From Rome we drive towards the splendid Tuscan countryside to the Benedictine Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, where you find the Institute for the Restoration of Books. It is one of the best equipped centers in Italy.
We also find a "liquoreria", where distilled liquors are still produced with aromatic herbs and using antique recipes under the watchful eyes of the monks in the Abbey. After a thorough visit of the convent we drive south into the heart of the "Crete senesi" (the region filled with cypress trees, fields, livestock, and beautiful scenery), until we get to Montalcino, home of "Brunello", an aristocratic red wine produced with Sangiovese grapes of the same name. Everything revolves around wine-production in this town, as you can see from the numerous shops and wine-bars where you can taste and buy Brunello. The "Rocca" is a very imposing castle enclosed by walls with angular towers. It sits upon a hill at over 500 meters and dominates the valleys of d'Arbia and d'Orcia. In the center of town in the Piazza del Popolo, you come to the "Palazzo dei Priori" from the 1300's and not far you find three churches: Sant'Agostino, Sant'Egidio, and the Duomo (cathedral). After a ten minutes car ride, you'll reach the Fattoria dei Barbi winery, one of the most famous Brunello wine producers. Here you can visit the old wine cellars that have capacity for 5.000 hl in oak barrels, 12.000 hl in stainless steel or concrete vats, 200 hl in kegs, and 240 hl in barriques. After the visit you'll have the chance to taste their wines.

For food lovers there is the "Taverna dei Barbi" where the guests can find a selection of local recipes cooked in the traditional way. The women in charged have learnt from their mothers and grandmothers how to make the best fresh pasta and the savoury sauces to accompany them. Wild mushrooms soup, "pinci" with meat sauce, "ravioli" stuffed with ricotta cheese, roasted meats, wild boar in casserole, fresh vegetables, are just some of the tasty suggestions, together with their hams, salami and pecorino cheeses, all made in their estate. The decoration of the Taverna reflects their love for tradition and simplicity, in order to give the warmest welcome to the guests.

Following a short trip by car we come to Castelnuovo dell'Abate . In the lonely Valley Starcia the abbey of Sant'Antimo emerges. The convent is a part of an ancient legend. Basically, the emperor Carlo Magno in 781 wanted to celebrate the fact that he (and his people) was spared from the epidemic plague that hit the area near Monte Amiata. The abbey represents one of the best examples of Romanesque monastic architecture. After visiting this charming structure, time permitting, we head to another agricultural company to taste wine and local products which are famous all over the world. Moving along through the Tuscan countryside, among unforgettable and peaceful scenery, you'll reach the Altesino winery where you will also have the chance to admire the elegant 14th century building of Palazzo Altesi, formerly owned by the Tuscan Tricerchi family.

Throughout the visit you will get to know the winery and all those that work on the premises, following the various stages of the production. They will tell you about the history and the origins of Brunello as well as the other wines produced by the estate. You will walk through the vineyards; visit the ageing cellars discovering some of the most high profile oenological procedures. This entire introduction will end with a tasting of the wines that will be geared to teach you how to recognise the elegance and refinement of our products. Return to your accommodation in the evening.