FOOD & WINE | belsentiero

Overview:

Tuscany is one of the great food and wine destinations of Italy, and, indeed, of the world. The scenery is unbelievably beautiful with large tracts of agricultural land, including wheat and sunflower fields, vineyards and olive groves, placed on rolling hills, dotted with cypress trees and criss-crossed by white gravel roads.

So just imagine this: An unforgettable week in southern Tuscany, tasting some exceptional wines, learning how to cook like an Italian from an Italian, visiting some spectacular medieval towns and enjoying sumptuous gourmet meals. All of this while staying in luxurious accommodation in the beautiful Val d'Orcia World Heritage area while in the company of other like minded people. If this sounds interesting then our Food & Wine Experience is for you!

Note: We can cater to almost any food allergy or eating preference on this tour - just let us know beforehand.

A unique experience:

Our Food & Wine Experiences are unique and include the following:

Only small groups with a maximum of 8 guests per tour
7 nights accommodation at the luxurious BelSentiero villa
All ground transportation including collection and drop-off at Rome Fiumicino airport
Two days to visit some famous Montepulciano and Brunello wineries
Two days for cooking lessons with an Italian cook
One day to visit local producers (including a local farm)
A Tuscan BBQ on the last day on the terrace at BelSentiero
Visits to some great local restaurants including a Michelin starred restaurant
Stops at the beautiful medieval hill-towns of Montepulciano, Montalcino and Pienza

Day 1

We will collect you in the afternoon at Rome Fiumicino airport for your transfer to the luxurious BelSentiero Estate & Country House. BelSentiero is situated in the beautiful Val d'Orcia, a World Heritage area located in southern Tuscany. This will be your home for the week. On arrival at BelSentiero a traditional dinner of dishes from the area will be served.

Day 2

This is the day to explore the famous noble wines of Montepulciano! First up after breakfast, we will visit a top winery near Montepulciano for a tour and tasting. Thereafter, lunch will be at a café in the spectacular hilltop town of Montepulciano with its views over the Val d'Chiana. Following lunch we will visit another top winery. In the evening dinner will be at a great local restaurant.

Day 3

Today will be spent learning how to make traditional Italian pasta with a local Italian cook. Lunch will consist of the food prepared together with some great wine from the Brunello. Later, in the evening, aperitivo (pre-dinner drinks) and a light dinner will be at the café in the local village.

Day 4

This day will be used to visit the famous Brunello wine region. First up will be a Brunello tasting at an enoteca in Montalcino. The tasting will focus on some of the top wines to provide a broad appreciation of the wines from the area. This will be followed by lunch in Montalcino. Thereafter, we will visit a Brunello winery. In the evening, dinner will be at a great local pizzeria.

Day 5

Today we have a second cooking class. This time the focus will be on local, seasonal dishes using fresh local ingredients and food products sourced from the region. Again, lunch will consist of the meal prepared together with wine. Later, in the evening, aperitivo and a light dinner will be at the local village café.

Day 6

In the morning, we will visit the ancient church in Abbadia from the 700s. Thereafter lunch will be in the picturesque town of Pienza where we will also stop for some of Italy's best gelato! Then we visit a farm to try some local produce including the pecorino cheese for which Pienza is famous. In the evening, dinner will be at an amazing Michelin starred restaurant.

Day 7

This will be the last full day of your Tuscan Food & Wine Experience. We will start the day with a visit to the olive oil museum in Seggiano where can taste the local DOP certified olive oil. Thereafter, we will have an extended BBQ on the veranda with its magnificent views over the Val d'Orcia valley. All while enjoying some of the great wines of Tuscany!

Day 8

After breakfast we will return you to Rome Fiumicino airport. We will aim to arrive at the airport by 12h00 so flights should only be booked from 15h00 onwards.

What is included:

Your Tuscan Food & Wine Experience includes the following:

7 nights at BelSentiero;
Ground transportation;
Services of English speaking guide;
Cooking lessons;
Wine tastings;
All meals at BelSentiero and village café.

Not included are the following:

Flights to/ from Rome Fiumicino;
Insurance (recommended);
Meals outside of BelSentiero;
Beverages outside of tastings/ lessons;
Optional gratuities

Tour details:

Location: Val d'Orcia, southern Tuscany
Dates of next tours: As a result of the COVID-19 situation all our tours for 2020 have been cancelled. However, we plan to re-introduce our Food & Wine Experiences for 2021 and typically would schedule one for each of May, June, July and September.
Tour price: €1,900 per person sharing
Optional single supplement: €600

Private tour option:

Private tours are available to book with your own group on any date you choose, given guide and accommodation availability
Tour price (7 nights): €1,900 per person sharing (€600 single supplement)
Minimum: 2 people
Customizations to the itinerary are possible but may entail additional fees
Please note – Our pricing is based on double occupancy accommodation. If upon finalizing your private trip, your group has a solo traveler in a room without a roommate, the single supplement becomes mandatory.

If you would like to join one of our Food & Wine Experiences e-mail us on or send us a message using the contact form below: