Travel
Flourish Tuscany
In the summer of 2018, a dear friend invited me on an 8-day tour of Tuscany. It changed my life forever.
As a life-long student of art and design, culinary arts and photography, this trip was a pivotal moment for me. As the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence and Tuscany’s artistic legacy is second to none.
Awe-inspiring masterpieces. Cypress-covered hills and winding roads leading to walled medieval towns, packed with ancient architecture and traditions still inhabited. Hand-painted frescoes dating back to the Middle Ages. Marble and alabaster structures which defy all sense of possibility. Exploring the very caves of Carrara from which Michelangelo’s marble statue of David was extracted. Scarlet-red poppies dotting the hillsides winding up to stone fortresses filled with priceless Etruscan art and paintings. Ruby-red Chianti. Pungent pecorino cheese. Buttery prosciutto and Parma. Centuries-old lessons in the home of an Italian with pillow-like hand-rolled pastas which melt in your mouth. Sunrise hot-air-balloon over Tuscany leaving you floating in-between reality and a dream…
This was the Tuscany that stole my heart. This IS the Tuscany I wish to share with you! This is NOT a tour that you will find in a travel brochure or website. This is an experience! YOU WILL LIVE IN TUSCANY.
On the back of my Flourish business card, there is a definition of service which reads:
Con-nois-seur: Person who through study and experience, has a great deal of knowledge and appreciation in the fine arts, cuisines and is a good judge in matters of taste.
Am I a travel agent? No. However, I am a student of life; a curator of beauty, art, and cultural experiences found off the beaten path. I have found the sights and sounds of life that others WILL miss while standing in line for the “ordinary tour.” This trip is about “living in Tuscany” to the fullest; if only for seven glorious days. This trip is an abundant gift for the senses. You will see...touch...taste...smell and hear the amazing gifts which ARE Tuscany like never before.
I have done the groundwork. I have traveled the paths...slept in the beds...driven the winding roads...tasted the fare...and yes, enjoyed the wine! I have secured valuable relationships with shop owners, artisans, painters, musicians, restauranteurs, and inn keepers which will make this journey a dream-come-true for you, as it has been for the many clients who have joined me; some, now for a second and even a third time.
I have now even written the book, Finding the Pieces, which is available here, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, as well as fabulous stores near you. Who knows... perhaps you will play a role in my next book!
Your 7-night Tuscan adventure awaits on a stunning farm tucked between Florence and Siena in the very heart of Chianti. This organic farm producing olive oil products and award-winning Chianti has been in the Paolella/Guercini family for over 5 generations.
As I turned onto this vineyard-laden road in the spring of 2018, I knew this beautiful agriturismo was home. Riccardo, Paola and Francesco’s hospitality make guests feel comfortable, special and most welcomed. Before departing, you will be family.
During your stay, you’ll enjoy an authentic five-course Tuscan dinner on Paola’s 15-foot table which has occupied the same space since the early 1800’s.
Ravioli, tagliatelle, tortellini, or gnocchi some of your favorites? Then the Pasta with Paola cooking class will be right up your alley. If pasta making isn’t your thing, a pizza class with Guri can be arranged. Guri’s pizza will be on the itinerary even if you aren’t an inspiring chef. It is life-changing pizza!
Although not dubbed as a Culinary Tour, you will enjoy some of the finest meals in the region. While they might not be on Zagat’s list, each ristorante has been carefully procured and tested, much like a prized white truffle which might land on your plate if in season! Tuscany is known for peasant food; however, it is rich in flavor, steeped in tradition and best savored slowly alongside a glass of its famed Chianti!
Most packages include well-known cities and hill towns such as Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra and Lucca. However, Kim is an explorer and has discovered less beaten paths, some which have even included meetings with famous butcher, Dario Cecchini and famed tenor, Andrea Bocelli. Expect the unexpected.
Your excursions might include drifting over the heart of Chianti in a hot-air-balloon, or gliding down the River Arno at sunset. You may even elect to spend the night in a medieval castle, nestled in the mountains overlooking the Ligurian Sea.
In Florence, we will stand at the feet of David and walk around Brunelleschi’s Santa Maria del Fiore, the third largest Duomo (cathedral) in the world. Merely resting in its shadow is an awe-inspiring moment as is our visit to the bejeweled Medici Chapel.
This complex, with its large dome and lavish interior, was conceived to celebrate the power of the Medici dynasty which had successfully ruled Florence for centuries. You will feel their presence, as if they are walking these cobbled streets beside you.
Power and grandeur were not only achieved in Firenze, but also within the marbled masterpiece of the Duomo of Siena, which dates back to the 12th century. This cathedral is renowned for stunning Gothic architecture, intricate design and beautiful frescoes by famous artists such as Donatello and Michelangelo. The cylindrical Piazza del Campo, home of the famous Palio horse race is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is regarded as one of Europe’s greatest medieval squares.
Quieter moments will be experienced such as watching the sunset through the western gate in Monteriggioni. This arch now occupies the cover of Finding the Pieces, Kim’s first book. You will understand why this place led to the transformation of her life and is even the reason you are investing this time with her now.
There are antique markets to be shopped, art galleries and artisans to be visited. You will be intoxicated by the earthy aromas of Italian leather as it is crafted into the finest coats and handbags in the world. The butcher shops and fresh produce of Mercato Centrale will be woven into your memories as you bite into a buttery slice of prosciutto or the perfect piece of Parmesano Reggiano.
This trip is so much more than a vacation. It is an experience…it is a journey.
Join Flourish Tuscany and be transformed forever.
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