20-44

Guests

8 / 7

Days / Nights

17

Meals

Col Solare Winery invites you on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Tuscany. In partnership with our Antinori Family, we’ve designed this exclusive VIP tour of an Antinori private estate for our wine club members. We’ll visit classic Antinori properties and enjoy an array of exclusive experiences – from touring the modern Antinori Winery in Chianti and tasting wines at the Abbey of Passignano to savoring traditional Tuscan cooking at La Cantinetta Antinori in Florence. Along the way, we’ll also experience several cooking workshops, the charming towns of Siena and Cortona, the famous sites of Florence, and much more. Join us on this amazing journey.

Taste

amazing Antinori wines and authentic Tuscan dishes

Explore

Florence, Chianti, Siena, Pienza and Cortona with expert local guides

See

a Romanesque church tucked away in the Tuscan countryside

Gallery

Thu, May 2

Day 1

Florence

Arrive at the Florence Airport, and meet your friendly Travel Director in the arrivals hall. Take a private transfer to our Relais & Châteaux property, a family-owned and operated luxury villa and one-star Michelin restaurant.

Cortona Wine Estate

Unwind at the property, and stroll through the gorgeous grounds, including an olive grove and vineyard with views of Cortona. Savor a welcome dinner at the villa’s Michelin-starred restaurant.

Dinner

Overnight at Il Falconiere

Fri, May 3

Day 2

Tuscan Pasta Workshop

Start your day by learning the art of Italian cuisine in the kitchen of Chef Titi. Make dishes like fiori di zucca, pici pasta and tiramisu. While lunch is cooking, tour the estate vineyard. Savor the prepared lunch with estate wines.

Cortona

Leave the Falconiere property and visit an olive oil mill that continues to operate a traditional, cold-stone milling process. Meet the family and taste freshly pressed oils. Finally, explore the treasures of Cortona on a guided tour this afternoon. Learn about the city’s history, visit a monastery where St. Francis slept, and experience the town within the ancient stone walls. See Etruscan architectural sites such as a recently uncovered staircase. Enjoy dinner on your own in Cortona.

Breakfast, lunch

Overnight at Il Falconiere

Sat, May 4

Day 3

Pienza

Uncover the picturesque hillside village of Pienza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Val d’Orcia during the drive. Deep in the Tuscan countryside, we’ll stop at the Abbey of Sant’Antimo, a Romanesque church. Next, we’ll visit the Michelin-starred restaurant Lupi E Sirene, and the vineyard that surrounds it. You’ll meet the winemaker, a strong believer in the Bio-dynamic technique, tour the Golden Cellar and taste one of Italy’s most coveted wines: Brunello di Montalcino. Enjoy the view of the Amiata Mountain and the relaxed pace of the countryside while lunch is prepared for you by chef Roberto Rossi with the seasonal ingredients picked that morning from the property’s vegetable garden along with locally produced cold cuts and cheeses. This evening, it will be your turn to handle the dough for a fun pizza-making workshop at Podere il Casale, using locally-sourced ingredients. Tour its award-winning creamery, famous for producing sheep and goat milk cheeses, like pecorino.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Overnight at Il Falconiere

Sun, May 5

Day 4

Castiglion Fiorentino

Drive to the small, walled city of Castiglion Fiorentino, and spend the morning with cheese affineur Andrea Magi at his laboratory. Learn techniques to taste, cut, and smell different cheese varieties. Tour the two microclimate caves Andrea has built onsite for aging these cheeses. Back at the property, enjoy a light lunch of seasonal salads, spelt, and Panzanella.

Cortona

Unwind at the villa late this afternoon, perhaps enjoying the Etruscan spa services or other property amenities, such as the swimming pools or winery. Savor a delectable dinner this evening, prepared by Chef Titi, with wine pairings presented by sommelier Marco Molesini.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Overnight at Il Falconiere

Mon, May 6

Day 5

Siena

Discover the medieval gem of Siena on a guided walking tour starting at Piazza del Campo. Visit the Siena Duomo and the art-filled Casa di Santa Caterina with a local guide. Enjoy lunch at your leisure at any of Siena’s charming restaurants and time to wander the streets of Siena on your own.

Valiano

A short drive will take you the Avignonesi winery estate, located in the village of Valiano near the historic town of Montepulciano. Here you will experience the vineyards, villa, chapel and ancient stone wine cellars that are the heart of the Avignonesi winery through an exclusive tour of the vineyards and the winery. Your host will introduce you to winemaking in Avignonesi and the principles of biodynamic viticulture. Afterward, enjoy a private dinner at the estate before heading back to the property.

Breakfast, dinner

Overnight at Il Falconiere

Tue, May 7

Day 6

Antinori Winery in Chianti

Rise early for breakfast and check-out. Head to Antinori’s ultra-modern winery in the Chianti Classico countryside. See the contrast between their ancient cellars and state-of-the-art winemaking facility built within the Tuscan landscape. Walk the property and visit the fermentation, aging, and reserve areas. Enjoy a comparative wine tasting of select vintages of Antinori, Col Solare, and Stag's Leap wines in their impressive suspended room.

TAVARNELLE VAL DI PESA

Head to Abbey of Passignano, an ancient monastery with an osteria, wine cellar, and the Vallombrosan Order of monks. Stroll the Antinori-owned vineyards that surround the abbey. After, enjoy a rustic lunch at their 1-star Michelin restaurant. Your private bus will then take you to Florence – dinner is on your own this evening.

Breakfast, lunch

Overnight at Hotel Santa Maria Novella

Wed, May 8

Day 7

Florence

Take in the storied culture of Florence this morning. Join our local guide for a walking tour of Florence’s famous sites, like the Duomo di Firenze, San Lorenzo Market, the Ponte Vecchio, and more. After a traditional lunch at a quaint restaurant, finally visit the Accademia di Belle Arti, an art academy founded by Cosimo I de’ Medici in 1563, that now hosts the original statue of Michelangelo’s famous David.

With the lights of the evening, sip on Antinori prosecco at Procacci, a gourmet shop featuring a wine bar and delicacies. Savor a special dinner with wine this evening at La Cantinetta Antinori in Florence's historic city center. Discover the beauty of this restaurant, located in the Antinori Palace, a gorgeous Renaissance palace bought by the Antinori family in 1506.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Overnight at Hotel Santa Maria Novella

Thu, May 9

Day 8

Florence

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before taking a private transfer to the Florence Airport. Not ready to leave Italy behind? Continue your journey on an optional four-day extension in Rome. Arrivederci!

Breakfast

Extend your trip

+ 4 days in Rome

Thu, May 9

Day 8

Travel to Rome and meet your Travel Director for a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums. End the in-depth tour at the Sistine Chapel and gaze upon this masterful piece of art. Check in at your hotel in Piazza della Repubblica and enjoy dinner on your own tonight.

Breakfast

Overnight at Palazzo Naiadi

Fri, May 10

Day 9

This morning, we’ll head to the winemaking town of Frascati just outside Rome’s city center. Discover the historic center of Frascati and see the catacombs, Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella, and more. After, enjoy a wine tasting and lunch at a lovely estate set upon acres of vineyards and olive groves.

Breakfast, lunch

Overnight at Palazzo Naiadi

Sat, May 11

Day 10

Meet in the hotel lobby after breakfast to embark on a private walking tour of Rome. Walk along narrow alleys and pass through impressive piazzas. Visit the famed Colosseum and learn its storied history. Take a seat at the Spanish Steps to soak up the energy of Rome. Dinner is on your own.

Breakfast

Overnight at Palazzo Naiadi

Sun, May 12

Day 11

Savor your last breakfast in Italy, then take a private transfer to the Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport for flights home.

Breakfast

Accommodations

Il Falconiere

Enjoy five nights in this 17th-century Relais & Chateaux Tuscan villa located just outside Cortona. After many generations as a traditional family estate, this extraordinary property was transformed into a luxury haven for visitors. Discover 30 acres of landscaped gardens, vineyards, and olive groves, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and an Etruscan spa with indoor and outdoor pools. Rest in one of the property’s elegant bedrooms and suites.

View photos >

Hotel Santa Maria Novella

Enjoy two nights in this boutique hotel in the center of Florence. Located in a picturesque square, this hotel offers luxury accommodations and breathtaking views of the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella from its rooftop terrace. Rest in one of the property’s 71 rooms, decorated with marble and lacquered woodworking in the traditional Florentine style.

View photos >

Palazzo Naiadi (Rome Extension)

In Rome, enjoy three nights at this luxury palace located in Piazza della Repubblica. The property includes two superb restaurants, a stunning terrace and pool overlooking Rome, and an exclusive well-being center. Rest inside one of the property’s 238 spacious, elegant rooms with neoclassical styles and finishes.

View photos >

The Fine Print

Questions? Get in touch.

Details

Dates

Program: May 2–9, 2019
Extension: May 9–12, 2019

Flight Information

If you would like assistance with reserving your flights, please contact us at guestservices@experi.com.

Activity Level

This trip has been designed to include daily exploratory walks that range from one to three hours. Guests should feel comfortable meandering along cobbled surfaces, walking up and down stairs, and sauntering down uneven nature paths. Typically, our more invigorating walks are included as optional activities. Please contact us if you have questions.

Note: Group maximum is based on double occupancy. All guests must be 21 years or older.

Included

7 nights accommodations, including all taxes and fees
Meals as listed on the itinerary: 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 5 dinners, plus wine pairings with most major meals
All private excursions described in the itinerary along with services of local speakers, guides, entrance fees, gratuities, and transportation
Full guiding services of a dedicated Experi Travel Director
Private airport transfers with porterage on the first and last scheduled days of the program

Not Included

Pre-and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses
Air and land transportation to/from host cities
All types of personal insurance
Personal expenses
Additional Alcoholic beverages beyond those included with major meals

Rates*

Classic: sold
Deluxe: sold
Jr. Suite: sold
Suite: sold
Winery Suite: sold
Single: sold

Extension Rates*

Classic: sold
Single: sold

*Call to discuss availability and rates for triple, quad, and child accommodations. Rates are per person, double occupancy in US Dollars.

Deposits

A $1,000 deposit per person reserves your space for this program. Final payments are due no later than 90 days prior to departure. An additional $500 deposit per person is required for extension reservations.