Dreaming of Tuscany but not sure where to go, what to see, or how to organise yourself, your budget, and your time? Been to Tuscany before but now want to delve a bit deeper into this wonderful country?
iCastagni is delighted to invite you to
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The Real Tuscany
a week-long programme
which guarantees you will experience Italy as the Italians do
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Ready to experience The Real Tuscany? You will live in the heart of a medieval Tuscan village for the week and be accommodated at i Castagni private hotel, a property built in the 14th century which has been renovated, remodelled, and renewed to provide you with the comforts of 21st century accommodation on the inside, whilst retaining the beauty of the 1300s on the outside.
You will visit the area's famous sights but as an Italian, not as a tourist. No day-time touring of cities, no tourist restaurants, no places which have been designed to offer foreigners a half-hearted 'Tuscan experience' and absolutely no transport on a tourist coach.
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We live here, speak the language, know where to go, where not to go, and will only take you to the places where real Italian life unfolds. Let us take care of everything for you - no stress, no planning, no checking, chasing, and booking. We handle all aspects of the itinerary so you can relax and enjoy the beauty and specialness of Tuscany in true Italian style.
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sample itinerary
SUNDAY - ARRIVAL
Settle into your home for the week; a medieval Tuscan village with real Italian life and a real Italian community as its beating heart.
TUESDAY
After wine, it has to be food. How do Italians eat carbs and remain so fit, slim, and healthy? We will explore the beauty of eating locally-produced foods which have accumulated zero air-miles. In the evening we will visit a tiny village where nothing really happens, until a restaurant opens its doors...
THURSDAY
Pasta, Pienza, and Pizza. The first topic around a Italian famly breakfast table? What shall we eat tonight? We will start the day with pasta and end biting into fresh-from-the-wood-burning-oven, crispy, mouth-watering pizza made for us by an Italian chef in his own home.
MONDAY
Let's dip into one of the area's greatest products; wine. We will be keeping local and sticking with the wines from the villages and the towns within view. We will end our wine day with a magical aperitivo followed by Tuscan home-cooking in a village restaurant.
WEDNESDAY
Yes, Italians sightsee and shop, but they know how to do it in a way which keeps them cool, comfortable,and crowd-free. We will share their secrets with you in a bustling city.
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FRIDAY
We will treat ourselves today and roll wine, food, stunning scenery, and a traditional Italian Friday night into our last day.
SATURDAY
One last coffee and pastry at the village cafe to say goodbye to your new village friends, then a leisurely departure and a chance to wave goodbye - for this time.
Cost: The cost per person for the week is Euros 5975 (or USD 5975 if you would prefer to pay in dollars). Guests will be accommodated at i Castagni Private Hotel. The cost includes your accommodation at i Castagni plus all items listed on the itinerary - all transport, meals, drinks, lunches, dinners, breakfasts, tickets, tastings, and tours. The cost does not include your transport to/from Italy or your transfer to/from your point of arrival/departure in Italy and i Castagni. If you would like our help with private driver transfers to/from i Castagni, please ask.