A Luxury Food Tour in Tuscany

Italy has long been the vacation destination that is the ultimate foodie haven: each region boasting its own delicacies based on tradition and a rich agricultural scene. Tomatoes in Puglia, the famous Cotoletta in Milan, and Bergamo's very own comfort food, polenta. Travel to Tuscany this fall for the food and wine experience of a lifetime: a 6-day retreat organized by Italy Customized at Villa La Palagina, exploring the culture and cuisine of the Tuscan region.

Villa La Palagina has all the quaint charm that Tuscany has to offer. Overlooking the lush valley and olive groves of the Tuscan countryside, you'll find a little piece of history in this once monastery for Vallombrosian Monks. You'll enjoy your first day at the Estate tasting specialties of the region: locally made meats and cheeses, bread and wine. You'll not only taste the delicious foods of Tuscany from wild boar sauce to a traditional soup called Ribollita, but you will also learn their history, how they are made, and why they have become such big food staples in the region.

Truffle Hunting

Another unique experience that this food and wine tour entails is a day dedicated to truffle hunting, something you may only have the pleasure of doing in Italy. Though their particular taste may be off-putting to some, truffles have become highly regarded and widely used in the Italian cuisine, especially during the fall season. You will accompany a professional and his truffle hunting dogs to unearth these mushroom-looking delicacies and then you will learn how to clean, cook and prepare them, finishing off the afternoon with a lovely truffle-based lunch.

Pasta with Boar Sauce

Another highly regarded aspect of Italian cuisine is food origin. Italians put the utmost importance on production and location to be able to offer food that is pure and local. During you one-week food tour, you will visit a bio-dynamic olive oil farm and take a tour of the grounds to see how the product is made according to tradition. More importantly, you will taste why the “Made in Italy” label is so famous and why it holds so much prestige.

One of course cannot make it through Tuscany without tasting the famous Bistecca Fiorentina. For this, Italy Customized arranges a visit to Solo Ciccia, with a behind-the-scenes look accompanied by head butcher himself, Dario Cecchini. Here, you'll feast on the most exquisite and best-cut meats and learn why people are absolutely mad for the Fiorentina.

Antinori Wine Cellar

Wine anyone? Just as sacred as their cuisine, so too is their selection of locally made wines. Italy Customized organizes a visit to a wine estate of the Antinori family that continues to follow tradition in wine making for 26 generations. Another day you will be visiting Lake Trasimeno, where you will be tasting sweet Italian dessert wine, Vin Santo and Occhio di Pernice.

This food and wine experience is one of the best ways, not only to taste the authentic dishes of Italy, but also to incorporate history and culture. This vacation will teach you all there is to know about Italian gastronomy, while introducing you to the country's most decadent dishes.

More information: Italy Customized

Top photo credit: Villa La Palagina