 Saturday
Arrival with private transfer
Arrival at Rome or Florence International Airport and meeting with your personal tour leader.
(On request private transfer also from other airports or location).
Private Transfer in GT coach to PODERE SAN GIUSEPPE.
Accommodation in villa, welcome drink and time for relax.
Welcome dinner in Villa.
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Sunday
 Breakfast in Villa with leisure time at your disposal.
Bus or minibus with driver at your disposal.
During this first day we highly suggest you visit Colle Val D’Elsa, the crystal city, that is centuries old but also has a solid 20th century workers’ tradition. Industrial activity is expressed in a highly selective and civilised way, in continuity with the craft tradition: the paper mills and glassworks, founded in the middle ages, you can visit one of the factory where crystals are made. Colle Val d’Elsa is divided in two. The lower part is 20th century while the upper, mediaeval part represented traditions connected with land.
Its many towers, largely cut down and transformed into aristocratic residences during the Renaissance, speak of this courtly spirit which even today seems to keep a desired distance from the confused movements of our time.
Light lunch and dinner in villa. |
Monday - SAN GIMIGNANO AND MONTERIGGIONI
Breakfast in villa. During this daily excursion, you will visit the beautiful medieval towns of San Gimignano and Monteriggioni, both characterized by towers and medieval walls. San Gimignano city of beautiful towers rich in history, art and culture surrounded by splendid Tuscan countryside, situated on a hill (334m above sea level) dominating the Elsa Valley.
The town increased in wealth and developed greatly during the Middle Ages thanks to the "Via Francigena" the trading and pilgrim routes that crossed it. Such prosperity lead to the flourishing of works of art to adorn the churches and monasteries. The construction of the towers dates back to the 11th and 13th century. The architecture of the city was influenced by Pisa, Siena and Florence. There are 14th century paintings of the Sienese School to be seen and 15th century paintings of the Florentine school. Many artistic masterpieces can be found in most of the beautiful building of the city such as: The Duomo, The People.s Palace, The Church of St . Agostino. The artistic itineraries will continue with The Ancient wash- houses , the fortress of Montesaffoli and the archaeological museum.
 San Gimignano is also well known for the wine Vernaccia di S an Gimignano , that has been mentioned for centuries throughout various official and scientific documents, literature etc. It's well merited fame derives from its quality and its appraisable characteristics. It seems that Dante Alighieri himself, while wondering among the gluttons of his Purgatory, happened upon Foreste Donati. (He indicates to Dante an old man (Pope Martino IV) who is paying the price for having stuffed himself with eels alla Vernaccia ….).
You will have a wine tasting in one of the wineries with light Lunch.
On the way back you will stop in Monteriggioni, another marvellous example of medieval towns. S een from a distance, the Castle of Monteriggioni with its walls and remaining towers takes you into the distant past, and gives an impression that time has come to a stand-still - both inside and outside of its walls. E ven though the inhabitants and their way of life has changed throughout the centuries, those that still choose to live in the castle today remain in touch with history and the old agricultural values, retaining the slow, natural rhythm of life.
The image of the fortification on the hill-top, a sentinel in the defence of the Republic of Siena, has continually inspired travellers. Because of its beauty and position, it has become a natural magnet for tourists: Porta Romea, Piazza Roma, Porta san Giovanni, Torre via Matteotti, Church of San Giovanni, S.M Assunta Church all these monuments will take you back in time.
Dinner in Villa.
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 Tuesday - COOKING CLASS IN VILLA
Breakfast and light lunch in villa.
Leisure time at your disposal.
Afternoon - Cooking class in villa during which you will prepare, with the help of the chef, your own dinner enjoying the flavour of typical dishes.
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Thursday - VOLTERRA
Breakfast in villa.
During this daily excursion We will show you one of the finest and lesser known hilltop towns tucked away in the heart of Tuscany. Volterra, only a short distance from Florence 72 kms, Siena 50 kms, Pisa 64 kms and S.Gimignano 29 kms. Is Idyllically set amidst an evocative landscape of soft rolling hills and lush woodland abruptly defined by barren ,deep clay walled chasms gullies and ravines, Volterra, 545 metres above sea level, dominates and divides the Cecina and Era valleys. A haven of Etruscan, Roman, Medieval and Rennaissance art and architecture Volterra and its territory is a perfect choice for intensive study programmes or a peaceful relaxing holiday.
Volterra is one of the town that shows, with archaeological evidences, that it has been favoured as a settlement since Neolithic age. First by the Etruscans, which gave form to one of the major Lucumons named Velhatri , then from the Romans who had changed its name to Volaterra. Subsequently in the middle ages and during the renaissance Volterra grew in prosperity that enhanced the religious life but also the social, economic and jurisdictional value of the city. At the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th agriculture and the alabaster trade began to thrive, the roads were improved and the urban centre elaborated.
Today tourism is gradually becoming one of the main economic resources, as Volterra is not only endowed with historical monuments that illustrate three thousand years of history but it also offers three extremely interesting museums The Guarnacci Museum, the Art Gallery and the Museum of Sacred Art.
Volterra still retains its medieval character, charm and atmosphere. It’s isolated position has impeded any progressive development. The defensive wall built in the 13th century was the result of an urban development that began in the year one thousand and was completed at the beginning of the 14th century. In the 5th century the city was reduced to a castrum which developed around the early church of Santa Maria (the cathedral) and the Pratus Episcopatus (Piazza dei Priori) and included the Piano di Castello, Porta all’Arco, via Roma, via Buonparenti, via dei Sarti and via di Sotto. Borgo di Santa Maria, the present via Ricciarelli and the Borgo dell’Abate (via Sarti) were beyond the castrum or castellum. The boundaries of the Prato were delimited by powerful groups of towers; the crux viarum of Buonparenti, Sant’Agnolo and Baldinotti. During the 13th century, the domus comunis (Palazzo dei Priori) was erected , the main square was defined and the height of the towers restrained. Behind the Palazzo dei Priori arose the religious square, the Piazza S.Giovanni which included the cathedral, the baptistery, la casa dell’Opera, the hospital of Santa Maria and the cemetery (the present via Turazza).
The medieval structure has remained almost unchanged throughout the centuries and is still circumscribed by the four main medieval peripheral districts of Borgo di S.Alessandro, looking over the Cecina valley; S, Lazzaro towards Florence and Siena; S.Stefano and S.Giusto. The latter, the farthest from the city, is near the Balze, dominated by the majestic church dedicated to the patron of the city , San Giusto. At the end of the 19th century the psychiatric hospital was built in the S.Lazzero area. Once an extensive complex it has recently been transformed into a hospital. In the same area of S.Lazzero there is also the old railway station opened in 1912 that connected the city to Saline. The visit finishes with trip to some alabaster workshops, typical stone of the area.
Dinner in villa. |
Friday - SIENA
Breakfast in villa.
Siena is, probably after Firenze, the richest Tuscan city for monuments and history. During this day tour you will have the possibility to visit many historical place that have contributed to it well known name not only for the “Palio” but also for its art which is as old as the antique Athens of Europe. The meeting with the tour guide/leader and departure for Siena will take place in the morning. Whilst walking towards the city, you will visit the la Basilica di San Domenico, the Palazzo del Magnifico and the Museo dell’Opera Metropolitana.
Lunch will be held at a typical restaurant in the historical centre where you can enjoy traditional dishes and a wine tasting. In the afternoon the tour will continue with the visit of Pinacoteca Nazionale followed by Piazza del Campo, famous for its shell form, it beautiful architecture and last but not least it famous Palio arena. Along the walls that act as boundaries for the square, dislocated are the main palaces that were used in the medieval era, such as the Duomo, the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia, which is high 102 meters, the second tallest tower in Italy. After visiting these three historical monuments you will have free time to go shopping.
Farewell dinner.
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 Saturday – DEPARTURE WITH PRIVATE TRANSFER
Breakfast and private transfer to Rome or Florence International Airport.
(On request private transfer also to other airports or final destination).
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Price List Per Person
| 12 people group |
From € 1.575,00 per person |
| 16 people group |
From € 1.430,00 per person |
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PRICE INCLUDES:
- Private transfer from airport to the villa by GT coach
- Private transfer from villa to airport by GT coach
- Bus or minibus at your disposal for your entire stay with private driver
- Tour leader at your disposal for your entire stay
- 7 breakfasts in villa
- 1 welcome drink and 1 welcome dinner
- 6 inhouse chef for lunch and dinner in villa as stated in the program
- 1 cooking lesson with dinner
- 1 farewell dinner
- 3 lunches in restaurant during excursions as stated in your program
- 2 wine tasting in wineries as stated in the program
- Accommodation in villa in double or twin bedrooms, respecting the typology of the villa
- Linen and towel change twice a week
- 4 hours of cleaning twice a week
- All taxes, VAT and fees
PRICE NOT INCLUDES:
All the extras, drinks and what is not stated above or is described as free.
Extra cleaning or extra linen, if required, should be paid directly to the owner at the villa as well as heating if necessary. |
Fill the form to receive more information or for a personalized estimate 
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Emerge in the Tuscan treasures to fill your treasury with arts, history and unforgettable culture, which will become a memorable part of this marvelous vacation. The Tuscan countryside offers much more than just the well known postcard scenery, come and check for yourselves!
Breakfast in villa.