Day 1
Arrival day in Florence, meet at the B&B. Depending on various arrival times of the travelers, an afternoon walk to the Oltrarno (which means “the other side of the Arno”) will be offered, or the travelers may choose an afternoon of rest. This evening, dinner at “ZaZa” will provide an opportunity to meet fellow travelers. 

Day 2
The walking tour begins with a visit to the Accademia (prepaid & reserved) – home to Michelangelo’s “David”, and much more. We will also visit Brunelleschi’s Duomo, Giotto’s Tower, and the Baptistery. Travelers will have the opportunity to climb up into the Duomo or the Tower for the spectacular views. Before lunch, we will go to the Museo Dell’Opera, where, among other wonderful items, the actual tools, ropes, and other masonry tools belonging to Brunelleschi are housed. Lunch will be enjoyed in Piazza della Repubblica, where we can sit outside and people watch. After lunch, we will see more sites such as the Orsanmichele, Mercato Nuovo, and the Ponte Vecchio. We will bus ride up to Piazzale Michelangelo and visit the old church of San Miniato. The rest of the afternoon, travelers will have free time to explore on their own. Tonight, we will have dinner in another wonderful trattoria. 

Day 3
This morning (for all early risers), breakfast at Caffe Giubbe Rosse is not to be missed. Then it’s off to the Uffizi (prepaid & reserved) to experience the best Renaissance art in the world. Following lunch, we will head to the open-air market of San Lorenzo and make a stop at the famous pharmacy of Santa Maria Novella. Then travelers will have free time until dinner, which will be another gastronomic treat. 

Day 4
Today we begin our Chianti adventure with a morning van pick up. We will journey along the scenic route with a stop for cappuccino and “dolce” (pastry) and a walk around the ancient village of Montefioralle, which will provide a number of “Kodak” moments. We will stop in Greve for their open-air market to experience a typical Saturday morning at a Tuscan event. Then it’s off to Casa Emma where my friends, Paolo and Fabrizio, will take us on a tour of the winery and then provide an absolutely fantastic lunch with a number of wines (cost: 30 euro/person). Casa Emma is not a restaurant and this special experience is for TRLTT travelers only. We will then journey to the country house, where later this evening, we will be served a catered dinner created by my Tuscan friends (cost: 30 euro/person). 

Day 5
After breakfast (all breakfast food items provided), we will drive to Chianti Cashmere Farm, which is owned by my friend, Nora Kravis. Nora is a unique, fascinating person – a vet who raises cashmere goats that produce the wool for the most luxurious items, which the travelers may purchase. After our time there, we will stop in the village of Radda for some exploration – this hilltop fortress town has existed since 1003 – and have lunch at Bar Dante, which is owned by my friends, Fabrizio & Carolyn Ferrucci. After lunch, our adventure continues at the little-known, but amazing, outdoor Chianti Sculpture Park. There the travelers will meet my friend, Dr. Piero Giadrossi, who will host us. On the way home, we will stop in Castellina for dinner.    

Day 6
Today’s adventure begins with a trip to Colle val D’Elsa, where we will visit a lead crystal factory. Not only do we get to watch the glassmakers create mouth-blown crystal, but the travelers are allowed access to a showroom where items can be purchased at discount. This is a special opportunity provided for TRLTT travelers. Afterwards, we will arrive at Tenuta Torciano, where “Wine Tasting 101 Class” will take place. The owner, and my friend, Pierluigi Giachi, will not only feed us lunch, but will lead the class in the art of drinking wine (cost: 15 euro/person). Luigi is quite a character and makes this so much fun! After class lets out, we will spend the afternoon in the “Manhattan of Tuscany” – San Gimignano. This is a magical village where only 15 of the original medieval towers are still standing. Tonight, any cooks in the group can join in the preparation of dinner at home. 

Day 7
This morning the adventure will take us to “Il Pornanino”, an olive farm owned by my friend, Franco Lombardi. Be ready to learn everything you never knew existed about olives and olive oil! Travelers will attend his seminar, tour the olive oil processing plant, and be treated to “bruschetta”, which is the typical Tuscan bread with oil (cost:12 euro/person). Following this, we will drive to a magical spot known as “San Galgano”, where we will lunch and then explore the ruins of this ancient place. Travelers will view the original “sword in the stone” from which all other “sword in the stone” stories originated. Tonight’s dinner will again be catered by my Tuscan friends at the house (cost: 30 euro/person). 

Day 8
ROAD TRIP! Today, we will head south to explore Pienza, Montalcino, and some very old, wonderful, historic abbeys. Later, on the way home, we will enjoy dinner in a restaurant that sits in the middle of a vineyard. 

Day 9
We are headed to the beautiful little village of Panzano, where the best leather shoes, purses, belts, jackets, etc., are handmade in a family-run shop. Travelers will have time to walk around before lunch and then our sojourn continues to Siena, one of my favorite places. Siena has changed little since medieval times. After a tour of the major sites, travelers will have free time to explore on their own. Later, we will enjoy dinner in a Siena restaurant. 

Day 10
This final day will be enjoyed in the unique village of Volterra, known as the “City of Alabaster”. This is a fabulous place to explore, including a Etruscan Museum and an area called “the Balze”, which is a work-in-progress. compliments of Mother Nature. We will have lunch together and then the travelers will have free time. On our last evening, we will relax and have dinner at a country trattoria known only to a few, before preparing for a reluctant morning departure.

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