Lucca, Italy
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$500 deposit holds your spot!
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Surrounded by mountains, forests and farmland, arriving into Lucca fulfills the collective wish for what Tuscany should be like. This almost perfectly preserved jewel of medieval architecture and buildings, emanates charm and shows layers of history from every corner of its narrow winding streets.
Tentative Itinerary
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Itinerary Highlights (tentative):
Our daily travel style is relaxed and intentional. We don't believe in cramming our itinerary with endless activities, instead, we focus on one activity per day, usually for a portion of the day. This approach allows us to travel at a more leisurely pace, giving us the freedom to explore, get lost and see where the day takes us. We believe in taking our time to dig a little deeper into each destination, soaking up the local culture and immersing ourselves in the local way of life. For us, travel is not just about ticking off a bucket list, but about truly experiencing the world around us.
Cinque Terre: Along a beautifully isolated six-mile stretch of the most seductive corner of the Italian Riviera lie the Cinque Terre — five (cinque) small, traffic-free towns gently and steadily carving a good life out of difficult terrain. Each village fills a ravine with a lazy hive of human activity. Calloused locals and sunburned travelers enjoy the area's unique mix of Italian culture and nature. There isn't a Fiat or museum in sight — just sun, sea, sand (well, pebbles), wine, and pure, unadulterated Italy.
Tuscan Market Shopping and Cooking Class: Your morning begins with a market tour to some of Lucca's specialty purveyors of local produce, bread bakers, gourmet foods, the oldest dried good merchant in Lucca, maybe even a wine shop. The days menu will take us where we need to go. Along the way you will learn about, and sample some of the regions delicacies while we do our "from the farm fresh" shopping. Then it's back to the 18th century palace, just a short walk from the shopping district. We will don our aprons, and armed with a prosecco or a Nespresso (your choice) begin to tackle the menu. Chef Giuseppe chooses offerings relating to the seasons of Tuscany, so menus will vary by time of year, but always include one starter, a main or pasta course, a dessert, wine from the region. Classes are hands on. At the end of the instruction and preparation, we will sit down to an authentic meal around a table with newly made friends and savor the days creations.
Carrara Marble Quarries - Apuan Alps: We will spend the first part of our day up in the Carrara mountains, visiting a marble quarry, watching the excavation processes of the rough blocks and learning how the experts transform a rock into a beautiful artwork or piece of furniture. An afternoon snack will be served in a small restaurant overlooking the quarry where we'll taste all the local products such as the famous Lardo di Colonnata (a special type of salumi aged in a marble basin). Later in the evening we'll make our way to the Carrara city centre, learning the town's history and admiring its attractions such as Piazza Alberica, the Academy of Fine Arts and the Animosi theatre.
Truffle Hunting - We will join our guide in truffle hunting in the beautiful woods in Chianti. Truffle hunting is an ancient tradition in Tuscany, and has only one rule—respect nature. During the hunt, we will learn about the truffle, the magic of its traditions, its history, mythology, and uses in the kitchen. We will learn how to recognize and distinguish a good truffle from other fake "truffles" of inferior quality. After the hunt, we will return to the home for a scheduled lunch or dinner, based on fresh, real truffles and served with local wine and extra virgin olive oil. We will learn how to clean truffles and prepare typical truffle recipes, such as crostini al tartufo, tagliatelle al tartufo, and more.
Tuscan Market Shopping and Cooking Class: Your morning begins with a market tour to some of Lucca's specialty purveyors of local produce, bread bakers, gourmet foods, the oldest dried good merchant in Lucca, maybe even a wine shop. The days menu will take us where we need to go. Along the way you will learn about, and sample some of the regions delicacies while we do our "from the farm fresh" shopping. Then it's back to the 18th century palace, just a short walk from the shopping district. We will don our aprons, and armed with a prosecco or a Nespresso (your choice) begin to tackle the menu. Chef Giuseppe chooses offerings relating to the seasons of Tuscany, so menus will vary by time of year, but always include one starter, a main or pasta course, a dessert, wine from the region. Classes are hands on. At the end of the instruction and preparation, we will sit down to an authentic meal around a table with newly made friends and savor the days creations.
Carrara Marble Quarries - Apuan Alps: We will spend the first part of our day up in the Carrara mountains, visiting a marble quarry, watching the excavation processes of the rough blocks and learning how the experts transform a rock into a beautiful artwork or piece of furniture. An afternoon snack will be served in a small restaurant overlooking the quarry where we'll taste all the local products such as the famous Lardo di Colonnata (a special type of salumi aged in a marble basin). Later in the evening we'll make our way to the Carrara city centre, learning the town's history and admiring its attractions such as Piazza Alberica, the Academy of Fine Arts and the Animosi theatre.
Truffle Hunting - We will join our guide in truffle hunting in the beautiful woods in Chianti. Truffle hunting is an ancient tradition in Tuscany, and has only one rule—respect nature. During the hunt, we will learn about the truffle, the magic of its traditions, its history, mythology, and uses in the kitchen. We will learn how to recognize and distinguish a good truffle from other fake "truffles" of inferior quality. After the hunt, we will return to the home for a scheduled lunch or dinner, based on fresh, real truffles and served with local wine and extra virgin olive oil. We will learn how to clean truffles and prepare typical truffle recipes, such as crostini al tartufo, tagliatelle al tartufo, and more.
While the tour itself is not strenuous, please note that it can involve the following: somewhat long days, a good amount of walking, early morning wake-ups and other similar scenarios.
What's Included |
What's not Included: |
Centrally located accomodations in a house or apartment* for a unique B&B style experience |
Flights to/from Lucca |
Airport transfers on arrival and departure date |
Meals and activities not mentioned |
All activities, entrance fees, and transportation for adventures listed on itinerary |
Travel insurance |
Locally inspired breakfast, prepared fresh every morning with delicious regional coffee and teas. |
Passport/visa fees |
Delightful evening happy hour featuring exquisite local wine & beer (nonalcoholic option available on request) & delectable treats . |
Tips and gratuities |
*Double occupancy, however we provide single whenever possible at no additional charge.
Small Group (12 or less)
Small Group (12 or less)