Day 1
Arrival day in Florence, meet at B&B. Depending on various arrival times of the travelers, an afternoon walk to the Oltrarno (which means “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 prepaid, reserved visit to the Accademia – home to Michelangelo’s “David”, plus 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 got 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 will give free time to the travelers 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, also prepaid and reserved, to experience the best Renaissance art in the world. Following lunch, we will head to the open air market of San Lorenzo and a stop at the famous pharmacy of Santa Maria Novella. Travelers will have free time until dinner, which will be another Italian 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 at Greve for the open-air market to experience a typical Saturday morning at a Tuscan event. Then it’s on to Casa Emma. My friends there will take us on a tour of the winery and provide an absolutely fantastic lunch with a wine tasting (cost: 30 euro/person). Casa Emma is not a restaurant and this special experience is for TRLTT travelers only. After this wonderful time, we will arrive at the country house where later in the evening, we will enjoy dinner catered 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 enjoy 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
This morning, it’s off to “Il Pornanino” to meet my friend, Franco Lombardi, attend his seminar, and taste his famous olive oil.  Lunch will be served at the farm, followed by the opportunity to participate in the olive harvest (weather pending, of course!). Depending on time spent at the farm, dinner will be at a local pizzeria or we will cook “Tuscan” at home! 

Day 7
Today we start off with a visit to a lead crystal factory where the art of mouth-blown glass is demonstrated. Pieces can be purchased at discount. Afterwards, its time for school - wine tasting school, that is! We arrive at Tenuta Torciano where the owner, my friend Pierluigi, instructs us in the art of wine tasting and the pairing of wine with food. “Wine Tasting 101 Class” is so much fun – and the homework is easy! J  (cost: 15 euro/person)  Next,  “Manhattan of Tuscany” – San Gimignano, with its towers and ancient tales. Of the original 77 towers, only 15 remain. This is a magical place and later, travelers will enjoy dinner in this enchanting medieval city. 

Day 8
Road trip! We will explore southern Tuscany today with visits to Pienza and Montalcino, plus stops at some very ancient historic abbeys. Dinner will be enjoyed in a restaurant, which sits in the middle of a vineyard in Radda.       

Day 9
It’s off to the beautiful village of Panzano where the best leather shoes, jackets, belts, etc., are handmade in a family-run shop. Then we’ll head to Siena, one of my favorite places – very little has changed since medieval times. After a tour of the major spots, travelers will have free time before we have dinner in a fabulous Siena restaurant. 

Day 10
This final day will be enjoyed in the unique village of Volterra, known as the “City of Alabaster”, where travelers can enjoy museums, shopping, and the amazing views of the “Balze”, a work-in-progress by Mother Nature herself. On our last evening, we will relax and enjoy dinner at a country trattoria known only to a few, before preparing for a reluctant morning departure.

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