Today we’ll leave our beloved Florence behind to begin our adventures in the Tuscan countryside – rolling hills, charming villages, sky-high Cypress trees, vineyards and olive groves aplenty! En route to Chianti, we will make a stop to visit the American Cemetery in Florence, where 4,399 American soldiers are buried from the United States’ involvement in freeing Italy during the Second World War.
After a scenic drive, passing medieval hamlets and cypress trees swaying in the wind, we’ll arrive at the Antinori estate, one of the finest wine producers in Tuscany, where we’ll explore the beauty of their jaw-dropping winery and sample peerless examples of their viticulture. Highly rated by Robert Parker and the wine community at large, the Antinori family is known for playing a seminal role in creating some of the first – and best – of Italy’s new-wave “Super Tuscan” wines. Antinori has been making wine for over twenty-six generations, since 1385. They believe that tradition and innovation can go hand in hand: our guide will walk us through centuries-old vineyards set against the backdrop of the sleek ultra-modern winery.
After a luxurious lunch under the Tuscan sun, we’ll learn everything there is to know about extra virgin olive oil. It’ll take your appreciation for the real extra virgin product to a new level.
Today’s final destination is Castello di Gargonza, a superbly restored 13th-century medieval hamlet, where we will be making our home for the next five nights. The fortified village is surrounded by more than 1500 acres of forest, olive groves and vineyards and overlooks the Val di Chiana, a wide green valley punctuated by gently rolling hills. Gargonza's suites are located in different houses inside the village, and have maintained their authentic structures and character, thanks to the careful restoration of the Guicciardini family. The comforts are modern while the atmospheres have remained those of the past. Enjoy a tour of the grounds followed by aperitivo in the private lemon garden with our charismatic host, Neri Guicciardini, who will regale us with stories of his aristocratic family's past and the history of the village and its restoration.
The menu here will always be traditional Tuscan cuisine, complete with pasta made fresh daily. With your old-fashioned key in hand, settle into your comfortable rooms, each with working fireplaces, and immediately feel your shoulders relax and be transported into the past. Never fear, all rooms have a full range of modern amenities, including mini bar and Wi-Fi if you need to come back to the 21st century.
GARGONZA (B, L, R, D)