WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Private group arrival/departure transfers (transfers based on group air arrival/departure times)
• Private transportation on a coach and/or van as per itinerary
• 2 nights superior accommodation in Florence, 8 nights villa accommodation at Il Palagio
• Daily breakfast, 2 lunches (1 local restaurant, 1 cooking class), 8 dinners (including a glass of wine)
• Welcome basket of food & wine in each apartment
• Guided tours of Florence, Volterra, Siena, Chianti Hills
• Visit to San Gimignano and Monteriggioni
• Guided tour of Il Palagio Organic Vineyard & Olive Grove with wine tasting
• Services of an English-speaking Local Guide
• Services of a Broad Escapes Tour Manager
• Includes all applicable taxes and service charges as of this contract date

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

• Insurance has not been included as part of your tour package. Broad Escapes strongly recommends the purchase of Manulife Insurance coverage for Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, Comprehensive Assistance, Health Coverage, Individual Accident Coverage and Baggage and Personal Effects Insurance. Contact us for rates and complete details.
• International airfare
• Passport, visas, government processing fees, vaccinations
• Luggage handling
• Beverages
• Meals not mentioned
• Items of personal nature
• Gratuities
• Additional taxes, fuel surcharges or service charges levied by the governments or our suppliers
• Fees associated with the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS – expected to be in effect as of mid-2025, cost of €7 Euro) and/or the UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA – effective January 8, 2025, cost of £10GBP). ellisontravel.com/uk-eu-entry

OPTIONS

• Arrival and departure transfers – for those not arriving & departing on group flights
• International Flights – A designated flight from Toronto will be assigned. We would be pleased to book your flights from Toronto or any other departure gateway.

Day 1 | Friday, September 19 (D)
ARRIVE FLORENCE

*Independent arrival at the Florence Airport

Welcome to Florence, Italy, the showcase of civilization! Upon arrival meet our private group transfer and check in to our centrally located hotel.  In the afternoon enjoy an orientation stroll through the streets and surrounding neighbourhood.  Gather in the evening for a welcome dinner.

Overnight Florence – Hotel de la Ville (or similar) – 1 night

Note:  This is a land only tour, however, Broad Escapes will have a designated flight from Toronto. The group transfer will be based on the recommended flight arrival time.  Private transfers (additional cost) can be arranged for those arriving at a different time/date.  Flights from all gateways can be arranged through Broad Escapes.

Day 2 | Saturday, September 20 (B/D)
FLORENCE – IL PALAGO VILLA

After breakfast, meet our English-speaking local guide and enjoy a walking tour of Florence.  During the tour our guide will point out famous sites such as the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery, Piazze della Signori, Santa Croce and more.  Enjoy lunch (at own expense) and leisure then regroup to proceed by mini coach to Panzano in Chianti.  Enjoy a welcome cocktail upon arrival at Villa Il Palagio and meet the villa owner for an orientation meeting and check in.  Settle in to unpack, relax or stroll around the villa property and enjoy the spectacular views of the vineyards and rolling Tuscany hills.  Conclude the day with a group dinner, including local wines, served in the comfort of the villa.

Overnight Panzano – Villa Il Palagio – 8 nights

Villa Il Palagio is located within walking distance of the town of Panzano in Chianti, in the heart of Tuscany and is halfway between Florence and Siena. Immersed in its natural settings made of vineyards and olive groves, the villa offers five lovely and comfortable apartments, large gardens, a swimming pool, barbecue as well as a wonderful view of the Tuscan countryside. This rural retreat has been renovated but maintains the original stone walls, ceilings, and wooden beams. Its rustic Tuscan style combines functionality and comfort with authentic beauty. Each apartment is uniquely furnished, some with balconies, others with terraces or garden areas. Since it’s a farmhouse, some apartments are on the main floor and others on the second floor. Some are larger than others, but all have a nice living room, a well-equipped kitchen, spacious bedrooms and bathrooms with showers and all have the unique characteristics of a traditional Tuscan Farmhouse.  The villa has a lovely community room where breakfasts and group dinners will be served.

Day 3 | Sunday, September 21 (B/S)
IL PALAGIO VILLA

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast served at the villa. Today is a day of exploration in and around the villa. It is also market day in Panzano (08h00 – 13h00) complete with locally-grown organic food, local products, arts, and crafts. You’ll want to spend some of your day with the locals in this quaint hillside village.  Perhaps you’ll want to grab a nice lunch in the piazza, sip on a glass of local wine, and indulge in a famous Italian gelato!  Then, enjoy leisure time on the beautiful grounds of the villa, go for a walk in the Tuscan countryside, or simply lounge by the pool with a good book.  The day is yours to explore!  Gather late afternoon for light snacks served in the comfort of the villa.

Day 4 | Monday, September 22 (B/L/D)
DAY VISIT TO VOLTERRA 
After breakfast at the villa, depart by private mini coach with our English-speaking local guide for a full day excursion by private coach. Visit the Etruscan walled town of Volterra and experience life as a Tuscan in this vibrant, architecturally rich hill town. Enjoy a light lunch in a local trattoria with leisure time to enjoy the Piazza dei Priori, the shops and alleyways. Continuing to the Etruscan Tomb, one of the most interesting archaeological discoveries in all of Chianti. Dating back from the sixth century BC this visit will be a real journey through time. Conclude the day with a relaxing Tuscan dinner at the villa.

Day 5 | Tuesday, September 23 (B/L)
IL PALAGIO VILLA
Enjoy the morning at leisure at the villa. Later, take part in a private cooking class with a local chef who will teach the secrets of Tuscan and Chianti cuisine. Afterwards enjoy the delightful dishes for lunch accompanied by Chianti wines, from the Il Palagio Estate. The afternoon and evening are at leisure at the villa or stroll into town and visit the shops in the piazza.

Day 6 | Wednesday, September 24 (B/D)
DAY VISIT TO SIENA
After breakfast meet our English-speaking local guide and board our private coach for a full day guided excursion to Siena. This charming town and UNESCO world heritage site is famous for its medieval cityscape, its museums, its cuisine and “The Palio”, a horse ra