Overview

Tuscany is a charmed land, equally blessed by the genius of man and nature, and often by the combined efforts of both. Think of the vineyards: rows of baby green vines that manage somehow to march in arrow-straight formation up the gently rolling hillsides, bounded by single files of darker green cypress trees, snaking sandy roads leading to rust-colored farmhouses and moss-coated castles, symmetrically rounded hilltops surmounted by towns so homogeneous as to seem one single building.

Every inch of land has been sculpted, first by the elements and then by generations of inhabitants whose goals were always twofold: make the land produce as much as possible, make the land as beautiful as possible. Tuscany enchants us today because it holds together as a region, from the tiniest hamlet to Florence the Magnificent. For the living proof, take a short walk one day along the sides of the Belvedere in Florence: you will leave behind the traffic and suddenly find yourself strolling down quiet lanes bounded by tall stone walls, cypress trees and creamy-colored villas. You could be anywhere in Tuscany, and we dare you not to fantasize about living here.

Here is a sample day in an itinerary that we developed to explore the food and wine treasures of this land...

Typical Day Itinerary

Morning

• A great Breakfast in the hotels private garden
  Our very own secret garden in the very centre of Rome.

Late Morning

• Guided Market Visit
  The whole San Lorenzo area of Florence is great for all sorts of shopping from ties, leather goods and tacky t-shirts!

  The large square building is the Mercato Centrale and is on two floors. Much of the downstairs is devoted to meat, cheese and general food shops, upstairs is mostly fruit and veg.

  Anything and everything is up for grabs and you will be guided through the various stalls in a bid to pick the ingredients for our cooking class.

• Cooking Class with Sharon Oddson Gargani
  Sharon Oddson Gargani is a partner of Trattoria Garga and proprietor of La Cucina del Garga cooking school. She lives in Florence, and will show you some of the most incredible recipes from the comfort of her private studio.

Lunch

• For Lunch we enjoy the fruits of our labour!
  

Afternoon

• Free Time to shop and enjoy the town centre with an optional guided cultural tour.
  Today's cultural option will take an indepth view of the Duomo complex:
  Giotto's bell tower, the Baptistery with its bronze doors including the famous Porta del Paradiso and then visit the interior of the Cathedral with the magnificent Cupola del Brunelleschi.

Evening

• Private wine tasting int he excellent SeiDivino
  A chance to understand some of the finer points of Tuscan Wine with a professional sommelier
• Dinner at the excellent “Cantinetta Antinori”
  Located in an atmospheric 15th century palazzo, Cantinetta Antinori has a great Tuscan wine selection. The fresh produce and meats come from the restaurant's own farms.

Overnight

• Gallery Hotel Art
  This hotel is devoted to the expression of art. Rooms are light and spacious, with large bright windows that frame the stunning views of the Ponte Vecchio and Florence’s medieval rooftops. Exhibitions of contemporary art and photography are held in the Lobby, Library and the Fusion Bar, making this one of the city’s hottest meeting points. Gallery Hotel Art is part of the 'Lungarno Hotels', which comprises four luxury properties set along a picturesque stretch of the River Arno in Florence. Part of the Salvatore Ferragamo Group, 'Lungarno Hotels' is a logical extension of the luxury brand that has influenced Italian fashion for nearly 80 years. The four properties are within walking distance of each other, and you immediately feel as if you are a guest of all of them. Their central location, with breathtaking views of the spectacular Ponte Vecchio bridge, mean that you are just moments away from the city’s major attractions, including the Vasarian Corridor, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Piazza della Signoria.