Travelling with Bacco, God of wine

 the food valley in Emilia, the vine yarded hills in Tuscany and the fascinating Ligurian Cinque Terre!     

1^st Day: Excursion to Emilia, in the district of Parma, to enter the world of the production and seasoning of raw ham, one of the most important brand in the area, tasting. You’ll proceed towards Modena, with stop to a local producer of balsamic vinegar: you’ll enter the barrels’ room to learn secret for the production of the balsamic vinegar; tasting together with a light menu. In the early afternoon, departure for Maranello for the visit of the Galleria Ferrari with the possibility to see old Formula 1 cars and to buy Ferrari Gift. Transfer to Castelvetro, a little medieval village, for hotel accommodation and typical dinner in a local traditional restaurant. Overnight.

2^nd Day: In the morning, visit to a traditional dairy, to learn techniques for the milk processing, the production and the seasoning of the renowned cheese, parmigiano reggiano , with tasting and possibility to buy some products. You’ll proceed towards Bologna with following arrival in Monte San Pietro, to know one of the most important wine maker of the Region: wine tasting with his quality wines and light lunch in a restaurant near the estate with a seasonal menu. In the late afternoon, transfer to Tuscany and arrival in the Chianti area for hotel accommodation and relaxing time before welcome dinner with a typical Tuscan menu. Overnight. 

3^rd Day: Morning excursion to Siena, one of the most fascinating towns in Tuscany, to visit the historical centre with its monuments. It preserves its medieval character to a remarkable degree. Its beautiful Gothic buildings include the Cathedral and Palazzo Pubblico, as well as numerous churches. Other important monuments are the Torre del Mangia (Tower of Mangia), Saint Domenico Church, Chigi-Saracino Palace, Piccolomini Palace and Medici's Fortress.  Siena is a world famous town thanks its wonderful square Piazza del Campo, one of the most remarkable squares in Italy, where the renowned Palio horse race takes place twice a year, renewing the old rivalry among the different Contrade (seventeen historical districts the city is divided into). Excursion to the Fortezza Medicea for a visit of the fortress and of the Enoteca Italiana for a tasting of some Tuscan wines and light lunch. In the afternoon we’ll proceed towards San Gimignano in the Elsa Valley, for a short walk in the  “town of towers” and a visit to a local winery to taste the Docg white wine Vernaccia di San Gimignano together with a light seasonal menu. Overnight.

4^th Day: Breakfast and transfer to Montalcino, the little village where one  the most important wine in the world is produced: Brunello di Montalcino. In the morning, we’ll admire the most suggestive corners and monuments of the village and we will visit a famous local winery, with tasting of Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino . Light lunch. Departure for Montepulciano, Walking tour through the historical centre to visit an artisan specialized in creating copper artefacts and an historical wine cellar in town with wine tasting. En-route stop at a farm for dinner and return to the hotel.

5^th Day: Breakfast and departure for Florence, one of the most significant capitals of the arts in Italy. Resting on the banks of the River Arno, Florence is blessed with charm an a magic atmosphere. Piazza del Duomo with the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s slender and elegant Campanile (the bell-tower) and Piazza San Giovanni with the Baptistery – designed on an octagonal plan and encased in white and green marble with the three famous bronze doors - represent the spiritual hearth of the town. We’ll then reach the vast and solemn Piazza della Signoria and the near Uffizi Galleries. Piazza della Signoria has since communal times been the centre of government and civic life, dominated by the medieval Palazzo Vecchio. The Gothic arches of the Loggia della Signoria rise on the background. The near Piazzale degli Uffizi is surrounded by the solemn Palazzo degli Uffizi, designed by Vasari as the seat of the Duchy in the past, it houses today the famous Galleries, one of the most important collections of Italian and European paintings from the XII to the XVIII centuries. At the end of the square you can reach the Arno river and enjoy a pleasant walk on Ponte Vecchio among the many jewellers’ shop and a wonderful view of the surrounding hills. Light lunch on your own, free afternoon at disposal for shopping or personal visits/excursions. Meeting in the evening for dinner in a typical restaurant. Return to the hotel.

Afternoon option: transfer to a local farm for a short coking lesson on a typical Tuscan menu: you’ll learn some seasonal recipes , the rules for the sequence of dishes and the match wine&food. Final tasting-dinner with the prepared menu.

6^th Day:  Breakfast and departure for Arezzo for a guided visit of the town. Lunch on your own.

Afternoon transfer to the near Prada outlet in Montevarchi or to the Valdichiana Outlet Village, the first outlet village in Tuscany. Free time at disposal for shopping. Option: excursion to Pian di Scò, at the farm Casamora, an elegant  restored village situated among century-old olive-groves, for a tasting of some Tuscan olive oil cultivar together with typical appetizers.

In the evening return to Chianti with stop in a local country-inn for dinner.

7^th Day: departure for Capraia and Limite, to visit the estate Tenuta Cantagallo, producer of extra virgin olive oil and the local red wine Carmignano Rosso DOCG. Tasting and light lunch with some company’s products. Departure for Vinci: visit of the town and of Leonardo Museum. 

Facultative option: stop in Cerreto Guidi to visit a producer of the DOCG wine Chianti or excursion to Monsumano Terme, in the Choco Valley, to learn secrets of the production of the excellent Italian chocolate.

Departure for the romantic Liguria, towards the Cinque terre. Hotel accommodation in Manarola and dinner with sea dishes. You’ll taste the typical anchovies of Monterosso al Mare (Slow Food) and the trenette (a kind of typical pasta) with pesto sauce (an ancient Mediterranean sauce made with basil, olive oil of the highest quality, pine nuts, marjoram and grated cheese). Evening walk (20-30 minutes) along the famous Via dell’Amore (Love pathway) partly carved in the cliffs facing the sea, to enjoy a breathtaking sight. Manarola is the result  of the thousand-year work, carried out by its farmers who transformed steep hillsides into the fertile soil to cultivate grapes. Clung to the rock, with its multicoloured houses and the Church San Lorenzo, Manarola is considered one of the most beautiful of  five existing villages. Overnight.

8^th Day: Breakfast, check-out. Visit to Riomaggiore. The main street is a covered brook, the Rivus Maior, which gave the village its name. Near the parish church, dating back to the 14^th century, a tablet commemorates the painter Telemaco Signorini (belonging to the macchiaoli movement) who stayed in Riomaggiore from 1860 to 1895. Visit of a country estate to learn the techniques of the terrace cultivation of grapes and of the wine production (Cinque Terre and  Cinque Terre Sciacchetrà). Traveller’s lunch and departure of guests. End of the tour.