Tuscan Cuisine & Culture by World Journeys

Day 1 : Florence > Lucca

Transfer from Florence to your accommodation in the Tuscan countryside near Lucca, a lovely city with cobbled streets, Renaissance walls and an historic city centre. Dinner and overnight at the relais.

Day 2 : Cooking Lesson & Lucca

This morning meet the chef for your hands-on cooking lesson. Pick herbs from the vegetable garden and learn how to prepare the typical Lucchese pasta called Tacconi, gnocchi with tomato sauce and ragout. This afternoon is a private visit of nearby Lucca, with return transfers included

Day 3 : Siena, San Gimignano & Monteriggioni

Spend the day visiting Siena, San Gimignano and Monteriggioni by car with English speaking driver. These wonderful Tuscan towns are typical of the region and the beautiful small walled town of San Gimignano is sure to be a highlight. Transfer back to your relais for dinner and an evening at leisure.

Day 4 : Cooking, Olives & Wine

Today’s cooking lesson will involve the preparation of some typical fish dishes like a thick fish and tomato soup called Cacciucco or, if you prefer, traditional meat or vegetarian dishes. Later visit an olive grove, learn to recognise high quality olive oil and visit the “frantoio” where the olives are pressed. This afternoon visit the Royal Villas in Marlia and Torrigiani before enjoying the olive oil, wine cellars and aromatic garden of a farm nearby.

Day 5 : Versilia & Olive Oil Tasting

Enjoy your morning at leisure. In the late afternoon, you’ll be picked up by car from the hotel with your guide. Transfer to the hills behind Pietrasanta (Versilia area) to discover a special product of this area – a truly special extra virgin olive oil recognised with the Slow Food Presidium. Olive growing in Versilia, and this area in particular, has been of primary importance for millennia, both for the local economy and in shaping the landscape. The centuries-old Quercetano olive groves still shape the surrounding landscapes to this day. Pure Quercetano olive oil is rare, produced by a handful of olive growers, and it has a unique taste. You will visit an olive oil producer where you will have an olive oil tasting with the owner, followed by a visit to the owner’s popular restaurant with a gourmet dinner immersed in an olive grove.

Day 6 : Lucca > Florence

Transfer to the airport or city centre of Florence where arrangements conclude.