Experience the Wonders of Tuscany with a Visit to Siena, Cortona, Montepulciano and Pienza!
Experience the stunning countryside and distinguished towns of Siena, Cortona, Montepulciano and Pienza with your private guide and sommelier. This beautiful region of Tuscany is a touchstone of art, food and culture. Dating back to the 19th century, the fully restored and full-service Villa provides the perfect backdrop for this Tuscan culinary adventure. Your tour will provide many opportunities to sample some of Italy's finest wines and olive oils. You'll revel in the unforgettable art, take in breathtaking landscapes and delight in traditional Italian dishes served with personal attention from the owners and managers. This celebration of Tuscany includes deluxe villa accommodations with a full buffet breakfast daily, six daily dinners and one lunch accompanied by local wines, two hands-on cooking classes, transfers for sightseeing, wine tours and cheese tastings. Your tour also includes round-trip transfers from Rome Fiumicino Airport.
ItineraryAccommodationsMapFAQ
VACATION HIGHLIGHTS
Please note:
Tour inclusions can change depending upon
seasonality and weather conditions.
•Round-Trip Transfers from Rome Airport
•6 Nights Deluxe Villa Accommodations
•6 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 6 Dinners with Wine
•All land transfers
•Arrival Prosecco, Welcome Dinner with Wine
•Pienza City Tour with Cheese Tastings
•Montepulciano Visit and Wine Tastings
•Visit and Tour Siena
•Free Day to Plan (Optional)
•Cortona Regional Wine Tour
•Tuscan Hands-On Cooking Class
•Truffle Hunt with Guide and Truffle Dog
•All Things Truffles Cooking Class
While our tours are designed as soft adventure experiences, walking, climbing stairs,
and in rare cases mild hiking may be required. If you have mobility issues, you should
speak with one of our culinary travel specialists to determine if this tour is
appropriate for your situation.
AVAILABLE DATES
Mid-March through mid-November. Some restrictions may apply. Not available during the month of August. Tours start on Sunday and end on Saturday.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Please note: Actual itineraries are subject to change due to seasonality.
Click arrows (▶) to show details
Day 1
▶
Transfer from Rome Airport to the Villa
Your driver will meet you at the Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and transfer you via air-conditioned van to the Villa. Water bottles will be available for you in the van. Enjoy a video during your transfer of images related to where you will visit during your stay (Siena, Montepulciano, Pienza, and Cortona). We invite you to ask your guide for information on your points of interest.
▶
Arrival Prosecco | Wine Tasting | Dinner
Arriving at Villa Schiatti at approximately 4:00pm, you'll be welcomed with a lovely glass of Prosecco Valdobbiandene DOCG. After you have settled into your room, attend a wine-tasting ceremony in the wine cellar led by Aleen, a 5th-level professional sommelier. The tasting will consist of three varieties of wines with bruschetta and the Villa's own olive oil. The sommelier will entertain you with facts about growing, harvesting, and production procedures. A traditional Tuscan four-course dinner with wine will be served in the Villa restaurant or, weather permitting, outside on the panoramic terrace at sunset. As an additional bonus, enjoy the mini-bar usage of two complimentary half-liter water bottles and two non-alcoholic canned drinks for the first night! Enjoy your first day in Tuscany.
Day 2
▶
Tuscan Breakfast
An Italian breakfast of mixed salami and cheese platters, eggs, sausage or bacon, fresh fruits, fresh bakery items, yogurts, coffee, tea, and juices is served in the dining room.
▶
Pienza City Tour | Cheese Tasting | Montepulciano Wine Tasting
Today you will embark on a tour of Pienza – the capital of cheese. This medieval town is the only one with a 360-degree panoramic view of the beautiful Tuscan Valley. The historical center is filled with romantic street names like Via dell'Amore (Love), Via del Bacio (Kiss), and Via della Fortuna (Good Luck). Shops filled with cheese are everywhere. There is free time in Pienza to visit any of the places of interest that you reviewed in the van on the first day, and maps are provided for the city. Restaurants with panoramic terraces and cafes line the streets. We will visit a small local cheese producer and enjoy a variety of cheese tastings with a fully guided visit and explanation of the process of production in the factory. There will be leisure time for exploring. Montepulciano is the "Capital of Wine". Your guide will show you around the area. The wine tasting will feature one of the best brands in the area. A walk around this medieval town with its unique historical center provides some of the best panoramic views of Tuscany. Most of the cellars of the historical center are free of charge. You will find wine everywhere … in the shops, restaurants, and in cozy cafes. Lunch is on your own and at your leisure in this wine paradise. Dinner will be back at the Villa this evening.
▶
Traditional Tuscan Dinner
A traditional four-course Tuscan dinner with wine will be served in the Villa restaurant, or in good weather, on the panoramic terrace at sunset.
Day 3
▶
Tuscan Breakfast
An Italian breakfast of mixed salami and cheese platters, eggs, sausage or bacon, fresh fruits, fresh bakery items, yogurts, coffee, tea, and juices is served in the dining room.
▶
Visit the Medieval City of Siena
Siena is likely Italy's loveliest medieval city. Siena's heart is the central piazza known as Il Campo, known worldwide for the famous Palio run here, a horserace run around the piazza two times every summer. Movie buffs will remember it from the James Bond movie, "Quantum of Solace". The historic center of Siena has been declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Siena is famous for its cuisine, art, museums, and medieval cityscape. In Siena you will have free time to visit the city with the help of the map, shop and have lunch on your own. Your guide will have plenty of personal recommendations. You will return to the Villa in the late afternoon, with time to relax before dinner.
▶
Dinner at the Villa
A traditional four-course Tuscan dinner with wine will be served in the Villa restaurant, or in good weather, on the panoramic terrace at sunset.
Day 4
▶
Tuscan Breakfast
An Italian breakfast of mixed salami and cheese platters, eggs, sausage or bacon, fresh fruits, fresh bakery items, yogurts, coffee, tea, and juices is served in the dining room.
▶
Free Day to Plan (Additional Cost)
After breakfast, the day will be at leisure on your own accord. Complimentary transfers are available to the railway station in Castiglion Fiorentino, should you decide to spend the day in Florence. A list of optional activities and regional destinations will be provided with your itinerary. For example, you may choose to arrange an excursion to Assisi or a lake tour. Your hosts will help coordinate your day trip and provide the associated costs. Optional day trips are not included in your tour price. You may, however, choose to stay and enjoy the fabulous views and the Villa's pool for a day of relaxation. Lunch is on your own and dinner will be served back at the Villa.
▶
Italian Four Course Dinner with Wine
A traditional four-course Tuscan dinner with wine will be served in the Villa restaurant, or in good weather, on the panoramic terrace at sunset.
Day 5
▶
Tuscan Breakfast
An Italian breakfast of mixed salami and cheese platters, eggs, sausage or bacon, fresh fruits, fresh bakery items, yogurts, coffee, tea, and juices is served in the dining room.
▶
Cortona Regional Wine Tour | Lunch
After breakfast you will set off for the Cortona Region for multiple wine tastings. You will visit local wineries which produce the famous "Syrah of Cortona." Enjoy wine tastings at each winery, with views of picturesque Tuscany landscapes, under the guidance of a professional sommelier. This guided experience will provide you with interesting facts about local wine production, types of grapes used, and the differences between wines. The first of the local wineries will be Cantina Canaipo. Here your guide, Aleen, will lead you in a tasting of two Syrah and two Merlots, accompanied by cheese, sausage, and bruschetta. The next stop is the Cantina Valdetti, where you will taste various varieties of wine such as a white, a rosé, a Sangiovese, and a Syrah. Lunch will accompany one of your tastings after a tour of the production area and vineyards. .
▶
Tuscan Delights Hands-On Cooking Class
This culinary master class will be held at the Villa, which begins with a discussion of recipes accompanied by delicious snacks. The chef will lead you through this hands-on experience, which includes a traditional Tuscan, four-course menu. Typically, there will be some Tuscan Crostinis: red crouton, sausage and stracchino, porcini mushrooms, and tomato and garlic. The first course is Pici with Tuscan ragout; the second course is Fricassea chicken; and the dessert is the Cantucci. This evening your dinner will consist of the dishes you helped to prepare, or observed being made. Recipes and notes will be provided to you to ensure your ability to replicate these dishes when you return home.
Day 6
▶
Tuscan Breakfast
An Italian breakfast of mixed salami and cheese platters, eggs, sausage or bacon, fresh fruits, fresh bakery items, yogurts, coffee, tea, and juices is served in the dining room.
▶
Truffle Hunt
Today you will enjoy a foraging experience by joining a professional truffle picker and his dog, as you unearth the most famous gourmet mushrooms (tubers) in the world. You will also have the opportunity to visit a local truffle shop with a wide assortment of truffle products, at very good prices, should you wish to purchase some tasty souvenirs.
▶
Time to Relax in Cortona | Guided Tour
Enjoy a guided tour around Cortona,one of the most popular medieval villages in Tuscany. You will visit the lovely city and see the jail of St. Francis, the Santa Margherita Church, and the Bramasole house from "Under the Tuscan Sun" movie. Afterwards you will have time to explore on your own. Here you will discover more panoramic views of the Tuscan countryside, with the unforgettable atmosphere of an ancient town as your backdrop. The small shops are plentiful, and the restaurants are quaint and cozy. Lunch is on your own today.
▶
All Things Truffles Cooking Class with Dinner
A culinary master chef leads you through this hands-on cooking class based on truffles. You will enjoy antipasto, one first-course dish, one main course dish, and a dessert. The truffle menu consists of cream puffs with crispy bacon, egg, pecorino, parmesan, and mozzarella as appetizers. Tagliolini with butter, thyme, and truffles will be served as a first course; the main dish is suckling pig with truffles; and dessert is the crostata (jam tart). You will prepare the tagliolini and crostata and the other dishes will be a team effort. Enjoy the fruits of your labor during dinner accompanied by wine.
Day 7
▶
Tuscan Breakfast
An Italian breakfast of mixed salami and cheese platters, eggs, sausage or bacon, fresh fruits, fresh bakery items, yogurts, coffee, tea, and juices is served in the dining room.
▶
Check-Out and Departure
Your final day has come too soon, but it is time to pack your bags along with your newly-acquired cooking skills and travel back to the Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO). Remember, short excursion packages are often available in nearby cities or historic destinations (such as Rome). Should you desire an extension, please let your Culinary Travel Specialist know before the beginning of your tour. May your future travels come with sweet dreams, and create tasty memories!
Tuscan Villa
Nestled among the hills of Castiglion Fiorentino and Cortona, the Villa rests almost like a small fortress on the hilltop surrounded by age old pine trees. This 19th century hotel overlooks the magnificent Val di Chiana which separates the Tuscan and Umbrian regions of Italy, providing an enchanting and unforgettable backdrop for the ultimate Tuscan culinary getaway. Decorated in a comfortable rustic Tuscan style with elaborate poster beds and antique terracotta tiles, guest rooms offer panoramic views of the garden or pool as well as the benefits of modern conveniences. Begin each morning with a delectable breakfast served at the restaurant, where the menu incorporates fresh seasonal foods prepared in the culinary traditions of Tuscany and Italy. Unwind at the onsite bar/lounge or refresh your senses in the outdoor pool, as you revel in the charm of this hidden Tuscan paradise.
The Currency Code is listed directly after the published amount. If it states USD, then the quoted price is in United States Dollars. If it states CAD, then the quoted price is in Canadian Dollars. If it states EUR, then the quoted price is in European Union Dollars…etc. However, please note that all charges are processed in USD, and Epitourean’s Merchant Bank automatically calculates the currency conversion on the day of the charge.
▶
What does Double Occupancy mean?
Two persons traveling together, and staying in the same room. Tour prices are normally quoted as “per person, double occupancy” in case two people are traveling together and staying in the same room, but paying separately. The cost of the lodging is also shared by two people, thereby reducing costs. This could be a married couple, two friends or relatives.
▶
What is a Single Supplement?
Whenever a person travels alone, the cost of their lodging cannot be shared by another person. When tour products are priced, they are normally stated as “per person, double occupancy.” Whenever a guest occupies a room as a solo, the whole cost of the lodging must be incurred by that one individual. Tour companies accommodate this by charging a Single Supplement. Epitourean does its best to keep the single supplement as low as possible, but it is a real cost that tour companies must absorb, and must pass along to the single traveler.
▶
If I am a Solo Traveler, will I be paired with another person?
Epitourean never pairs a solo traveler with another person without a special request. If you book Single Occupancy, you will have a room entirely to yourself. However, should you wish to be paired with another solo traveler to save on the single supplement, you may make this request. We cannot guarantee that we can accommodate such requests, since it would take another solo traveling on the same tour for the same dates. But if requested, we will certainly try.
▶
Are flights included in the tour price?
No. Flights are never included in the price of our land-only tours. Epitourean does not provide air, rail or sea travel, unless expressly noted in the itinerary.
▶
May I give a culinary tour as a gift?
Yes. Epitourean has a special program designed specifically for this purpose. Our Gift Packages come with features such as special messages to the recipient, gift box option, gift link (without pricing), and floating dates (should you not know when the gift recipient wants to travel). Contact a Culinary Travel Specialist at 800-390-3292 or customerservice@epitourean.com to receive additional information about this unique offering.
▶
May we request separate beds if sharing a room?
Yes. In most cases, Epitourean can accommodate a request for two beds to be placed in one room. Just make sure to make this request in the comments section of the reservation process.
▶
Does each guestroom have a private bathroom?
Yes. Epitourean partners with the best lodging options in each destination, and private (en suite) bathrooms are a requirement. However, you should inquire as to the configuration of bathrooms should you have a special need. For example, some tours include accommodations in medieval villages, where either a shower or bath(but maybe not both) are present.
▶
Can your tours accommodate my dietary restrictions?
In almost all cases, Epitourean can accommodate dietary choices and restrictions. But we do request that you ask a Culinary Travel Specialist prior to making your reservation so that we can assess your individual situation.
▶
If I am unable to use a portion of the tour, can I get a partial refund?
Unfortunately, due to vendor and supplier contracts, we are unable to provide partial refunds for unused portions of any tour or tour component.
▶
Are Transfers included in the Itinerary?
Round-trip transfers from the airport or train station are normally included in our international tours. Transfers to the destination (for both international and domestic tours) are not included in the tour price. Please see the Sample Itinerary. If it mentions that transfers are included, then yes, transfers are included at no additional cost.
▶
What meals and excursions are included in the tour?
The Sample Itinerary should be your reference. If the meal or excursion is described in the Sample Itinerary, then it is included at no additional charge. For those days where it expressly notes Free time, then any optional activities you elect to participate in might have an additional cost. In addition, if the itinerary states "evening on your own," it would imply that you have the opportunity to visit a restaurant of your own choosing, and at your own expense. If you have any question about inclusions, please submit an inquiry by clicking on the blue "Ask Us a Question" button under the price section.
▶
Is it possible to book pre or post tours or stays through Edible Destinations?
Yes, we often do have optional 2 and 3 night excursions that are priced separately from the tour. We can also assist with pre and post night stays in a hotel if you choose to come in early before the tour starts, or stay on after a tour ends. The price of those hotel stays are not included in the price of the tour, but we would be happy to provide a quote. Simply ask your Culinary Travel Specialist, or submit an inquiry by clicking on the blue "Ask Us a Question" button.
▶
Are Guide or Host Gratuities included in the price of the tour?
Since tipping guidelines and customs vary widely between countries, we do not include gratuities in the price of the tour. Your Culinary Travel Specialist can provide you with recommendations. But the general rule is to tip modestly when you are pleased with a guide’s services, either at the end of the tour, or at the conclusion of a specialty day excursion where you will only be with that guide (or chef) on that day.
▶
Should we plan on any personal expenses during the tour?
All lodging, meals, transfers, classes and excursions mentioned in the Sample Itinerary and Vacation Highlights are included in the price of the tour. However, we highly recommend taking local currency for purchasing personal items, souvenirs, tipping, etc. You can either get the local currency at an airport exchange service, ATM or from your local bank prior to travel. However, you should note that many hosted destinations do not accept credit cards for personal purchases.
Winner OUTSTANDING CULINARY TRAVEL Category
Vacation options presented on this website are offered by Epitourean LLC doing business as Edible Destinations pursuant to an agreement with HV Global Group, Inc. d/b/a Hyatt Vacation Club (“HRC”). HRC and its respective affiliates make no warranty, express or implied, regarding the quality, condition, features or amenities or any other aspect of any tour or package. The tours and packages offered herein may have limited availability, are subject to change, and/or may be subject to additional fees and/or taxes. HRC and respective affiliates are not liable for any damage to, loss of, or theft of personal property, for any bodily injury, or any other matters, that occurs arising out of or related to the tours or packages available through Epitourean. HRC HAS NO CONTROL OVER THE CONDUCT OF Epitourean, AND DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY IN THIS REGARD TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
Access to the BEYOND program is made available through the Hyatt Vacation Club Portfolio Program and is subject to the terms and conditions as outlined in the applicable Hyatt Vacation Club Portfolio Program documents. Actual experiences will be provided via contractual arrangements with third-party providers and may require the payment of additional fees.
HRC and its respective affiliates and subsidiaries make no warranty, express or implied, as to the condition, capacity, performance, features or amenities or any other aspect of the activities, events, or service providers listed herein. No inquiry has been made into the activities or events, or the qualifications or the quality of services offered by the providers. Do not consider this an endorsement of or recommendation for any of the activities, events, or providers.