Luxury Vacations

The utmost friendly and personalized service in luxury Wine and Food Vacations in Tuscany and Italy

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For over ten years Le Baccanti has provided the finest service in customized luxury cultural food & wine vacations and day tours in Tuscany and Italy. Our personalized services are recommended by BBC Travel, The Independent, Le Monde, The Telegraph and many other Vip Guests. Having designed luxury vacations for scores of satisfied wine, food and art lovers over the years, we know that you expect only the most prestigious, authentic and "delicious" Italian experiences.

Only the very Best: Discovering Places with a Soul
Our private escorted tours of Italy are guided exclusively by engaging, esteemed art and culture experts and sommeliers... passionate and proactive people that love to share their time and knowledge with others. Enjoy a luxurious custom culinary vacation of Piedmont, Veneto, Marche, Umbria, the Amalfi Coast, Sicily and Tuscany focusing on wine touring, fine cuisine, cooking, truffles, chocolate, cheese, balsamic vinegar, pastry, extra virgin olive oil and other delicious foods! We'll show you Italy's most fascinating cities, extraordinary palaces closed to the general public, as well as other little-known secret and authentic spots.... we'll help you discover the soul of Italy!

Tuscany's Finest Gourmet Experiences

Are you looking for a personalized luxury vacation to Italy to fulfill all your needs and indulge your every desire?

Tuscany for centuries has been applauded as a paradise for the traveller, writer and artist.

Just the mere mention of a Tuscan vacation evokes irresistible mental images of medieval villages, misty olive groves and undulating hills of red and ochre colored soil. These are the landscapes that captivated the Medieval and Renaissance writers and painters so famous in this region. Ancient hill towns complement the artistic riches of Siena and Florence renowned the world over for their grandeur and charm. Both cities rank among the most beautiful cities in the world, with an open debate over which of the two is more meritorious of such a prize.

Tuscany is much more than the alluring countryside and imposing cities so often portrayed in the media. The culture and spirit of the people that live in this wonderful land of art and prose, is as warm as the Chianti wine that they produce. Here you will find stories and personalities that will remain with you much longer than your Tuscan vacation.

If you prefer to experience a country rather than simply visit, our Luxury Gourmet Experiences in Tuscany are an ideal alternative to a tightly organized mass marketed tour.

Our private escorted tours of Tuscany are guided exclusively by engaging, esteemed art and culture experts and sommeliers. These spirited and motivated people are driven by the love of their region, to share the it with you.

Learn to cook with an authentic Italian Nonna in her beautiful Florentine home. Wander the streets of Siena learning about medieval foods and culture with Rita, a local guide and Senese resident. Take a wine tour to some of the most exclusive wineries in Tuscany with Lawrence, an interesting wine expert who has travelled the world.

Green Organic Sustainable Wine Touring

See how Italian and Tuscan Wineries and Food producers are leading the way in "Green" and organic products, while tasting some of the best Brunello, Barolos, and Amarones in the world! Ride on a low emission vehicle or explore the Tuscan winelands on foot. Visit producers that adopt environmentally friendly, organic or biodynamic wine making techniques. Making wine is a very natural thing, but in Italy many wineries are doing their part to provide excellent wines in the most sustainable way. From well-know wineries to small family estates, see what these vineyards are doing to help preserve the environment while producing some of the best wines Italy has to offer.

Ballooning In Tuscany with Champagne Breakfast

Amazing views of Tuscnay from the sky!
Different itineraries available
Champagne breakfast upon landing
Drift silently over breathtaking countryside

Colorful balloons lift silently off the ground and slowly gain height . . . spotting one on the horizon is indeed captivating, but imagine you yourself gently drifting along with the breezes above the beautiful countryside. A balloon flight will give you quite a new perspective of Tuscany, and a unique, long-lasting memory of your time here. We fly at dawn to take advantage of the morning calm. Flights in the morning are nearly always possible, whereas evening flights are often difficult because the sea breeze can be quite strong and sometimes doesn't calm down until well after dark! Guests are welcome to participate as the balloon in inflated, which takes about thirty minutes. Then, itâ€™s up and away, for a flight that lasts more than an hour. The first light of dawn creates the magic frame for the scene that unfolds below you. There are the characteristic red-roofed towns, surrounded by the enchanting rural landscape and wild animals darting their way through the fields. Afterwards we enjoy a splendid champagne breakfast laid out in the field where we land, before loading everything back on to the trailer of the chase vehicle which follows the flight from the launch site. The whole experience takes about three hours and is truly unforgettable!

Sailing in the Mediterranean Sea from Viareggio (Tuscany)

Explore Tuscany's enchanting coastal waters
Sail in a beautiful sailboat with your own skipper
Discover the breathtaking coast and dramatic cliffs
Swim in the bright blue Mediterranean sea
Enjoy a lunch of local specialties on board

To those who know the wonders of sailing no explanation is necessary; to those who donâ€™t, none is possible. This is a chance to sail the pristine, world-renowned crystal clear waters of the Tyrrhenian sea in a beautiful sailboat, equipped with 2 sails, your own English-speaking skipper, a small sitting room and kitchen. You'll start off from Viareggio and set off to sea. You may enjoy a swim in the clear waters away from the beaches, and explore the breathtaking areas along the coast during your invigorating half or full-day excursion. On a full-day excursion, lunch will be served on board. If you wish to sail farther and reach the incredible coast and cliffs of Liguria or the Tuscan islands, a full-day or two day tour is necessary.

Truffles, Barolo and Wellness

Truffles were appreciated by the Romans - they were believed to to grow as the result of Jupiter throwing lightning at an oak tree. Jupiter was also a god famed for his many sexual activities, and the truffle has long been regarded as an aphrodisiac.

If you are looking for an Italian gourmet and wellness break, than look no further. Our Luxury wellness holiday in Alba mixes incredible food, divine wines and wonderful beauty and wellness treatments into one exceptional package.

This three day trip includes a Barolo wine tour with an expert guide, a truffle hunt followed by a gourmet tasting lunch, and a day of relaxation at one of the regions top wellness clinics.

Tuscany Helicopter Ultra Luxury Wine Tour

Enjoy a spectacular helicopter flight over the Tuscan countryside

Discover top rated wines with an esteemed expert
Focus on the premier Tuscan wine regions of your choice
Visit beautiful top-rated wineries in historic castles and villas
Discover charming small towns from high above

Unforgettable Helicopter Wine Tour

Enjoy a spectacular private helicopter flight over the Tuscan countryside patchwork. See the Chianti vineyards, the Super Tuscan wine coastal area, the rolling hills of the Brunello wine Region, Siena's and San Gimignano's famous towers and some of the world's most famous vineyards form high above. We've worked out several unforgettable wine-and-gourmet flights for you that will take you to prestigious wineries and olive-oil producers in Tuscany rated highly by the most influential European and American wine publications. Explore the striking beauty of the most beautiful and classical of all Mediterranean regions from the height of a helicopter and land at a great wineries for memorable tasting experiences with a VIP personality of the Italian wine and food world. Lunch as private guests at one of the wineries or in a fine restaurant while enjoying a menu paired with some of Tuscany's best wines and vintages.

Helicopter wine tours are truly magnificent!

The Best Horse Riding in Tuscany

Explore Tuscany's seductive landscapes on horseback

Ride horses to ancient ruins located in secret locations
Discover local breeds of horses often unseen outside of Italy
Enjoy local specialties every meal usually completely organic and produced at the farm where you stay

Visit stunning historical sites of interest (Etruscan tombs, castles, monasteries and national park forests).

Envision yourself horse riding through Tuscany. Cantering through the undulating hills blanketed with olive groves or vineyards. Imagine letting your horse drink from a pure sparkling stream whilst you admire the countryside.
Horse riding in Tuscany should be on every personâ€™s â€˜to doâ€™ list. Tuscany is full of soft tufo trails, old Roman roads and castle ruins just waiting to be explored on horseback.

NEW!!

Equestrian culture trips for 2012.

Fancy the idea of spending two days rounding up cattle in Lazio with Italy's Butteri on hardy Maremmano horses?

How about visiting the Murgese studs of Puglia to discover a breed of horse that has been raised on Europes largest limestone plateau since the reign of Emperor Frederick 2 in the 1200's also a UNESCO heritage site.

Then its off to see Europes oldest wild herd of horses, running free on the island of Sardinia, considered La Terra Dei Cavalli.

Much like wine and food, equestrian culture is more than just the horses, its the people, the places, the traditions and the history. Come and learn about Italy's magnificent equestrian history, from the Etruscans horses once the favorites to win Greek chariot races to the to the first classical riding academy established in the world near Naples.

Today Italy's native horses and traditions are little known outside their home country, providing an exciting authentic cultural holiday for those that need an equine infusion in their next trip to Italy!

Cooking Weekend Florence Tuscany

Highlights of your Cooking Weekend in Florence Tuscany

Stay in luxury 4 star accommodation in the city center

Daily classes with Florentine locals at their homes

Experience Florentine food and culture with a guided wine tasting and gourmet food walk and aperitif through the city

Free time to enjoy one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Join us for a weekend of cooking in Florence, Italy. Your gourmet weekend will begin on the night of your arrival, when your Florentine guide will meet your for a gourmet walking tour of the city center. Learn about the rich culture and taste some of the best local wines and regional snacks. You will experience the evening culture of aperitivo in one of Florences most famous bars.

The following morning you will meet Anna a sweet local nonna at the market. She will show you around, and point out seasonal produce whilst shopping for ingredients. After this you will transfer to her house for a full three hour cooking class followed by lunch with local wine and olive oil.

The afternoon is free to enjoy the vibrant life of Florence.

Your following days cooking class will be in the city center, with Patrizia an international journalist and Florentine local. She will guide you how to prepare a different full course meal and explain the importance of good fresh produce in Tuscan food.

After another social sit down lunch with your host, you will have the afternoon to relax or visit the cities famous art galleries.

This is a fantastic weekend escape for those that do not have time to enjoy a full week in Italy. The program includes three nights accommodation, two classes and lunches, and a guided three hour wine tasting and gourmet walk.

Scuba Diving Tuscan Archipelago and Elba

The Tuscan Archipelago is Europe's largest protected marine park, and makes for a first-rate diving vacation.
The seven enchanting and diverse islands within the park are Elba, Giglio, Capraia, Giannutri, Montecristo, Gorgona and Pianosa. The Fernaia drop is one of the more experienced dives, a 90m drop full of interesting marine life and rare fish.

Three other interesting and less challenging dives are Le Scole, Punta delle Secche and the Punta di Capel Rosso.

The islands are full of interesting hiking trails and the ruins of ancient fortresses and watch towers; a legacy to the islands past when the islanders lived in constant fear of pirate attacks.

Contact us about our diving and sailing trips around the Archipelago. The mild climate makes a diving vacation possible in all seasons.