Italy | Discover Southern Tuscany
A rich and relaxing tour for those who want to see the best of Tuscany. Stay in beautiful Pienza, location for films such as the "English Patient". Explore the medieval towns of Siena and San Gimignano, visit gardens, wine cellars and local markets. Become an artist for the day. Enjoy a final night in the hilltop town of Cortona, setting for the book and film "Under the Tuscan Sun".
| Duration: | 8 Days |
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| Tour Code: | ITW469 |
| Trip Style: | Moderate - 3 star |
| Departure Dates: | 15 Apr 2012, 21 Oct 2012 |
| Price: | $2,850 |
| Single Supplement: | $250 |
| Places you'll visit: |
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Ideal for Solo Travellers
This tour is suitable for solo travellers with an interest in art and history, as you will be sharing the experience with like minded people. There are only 8 participants so it is an intimate tour and guided by Ugo or Barbara. If you wish to share a room we can try to match you with a person of the same gender. Otherwise, the single supplement is reasonably priced.
Trip Details
GROUP SIZE: 8 max.
DAY 1 Sunday - Arrive Chiusi & transfer to Pienza (D)
You will be met at Chiusi, a major stop on the main Italian North/South Railway Line. Transfer to your accommodation in the centre of Pienza, and make this historic town your own for a week. Perhaps take a relaxing walk along the high town walls looking over the great Val d'Orcia and the beautiful Mont Amiata beyond. Discover the exquisite Cathedral in its charming little square, the Palazzo Piccolomini and familiarise yourself with the range of shops specializing in linens, antiques, wrought iron and artisan crafts. This tiny early Renaissance town was created for Pope Pius II by famous architect Bernardo Rossellino and is also known for its Pecorino cheese, made from the milk of sheep which graze on the local herb-scented grasses. After meeting your fellow travellers, enjoy a welcome dinner in a characteristic restaurant. Accommodation: Pienza.
DAY 2 Monday - Pienza, San Gimignano, Siena (B, D)
Awake to bells. Siena calls. We travel through the famous ‘crete' country with its stretches of rolling clay hills, cypress pines and white gravel roads. Photo stop anyone? This morning we visit the ‘town of towers' San Gimignano. Its remaining fourteen towers (once there were seventy-two) are silhouetted against the horizon. They were built to boast the power and wealth of rival medieval families and as we walk beneath them it is easy to imagine life as it once was here. You may wish to climb one of these impressive towers or visit the Collegiata (Cathedral) with its series of important frescoes and chapels. This town has a vibrant artisan community. Stroll through the town and in the evocative Piazza della Cisterna enjoy one of Sergio Dondoli's award-winning gelatos.
This afternoon we travel on to Siena and join a local guide for a tour of this beautiful rose-gold city which is totally Medieval Gothic in character, visiting the fabulous square ‘Il Campo' where an ancient bareback horse race runs twice a year, its extraordinary Cathedral and other sights. Siena is protected under international agreements as a unique town and offers some wonderful shopping opportunities. Pizza dinner on the Campo. Accommodation: Pienza.
DAY 3 Tuesday - Frescoes, Gardens & Art Lesson (B, D)
We take the scenic road to the ancient and most unusual monastery Monte Oliveto Maggiore, set in an extraordinary landscape in the Tuscan ‘crete', the clay hills. Monte Oliveto is still run by the Benedictine order that produce wines, herbal oils and restore antique books. A particular feature of the monastery is a series of beautiful frescoes tracing the life and miracles of San Benedetto. The frescoes were painted by Luca Signorelli and Giovanni Bazzi better known as ‘Sodoma'. Afterwards we will visit La Ragnaia, a very interesting forest garden which is being created by artist Sheppard Craige, with a mix of the traditional Italianate garden overlaid with Zen concepts.
This afternoon we visit a tiny hilltop village to visit a local artist in her studio. As an experienced teacher, this artist will then take you through the steps of creating your own masterpiece. Everyone welcome. Dinner in the village. Accommodation: Pienza.
DAY 4 Wednesday - Montalcino, Abbey of St Antimo, Bagno Vignoni (B, L)
We drive the beautiful road from Pienza to the picturesque abbey, St Antimo where monks still worship using the Gregorian chant. Then move to the hilltop town of Montalcino, famous for its Brunello wines and ‘La Rocca', an ancient fortress, which dominates the entrance to the town. After a light lunch including a tasting of the famous local wines, we travel the Cassia, originally one of the old Roman roads to the tiny spa town of Bagno Vignoni. From Etruscan times people have loved to bathe in its healing waters. The ancient pool used by Caterina di Siena and Lorenzo il Magnifico, is still there and has been the location for many films. Enjoy a late afternoon aperitif before returning to Pienza. Evening free. Accommodation: Pienza.
DAY 5 Thursday - Montepulciano Market Day (B, L)
It's Market Day in Montepulciano, the highest hilltop town of the region. Your chance to rub shoulders with local housewives as they choose their weekly provisions. You may wish to shop for a picnic to eat whilst watching the sunset from the town walls in Pienza. Montepulciano has an impressive Cathedral square and you may like to visit some of the ancient cellars with their traditional barrels.
A winetasting lunch at the Gattavecchi (Old Cat) winery will give you an opportunity to taste some of the famous Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. The town is also famous for its craft and linen shops, so it will be a joy to wander down the narrow streets choosing something special to take home. You shouldn't miss the charming Art-Deco Caffe Poliziano which serves some exquisite cakes and pastries. Enjoy the splendid view over the valley and the lakes of Chiusi and Montepulciano. Evening free. Accommodation: Pienza.
DAY 6 Friday - Farmhouse Cooking Lesson (B, L)
Today we really get to know the locals. After a slow start we take the back roads to an old farm near the tiny village of Petroio where we put on the aprons and learn the secrets of ‘pici', a local hand-made pasta. At lunch we enjoy the results of our own work ‘pici con aglione' and other specialities. There will be time to explore the farmhouse, its cellar, ancient stables and surrounding vineyards and olive groves. Nearby Petroio is known as ‘the capital of Terracotta', so after lunch we visit the village and its lovely little terracotta museum celebrating past and current workers of this ancient craft. Evening free. Accommodation: Pienza.
DAY 7 Saturday - Cortona - "Under the Tuscan Sun" (B, D)
We leave the peace of the Tuscan countryside and travel to the famous little town of Cortona. More recently subject of Frances Mayes "Under the Tuscan Sun", Cortona is an absolute jewel of a hilltop town, Etruscan in origin, with one of Italy's best views from its walls. The town has an excellent Etruscan museum which is well worth a visit. It is also the birthplace the famous Tuscan artist Luca Signorelli whose paintings are among other famous works in the small museum that you may also wish to visit. We recommend you don't miss "The Annunciation" of Beato Angelico.
Cortona offers excellent shopping opportunities with a range of jewellery including antiques and exquisite replicas of Etruscan pieces, fabrics and craftwork. It is particularly famous for its antique shops and specialises in the restoration of antique furniture. This evening we enjoy a delicious farewell dinner. Accommodation: Cortona.
DAY 8 Sunday - Farewell (B)
Transfer to Terontola railway station, a major stop on the North/South railway line.
YOUR HOSTS
Ugo Mariotti
A Tuscan himself, Ugo worked as a film producer/director, graduating from the London Film School. After his return to Rome to work on documentaries for RAI Television and the wonderful "spaghetti westerns" of Cinecittà, he established Eldorado Films. Among the company's work was the co-production of Nicholas Roeg's Don't Look Now, a feature film shot in Venice with Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie. Ugo then moved to Australia where he worked for SBS Television and wrote film scripts including the award-winning Johnno, based on a book by the Australian author David Malouf. Still a Tuscan at heart, he has returned to Italy where he lives and works at Trove, the Mariotti farm. Ugo loves good food, history, hiking, horseriding and is a qualified tourist guide.
Barbara Mariotti
Originally from Queensland, Barbara always loved travelling and left Australia to do just that. She returned home with film-maker husband Ugo, working for many years at SBS as a producer of award-winning television drama and documentary. In her spare time she continued to go horseriding, hiking and travelling with regular visits to her second home Tuscany, where she now lives on the Mariotti farm growing olives and grapes. Barbara is a qualified tourist guide who enjoys sharing Tuscany with other travellers. Both she and Ugo are bi-lingual.
Inclusions
- Fully guided each day by Ugo or Barbara Mariotti
- Transfers in private air-conditioned vehicle
- Accommodation in pensione & hotels with private facilities
- Meals with wine as indicated in the itinerary (B)=breakfast (L)=lunch (D)=dinner
- Farmhouse cooking lesson with lunch and wine included
- Entries as indicated in the itinerary
What's Not Included
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
Terms & Conditions
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For more information, availability and pricing and options, please contact our expert travel specialists at Inspired Travel Worldwide on (02) 9449 8598 or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.
