top of page

The Wine Counselor © Invites You

 

to Tuscany  & The Piedmont

October 16 - 26, 2023

SOLD OUT

Michael Schafer, The Wine Counselor©, will be leading a journey dedicated to the discovery of great wines and cuisine in Tuscany and the Piedmont regions of Italy - two of the great wine and culinary areas of the world.   The Wine Counselor© has an unmatched breadth of knowledge and passion for wine, and a unique style of “edutaining” his guests about the incredible wines they will experience.     
 
What’s Included:
· Round trip airfare from Detroit to Italy*
· Walking tours of Florence, Siena and San Gimignano
· Tastings of the great wines of Italy
· 6 dinners including a Welcome Dinner in Florence
· 9 nights in beautiful 4* hotels
· Truffle hunting in Alba
· 7 lunches at spectacular wineries in Tuscany and The Piedmont
· Italian tour leader (fluent English) throughout our journey
· Daily breakfast
· Luxury motor coach with WiFi
 
*Land only options available

Our Select Hotels:
Florence 10/17/23 – 10/19/23 Grand Hotel Baglioni **** (www.hotelbaglioni.it)
Siena 10/19/23 – 10/22/23 Hotel Certosa di Pontignano **** (www.lacertosadipontignano.com/en/)
Sestri Levante 10/22/23 – 10/23/203 Grand Hotel dei Castelli **** (www.hoteldeicastelli.it/it/home)
Pollenzo-Bra 10/23/23 – 10/25/23 at Hotel Albergo Dell'Agenzia **** (www.albergoagenzia.it)
Varese 10/25/23 – 10/26/23 at Hotel Capolago **** (www.capolago.it/en/)

DAYS 1 & 2, October 16 & 17: USA & Florence

Depart USA on overnight flight to Florence.  Meals served onboard. Upon arrival at Florence airport we'll be met by our tour leader and transferred to Florence.  After checking into our hotel, we'll enjoy the rest of the day at leisure before a walking food tour of Florence including Negroni and Focaccia , Schiacciata Antipasti, and culminating with the famous “Bistecca alla Fiorentina.”  We will learn the history of this incomparable dish, the aging process and the breed of cattle traditionally used and how the cut should be cooked.  Overnight in the Florence at the Hotel Grand Baglioni. (D)

​

 

DAY 3, October 18: Florence  

After breakfast, we'll enjoy a half day guided walking tour of the “Renaissance City” including Santa Croce, Piazza Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi Arcade and Loggia de Lanzi, Piazza Repubblica, The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore & Baptistry Square. The remainder of the day at leisure to explore Florence and it's magnificent restaurants, museums and shops.  Overnight in Florence.   (B)

​

 

DAY 4, October 19: Tuscany - Chianti 

Depart hotel and stop at the American Cemetery where we will pay our respects to those men  who died in Italy during WWII.  Continue to Castello di Vicchiomaggio for a guided visit of the estate, a tasting of three wines and lunch. After lunch proceed to Castello di Querceto for a guided visit of the estate, wine tasting of three wines and snack. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Certosa di Pontignano. (B|L|D)

​

​

​

 

DAY 5, October 20: Montalcino - Siena

Private transfer to Fattoria de Barbi for a guided visit of the estate, the cheese production, and 4 course lunch matched with 4 wines. After, we visit the lovely town on Montalcino for a tour of the Oro di Montalcino Wine Museum. Depart to Siena, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a two-hour guided walking tour of this lovely medieval town. Dinner on your own in Siena, and overnight stay at Hotel Certosa di Pontignano. (B|L)

 

DAY 6, October 21: San Gimignano - Bolgheri

Private transfer to the “Town of Fine Towers,” San Gimignano.   San Gimignano, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for its fascinating medieval architecture and towers.  On to the Bolgheri region of Tuscany where we will enjoy a three-course lunch at Osteria Enoteca San Guido.  Lunch will include the world renowned Guidalberto, Ornellaia, Le Volte and Sassicaia wines.  Before heading home, we will visit Guicciardini Strozzi estate in the San Gimignano area. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Certosa di Pontignano. (B|L|D)

​

​

 

DAY 7, October 22:  Cinque Terre & Liguria 

Today we leave Tuscany and travel to Liguria. En route, we stop in Cinque Terre where we will take a leisurely stroll down to the enchanting town of Manarola. After lunch on our own, we continue to Sestri Levante, a lovely town on the Italian Riviera. After check-in at the hotel, we will enjoy a wonderful dinner and learn how to make the incomparable Ligurian pesto. Overnight at the Grand Hotel dei Castelli. (B|D)

​

​

 

DAY 8, October 23:  The Piedmont - Alba 

Depart for Alba in the Piedmont. Alba is the capital of the UNESCO heritage area of Langhe and is famous for its white truffles.  We’ll have a walking tour of this historic town and time for lunch on our own. After lunch we’ll delight in a tasting of eight wines (including the famous Barolo) at the  Paolo Manzone winery.  Dinner and overnight at the extraordinary Albergo Dell’Agenzia Hotel, home of the University of Gastronomic Sciences and the Wine Bank. (B|D) 

​

​

DAY 9, October 24: The Piedmont - Alba & Barbaresco  

This morning we visit the Montaribaldi vineyard in the lovely little town of Barbaresco to try the same name wine and other typical wines of the area (Barolo, Nebbiolo and Dolcetto).  After, it's truffle hunting today in Tartuflanghe! After our hunt we’ll feast on a three-course lunch based on truffle specialties. Dinner and return to the Albergo Dell’Agenzia. (B|L|D)

​

​

 

DAY 10, October 25: The Piedmont - Asti & Induno Olona 

Depart to Induno Olona where we visit the Castello di Razzano. We will have a guided tour of the “Wine Museum” and cellars, and lunch with a tasting of eight wines including the famous Spumante. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Capolago Varese. (B|L|D)

​

​

 

 

DAY 11, October 26: Departure Day 

Today it’s "Arrivederci!" to Italy. We depart after an unforgettable wine and culinary tour of Tuscany and the Piedmont. Grazie, Consigliere del Vino! (B)

Florence_main.png
Ponte_Vecchio_from_East.jpg
Siena_2.jpg
Florence-Siena-Cathedral.jpg
San Gimignano.jpg
Cinque Terre.jpg
Paolol Manzone.jpg
Truffles Alba.jpg
Castello-di-Razzano.jpg
Arrivederci.jpg
bottom of page