Overview
Go Get Lost Reviews
Join us on this special private tour as we experience the cuisine culture of Tuscany while exploring the towns and historic cities of this magical land.
The mystical allure of central Italy has remained strong for almost three millenia. Tribes, kingdoms and empires have risen and fallen, and each has left its unique mark. It began with the ancient civilizations of Etruscans and Romans, endured the invasions of other European cultures, blossomed during the Renaissance to lead Europe out of the Dark Ages, and continues to evolve even today. Tuscany has one of the world’s most perfect combinations of history, art, cuisine, landscape, culture…and of course the people who make it all come to life. The culture of food is prevalent in all aspects of Tuscany…with a huge array of vineyards, famous kitchens and an inborn Tuscan philosophy of living life to the fullest!
On this adventure, we stay true to our Go Get Lost philosophy of immersing you in the culture, introducing you to plenty of the fun local characters, cooking alongside some of the best chefs in region, indulging in the superb regional cuisine, marveling at landscapes only a Renaissance painter could reproduce and veering off the beaten path quite often to find the hidden gems we love. Best of all, we give you plenty of quality free time to wander, get lost and soak up the ambiance of the area.
Premiere 4-Star accommodations, local guides to show you the secrets of the area, private transfers, and a Go Get Lost tour leader to make it all run smoothly.
C.C. Fridlin is only taking a limited number of travelers on this culinary adventure, don’t get left behind!
C.C. Fridlin is a culinary instructor and cookbook author residing in Huntsville, AL. Since 2001, C.C. Fridlin has been inviting home cooks into his kitchen and showing them how to elevate their cuisine. His relatable, easy-to-follow approach keeps demand for his classes high, which ultimately led him to create his first cookbook, Step by Step Italian: Recipes from CC’s Cooking Classes. His love for Italian food, culture and history started with his first trip to Italy after college graduation and has continued through multiple trips back through the years. Though he has always enjoyed a good meal, C.C. jump-started his professional culinary experience as an assistant at an Austin TX cooking school where he learned from a variety of leading chefs and cookbook authors. In addition to his own cooking classes, he also instructs at cooking schools in Alabama and Georgia. He is a member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals and has served as its Chair of the Cooking Schools and Teachers Interest Section.
Tour Dates & Pricing
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Itinerary
Day 1 - Florence
Upon arrival in Florence you will make your way to your centrally located 4 Star hotel.
Check in and relax.
Florence is known as the cradle of the Renaissance, and rightfully so. The 14th century
explosion of creative talent that ended the Dark Ages and forever changed the world, was born
and matured in this beautiful, magnificent city. Some of the greatest names in history called
Florence home: Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Donatello, Dante, Giotto, and the infamous
Machiavelli.
Florence has a reputation as a pedestrian-friendly city, with all of the major museums, palazzos, and
squares located within easy walking distance. The friendly ambiance of this genteel Tuscan
capital will set you at ease as you wander along its cobblestoned streets lined with shops and
restaurants.
This afternoon you’ll meet your local Florentine guide for a 3 hour walking tour of Florence. They’ll lead you ona private journey of exploration throughout the city, where you’ll marvel at the fascinating story of
Florence, both past and present. You’ll end with an excellent dinner at one of our favorite local places. Florentine cuisine is not rich or elaborate, but it is hearty. Meats and salamis are much in evidence, as are simple but flavorful pastas. Many Tuscans would argue that the best olive oil in Italy comes from Tuscany, and they may be right! Drizzled over unsalted Tuscan bread or crispy crostini...it's a wonder. And of course the world of Tuscan wines is amazing...prepare to enjoy many fine vintages during your journey!
Day 2 - Cooking Class in Florence and Botteghe Tour
After breakfast you’ll embark on a pleasant walk of about 20 minutes to reach your private
kitchen located in one of Florence's most authentic quarters. Before starting to
cook your personal chef will accompany you in a unique “botteghe walking tour“, a short
shopping walk in one of Florence’s most authentic neighborhoods, avoiding the tourist packed
markets. Together with your chef you’ll hunt for produce visiting our small family run butcher,
vegetable stall and a “not-to-be-missed” cheese shop, before heading back to the school for
your lesson. During your hands-on course you will prepare a complete meal, using the best seasonal products as you learn the secrets of making typical Tuscan dishes. Of course wine is also included. After the lesson you’ll be able to relax and dine with
the recipes you prepared.
Afternoon is free to wander Florence and get lost. World class museums, art, and shopping
abound. You’re free for dinner tonight, so keep your eyes open for the perfect trattoria.
Day 3 - Chianti & Siena
After breakfast at the hotel you’ll check out and board your private coach for your day
exploring the charming Chianti region. Following the Chiantigiana Road you’ll stop in Greve in
Chianti for a wine and salami tasting at one of Tuscany's famous butchers. Then on to Panzano in
Chianti and stop for lunch at Dario Cecchini’s “Solo Ciccia “ restaurant for lunch and wine. Time
permitting you’ll be able to wander a bit in these quaint towns. In the afternoon you’ll arrive in
Siena and accommodation at your 4 Star hotel:
When you combine the history of Siena with the current traditions of its inhabitants, you'll find
that Siena is arguably one of the most fascinating, one of the most unique, and one of the most
vibrant cultures in all of Europe! The Senese have kept alive the customs of their ancestors, and
in fact live it every day. To understand all of the history and customs, we'll have a private
guided tour of the city by one of its citizens. As you explore the city you'll marvel at the huge
span of history represented in its architecture, from the Romans to the Renaissance to the
Goths, Siena is a landscape of all the civilizations that have dominated here.
Tonight we’ll walk the winding cobblestone streets of the fascinating and vibrant city center. Our wanderings will end at one of our favorite local restaurants, where an entirely new assortment of regional cuisine awaits us. An after dinner passegiatta around Siena’s stunning Campo, or town square, will cap off another perfect day in Italia.
Day 4 - The Valdorcia, Pienza & Montepulciano
Today we board our private coach and head south into the famed wine region of Valdorcia, known worldwide for the classic Tuscan landscape of rolling hills dotted with Italian cypress, vineyards dominated by walled cities, and every other image you've ever seen on a postcard! We'll stop first at the quirky little Renaissance town of Pienza, famous as the hometown of one of the most unusual popes, and even more famous as the center of cheese production for the region. This tiny town was catapulted to fame when one of it's hometown priests became Pope Pius II in 1459. He immediately began a renovation project to transform the town into a Utopian city. Today this little town boasts beautiful buildings and charming cobblestone streets lined with cheese and wine shops. The views from several points offer unique and breathtaking panoramas of the Val d'Orcia Valley, from Montalcino to Mount Amiata.
All the wandering will no doubt make us hungry, so we'll outside the town's walls for a stop at a nearby organic agricultural farm. Here we'll enjoy a cheese tasting of their own various sheep and goat cheeses made from raw milk. During the tasting they will explain the stages of cheese production from hand–milking to the final product. Meanwhile you may relax on the terrace with a breathtaking panorama of the Val d’Orcia Valley. We'll hang around here to have lunch, along with a glass of wine from their production range , home made bread baked in their own wood-oven and jam and honey to accentuate the cheese. All will make this an unforgettable journey into beautiful southern Tuscany.
Of course after eating we'll need to do a bit of strolling, and what better place than the nearby town of Montepulciano. Standing imperious on a high ridge, Montepulciano seems to be the quintessential example of a picturesque medieval walled city. The town is full of elegant Renaissance palaces, ancient churches, charming squares and hidden corners, boasting vast panoramas all over the wonderful Val d'Orcia and Val di Chiana valleys that surround it. The real draw, though, is the famous wine Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, produced from the unique Prugnolo Gentile grapes grown only on the slopes of the surrounding hills. You can taste this elegant, full-bodied red wine in any of the wine shops and vineyard shops that line the main streets of this medieval gem.
Day 5 - Cooking in Chianti… & San Gimignano
This morning we head north into the rolling hills of the Chianti countryside. Here we’ll meet our local chef for a walking tour of the
local market of Castellina to buy ingredients for our cooking class. Then on to her wine estate
in Castellina for our cooking experience in the preparation of a Tuscan menu. Of course lunch
to follow with wines of the Estate, along with a tasting of their olive oils.
In the afternoon we’ll proceed into the region known as the Chianti Colli Senesi, where we’ll
explore the wonderfully bizarre town of San Gimignano. The high walls and narrow streets of
this imposing fortress are typical of Tuscan hill towns, but the 14 medieval towers that
dominate San Gimignano's skyline set it apart from all the rest. Here you can "get lost" in the
maze of streets, shops, and cafes. San Gimignano is rumored to have one of the best gelato
shops in all of Italy...may be worth a visit? For the not-so- faint-of- heart, a tour of the
fascinating (and gruesome) Museum of Medieval Justice will provide an interesting yet
terrifying glimpse of the past.
Hopefully you didn't eat too much at lunch, because as this is our final evening in magical Tuscany, tonight we have an incredible farewell dinner planned at one of our favorite local restaurants. Adventures and misadventures from the previous week are re-lived and laughed about, everyone and everything is toasted, addresses are copied and goodbyes are exchanged with all your new lifelong friends that you "Got Lost" in Italy with!
Day 6 - Departure
This morning we’ll have a group transfer to Florence airport.
HOTELS
Due to availability at the time of booking, hotels listed may change to similar hotels
Florence - 4 Star Grand Hotel Cavour: The Grand Hotel Cavour is located in the very centre, just minutes from the monuments that make it the world’s most unique city, with breathtaking views from the rooftop on their Divina Terrazza!
The rooms are decorated with fine furniture, curtains, and upholstery, and the guests are immersed in atmospheres rare for an unforgettable stay in Florence.
Siena – 4 Star Hotel Athena With a perfect location just inside the walls of Siena’s old city, the Athena is in a quiet residential neighborhood only a short walk from the center of Siena and its famous piazza, Il Campo. Modern rooms are tastefully decorated with dark woods and muted colors. With furnishings by local artisans, colors that echo the tones of the Tuscan landscape and the many comforts available, you will feel completely at home at ease, surrounded by the warmth of a welcome you will always remember.
What´s Included
- 2 nights at a 4 Star hotel in Florence
- 3 nights at a 4 Star hotel in Siena
- BONUS! Free additional night at the hotel in Siena, ask for details
- Daily breakfast
- Meals as specified: 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners, 1 wine tasting, 2 cooking classes
- All group meals include water and wine (soft drinks, beer and any other drinks are extra)
- Private walking tour of Florence with local guide
- Welcome dinner in Florence
- Botteghe tour with the chef, and cooking class in San Frediano cooking school with lunch
- Salami and wine at a Tuscan Butcher
- Lunch at Solo Ciccia Restaurant by Dario Cecchini
- Private walking tour of Siena with a local guide
- Visits to Montepulciano and Pienza
- Tour of dairy farm and dinner
- Castellina market visit
- Cooking class in a wine estate, with lunch, wine tasting and olive oil tasting
- Visit to San Gimignano
- Farewell dinner in Siena
- Group departure transfer to Florence airport
- All transfers as listed in itinerary, this tour uses private coaches
- All gratuities for meals, local guides, coach drivers, etc. (Does NOT include gratuity for primary local tour leader.)
- Completely escorted by a Go Get Lost Tour Leader with local guides at specified sites throughout the itinerary
- A lifetime of unforgettable memories!
What´s not Included
- Airfare package
- Arrival airport transfer to hotel in Florence
- Gratuity for primary local tour leader
- Visa fees, if applicable
- Meals not specified in itinerary
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption and Medical Insurance (strongly recommended), call for details
- Single supplement charge
- Items of a personal nature; phone calls, laundry, etc.
