The Essence of Tuscany

Walking and Cooking under the Tuscan Sun

Imagine a textured painting of rolling hills with sun-flowers, grain, olives and vines. Picture a medieval town with an ancient bell tower, terracotta tiled roofs, castle battlements and walls. Think of yourself sitting with a cappuccino, your favorite pasta dish and a glass of wine in timeless and enchanting Tuscany. Better still, come and experience it with us during our Tuscany walking and cooking tour.

We walk at an unhurried pace in tune with nature along paths lined with cypresses in a beautiful patchwork-quilt landscape. We visit medieval hill-towns, frescoed churches and monasteries and stroll through local markets with bread, fresh fruit, vegetables and cheeses displayed in an appetising array.

There is no better place to end a walk than in the kitchen, holding a glass of wine with delicious smells & flavors all around. So to compliment our walking we organise hands-on culinary afternoons in our professional demonstration kitchen. Here you learn the secrets of traditional local recipes with our chef, using seasonal ingredients to create authentic dishes. To go along with this we have tastings and select appropriate wines before sitting down to dinner with all the delicious food.

Join us for a perfect combination of Walking & Cooking based in our luxury farmhouse for an outdoor adventure which gives you a healthy appetite and a culinary experience of a lifetime.

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Itinerary

Day 1

A visit to a Tuscan Winery

We meet at 11.00 at Cortona station and head to the vineyards of one of the finest producers of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano in Tuscany. The guided tour of the winery gives a fascinating insight into the making and ageing of wine and is followed by a delicious luncheon served with wines chosen to enhance the tasting experience. Return to our Tuscan home in Cortona to relax and settle in before joining us for a welcome drink.

Day 2

Exploring Cortona

We start our walk at the spiritual and tranquil setting of Le Celle, 12th Century Franciscan hermitage, continue through oak forests & olive groves and pass luxurious villas to arrive at the Etruscan tombs. After a guided tour we enter Cortona through one of the ancient city gates and explore its medieval streets and monuments. You may wish to indulge in a gelato, but don't spoil your appetite for a tasty picnic in the shady tree-lined park. Free time in the afternoon at Il Molino before returning to Cortona to visit the Etruscan museum and sit with a cappuccino in an outdoor cafe.

Day 3

Hannibal’s trail and Culinary afternoon

A half day walk directly from our farmhouse leads to Hannibal's Point and the exquisite Romanesque church of Sepoltagli. We are rewarded with a picnic lunch under the shade of umbrella pines with stunning views of Lake Trasimeno at the scene of the 2nd Century BC battle between the Carthaginians and Romans. In the afternoon our chef guides you through the preparation of a Tuscan dinner. (4hrs/8miles)

Day 4

Pienza - Monticchiello - Montepulciano

We explore the fine renaissance architecture of Pienza, perched like a balcony over the Val D’Orcia, enjoy the delicious smell and taste of the famous Pecorino sheep’s milk cheese. Then walk along country lanes overlooking the Val d’Orcia to the walled hamlet of Montichiello for a picnic lunch. In the afternoon we explore the narrow streets of Montepulciano ending the day at the Renaissance Tempio di San Biagio church with its stunning avenue of Tuscan cypresses. (4hrs/8miles)

Day 5

Bagno Vignoni - Sant'Antimo - Montalcino

We visit the ancient village of Bagno Vignoni to see the Roman bath which occupies the main square and then start our walk at the battlements of the Castello di Ripa D’Orcia with magnificent views of the River Orcia below. By way of trails through farmland and vineyards we reach the Romanesque monastery of Sant' Antimo, founded by Charlemagne in 781. Our approach to the picnic is lined with cypress trees and then we take a walking tour of the hill-town of Montalcino ending with a Brunello wine tasting at the medieval Fortress. (4hrs/8miles)

Day 6

Monte Oliveto & Culinary afternoon

We travel to the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore set in a spectacularly eroded landscape known as Crete Senese. Here fine Renaissance frescoes by Sodoma and Signorelli adorn the cloister telling the story of St Benedict. A wonderful circular ridge walk follows the visit, with lunch in a remote hamlet as our reward. In the afternoon we prepare for another informal yet intensive exploration of regional cooking back in the delightful and historic setting of our Tuscan farmhouse. (2hrs/4miles)

Day 7

Medieval Siena

Today we are accompanied by an art historian who leads us on a walking tour in the heart of gothic medieval Siena. We visit one of the most richly decorated cathedrals in the world with masterpieces by Duccio, Pisano, Lorenzetti, Donatello, Pinturicchio and Michelangelo. In the Campo Square we learn about the world famous Palio horse race. The rest of the morning is free for independent exploration. In the afternoon we relax in the hot springs of a local Spa before returning home. Our last dinner together is a Michelin star experience.

Day 8

Departure from Terontola-Cortona station

Scheduled departure from our Villa at 9.00 for Cortona train station (20mins). If you wish, we can help to extend your stay or make other independent departure arrangements.