Rolling hillsides peppered with cypress trees and converted Castellos, Tuscany has its own brand of laid-back charm. After a week spent listening to live opera and immersed in the charms of its verdant countryside and cultural gems - Florence and Siena – you’ll soon discover why it’s synonymous with La Dolce Vita.
Price includes:
- Return Club Plus flights to Florence from London City airport with British Airways
- 3 nights at Castello di Casole, A Belmond Hotel, Tuscany
- 3 nights at Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, Florence
- Gilded Globe exclusive access at London City airport
- Greet and assist at Florence airport
- All experiences and private transfers
- VIP Paterre Executive tickets to Andrea Bocelli's annual concert at the Theatre of Silence
Step off the plane in Florence to VIP assistance and a private chauffeur transfer to Castello di Casole, A Belmond Hotel, Tuscany. Set on an ancient pilgrimage route, the 10th Century hilltop estate is flanked by vineyards and reclines amongst 4,200 acres of Tuscan countryside. Spend your evening at leisure exploring its grounds and relishing the kind of quiet unique to Italy’s rural landscape.
Castello di Casole, A Belmond Hotel, TuscanyRelax at the estate’s Essere Spa or venture out to explore the surroundings on a guided truffle walk. More epicurious guests can venture to a local farm, where husband and wife team Giovanni and Giovanna are the only cheesemakers in the world still making Pecorino Marziolino di Lucardo using the original 14th Century recipe. In the evening a helicopter whisks you off to the ancient Lombardi town of Lajatico where you’ll attend Andrea Bocelli’s annual concert at the Theatre of Silence. Pre-concert aperitifs and an open-air gourmet dinner overlooking the Tuscan hills await near the stage; after dining head to your VIP seats and enjoy “The Mystery of Beauty”. A private car transfer will chauffer you back to the hotel once the concert is finished.
A slow morning at the estate is followed by Lunch in Siena. After a private drive you’ll lunch in a Tower overlooking the city’s historical centre Piazza del Campo where 360-degree views of the city are accompanied by traditional Tuscan fare. A guided walking tour around the city acts as a perfect companion to an indulgent lunch; stroll through the streets of one of Italy’s most well-preserved medieval cities where architecture, art and history await at every turn.
A private drive through the Tuscan countryside to your new accommodation Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, Florence (A 14th-Century monastery) takes a short detour to the historic estate of Villa Calcinaia – home to the Counts Capponi family since 1524. After a guided walk through the 30 hectares of specialised vineyards dine on a classic Italian lunch paired with four of the estate’s finest vintages. After an afternoon of food and wine, continue on to Villa San Michele where you can spend the evening at leisure.
Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, FlorenceWelcome to Florence, a city where winding side streets open onto picturesque piazzas and the aromas of classic Italian cooking spill out of the small restaurants scattered along its cobbled streets. Begin with a walking tour that takes in its most celebrated architecture, before dipping into the Uffizi Gallery to admire famous works by Botticelli, Michelangelo and Da Vinci. Spend the afternoon as you please: climbing the Duomo or strolling through Boboli Gardens or simply wandering the streets taking in their quintessentially Florentine feeling. As the sun begins to set make your way to the Ponte Vecchio for dinner on the private floor of an ancient Florentine jewellery atelier. Let the family introduce you to their historical archive of sketches and collectibles while a private chef prepares your meal; dinner is served on the terrace overlooking the Arno river.
Spend your last day at leisure taking advantage of Villa San Michele’s surrounding landscapes, or on a cookery course with its chef. Finish your Grand Tour with an evening at Gondi Palace - a private palace in the heart of Florence where it is rumoured Da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa. After being welcomed by the owners and learning about the family’s history and extensive art collection, prepare for a decadent, truly aristocratic four-course dinner.
Private transfer to Florence airport where VIP assistants will greet you to ensure your flight home runs smoothly.