Announcing: Culinary Tuscany with Stellavision: A Size Inclusive Journey
Join me this Autumn in Tuscany!
I’m thrilled to announce this collaboration with Stellavision (read more here about how much I admire founder Zoe Shapiro’s vision for her size inclusive trips).
From Florence to Siena, we're showcasing Tuscany through a foodie and feminist lens. Indulge in authentic Italian rest and relaxation in the countryside where you'll be experiencing thermal hot springs, floral arranging, farm visits and more. By the time we arrive in San Miniato you'll be relaxed and ready for wine-tasting, cooking and several exclusive white truffle experiences including a white truffle hunt with lagotto truffle dogs and a private tour behind the scenes of this unique Italian food festival!
This brand new Stellavision tour is designed to gather a community of like-minded people as we immerse ourselves in culture, cuisine and curated Tuscany experiences together. We start in Florence, the epicenter of the Italian Renaissance and journey onward to our favorite corners of the Tuscan countryside. Our itinerary is packed full of autumnal Tuscan beauty: you’ll encounter behind the scenes Italian adventures with plenty of leisure time to immerse yourself in the countryside and villages.
In line with Stellavision’s philosophy about creating size inclusive and feminist experiences, this trip is all about celebrating and nurturing our bodies and our senses too, through relishing delicious, seasonal food and treating ourselves to a soak in the most magical hot springs in Tuscany: Bagno Vignoni.
Ever since Etruscan times, these waters have been drawing women to them (Saint Catherine of Siena was a fan in the 1400s) for their special properties that have long been used to cure any rheumatic, skin or respiratory issues but are particularly known for their healing powers for women, being especially beneficial for the female genitalia and reproductive system. Tuscany’s hottest thermal waters (they come out of the earth at 50°C/122°F), Bagno Vignoni is a dream to visit in the cooler months when the cool air is a refreshing contrast to the hot waters.
Then there is the fact that November is white truffle season, a most special time of year that is celebrated in a lively festival that proudly fills the entire village of San Miniato. There are a few things that make them so prized. White truffles are only found in a handful of places in the world and cannot be farmed. They have a heady, incredibly intoxicating perfume that is difficult to describe but that is unlike anything else. We also rely on dogs to sniff truffles out for us to enjoy — we are incapable of finding them ourselves. Not only will we go on a truffle hunt to see how that happens and also cook with truffles, enjoying them with all the other seasonal specialties (new olive oil, new season chestnuts, mushrooms and more!), but we will also be visiting the festival together and sampling some of the truffle delights.
White truffle gelato, anyone?
Trip Highlights
Exclusive Access:
Taste & learn about the coveted Italian white truffle on a truffle hunt and a private tour lead by Emiko Davies through the acclaimed White Truffle Food Festival; an authentic Italian sagra
Wine tasting with sommelier Marco Lami (my husband!) highlighting 12 different regions throughout Italy
Discover the secret, feminist history of Siena on a bespoke tour
Culinary-Focused Itinerary:
Partake in a cooking class by our award-winning co-host, Emiko Davies
See Florence as never before via a tour that combines the city's food history, food in Renaissance art and, ovvio, delicious tastings!
Meet the cheese-makers behind some of Tuscany's most incredible ingredients on a farm visit
Unforgettable Experiences:
Soak in Tuscany's thermal hot springs... including a midnight dip! Did we mention we're staying at a spa hotel?
Discover the planting traditions in a women-owned farm as we partake in a floral workshop
Sip hot chocolate in Montepulciano's historic cafe, sample award-winning gelato in San Gimignano and sooo ✨ much ✨ more!
Tour Dates: November 16 - 23, 2024
Tour Length: 7 nights & 8 days
Where We Go: Florence, Bagno Vignoni, Siena, San Gimignano, Montepulciano, San Miniato and more!
Price: Our all-inclusive prices mean a singular rate covers absolutely everything. Single occupancy: $6745. Double occupancy: $5245. Payment plans now available!
About Stellavision trips:
This is an all-inclusive price! Forget decision fatigue and split-bills - once you're in Italy there isn't another penny to pay, everything is included. Except personal shopping / expenditures. (A full list of inclusions / not-included is on the webpage).
Stellavision tours are for self-identifying women and non-binary folks comfortable in female spaces.
This is our very first tour offering small deposits and payment plans! Reserve your spot for $995 only, pay your balance in 4 installments.
Small group tours: Only 12 spots/rooms are available
We don't match roommates but double occupancy rates are available too and we're thrilled to welcome (same-sex) partners, friends, family members
Let us know if you have any questions in the comments below! I cannot wait to Welcome you Tuscany.
Emiko x