Join me and M’tucci’s for an unforgettable, luxury experience in Tuscany. Hunt truffles with a truffle dog in a Tuscan forest, explore the famous Carrara Marble Quarry, and visit the shop and restaurant of famed celebrity chef and butcher Dario Cecchini. Sample the renowned wines from the Chianti, Montalcino and Super Tuscan regions, while visiting the locations and restaurants that inspired the M’tucci’s chefs during their 2019 visit to  the area.

When Jeff, Katie and John opened the first M’tucci’s in 2013, their goal was to embrace the Italian mantra of living “la dolce vita” (the sweet life). After ssending four chefs and me to Tuscany in 2019, Jeff talked about creating an experience like this for our guests. This experience was inspired by their experiences and will take you to many of the same places that they loved on that trip.

This trip will focus on the popular Chianti region south of Florence and Western Tuscany on the Mediterranean Sea. 

Our two luxury villas in Tuscany feature modern, private rooms with ensuite bathrooms, lovely grounds, common areas and an in-ground swimming pools. The villas will be exclusive to our group. We will keep the kitchens stocked with beer, wine, Aperol and prosecco!

Villa #1: Set in the heart of the wonderful area of the South coast of Tuscany, where great wines like Sassicaia, Ornellaia and many others are produced, this fabulous 7BD – 7BA villa dates back to the XIX century and is strategically located, close to fantastic beaches and the historic village of Bolgheri.

Villa #2: Set in a truly one-of-a-kind location, the villa was originally the farmers’ house on Princes Corsini’s Le Corti estate. Today this charming Tuscan farmstead is a luxurious country residence, perfectly refurbished, cared for in every detail and with every comfort. The magnificent garden will allow you to take long, unforgettable walks without ever leaving the property.

The large swimming pool with wood deck overlooks the vineyards and includes a large solarium to enjoy the warm summer days in the utmost privacy. The garden also features a wonderful stone terrace with pergola and barbecue; overlooking the Chianti vineyards, the terrace is perfect for eating al fresco or for private events.
The interiors have been designed to offer maximum comfort and relaxation.

Most meals (including wine) and ground transportation are included. Breakfasts will be served in our villa every morning and will consist of a buffet with coffee, juice, fruit, pastries, local cured meats and cheeses.

M’tucci’s in Italy is September 24 – October 1 (8 days & 7 nights).

Day One: Arrive in Florence and meet at Santa Maria Novella Train Station by 2:00pm to take a Private Van to our villa near the Tuscan Coast on the Mediterranean Sea. After checking into our villa, there will time to relax by the pool, walk through the surrounding vineyards and have a welcome dinner, cooked by Chef Damien, followed by an Amaro tasting.

Day Two: We will travel north of Pisa to Cararra to tour the Marble Quarries, which have been yielding white marble for buildings and statues since the 2nd Century BC. After our tour we will sample the local lardo (served at M’tucci’s as Colonatta Butter) at the Lard Rock Cafe. We will have dinner together at a local enoteca in Bolgheri.

Day Three: Today you have the option of spending a leisurely morning at the beach and having lunch at a beachfront place or walking the short distance into Bolgheri for shoppping and lunch. The afternoon is free to lounge around the pool. In the evening, we’ll travel to the seaside town of San Vincenzo for dinner at Il Bucaniere.

Day Four:

After breakfast we’ll head south to the town of San Gimignano, well-known for its seven medieval towers. We will visit Podere La Marronaia, a family-owned business that specializes in bio-dynamic wines, extra virgin olive oil and truffles! We will take a forest walk with a truffle-hunting dog and his human, then enjoy a truffle-infused lunch after our walk. After lunch, we’ll travel to our new villa in Chianti, where the chef will prepare dinner.

Day Five: After breakfast, travel by private van to the architecturally distinctive home of Antinori Vineyards near San Casciano for a tour of the cellars, and a wine tasting before lunch at their highly rated restaurant, Rinuccio 1180. That evening we will have a cooking class at our new villa, enjoying what we cook.

Day Six: We will visit Montalcino, the stunning hill town overlooking the vineyards that produce world-famous Brunello di Montalcino. After arriving we’ll have time to explore the town to shop and take in the amazing views. Lunch is on your own. On our way back to the villa, we will visit Siena’s historic piazza, site of the world-famous horse race, the Palio. We will have dinner together at a local Osteria. (A Casa Mia)

Day Seven: Panzano in Chianti: Macelleria Dario Cecchini is the ultimate meat experience. A glass of Chianti is placed in your hand as you enter to watch the master as he holds court behind his meat counter, then indulge in a huge Tuscan lunch with eight plates including the massive Bisteca Fiorentina. Also, there is a seven-plate menu for vegetarians. In the afternoon there will be time for a walk or lounging around the villa’s pool. We will enjoy a light evening dinner (salads & charcuterie) at the villa. Believe us, you probably won’t be hungry after your Dario experience. We’ll have the opportunity to address any photography questions during the evening.

Day Eight: Return to Florence by private mini-bus. 

Included:

All Ground Transportation (excluding optional train travel)

7 Breakfasts

4 Lunches @ Restaurants

3 Dinners @ Restaurants

4 Dinners @ Villa

All lunches and dinners include one aperitivo (vermouth, prosecco or spritz) and two glasses (1/2 bottle) of wine or beer per person. Cocktails are not included.

Not Included: Two lunches, extra wine, cocktails, gratuities.

Cost of this all-inclusive trip is $5,495 per person. We will require a minimum of 6 guests for the trip to proceed. The maximum number of guests will be 10. A single supplement with a private double room is an additional $1,500. A 25% deposit is required to reserve your space, with the balance due 60 days before departure. See the Terms and Conditions page for more details about payments and cancellations. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

The trip will be led by former National Geographic photographer and former La Gazzetta di M’tucci’s editor Michael Lewis. Michael has visited Italy eight times and knows the area well. He has led tours and photo workshops in Uganda, Kenya, Mexico and Colorado. In addition to a deep dive into the food and wine of Tuscany, Michael and his wife, Jennifer, will be on hand to help you with your photography.