Fabulous Ladies Getaway: Florence, Tuscany & Rome 2023
3 – 14 August 2023
Fully Booked
In partnership with Travelling Divas
Craving a European summer? Our most popular tour is back on for 2023! And this time we’re doing it in the Italian summer so you can escape the Australian winter in style!
Meet and sip with fabulous Tuscan female wine producers, indulge in bucket list moments, stay in beautiful villas & luxury hotels, enjoy sublime wine and dining experiences and experience an itinerary of epic proportions you simply can’t find anywhere else.
During the day we’ll be visiting cool wine cellars and historic towns, and in the long, languid evenings we’ll be lounging around the pool at our Tuscan villa – located in the middle of a vineyard with incredible views. With more wine!
Each day new fabulous and exclusive experiences await you. And there’s also plenty of time in the itinerary to just relax and enjoy the warmth and sunshine amidst the green rolling vineyards.
This is a small group tour with a maximum of just 12 guests. So you get the VIP treatment you deserve at every visit!
Tour highlights include:
- 2 nights in Rome, 7 nights in a luxury villa in Tuscany, 2 nights in Florence
- Exclusive winery visits – focused on female producers – plus fashion, food, art, and more. The absolute best of the Tuscany region!
- Each day is full of exceptional experiences and special surprises you cannot find anywhere else.
- Your guide and chief wine pourer throughout is Jane Thomson, founder and CEO of The Fabulous Ladies’ Wine Society
- This incredible tour has been designed specifically for wine loving women
How to secure your place?
Simply fill in the booking form and pay a deposit. You only need to ensure your deposit is paid in order to confirm your place for the 2023 departure!
The Essentials
+ - Getting There
You can fly into Rome from everywhere! Easily reached from Australia, New Zealand or another European capital city. Flying out of Florence to another major city is also easy – otherwise take the train to Rome or Milan to connect to international options.
+ - Tour Price & Inclusions
Tour Price: euro 6895 per person on a twin share basis. euro 8495 on a single basis.
Tour Starts: Rome
Tour Finishes: Florence
Tour Dates: 03 – 14 August 2023
PRICE INCLUDES:
- Fully escorted by Jane Thomson – founder & CEO of the FLWS
- Bilingual guide from Tuscany to end of tour in Florence
- 2 nights’ luxury 5-star boutique accommodation, Sofitel Villa Borghese Rome
- 7 nights’ private villa stay, with en-suite accommodation & air conditioning in each room, Villa Leopoldina & Villa Mandorlo, Pomaio Winery Arezzo (villas are side by side each with a gorgeous pool!)
- 2 nights’ luxury 5-star boutique accommodation, Hotel Brunelleschi Florence
- Private arrival transfer Rome Airport to the Sofitel; departure transfer Brunelleschi to Florence airport or train station
- Meals as per the itinerary including breakfast daily
- Wine included with meals as specified (in the villa wine is served with all dinners)
- Winery visits and tastings
- Welcome rooftop dinner Rome
- Private artisan walking tour of Florence
- Introduction and overview of Tuscan Wines with sommelier Helen Manieri
- Private visit to Busatti Textiles
- Privately hosted lunch at the farmhouse of cookbook author & Tuscan food expert, Pamela Sheldon-Johns
- Private guided visit to Siena
- Pop up picnic in the vineyard
- Luxury outlet shopping experience
- Cooking class
- Farewell feast at Pomaio winery
- Farewell dinner Florence
- Private transport throughout
- All local and city taxes
NOT INCLUDED:
+ - Tour Itinerary
THURSDAY 03 – WELCOME TO ROME & YOUR FABULOUS LADIES GETAWAY…
Arrive into Rome, where you will be met by your private transfer to the lovely Sofitel Villa Borghese, home for the next two nights. Settle in, relax and then explore the surrounds of your perfectly situated hotel. Whether you want to visit the Piazza di Spagna or shop the via Condotti it is only minutes away from your front door.
Tonight, meet in the bar for a welcome drink and a tour briefing. For those in the mood we head out for a casual dinner, for those feeling particularly jet-lagged you might prefer room service or an early night. This is a very relaxed start to our journey so the choice is yours!
*Check-in is at 2pm, so if you arrive early the hotel will store your baggage if your room is not ready.
Overnight Accommodation: Sofitel Villa Borghese
Meals Included: Welcome drinks & canapes
FRIDAY 04 – OPTIONAL ROME FUN OR DO YOUR OWN THING, DINNER ON THE ROOFTOP
Today is all about exploring this divine city which you can never tire of.
Choose from an optional vespa tour round the city (man drives, you are pillion, you enjoy the view and the fun of feeling ‘local’) or we can organise a fabulous walking tour, taking you to see lesser known spots in the city. Or you could choose to create your own memories throughout a city that is a living museum – or shop like a mad thing.
Tonight you celebrate the start of this divine tour with welcome dinner at a sublime rooftop restaurant where you will watch the sunset over the city and indulge in your Roman feast …. so get a little glamorous (maybe a little Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday) and enjoy the evening!
Overnight Accommodation: Sofitel Villa Borghese
Meals Included: Breakfast, Welcome Dinner
SATURDAY 05 – ARRIVADERCI ROME, CIAO TUSCANY
After breakfast and check-out we say farewell to Rome and head off for the next part of the adventure.
Travel to the beautiful, and less crowded, city of Arezzo and explore this tiny walled jewel with your local expert guide. You then enjoy a relaxing lunch before heading to Pomaio Winery and two luxury villas, home for the next 7 nights. Check in and then enjoy some pool time, perhaps a welcome glass of bubbles and just generally chill out! These two beautiful, spacious villas are located side-by-side, with a total of 11 bedrooms and each has its own private pool and kitchen. Each room enjoys its own en-suite and air-conditioning to ensure a comfortable stay.
Late this afternoon enjoy an aperitivo and welcome dinner with Iacopo Rossi, CEO and winemaker and sommelier Helen Manieri, who will talk about the local wines so that when we are out and about we have some understanding of what it is we are drinking.
Overnight Accommodation: Villas, Pomaio
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
SUNDAY 06 – TEXTILES & TASTINGS
This morning we transfer to the Casentino area of Tuscany, where we will visit the delightful Anghiari village and the divine Busatti Textiles. Here we can see how they make these beautiful products and those feeling in the mood for a little re-decorating perhaps a purchase or two before we move on and enjoy lunch.
Chill time and then in-house at the villas for dinner this evening.
Overnight Accommodation: Villas, Pomaio
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
MONDAY 07 – A DAY IN SIENA
This morning we are in for a treat visiting Siena, one of the most beautiful and exciting Tuscan Cities. You will meet our passionate guide who will take you through the thrilling history of the Palio, the world famous horse race that is centuries old, the contrade (neighbourhoods) who passionately contest this each year and how Siena fell to its rival, Florence….the architecture is sublime too so put the walking shoes on and get ready to explore.
Then time to recharge and enjoy a light lunch with local wine before you head out to explore Siena at leisure. It is a delightful city and a great place to shop for whatever you maybe looking for, or you might want to climb the Town Hall tower in the Piazza di Campo – a great way to work of that lunch…there is much to do and see – so enjoy!
Tonight it’s time for pizza making, with a local pizzaiolo. You can choose to be involved in making them or you can sit back and watch the action – delicious.
Overnight Accommodation: Villas, Pomaio
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
TUESDAY 08 – CORTONA & WOMEN IN WINE
Today you will enjoy a visit to the beautiful town of Cortona, made famous by Frances Mayes in her story ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’… There will be a stroll through town with Francesca, your gorgeous guide, time for retail therapy or exploring the local sites and the lunch at Osteria del Teatro.
This afternoon a visit to the local winery La Braccesca for a private tasting.
This evening a pop up picnic in the vineyards with chef Andrea Anichini.
Overnight Accommodation: Villas, Pomaio
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
WEDNESDAY 09 – MONTEPULCIANO, CHEESE, LUNCH WITH A RENOWNED AUTHOR & MORE WOMEN IN WINE
Oh, what a fabulous day today will be. A visit to a local female producer of the pecorino cheese famous in this region (yes there is a tasting). Then time to enjoy lunch with world-famous author, tuscan food expert and all round divine woman, Pamela Sheldon-Johns, who made her home in Tuscany over 20 years ago. She is a legend and so lovely you will want to stay. Time to chat and exchange stories (and recipes)….
This afternoon a private visit to a local winery run by amazing women at Boscarelli Winery.
This evening food time is at leisure with lasagne in-house.
Overnight Accommodation: Villas, Pomaio
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
THURSDAY 10 – RETAIL THERAPY & CHILL
This morning is all about retail therapy. A girl needs good wine, but some of us also need some shopping!
You are spending the morning at what is one of the most luxuriously gorgeous outlets anywhere! Forget DFS this is a whole different level. Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli, McQueen and so many more I need to stop. You may find something fabulous or you may not, but you will certainly have fun trying!
Then home for a leisurely afternoon by the pool, reading a book or perhaps a sneaky siesta – after all this is a holiday!
This evening is a divine cooking class with Simona (which is also your dinner tonight)
Overnight Accommodation: Villas, Pomaio
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
FRIDAY 11 – A WINE TASTING BONANZA
Our last day in the gorgeous region of Tuscany is spent visiting producers located outside Arezzo and in the Val di Chiana. Our first stop is to Buccia Nera Winery, managed by Anastasia, Alessia and Roberta Marcini. This gorgeous winery has a long family-owned history, beginning in the late 19th century.
You will then enjoy lunch close by at La Capannaccia, before heading off for the next two winery visits: both owned and run by women. Your farewell dinner at Pomaio this evening.
Overnight Accommodation: Villas, Pomaio
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
SATURDAY 12 – TO FLORENCE, TO FLORENCE
This morning we enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the villas, and then a road transfer to Florence.
You have the day free to explore to your hearts’ content, do any last minute shopping and just check out the city.
This evening for those who wish to join Jane for a drink, and then head out to one of her favourite spots for an optional dinner…
Overnight Accommodation: Hotel Brunelleschi
Meals Included: Breakfast
SUNDAY 13 – EXPLORE THE ARTISANS OF FLORENCE ON FOOT
A beautiful day for your last day in Florence.
This morning join Luca Santiccioli for an Artisan walk through Florence. Luca is a local specialist guide in all things of divine craftsmanship and will take you through the history and introduce you to some truly exquisite local products.
Lunch is then at leisure followed by a free afternoon.
If you would like us to organise a private visit to the Uffizi, the Statue of David or a walking tour of the historical city let us know. Otherwise head to the beautiful Farmacia Santa Maria Novella and shop, surrounded by the beautiful architecture of this 15th century monastery that today creates luscious skin care, perfumes and world famous tinctures.
This evening is your farewell dinner so frock up and get ready.
Overnight Accommodation: Hotel Brunelleschi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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MONDAY 14 – TIME TO SAY FAREWELL
Sadly all good things must come to an end (unless you have extended in Florence or are travelling further afield) and you say goodbye to new friends (for now) and Italy. Private transfers to the airport or the train station. Until next time.
Grazie e arrivederci. Buon viaggio…
Meals Included: Breakfast
