Travels in Tuscany - Day by Day

Day 1: Rome

The tour begins when we meet at our hotel - about 5PM - for a brief orientation. We will gather later in the evening for a coach tour of illuminated Rome, followed by a group dinner (included) and then return to our hotel.

Day 2: Rome to Chiusi

After breakfast at the hotel and checkout, the morning is free to make your own Roman discoveries. Your suitcase (one only, please) will be collected by Pauses, Inc. staff to be delivered to Stazione Termini for you to claim before we board the train to Chiusi in the early afternoon. Enjoy lunch independently - and perhaps a gelato - before we meet at the main train station.

Upon arrival in Chiusi, we will be met and driven the short distance to our hotel. After a welcome drink, settle in before a short overview of tomorrow's activities followed by the first cooking lesson and dinner. Evening at leisure.

Day 3: Orvieto

After breakfast this morning we travel by train to Orvieto and visit the Duomo and Orvieto underground. Your tour tickets also include admission to the Torre del Moro and the Faina Museum. Lunch is on your own - a picnic at the fortress might be fun. There will be time to explore, shop, etc. before we meet as a group to visit a small enoteca to sample three of the local wines and nibble on salumi and cheese.

We return to Chiusi by train and later enjoy dinner. The daily "preview of coming attractions" will take place a few minutes before we dine. In the meantime, you might enjoy a walk around the grounds of our agriturismo or - weather permitting - a dip in the pool.

Day 4: Monastery, Winery, Pienza and Montepulciano

After an early breakfast, we travel by private coach to visit Sant'Antimo, and perhaps hear the monks chanting. Our next stop is the Banfi Winery for a taste of the wine that made Montalcino famous, Brunello, as well as two other Banfi bottlings. We travel to Pienza for lunch on your own - be sure to try the pecorino cheese, the best in Italy - and a chance to wander the streets and by-ways of this enchanting little village. Our final visit of the day is to montepulciano, a beautiful and historic hill town with its own world class wine, Vino Nobile, and incredible views.

Back at the hotel we will meet for a few minutes to preview tomorrow's activities before enjoying dinner. Evening at leisure.

Day 5: Chiusi and the Etruscan Tombs

After breakfast, we visit our temporary "hometown". Chiusi has the finest collection of Etruscan artifacts in Italy. We will have a private guided tour of the town, Etruscan museum, and the Etruscan tombs. After lunch on your own at one of the local restaurants (we are happy to make recommendations) there will be time to stroll around town, shop, etc. before returning to the hotel. We'll have a coffee break and the daily briefing before our second cooking lesson and a bit of free time before dinner. Evening at leisure.

Day 6: Siena and San Gimignano

After an early breakfast, we travel by private coach to Siena. You may choose to visit the Duomo, a treasure trove of art; Piazza del Camp with its graceful Gothic Palazzo Pubblico; the church of San Domenico which houses the relics of St. Catherine; or Fortezza Medicea which has an enoteca with wines to sample. After lunch on your own - perhaps in one of the restaurants which ring Il Campo - we will drive to San Gimignano. In addition to the unique skyline of towers from the 12th and 13th centuries, this small town - a UNESCO World Heritage site - is rich in works of art and has many interesting shops. You may want to taste Vernaccia di San Gimignano - Michelangelo's favorite wine.

We return to our hotel in the late afternoon and after some free time, join together again for a Gala Farewell Dinner. Tonight's briefing will cover tomorrow's departure plans. Evening at leisure.

Day 7: Departure Day

Regretfully, after breakfast this morning, it is time to leave Tuscany. Transportation will be provided to the Chiusi train station as well as the return ticket to Rome. The tour ends at the Chiusi train station. We are happy to discuss your travel plans beyond Rome's Stazione Termini if it would be helpful. Connections are simple to Fiumicino Airport as well as throughout Rome by public transportation.

Arrivederci e grazie.