Preview
Tuscany is wonderful! No one can deny that. But how do we discover its real treasures? Which way should we go? What is authentic and what is not? Where do we come across the typical tourist attractions, and where can we find the true, hidden layers of Tuscany? The villas around Lucca are simply incredible!
These are exactly the kinds of questions that I, as a tour guide working in Tuscany, continue to ask myself. This is why I still explore the countryside today, searching for those places, experiences and people where the real Tuscany is still alive. Many of these places cannot be found in guidebooks, you will not read about them online, and few people have heard of them in Facebook groups.
This is why I created this one-day programme, focusing on a part of Tuscany that is still known to relatively few visitors.
On this day, we visit Elena, who for many years was the only female winemaker in Tuscany. She will tell us her story, introduce us to the land they cultivate organically, and talk about her wines – and, of course, she will fill our glasses with them too.
We can even prepare our own lunch in her kitchen, using ingredients that can also be found in her garden, before continuing our journey to the villa.
Lucca has always been a very wealthy city, so it is no surprise that the surrounding countryside is home to many magnificent villas and palaces. We will visit one of them, or even two if you wish. The villa’s park is also open to visitors, so we usually spend around two hours here. Guests always enjoy the bar in the park, and when I sign copies of my books there, it always adds a special atmosphere to the experience.
If you love gastronomy, if you are looking for an enjoyable day out with family or friends, or if you simply want to escape to the authentic Tuscan countryside and experience a slower pace of life, I wholeheartedly recommend this one-day programme.
For further details, please contact me.
Practical Information
Duration
This is a full-day programme.
The activities and their order can be tailored to your preferences.
Morning: Guided sightseeing tour of Lucca
Lunch break: In Lucca
Afternoon: Visit to a villa and its park (approx. 2 hours)
Late afternoon: Wine tasting and vineyard visit
or
Morning: Vineyard visit, cooking in Elena’s kitchen, with wine tasting
Lunch: The meal we have prepared together
Afternoon: Visit to a villa and its park (approx. 2 hours)
or
Morning: Cycling around Lucca’s city walls, with stops and a guided tour
Lunch: At a small local restaurant in the hills near the villa
Afternoon: Villa visit (approx. 2 hours)
Late afternoon: Wine tasting and vineyard visit
I recommend this version of the programme for smaller groups.
If you do not have your own car, car hire can also be arranged at an additional cost.
In all cases, I recommend requesting a personalised quote at [email protected].
