
October 19-26, 2019; March 22-29 and April 18-25, 2020
Have you ever dreamed of living in an Italian villa? This is true luxury: beautiful and authentic.
Surrounded by lush vineyards and ancient olive groves, imagine waking up every morning to the peace and beauty of the Italian countryside. Our stunning 17th century villa near Florence is your home for several days.
Together with Alessandra Marchetti, a native Florentine and art history guide, Carol Faenzi has created a one of a kind excursion - a journey through Tuscany that most visitors do not experience.
We invite you to join us and discover what it is really like to "live" the dream of Tuscany, the world's most desired location. Whether you travel on your own, with a friend or want to put together your own group of travelers, we have designed this week with the highest of intentions: that what you will have seen, tasted, smelled, heard and touched, will forever enhance your life.

Traveling as a Couple

Travel with a Group

Traveling on Your Own
Guest Comments
Meet Your Expert Guides
Alessandra Marchetti - Alessandra, a native Florentine, is an art historian and expert on Michelangelo. She designs and leads special tour experiences for her clients which include scholars, writers and celebrities. (Pictured on right.)

Exquisitely Curated Experiences You Won't Forget

A Day in Florence Like No Other
"Everyone should do this, at least once." -JA, New York CityLed by Michelangelo expert, Alessandra Marchetti, whose property was once owned by the master sculptor, we visit places in Florence that will bring to life the story of the Renaissance. Besides the most famous ones (like The David in the Accademia, where we are oftentimes able to visit privately), we take you to the Archivio of Michelangelo’s poems, letters and drawings – a small private viewing room normally reserved for scholars, to see up close the originals in his very hand. Or, we might have someone with the keys to a secret library open the door to a world of exquisite illuminated manuscripts not on public view. Instead of searching for souvenir shops of questionable quality, we know the artisans who are making things the slow and genuine way – from handmade paper to leather goods. And of course, no day in Italy is complete without stopping by our favorite gelateria!
The week we spend together is full of moments you will never forget.
Depending on the season, each day will be filled with a unique and luxurious experience. View a sampling of daily life when you travel with us:Tour Details
Every Aria Tour is different due to seasonal availability, but this is what never changes:
- The Tour begins and ends in Florence
- 8 days/7nights
- Cost is based on double occupancy and itinerary
- Single Supplements available
- All inclusive except airfare
- All meals and wine (many of them prepared by chefs in our Villa)
- Luxury accommodations
- A relaxing massage upon arrival
- First class Mercedes Benz van transportation
- Guides, lectures and all admission fees
- Transfers to and from the Florence airport or your hotel on the days the tour begins and ends
- Limited to ten persons
- Group rates available for 8 - 10
A Personal Message from Carol
The Aria Tour of Tuscany came out of my passion for my ancestral homeland and my desire to create travel experiences for small groups that are not based on being a tourist and seeing only the glossy surface of Italy. I have spent years in Italy and observed how most people experience it: on large tour buses, being rushed through streets, museums and restaurants by a tour guide holding an umbrella. Or, I have seen people going on their own, becoming frustrated at losing their way on the roads, inadvertently choosing a less than authentic dining experience, or learning later that their "Florentine" leather bag was really made in China.
Because of the relationships I have cultivated over many years in Italy, from chefs to winegrowers, from artisan pasta makers to olive oil producers, from archaeologists to sculptors......this excursion takes the guesswork out of spending a week in Tuscany, allowing you to enjoy every minute, whether we are taking a day trip to one of Tuscany's marvelous cities or we are simply enjoying a glass of wine while watching another spectacular sunset.
Every tour is a bit different due to seasonal availability. Plus we have quite a number of people who are repeat guests and so we are always adding new experiences! Do you have five minutes? I invite you to take a short journey with me to some of the places I have shared with people these past few years.
Whether it's your first trip or you are longing to return, I hope you will allow me to open the doors of beauty in Tuscany for you.
