Mindful Adventures: Under the Tuscan Sun

Morning yoga and/or Mindfulness workshop before breakfast. 

Then it’s off to the town of Arezzo (made famous by the movie “Life is Beautiful” by Roberto Benigni) to explore. Even though the medieval center was destroyed during World War II, Arezzo still has a beautiful piazza and many historical buildings and churches as well as a Roman Amphitheater and the remains of a fortress.

After some free time for lunch, shopping and exploring,  we’ll visit a stunning villa, learn its history and have a delicious wine tasting. 

Dinner including local wines, served in the comfort of our villa. (B,  D)

​​This morning our private driver will transfer us to Florence – the birthplace of the Renaissance.

Upon our arrival you’ll enjoy a private “Introduction to Florence” walking tour. On this 3-hour tour, we’ll be hitting all of the highlights while learning about the mystery, seduction, and history of Florence, which includes the Renaissance, its important noble families, and famous artists.

We’ll uncover the many secrets and treasures found within the historical walls as this tour lays out the foundation of what made Florence the fascinating city it is today.

Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing or exploring this magnificent city on your own.

Dinner tonight at our villa. (B, D)

After breakfast, we’ll depart to the Chianti region – an area of Tuscany made famous by the red wine of the same name.

This is a beautiful region of terra-cotta-roofed towns and winding roads, leading through groves of olive trees, with cypress and endless vineyards stitching sun-dappled rolling hillsides – this is wine country.

We’ll visit some quaint villages, have lunch on a local farm and sample some wine. What else would you do in Chianti? And since we are in Italy, we’ll stop for some famous gelato!

Dinner at our villa with local wines. (B, L, D)

After a leisurely breakfast at our accommodations, we will head off to a former medieval castle to meet our local chef instructor who will guide us through our half-day cooking lesson.

Roll-up your sleeves for a hands-on cooking class where you will be learning to prepare a full multi-course traditional Tuscan meal:  From appetizer, to pasta, main course (secondi or meat), and finally, dessert. At the end of the class we’ll sit down to lunch and taste all the delicious food we have created, paired with the wines of the estate in a unique and fun wine-tasting that we will enjoy in the atmosphere of their aging cellar.

Afternoon guided meditation

Dinner with local wines at our villa. (B, L, D)

This morning, start the day with a ‘Healing Hands Restorative Yoga‘ Session.

After, we’ll head out to another area of Tuscany to see how the day unfolds!  Lunch will be included.

Dinner tonight at our villa. (B, L, D)

(B, D)

Begin the day with breakfast and a one hour Morning Mindfulness Workshop.

Then we’ll meet our private driver for our departure to Cortona.

Cortona, which has its roots in Etruscan history, is a quiet and romantic town nestled in the beautiful hills of the Val di Chiana in the province of Arezzo. It was made famous by Frances Mayes’ book & movie “Under the Tuscan Sun”. Enjoy some time on your own to explore and have lunch – perhaps in one of its lively piazze. Then we’ll head off into the countryside for a lovely wine tasting.

Dinner tonight at our villa. (B, D)

After a leisurely breakfast, we’re going to head out to an area of Tuscany that is off-the-beaten path. We’ll visit an ancient olive oil mill that has been in the same family since the 15th century.  We’ll enjoy a tour, tasting & lunch. Here you will see that they still crush the olives with an old stone wheel.

After our visit, we will stop at a nearby small medieval village where it looks as if time has stood still.   Enjoy some free time where you can shop, visit local artisans, take advantage of the hundreds of photo-ops or enjoy an apertivo in the piazza.

Final goodbye dinner tonight at our villa. (B, L, D)

Today after our breakfast, we will depart for a tour of two of Tuscany’s most famous towns: Montepulciano & Pienza, set in the Val d’Orcia – what many view as the “quintessential” Tuscany.

We’ll first stop in Pienza, famous for its Pecorino cheese, and have a tasting.

After lunch, it’s off to the steeply sloped town of Montepulciano where you can wander the streets, stop at shops, churches and town squares, as well as visit an enoteca to tour their ancient cellars and have a wine tasting.

Head back to the villa and relax before dinner. (B, L, D)

We’ll board our vans and depart for the Rome Airport (FCO).

Bid Arrivederci to Italy!

Optional: 4 Day /3 Night Rome Add-on Tour

April 19 – 22: Guests have the option of continuing their tour of Italy by adding a four day/ three night tour of Rome.

Highlights:

• Private tour of Ancient Rome
• Private tour of Vatican City including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica
• Walking Food Tour
• Wine Pairing Dinner

Ask for the complete itinerary