Day 1: Arrival & Welcome to the Medici Villa
Activity: Arrive in Florence and transfer to the Medici villa in the Chianti region. Enjoy a welcome dinner featuring Tuscan specialties like ribollita and bistecca alla fiorentina, paired with a Chianti Classico Riserva.
Evening Entertainment: A harpist performs Renaissance melodies in the villa’s grand salon, setting the tone for the week.
Highlight: Toast the journey with a glass of sparkling Tuscan wine under the villa’s frescoed ceilings.
Day 2: Chianti Classico Wineries
Activity: Visit two renowned Chianti Classico wineries, including a family-run estate and a historic castello. Learn about Sangiovese grape cultivation and barrel aging, followed by tastings of Chianti Classico and Super Tuscan wines.
Lunch: Savor a farm-to-table meal at the second winery, featuring handmade pici pasta and local pecorino cheese.
Evening Entertainment: Relax with a guided stargazing session in the villa’s gardens, led by a local astronomer.
Day 3: Organic Olive Oil Farms
Activity: Tour an organic olive oil farm in the Tuscan hills. Participate in a guided tasting to distinguish between extra virgin oils and learn about traditional pressing techniques.
Afternoon: Explore the medieval village of Greve in Chianti, visiting its bustling Saturday market for artisanal salumi and cheeses.
Evening Entertainment: Enjoy a private harp concert in the villa’s courtyard, paired with a digestif of Vin Santo and cantucci biscuits.
Day 4: Truffle Hunting in San Miniato
Activity: Journey to San Miniato, the heart of Tuscany’s white truffle region. Join a truffle hunter and his dog for a morning hunt in the oak forests, learning to identify the elusive fungi.
Lunch: Savor a truffle-infused meal, including tagliatelle with shaved white truffles and truffle-honey-drizzled cheeses.
Evening Entertainment: Participate in a wine-blending workshop at the villa, creating your own Tuscan blend to take home.
Day 5: Michelin-Starred Cooking Class
Activity: Spend the morning with a Michelin-starred chef in a private cooking class at the villa’s professional kitchen. Master dishes like wild boar ragù and tiramisu, using ingredients sourced from local markets.
Lunch: Enjoy the fruits of your labor with a multi-course meal, paired with Tuscan wines selected by the chef.
Evening Entertainment: Attend a lecture on Renaissance art in the villa’s library, focusing on Medici patronage, followed by a harp recital.
Day 6: Private Vineyard Tour & Florence Excursion
Activity: Embark on a private tour of the villa’s own vineyard, led by the estate’s winemaker. Learn about organic viticulture and taste the villa’s limited-production wines.
Afternoon: Visit Florence for a guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery, home to masterpieces by Botticelli and Michelangelo, followed by free time to explore the Ponte Vecchio.
Evening Entertainment: Return to the villa for a farewell gala dinner, featuring a five-course menu and live harp performance under the stars.
Day 7: Departure
Activity: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the villa’s garden before transferring to Florence for your departure.
Highlight: Receive a parting gift of a bottle of the villa’s estate wine and a recipe booklet from the cooking class.
