Meet your guide in front of the church of San Domenico in Siena at 2:30pm, easy to find even if you are arriving from out of town with your own car, as there is parking in the vicinity.
Travel north into the Chianti hills, an area rich with dense oak wood forests and cypress trees, neat rows of vineyards and olive groves, landscapes shaped into works of art by the combined action of nature and man. We visit a Chianti wine estate where we will visit the property’s vineyards and wine cellars and learn about the winemaking process before sitting down to enjoy a tasting of the famous Chianti Classico Black Rooster wines.
Continue to visit the Chianti by taking a walk around Monteriggioni, a medieval and perfectly preserved fortress with a complete ring of city walls and turrets built in the 13th century and mentioned by Dante in his Divine Comedy: this was once Siena’s main bastion of defense against the armies of Florence. Enjoy its quiet and charming atmosphere browsing the alleys and shops of local crafts and products, or lighting a candle in the local church as the pilgrim's once did.
In the late afternoon, arrive in the Unesco protected site of world heritage San Gimignano, just as the day’s large crowds and strong light begin to dwindle. Visit this beautiful and romantic Town of Towers at a leisurely pace, enjoying personal time to see the Collegiata church with its chapel dedicated to the local Saint Fina, or marvel at Sienese and Florentine art in the Civic museum. Browse the many boutique shops of artisanal goods such as leather and hand painted pottery, or sample local products in the food and wines stores, particularly the local saffron and Vernaccia wine for which the town is known. Take a walk up to the Rocca fortress to marvel at the surrounding views or spend your time exploring the town’s many hidden beauties.
After working up an appetite walking the medieval streets of San Gimignano, head out of town to a farm and enjoy a full Tuscan farm to table dinner with local wines. Enjoy a wholesome meal served on a terrace overlooking the nearby cultivated fields (weather permitting) just as the sun begins to set (during colder months or bad weather conditions, dinner will be served comfortably indoors).
On some occasions the itinerary might vary a little. In this case, the tour could be slightly modified but will maintain a similar general imprint, of the same duration and with all the same inclusions.
