Location: centrally-located; one hour from each: Florence, Siena and Pisa. 5-star villa. 9 bedrooms with ensuite baths. Comfortable and beautifully appointed social spaces, chef’s kitchen, heated pool. Nestled in the rolling Tuscan hills.
TUSCANY FOOD & WINE TOUR
San Gimignano / Chianti / Florence / Siena / Pisa / Lucca
October 11- 18, 2025
ACCOMMODATIONS: VILLA MONTIGNOSO
IN THE VILLAGE OF GAMBASSI TERME
DAY-BY-DAY-ITINERARY
EXCLUSIVE PROGRAM INCLUDES:
DAY 1 - Saturday, October 11: ARRIVALS
Group transfers together from Florence Airport to our villa in Gambassi Terme. Welcome dinner will be presented by a local chef; balance of evening to settle in and relax.
DAY 2 - Sunday, October 12: SAN GIMIGNANO
Continental breakfast in home; day spent in nearby villages to collect supplies. We’ll make lunch and have an afternoon rest. The evening is reserved for a private pasta class and dinner with Chef Sarah Fioroni at Fattoria Poggio Alloro.
DAY 3 - Monday, October 13: SIENA
Continental breakfast in home; morning departure for Siena. Meet our friend and guide Dario Castagno, who will offer a unique look at the culture that defines Siena! Enjoy an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the Caterpillar contrade, one of the 17 who compete in the 500-year-old spectacle: Palio di Siena. After, we will enjoy a wonderful lunch and then will take part in a walking tour of Siena.
DAY 4 - Tuesday, October 14: CASTELLINA IN CHIANTI / MONTERIGGIONI
Continental breakfast in home. Meet our friends Piero Dodino and Elena Boscherini who will guide us on a scenic ride through the gorgeous Tuscan countryside and small medieval villages; highlights of wine education and tasting at the best local wineries. Delicious Tuscan-style lunch will be served at an organic farm. We visit to the walled village of Monteriggioni and an extravagant wine tasting experience with winemaker, Alessandro Gricciolli at Cantinetta di Monteriggioni.
DAY 5 - Wednesday, October 15: FLORENCE
Continental breakfast in home; van transport to Florence. Tour the Mercato Centrale and take part in a hands-on, 3-course lunch cooking class. After, we explore the center of the Italian Renaissance and meet for aperitivos as the sun sets on the Arno River. An opera performance at St. Mark’s Church rounds out this spectacular day.
DAY 6 - Thursday, October 16: SAN GIMIGNANO
Continental breakfast in home. We will make our way to San Gimignano for the popular market day. Lunch will be on your own, followed by a visit to and tastings at the Vernaccia di San Gimignano Wine Museum, showcasing the region’s famous wine, Vernaccia. In the afternooon, we will take part in a gelato class at the World Famous Gelateria Dondoli under the guidance of owner / master gelato maker, Sergio Dondoli. The evening will be at the villa, eating, drinking, relaxing.
DAY 7 - Friday, October 17: PISA / LUCCA
Continental breakfast in home. We travel to Pisa, to explore hidden lanes and secret gems, seek out the highlights of the city’s four main districts, and learn about Pisan history and culture: Piazza dei Cavalieri, River Arno, and other famous spots, and finish by admiring Pisa Cathedral and the Leaning Tower. After lunch, we will move on to Lucca for a casual tour of this well-preserved Renaissance city, including a visit to Casa di Puccini. Dinner in Lucca before returning home to pack for departure.
DAY 8 - Saturday, October 18: DEPARTURE / TRAVEL DAY
Continental breakfast at home. Transfers to Florence airport. Departure from Florence to wherever your travels may take you!
Airfare
Guests to purchase own airfare using miles and preferred class and upgrades. Flight and arrival times will be coordinated. Group transfers from Florence airport to our villa in Gambassi Terme. Guests are free to arrive earlier or stay longer than the published itinerary, but are responsible to meet the group at stated times.
Travel Insurance
TRAVEL INSURANCE IS MANDATORY.
Epicurean Exchange Culinary Travel, in a effort to make travel with us thorough and stress-free, is partnering with Yonder Travel Insurance, a travel insurance comparison website where you can get quotes and compare travel insurance options from the nation’s top providers. Most travel insurance policies cover trip cancellation, emergency medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation and other travel loss/delay headaches.
Every travel insurance policy has a 24/7 emergency assistance number for medical and travel emergencies that may occur during the trip. Travel insurance brings extra peace of mind while you’re abroad!
Ground Costs Included
• Transfers from Florence airport to Gambassi Terme at the beginning of the tour, and return to Florence airport (or the transportation mode of choice) at the conclusion of the tour
• Transportation available throughout the tour
• 7 nights lodgings in luxury accommodations
• Private dinners in specially-selected restaurants, beverages included (except where indicated)
• 3 private cooking classes with meals prepared
• 2 private wine tours and tastings in exclusive wineries
• Professional, local guides with knowledge of the secrets and stories of the region
• Epicurean Exchange Culinary Travel custom apron for cooking classes
Ground Costs Not Included
• Round trip airfare
• Cancellation insurance
• Personal expenses and tips
• Everything not clearly included in the section “Ground Costs Included”
Inclusive Tour Ground Cost (per person, double occupancy): $4295.00; Single Supplement: $795.00
Deposit Due (per person) to Secure Reservation: $2150.00
Balance Due (per person), on or before July 13, 2025: $2145.00
Balance Due for Single Travelers (to include the supplement) on or before July 13, 2025: $2940.00
Payments: Cash or checks, payable to Epicurean Exchange, accepted. Electronic invoices available for credit / debit card payments.
Cancellation Policy: We are willing to work with all our guests should situations arise that require guests to cancel plans with us. Please understand we have guidelines to ensure that both the operator and our guests are treated fairly. With that, travel insurance is MANDATORY, to reimburse you should cancellation be necessary. Epicurean Exchange reserves the right to cancel a tour due to low enrollment or other circumstances which would make the trip non-viable. Deposits and balances paid will be refunded if the trip is canceled by the operator. Travelers can cancel up to 60 days prior to departure and receive a full refund of their deposit. Understand that as a small, boutique operator, even one last-minute cancellation can be an issue for the operator and other travelers. Therefore, after deposits and tour balances are received (60 days or less prior to departure) they are non-refundable. Travelers have the option to recruit another traveler to take their place or file with their insurance carrier to recover costs of the trip.