The Tuscan truffle festival at San Giovanni d’Asso takes place during the second and third weekends of November. The Tuscan truffle season lasts roughly from September through December. It is tremendous fun for anyone interested in Tuscan food and folklore. There is a group of stalls selling white truffles, plus food stalls and restaurants selling truffle-flavoured specialities. During the festival, it's a good idea to book your restaurant. If you buy a truffle, make sure you're in a position to use it within three days - next day if possible - because their incredible aromatics disperse into the atmosphere at a rapid rate. San Giovanni d'Asso is located about 80 km southeast of Florence and about 30 km southeast of Siena in the picturesque area known as the Crete Senesi. Crete Senesi means "Siennese clays" and these give the soil of parts of the Val d'Orcia south east of Sienna a distinctive grey colouration
DAY 1 Arrival and an introduction to the area.
Pick up by minibus at the airport (Rome, Florence, Pisa or Perugia) Transfer to the Hotel in Pienza and Check In. Welcome Cocktail. Dinner at the Restaurant with local dishes based on handmade Pasta, mushrooms, wild boar, Salami, wild berries, extra vergine olive oil …
DAY 2 Brunello di Montalcino DOC Wine Road
After Breakfast, departure by bus to Poggio Antico. Guided Tour of the Wine Farm. Brunello di Montalcino Wine Tasting. Transfer to Montalcino. Visit to Montalcino and lunch on your own. Departure by Bus to the Abbey Sant Antimo and sightseeing. Back to the Hotel and dinner.
DAY 3 Truffle Hunting
After Breakfast departure by Bus reaching San Giovanni d’Asso. Visit to the Truffle Museum. Lunch tasting Truffle dishes. Visit to a Truffle Farm. Back to the Hotel and Dinner
DAY 4 Rest Day: Orvieto or Siena
After Breakfast. Departure by Minibus to Orvieto or Siena. Half day guided tour of the town. Lunch on your own. Back to the Hotel and Dinner.
DAY 5 Discovering the Etruscan’s
After Breakfast departure by Minibus for Pitigliano. Escorted half day tour. Sheep Milk Cheese Tasting. The town is situated on a steep tuff rock, characterised by tuff stone, a hardened type of volcanic magma. Lunch at a local restaurant lead by Alessandro’s Family. Departure for Sovana and visit of its Etruscan’s tombs aged 1000 BC. Back to the Hotel by Minibus. Dinner at the Restaurant.
DAY 6 Nobile di Montepulciano DOC Red Wine
After Breakfast departure by Minibus to Montepulciano. Half day guided Tour of the town and Nobile di Montepulciano Wine Tasting. Lunch on your own. Transfer by Minibus to Monte Amiata for a half day pasta cooking class lead by Chef Claudia. Farewell Cocktail served in a old Castle. Dinner at the Enoteca da Nazareno with its biggest wine collection of South Tuscany. Back by Minibus to the hotel.
DAY 7 Departure Day
After Breakfast transfer to the Airport (Rome, Florence, Pisa or Perugia
The Price includes:
- 7 Daily Transfers by Minibus
- 6 full day escorted tour
- 6 days Half Board treatment (beverage not included) at Hotel in Pienza
- Lunches on day 3 & 5 (beverage included)
- Half day guided Tour of Siena or Orvieto
- Half Day Guided Tours of Pitigliano & Montepulciano
- 2 Wine Tasting + 1 Olive oil Tasting + 1 Cheese tasting
- Farewell cocktail served in the castle of Piancastagnaio
- Vat and taxes