10 Day Itinerary
£14,900pp
Embark on an Italian road trip to meet local characters and experts who specialise in a range of diverse experiences unique to Italy, all the while absorbing picturesque views of the Italian countryside and coastline.
Portofino rightly so is one of Italy’s most famous coastal towns. Scented by honeysuckle, the sea laps against pastel-coloured houses and cafes and restaurants serving Italian classics galore. During your couple of nights at the stunning Belmond Splendido Mare, enjoy local experiences that get the absolute best out of this Italian classic.
On your first full day, explore the area by foot. With a local guide, venture out to take in the best of the scenery in Portofino National Park. Come late afternoon, meet local winemaker Mino for an atmospheric wine tasting in a restored grotto. Learn about the organic wines and other homegrown specialities of La Portofinese eco-farm and sample the delicious produce.
For your final Portofino experience, before you head to the hustle and bustle of Florence, you will be met on the seashore by your own skipper and private speed boat to experience the coastline at sea level. Visit the excluded inlet of San Fruttuoso, home to an ancient Benedictine Abbey. Continue onto Camogli to admire the colourful buildings, harbour and thyme-scented hillsides.
A city whose historic centre was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1982. Today, Florence makes for an easy city break bursting with galleries, museums, trattorias and churches.
If anywhere in the world can claim to have shaped modern Western consciousness, it is Florence’s grand piazzas and palazzos. With 48 hours in Florence, you will spend your time taking in the highlights whilst escaping the crowds for experiences most people do not think possible.
But first, stop for some gelato tasting. With your guide learn how gelato was invented, see how it is made on the premises of a gelato parlour, and naturally, lots of flavours will be tasted and compared. Next, an exclusive visit to a perfume Atelier including a behind-the-scenes tour of some artisanal products. Your visit will end with some fragrance tasting, a sensorial journey into the world of rare essences and perfumes, learning techniques that will refine your olfactory perception and enhance your appreciation for the products of artistic and traditional Florentine perfumery.
The following day, discover the history and artistic heritage of Florence’s Gothic masterpiece on a private tour of Santa Croce Basilica. Wander the cloisters and chapels, admiring original frescoes by Donatello and Giotto, and see the ornate tombs of Italian luminaries like Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo. Trace the roots of the famous Florentine leather industry on a tour of the church’s leather workshop, founded in the 13th century by Franciscan friars.
Italy’s ‘Green Heart’ Umbria is an expansive area of countryside free of the crowds in parts of Tuscany but with the same rolling hills and authentic character that keeps people coming back
During your days in Umbria, you will have the opportunity to embrace the beauty of your surroundings and immerse with some locals to learn their trade. On your first full day, head into the woods alongside trained dogs who’ll help you sniff out some Italian truffles. Your local farmer turned guide will explain the techniques used to locate truffles. After a successful forage, you’ll sit down to a well deserved truffle tasting and light lunch.
After a morning making the most of the hotel, by the pool, hiking along one of the many trails or horse riding through the meadows, venture to cooking school to learn how to creatively forage for wild ingredients and or try your hand at a traditional four-course Italian meal. Make the most of the on site Umbrian chefs and learn how to transform rich, local produce into delicious dishes.
In 1965 two lovers, a charismatic American socialite and dashing British aviator, created a romantic hideaway in a secret cove. Glamorous friends came to bathe in the delicious azure sea and party by moonlight, soon the gorgeous Tuscan home was transformed into Il Pellicano.
Based on the Tuscan coast on the charming island of Porto Ercole, you will want to make the most of the incredible coastline that is on your doorstep. At the beach club, it’s possible to organise sailing boat charters, waterskiing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Away from the sea, the hotel has a tennis court and lessons can be pre-booked. Still feeling short of experience, it is possible to arrange horse-riding, trekking, and cycling excursions through the Maremma with the concierge. For your final Italian experience, a private boat will take you to the coves, beaches and small islands to enjoy away from anyone else.
Day Itinerary
£14,900pp
13 Day Itinerary
Guide Price: £9,100pp
Arguably the home of elegant cuisine, this Italian odyssey, from top to toe, epitomises gastronomical excellence. Starting in Piedmont, moving through the hills of Tuscany and onto the azure shores of Amalfi, this journey ignites the palate in true Italian flair.
11 Day Itinerary
Guide Price: £6,400pp
Journey through the scenic Italian countryside, uncovering cities and medieval towns whilst indulging in the delights of Italian cuisine along the way.
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