Montalcino

An insiders view of Siena

Thank you for your interest in my Taste of Tuscany itinerary which I created from my recent trip there. I hope you enjoy some of my suggestions for your next trip to Florence and the Siena region of Tuscany. If you do, please let me know in a message and maybe a photo. I am organizing this particular tour during this harvest season from September/ October, 2023. Let me know if you would like more information about this trip, it is limited to a small group of 8. As a travel consultant, I have been organizing bespoke tours all over France and Italy since 2012. I enjoy traveling and sharing my wonderful local small/slow travel experiences with the intension of helping small family businesses recover from the past couple of difficult years. I have more itineraries to share from around the world, so be on the look out. I envision the Next Renaissance will be in the small towns and villages in Italy, where the people have lived close to the earth for generations, cultivating a simple but beautiful way of life we can all learn from. There is a shift away from big travel business, toward slow/small travel. It is the way I like to travel. Enjoy! Buon Viaggio!! ...and please mention my name to the locals :) Taste of Tuscany Tour By Sweet Life Italy (aka Alecia Caine) Friday, Oct 21 - Day 1 Montalcino Wine Excursion Drive through the beautiful Siena province to Montalcino where we will stay for 2 nights at Paradiso di Caruci https://paradisodicacuci.com , a family owned Winery and Bed & Breakfast that produces a small quantity of exceptional Brunello. Tour the vineyard and winery with Francisco followed by a Wine Paring Lunch. In the evening, wander around the historical town of Montelcino during the Sagra del Tordo, taste the famous white truffles, chestnuts, mushrooms, fresh pressed olive oils, salumi and wines, of course. For transportation from anywhere in Florence, train station or airport, contact Marco Modesti at info@tuscanytopdrivers.com Saturday, Oct 22 - Day 2 Tuscany Tour, Montalcino Medieval Nights. Drive to Pienza, a beautiful medieval village that was completely renovated during the Renaissance. Enjoy the views and also try the Pecorino cheese this town is famous for. Then drive through the famous rolling hills of Val d’Orcia on the way to visit the town of Montepulciano. Then back to Montalcino for a special dinner during the Medieval Palio di Arcieri or Archery competition hosted by Francesco Ditta from Paradiso di Caruci. Sunday, Oct. 23 - Day 3 Tuscany Tour, Florence After breakfast, we are on our way to Siena, a beautiful terra cotta medieval town. See the famous Duomo, climb to the top to see spectacular views. Walk the quaint circular streets stopping in the specialty shops for regional delicacies, panforte or biscotti. Make your way down to the Piazza del Campo where the famous Palio di Siena, the horse race that takes place twice a year. Enjoy a coffee in the Piazza. Drive through the Chianti region, enjoy lunch at Dario's Antica Macelleria. https://www.dariocecchini.com/ On to Florence and check into your hotel. The Calimala https://www.hotelcalimala.com/ (or Hotel Bonifacio is a budget conscious option https://www.hotelbonifacio.it/en/home-en-3/) Monday, Oct. 24 - Day 4 Florence, the Birthplace of the Renaissance The morning light is amazing in Florence and has inspired artists and art lovers for centuries. It’s no wonder Florence is at the heart of the Italian Renaissance. The scent of cappuccino and fresh baked Cornetti will gently signal it’s time to awaken to your own personal Renaissance. After breakfast, your guide will meet you downstairs for a private walking tour of the Duomo, Giotto’s tower Brunelleshci's dome, MichelAngelo’s David and the Uffizi Museum to see my favorite Botticelli, The Birth of Venus. After a long day of sight seeing, it’s time for a siesta to refresh and be ready for an aperativo at Enoteca Alessi https://www.enotecaalessi.it/. With a huge selection of Italian and international wines as well as whiskeys, spirits and liqueurs from all over the world, you can enjoy a bottle or 2 among friends with a tagliere of Italian cured meats and cheeses. Dinner at Ribeo, https://www.facebook.com/OsteriaRibeo/ the hand cut Chianina tartare will not disappoint. On the walk back to the hotel stop by My Sugar Gelato Artiginale https://my-sugar.business.site/. The Black Sesame and salty caramel are my favorites. For tour guide in English contact Carol Ann Sicbaldi https://carolsmoveablefeast.com/ or Christina’s Florence christinasflorence@gmail.com Heliania Vogli at https://www.florenceconnection.net/ Tuesday, Oct. 25 - Day 5 Central Market and Cooking Class Our chef will meet us after breakfast and take us on a tasting tour of the Central Market to indulge in regional delicacies such as truffles, Pecorino or Sheep Cheese, olive oil, prosciutto, salamis and wines. We will gather ingredients for a cooking class followed by lunch. After a siesta, visit the tiny but packed art and leather studio of Daniela Baldini http://pitturantica.it/ for ancient style paintings and leather objects. Shop at Melrose Vintage https://www.instagram.com/melrosevintagestorefirenze/?hl=it and for leather goods. Enjoy an aperativo at La Menagere https://www.lamenagere.it/ Wednesday, Oct. 26 - Day 6 Foodie and Artisan Tour of the Oltrarno After breakfast, finish shopping to bring some goodies back home, stroll around, sit in a café and just enjoy with all your senses. In the afternoon meet up with Lorenzo Marchi for a fantastic food and wine tour of the other side of the Arno, known as the Oltrarno infoLorenzoMarchi@gmail.com. You will visit the quaint authentic neighborhoods where the Florentines hang out tasting all the best from the Tuscan region. Stroll around after your tour and check out the artisan studios in the cradle of the Renaissance. You will see small workshops of Goldsmiths, bookbinding, handmade leather and paper products, crystal, bronze and musical instruments Thursday, Oct 27 - Day 7 Last Day in Florence. After breakfast, enjoy the day, take a stroll, shop, have lunch. Contact: Alecia Caine abccpa@sbcglobal.net Instagram : Sweet Life Italy Facebook : My Sweet Life Italy https://sweetlifeitaly.blogspot.com/

THE DAY-BY-DAY GUIDE TO THE HIGHLIGHTS OF ITALY - ROME, FLORENCE, VENICE, & MORE 🇮🇹 I've been fortunate enough to visit Italy multiple times and even more fortunate to have been guided by true Italian friends. Here, I take all that I've learned from those travels and distill it into one perfect itinerary that hits the big highlights. This itinerary is a great fit for first-timers since it'll take you to the absolute must-see spots in Italy. You certainly won't see all the boot has to offer (just plan on coming back for future trips, plural, to make that happen), but you'll see the most iconic places at a reasonable, enjoyable pace. You'll be able to soak up all the history, food, wine, and dolce vita these cities have to offer. After this first taste, you'll be dying to come back for more! 🗺️ Main Itinerary Stops: - Rome | 2 full days / 3 nights - Orvieto | Pit stop - Tuscany // Montalcino | 2 full days / 3 nights - Siena | Pit stop - Florence | 2 full days / 3 nights - Tivoli | Pit stop - Rome | Overnight for return flight 🗺️ Optional Extension Stops: - Pisa | Day trip (+ extra night in Florence) - Bologna | Pit stop - Venice | 2 full days / 3 nights - Modena | 1 full day / 1 night here or nearby 📣IF YOU WANT MORE INFO BEFORE PURCHASING ➡️ Check out the free preview of this guide. It includes: - OVERVIEW STATS: Including trip length, ideal season, trip speed, physicality, trip themes, who this trip is best for, cost, and how to get around - STOP-BY-STOP OVERVIEW: Including number of days at each destination and number of activities, restaurants, and hotels included in the full version of this guide - EXAMPLE ITINERARY DAY: An example day from the full version of this itinerary, so you can see the level of detail and travel style you can expect! - BONUS - HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS: All the same recs from the paid version! Consider supporting my work by booking through the links provided - it’s much appreciated!