Tuscany Italy Vacation

Wine Harvest I Art I History I Markets I Cuisine
Imagine staying in a 19th century restored stone villa on a hillside in Italy surrounded by rolling vineyards, ancient olive trees & a castle. Wine tastings of deep red Italian wines, local pecorino cheese, handmade pasta, cold pressed extra virgin olive oil and dinners enjoyed al fresco overlooking Lake Trasimeno – join Le Chat Gourmet and Chef Denene Vincent for this unforgettable adventure in Tuscany, Italy. Our vacations immerse you in the local history, art, culture, food & wine – including private vineyard tour and tasting with the winemaker, private olive mill tour and tasting, hands-on cooking classes preparing regional Italian cuisine, exploring Tuscan towns with artisan food, hand painted pottery, olive wood kitchen tools, hand-hammered copper cookware & leather goods, join us as we tour & taste Tuscany!
Limited group size, maximum 10 persons guaranteed!

“September in Italy is sublime–the most dependably serene weather,
with one golden day piling onto the next.”
– Frances Mayes, author Under the Tuscan Sun

DATE
      Saturday, September 16th – Friday September 22nd, 2023

COST
$3,995.00 per person, based on double occupancy
(we often have solo persons looking for a travel partner – please inquire)

2023 Itinerary

Day 1

WELCOME TO TUSCANY!
Late afternoon group pick-up from Terontola train station by our private driver to your home for the week, a restored 1800’s stone villa with panoramic views overlooking Lake Trasimeno. The property is located on acres of terraced gardens that include 7 ensuite bedrooms with air conditioning, a private 20’ x 40’ infinity pool, WI-FI, ping pong table, all surrounded by centuries old olive trees and rolling vineyards. Welcome sparkling wine toast and antipasto buffet on arrival, tour of villa, time to relax and enjoy a swim. Dinner at the villa prepared by Chef Denene Vincent.

Day 2

CORTONA CULTURAL TOUR & LE CELLE
Italian style breakfast at the villa of Italian coffee, fruit juice, yogurt, fresh fruit and Italian breads. Morning departure to Cortona, one of the most famous hilltop towns in Tuscany, featured in the movie ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’. We begin the day with my friend Ivan for a step back in history via art. Sip an espresso or glass of prosecco while being transported back to 700 B.C., view a recently discovered original Etruscan well to the city along with roman, Etruscan and medieval artifacts. Enjoy the remaining time on your own wandering Cortona’s ancient cobblestone streets, visit the town’s historical gems like the Church of San Francesco which contains a relic of the Holy Cross and tunic of Saint Francis of Asissi or shop the quaint boutiques featuring local artwork, Venetian glass, jewelry and leather goods. From Cortona we will follow in the footsteps of Saint Francis of Assisi with a visit to Le Celle, built in the 13th century within a hillside with incredible panoramic views, waterfall, terraced gardens and the spartan bedroom of Saint Francis’ with its stone bed & log pillow. Dinner at the villa by Chef Vincent.

Day 3

PRIVATE VINEYARD & OLIVE MILL TOUR & TASTING
Italian breakfast at the villa. Its wine harvest in Tuscany, our day begins in the vineyard with a walk amongst the vines with the wine maker, sampling ready to harvest grapes. On a historical note, the vineyard is situated where The Battle of Lake Trasimene happened with Hannibal’s victory over the Roman army in 217 B.C.! Our private tour continues with a visit to the family owned Mezzetti winemaking facility, cellar and olive mill, followed by a special private wine and olive oil tasting lunch with the winemaker accompanied by regional Tuscan antipasti dishes prepared by a local chef. Enjoy a short afternoon break to swim, play a game of lawn bocce, stroll the terraced gardens, hike amongst the olive groves or relax poolside under the Tuscan sun. Dinner at the villa by Chef Vincent.

Day 4

ITALIAN COOKING CLASS & SUNSET GOURMET DINNER
Italian breakfast at the villa. Today’s hands-on cooking class will have you channeling your inner Italian as we create a variety of authentic Tuscan cuisine from homemade Tuscan pici pasta, slow cooked Italian red wine ragu sauce to an amazing Amalfi lemon tart (cooking class is optional or if you want more cooking join Chef Vincent in the kitchen daily!) Lunch at villa of homemade cacio e pepe pasta & affogato gelato floats. Gourmet sunset dinner, the evening begins with an aperitif wine spritzer welcome in the gardens accompanied with antipasti appetizers, followed by a gourmet farm-to-table multi-course wine and tasting dinner, from antipasto mista, Tuscan pasta with truffles, chilled lemoncello sorbetto Prosecco shot to slow roasted porcini crusted prime rib served with a wild fennel flower oil and golden potatoes roasted on a bed of fresh rosemary, accompanied with proprietary white and red wines. We finish with a decadent Italian dessert!

Day 5

MARKET DAY CASTIGLIONE del LAGO
Italian breakfast at the villa. Morning departure to Market Day in Castiglione del Lago (the castle on the lake) – the 11th century town IS the castle, dominated by a medieval fortress with a 90’ tower. You’ll shop along with the locals in the quaint open air market stalls in search of delicious and unique ingredients. Enjoy your remaining free time exploring, visit some of the best specialty food and artisan shops in Tuscany selling pasta, fresh truffles, aged balsamic vinegars, honey, porcini mushrooms, specialty dried beans and spices to olive wood kitchen tools. Stroll along the castle’s medieval walls for panoramic views across Lake Trasimeno or visit the church of Santa Maria Maddalena with its stunning domed ceiling, mosaic tile floors and frescoes. Dinner at villa by Chef Vincent.

Day 6

PIENZA, PECORINO CHEESE FARM & MONTEPULCIANO
Italian breakfast at villa. Morning departure to Pienza a quaint renaissance hilltop town famous for its pecorino cheese & stunning views overlooking the Val d’Orcia, a valley of olive groves and vineyards. Pecorino Cheese Farm – as we drive in along the valley of Montepulciano the magical sound of tinkling bells may be heard from the grazing flock of sheep. At the farm shop you’ll learn how pecorino cheese is made, then enjoy a tasting from fresh ten day to aged twelve month award winning pecorino cheeses. Our final destination complete with panorama vistas is Montepulciano, famous for its Vin Noble wines made primarily of Sangiovese grapes, considered among Italy’s best wines by connoisseurs. Montepulciano is a culinary & shoppers delight, selling hand painted pottery, linens, leather goods, hand-hammered copper pots and of course wine! Evening 4-course dinner at villa prepared by Chef Vincent with sparkling Prosecco sunset toast.

Day 7

ITALIAN BREAKFAST
Gourmet Italian breakfast at the villa prepared by Chef Vincent. Followed by a morning group transfer to Terontola train station. Alas, your vacation and culinary experience with Le Chat Gourmet in Tuscany must draw to a close but never an end. You depart with new found friendships, wonderful memories and your cooking class recipes to recreate and reflect back on for a lifetime – Ciao!

DATE
Saturday, September 16th – Friday September 22nd, 2023

COST
$3,995.00 per person, based on double occupancy
(we often have solo persons looking for a travel partner – please inquire) 

Terms and Conditions

“I can honestly say this was one of the BEST trips we have been on! Thanks so much for hosting!” – Jan Pfeiffer 2022

“I still can’t believe I had that trip!” – Brenda Huff 2018

“I wanted to thank you for arranging such a memorable trip to Tuscany. I enjoyed every moment. The scenery is beautiful whether you’re enjoying it by the pool or driving to a city. The relaxed atmosphere, fine wine and food, and creating new friendships is a winning combination. I will never forget my birthday and will cherish the many memories that were made. Thank you so much for being a part of this.” – Diane Hill 2018

The Tuscany adventure with Chef Vincent exceeded my expectations and I was expecting it to be awesome! Not only did we have wonderful food in a relaxing learning environment, but we explored much more of the Tuscany countryside than I thought we would. We experienced multiple small mountain towns and had time to explore churches, museums, forts and shops. We learned about the amazing history of Tuscany, wandered olive groves and vineyards, and had several wine tastings. The week was well organized with a nice pace and the lodging accommodations were superb. Thank you Le Chat Gourmet! – Leslie Hoover, Tuscany 2017

“I would tell you to have a fantastic trip but that would go without saying. They are in for a fantastic adventure!”– Mary Remenak, Tuscany 2014

We were just wondering if we had dreamt our Tuscan vacation! Today was my first day back at work and I tried to describe our experience there but it’s impossible to portray it accurately. Only the in-crowd really knows! – Julie & Carl Boylan, Tuscany 2013

That was a stupendous week. The food was marvelous, and the company was great; it felt like being an Italian family enjoying meals outdoors in the Tuscan countryside, with the beautiful view of Lake Trasimeno over the olive trees and grape vines. The pace was just right: not pressured, but we still did a lot (cheese farm, winery tours, special dinner out, and visits to four mountain towns). The villa was very comfortable, with modern bathrooms and kitchen (including an ice-maker). The swimming pool was great and very well kept up. What a joy lying on the elegant deck chairs under the warm Tuscan sun! Grazie mille Denene for that lovely week. – Barbara Bonge, Tuscany 2016

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