Tuscany Custom Tours - Italy Hotline Custom and Gourmet Tours

Tuscany

The Garden of Earthly Delights...

In Tuscany one finds what is undoubtedly the most elegant taming of nature ever achieved by man. Like a coiffeur who leaves a few wild strands to set off a face, the Tuscans have managed to style the landscape while leaving it unbound, alive and full of beauty. It is the color of wheat and grape and stone. Undulating sunflower-draped hills vie with castle-topped towns and all about are the Tuscans, hale and hearty, tied to the earth but never losing a sense of the refined. In a word Tuscany is Renaissance. It is saturated with amazing artistic treasures displayed in stunning palaces. Yet it remains rooted to the medieval as revealed in her walled cities, stone passageways, castles and fortresses. Traditions run strong here as seen in the Palio horse race in Siena. Beautification is a way of life for all Tuscans, to be seen in the bright flowers that adorn windowsills, in the pattern found in paving stones, and the elegant architecture of country villas. Culinary tradition features fresh local ingredients and traditional recipes. The bright red vine ripened tomato, the green of basil pesto, the wheat colors of pasta. Wine is a way of life and most of Tuscany is devoted to the cultivation of the magic grape, to be bottled and shared with the whole world. To visit a vineyard and taste the labor of love produced from their land in a bottle of wine paired with savory regional specialties is unforgettable. The artisan nature of Tuscany is found every where; in its ceramics, leather goods and fashion to its wrought iron and wood work. Tuscany also guards its secrets…but the right key can open up a world of surprise. Whether you love the startling grace of a Botticelli or the vine drenched hills of Chianti, Tuscany awaits as an attraction for the discriminating traveler and it never fails to charm.

Special Itineraries

Tuscany Made in Italy Shopping Excursion

Shoppers will find more to keep them happy at the unique outlets of some of the great “made in Italy” designers, as well as with specialty artisans. Tuscany is world renowned for its wrought iron, textiles, leather goods, ceramics, cashmere, marble working and much more. We take you to the best of Tuscan artisans who will be delighted to tell you about their crafts, show you their workshops and give a demonstration so that you can learn the age old traditions and how they have been passed down form century to century, many dating back to ancient Roman and Etruscan times. In many cases we can even arrange hands on lessons by request, so let us know if you have special interests that you would like to find out more about. One cannot get a true feeling for Tuscany without sampling its food and wine. We will take you to one of our favorite countryside restaurants for a true experience in Tuscan traditional cooking with local wine and atmosphere.

Tuscan Historic Cities

The art cities of Tuscany hold are found in beautiful position all around the region with gorgeous views, walled historic centers, great restaurants and wine bars and amazing artistic treasures. Their winding stone streets and red roof tiled palazzi contain many extraordinary secrets and the architecture varies from medieval, to Gothic and Renaissance. We can provide custom itineraries to any city. Some of our favorites are Lucca, Pisa with its Piazza degli Miracoli, Siena with the great Palio races, Pienza, San Gimignano, the great wine cities of Montepulicano, Chianti and Montacino, Cinque Terre and many more. Great artists of the Middle Ages and early Renaissance created iconic works of art which are very well displayed in beautiful churches and palaces. These tours also show you a stunning view of the Tuscan countryside and its incredible combination of curated farms, gardens and vineyards to wild nature. The extraordinarily preserved architecture of these cities also holdmany wonders from the Gothic and Romanesque eras. With our excellent historians, you will visit the famous Cities of Art of Tuscany and learn about the local people and the works of art that are so abundant in this region.

A Day with the Etruscans

Discover Tuscany’s ancestors in the towns and museums of Chiusi, Chianciano Terme, Murlo, Sarteano and visit their Etruscan tombs. The world of the Etruscans features amazing historic and archeological sites, artistic treasures, and features beautiful cities and villages of Tuscany and its charming countryside. With a focus on the senses we will put together a day where you taste the best food and wine while coming to know many secret places full of mysterious Etruscan charm, while getting a feel for local life today and their influences handed down over the millennia. The mysterious world of the Etruscans has left behind many fascinating traces in their sculptures, funerary monuments, jewelry, frescoes and cooking utensils. This tour brings their civilization alive through a variety of wonderful sites that will leave you with a deep fascination for this culture if it is your first introduction or it will enhance your knowledge if you already have a passion for their evocative and interesting world.

Tuscany Spa and Nature Day

Tuscany also has many spas for relaxation and physical well-being. Spoil yourselves with massages, beauty treatments and let yourself be cradled by the gentle rhythms of luxury. If you prefer sports, you can go horseback riding in the Tuscan countryside, trekking, cycling, see Tuscany from a hot air balloon or riding through the woods on a quadrocycle while learning about the local herbs and flora used in Tuscany cuisine. We have a selection of spas chosen by us for their beauty, service and incredible settings.

Walks in the Historic City Center

Siena; Tuscan City of Art and the Palio

The city of Siena in Tuscany holds a beautiful position with gorgeous views all around. Its winding stone streets and red roof tiled palazzi contain many extraordinary secrets and the architecture varies from medieval, to Gothic and Renaissance. Unusual for its great Campo used for its famous Palio horse race makes a delightful cafe lined center where people love to hang out on a sunny day. The history of the Palio is found in the art and architecture of the city, divided up into districts representing each of the contrada with their distinguishing and often whimsical symbols. Great artists of the Middle Ages created iconic works of art which are very well displayed in Siena, featuring the fascinating painters Buoninsegna, Lorenzetti and Martini, as well as the early Renaissance sculptor Jacopo della Quercia. One of the most interesting places to visit is the Palazzo Publicco with its great tower and wonderful frescoes which give an great and well preserved vision of the medieval world. You can even dare to go up the campanile tower for a stunning view of the Tuscan countryside. The extraordinarily preserved architecture of the city also holds many wonders from the Gothic and Romanesque Duomo.

Siena; Tuscan City of Art and the Palio photo

Food & Wine

Tuscany Etruscan Culinary Tour with visit to Chiusi

With this wonderful tour we will visit the beautiful city and region around Chiusi, the heart of the ancient Etruscan world. The first stop is at the celebrated Etruscan Museum for a quick overview of the fascinating civilization that dominated this part of Italy before the Romans. They have left intriguing traces of their dance-, food- and wine-loving civilization in tomb paintings and sculpture as well as cooking utensils, mirrors and other artisan works. From here we descend beneath the city to visit the underground labyrinths. During this unforgettable visit, a historian guide will take you to see one of the seldom-visited ancient tombs near the evocative Lake of Chiusi. Lunch will be based on recipes thought to be similar to what Etruscans ate: fresh perch from the lake smoked over canes and dressed with local olive oil, home made pici—the local pasta with ancient roots—and local Sangiovese wine.This tour is led by Pamela Sheldon Johns, cookbook author and culinary professional who has been cooking and exploring the back roads of Italian food culture for 20 years.

Tuscan Paradise Wine and Culinary Tour

Tuscany is renowned for its wine, cheese and artisan products. What better way to spend a day than touring the Tuscany countryside while eating, drinking and enjoying gorgeous views? This scenic drive takes you to Pienza via the cheese route. Pienza, the home of the famous Pecorino Toscano cheese, was also the first ideal Renaissance city to become a reality. We’ll wind along picturesque streets past travertine palaces, stop in shops showcasing gourmet delicacies including wines from Montalcino, Montepulciano and Buonconvento and, of course, sample the famous local Pecorino. On our way out of Pienza, we will visit a rural Pecorino cheesemaker where the farm will be toured and your guide will explain how Pecorino is made. You will get to meet the local farmers and savor this bold and delicious cheese. We'll then drive to the famous town of Montalcino where we will visit a traditional cantina to taste Brunello di Montalcino, one of the noblest of Italian wines. Of course our day would not be complete without trying some Brunello, Rosso di Montalcino and Super Tuscans and experiencing exquisite Tuscan food at a charming enoteca before the return trip. This tour can be designed as a way to get from one part of Tuscany to another or as a full-day trip from Rome or Florence.

Tuscan Paradise Wine and Culinary Tour photo

Food Artisans Tuscan Culinary Workshop with Pamela

Immerse yourself in the unique culture and lifestyle of Tuscany by experiencing the passion of food and wine in the kitchen, at the table, and in the marketplace. This full-day immersion includes a hands-on cooking class in a beautiful country home near Montepulciano with seated lunch, along with a visit to a local food artisan of your choice. The class is taught in English and outings are fully translated, offering you an experience of regional, seasonal Tuscan cuisine and culture that's impossible to get without an insider to open the secret door for you! Many traditional food-making practices still exist in Tuscany. The signature foods of the region include Pecorino cheese, truffles and porcini mushrooms, and Chianina beef. You’ll also be introduced to some uniquely local products such as pici, an ancient type of pasta, and finocchiata, a pork sausage that is salted and cured in a coating of aromatic wild fennel flowers and black pepper. You can choose whether to visit an antique frantoio olive pressing mill, for a demonstration and tasting of olive oils, or an artisanal cheesemaker to learn about Pecorino cheese, Cinta Senese (an heirloom Tuscan breed of pig), and salumi production.

Food Artisans Tuscan Culinary Workshop with Pamela photo

Chauffeur

Tuscan Paradise Half Day with Private Chauffeur

A short drive south of Florence and the roads climb out of the broad plain of the Arno river and into the hills of the Chianti region. It's no mystery why the discriminating traveler adores this region. The taciturn Tuscans are rightfully proud of their land. Decades of strict land-use regulations have insured Tuscany's spell-binding mix of small vineyards, fields of wheat and sunflower and delightful hill-top towns.

Take a tour with our Tuscan chauffeur and guide in his top of the line Mercedes for an unforgettable day sampling the best the region has to offer. This tour is based on decades long relationships of trust built between our guide and Tuscan artisans, farmers and winemakers. He takes you far from the beaten path to the real heart of Tuscany. You will sample caciotta and pecorino cheese direct from the farm, cured meats such as the delightful finocchiona Toscana, a salami shot through with fennel, and the equally characteristic Cappocollo, a Chianti-inflected cured ham. You will also visit a small wine-producer, tour their vineyard and drink wine overlooking the graceful green hillsides.

Tuscan Paradise Half Day with Private Chauffeur photo

Tuscan Paradise Full Day Chauffeured Tour

A short drive south of Florence, the roads climb out of the broad plain of the Arno River into the hills of Chianti. It's no mystery why discriminating travelers adore this region. Tuscany's spellbinding mix of small vineyards, fields of wheat and sunflowers and delightful hilltop towns are the result of decades of strict and farsighted land-use regulations. The taciturn Tuscans are rightfully proud of their land. Spend an unforgettable day with our Tuscan chauffeur and guide sampling the best the region has to offer. This tour is based on decades-long relationships of trust built between our guide and Tuscan artisans, farmers and winemakers. In his elegant and comfortable Mercedes, he takes you far from the beaten path into the real heart of Tuscany. You will sample Caciotta and Pecorino cheese direct from the farm, cured meats such as the delicious finocchiona Toscana, a salami shot through with fennel, and the equally characteristic Cappocollo, a Chianti-inflected cured ham. You will also visit a small wine producer, tour their vineyard and drink wine overlooking the graceful green hillsides. Lunch will be at one of our guide's favorite countryside trattorie with an unbeatable menu of local Tuscan products served with traditional care and creative elan.

Tuscan Paradise Full Day Chauffeured Tour photo