gianna Nannini’s family. Return for dinner and overnight in Siena.

Day 4 Val d’Orcia: Montalcino, Pienza

We will travel through the stunning Val d’Orcia to the charming town of Montalcino, whose acclaimed vineyards produce one of the world’s great wines, Brunello di Montalcino. The Brunello is made primarily from the Sangiovese grape variety and then aged for at least five years, two of which must take place in oak barrels. The town takes its name from a variety of oak tree that once covered the area. We will have a guided tour of one of the many great wine cellars followed by a wine and extra virgin olive oil tasting, then will visit the town centre. Enjoy some free time strolling through Montalcino narrow streets and picking up a few bottles of fabulous red wine. We will continue on to the town of Pienza, an architectural masterpiece. Pienza is the birthplace of Pope Pius II, who ordered the town to be redesigned following the Renaissance principles of the „ideal city”. We will visit the cathedral and wander through the ancient streets of the town with romantic names: Via dell’Amore, Via del Bacio, Via della Fortuna. You will have enough free time to enjoy the great shopping in Corso Rossellino, visit the Pope Palace, or sample the famous local pecorino cheese at lunch at one of the town’s “trattorias”, where you can enjoy classic dishes of Tuscan culinary tradition. Return for dinner and overnight in Siena.

Day 5 Siena

After breakfast departure for return journey and end of our services.

 

Categoria

 
Economy (Viaggio di gruppo)
Pernottamento e prima colazione 3 Stelle
 
Comfort (Viaggio di gruppo)
Mezza Pensione (cena) 4 Stelle
 

La quota include

Accommodation, depending on your option, in good 4* hotels centrally located or 3* not centrally located hotels, double occupancy rooms, as described:
4 night accommodation in Siena area on a half-board basis, drinks not included
Local English speaking guides in Siena, Pienza. Other languages are available on request.
Entrance to the Cathedral in Siena, the Cathedral in Pienza
Extra virgin olive oil and wine tasting at Enoteca Osticcio in Montalcino
Wine tasting at the Enoteca of the Medici Fortress in Siena
Guided tour of the Meleto castle and light lunch with wine tasting
Pecorino cheese tasting in Pienza

La quota non include

City tax
Bus GT for the entire tour with arrival and departure from Rome / Pisa / Florence airport, including all expenses (check point and parking fees, board and lodging for driver)
Optional visits

Itinerario

Giorno Pernottamento Informazioni addizionali
1   Roma - aeroporto
  Firenze - aeroporto
  Pisa - aeroporto
  Pienza
  Montalcino
  Gaiole in Chianti
  Radda in Chianti
  Castellina in Chianti
  Siena

Sistemazioni previste in ciascuna località

LuogoEconomyComfort
Siena3 Stelle4 Stelle