"Holiday of a lifetime"
A delicious and indulgent foodie tour of Tuscany.
7 nights in a 17th century villa and warm Italian hospitality.
Your host Sioban Sargent
The Tour
Our 7 Night Tours are a fabulous way to visit Italy's hidden gems; villages, countryside and restaurants that are not often visited with regular European tours.
We take a maximum of 8 guests so each tour is personal and tailored to your interests. We provide structure to each day, however you have freedom and flexibility to experience Tuscany on your terms. You can therefore visit the museums, shops and galleries of your choice with the freedom to walk around at your own pace.
The tour includes 4 days of visiting stunning little villages in Tuscany including a day visiting and tasting at a winery and learning about Tuscan Olive Oil. Breakfast is included daily, as well as 5 lunches and 6 dinners along with wines to match.
“Our week with Sioban in Tuscany was the highlight of our holiday. Beautiful scenery, beautiful meals prepared by local enthusiastic chefs who are all individual characters in their own right. Sioban’s cooking school was full of fun and great ideas. It was like being on holiday with loved family members. Thoroughly recommended.”
Accommodation
Included in your tour is 7 nights accommodation in a recently restored and renovated 17th century stone villa 4 km from Cortona. Set in the hills with breathtaking views of Val di Chiana. It’s a wonderful area for walking. The villa offers all the comforts of home such as WIFI, air conditioning and central heating, quality furnishings, gorgeous bedrooms, ensuite bathrooms, modern kitchen and a beautiful pool and outdoor area.
Itinerary
Day One - Saturday
The journey begins when we greet you at Camucia train station and bring you back to the villa - your home for the next week. The villa is located just 5km (3 miles) from the town of Cortona, and has incredible views across the valley.
Relax, unpack and familiarise yourself with the villa during the afternoon before joining the hosts and other guests at 5.30pm for an aperitivo (Italian pre-dinner drink), while discussing the weeks itinerary. You'll enjoy a fabulous 3 course traditional Tuscan dinner cooked by Sioban. Local wines are included.
Day Two - Sunday - Touring Day
Our first stop is the beautiful hilltop town of Pienza, famous for Pecorino cheese. Enjoy a coffee with the locals while enjoying the breathtaking panoramic views, then have free time to explore this glorious village and enjoy tasting all the delicious cheeses in one of the many cheese shops.
Our next stop is Lucignano D'Asso, one of Tuscany's true gems. It's a stunning little hamlet in the middle of the Val D'Orcia with breathtaking scenery. Lunch at the local bar features a wonderful spread of sliced meats and cheeses. We'll return to the villa and have a few hours to relax in the afternoon before heading to Cortona at 6pm for an aperitivo followed by dinner.
Day Three - Monday - Touring Day
9.15am - we depart for Siena, you will have many hours to enjoy exploring this renowned city. Visit the Duomo which is incredible or choose to go and visit one of the many excellent museums. Should you want, you can meander through the ancient, pebbled streets and enjoy the excellent range of shopping opportunities. Lunch at a Tuscan Trattoria, in Piazza di Campo, where biannually they hold the Palio di Siena the famous horse race. The Palio is the most important event in Siena, taking place on July 2 and August 16 every year. In the Palio, the various Sienese "contrade", or areas in which the city is divided, challenge each other in a passionate horse race in the heart of the city in the Piazza del Campo.
You’ll return to the villa and enjoy the afternoon relaxing and Sioban will leave dinner for you prepared in the villa, with local wines to match.
Day Four - Tuesday - Touring Day
Today is the wine tour and Olive oil tour day. Our first stop is to visit a local olive oil farm, and have a tour of the grove, and enjoy a tasting of the award winning olive oil, accompanied by some antipasto.
Next stop is, a traditional style winery where you will enjoy a tour of the grounds and winery followed by a delicious lunch with many wines to for tasting!
We return to the villa to ensure that you have some time to relax and get ready for dinner.
In the afternoon, we make our way back to the villa, with free time before another yummy Italian dinner prepared by Sioban. Local wines included.
![Cortona-50-XL[1].jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55acebfae4b05c3df756f174/1682060337359-HEUIXP6T32UVXXPR619Z/Cortona-50-XL%5B1%5D.jpg)
Day Five - Wednesday - Free Day
You will then have the day free with several options to explore;
You can relax at the villa and sun bake by the pool;
Discover Cortona with it's wonderful shops, galleries and museum, or simply sit in one of the 20 cafes watching the world go by or
Take a day trip to either Florence, Arezzo, or Perugia. We can organise a private driver to take you there and back to either of these beautiful cities or we can take you to the train station all inclusive. The travel costs with a private driver are not included.
You will be picked up at the villa at 7.15pm to take you to one of our favourite slow food restaurants.
Day Six - Thursday - Cooking School Day with Sioban, visit to the Camucia markets
Included in your tour is a day's Tuscan cooking school with Sioban.
Start the day with coffee at one of Sioban’s favourite local bars - it has a particularly wonderful view which we're sure you'll love. If you've seen the movie "Under The Tuscan Sun", you may recognise this spot - it's the exact location where the film was produced and filmed.
You will then be taken to Camucia markets where you can experience first hand the hustle and bustle of a large, busy, Italian market. Italians frequent the markets weekly if not daily to buy the freshest produce as an expression of their great love of good food. You'll also find great shopping - leather handbags, shoes, table linen and clothing.
Late morning we return to the villa to participate in a hands on cooking school with Sioban. We will prepare 5 courses together and sit down to enjoy a long leisurely lunch with beautiful Tuscan wine of course. You'll learn to make fresh pasta, crostini’s, a Tuscan meat dish, salad and an Italian dessert. The menu changes with the seasons and features fresh produce from the markets.
“Sioban’s cooking day was brilliant! Everyone was involved in producing an amazing five course meal under her direction and loved every minute of it - and we have the recipes and aprons to prove it! I can’t recommend this experience enough - truly unforgettable.”
You are then free for the evening to relax in the villa.
Day Seven - Friday- Touring Day
Our first stop is Montepulciano, a hilltop town famous for its wine and food shops, and seriously good clothing and shoe boutiques. We'll allow you plenty of time to explore on your own as well as the opportunity to enjoy a wine tasting of the famous Rosso di Montepulciano should you wish before departing for lunch.
12:30 pm - We move onto Monticchiello, a tiny medieval village with fewer than 200 residents and breathtaking views. Enjoy a sumptuous lunch and local wines at one of our favourite restaurants, listed in the Michelin guide, while taking in those breath taking views.
We return to the villa to ensure that you have some time to relax and get ready for dinner. There's one more chance for shopping before dinner at one of the best restaurants in Cortona.
Day Eight - Saturday
We have our last breakfast together and say farewell to new friends. You will be provided with transport to the local train station.
2023 Tour Dates
Saturday April 29th until Saturday May 6th - Sold out!
Saturday May 6th until Saturday May 13th - Sold Out!
Saturday May 13th until Saturday May 20th - Sold Out!
2024 Tour Dates
Saturday 27th April until Saturday May 4th - sold out!
Saturday 4th May until Saturday May 11th - sold out!
Saturday 11th May until Saturday May 18th - sold out!
Saturday 25th May until Saturday 1st June - sold out!
Price and Inclusions
2995 Euro per person twin share (approximately AU$4900)
Includes:
7 nights accommodation in a renovated villa in the hills near Cortona;
Twin share room and private bathroom;
Continental breakfast each day;
In house chef, meals in villa cooked by Sioban
Five lunches and six dinners;
Regional Italian wines or beer with all your meals;
One Day Tuscan Cooking School with Sioban, includes recipe booklet;
Visit to a winery including wine tasting and lunch;
Four full day tours of Tuscany;
One free day to enjoy, Cortona, or discover other villages near y, transport included to and from Cortona or too the local train station
Entry fees to local attractions whenever they apply;
Coffees daily;
Free transport to and from the local train stations if required;
For guests traveling solo, a single supplement of 350 Euro per person (approximately A$550) applies, to ensure you have a private bedroom and bathroom.
