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Sip the Soul of Tuscany

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7 days · Chianti to the Tuscan coast

Sip the soul of
Tuscany

A slow, small-group journey through Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino — vineyard by vineyard, estate by estate, with the people who make the wine.

Cooking in Tuscany
Castello del Trebbio, Chianti Classico
7
days, 6 nights
9
private estates & cellars
6
travelers per departure
1
private yacht afternoon
A 7-Day Journey

Brunello, Castles & Renaissance Art

1

Day 1: Arrival in Renaissance Florence

Following a private transfer to your hotel, enjoy an optional private guided tour of the Duomo and the masterpieces in the Galleria Uffizi. The day culminates in an aperitivo held at Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset views.

2

Day 2: Castles, Crafts & Heart of Chianti

Whisk away into the rolling hills of the Chianti Classico region. Experience noble heritage at Castello del Trebbio with a guided tour, wine tasting, and authentic Tuscan lunch. Witness the craft of terracotta in Impruneta.

3

Day 3: Montalcino, Brunello & Tuscan Taste

Set off toward the legendary hilltop town synonymous with prestigious wines: Brunello di Montalcino. Enjoy a guided tasting of Brunello at a traditional farm estate, followed by a rustic lunch.

4

Day 4: Siena's Cultural Treasures & Wine Safari

Explore the medieval city of Siena, visiting the unique Contrade Museum and the Gothic Duomo. After free time spent in Piazza del Campo, set out for an unforgettable private wine safari at Tenuta Torciano.

5

Day 5: Sailing into the Tuscan Dream

Experience pure indulgence aboard an elegant private San Lorenzo yacht in the breathtaking Gulf of Baratti. Savor a lavish four-course seafood menu, a wine school experience, and an olive oil tasting session.

6

Day 6: Bolgheri's Charm & Night in a Castle

Visit Tenuta Fratini for a private tour and convivial lunch. Travel to the storybook village of Bolgheri, famed for its cypress-lined avenue and Super Tuscan wines. Enjoy the pool and luxury spa facilities at Castello Bonaria.

7

Day 7: The Final Toast & Return

The final morning begins at Cantina Meraviglia for a farewell tasting of innovative vintages. A celebratory Tuscan lunch overlooking the vineyards provides the perfect close before returning back to Florence.

The Calix Experience: Luxury & Local Immersion

  • Our journey is defined by refined elegance and deep local immersion — you won’t just see Tuscany; you’ll live it:

    • Small, Intimate Group: A close-knit group setting ensures personalized service, comfort, and meaningful connections.

    • Exclusive Access: Enjoy guided visits, private wine tastings, and rare experiences such as an exclusive cellar night in Chianti.

    • The Tuscan Pace: Embrace slow tourism—wander medieval streets in Montalcino, discover age-old craftsmanship in Impruneta, and savor time among the vineyards.

    • Bespoke Adventures: Delight in a Private Yacht Adventure in the Gulf of Baratti, hosted by a Captain, Chef, and Wine Expert, plus an unforgettable private Wine Safari through iconic vineyards.

    • Handpicked Accommodations: Relax in luxury at carefully selected stays, including historic castles and charming wine estates.

The Calix Experience: Luxury & Local Immersion

  • Your journey includes all essential elements, allowing you to relax and fully enjoy the experience:

    • Luxury Stays: Handpicked premium accommodations, including castle stays and elegant wine estates.

    • Private Transportation: Comfortable private minivan for the entire tour, complete with a professional driver (meals and accommodations included).

    • Expert Guidance: A dedicated Expert Tour Leader accompanies you throughout your journey.

    • Gourmet Meals: All gourmet meals included as per the itinerary, thoughtfully paired with fine local wines.

    • Activities & Experiences: All guided visits, exclusive wine tastings, and curated experiences—highlighted by the Private Yacht Adventure.

Not Included

The following items are not included in the tour price:

Booking & Cancellation Policies

Policy Detail
Payment Policy A 30% deposit is due at the time of booking confirmation. The balance is due 60 days prior to the start of the tour.
Cancellation Up to 91 days before departure: 90% refund.
Cancellation 90 to 61 days before departure: 50% refund.
Cancellation 60 days or less before departure: No refund.

What Nobody Tells You Before Your First Tuscany Wine Tour

So a friend of mine came back from Tuscany last year and wouldn’t stop talking about it. Not in the usual “oh it was amazing” way people talk about vacations. She kept bringing up this one afternoon at a vineyard where she basically lost track of time – three hours turned into five, the winemaker just kept talking, more food kept showing up, nobody checked their phone once. That’s the story that got me looking into a luxury Tuscany wine tour myself, and now I get why she couldn’t stop talking about it.

It’s Not Really About the Wine (Okay, It’s A Little About the Wine)

Here’s the thing nobody tells you before you go. Sure, you’re there for the wine, and yes, it’s good – really good, actually. But that’s not what people end up remembering months later. What sticks is sitting on a terrace with cypress trees lined up in the distance, someone’s grandfather wandering out to say hello, a dog sleeping under the table. A luxury wine tour in Tuscany gives you all of that without you even asking for it. I’ll be honest, I went in thinking it’d be a bit stiff. Fancy glasses, formal tasting notes, that sort of thing. It wasn’t like that at all. Most of the wineries feel more like visiting someone’s home than a business. You just happen to leave with a case of wine and a slightly better understanding of why Sangiovese tastes the way it does.

Why Going Private Actually Changes the Day

I’ll admit I was skeptical about paying more for a private setup instead of just joining a group tour. Turns out there’s a real difference. On a group tour you’re on someone else’s clock – back on the bus in twenty minutes whether you’re done or not. A private Tuscany wine tour flips that completely. Loved the second glass? Stay for a third. Bored of one stop? Move along early. The driver knows shortcuts nobody puts on Google Maps. The guide isn’t running through the same script they gave the last group two hours ago – they’re actually watching what you’re into and shaping the day around it. It sounds small until you’re the one sitting there not watching the clock for once.

What a Real Tuscany Wine Holiday Feels Like

If you’re picturing a strict itinerary with wineries stacked back to back, that’s not really what a good Tuscany wine holiday looks like. It’s slower than that. A morning visiting a small, family-run place. A wander through a hill town – Montalcino maybe, or San Gimignano if you like towers. Lunch that goes on way longer than planned because the food keeps coming and nobody’s in a rush to leave. Honestly, the best trips are the ones with fewer stops, not more. Two or three wineries done properly beats six done in a rush. You’ll forget half the wineries you crammed in anyway. You won’t forget the lunch that turned into an afternoon.

Who’s This Actually For?

Pretty much anyone who wants a day that doesn’t feel scheduled to the minute. Couples celebrating something. A group of friends who’d rather sit around a table than stand in a museum line. Even solo travelers looking for a slower kind of trip. If the idea of good food, good wine, and not looking at a watch sounds appealing, you’ll fit right in.

One Last Thing

People don’t come home from Tuscany talking about how many bottles they tried. They talk about the guy who let them taste straight from the barrel, or the lunch that ran too long, or the view they didn’t want to leave. If that sounds better than another rushed itinerary, this is worth looking into.

A Few Questions People Usually Ask

Do I need to actually know wine stuff before going? 

Not even a little. I went in barely knowing the difference between a Chianti and a Brunello, and it honestly didn’t matter. You pick things up just from listening and asking whatever comes to mind. Nobody’s testing you.

What do you actually get on a Tuscany wine holiday? 

Varies by trip, but usually a couple of vineyard stops, actual tastings (not just a sip and move on), a real meal somewhere, and someone driving you around so nobody has to worry about that part. Some trips throw in a stop at a nearby town too.

Is it really worth paying more for a private tour? 

For me, yes. Once you’ve stayed somewhere an extra hour because you wanted to, it’s hard to imagine going back to a bus schedule. If that flexibility matters to you, it’s worth it.

Best time of year to go? 

Late spring or early fall, most people would say. Less crowded than summer, weather’s nicer, and if it lines up with harvest, you get to see the vineyards actually doing their thing instead of just standing there looking pretty.

Can you build a trip around an anniversary or something like that? 

Yeah, that comes up a lot actually. Most places are happy to do a little something extra – a toast, a better table, maybe a quieter spot with a nice view. Just mention it when you’re planning.

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Via Sacco e Vanzetti 8 - 50032 Borgo San Lorenzo (Firenze) - ITALY