Compare The Best of Italy by SmarTours vs Gourmet Food & Fine Wine Tuscany Tours by Alma Italia

Day 1: Depart USA

Your exciting journey begins as you depart New York this evening on your overnight flight to Italy.

Day 2: Arrive Venice/Venice Lido (Italy)

Meals: Dinner

Welcome to beautiful Italy! After landing at Venice airport, you’ll be met and escorted to your beautiful hotel located along the water in Venice Lido. This evening your Tour Director hosts an orientation followed by welcome dinner with wine. Hotel Villa Mabapa or Albergo Quattro Fontane

* Note: If your departure flies into Milan instead of Venice, you’ll be met at the airport and enjoy a panoramic city tour of Milan before transferring to Venice/Venice Lido.

Day 3

Meals: Breakfast

Discover the charms of romantic Venice. First, embark on a boat tour to the island of Murano, world renowned for its glass craftmanship. Back in Venice a local guide will bring this remarkable city to life as you explore on foot St. Mark’s Square, the Golden Byzantine Basilica of San Marco, the lavish Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. This afternoon marvel at Venice at your own pace or shop for unique local crafts.

Day 4: Venice/Pisa/Florence

Meals: Breakfast

Today journey south to Pisa, where you’ll view the famous Piazza del Miracoli and the amazing Leaning Tower. Visit a Tuscan countryside farm for wine tasting and sampling of local specialties. Arrive in Florence, the splendid capital of Tuscany. Grand Hotel Diplomat

Day 5

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

This morning’s tour of Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, starts with a breathtaking view of Florence from Michelangelo Square. Proceed to visit the Accademia of Fine Arts housing Michelangelo’s celebrated David. You’ll also visit the sculpture-filled Signoria Square, the famous Duomo Cathedral and Ponte Vecchio, the “Old Bridge”, lined with craft shops. Afternoon at leisure to visit some of the museums that make Florence a magnet for artlovers and enjoy a stroll along the romantic Arno River. This evening a special treat awaits. Travel to the hills surrounding Florence and enjoy a typical dinner complete with wine and local entertainment at a picturesque Tuscan Villa.

Day 6: Florence/Assisi/Rome

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Depart south through the stunning panorama of Tuscany and Umbria to the Medieval hilltown of Assisi and view the fabled Basilica of St. Francis and Giotto’s frescoes. Late afternoon arrival in Rome, the “Eternal City”. Settle into your centrally located hotel. The Building Hotel Rome

Day 7

Meals: Breakfast

A morning tour to the Vatican includes visits to St. Peter’s Basilica, the spectacular Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum abundant with priceless collections of art and treasures. Afternoon is at leisure for shopping or to indulge in Rome’s favorite pastime: people watching at the outdoor cafes of the bustling Via Veneto.

Day 8

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

This morning explore Imperial Rome on an included guided tour. Listen to the echoes of Emperor Nero in the Colosseum, walk under the Arch and marvel at the ruins of the Roman Forum. Afternoon at leisure to explore Rome’s elaborate piazzas and fountains on your own. Tonight, you are our guest at a lavish  gala dinner at a typical Roman restaurant complete with wine and entertainment. Cap your evening with a tour of illuminated Rome by night.

Day 9: Rome/USA or Sorrento & Amalfi Coast Extension (See Additional Info)

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, say “ciao” to Italy and transfer to the airport for your return flight arriving back in the USA the same day, or continue on to the magnificent Sorrento & Amalfi Coast Extension. Please see the “Additional Info” tab for more details.

Day 1:  Arrival

On arrival at the airport, you will be greeted by your new friends from Alma Italia. You can relax in the safety and security of a private transfer to your hotel. The next four nights you will be staying in a stylish boutique hotel in the heart of the Chianti Classico producing region. Spend the afternoon taking a swim in the stunning outdoor pool with a panoramic hilltop view overlooking the Chianti scenery, followed by sunset drinks on the terrace before dinner at the hotel. Bliss!

Vineyard sunset

Day 2: Chianti wine and olive oil tasting

Your local English speaking Alma Italia wine guide will meet you at your accommodation after breakfast for a full day of the best wine tasting in Tuscany. Indulge your love of Italian food in Tuscany, and enjoy a full-day tour that combines a cooking class and wine tasting. Following the cooking class enjoy lunch at the estate tasting yet more wines and tasting local olive oils.

In the late afternoon visit the village of Fiesole, overlooking Florence admiring the view before driving down the hill to experience the Renaissance capital of Italy up close. The town and its surroundings are full of charm, character, and history. Enjoy a traditional Tuscan dinner in a trattoria in Florence adored by locals for generations paired with their wine suggestions.

Florence bridge

Day 3: Relaxing cycle through the Tuscan countryside

Your Alma Italia guide will meet you at your accommodation after breakfast for a morning bike ride – Our private rides are tailored to clients’ specific preferences and biking abilities . You’ll cycle at your own pace on peaceful country lanes, through an endless panorama of vineyards, olive groves and centuries-old stone farmhouses. Along the vineyard cycle route enjoy a morning tour and tasting, and you’ll also enjoy a truly delicious Tuscan lunch featuring local products and wine pairings in a stunning Tuscan wine

estate. Relax with private transfers back to your accommodation for a swim in the pool and time to soak up some early evening sun.

Vine bike Tuscany wine tours

Day 4: Explore Siena and the surrounding vineyards

Enjoy a slow morning with a late breakfast and time to relax and enjoy the panoramic outdoor pool with incredible Chianti vineyard views. For those who want to be pampered by different wellness treatments, the hotel offers a range of spa treatments. Private wine tours in Tuscany should be relaxing after all!

Your Alma Italia host and driver will arrive later to take you into Siena for the day! Siena, built on three hills and surrounded by well-preserved walls, is filled with fine examples of Gothic architecture and has one of the world’s most unique piazzas, Piazza dal Campo, dominated by the greatest Gothic building in Tuscany, the Palazzo Pubblico.

Siena Duomo Italy wine week

Day 5: Maremma – Tuscany by the sea

In the morning, relax as your private driver whisks you through the beautiful countryside to the Maremma coast in southern Tuscany. You will feel instantly renewed as you see the blue Mediterraean sea stretch out before you. We will stop on the way to visit an esteemed award winning up and coming vineyard run by 2 generations of the same Tuscan family. You will notice how the proximity to the sea impacts on the wine, so different to that of Chianti Classico but no less delicious! The Maremma is now widely regarded as one of the regions to experience the best wine tasting in Ital and is definately a highlight on our private wine tours in Tuscany

The next Four night’s accommodation will be in an elegant, historic and unique small hotel situated on Tuscany’s Argentario peninsula. A former island off the coast of Tuscany, now connected to the mainland via three narrow sandbars, Monte Argentario is a hidden beach paradise for those looking to mingle sea and mountain fun, all in one place. A special place where the Italian elite seeking out a hidden getaway enjoy the groves of Argentario’s coastline. The two restaurants (one of which is Michelin star) offer unique atmospheres, they share mouth-wateringly good traditional Italian dishes with a modern twist, taste bud tingling vintages and stylish surroundings.

Tuscany wine tours

Day 6: Monte Argentario by private boat

A special day today as your Alma Italia guide takes you on a private boat for a day on the water to explore the coastline of Monte Argentario and Isola Giannutri, an incredible small island unspoiled and breathtaking in the Tuscan Archipelago National Park. Shaped like a half moon , the island of Giannutri will bedazzle you with its unique underwater world and the ruins of imposing Roman villas. It is a simply stunning place to explore and relax with a lunch on the island and swimming in the crystal clear waters to refresh yourself in the afternoon.

Monte Argentario by private boat Italy tours

Day 7: Port Ercole and Morellino di Scansano

A day to explore. Head to 16th century Forte Stella at Porto Ercole, built in the shape of a star and a remnant from the island’s former Spanish invaders. Take a walk along the high-end boutiques of Porto Ercole towards the ‘borgo antico’ or old part of the village, continue towards the ‘la rocca’ fortress for amazing views with lunch in the old town. Or simply relax and enjoy the panoramic Seaview from the pool.

In the afternoon we will continue our wine tasting Italy tour with a visit to vineyard in Morellino di Scansano, now one of the most popular appellations for local Tuscans who consider the small area as offering some of the best wine tasting in Tuscany.

Vineyard san Gimigiano

Day 8: Italian food and wine by the beach

Bike to the Beach!

Your Alma Italia guide will meet you at your accommodation after breakfast for a full day of beaches, biking and of course, some of the best wine tasting in Italy. – Our private bike routes have optional extensions, so you can choose the perfect amount of biking to suit your ability. The ride takes you through medieval towns, beautiful vistas and ends at the Tyrrehnian sea with a swim along the way. Enjoy an amazing local lunch to end the trip – A wide range of local flavours ensure a stunning Tuscan lunch paired with wines in a memorable setting. Late afternoon (chauffeured) transfers back to your accommodation.

Tuscany wine tours

Day 9: Time to say Arrividerci

After a final breakfast in the hotel, relax with private transfers to the airport for your flight home.