Live Like a Local Tuscany - Rome - Amalfi Coast

Day 1

This is Italy!

Your driver will meet you at the airport in Rome and will transport you to Ville Delle Donne in Panzano via luxury passenger van.

On the way, you'll stop in the medieval town of Arezzo to meet guide, Debora Bresciani, for a brief tour and lunch before departing for the villa.

Villa La Donne is part of a 20 acre estate that lies on a hill just below the ancient hamlet of Panzano in the Chianti Region of Tuscany. The towns of Panzano and Greve are both within walking distance of the villa. Enjoy stunning views of the vineyards and the Chianti countryside. The exterior of the structure features original stone, several terraces and is surrounded by a Mediterranean garden of olive trees and plants. View a description and more photos of the villa HERE.

The villa is partially staffed with daily maid service and breakfast served daily. We will have the kitchen stocked with some basic needs and a chef is available upon request for private dinners at the villa. In addition, there are several excellent restaurants and wineries within walking distance.

Dinner: Tonight, enjoy poolside cocktails and dinner prepared by the villa's private chef.

Day 3

Day trip to Montepulciano and Pienza

Standing high atop a hill in southern Tuscany not too far from Siena, Montepulciano is a medieval town of rare beauty in Tuscany. The city, full of elegant Renaissance palaces, ancient churches, charming squares and hidden corners, boasts vast panoramas all over the wonderful Val d'Orcia and Val di Chiana valleys that surround it. A walk through Montepulciano is the best way to view the town and its beautiful landmarks as well as enjoy stunning views of the surrounding countryside covered by vineyards producing the famous Nobile!

Just about a 20 minute drive from Montepulciano lies the tiny village of Pienza in the beautiful valley called Val d'Orcia. Pienza position standing high atop a hill, offers some of the most dramatic views of the Val d'Orcia region. Pienza is also known for its distinct and delectable pecorino cheese. Visitors can smell the aroma of pecorino as they walk through the streets of town.

Private transportation provided

7:00 PM Vineyard dinner at Querceto Di Castellina

Day 6

Day trip to Siena & San Gimignano

Siena is likely Italy's loveliest medieval city, and a trip worth making even if you are in Tuscany for just a few days. Siena's heart is its central piazza known as Il Campo, known worldwide for the famous Palio run here, a horse race run around the piazza two times every summer. Movie audiences worldwide can see Siena and the Palio in the James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace.

Just a short distance from Siena is the medieval hamlet of San Gimignano. Best known for its steeping towers, Vernaccia wine and saffron!

Private transportation provided

Dinner: Oltre il Giardino, Panzano

Day 7

Toscana Mia Cooking School

The Toscana Mia hands-on course covers traditional, home-style Tuscan and Italian recipes to enjoy the wonderfully intense flavor and freshness of traditional Italian dishes cooked in an evocative stone farmhouse in the hills of Chianti, in Tuscany, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves.

The cooking classes are held in a friendly atmosphere and you have the chance to learn a few culinary secrets from Simonetta and Paola. You will cook and eat dishes prepared using fresh, organic, and natural ingredients. A complete meal such as appetizers, a pasta dish, a vegetable or meat dish, and then a dessert is prepared every day and is accompanied by the Chianti Classico wine which best complements it.

Day 9

Twilight tour of Ancient Rome & Colosseum

Explore the Roman amphitheater in all its glory: a gloomy sky behind it, dramatic lighting all around, closed to the public. The tour begins at Capitoline Hill which offers an incredible view of the Roman Forum - it stands empty at night, which gives the whole scene a more eerie feeling. You will then go on to visit the Forum itself, walking around the place that played such an important part in the daily life of the ancient Romans.

Next it will be time to head inside the Colosseum. Warm lighting enhances its beauty, and with no need to queue you’ll have the amphitheater to yourself. Expert guides bring ancient scenes to life, and you can even go underground to explore areas of the Colosseum that most people don’t see…

Day 10

Morning tour of Capuchin Crypt, Aquedoct and Basilica di San Nicola

First stop, the Capuchin Crypt. A cemetery literally built from bones! The rooms are decorated with the remains of about 4,000 friars. The message at the end of the crypt reads: "What we were, you are now. What we are now, you will be."

Next, visit the Virgin aqueduct. In Rome, as many as 11 aqueducts arrived, an enormous quantity that was equaled only in modern times. You'll see the basement of a shopping center where the ancient aqueduct remains and then where the water comes out, at the famous Trevi Fountain.

Finally, we'll stop at the Basilica of San Nicola. A secret place that few know. Beneath the main church, you can poke around the claustrophobic remains of three Republican-era temples and a series of cells that once served as currency exchange offices. The temples, which were used as a prison in medieval times – hence carcere (prison) in the church's name – were incorporated into the church's structure as witnessed by the marble columns on the basilica's side.

Explore Rome at your own pace

Your two day Hop-On Hop-Off bus pass conveniently drops off and picks you up at most major tourist sights in Rome.

Day 11

Drive to Amalfi Coast with private guided tour of Pompeii

Buried under layers of ash and rock for over 1500 years, the archaeological remains of Pompeii, Herculaneum and the Villa Oplontis at Torre Annunziata serve as windows into the past. The Roman town of Pompeii was buried alongside the summer retreat of Herculaneum and numerous lavish villas when Vesuvius erupted on the 24th of August, 79 CE.

Arrive at Hotel Miramalfi

Check in and spend the evening on your own. Miramalfi has a complimentary shuttle into the town center every half hour.

Day 13

Day tour of the Isle of Capri

Enjoy this full day tour of Capri, including Anacapri, Villa San Michele, Piazzetta Umberto, and Augusta Gardens.

Transportation to be determined. Choice of private luxury yacht or public ferry and then private driver on the island.

Day 15

Naples

Spend your final night in Italy in the city of Naples.