Join us, along with American jazz superstar, Stella Katherine Cole, for five days in the Tuscan sun. With the picturesque nearby Cortona as our backdrop, together we'll experience the long Italian summer days with all the region has to offer: charming villages steeped in fascinating history, world-class wines and exquisite cuisine. Immersed in the initimate, fragrant gardens of the villa, each evening by starlight we'll be wooed by the inimitable voice of the lovely Stella. By the week's end we're certain that neither we nor Tuscany will ever be the same.
A Tuscan gem of a town just a hop, skip and jump away from Umbria, we'll explore, taste and immerse ourselves in the best both regions have to offer. July is a particularly spectacular time to visit as the surrounding valleys are illuminated by endless vibrant fields of sunflowers in full bloom.
Just outside the charming town of Cortona, we'll have the exclusive use of the gorgeous villa, Bramasole, of the famed, "Under the Tuscan Sun," book and movie. When you arrive at Bramasole, it's clear you're crossing the threshold of a magical place. A well-kept garden welcomes you with a fragrant concentration of roses, lavender and rosemary, an evocative and intimate setting for our evening jazz soirees under the stars with a swim afterwards.
Recently named by Conde' Naste Traveller as one of Italy's top villas, we'll have exclusive use of this villa and its grounds, a stone's throw from Cortona.
The villa has a swimming pool and an outdoor Jacuzzi hot tub. The 17th century well in the garden adds a beautiful presence in the garden. A brick-paved pergola is beautifully furnished for eating al fresco.
Each of Bramasole's rooms is plush and cozy, all with ensuite bathrooms and views of the surrounding countryside and grounds.
The main villa, with its five bedrooms has a gorgeous living area, a kitchen, a fireplace, a large dining room table and two guest bathrooms.
The villa also has its own private chapel and a full-sized American billiard table in the game room.
With the villa as our base for the week, we'll enjoy Cortona and its surroundings, take a day trip to nearby Perugia to explore its Etruscan, Roman and Medieval architecture with a local guide. One afternoon we'll enjoy a cooking class at the villa and on another we'll immerse ourselves in the beautiful picturesque hills out on a group guided e-bike ride through hills surrounding Lago Trasimeno. Along the way we'll (of course!) have time for sipping, tasting and snacking on some of the region's local delicacies. Each evening we'll have dinner at the villa, catered by the villa's incredibly talented chef, Francesco.
We'll visit the cosmopolitan city of Perugia, a gorgeous medieval gem full of fascinating history. As the capital of Umbria and also home to one of the oldest universities in the world as well as the university for foreigners, it boasts a large student population -- both Italian and international, keeping it young (despite its pre-Roman roots!).
We'll visit Cortona with a guide who'll show us the old town's art and history. We'll also get a chance to see a beautiful sacred monastery founded by Saint Francis in the early 13th century.
We'll have a cooking class at the villa one afternoon, a great excuse to make use of the villa's gorgeous kitchen. We'll also get the chance to go on a group guided electric bike tour through the glorious countryside. Along the way, we'll stop, hydrate and snack on some of the region's sumptuous delicacies and wines.
Starting from £6000 per person
Roundtrip group transfer to and from Florence
Five nights' accommodation in your choice of room at private villa
All meals except for lunch on Day 1 & 2 (wine with dinner)
Cooking Class by local chef
Day trip to Perugia with guided tour
Guided e-bike ride followed by lunch
Transportation to and from organized excursions
Guided tour of Cortona
Four evening jazz soirees with Stella Katherine Cole including wine / Prosecco