“Just had to say thank you! Thanks for a wonderful, fabulous, incredible trip! You gave me so much more than I expected and it truly changed my life, seriously. I don’t think I can find the words to thank you enough!”
When the goddess of love Venus emerged from the swells of the Tyrrhenian Sea, seven gemstones were lost from her crown as the waves crashed all around her. These seven stones became the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago: Elba, Giglio, Capraia, Gorgona, Pianosa, Giannutri and Montecristo. So these are the gems of Tuscany encompassing 600,000 acres making it Europe's largest marine park. The most famous and largest of these islands is Elba, dominated by nature with its long sandy beaches, small inlets, vertical cliffs, and transparent deep blue sea. The Etruscans mined metals here, to the Romans, it was a destination resort, and to Napoleon it was his home away from home during his exile. We'll visit small medieval villages, sample local fare rich in genuine flavor, and explore the stunning coastline of white sand, hidden cobblestone beaches,and rugged rock outcroppings.
From here, we'll journey to the heart of Tuscany, a region first inhabited by the ancient Entruscans, who cherished the hills, the land, and the air as a place of sanctuary. For Chiantigianos it is the place to cultivate the grape, harvest the olive, and to savor the sights, sounds, and scent of the hills. For us peregrinators, wayfarers as the Roman tourists called themselves, it will be a delight for the senses and truly an adventure for a lifetime.
Sept. 20 - 30, 2025
Cost: $4750 per person double occupancy; singles $5450
Price includes 10 nights at locally-run Inns, all meals as noted on the itinerary, 3-4 days kayaking on the island of Elba, guided walks/hikes, front row seats to Italy’s oldest Grape Harvest Festival, transportation in-country including roundtrip ferry to/from Elba, Slow Food Cooking workshop at a lovely family-owned villa, behind-the-scenes tour of one of Siena’s local Contradas, and coordination and leadership from H2O’s Head Honcho.
