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In Tuscany, there is a passion for living well and enjoying what locals call the "dolce vita." A charming, country house nestled into the hills looking onto the staggering beauty of the Chianti countryside, bountiful meals in the Tuscan tradition, storied wines, history and the rustic charm of Tuscany all await. Walk the streets of the ancient Etruscan hill towns of Siena and Volterra with an expert local guide and discover profound art from the past, living side by side with the stunning works of present-day artisans. Visit Montalcino and Castelnouvo Berardenga, and enjoy tastings of the famous Brunello and Chianti by top producers who coax world-class wines from the ubiquitous Sangiovese grape. Relax and drink in the beauty of our country house Locanda Le Piazze. Relish the bounty and generosity of the Tuscan countryside, with MARTIN KEEGAN TOURS' romantic and unforgettable tour of Tuscany.

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October 13, SUNDAY, Day 1 (Welcome to Tuscany!) - Guests will be picked up at Florence Peretola Airport (FLR) and transferred by coach to our country home for the next six nights, the villa Locanda Le Piazze in Castellina in Chianti, Tuscany. Locanda Le Piazze is a beautiful and intimate small hotel, nestled amongst a sea of vines, and once we've had time to settle in, we'll gather in the common area to review our itinerary for the week, and to enjoy an introduction to the wines of Tuscany accompanied by local cheeses and salumi. Afterwards we'll enjoy the hospitality of Taverna Squarcialupi in nearby Castellina, with its terrace overlooking the green Chianti hills; its peaceful and friendly ambience coupled with the wide variety of the traditional Tuscan dishes and wine, interpreted by Chef Francesco Costagli.

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October 14, MONDAY, Day 2 (A Day of Brunello di Montalcino) - After a hearty breakfast, we'll take a meandering drive approximately one hour south to the town of Montalcino, home to one of Italy's grandest wines, its Brunello, and our first tasting of the day at Azienda Agraria Costanti. We'll take a break midday for a light lunch at the bustling Ristorante Pizzaria Il Grifo on Via Mazzini in the heart of Montalcino. After lunch guests will have a little time to walk the narrow streets of the town—possibly to acquire a bottle of Diego Molonari's elusive Brunello di Montalcino in one of the town's many enoteche—before we head just minutes east to our next tasting visit at another one of the stars of the Brunello di Montalcino D.O.C.G., Azienda Fuligni. Then, after making our way back to Locanda Le Piazze, in the afternoon, we’ll have time to relax before gathering in the evening for a fine meal and wines prepared by Antica Trattoria La Torre, another of Castellina in Chianti’s fine restaurants.

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October 15, TUESDAY, Day 3 (Siena and Southern Chianti) - After a wonderful breakfast at Loconda Le Piazze, we'll travel south for a guided tour of Siena, led by our professional guide. We'll visit the Museo Civico at the piazza del Campo, and the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo di Siena, before enjoying lunch at La Taverna di San Giuseppe in the heart of Siena, serving local specialties such as ricotta gnocchi with melted pecorino cheese from Pienza, and fresh truffles. After lunch we'll take a short drive east to Castelnuovo Berardenga, to visit the organic estate winery of the Cresti family, Fattoria Carpineta Fontalpino. From Castelnuovo, it’s about a 45-minute drive back to our villa in Castellina, where we can enjoy its bucolic surroundings before dinner at the renowned table of Tavola di Guido.

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October 16, WEDNESDAY, Day 4 (Volterra and Panzano) – After breakfast, we’ll drive west from Castellina to the ancient and well-preserved walled city of Volterra. Etruscan foundations and many old architectural features of the town date back to as far back as 1,500 BC. The central Palazzo dei Priori has medieval frescoes and a bell tower with expansive views. Volterra Cathedral has a marble entrance and a gilded coffered ceiling. Nearby are the remains of the Etruscan Acropolis. The Guarnacci Etruscan Museum has a rich collection of archaeological artifacts. The Roman Theater complex includes the ruins of Third Century baths. We’ll tour this hilltop city accompanied by a professional guide, then enjoy a light lunch at one of the local establishments such as the cheerful Enoteca del Duca, Panineria Al Vicolino or La Sosta del Priori, before returning to our villa in Castellina. Dinner tonight is in Panzano in Chianti, where we will be in the hands of a butcher . . . Dario Cecchini to be exact! Dinner tonight is at Dario Cecchini’s signature restaurant Officina della Bistecca. Internationally known, Cecchini is an eighth-generation Italian butcher. His Officina della Bistecca is his way of answering the difficult question of the perfect way of cooking ‘Her Majesty’ the Bistecca alla Fiorentina, and ‘Her Sisters’, the Costata and the Panzanese steak. The Cecchini’s await customers with grill lit, to enjoy together good food, good wine, friendship and lots of beautiful steaks to devour!

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October 17, THURSDAY, Day 5 (Montepulciano, the Val d’Orcia and Pienza) - After breakfast guests will join us as we drive about 90 minutes south through the splendid Tuscan countryside to the important winemaking town of Montepulciano, famous for its Vino Nobile wines, and a visit and extensive tasting with the incomparable Azienda Agricola Poliziano to learn about their exquisitely-crafted take on the noble Sangiovese. Afterwards, we’ll take a short drive west into the Val d’Orcia to the picturesque town of Pienza, birthplace of Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini who would become Pope Pius II, and later in the 15th Century rebuilt his birth place as an ideal Renaissance town to serve as a retreat from Rome. In Pienza, we will first have lunch at Osteria Sette di Vino. Afterward, guests will have the afternoon free to discover the sites and shops, such as the fantastic selection of Pecorino cheese at Remo Menaci, local wines at La Bettega del Naturista, Corso Rossellino with its ceramics and cast iron shops, and the stately Piazza Pio II. Dinner tonight is in the comfortable surrounding of our country estate at Tavola di Guido.

 

October 18, FRIDAY, Day 6 (Chianti and More Chianti) - After a leisurely breakfast, we will set out for Panzano in Chianti to explore and learn about the historic property, vineyards and revolutionary wines of Castello dei Rampolla. Rampolla is a biodynamic farm founded in 1965. Fifty years of research between man, vineyard and cellar all combine in its storied wines, including its famous super Tuscan Sammarco, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese which the wine press calls stunning! Next, we'll drive south approximately 45 minutes to our final tasting and visit of the tour at Barone Ricasoli and its magnificent Castello di Brolio, one of the world's oldest wineries. The first stones of Brolio Castle date back to the Middle Ages. The castle passed into the hands of the Ricasoli family thanks to an exchange of lands for which records can be found as early as 1141. Through the centuries the castle has suffered attack and destruction in numerous battles, from the Aragonese and Spanish assaults during the fifteenth century, to disputes in the seventeenth century, to the aerial bombings and rounds of artillery during the Second World War. We'll enjoy a lovely lunch at Osteria di Brolio, then tour of the castle, vineyards and winery, and conclude by tasting a range of Barone Ricasoli wines. Our farewell dinner tonight will find our group once again gathering at Tavola di Guido, where, over wine and the excellent meal, we'll share the memorable moments of our past few days together before saying Arrivederci; fino a quando ci incontreremo di nuovo.

 

October 19, SATURDAY, Day 7 - After an early breakfast, guests will be transferred by shuttle to Florence Peretola Airport (FLR) for departures home or onward travel.