This one-week tour is designed for the seasoned traveler seeking to discover locations and experiences that are off the beaten path, including exclusive access to places otherwise closed to the general public. Secret Tuscany is therefore the perfect eight-day program for both those who want to discover Tuscany for the first time and those who have visited Tuscany in the past, love it, and want to visit again but to see something new.
Secret Tuscany combines visits to picturesque Tuscan towns, most of them little known and much less visited (Montecalvoli, Pienza, San Quirico d’Orcia, Monticchiello, Sinalunga, Montepulciano, Vico d’Elsa, San Gimignano, Monte Oliveto, Serre di Rapolano), wine tastings in two different niche wineries (Poliziano and Majnoni Guicciardini), and a medieval Castle with a private art collection not open to the public. Participants will also enjoy walks in the countryside along a charming country road with spectacular views of the Tuscan hills. The food and wine tasting is some of the best Tuscany has to offer, and September tours may include the opportunity to watch harvesting as it happens. There is a cooking class with a renowned Tuscan Chef (you will make your own pasta!) served by the pool, and fresh cheese tasting with local shepherds.
This is Tuscany, so art is everywhere. Participants will see spectacular Italian art in every town, and, in the most remote places, renaissance style frescoes in secluded Monasteries and a private home. Our area is also known for natural hot springs and, for those who like it, there is a SPA Day in a location with breathtaking Tuscan views.
For those who like to walk, there are opportunities to do so for several miles every day. Transportation will be provided from the villa to the towns and other places you will visit. However, you will need your walking shoes to enjoy the experience. this cultural and gastronomic tour includes daily walks of about one mile, often uphill and downhill as the Tuscan countryside is hilly and so are its medieval towns.
What’s so special: Unlike other tours, you will not have to check in and out from different hotels. The single accommodation will be our villa where you will feel at home, but with all the comforts of a modern hotel. Your hosts are an Italian family with century old roots in the territory but also international people who have worked at the World Bank, traveled the world, and lived in Washington D.C. This unique combination comes highly recommended by previous 1818 Society members who have vacationed there. Secret Tuscany tour was designed keeping in mind the needs and preferences of the sophisticated, international traveler, with the personal connections that are available only to a local family. From the moment you land to when you depart, everything is taken care of. All you have to do is enjoy the experience.
The offer includes transportation (including to/from Florence airport) to all events, daily breakfast and all lunches and dinners at the Villa, housekeeping, daily guided tours, wine tastings, a cooking class and tickets for museums, castles, and other attractions. In other words, all is included except for a few meals in Restaurants (all other meals will be served at the Villa) and transportation from and to other than Florence airport.
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The Tuscan countryside is particularly beautiful in September. For this reason, we propose a week’s trip in the first half of September to the 1818 Society for a new experience called Secret Tuscany. Our villa’s max capacity is 12 people. If there is demand after the tour fills up, it may be possible to schedule a second week for 1818 Society members.
Trip Cost: The cost is $3,900 per person per week on double occupancy basis, which includes transportation from Florence airport to the villa at the beginning and airport drop-off at the end of the trip.
Click here to see the program itinerary. The registration form will be emailed to those who have expressed interest in joining the trip on a first-come-first-served basis. Additional information about the location and accommodation is available on the website: www.villabonizella.com
The week of September 6 – 13, 2025 is now fully booked. If there is additional interest we may put together another group for the Secret Tuscany trip during the preceding week, from August 30 – September 6, 2025. If you are interested, send an email to the 1818 Trip Organizer, Anis Dani (adani@1818alumniwbg.org).
Tour Operators: Giovanni Majnoni and Bonizella Biagini
1818 Trip Organizer: Anis Dani
