Tuscany Villa Vacation

Itinerary

• Italy

  Italy is one of the most visited destinations in the world. It's top attractions include; Rome (Colosseum, Vatican City, PIazza Navona, Forum, Pantheon, Fountains of Trevi, Spanish Steps), Florence (Duomo, Old City, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi), and Venice (Grand Canal, Doge's Palace, St. Marks Square). But there is much more to discover outside these heavily travelled spots.  Tuscany and Umbria with its wine, food and hilltowns (Sienna, San Gimignano, Orvietto, Spoleto), the dazzling Amalfi Coast (Positano, Capri, Sorrento), Siciliy with its old words ways, the urbane Milan and nearby Lake Como, the Italian Riviera... and more.  One important piece of advice, the soul of Italy is in its small towns, so be sure to get outside the big cities and into the country. That is where you will find the magic.

• Siena

  The Tuscan city of Siena is one of the most lovely in Italy. Though abundant with Renaissance palazzi, churches and museums, the city is compact by any standards. The focal point of the town is the Piazza del Campo. Surrounded by elegant public buildings, it's the perfect starting point for seeing the city's myriad attractions. Nearby, the cathedral sits in its own square, the elaborate façade just a teaser for the grandiose interior. When you need a rest from pacing the streets, you'll find plenty of restaurants serving delicious Tuscan fare and numerous pavement cafés where you could spend hours sipping cappuccinos and watching the world go by.

• • Siena
  • Tuscany Villa

  Day 1: Florence - Siena

  A welcome package with your itinerary, vouchers, a city map, train tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.

  Enjoy a private transfer from Florence airport to Siena by private vehicle and driver.

  Accommodation: Premium Villa (2 bedroomed)

  Choose from a selection of premium villas in Tuscany. Our portfolio of villas are chosen for their high standards, exclusivity criteria, and quality. Extra care is taken to ensure that all properties are located in key areas with access to a wide range services and facilities, including sightseeing opportunities, gourmet and healthy dining, as well as sport and other leisure activities. Whether you want to rent a residence in a medieval hamlet or a private villa in the heart of the Chianti wine region, we will ensure that you have the property best suited to your needs. Amenities vary from villa to villa but typically include such things as satellite TV, dial-up Internet, stereo/CD, alarm system, safe, screens, ceiling fans in all bedrooms, dishwasher, washing machine, reserved parking, private swimming pool and/or tennis court on estate, and a private garden. Villas typically range from 2 to 6 bedrooms.

• • Main Square - Siena

  Day 2: Siena

  Enjoy a half day walking tour with your private local guide. You will be met at your hotel and proceed on foot to view the top sights. Discover the most unusual and unforgettable aspects of Siena, including the Cathedral Crypt. See the city's monuments and hidden alleyways, which all give a true insight into Sienese Life. The tour starts from the Campo Square, following the pilgrims, wayfarers, artists, merchants and saint's and the traces they left behind in courtyards, fine old churches and forgotten frescoes. The tour will end with the 13th century frescoes in the Cathedral Crypt.

  Accommodation: Premium Villa (2 bedroomed)
• • Brunello di Montalcino vines

  Day 3: Siena

  Enjoy a 5 hour private tour focusing on two hilltop jewels of wine: Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. The Brunello, a rich, robust pure Sangiovese, is one of the handfuls of DOCG wines hunted by wine collectors for its depth of flavor and potential to age for decades. In nearby Montepulciano, the Vino Nobile has been praised by popes and princes alike for centuries for its elegance and "noble" structure. The tour will start in the first of the two wineries. Before the tasting, you will enjoy a tour of the entire vineyard including a stroll through the vines continuing on to the cellar where you will be shown the various stages of wine production - fermentation, maturation and aging. The wine tasting is usually accompanied by typical Tuscan dishes and guided by the owners/winemakers. The second winery, although still adhering to the strict guidelines imposed by the region, always differs from the first in its style and methods of production, allowing you to experience and to compare the contrasting characteristics of the two wineries that reflect the strategy and the personality of the wine makers. (Includes a visit with wine tasting and lunch in a Top Quality winery in Montalcino, and a visit and wine tasting in a quality winery in Montepulciano).

  Accommodation: Premium Villa (2 bedroomed)
• • Italian butcher shop

  Day 4: Siena

  Explore the area of Siena at leisure. Visit the local shops and market for fresh produce and wine. Fill your arms with fresh bread, household goods, flowers, fresh fruit, and vegetables before returning to your accommodation. Siena is filled with one of a kind boutiques and shops at every corner, but you'll want to stroll along three main pedestrian streets for sure: Via di Citta, Banchi di Sopra and Via Dei Montanini. Styles range from trendy to classic. You'll find a gelateria, pizza shop or bar between every few shops , so you can stop for gelato breaks between browsing. Simply window shopping in Siena can be enjoyable, indeed, the locals can often be seen strolling along the main streets, admiring the window displays and designs.

  Accommodation: Premium Villa (2 bedroomed)
• • Arezzo Piazza

  Day 5: Siena

  Enjoy having a chauffeur driven vehicle and English speaking driver at your disposal for the day (8 hrs and max. of 100 km). There are many places of interest to visit in the area including Florence and it's wonderful Uffizi gallery and Academia as well as it's many bridges and squares, the town of Perugia, known for it's chocolate, Assisi, with it's interesting architecture and pleasant cityscape, Arezzo with it's sloping main square and pedestrianised shopping street and all of the hilltop towns in Chianti. You can arrange what you would like to do in advance and let your Sales Advisor know, or simply let your driver know on the day as to what you would like to do.

  Accommodation: Premium Villa (2 bedroomed)
• • Sample of villa garden

  Day 6: Siena

  Enjoy the comforts of your Villa today. Relax by the pool side (if relevant) or hike in the local hills. Have a private chef prepare for a beautiful dinner looking out at the Tuscan Hills (not included) and leave the cleaning up to the hired staff. Relax while you read a good book and enjoy a glass of local wine under the Tuscan sun.

  Accommodation: Premium Villa (2 bedroomed)
• • San Gimignano

  Day 7: Siena

  You will be guided in the discovery of the marvellous unspoilt landscapes that have been cradling the Chianti vineyards for centuries, unravelling before your eyes in a harmony of colours that only the hills of this region can give you. Visit ancient churches, medieval castles and little hamlets where the pace of life has remained unchanged over the course of time. Explore the fantastic settings and soak in their ancient traditions. The tour then continues to San Gimignano, a medieval town that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. San Gimignano, distinguished by its world famous, characteristic towered skyline, stands along the via Francigena on the hills of upper Val D’Elsa. The town is also famous for its wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, saffron and the precious Santa Fina pottery. Your guide will accompany you to every corner of the town characterised by beautiful squares, buildings, churches and suggestive alleyways. Guided tour of a wine estate with sampling of wines, bruschettas, sliced cold meats and salami included.

  Accommodation: Premium Villa (2 bedroomed)
• • Florence skyline

  Day 8: Florence

  Airport transfer with private vehicle and English speaking driver. (Extra surcharge will be applied if after 8pm or before 7am).

  Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport)

Accommodation

• Culinary Delights

  Florence cuisine arose from the peasant fare of the surrounding countryside. Characterized by rustic dishes created with fresh ingredients and simple preparations, Tuscan food ranks among the world's best. A highlight in the summer is an Insalata Caprese all Bufala, a tomato and mozzarella salad prepared with fresh cheese made from Buffalo.  The original creamy textured Mozarella di Bufala originated in Southern Italy, however several local artisanal cheese-makers have perfected the art and it is truly a national delicacy.  Served with fresh tomatoes, basil and a drizzle of the local olive oil, or simply with a chunk of Fresh Tuscan bread or a slice of Prosciutto, few taste sensations can beat this one.

• Pampered Indulgence

  There are various theories as to the origin of the name Chianti. The most popular has it that the word derives from the Latin clangor, meaning the cry of a bird or a high pitched note from a trumpet, and that this alludes to the wild and uncultivated countryside of the area, fit for hunting rather than agriculture. Another far more mundane theory ascribes the name to an Etruscan family of the area, or perhaps a winegrower from the hills above Florence. In any event, the Chianti region, home to both traditional style Chiantis and the rebellious "Super Tuscans", is producing some of the finest wine in its history as a result of ever higher standards coupled with some wonderful vintages.

• Culinary Delights

  Florence cuisine arose from the peasant fare of the surrounding countryside. Characterized by rustic dishes created with fresh ingredients and simple preparations, Tuscan food ranks among the world's best. A highlight in the summer is an Insalata Caprese all Bufala, a tomato and mozzarella salad prepared with fresh cheese made from Buffalo.  The original creamy textured Mozzarella di Bufala originated in Southern Italy, however several local artisanal cheese-makers have perfected the art and it is truly a national delicacy.  Served with fresh tomatoes, basil and a drizzle of the local olive oil, or simply with a chunk of Fresh Tuscan bread or a slice of Prosciutto, few taste sensations can beat this one.

• • Tuscany Villa
  • Tuscany Villa

  Premium Villa (2 bedroomed)

  Choose from a selection of premium villas in Tuscany. Our portfolio of villas are chosen for their high standards, exclusivity criteria, and quality. Extra care is taken to ensure that all properties are located in key areas with access to a wide range services and facilities, including sightseeing opportunities, gourmet and healthy dining, as well as sport and other leisure activities. Whether you want to rent a residence in a medieval hamlet or a private villa in the heart of the Chianti wine region, we will ensure that you have the property best suited to your needs. Amenities vary from villa to villa but typically include such things as satellite TV, dial-up Internet, stereo/CD, alarm system, safe, screens, ceiling fans in all bedrooms, dishwasher, washing machine, reserved parking, private swimming pool and/or tennis court on estate, and a private garden. Villas typically range from 2 to 6 bedrooms.

  • More information

The Fine Print

• Trip Operator

  Horizon & Co. (founded in 1963), is a privately-owned leading boutique travel company. Horizon designs and stages authentic and deeply personal travel experiences that are carefully choreographed to induce a life-long memory. In addition to offering published trips on seven continents, Horizon builds private custom trips for discerning individuals and small groups.

• Contact Information

  Horizon & Co.
  Tel: 1-800-387-2977
  Email: admin@horizon-co.com
  Web: www.horizon-co.com

• What's Included:

  • Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

• What's not Included:

  • Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

• Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.horizon-co.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.

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