Practical information for your stay with us here in
Tuscany:
WINE WEEKENDS
Weekend Structure
The Weekends usually run for three days. We will be out
and about each day from around 9.45am until around 5.30/6pm.
We will be taking you to a wide variety of vineyards and
showing you a whole range of winemaking processes.
We have discovered a growing number of organic, biodynamic
and natural vineyards. We can offer a weekend that concentrates
solely on this type of concern if it is of interest to
you.
We would recommend participants to arrive the evening
before the Weekend starts. The Weekend price as quoted
includes 4 nights accommodation. Anyone wishing to extend
their stay in order to have some free time either side
of the Weekend is more than welcome to do so and we can
quote for the extra nights accommodation accordingly.
The evening before the Weekend starts there will be an
introduction and aperitif around 6pm. This will be a chance
for everyone to meet each other and get a feel for how
the Weekend will proceed.
Breakfasts are included in the price of the Weekend and
will be taken in your place of accommodation. Please note
that Weekends are not residential. We organise your hotel
or bed and breakfast according to your requirements. See
below. Participants are requested to vacate their accommodation
by 10.30am on the final morning.
The evening meals are not included in the price of the
weekend.
Transport
We are situated an hour south of Florence, two hours from
Pisa and two and a half hours from Rome. We recommend
that you hire a car for your period here in Tuscany, as
it will allow you more independence. However it is not
obligatory for the Weekend. The nearest station is in
the village of Buonconvento and we will collect participants
from there as and when required. Please check the rail
web site www.trenitalia.it
for train schedules and advise us of your expected time
of arrival.
The closest airport is Florence. Alternatives to this
would be Pisa or Rome.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information
regarding travel arrangements.
We can provide you with driving directions and other
relevant instructions providing you give us full information
on your registration as to your travel arrangements.
We can also organise airport transfers but these will
be at extra cost to the price of the Weekend.
Accommodation
Each participant is quoted separately for their accommodation,
dependant upon their choice of hotel, agri-turismo (country
house) or bed and breakfast. Participants are also welcome
to book their own accommodation if they prefer. A list
of our recommended accommodations is available upon request.
Meals
Breakfast will be served in your place of accommodation.
Lunches will be taken in different locations each day,
depending upon the location of the morning’s class.
Wine, water and coffee are included with the lunches.
Evening meals are not included in the price of the weekend.
If you have any special dietary requirements it is important
that you notify us beforehand.
Language
The Tours will all be conducted in English. Where the
wine-maker or vineyard guide does not speak English full
translation will be provided.
What to Wear
We can’t guarantee the weather unfortunately but
we would suggest that you come prepared for warm sunny
days. The evenings are often cooler so a light racket
or jumper will be advisable. We hope to be eating lunch
outside each day.
Most importantly – You will be on your feet quite
a bit as well as being out and about each day so bring
comfortable walking shoes. We like to take you to see
some of the actual vines as well as the cellars so some
‘off-road’ walking is included.
Please also note that there are often mosquitoes during
the early evenings here in summer so some repellent is
always a good idea.
No Smoking Policy
Here in Italy they are very strict with regard to smoking
in public places. It is forbidden in all indoor locations.
Free Time
Your days are quite full. We do take you to a variety
of locations but if you wish to see more of the area we
suggest that you add on a few days before or after the
Weekend. (Feel free to contact us for information in this
respect – we will help you as much as possible).
General information & Registration:
Student Numbers
We are limiting the total number of participants to each
Weekend to 8. We like to keep everything as personal as
possible. Many of the vineyards are family run and as
such are small and intimate. We therefore have small group
policy. We feel that this makes it more interesting and
fun for everyone involved.
Registration
Please complete the on-line booking form to register.
We need all the information completed as fully as possible
to enable us to provide all that is required to make it
a fulfilling week for you. If you have any questions please
email us at info@tastetuscany.co.uk or telephone on 0039
338 9216205.
Payment
To confirm a booking a deposit of 30% is payable immediately.
This can be made on-line by credit card via paypal on
our web site or alternatively you may make a bank transfer.
Please contact us by email for bank account details if
required.
The balance is payable 21 days before the start of the
Weekend.
Cancellation
If you decide to cancel for any reason we will reimburse
all fees less an administrative fee of €100 providing
that you notify us at least one month before the start
of the Weekend. Within one month of the date of the Weekend
a cancellation will result in no refund of the deposit.
Once the workshop has commenced no fees will be repayable.
We are not responsible for any arrangements made with
regards to travel.
We recommend that you take out suitable travel insurance.
Liability
We are not liable for personal injuries or equipment damage
during the week here with us. We recommend that you take
out suitable travel insurance to cover medical and other
loss. Please check with your travel agent.
