1. The first nights lodging near the Rome airport
2. Seven nights lodging at a local agriturismo.
3. All breakfasts and dinners at Zagat rated restaurants
4. A four hour course in “Survival Italian” at Il Sasso
5. An introduction in English to the wines of the area, such as Vino Nobile and Brunello at Il Sasso, an Italian Language and Cultural school in Montepulciano
6. Guided visits to wineries and vineyards
7. Cheese and olive oil tasting
8. A cooking class
9. An excursion to Florence
10. An afternoon of shopping at an Italian “outlet” mall where one will find Prada and other Italian products
11. All ground transportation including roundtrip transport from the Rome airport

Day One You will be greeted at the Rome Fiumicino airport and transported to a nearby hotel where you can relax and recover from your flight.  Later in the evening we will have a welcome dinner and trip orientation.

Day Two Today begins our adventure.  A shuttle will take us to Montepulciano, a lovely hill town located between Val d’ Chiana and Vald’Orcia in Tuscany. Our lodging is just outside the town wall near the famous San Biagio,  considered to be Antonio da Sangallo the Elder's masterpiece and one of the most significant structures of the Renaissance. We will be greeted by Alberto, our host at the elegant Relais San Bruno. In the evening you will enjoy an elegant, gourmet dinner at one of the area’s famous restaurants. (One of the benefits of staying outside the wall is that part of everyday will be spent walking uphill into town, a “guarantee” that you won’t gain weight.)

Day Three We begin our day with a four hour course in “Survival Italian”, where you will learn numerous important phrases to assist you in shopping, ordering wine and finding the restroom. Following lunch on your own at the numerous restaurants in town, you will be taken on a wine tasting tour of the area. We end our day with another formal gourmet dinner.

Day Four This morning begins with the first day of the wine course. The course combines theoretical lessons with visits to wine cellars and wine tastings. You will learn about the region, cultivation of the vines, production of wine in Montepulciano, characteristics of the local wines, and the regulations that govern and protect Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and its famous neighbors, Chianti and Brunello. Following lunch on your own, you will be taken on a tour of local cellars where you will have an opportunity to taste some of the famous local wines. In the evening we will once again enjoy a gourmet dinner.

Day Five Following the second day of the wine course and lunch on your own, you will be taken to a small cheese and oil production site in the countryside where you will be given an opportunity to sample local cheeses and olive oil. The area is famous for its Pecorino cheeses. In the evening Alberto will host a barbecue by the pool.

Day Six Following an early breakfast, we depart for Florence at 8AM. You will have 3 hours to explore this famous Renaissance City. We will gather for lunch together and continue on to a shopping mall near the city where you will find bargains on clothes and shoes by  famous Italian designers (be sure and leave room in your suitcase!) Returning to Montepulciano we will have a casual dinner.

Day Seven After breakfast, you will be transported to Montalcino, a region famous for its Brunello. We will visit a vineyard and enjoy a picnic. In the evening you will be given the opportunity to learn how to prepare Tuscan dishes (and eat them) in a cooking class.

Day Eight Following the third and final wine class, you will have the afternoon free for last minute shopping or relaxing by the pool. In the evening we will have our farewell, gourmet dinner.

Day Nine Following breakfast, you will be transported back to the Rome Fuimicino airport.

Price per Person
Double Occupancy (exclusive of airfare)
Superior lodging $3200
Deluxe lodging $3400
Royal Suite (only one available ) $4000

Gay Trips