Itinerary for October  2016

Monday, Oct 17- Thursday, Oct 27, 2016

Monday, Oct 17

Group will be picked up at Florence airport in our rental van

Arrive at Il Colle, Giovanni will welcome us with local Tuscan food

Unpack, tour grounds, etc.

Meet our neighbors and my good friends, Elettra and Andreas

 

 

Tuesday Oct 18

 

Morning: for early risers! It’s Market day in Figline!  We will stock our pantry with local food- meet the cheese man and explore the market (in addition to food, they have clothes, tablecloths, scarves and even live chickens)

Afternoon Fall Fair: in the town of Impruneta

La Fiera di San Luca (Fair of St. Luke) in Impruneta

http://www.fierasanluca.it/

This is one of the oldest surviving live stock fairs in Europe. It is held in the week in which the feast of St Luke occurs (18 October) The origins go back about thousand years to a time when the shepherds migrated from the Apennines to Maremma and stopped here to trade cattle. Other sources link this fair to the pilgrimage of Florentines to the Sanctuary of Santa Maria when it was necessary to provide food for the pilgrims. Of course, the fair has undergone some changes: the animals that used to work the fields have been replaced by tractors, but there is still a considerable demand for animals for meat and horses for riding. Horse trading in fact provides the principal authentic entertainment at the fair.

Meet my friend Malo, learn about the cosmetics she makes from the Irises she grows on her property, visit her bees and honey production, admire her handmade baskets and taste her Olive oil

 

Dinner in San Polo

 

Wednesday, Oct 19

Day trip to Florence

On your own, or tour around with Marcie (itinerary TBD)

*If you want to see the Uffizi, my friend Anna is available, she is a licensed guide!

Lunch at Trattoria Nella, Via delle Terme,

Drinks later at Plaza Hotel Lucchesi on the river Arno, rooftop bar with incredible360-degreee views of the city- beautiful by day and magical at night

 

Thursday Oct 20

Visit to Podere Le Fornaci   http://www.poderelefornaci.it/en/#.V7yqHZMrInU

We will make cheese and have a Farm tour at 9:00 am

Lunch at my favorite local restaurant:  Le Panzanelle in Radda

http://www.lepanzanelle.it/home/home.php

 

Friday Oct 21:

Day trip to:   Amedei chocolate factory  for special tasting and tour (90 minutes)
http://www.amedei.it/it/visite.html

 Continue on to Lucca or if it’s a nice day, we can go to the sea side

Pizza tonight at Zia Emile in Poggio Alle Croce

Saturday, Oct 22

[metaslider id=2028]

Visit Cristina’s farm in Paterno, hike through olive orchard, learn about the products the family makes, lunch with Cristina and Luca and their family

Visit nearby ceramic studio

 

Sunday, Oct 23

Castello del Trebbio, full day  tasting program

http://www.castellodeltrebbio.com/en/6/the-castles-history.html

Tour and tastings at the winery, olive oil press, and saffron fields

Cooking class at 12:30 (includes lunch)

Monday , Oct 24:

10:30 AM Gelato Experience at Antica Delizia  in the town of Castellina

http://www.anticadelizia.it/en/Who we are.htm

Continue on to the walled city of Siena

 

Tuesday, Oct 25

[metaslider id=969]

 

Another trip into Florence, if we want… Oltre Arno tour of local artisans’ studios

Stopping first in Figline Market for any last minute shopping

 

 

Wed Oct 26, OUR LAST DAY TOGETHER

 

Visit the town of Badia di Passignana, tour of the Abby, conducted by the monks

http://www.badia-a-passignano.com/

See “The Last Super “by Ghirlandaio

Lunch at the nearby restaurant, Scuderia

http://www.ristorolanticascuderia.it/ita-menu.php

 

Special dinner party tonight!

[metaslider id=2343]

 

Thursday Oct 27

Departure day