Duration : 10 Hours
Starting From:While all of Italy’s diverse regions have their own distinctive charm, there’s no place like Tuscany for a taste of authentic Italy. In the Val d’Orcia,
the evocative beauty of the landscape beckons the visitor to drink in
the deliciousness (both literally and figuratively) in one of its many
pretty Medieval villages. Here travelers will find not only genuine
Italian food but also a slower pace of life, recalling a time when life was simpler and simple pleasures were enjoyed to the fullest.
Our immersion in authentic cuisine and amazing countryside is for those seeking a true Tuscan slow-food experience while surrounded by some of the country’s most awe-inspiring countryside. Get ready for a real Italian lunchtime feast with wine in the heart of Tuscany.
Nestled in one of the most beautiful parts of Tuscany, between the Val d’ Orcia and the Val di Chiana, is the hilltop town of Montepulciano. A perfect Medieval village, it is set amongst vineyards, rolling landscapes, and thermal springs.
Take a stroll through the narrow streets lined with elegant palazzi in their brick and chestnut hues. If it’s near the top of the hour, you will want to catch the striking of the bell at the Torre del Pulcinella clock tower. The Pulcinella is a popular character from 17th century Neapolitan commedia dell’arte, famous for his pot belly, gangly legs, crooked nose, and enormous mouth.
Enjoy some time to stroll around on your own to browse the many lovely shops and excellent local food products.
This
is the real Tuscan deal — seasonal ingredients lovingly prepared by
hands that have learned the local culinary traditions directly from the
generations before them. The setting for lunch will be picturesque and
genuinely Tuscan (will vary based on the time of year, availability, and the number of participants).
Take your time relishing this meal, the company, and the conversation in a truly Italian way, where the simplicity of peasant food is made regal by the opulence of a leisurely pace.
When you finally push away from the table you will be full to the brim,
not only from the fabulous food but also from the camaraderie.
Until
the early 1400s, Pienza was a small farming community of no great
acclaim, but the birth of Aeneas Sylvius Piccolomini changed all that.
Piccolomini, who became a great humanist scholar and, later, Pope Pius II, was the first to implement the humanist concept of urban design
in his hometown. Thanks to these genius town-planning techniques,
Pienza was turned into a little jewel of the Renaissance that we can
still fully appreciate.
Today, the village is best known for its cheese, especially pecorino (sheep’s
milk) cheese. As you meander through town you will be wafted along by
the marvelous cheesy smells emanating from the shops. You will have time
to visit Pienza on your own, which is easy to do on foot.
After a scenic drive back, you’ll be returned to your Rome lodgings.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE:
NOT INCLUDED
Is the driver also a guide?
Our English-speaking drivers are NOT licensed guides and cannot accompany you on foot when you exit the vehicle. This is due to strict Italian regulations. They will, however, converse with you and give you commentaries while you're traveling, as well as an overview of what there is to see and do when you arrive at each destination on your itinerary. If you would like a private guide to accompany you inside churches, galleries, museums, and archeological sites, we would be happy to arrange that for you (additional cost).
What is the duration of the tour?
About 10 hours from pick-up to drop-off at your lodgings in Rome.
Is this service private?
Yes.
Where do you pick us up?
At your lodgings in Rome.
There will be a full charge made to your credit card for no-shows and bookings canceled with less than 72 hours’ notice, including the cost of any pre-purchased tickets. Pre-purchased tickets are not refundable under any circumstances.
Please keep us apprised of any problems or changes during your travels (flight delays and changes, missed connections, port changes, etc.) and we will do our best to adapt. If you are on a cruise ship and it does not come into port, your service will be annulled and no penalty will apply (with the exception of skip-the-line tickets; you will owe us for any entrance fees we have pre-paid on your behalf, regardless of circumstances.)
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