June 1-8, 2024
Discover the Food, Wine and Gourmet delights of Tuscany
and Rome with Loveria Caffe owner, Andrea Matteucci.
Experience a Tuscan Kitchen with hands-on cooking classes. Refine your palate with olive oil, and wine tastings. Discover the hidden gem museums of Rome and more…
June 1-8, 2024
Discover the Food, Wine and Gourmet delights of Tuscany
and Rome with Loveria Caffe owner, Andrea Matteucci.
Experience a Tuscan Kitchen with hands-on cooking classes. Refine your palate with olive oil, and wine tastings. Discover the hidden gem museums of Rome and more…
Highlights of the tour include:
- Walking Tour through Florence Market followed by hands-on cooking classes at Mama Florence Cooking School
- Wine tastings & tours of Felsina Winery and Chianti Wineries
- Relax in a thermal bath at the beautiful Hotel Term di San Giovananni Spa Resort, Rapolano
- Olive and Wine Tour & Tastings at Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona
Join Andrea Matteucci, as he takes you “home” to his Italy, to relax and dine in gourmet restaurants, while tasting the best food and wines. Truly a holiday experience for the ultimate “foodie” or a traveler looking to relax among good friends, with good food and memories to last a lifetime.
The Trip
Where We Visit
Florence, Italy
Markete Central
MaMa Florence Cooking School
Piazza del Campo
Felsina Winery
Montalcino
Where We Stay
Hotel Cellai – Florence
Hotel NH Siena – Siena
Hotel Ludovisi – Rome
Day 1 – Saturday, June 1
Welcome to Italy! You are met upon arrival at Florence airport, and
transferred to the elegant Hotel Cellai. You’ll have the rest of the afternoon to explore this fabulous boutique hotel, in the center of Florence, surrounded by art and history. And foodies will love Florence for it’s Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine Steak), Papardelle and of course, it’s gelato. As the sun sets in Florence, Andrea will welcome you to Italy with a glass of wine to renew our friendships, make new friends, and review our itinerary. Dinner is nearby at the chic Konnubio Restaurant in Florence.
Hotel: Hotel Cellai, Florence
Meals: Welcome Reception, Dinner
Day 2 – Sunday, June 2
This morning we start our day with a Walking Tour of the Markete Central...a chance to see and taste the foods of Florence. Cooking Class in Florence at the MaMa Florence Cooking School. After lunch, you’ll have plenty of time for shopping, or maybe a visit to the Galleria dell ’Accademia to see the statue of David by Michaelangelo.
Hotel: Hotel Cellai, Florence
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 – Monday, June 3
This morning, as we transfer to breathtaking Siena, we’ll first stop for lunch in San Gimigano. Arriving in Siena, we’ll visit a local Contrada set within the ancient city walls and a short, guided tour of Piazza del Campo. You’ll proceed to the Duomo (main cathedral), one of the most impressive examples of Italian Gothic architecture. Tonight, will be a scrumptous dinner at one of our favorite Siena restaurants.
Hotel: NH Siena, Siena
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 – Monday, June 3
Today we head into the lovely central Chianti countryside for a wine tasting at the beautiful Felsina Winery. This first stop is a cutting edge winery where you will taste amazing wines and sample the spicy and intense extra-virgin olive oil produced on this estate. Our tour continues on to the Spa Resort – Terme di San Giovanni to enjoy lunch, test its healing thermal waters and pools, and sample a relaxing massage, or experience a thermal mud treatment. It’s your choice!
Hotel: NH Siena, Siena
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5 – Wednesday, June 5
This morning we visit a local family-run cheese farm producing organic sheep cheeses. Here you’ll learn about cheese-making techniques and how Peccorino Cheeses are made; a light lunch will be served. We’ll make a brief stop in Pienza for a gelato on the way to our wine tour. Brunello wines are produced exclusively within the Montalcino territory and created using only Sangioveto Grosso grapes – a Sangiovese clone perfectly suited to the local conditions. Your wonderful Montalcino Wine Tour and exploration of the Brunello wine region takes you to one of the oldest estates in Italy – Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona from the 17th century. You will visit the winery’s grounds and their historic cellars, and will be led through a guided wine-tasting of these wonderful red wines, and olives as well.
Hotel: NH Siena, Siena
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Thursday, June 6
As we travel to Rome, our driver will stop half way, in the stunning hilltop town of Orvieto. Enjoy an intriguing walking tour through Orvieto’s famous underground, with its complex network of caves. You’ll enjoy a lovely lunch before we continue on our transfer to Rome. Dinner is on your own tonight.
Hotel: Hotel Ludovisi, Rome
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7 – Friday, June 7
This morning, we’ll do a Private tour of the Vatican. Enjoy a free afternoon, at leisure, to visit the lovely gardens or explore the hidden museums of Rome. Our finale dinner will be celebrated in Rome to reminisce about your Italian adventure.
Hotel: Hotel Ludovisi, Rome
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 – Saturday, June 8
Depart for home. “Addio Italia!”
The Details
What’s Included:
- All accommodations on a shared twin/double room basis
- Daily breakfast at hotel
- Airport transfers from Florence Airport, and to Rome Airport
- Tastings at Wineries and Olive Tastings
- Hands-on cooking class at MaMa Florence Cooking School
- Entrance to several wineries for wine tastings
- Five lunches and five dinners
- Tickets to Private Tour of Vatican and Thermal Bath
- Farewell celebration dinner at a surprise venue
Nota Bene: We build all of our itineraries as exhaustively as possible; however, we also leave room for the spontaneity of the group, the creativity of the guide, and the unpredictability of the elements. Thus, all itineraries are subject to modest modification dependent on local weather, new opportunities, and the desires of the group.
*Final price may be adjusted on March 1, 2024, due to currency fluctuations
Dates & Prices
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Dates: June 1 – June 8, 2024
Prices: $5,998.00 per person, based on dbl occupancy.
Single Supplement: $950.00 USD
Getting There
Travel Services:
Our suggestion is to fly into Florence and depart from Rome. For the convenience of our travelers, we would be happy to assist you with flights to get to and from the trip. If you require assistance beyond the flights, (i.e. if you wish to extend your stay or arrive earlier), or if you wish to make private or custom travel arrangements, please call us to discuss your needs. Please note that a service fee of $50.00 will be charged for arrangements such as flights, transfers and hotel rooms that are outside the planned itinerary.
About Us
A highly personalized travel concierge service that arranges memorable trips, cruises, exotic vacations and travel for those with discriminating taste. So, whether you’re looking for a private jet to Paris, a villa in Tuscany, tickets to the Grand Prix in Monaco, golfing at St. Andrews or an island escape to the Caribbean, we can arrange every detail.
Availability
This exclusive Food & Wine tour with Andrea Matteucci will be limited to 18 participants; with a minimum of 15. To avoid disappointment (and the inevitable waitlist), please book early.
Book Your Trip
CONTACT:
Karen M. Dawson
SouthlakeTravel
E. Southlake Blvd., #57
Southlake, TX 76092
kdawson@southlake-travel.com
Phone: 817.657.9866
Payments & Deposits
$1000.00 non-refundable deposit at time of booking (to guarantee
events & hotels). Deposit must be received by Nov. 1, 2023. Payment by check should be made payable to: Southlake Travel; Credit card payments Convenience Fee applies. Final payment will be due on March 1, 2024.