Under the Tuscan Sun Escape and Rome post tour

Sept 13 to 23, 2025

pagina interna

CURRENCY: When prices are shown in EURO, see here for up to date conversion into USD (with 0% bank fees)

PLEASE FILL IN THIS FORM >>

Escape to Val D'orcia

Val d'Orcia - Villa Escape - Sept 13th to 20th

Driver Contact

Our contact for the driver for the 2 transfers from Rome and back to Rome is Paolo (manager) +39 335 765 3762

VILLA Location & Contact

Our Villa is located 3.7 miles south of the town of Sarteano at the address 42°56'51.6"N 11°51'05.9"E off of the SP478 road. See on google maps here.

Our host is lady Letitia +39 328 472 8719

Day 1 – Sept 13: Transfer from FCO and Rome - Civita di Bagnoregio stop & Villa Arrival

Circa at 9:30 am Depart FCO for Tuscany with your professional Chauffeur/guide, stop at city center for 2nd pick up location.
Stop to visit Civita di Bagnoregio
Arrive at private villa in Val d’Orcia in the afternoon. Estimated time of arrival 4:00 pm.
Settle in with a welcome aperitivo around our private pool
Dinner at a local tuscan trattoria
🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast, typical Italian snacks and finger food while at the Villa (included)

⚠️ Note: Days 2-7 may occur in a different order depending on local weather and conditions. All activities listed are included.

Day 2 – Sept 14: Val d’Orcia Towns - Montalcino & Winery visit

We will drive around the beautiful Val D'orcia exploring the landscape for the perfect picture stop.
We will explore the town of Montalcino with the opportunity to have lunch in town. At 4:00 pm e will visit the winery Castello TRICERCHI : a medieval castle where wine has been produced for centuries. Perched on a hill crest, il castello is surrounded by bountiful vineyards originally tended by Etruscans (pre Romans times), which today lays within the limits of Brunello di Montalcino‘s DOCG appellation. We will have a guided tour of the winery, the 2 aging cantinas, and tasting of 4 wines. +39 0577 1912361 info@castellotricerchi.com
🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast, Wine tasting, Aperitivo with typical Italian snacks and finger food while at the Villa

Day 3 – Sept 15: Siena & San Gimignano

depart from the Villa right after breakfast.
Drive to Siena, and later to San Gimignano.
Introductory walks with Alessandra in both towns (Siena and San Gimignano)
Enjoy world-famous gelato in San Gimignano and free time in both towns
Explore wine country scenery
🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast, Aperitivo with typical Italian snacks and finger food while at the Villa

Day 4 – Sept 16: 5* Geothermal Spa & Bagno Vignoni

On the way to bagno Vignoni we will have the opportunity to visit the Bagni Di San Filippo, a natural hot spring and waterfall (the White Whale). See info here. 30 min.drive from our Villa.
From Bagni Di San Filippo it is only a 15-20 min drive to reach Bagno Vignoni. Once there we will have:
- Full day access to either the 5-Star ADLER Spa Resort (requires booking at least one spa service). See details here.
  1. - Cherie Louise, Degon ADLER 75 min Tuscany
    - Sam Hathorn ADLER 50 Min Facial Regeneration page 7
    - Denise Nelson ADLER 50 min, Therapeutic mass pg 15 - requested a female
    - Alessandra Scotti ADLER 75 min, ADLER Vitamins pg 10, or Peeling page 9 + Tension Relief Massage"
- or 5-Star La Posta Hotel & Resort (all-inclusive package). See details here.
  1. - Vanessa, Abeyta Alvarez La Posta female 50 minute facial or harmony
    - Lorrie Lee, Peters La Posta 25 minute harmony (face )
    - Tina Lynn, Baedke La Posta Dream Massage with lunch
    - Marcie Marie, Kolf La Posta Dream Massage with lunch
    - Shannon Crider La Posta Dream Massage with lunch
    - Naheed Yousaf La Posta 25 min face or feet massage
- Time to visit Bagno Vignoni at walking distance for coffee or lunch in the charming thermal water pool square.
🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast, typical Italian snacks and finger food while at the Villa (included)

Day 5 – Sept 17: Florence Day Trip

Good map of Florence >>. Florence audio tours with maps by Rick Steves' see here

Note: the plan is to reach Florence by train, in case the local current conditions will not be ideal, we will be traveling by car.

Transfer time by car 1.5 - 2 hours each way

Transfer by train:

We will leave the Villa at 8:00 am to catch the 8:42 train that will arrive in Florence at 10:48 am
Depart Florence at 6:14 pm - arrive at Chiusi train station 7:48, arrive at villa at 8:10 pm
Once in Florence we will have an orientation walk with Alessandra
We’ll stop for lunch at a typical Florentine location — everyone is welcome to join, and for guests with the Free Early Booking Meals Add-On, the meal is included.
Afternoon after 2.30 pm free to explore museums, shops, or cafés
1. - For those that want to see the Original David by Michelangelo
    - Official web site for Academia and Uffizi Gallery skip the lines Tickets EUR 20 pp. Choose entrance time: 14:30 - 14:45 Or 14:45 - 15:00
    - Group guided tour with skip the lines tickets: from EUR 45 per person here. I have not used them because I usually book private tours with my guide, but they have high reviews. Select time 2:55 pm
  - DUOMO for skip the lines tickets you need need the "Brunelleschi Pass" EUR 30 pp, see official site here
  - Combo tour Guide Academia and David + Guided Duomo and Brunelleschi dome climb €82.68 (select the 2:30 time, lasts 3 hours). This is a reputable company safe to book.
  - The Uffizi Gallery holds the greatest collection of Renaissance art anywhere, including Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Leonardo’s Annunciation, Michelangelo’s Doni Tondo, major works by Caravaggio, Titian, Raphael, Giotto, Cimabue, and more, all inside a historic Medici palace overlooking the Arno. Official web site for Academia and Uffizi Gallery skip the lines Tickets EUR 20 pp.
  - Palazzo Pitti (Pitti Palace) open on Tuesday 8.15am to 6.30pm. You can walk in to Palazzo Pitti without an advance reservation, Skip-the-Line pre-booked timed entrance is recommended for faster entry. See official site where you can also get combo tickets including the Boboli garden: https://www.uffizi.it/en/pitti-palace
Leave Florence at 6:00 pm Return to the villa at approximately 8:00 pm for and aperitivo by the pool
🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast, typical Italian snacks and finger food while at the Villa (included)

Day 6 – Sept 18: Val d’Orcia Towns Montepulciano & Cooking Class

(40 min drive) 10 AM to 4:00 pm - Hands-on Tuscan cooking class at a traditional farmhouse and farm house visit
1. 1. Fattoria Pulcino: Strada per Chianciano 146, 37, 53045 Montepulciano SI, Italy. Phone (landline): 0578 758711, Mobile (Cecilia): +39 339 1403162
Enjoy the meal you create with the group
Visit charming towns of Montepulciano: watch Rick Steve's video, and see this useful article with interactive map
Relaxed evening at the villa
🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast, Cooking Class with traditional tuscan meal included, Aperitivo with typical Italian snacks and finger food while at the Villa

Day 7 – Sept 19: Val d’Orcia Towns - Pienza & Cheese farm visit

We will drive around the beautiful Val D'orcia exploring the landscape for hidden treasures.
We will explore the town of Pienza before we visit a cheese farm for a great cheese production demonstration and cheese tasting.
🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast, Cheese Tasting at the farm, Aperitivo with typical Italian snacks and finger food while at the Villa

Day 8 –Sept 20: Transfer from Villa - Orvieto & Return to Rome

9:30 - 10:00 am - Depart villa after breakfast with your professional chauffeur/guide
Drive to Orvieto (1 hour)
Scenic stop to explore the stunning hill town of Orvieto (about 3.5 hours)
Drive to Rome (1.5 hours)
3:30 to 4:00 pm Drop-off at our Rome apartment
🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast

****** TOUR ENDS HERE ******

Rome Post Tour

3 nights in Rome and Transfer to Airport

MAPS, Audio Guides and Public Transportation

Good maps of Rome >>

My Personal Printable Map of Rome

Rome audio tours with maps by Rick Steves' see here

Public Transportation

Here is a really good article on how to use the Tram Lines. Line 8 (the lime green one) will connect you from Trastevere to Largo Argentina near Piazza Venezia (right in the center of Rome).

How to pay for public transport, see here.

Using Taxi

You can walk directly to one of the many taxi stands: Map of taxi stands, or book one using a taxi apps.

Drinking Water

Rome has probably the best city water I know of, which is accessible via the drinking fountains: i Nasoni. Here is an app for them, as well as a map

Sept 22nd: 3 hours Private Vatican Guided Tour

EUR 108.50 Per Person (5 people paid)

Marcie, Tina, Vanessa, Cherie, and Lorrie have a 3 hours tour on the 22nd at 3:00 pm with Rosanna +39 320 402 6298 (she will have your tickets)

Meeting in front of the Vatican Museums entrance, Rosanna will communicate with you by WhatsApp. She will hold a sign saying "Ale's friends"

See Tickets here

VATICAN (how to)

If you arrive on the 6th there will be no time to visit any part of the Vatican inside. The chauffeured tour will take you there for an outside visiy. Entering the vatican requires long standing time and is not suggested on arrival day.

Basilica Of St Peter (in my opinion the most beautiful part of the vatican), can be visited the morning of the 6th (for those arriving a day earlier), or Sunday afternoons (as of now on Sunday entrance times are available at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 pm). Note that tickets may run out. They cost EUR 7 and they include an audio guide. See here to purchase Basilica and cupola tickets.
- When to visit the Basilica
  - For those arriving a day early (the 5th) it would be possible to visit in the morning of the 6th or the 7th in the afternoon. For those arriving on the 6th, you can reserve an entrance on the 7th in the afternoon. See the link above for reservations.
  - I do not advise visiting the Basilica on arrival day. If you have enough stamina and would like to arrange that please let me know.
- Going to the Papal Mass: Papal Masses require free tickets, which can be requested by emailing the Vatican’s Prefecture at prefettura@pontificalisdomus.va. Please note that attending a Papal Mass or General Audience is not a way to visit St. Peter’s Basilica. In fact, it can make visiting much more difficult due to the large crowds. Entry to the Basilica is limited and would require arriving several hours in advance.

Sistine Chapel: surprisingly it is impossible to visit just the Sistine Chapel, as it is located inside the Vatican Museums. Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays. To visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine chapel skip the lines tickets are absolutely necessary. For those that absolutely wish to enter them, you would have to arrive a day earlier. Official tickets are already sold-out, but resellers still have them. Let me know if you need to arrange for such visit.

Sites That Require Entrance Tickets

1. Vatican: see above
2. Colosseum: tickets become available exactly 30 days before the intended visit date, the timing applies individually for each time slot. Official web site (often unavailable as they sell out very fast). Trusted reseller see here.
3. Pantheon: requires EUR 5 per person entrance tickets. It appears that this year it is faster to go through the entrance with cash. For advance purchase see official site here. Note: tickets for the Pantheon are only ever available for the current month.
4. Palazzo Colonna only available on Friday and Saturday morning (9:15 to 1:15). See here for info and tickets.
5. Galleria Borghese: official site here (look at the buy tickets button), additional information here
6. Altare della Patria or Il Vittoriano: From Monday to Sunday from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm (last entry at 6:45 pm). Free first Sunday of the month. No need to pre-purchase tickets.
  1. Open daily 9:30 AM–7:30 PM, Enter from Piazza Venezia or Capitoline Hill. Official Web site.
  2. In September, the Vittoriano will extend its opening hours every Friday evening until 11:30 PM (last admission at 10:45 PM).
  3. Elevators to rooftop are at the rear (€12, free on Sunday Sept 7) for sweeping views of Colosseum and Roman forums as well as a Rooftop café
7. Castel Sant’Angelo Tuesday to Sunday 9:00am - 7:30pm (last admission 6:30pm). Entrance is Free on the first Sunday of the Month. Otherwise it costs €16 and can be purchased here.

Rome Hidden Gems (click on the names to see videos)

Palazzo Colonna only available on Friday and Saturday morning (9:15 to 1:15). See here for info and tickets.
Chiostro del Bramante ( a hidden Renaissance gem with elegant frescoed cloisters, a curated bookshop, and a stylish café)
Grand Hotel Plaza Roma (one of the most elegant locations for an afternoon tea)
Basilica di San Clemente—aka The Lasagna Church!
Below Piazza Navona find the Stadium of Domitian, an ancient Roman stadium buried underground! More info on Piazza Navona in this video.
Il Vittoriano (Altare della Patria) see video (one of my favourite locations in Rome)
- Open daily 9:30 AM–7:30 PM, Enter from Piazza Venezia or Capitoline Hill. Official Web site.
- In September, the Vittoriano will extend its opening hours every Friday evening until 11:30 PM (last admission at 10:45 PM).
- Elevators to rooftop are at the rear (€12, free on Sunday Sept 7) for sweeping views of Colosseum and Roman forums as well as a Rooftop café
Stunning optical Illusions:
- Church of Sant’Ignazio di Loyola with it's mesmerizing optical illusion ceiling
- Rooms of Sant’Ignazio and the corridor of Andrea Pozzo from Monday to Saturday from 4PM to 6PM and on Sundays from 10AM to 12PM.
Roman necropolis below the grottoes of the Vatican
San Callisto Catacombs (official web site) found along the Appia Antica road, the 2300 yo Roman Road you can walk, bike or drive on.
Capuchin Crypt (just next to our hotel) hauntingly beautiful underground chapel decorated with the bones of over 3,700 friars.
Rome street food: what not to miss, starting with Supplì, the city’s signature fried rice ball, or the unforgettable Venchi gelato and chocolate paradise. And my favourite Maritozzo con la panna
Rome the Lasagna City

Unusual Rome:

Alessandra will be available for discovering the less known Rome. Coordinate with her and refer to the videos posted in the "Italy with Ale" messanger community chat

Overnight stay near the Colosseum

EUR 124 guaranteed amount (= $145 on July 11) per person per night (includes stay, all taxes, transfer to airport, my assistance through the morning of Sept 23)
DOES NOT includes Breakfast, we could go out together and do "breakfast tours"
5 bedrooms home with 3 bathrooms. Some are queen beds some are twin beds
Very safe and good location Via Angelo Poliziano, 71 Rome, Italy
10 min walking distance to the Colosseum

Paid by: all

Book Club

Denises' message about reading books and sharing a conversation about them as if in a "book Club related to this trip.

Ciao belle signore, I have chosen two books for our book club. You can choose to read either or both or none. The first is She Seduced Me: A Love Affair with Rome by Mark Tedesco. I was able to download this from my library with Hoopla. It’s not too long so we will schedule a video conference in about 2 weeks.

The second book is The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell. It takes place in Florence. I was able to download the audio version from Libby. There’s also a hard copy in my local library so should be easy to get.

Sorry but I would like to change our first book to A Rome of One’s Own: The Forgotten Women of the Roman Empire by Emma Southon. I think it will more engaging for discussion. It’s longer so we’ll take a little more time for reading.