Morning:  Welcome to “beautiful Venice.”  The tour begins late morning at the Venice airport.  (It is strongly advised that you arrive the day before to avoid any missed connection with the group and to allow extra time for jet lag.  Also, if you have not seen Venice, it is highly recommended that you spend two-three days here before the trip begins as we will NOT be visiting the town.)  There’s no better place to kick-off the trip than our favorite Prosecco producer located in the hills just above Venice.  We’ll have a private tour and tasting, followed by lunch on the winery’s panoramic terrace.

Afternoon:  Free time to unpack or chill out at the hotel’s pool in the pretty Venetian countryside.

Morning:  We’ll begin with a tour of what many food-lovers consider the tastiest prosciutto in all of Italy, prosciutto di San Danile.  Then, we’ll head to one of the region’s best outdoor markets in the super-charming town of Udine where you can gather the makings for an alfresco picnic from the market’s vendors.  Then, explore the city’s captivating medieval squares and its Gothic-Renaissance monuments.

Afternoon:  Next, we’ll head to one of Italy’s numero uno grappa makers.  The family owned company has been producing grappa since 1897.  We’ll view the fascinating distillation process then have a degustazione (tasting).

Morning:  Cappucino will never be the same after today.  We’ll be guests of Illy coffee at their headquarters in Trieste.  Get ready for a fascinating morning as we’ll be observing the entire coffee procedure--from the unloading of the beans all the way through a coffee tasting!

Afternoon:  Visit to another of the region’s top wine producers who has received accolades by the international press.

Morning:   FREE

Afternoon:  Private tour and wine tasting at a winery that is producing stellar wines.

Morning:   Bid your arrividerci to Friuli-Venezia Giulia as today we head toward “Toscana.”  We will stop in route at a renown balsamic vinegar producer whose family has been producing these exquisito aged culinary treasures for over 150 years.    Private tour and tasting will include balsamico that has been aged > 50 years.

Afternoon:  Our villa is located in the heart of Tuscany, near the primo wine producing regions of Montalcino and Montepulciano.  The remainder of the afternoon is free to unpack and relax.

All day is FREE.  Optional visit to a nearby thermal spa.

Morning:  Visit to an outdoor market, filled with a cornucopia of autumn’s abundant produce, where we’ll shop for tonight’s dinner.

Afternoon:  Brunello di Montalcino is tantamount to the very best of Tuscany’s red wines…and some think the best of all Italian reds.  We’ll visit a winemaker who is making fantastico wines.

Suggest a visit to Florence for outstanding shopping and unforgettable museums... or chill out all day at the villa.

Morning:  Today we’ll visit to the town that is synonymous with Italy’s glorious Pecorino cheese, Pienza.   Considered among Italy’s finest, Pecorino from this area is thought to be the best here due to the fragrant pastures the local sheep graze on.  Some are aged in walnut leafs, others in caves, ashes or grape skins.  Oh, yes… the village is replete with food boutiques selling artisan products.

Afternoon:  Sangiovese is synonymous with the wines of Tuscany.  And, today we are privileged to have a private tour & tasting at one of Montepulciano’s most esteemed wineries.

Morning:  Visit to the lovely Renaissance town of Siena where there will be free time to shop and soak up la dolce vita (the sweet life”).

Afternoon:  Next, we’ll have a private tour and tasting at one of the area’s most highly esteemed wine producers.

Morning:  Cooking class at the villa

Afternoon:  Montalcino vs Montepulciano comparative wine tasting at the villa.