Itinerary
San Donato in Fronzano (Tuscany)
Saturday
Mid-morning pick-up in Rome. The first stop will be the mountainside town of old Orvieto.
(well known for their white wines). After lunch and a brief “passeggiata” (walk), we will board the mini bus for a relaxing ride, to our destination: San Donato in Franzano, about ½ hour southeast of Florence. We will arrive at the agritourismo, Poderi I Sorbi. Our hostess Alessandra Gerini will welcome us to her estate villa. After we have settled in, we will join her for a relaxing welcome dinner.
Sunday
Open the windows in your villa apartment and take in the breathtaking views all around you! Enjoy your complimentary gift basket of breakfast food, including espresso coffee, brioche and fresh homemade marmalade.
Later in the day, delight in the complimentary bottles of wine, made on the estate, along with the cold pressed olive oil, produced from the trees outside your windows. We’ve included a few more local specialties for your enjoyment.
After breakfast, you’ll have time to take a dip in the pool, walk the beautifully landscaped grounds, horseback ride, play tennis, or simply relax!
Around 11am, the minibus will be going further up the mountain to Vallombrosa. Located high above the forest is one of the oldest and most important Monasteries of its time, L’Abbaziz di Vallombrosa which dates back to 1585. Still active, they accept guests on a daily basis. The ride alone, up the mountain, is impressive! On the ride down we will stop and have lunch at a mountainside café “al fresco” to enjoy the breathtaking views.
The minibus will make a stop at the coop (supermarket) before heading back to Podere I Sorbi for those who wish to pick up some items for their kitchen refrigerator. Free time upon our return to relax.
This evening will be the first cooking lesson. The art of making pizzas in the outdoor pizza oven. This is care free and optional. You can either sit back and enjoy the action or jump in and be the creator of something spectacular!
Monday
We’re off to Florence! Our first stop will be Fiesole. This Florentine hillside town offers glorious panoramic views of the city below. We will Head into the center of Florence for a “walk about” where our personal guide for the day will escort us through this most important city.
Not to worry, there will be plenty of time for shopping or just “people watching” in the Piazza. Eat a light lunch, as we will be dining at a trattoria cucina tipica where Chef Marco will create some of his Florentine specialties.
After a short passeggiata, we will head back for a restful night’s sleep!
Tuesday
Today is market day in Feligne. You can go off and explore the city or spend the morning browsing the many diverse stall offerings, including fresh vegetables, cheeses and meats, clothing, kitchen and home goods, travel items etc. - a fun place to pick up souveniers!
There, our lunch will be, dining on the local specialties. After the market, we will head over to Leccio for a visit to the Dolce and Gabbana factory outlet. Here, you can pick up that special item from these famous designers at discounted prices.
After a short ride back, you will be able to enjoy some R & R. There will be a wine and cheese gathering poolside. At 6:00 pm we will have a cooking lesson in Alessandra’s kitchen where you learn will the art of pasta making and some other typical Tuscan dishes. Participation is optional. After class, relax with a glass of Prosecco as we sit down to indulge in all your creations!
Wednesday
This is your free day. You can spend it Italian style - e` dolce a far niente (“the sweetness of doing nothing”) - or go off exploring on your own. The minibus will be available this morning to make a run to the train station for those who might want to re-visit Florence
(1/2 hour ride), explore Rome (2+ hours.), or visit any one of the many surrounding towns. Just keep in mind return times.
Lunch is on your own. Tonight we dine under the stars at a local trattoria in town.
Thursday
This morning we are traveling to the “Strada in Chianti”. This long windy road goes through Chianti Country where some 17,400 acres are strung with grapes that make up Chianti Classico. Wineries are plentiful and tasting is expected. We will be stopping along the way in Baddia a Coltibuono, Radda, Castellina, and finally our last destination, Greve. We will tour the Villa Vignamaggio Winery where the villa’s wines were the first to be called Chianti (1404). This is also where the real Mona Lisa was born (1479) and where, "Much Ado About Nothing" was filmed. Tonight, we will have a hands on cooking lesson on the art of pasta making. Afterward, we’ll join our host for a sit down dinner and then back to Podere I Sorbi.
Friday
Today is light with activity, as most of you will need to pack. This morning (around 9 am) the minivan will take us to a little town called Donnini where our good friend and local baker, Sandro, will give us a sneak peak at the art of bread baking. When we are finished at the bakery he will join us for a late morning snack on the portico of his property.
We will then head over to the Desmo outlet, just a short walk from Poderi I Sorbi. Desmo, who resides nearby, is one of the top designers of leather goods in Milan. If anyone would like to stroll “home” you may do so. After shopping for last minute gifts, we’ll head back for an afternoon siesta (or to finish packing). Final Farewell Dinner in Alessandra’s dining room. Surprise guest.
Saturday - Minibus leaves at 10 am for Rome airport. Grazie & Arrivederci! (See you again!)
