An exclusive journey
Tuscany
June 7 - 14, 2021
12-24
Guests
8 / 7
Days / Nights
15
Meals
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars invites you on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Tuscany. This custom itinerary features visits to classic properties belonging to the Antinori Family – one of Italy’s oldest wine producers and joint partner of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars since 2007. Tour and taste at the modern Antinori Winery in Chianti, experience Antinori wines at their 1-star Michelin restaurant at the Abbey of Passignano, and savor traditional Tuscan cooking at La Cantinetta Antinori in Florence. Along the way, experience a Tuscan cooking workshop, stroll through the charming towns of Siena and Cortona, and visit the famous sites of Florence. Join us on this amazing journey.
Learn
the traditions of Tuscan cooking during a hands-on workshop
Explore
Chianti, Siena, Pienza, and more, tasting local specialties and wines along the way
Discover
Renaissance art, architecture, and history in beautiful Florence
Day 1
Cortona
Land at the Florence airport and meet your Travel Director in the arrivals hall. Take a private transfer to our historical residence, a former hunting manor built by a protégé of the Medici Family. The villa, now known as Villa di Piazzano, has been painstakingly restored into an exclusive property that reflects the beauty of the surrounding Tuscan and Umbria countryside.
Unwind at the property and stroll through the gorgeous grounds, which include a perfectly manicured garden filled with aromas of jasmine and lavender. Savor a welcome dinner at the villa’s lovely restaurant.
Day 2
Tuscan Pasta Workshop
Roll up your sleeves this morning for a hands-on culinary class to learn the art of Tuscan cooking with Villa di Piazzano’s executive chef and forage for fresh herbs in the beautiful garden adjacent to the property! When the food is ready, sit down and savor the prepared fare paired with a selection of Tuscan wines.
In the afternoon, visit an olive oil mill in Cortona — one of the few remaining mills to operate a traditional, cold-stone milling process. We’ll meet the family and taste fragrant, freshly pressed oils over wood-fire grilled bruschetta. After, explore the treasures of Cortona on a privately guided tour. Discover the city’s amazing Etruscan history and visit some of its most important sites. Stay in Cortona for dinner on your own this evening.
Day 3
Val d’Orcia
This morning, head to the beautiful medieval and Renaissance town of Montepulciano for a very special winery visit. Taste one of the most sought-after Tuscan wines: Nobile di Montepulciano. Enjoy a light lunch and take a stroll among the cobblestone streets of this charming village located between the Valdichiana and Val d’Orcia. After a short drive with breathtaking views of the Val d’Orcia, we’ll arrive in the picturesque hillside village of Pienza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a walking tour of this Tuscan gem, famous - among other things - for the production of pecorino. Enjoy some free time to shop around Pienza’s gourmet and petite boutiques. Return to the property and unwind. Dinner is on your own tonight back at the property.
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.
CORTONA
Relax at the villa late this afternoon, perhaps enjoying the outdoor pool or follow a naturalist on a gentle hike in the hills behind the property but make sure to be back in time for dinner, which will showcase a very special wine pairing.
Day 5
SIENA
Discover the medieval gem of Siena on a guided walking tour with a very special local guide. Visit the Siena Duomo, the art-filled Casa di Santa Caterina, and Piazza del Campo. Enjoy lunch at your leisure at any of Siena’s charming restaurants and wander the streets of Siena on your own.
VALIANO
Get back to the property and unwind before getting ready for a short drive, that 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. Your host will introduce you to winemaking in Avignonesi and the principles of biodynamic viticulture. Afterward, enjoy a private dinner paired with Avignonesi wines at the estate before heading back to the property.
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. Enjoy the state-of-the-art winemaking facility built within the Tuscan landscape. Walk the property and visit the fermentation, aging, and reserve areas. Experience a private tasting of Antinori wines and learn about the Antinori family tree that dates back twenty-six generations to 1385.
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 motorcoach will then transport you to Florence – dinner is on your own this evening.
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. 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. Lunch and the afternoon are on your own to explore Florence.
This evening, sip on prosecco, followed by a special farewell dinner paired with Antinori wines at La Cantinetta Antinori. Discover the beauty of this restaurant, located in the Antinori Palace, a gorgeous Renaissance palace bought by the Antinori family in 1506.
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Accommodations
Villa Di Piazzano
Enjoy this restored historic residence, perfectly situated for exploring nearby Cortona, Pienza, Siena, and the Val d’ Orcia. While this luxury villa was once the private hunting manor of Cardinal Silvio Passerini, it has been recently transformed into a gorgeous hotel. Amenities include a restaurant with outdoor terrace, bar, and lush garden filled with cypress trees, roses, peonies, gardenias, and more. Rest in one of the property’s bright and colorful rooms.
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Hotel Santa Maria Novella
Enjoy 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 unique rooms, decorated with marble lacquered woodworking in the traditional Florentine style.
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Palazzo Naiadi (Rome Extension)
In Rome, enjoy 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. Enjoy the property’s spacious, elegant rooms with neoclassical styles and finishes.
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The Fine Print
Questions? Get in touch.
This trip has been designed to include daily exploratory walks that range from one to three hours. Each day, whether touring a city or winery, guests should be prepared to be on their feet for multiple continuous hours. Guests should feel comfortable strolling along cobbled surfaces, walking up and down stairs, and sauntering down uneven nature paths. Europe tends to have Old World infrastructure (narrow cobblestone streets, lack of elevators, etc.), which can leave some areas inaccessible. If you require any walking assistance, please inquire with our guest services team. Typically, our more invigorating walks are included as optional activities. Please contact us at guestservices@experi.com if you have questions.
Note: Group maximum is based on double occupancy. The itinerary is subject to change or substitution at any time. You can learn more at experi.com/terms.
Included
- Seven nights accommodations, including all taxes and fees
- Meals as listed on the itinerary: 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners, plus wine pairings with most major meals
- All private excursions described in the itinerary along with services of local speakers, guides, entrance fees, and transportation
- Gratuities for travel director, local guides, drivers, porters, and included meals
- Full guiding services of a dedicated 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 what has been arranged by Experi to pair with the included major meals
Rates*
Club Member Pricing
Classic: $6,295
Deluxe: $6,595
Jr. Suite: $6,995
Suite: $7,295
Single: $8,295
Non Member Pricing
Classic: $6,595
Deluxe: $6,915
Jr. Suite: $7,330
Suite: $7,645
Single: $8,690
*Guests of club members also enjoy club member pricing. Call to discuss availability and rates for triple accommodations. Rates are per person, double occupancy in US Dollars.
Extension Rates*
Classic: $2,795
Single: $3,995
*Rates are per person, double occupancy in US Dollars. Call to discuss availability and rates for triple accommodations.
Deposits
Travel Insurance
Travel Terms & Conditions
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