On arrival at Florence airport (or other airports by prior arrangement and at extra cost) you take a private transfer to Greve in Chianti and arrive at the Villa Bordoni where you will enjoy a welcome drink in the garden followed by an introduction to the week.

Villa Bordoni is a sophisticated country house hotel nestling in the grey-green hills immediately above the town of Greve, in the heart of the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany. This 16th century noble villa commands an extraordinary vantage point over the unspoiled Chianti hills and their biblical landscape of vineyards, terraced olive groves and forest.

A vine leaf and a thistle, the coat of arms of this elegant hotel, perfectly convey the spirit of its very existence. The first symbolises the heart of Chianti Classico - Greve, to be precise, a fertile land home to this famous red wine and to this Renaissance villa. The second, a "cardo", or thistle, is a reference to the Scottish origins of the owners, Catherine and David Gardner. After a painstaking restoration by Florentine architect Andre Benaim and by veteran interior designer Riccardo Barthel, the villa has regained its original soul, opening its doors to guests in the spring of 2006.

Villa Bordoni is now proud to be among Condé Nast Traveller's "60 Best New Hotels in the World".

Later dinner is served, local wine included.

You wake to a buffet breakfast and afterwards enjoy your first hands-on cooking lesson with lunch to follow - based on your efforts! Lunch is usually served in the garden.

In the late afternoon meet with your English-speaking guide for a countryside walk to Montefioralle and Greve in Chianti. There is time to discover this quaint village with its many small and picturesque shops, including the famous Falorni butchers.

This evening you are free to enjoy dinner in Greve; afterwards you return to Villa Bordoni.

After breakfast this morning enjoy a morning excursion to Castello di Verrazzano for a guided visit of the wine cellars. Afterwards enjoy a Tuscan lunch at the Castle with their estate wines.

After lunch you’ll return to Villa Bordoni for a free afternoon at leisure. Nestling amongst the villa's olive groves is the outdoor swimming pool, and perched just above it, the open air fitness pavillion, where guests may use high-tech equipment, while enjoying the serenity of the surrounding countryside. The hotel also has a number of mountain bikes available, for those more energetic guests who wish to explore the countryside.

Setting off after breakfast you set out on a full-day trip to the medieval village of San Gimignano. After a wander around this historic tower-town and time for lunch you head to historic Siena, famous for its “Il Palio” horse race.

Later you return to Villa Bordoni to enjoy a light dinner, again with local wine included.

A further free day to relax and enjoy the surroundings of the villa.

After a free morning at the villa join the chef once again for you final cooking lesson. You’ll enjoy a wine tasting in the cellars of Villa Bordoni, followed by farewell dinner.

Sadly today your tour ends after breakfast with a transfer back to Florence.