Enjoy 8 days in the regions of Umbria and Tuscany with this off the beaten path tour for individual travelers who are looking for a once in a lifetime vacation in Italy.
This tour can be done using a rental car (gps available) or, for the most exclusive experience using a private driver.
Stay only in small boutique hotels and enjoy wine tastings, cooking classes and special dinners.

DAY 1: ROME - BETONA – (UMBRIA)

Arrival in Rome. Meet your private driver and departure for Umbria Region (you will have the same driver during the whole trip).
Arrival in Bettona, lovely medieval village in the heart of the region. Accommodation in your room and welcome dinner in the characteristic restaurant of the Relais. Overnight stay.

DAY 2: TORGIANO – DERUTA – PERUGIA – (UMBRIA)

After breakfast depart for the hilltop town of Torgiano, not far from Bettona to visit at leisure the Wine Museum that will delight both the connoisseur as well as the merely curious.
You’ll have the chance to taste the singular wines of Umbria’s most illustrious wine house Cantine Giorgio Lungarotti that lies just outside Torgiano.
The rest of the afternoon can be spent in Deruta, renown for its beautiful ceramic and pottery. Here we suggest you to visit the National Museum of the Pottery, located just in the village center.
You will also have time to a stop to Perugia, elegant town rich in important monuments and renown for its production of Chocolate (the world famous “Bacio” candy was born here). Dinner on your own and overnight stay.

DAY 3: MONTEFALCO – ASSISI – (UMBRIA)

After breakfast departure for Montefalco, gorgeous medieval town called “the terrace of Umbria” for its incredible panoramic location.
Here you will visit an ancient olive oil mill run by a nice woman and her family, for a tasting of traditional local food and olive oil. Typical Italian snacks will be served.
The rest of the day is dedicated to visiting Assisi at your leisure. Dinner on your own. Back to the Hotel and overnight stay.

DAY 4: MONTEPULCIANO – PIENZA – SIENA – (UMBRIA/TUSCANY)

After breakfast departure for Tuscany. First stop at the Renaissance town of Montepulciano. The town is the birthplace of the humanist poet Poliziano and host to works of some of Italy’s greatest architects.
Quench your thirst with a bit of wine with a tasting and tour with snacks in an ancient wine cellar in the city center. Lunch at leisure.
In the afternoon you will have the chance to stop in the lovely town of Pienza and take your time to get lost in the narrow and characteristic streets of the town, which names as “la Via dell’Amore”, are so romantic.
Arrival in your Hotel in Siena area. Dinner on you own and overnight stay.

DAY 5: COOKING CLASS - S. GIMIGNANO – (TUSCANY)

After breakfast at the Hotel drive into the Sienese countryside to attend a cooking class in a farmhouse.
You’ll learn the principle secrets of Italian cuisine, such as the art of making delicious pasta. Enjoy for lunch what you created during the cooking class.
The reminder of the afternoon can be spent in San Gimignano, wandering among the towers and shops of this timeless medieval town.
Dinner on your own in San Gimignano. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 6: CHIANTI – SIENA (TUSCANY)

After breakfast departure for the Chianti region, located between Siena and Florence known around the world for fine wines.
Enjoy a bit of culture with a tour of a winery, complete with wine tasting.
In the afternoon you’ll have chance to wander the medieval streets of Siena and have time for shopping and relax.
Dinner on your own and overnight stay.

DAY 7: MONTALCINO – (TUSCANY)

After breakfast departure for Montalcino, where you will enjoy a winery tour and tasting in a Brunello wine estate.
Lunch in a central trattoria and the afternoon, we suggest you a visit to the intimate 11 century Romanesque church of St. Antimo.
Returning back to Siena, have a stop to the impressive Benedictine Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, one of the finest holy places of Tuscany region.
Dinner on your own and overnight stay.

DAY 8: FLORENCE – ITALY/USA

After breakfast you will drop off the rental car at the airport in Florence for your flight home or to the train station to continue your stay in Italy.
If you choose to the private driver option, your driver will take you to the airport in Florence.

Tour includes:

- 3 nights 1 HB + 2 b&b accommodation in Umbria
- 4 nights b&b accommodation in Tuscany
- Wine tasting at Lungarotti in Torgiano
- Light lunch at a traditional olive oil mill in Montefalco
- Visit and wine tasting in an ancient cellar in Montepulciano
- Visit and wine tasting in a traditional cellar in Montalcino
- Visit and wine tasting in a cellar in Chianti
- Lunch in a local “trattoria” in Montalcino
- 3 hour cooking class in a villa with lunch and drinks included
- Romantica Tours 24/7 personal assistance

Notes:

THE HOTELS:
3 STARS:
HOTEL PALAZZO BRUNAMONTI – BEVAGNA (UMBRIA) – www.brunamonti.com – or similar

SANGALLO PARKHOTEL – SIENA (TUSCANY) – www.sangalloparkhotel.it – or similar

4 STARS:
RELAIS LA CORTE DI BETTONA – BETTONA (UMBRIA) – www.wel.it/hcortedibettona.it – or similar

IL PICCOLO CASTELLO – MONTERIGGIONI (TUSCANY) – www.ilpiccolocastello.com - or similar

PLEASE NOTE:
The cooking lesson won’t have place on Wednesday because the school in closed, so we will change the order of the visits to guarantee this service.

During the month of August many wine estates in Umbria and Tuscany, are closed for holidays so it is very difficult to realize this itinerary in that period

A complete and simple road map will be provided if you choose the self drive option. Local assistance will be available at any time to assist you suring your trip.