Iconic Tuscany
Food, Culture and Tradition
Pistoia
“I can’t wait to explore the idyllic vibes of Tuscany with the Lindsay Stewart community! This journey is all about savoring food, generous hospitality, connection with each other and local artisans, experiencing unforgettable design and architecture – everything that inspires this community and lights us up. My hope is we create meaningful, unforgettable moments… and carry that inspiration back home.”
– Lindsay Stewart
SPRING 2026
May 29 – June 5, 2026
SUMMER 2026
June 19 – 25, 2026
SUMMER 2027
June 18 – 24, 2027
LATE SPRING 2025
May 30 – June 6, 2025
Sep 26 – Oct 3, 2025
PROGRAM DETAILS
Day 1
DAY 1
A Historical Welcome
Benvenuti / Welcome to charming Pistoia where you’ll settle into your new home for the week, a beautiful Renaissance palazzo exclusive to us, in the heart of the city. You’ll arrive directly to Pistoia city center to check in to your hotel. After a warm welcome at your new home for the week, we’ll take a leisurely stroll through the historic center, exploring architectural gems with Michelle’s architect husband Paolo, a published expert on the preservation of architectural heritage. As the evening unfolds, we’ll enjoy a beautiful welcome meal together—savoring authentic local flavors and the warm, genuine atmosphere of the area in a way that feels far from the typical tourist experience.
Day 2
DAY 2
Market Morning & Traditional Cooking Secrets
It’s Market Day in Pistoia! You’ll be free to enjoy the favorite morning of the week for locals, or join us, as we grab our market bags and head out where you’ll meet some of our favorite local vendors. Whether you’re looking for fresh produce, artisan cheeses, hand-crafted shoes, a great deal, whimsical knick-knacks, or beautiful fabrics, this market has it all, and we’ll have plenty of time to wander, explore, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere. After shopping, and an espresso break of course, we’ll head to a charming spot for our first cooking experience. Late afternoon you’ll be well fed and ready for a nap or a free evening to explore your magical new town on your own. We’ll provide a restaurant guide, all within walking distance.
Day 3
DAY 3
Antique Treasures in Lucca
Today we’ll head to the charming nearby town of Lucca, a walled Renaissance gem known for its charm and balance of art, history, and magical everyday Italian life, and Michelle’s second favorite city after Pistoia! We’re here for the city’s celebrated antique market, one of the most atmospheric in Italy, where vintage treasures and design pieces spill through cobbled piazzas. We’ll enjoy a light lunch in majestic Piazza Grande and in the afternoon, take a historical tour along Lucca’s ancient city walls, now a tree-lined promenade offering beautiful views of the town’s rooftops and gardens, enjoying this favorite ritual for locals. We’ll end the day with a very special food & wine pairing dinner together before heading home.
Day 4
DAY 4
Cheesemaking on the Farm & Dinner in Town
We’ll be the guests of our dear friend Stefano at his nearby fattoria, where we’ll spend the day learning the art of cheesemaking on his working farm. Sheep milk cheese-making here has deep roots, dating back to Etruscan and Roman times. Stefano practices regenerative farming, rotating his sheep and using their wool to help fertilize and protect the olive trees on his land that produce his liquid gold. We’ll enjoy a delicious lunch in his charming stone trattoria where we’ll savor the fruits of his labor, including his traditional cheeses, olive oil, and local wines. After a day spent immersed in farm life the rest of the evening is yours for dinner and relaxation.
Day 5
DAY 5
Medici Villa, Wine & Art in the Countryside
This morning we’ll head out for morning walk, but not too far, to see friends at their 15th-century villa, home to a remarkable outdoor contemporary art collection curated by the family since the 1960s and recognized around the world for its importance by those who know about it. After a leisurely art walk through the private gardens and art collection, we’ll head towards the town of Vinci, to a late 16th-century villa that once served as a Medici hunting lodge. The villa’s owners produce organic wines and olive oil using ancient methods, and we’ll learn about their winemaking process, and enjoy a long, leisurely lunch paired with their wines beneath the Tuscan sun. After lunch, we’ll explore a nearby historic ceramics town along the Arno, where the clay-rich soil has supported more than 700 years of craftsmanship and you get to make your own piece, shipped directly to you! During the era of the Medici, its artisans created pieces coveted by Florence’s noble families and soon by the most important households across Europe. After a magical day, the evening is yours once back home.
Day 6
DAY 6
A Seaside Celebration
Our final day takes us to the famed Forte dei Marmi, Tuscany’s most elegant seaside escape, where art, design, and la dolce vita meet by the sea. This is quintessential Italian Riviera life so bring your best swimming suit or pick one up there! We’ll settle in to our favorite beach club, get our chairs and umbrellas and then the day is yours to relax with a book, swim in the Mediterranean or explore this beautiful seaside village! We are here on the day of the town’s famed fashion market, a beloved weekly ritual where the fashion forward check out the great designer finds. Sunbathe, shop, or stroll the promenade lined with pastel beach clubs and fragrant pines, enjoy an aperitivo with your feet in the sand, or take a swim in the glittering waters. The pace is relaxed, unhurried, and deeply Italian. As the sun begins to dip, we’ll gather for a farewell seaside celebration, an evening of coastal flavors and laughter, as only Italians can do.
Day 7
DAY 7
It’s Departure Day
Arrivederci! We know you’ll savor the memories you’ve made getting to know the medieval and renaissance jewel of Pistoia and this corner of Tuscany!
YOUR GUEST HOST: Lindsay Stewart
PRICE
The price of the “Iconic Tuscany” Tour for 2026 is 6,800 euros per person for double occupancy/7,800 euros per person for single occupancy. Tour is limited to 12 guests.
MORE ABOUT YOUR ACCOMODATIONS
Palazzo Puccini in Pistoia will be exclusively ours for the week! This beautifully restored 16th-century palazzo, once home to famed writer Niccolò Puccini, blends historic charm with modern comfort. With frescoed ceilings, antique furnishings, and a central location, it’s the perfect base to explore Pistoia’s medieval squares, churches, and rich culture. Each room offers a private bathroom and modern amenities like air conditioning, TV, and Wi-Fi, while the attentive hosts ensure a personalized, memorable stay. Please note, due to the unique nature of our carefully chosen accommodations, we reserve the right to adjust lodging to best suit the group’s needs, but rest assured, all options are of the highest quality and offer an authentic local experience.PAYMENT
Reservations are secured by deposit on a first-come, first-served basis. Only a down payment of 25% is needed to reserve your spot, and monthly payment plans are available for the remainder. The cost is divided evenly by the number of months left before the trip with final payment needed 60 days prior to departure. Reserve your spot and we will send you a link to make your deposit and receive a full itinerary with all locations and timing for the day. Prior to making your deposit, you may also use the reservation form to ask any questions you may have.
DATES
Summer 2026
June 19th to 25th
SPRING 2026
May 29 – June 5, 2026
SUMMER 2026
June 19 – 25, 2026
SUMMER 2027
June 18 – 24, 2027
WHAT’S INCLUDED
• 6 nights
• Optional group Zoom call for packing tips, general trip planning for before and after tour, Q&A
• All group meals throughout the tour, including wine at each meal.
• Private driver throughout the tour
• Daily cooking experiences – some are hands-on, some are demo style, and some are tastings. You are always welcome to just watch (and eat!) if preferred.
• Visits to local farmers & tastings
• All tours and experiences
• Tips for bus drivers and guides (we want you to just relax and enjoy the moment so we have taken care of this)
NOT INCLUDED
• Airfare
• Travel & health insurance
• Shopping and personal expenses
• Food, drinks, and snacks that are not included in the itinerary
• All other expenses incurred during free time
TRIP FAQ
Cooking experiences
We will be immersed in food and wine during the week. Some of the experiences are hands-on, some are demo style, and some are tastings. You are always welcome to just watch (and eat!) if preferred.
Physical Activity
This is an active trip. Be prepared for lots of walking, cobblestones, stairs, and long, exciting days!
Rest time
This is a busy tour as we want you to get the most experiences that you can, however, rest time is important too! While we will be out most of the day, there will be quiet moments of downtime built in to allow for slow and leisurely moments to be sure you are soaking it all in. This is not a jam-packed trip to say you saw it all – this is about experiences you will keep with you for a lifetime.
An Exclusive and Inclusive Experience
Unlike most tours available, our tours are limited to 12 people. Why is this so important to us? This allows for a more intimate and personalized experience enhancing the quality of interactions and ensuring that everyone’s questions and needs are addressed thoroughly. A smaller group fosters a stronger sense of camaraderie among participants and facilitates deeper connections and more meaningful interactions with the locals you will soon call friends.
Food & Drink Allergies
Wine is culturally served at all meals – however there will always be an option for a nonalcoholic beverage like clean spring water, sparkling water or a nonalcoholic aperitivo. Italy is a wonderful place for people to visit with dietary restrictions as options are all around, however on this trip we are visiting local farmers and experiencing unique tastings that include regional cheeses, meats and seafood. For this reason this particular trip is not suitable for vegans. We will be organizing amazing vegan friendly tours so stay tuned!
Flight & Airport Tips
The closet airport is Florence Airport (FLR-Peretola). We’d recommend you fly in at least 2-3 days prior to the start of the tour to acclimate to the time difference. We will meet the group at the hotel day one of the trip for a welcome aperitivo. Additional details will be provided after booking. We are happy to discuss more details on ideas for other places to see before or after the trip on our Group Zoom Call.
Luggage
Please plan to travel with a maximum of one suitcase per person, plus a carry-on and personal item as needed, as our transportation cannot accommodate more than one large bag per guest.
Payment, Refunds and Travel Insurance
How does booking work?
Your spot is reserved once the 25% deposit is received. Each trip is officially confirmed once the minimum group size is reached, and all guests will be notified at that time. We recommend waiting to book flights until confirmation is sent.
What happens if a trip does not run?
If a trip is unable to operate due to not meeting the minimum group size, all payments made, including your deposit, will be fully refunded.
What is your cancellation policy if I need to cancel?
You may cancel within 48 hours of booking for a full refund of your deposit. After 48 hours, the deposit is nonrefundable and nontransferable. The remaining balance is due four months prior to departure.
If you cancel after the 48 hour grace period, we are happy to offer a credit toward a future Vita Casalinga trip as follows:
• 90 days or more prior to departure: 100 percent credit
• 30 to 90 days prior to departure: 50 percent credit
• Less than 30 days prior to departure: no credit available
Do you recommend travel insurance?
Yes. Travel insurance is strongly recommended and is not included with your booking. Coverage may include medical care, trip cancellation or interruption, theft, and lost property.
You may explore coverage options through TravelEx Insurance, including Cancel For Any Reason upgrades. Please note that TravelEx currently requires policies to be purchased within 15 days of paying your deposit to access the widest range of coverage options. Requirements are subject to change, so we recommend contacting TravelEx directly to select a plan that best fits your needs.
