We’ll explore winding streets, catch beautiful views of rolling hills from city walls, hear centuries-old Gregorian chants, stop at a typical Tuscan farm for lunch and have plenty of time left over for sampling world-famous foods and wine – all locally produced.
If you have a taste for Tuscany but just a short time in Italy, this tour is for you! A comfortable air-conditioned bus collects us in Rome and by mid-morning we’re in the ancient Etruscan town of Montepulciano.[readmore]We’ll tour the town’s most important sights from the exposed brick Duomo and the main square to Punch’s Tower where Punch (without Judy) strikes his bell from the clock tower every hour. We’ll see ancient Etruscan wells and venture deep into medieval wine cellars still used today. We’ll have a bit of free time for photo ops before we’re back on the bus to our next stop, the vineyards of Montalcino!
Our arrival in the area of Montalcino is perfectly timed to leave us at Sant’Antimo Abbey where stone walls ring with the sound of Gregorian chants. Lose yourself in the mystical ambiance and take the time to enjoy views over some of Tuscany’s most beautiful vineyards. This is where Italy’s best wine, Brunello di Montalcino, is produced and we’ll have a chance to enjoy an exemplary bottle on the next leg of our journey and a sure highlight – lunch.
The bus will take us out of town to a typical Tuscan farm where we will be wined and dined with the finest local produce. Devour three courses of regional dishes that surprise and delight, washed down with local wines. Lunch is especially sweet when you know so much of it has been grown, processed and prepared in this very place! Lunch is followed by a professional guided wine tasting of the wines produced on site.
Back on the bus your guide will prepare you for our next stop – Pienza. You will hear how this World Heritage site was conceived by Pope Pius II as a “utopian village” and get information on sites you may want to visit, such as the two Renaissance palaces and the beautiful Duomo. Pienza is a small town so we’ll split up here and take some time to wander alone, enjoying the serenity that is still true to the Pope’s vision today. Marvel at the ancient architecture, take in views of the rolling countryside beyond or get hopelessly, wonderfully lost in the town’s winding streets. Whatever you choose to do, be sure to make time to sample Pienza’s most important product – pecorino cheese.
With satisfied appetites and bags packed with wine, cheese and pici pasta, we’ll meet back at the bus for a comfortable and scenic drive back to Rome. Take a well-deserved nap, watch the country fly past or spend the time planning your next visit to Tuscany – because one visit is never enough!
Lee masPlease plan on being at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before the meeting time. Missed tours or tickets due to late arrivals cannot be refunded
Comfortable shoes are recommended
We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or mobility impairments on our group tours
Appropriate dress is required for entry into some sites on this tour. Knees, shoulders and backs must be covered
Please ensure you inform us in advance of the tour of any special dietary requirements