A chance to enjoy Tuscany in Autumn, when it's warmer (rather than baking hot) and less crowded, while staying at a stunning luxury hotel Borgo san Felice, created from a hilltop medieval village; the perfect backdrop for a wedding or honeymoon, or just a very special holiday.

This trip has a foodie focus, olive in particular. There will be a visit to a local olive mill to witness the harvest, followed by an olive oil tasting and lunch, before returning to Borgo san Felice to prepare Tuscan dishes in a two-star Michelin kitchen, using local olive oils. There will also be a chance to enjoy one of Borgo san Felice's signature spa treatments: an olive oil body wrap and massage.

In addition, we shall be visiting the stunning historic city of Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and watching the grape harvest on the Borgo san Felice estate, before a wine tasting in its atmospheric cellars.

Our base for the trip is Borgo san Felice, an independent luxury hotel surrounded by 140 hectares of its own vineyards planted over the rolling hills of Chianti Classico with the towers of Siena in the distance.

First inhabited in the 8th century, the picturesque and atmospheric hamlet of Borgo san Felice has a chapel in the centre of its main square fed by narrow tiled streets and an old palace that once belonged to the Taja family, who ruled this part of Tuscany up until the 18th century.

In 1991, Borgo san Felice underwent a complete restoration programme and reopened as a luxury hotel, with 53 rooms (including 20 suites), which are located in the palace and various historic buildings around the hamlet's square.  All of the rooms are decorated with Tuscan antiques and contemporary touches; many have stunning uninterrupted views of the Tuscan countryside. 

The emphasis at the hotel is very much on offering a true Tuscan experience, so the food and spa use local products (their wine is drunk in the restaurant and also used for vinotherapy treatments in the spa) and there is a strong rural imprint to match the authenticity of the countryside surrounding the property.

21 October: 09:30 flight from London City, to arrive in Florence in time for lunch, followed by spa treatments and an evening meal cooked by two-star Michelin chef Francesco Bracali.

22 October: visit to a local olive mill, followed by oil tasting and lunch, before returning to Borgo san Felice to learn how to cook Tuscan specialities and an informal meal at La Terrazza in the evening.

23 October: interviews with all the key players, such as Chef Bracali and the General Manager of Borgo san Felice, followed by a light lunch and then an afternoon trip to Siena; in the evening, a visit to the hotel's cellars will include a wine tasting followed by dinner.

24 October: after a leisurely breakfast, return to Florence for the return flight, leaving at 13:05 and getting into London City at 14:25.

If you would like to join this trip and have a guaranteed commission, please contact:

Sue Heady
Heady Communications
T: 01608 651 692
E: sue@headycommunications.com