This isn’t your great grandfather’s Tuscany trip.

But it is Andrea Falaschi’s!

We invite you to join us on this cultural tasting tour to enjoy local flavors and spend time with the artisans and learn how they make Chianti flavors taste so good. This week offers an experience of Tuscany by providing a distinct blend of visual, cultural, and culinary arts found off the beaten path, from the city to the countryside. In addition we have the rare opportunity (literally of the century) to spend time with master butcher Andrea Falaschi and celebrate the 100th year anniversary of 4 generations of the family artisans. Taste savory wild fennel salumi and the antique recipes of the dying art of salumeria dating back multiple generations.

With a balance blend of city and the countryside, this trip provides the best of both with a feast for eyes and soul. Experience the heart of the Renaissance in Florence, and explore the ancient cobblestone streets of quaint hamlets to the full relaxation of the Tuscan countryside. Learn how to make focaccia and pappardelle, a favorite Florentine pasta dish with wild boar ragu from scratch, then enjoy it with new friends at the chef’s table. Walking excursions of the heart city will take you back in time, meandering tucked away cobblestone passageways en route to museums, cathedrals, and favorite trattorias. Retrace Dante’s footsteps through cobblestone alleys. Indulge frequently in gelato. Discover why it is imperative that Tuscan olive oil be pressed within hours of harvest. Learn why there is been no salt in their bread since the 12th century. Absorb the artistic splendor of the Uffizzi Gallery made possible by the Medici family. Take in the vibrant frescos by Botticelli and sculptures of Michelangelo. Go into the hills to hunt and unearth the highly prized white truffles, (found only a two months of the year), and later taste them prepared in a rustic country feast. Stay in the castle rooms that date back to 1256 ( ! ), stroll the gardens, and enter into the private castle cellar to learn how the Benedictine monks made Chianti and the splendid wines they still are today.

If this stirs your palette and your imagination, this is the trip for you. Tuscany has a special way of recharging the soul.

ITINERARY

THIS ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE as we get closer to the trip.  The cities in which we sleep will stay the same, but hotels, day trips and other experiences may be changed (for the better!) 

DAY 1 – Florence

Arrival at the Florence (FLR) Airport. Arrival at the hotel with time to settle into your rooms, recuperate from jetlag and rest. Benvenuti! In the evening meet for aperitivo and and get to know your group and review the week’s itinerary. Welcome dinner together with our dear friend and 4th generation master butcher Andrea at a local restaurant to taste special dishes, Tuscan wines, and traditional cuisine. Free time after dinner to explore the nightlife of Florence.

DAY 2 – Florence

A day of familiarization with Florence, the heart of the Renaissance. After breakfast  depart for an art history walking tour of Piazza Signoria, Ponte Vecchio and the historical center of Florence with our favorite local Florentine guide, Elisa. Lunch on your own with time to Visit the Uffizi Gallery-the largest collection of Renaissance artwork. In the afternoon meet for a cooking lesson with Chef Stefano, for traditional pasta lesson and dinner overlooking the Ponte Vecchio with clear views of the Arno River. 

DAY 3 - Tuscany Countryside Castle

After breakfast depart for a drive into the enchanting Tuscan countryside excursion to the southern region en route to a castle stay. Stop for lunch in a charming hamlet and have an incredible lunch for the ages as one of the world’s best known butchers, Dario Cecchini’s butcher shop and restaurant (watch Chef’s Table Season 6 Episode 2!). Arrive in the afternoon with free time to walk the gardens or swim at the pool. For a wine tour and tasting, tour the ancient cantinas (established in the 13th century) and walk through the vineyards. Dinner at the castle. 

DAY 4 Siena

Morning visit to the enchanting Medieval town of Siena with free time to explore and discover the towers to climb. Time for resting, shopping, walking, enjoying a caffe in the piazza, sit at a caffe for an espresso and write a postcard, …la vita italiana! Lunch together and then return to the castle for a free evening, perhaps watch the sunset, a theater performance, or spa time. Dinner on your own.

DAY 5 Lucca

Depart for the Etruscan town of Lucca; a small city within mote walls-exhibiting Byzantine architecture and art nouveau.  Stop for lunch at a historical trattoria for local cuisine. Dinner together in the ancient piazza. 

DAY 6 - Truffle Hunt and 100-year celebration party with Andrea as Masceleria Falaschi

After breakfast depart for a truffle hunt excursion with Master Truffle hunter, Salvatore and his truffle hunting dog Stella followed by a 5 course truffle hunt lunch. In the afternoon we hop in the bus to arrive at a 4th generation Tuscan butcher to learn his artisan craft and tour the production facility. Dinner together on his terrace overlooking the stunning Chiantishire and celebrate together 100 (!) years-his family as artisans ! 

DAY 7 - Relaxing day in Lucca

Free morning to explore and the option to rent bicycles for a ride atop and around the city wall. Climb the many towers, shop, pursue artistic endeavors, or just eat another gelato.

Finale lunch together with the afternoon on your own. 

DAY 8 - Lucca/Pisa departure

Arrivederci!  After breakfast (or whenever your itinerary indicates), depart for the Pisa airport. Please make sure you allow for delays. Don’t be too ambitious with your connecting back to the US!

Ready? Contact chris@portlandfoodadventures.com or call 503 314-4221 to get more info or to book your spot(s).  LIMITED AVAILABILITY for this once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Astrid Ensign:  Our co-host - you must read this.

While the PFA format for our trips usually involves a chef or producer, in Italy our experienced tour planner and on-the-ground guide is Astrid Ensign of Taste of Italy. Astrid grew up in – of all places, rural Montana – in a town that had a one-room school house. Four of the other eight students in her school were her siblings. As a fifth grader, Astrid got her hands on a National Geographic Magazine, fell in love with an article about Italy, and announced to her parents that her dream was to go to Italy. “Sure, Astrid. If you can earn the money, then let’s talk about it…” By the age of 15, she’d saved enough money to gain the attention of her parents as being serious, and the arrangements were made. So, not yet speaking any Italian, this small-town girl was Italy-bound on a plane for the first time in her life, for an almost year-long exchange program in Italy.

That was 25 years ago, and since then, she continued her studies in Italy, living and flourishing in Florence and elsewhere, Astrid was taken with the food and wine of Italy. So she set about getting to know chefs, wine and food producers.

Astrid bases herself in Portland, and has been treating Portlanders to her findings for years, either through her work with travel companies or her own. Now, Portland Food Adventures has teamed up with Astrid’s Taste of Italy brand to curate everything we do in Italy. This will be our second trip with Astrid, and we can’t harp enough about how delightful her guidance and presence is. You are welcome to ask our previous guests. You’ll see her pictured in some of the images below, as Astrid and PFA’s Chris Angelus (who is your co- host) took a few days before their Tuscan trip in 2017 to experience first-hand much of what Astrid had in store for this 2018 Sicilian adventure, as well as some new discoveries. We are pleased to offer your chance to experience the best of Eastern Sicily.

NOTE:  When in the USA, Astrid pronounces her name Aus-tree En-sine.  (You'll hear the "d" in Astrid when in Italy and she's conversing in Italian.)

Listen to Chris and Astrid on the Right at the Fork Podcast, below.

A little story on Channel 8 about our last trip to Tuscany featuring Chris from Portland Food Adventures:

Pricing/Terms

8 days/7 nights

Price: Before Jan 1, 2025: $7250/pp Double Occupancy / $1500 single supplement (see deposit and payment details below)  

After Jan 1, 2025: $7550/pp Double Occupancy

Price subject to increase for new bookings if dollar continues to decrease vs. the Euro.

50% of cost of trip due upon booking. Then, balance of full cost of trip due by 6/15/25. All payments are non-refundable. Payments made by check only. While our trips feature smaller groups for maximum enjoyment and interaction, this trip is subject to a low minimum number of guests. Please do not buy airfare until we inform you that the minimum has been met. 

While our trips feature smaller groups for maximum enjoyment and interaction, this trip is subject to a low minimum number of guests. Please do not buy airfare until we inform you that the minimum has been met.

WHAT IS/ISN’T INCLUDED: This trip includes accommodations generally in beautiful 4-Star hotels, hotel taxes, transfers (or reimbursement) from Catania airport and specified transfers from Ortigia, food and/or beverage experiences specified in this itinerary (generally at least 2 meals a day included) and associated gratuities, and transportation to our excursions away from the city. 

They do NOT include airfare or trip insurance (which we strongly recommend — especially because of the possibilities Covid presents us and can be purchased online), mini-bar, incidentals, food not published on itinerary, gratuities (generally for drivers, tour guides) and personal expenses.

Pescatarians can be accommodated. Please ask about other food issues/allergies. This is called Portland Food ADVENTURES for a reason. Our trips are not great for people with restrictive food issues or preferences.

Lastly, our groups are really fun, and we want to make sure we keep them that way. So, if you’re a flexible, open traveler who appreciates the opportunity to sit back and let us do the planning and the legwork while you eat and drink really well, this trip is for you. If you need to be in complete control of your schedule, and need to know what’s happening months in advance on Friday at 3pm during the trip, this may not be the best way for you to travel. Our guests who put this in our hands report the times of their lives!!

We can help you with excursions before, during and after as well.

YOU ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO CALL CHRIS AT 503 314 4221 TO DISCUSS THE TRIP BEFORE OR AFTER MAKING YOUR DEPOSIT.  THERE ARE SPECIAL OFFERS AVAILABLE ONLY OVER THE PHONE!!

We can help you with excursions before, during and after as well.