THE 1/2 WEEK TRIP INCLUDES:

• 3 nights at Rose of the Winds, near Cortona, in a picturesque, restored 18th Century Farmhouse. The villa is beautifully furnished with traditional Tuscan furniture.
• Daily Breakfast baskets
• 2 Lunches
• All Dinners (3 self-catered in apartments)
• Small groups: 4 to 16 people.
• Visit to winery with wine tasting in Montepulciano and Pienza.
• 2 guided excursions to Pienza, Montepulciano, Siena, San Gimignano, Assisi e Deruta.
• All transportation (to and from Cortona).

SAMPLE ITINERARY: The tours listed are not in chronological order to be followed on a day-to-day basis. However, all tours listed will be conducted throughout the week. *Note: all Rose Winds programs begin on Saturdays!

ARRIVAL: DAY 1 (SAT) – Transfer from Cortona to Rose Winds
We will meet you at the train station in Cortona at 2 PM. Transfer to the villa. After settling in and welcoming you, your hosts Stefano or Barbara will show you around for an introductory tour of their home. Dinner at the villa.

Montepulciano and Pienza: Wine and Cheese tour (Full Day)
We will meet in the main building at 9:30 AM to prepare for the excursion to Montepulciano, a region that is famous for its Vino Nobile de Montepulciano wines. We will visit a grape farm and winery where you can participate in a wine tasting featuring this sublime wine. We will also visit the historic sites of the village, and you will have the opportunity to spend some time shopping in the local artisans’ shops. We will then transfer to Pienza where we will enjoy a tasty lunch (included) and visit the village of Pienza, built under the instruction of Pope Pius II as the perfect Renaissance city. Dinner at the villa.

Siena and San Gimignano (Full Day)
9:00 AM meeting for our excursion to Siena and San Gimignano. San Gimignano’s famous towers have withstood many centuries. Very few cities in Italy have towers remaining intact like those of San Gimignano. San Gimignano produces one of Italy’s finest Italian white wines, “Vernaccia di San Gimignano. At noon, we will transfer to Siena for lunch (included), and tour of the city’s historical sites: including the Piazza del Campo, Torre del Mangia, the Cathedral, and a stroll along the shopping district of Via de’ Banchi.

DEPARTURE: DAY 5 (WED)

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