Vintage Chianti
Tour Data
A luxury 5 night holiday following the "Strade dei Vini" through this historic and rich environment. Sample the classic vintages and the incredible roads in unparalleled style
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5 Nights of luxurious surroundings in the worlds most beautiful countryside |
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Max km allowance 950km (extra KM rates apply if you exceed this limit) |
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The itinerary is a ‘summer’ season itinerary and can be booked from the start of May through to the end of October |
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Platinum upgrade option available to access the best suites available! |
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For prices please click on the booking tab above |
Day 1
Your personal driver meets you at Pisa or Florence airports (other airports available on request) and transports you to our starting base at Lucca where you will be shown around your chosen vehicle, have the route and navigation system explained and any questions answered by the CDT member of staff.
The afternoon drive takes you south through the Alpi Pisani either passing the famous leaning tower or bypassing Pisa and heading directly into the Tuscan countryside. From Pisa you pass Volterra which while worth a look, is something that you may choose to leave until the last day, before heading on the sinuous SR68 towards Colle val d'Elsa. This is a beautiful road with some exceptional views for nearly the entire 27km. At Colle you turn southwards once more and on to the first hotel stay.
The hotel (the word hotel really does not do justice to this jewel of Tuscany) dates from Medieval times having been a castle and stronghold before becoming a papal villa. You cannot help but feel part of history during your stay here.
The hotel also has Spa facilities (a full list of available treatments can be sent on request) which we are happy to reserve for you before your arrival. Dinner will be taken in the hotel's own restaurant either out on the terraces or in the stylish dining room.
For people taking our Platinum package we will be reserving one of the hotel's suites (the 'standard' qualifies for a ver large double room with king size bed!) to make this first night something extra special
Dinner will be organised for you in the hotel's exclusive and excellent restaurant - generally tables are booked around 8pm, but please let us know if you prefer an earlier or later dining time
Estimated driving distance today: 150km
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Day 2
Day 2 starts with a drive towards the historic town of Siena. We have arranged garage parking for you as near to the centre as possible so that you can enjoy this medieval stronghold without too much effort. The town cannot be completely covered in a couple of hours but the main piazza 'Il Campo' cannot be missed and the striking cathedral is beautiful both inside and out. If you are touring around July 2nd or August 16th Siena become a 'no-go' area as they are the dates of the running of the Palio (if you are interested in seeing this event let us know and we will sort out a special trip amended for you!) Lunch recommendations/reservations in the city can be made.
The afternoon drive is not too long as Siena will take up a good part of the day. The route continues in a (roughly) southerly direction although we will be diverting you through the Crete Senese rather than taking the most direct route. The section is another heavenly road for drivers and is again accompanied by incredible veiws. You will be passing the delightful town of Asciano, the famous Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore and Buonconvento on your way to Montalcino (of the famous 'vino nobile' Brunello). Your destination is one of the most famous wine estate of the area and their sumptuous 'Borgo'.
The estate provides a chance to visit the cellars and sample their high quality product. There is a choice of restaurants but as guest of the estate you can avail yourselves of the exclusive Taverna restaurant. The Enoteca provides a social location and access to the estate's vintages and the on-site fitness and pool will help you work of some of the last 24 hours of Cucina Italiana.
The Platinum option brings an upgrade from a 'Riserva' double to the highest level suite available.
Estimated driving distance today: 150km
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Day 3
We have programmed the GPS with two route options for today:
Option 1.
The 'Hannibal' route takes a direct heading towards Cortona with breaks in San Quirico d'Orcia and Pienza before lunch in Montepulciano. The afternoon includes a lap of Lago Trasimeno before heading to the hotel.
Option 2.
The 'Indirect' route heads south to take in Monte Amiata and Lago di Bolsena before turning left and on to Orvieto for lunch. Orvieto (while not Tuscan) is another famous producer of wine (dry white, or Orvieto Abboccato as a semi sweet version and Dolce as the sweet one!)
From Orvieto (and for the first time on this trip) the heading swings to the north for a rendezvous for an overnight stop in another historic residence (although this time a cardinal's hunting manor).
The evening destination is just south of the historic Etruscan town of Cortona where you will be welcomed by our selected hotel.
This historic residence dating from 1464, ex of Cardinal Passerini who enjoyed position as the bishop of Cortona and the treasurer of the Vatican! Dinner can be enjoyed in the hotel restaurant or from a selection of restaurants in the ancient hill town of Cortona.
Estimated driving distance today: 100-250km
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Day 4
Day 4 continues the northward trend but not before a few detours! From Cortona we take you to Castelfiorentino, home of Giorgio Vassari, advisor and historian to the Medici family of Florence. Then its across the plain of the Val di Chiana (famous for its beef) and over Monte San Savino. The route uses the SS73 from Monte San Savino to Colonna di Grillo and is one of the greatest stretches of road in Europe.
Palazzuolo provides a spot for a photo stop and a quick coffee in the bar 'La Scuderia' half way along this stretch of SS73.
We return to the theme of the itinerary with a passing Castelnuovo Berardegna on to the next halt at Brolio where lunch is booked for you. Following lunch and as part of the trip, Classic Dream Tour have organised a tour of the winery. The tour lasts about 2 hours and includes a visit to the castle followed by a visit to the cantina and a tasting of the Ricasoli wines. (If you are not interested in this tour, please let us know before the start of your trip).
After the wine tour there is about another hour of driving to reach the evening's selected Villa a little south of Florence. The route takes you through the real Chianti countryside with olive groves, vineyards and forests blending together to an incredible picture. You will Pass Gaiole in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti before heading acrss to the SS2 vai Cassia and on to Tavernelle.
The hotel will not dissappoint. Faciliities include a full Spa and both indoor and outdoor pools. For dinner you can choose to enjoy your meal on the panoramic terrace, overlooking the Chianti valley or in the restaurant next to the historic fireplace.
The Platinum option will provide a Frescoed suite for your stay.
Estimated driving distance today: 150km
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Day 5
For our final day on this itinerary we offer another choice of routes.
Option 1.
This route take you to Florence for a view over the city from the south (from a less known and better viewpoint than the usual piazzale Michelangelo) followed by a lap around the city and up to Fiesole for the opposite view from the North.
Fiesole provides a set of Roman and even older Etruscan ruins including a well preserved anfiteatro you you to browse in (entry price is of course included in the tour) before having a quick lunch in the main piazza. From Fiesole you can return to Lucca using the Autostrada, or head north along the SS65 , heading into the Apennines and looping round to Lucca on the SS12
Option 2.
From the hotel we head south to San Gimignano (parking can be an issue in the high season) before retracing some of the early stretches to Volterra (if you didn't stop here on day 1, now is your chance) an then back to our base at Lucca.
The final hotel is the location where your trip started just a few days ago, just a couple km south of Lucca.
Dinner is booked in the hotel’s restaurant.
Estimated driving distance today: 150-200km
Day 6 - AM
You will be driven back by your private driver to your selected airport.
Whats included
The tour includes the following:
- 5 Nights of luxury 5 star accommodation
- Hire of classic car or modern supercar (unless own vehicle option selected) for entire trip
- 950km of driving allowance
- Chauffeur driven airport transfers
- GPS navigation system with predefined routes
- Bound personalised road book
- 24 hour concierge line
- Personalised reminder of your trip
- Restaurant reservations service
- Any special tickets (depending on itinerary)
- Optional on site 'Personal Assistant' service to arrange refuelling, car washing for each morning, baggage transport and on site support
