Tuscany: La Dolce Vita

Our journey into the essence of Tuscany begins this morning in its fabled capital of Florence, where we meet our Expedition Leader and fellow guests in the lobby of Hotel L'Orologio. Our small group then travels south into Siena province, crossing an iconic Tuscan landscape of vineyards, olive groves, cypress-lined lanes and hilltop hamlets. This is a renowned wine-producing region, also known for its pecorino cheese and white truffles, among other gastronomy highlights. We'll tour and dine at Pacina farm, a small family-owned farm and winery known as the birthplace of Italy's modern sustainability movement.

Continuing south, we wind through the heart of Crete Senesi, a highly scenic region of clay badlands, verdant valleys and picture-postcard hill towns surveying the rolling landscape from on high. Golden fields of wheat and sunflowers unfurl before us en route to our destination—a luxurious private villa near the small town of Asciano. The area’s roots are ancient, with evidence of Etruscan, Roman and Lombard settlements nearby. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the villa, followed an aperitivo and a special welcome dinner celebrating the start of our Tuscan adventure.

Today we discover Montepulciano, perched atop a 2,000-foot limestone ridge overlooking the fertile fields, flourishing vineyards and olive groves of Val d'Orcia and Val di Chiana. One of the finest winemaking regions of the world, Montepulciano is legendary for its Vino Nobile, as well as its cheeses, honey and pici pasta. Architecturally, Montepulciano has been shaped by the Renaissance, its design the 15^th-century masterpiece of Antonio da Sangallo, who also helped design St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The best way to encounter the town is on foot at a pace that reveals its multilayered delights. Stroll the main thoroughfares and cobblestone side paths leading to little-known surprises, as our local guide reveals nuanced insights into the food, wine, culture and history of our environs.

After exploring the city, a private tour of the De’Ricci wine cellar awaits. Venture into the depths of the ancient Ricci Palace, dubbed the “Cathedral of Vino” and considered by many to be the most beautiful wine cellar in the world. Learn the history of the Ricci family’s prized estate firsthand from one of the winery’s owners, who recounts its roots dating from 1337 with the construction of the first wine cellar on the site. After our tour, enjoy a private tasting featuring the famous Vino Nobile, followed by lunch. In the late afternoon, return to our villa for a fabulous dinner of local fare complemented by a selection of Montepulciano’s finest wines. As our own private chef is on site, we can meet special dietary needs for all our meals.

Today, we journey to Bagno Vignoni, a historic hilltop spa town in Val d’Orcia whose central hot springs have been frequented by popes, kings and aristocrats since the 16^th century for their therapeutic properties. While most Tuscan towns are centered on a piazza, or main square, Bagno Vignoni surrounds a stone basin holding a 160-foot-long pool filled with natural thermal waters, flowing since Etruscan times more than 2,500 years ago. Fed by springs from the nearby volcano Mount Amiata, the mineral-rich waters contain salts, calcium, iron carbonates, sodium sulfates and magnesium renowned for toning and renewing the skin. Join our guide for a relaxing soak in the natural springs, or explore the village on your own.

After lunch at a local trattoria, return to the villa to participate in an exclusive cooking class with local chef Elisa, learning to make multiple varieties of pasta and other local fare. In 2025, Italian cooking was officially added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, recognizing it as "a cultural and social blend of culinary traditions...associated with the use of raw materials and artisanal food preparation techniques. It is a communal activity that emphasizes intimacy with food, respect for ingredients, and shared moments around the table...and the transmission of flavors, skills and memories across generations." In our intimate group, we certainly feel those connections with our esteemed teacher, whose warmth and expertise inspire us to pursue Tuscan culinary adventures of our own. After aperitivos, we'll enjoy another fine dinner consisting of the pasta we made this evening.

After a leisurely breakfast, visit the picturesque town of Montalcino, one of Tuscany’s highest hilltop villages. Encircled by 13th-century walls and crowned with a majestic medieval fortress, Montalcino commands sweeping 360-degree views across three fertile valleys—an intricate tapestry of olive orchards, vineyards and fields. During the late Middle Ages, Montalcino thrived as a strategic stop along the Via Francigena, the main road between France and Rome. Its prominence, however, soon drew the attention of powerful neighbors. Over time, the town came under the influence of the larger city of Siena, caught up in ensuing conflicts with rival Florence in the 14th and 15th centuries. Ultimately, in 1855, both Siena and Montalcino fell to the Florentines under the Medici dynasty, remaining under their rule until the Grand Duchy of Tuscany was unified with the new Kingdom of Italy in 1861.

Today, Montalcino is celebrated for its renowned Rosso and Brunello wines crafted from Sangiovese Grosso grapes grown in the surrounding hills. After a guided walking tour, enjoy free time to explore the medieval town’s cobbled streets and charming piazzas or join our guide for an espresso at a local cafe.

Next, travel to Azienda Bellaria, a small family-run winery, where we’ll be welcomed by our friend and local wine expert Ilaria. As we stroll through the vineyards, Ilaria explains the estate’s grape-growing traditions and winemaking process, then leads us to the tasting room. Here, sample some of Tuscany’s most acclaimed varietals paired with a hearty home-cooked lunch prepared by Bellaria’s owner Gianni.

Return this morning to the scenic village of Chiusure, our starting point for a short walk through the striking Crete Senesi landscape to the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. Surrounded by a thick forest of cypress and oak, this still-active Benedictine monastery dates to 1393, when construction began, which was completed in 1526. For centuries, it was one of the largest landowners in the Siena region. The splendid monastic complex is notable not only for its persistence through the centuries, but also for its remarkable cloister, with 35 vivid frescoes depicting the life of St. Benedict, and its carved wooden choirs. An imposing tower and drawbridge built to defend the abbey stand at the entrance. Inside the courtyard, we see the botanical garden that supplied medicinal plants for the monks. The library holds more than 40,000 volumes, pamphlets and parchments that the monks have painstakingly restored. The abbey produces wine, honey, olive oil and distilled herbal spirits, priding itself on traditional and organic production methods that preserve biodiversity, in keeping with the Benedectine tradition of careful land stewardship. Afterward, return to Chiusure for a lunch consisting of local fare, followed by a leisurely afternoon at the villa. We’ve begun to discover the benefits of slow travel by now...a richer immersion in fewer places and incorporating time to breathe deeply and contemplate.

After saying goodbye to the villa staff, we depart for the ancient spa town of Saturnia. Near the village, a powerful spring pours over a waterfall and down a cascade of natural turquoise pools formed by calcareous rock. Saturnia takes its name from the Roman god Saturn, who legend holds had lost patience with humans who were constantly at war. He hurled a thunderbolt at the earth, and hot, sulphurous water gushed from the crater at just the right temperature to calm the spirits of the people, bringing serenity, harmony and a golden age of agriculture. The ancient Etruscans considered the springs sacred, with evidence existing for a settlement at Saturnia in the 4th century BC. Saturnia became a Roman colony in 183 AD, formed around the town’s medicinal hot springs, which flow underground from the 5,700-foot lave dome peak of Mount Amata, percolating through layers of rock and accumulating minerals before emerging into the stream and dramatic natural pools—a process that takes 40 years! Following lunch en route to Saturnia, we arrive at the luxurious Terme di Saturnia Resort to spend the next two nights. After a brief tour of this magnificent property built in 1919, settle in and prepare to experience the famed therapeutic waters and spa amenities during our restorative stay.

The 5-star Terme di Saturnia in the Maremma countryside, surrounded by 300 acres of unspoiled nature, is one of the world’s most renowned spa destinations. And the morning is ours to enjoy the sublime rejuvenation that comes with a stay here. The mineral-rich springs of Terme have long been coveted for their healing properties, thought to nourish the skin, improve circulation and aid in the healing of various ailments. The morning at the spa is yours to spend as you wish, with massage, mud wraps, hydrothermal tubs and other personal treatments available. Or just relax and soak in the resort’s private thermal pools, revered for their antiseptic and antioxidant properties. We also offer an optional sunrise walk to the Cascate del Mulino, a natural cascade of steaming waters just beyond the resort, where thermal pools flow over smooth limestone terraces in a breathtaking setting.

This afternoon, take a guided walk on a local organic farm where we learn to identify wild herbs and harvest them for culinary uses. With the bounty we have foraged, we learn to make pesto (which of course we'll sample) while tasting the farm's fine olive oils and wines. This evening, we gather in town for a farewell dinner.

After breakfast, we check out of the resort and drive to the Florence airport to meet departing flights, concluding our gratifying immersion in Tuscan nature and culture.