Chianti with COMO Castello Del Nero: Wine regions of Italy

Begin your trip in style with complimentary airport lounge access before your flight to Florence. On arrival, you'll be met by a private driver who'll bring you to your exclusive accommodation. You’ll have the first day at leisure to acquaint yourself with Florence’s Renaissance charms. Wander its cobbled streets where heritage architecture peaks around every corner, take in an overview from the hilltop Piazzale Michelangelo or simply take some time out with a glass of Tuscan red and authentic food in one of its back-alley trattorias.

Today, a transfer will take you deep into the Chianti, one of Italy's most important wine and olive oil regions, with sprawling vineyards and a history of wine production dating back 2,500 years. Your accommodation is a boutique historic hilltop hotel overlooking the magnificent surrounding vineyards in a 740-acre estate. Start your stay with an hour-long Brunello di Montacino wine tasting session, lead by the hotel sommelier and accompanied by a range of Tuscan cold cuts and pecorino sheep cheese.

Each evening you have the choice of dining at three venues: Michelin-starred La Torre, more casual dining at La Taverna or the 'al fresco' Pavilion. Alternatively, you may choose to head out into the Chianti region to discover the delights of the local restaurants and trattorias.

This morning you'll spend time with a professional truffle hunter and his loyal Lagotto Romagnolo dogs – your guides to hunting for truffles around the estate. The woods are home to three types of black truffles: winter, hooked and summer. The black winter truffle has an intense aroma with notes of hazelnut and turnip. The black hooked truffle has a more delicately balanced scent profile that is reminiscent of porcini and parmesan. The black summer truffle has a strong, slightly fungal smell.

After a morning of truffle hunting, return to the hotel for a special four-course lunch, prepared by the executive chef who uses these prized mushrooms in both pasta and meat courses. The sommelier will provide a selection of specially chosen wines as part of your meal. The afternoon is yours to relax and perhaps enjoy some of the many spa treatments available, before an included Chianti Classico tasting. With wines coming from the largest region of the original Chianti heartland, the sommelier will share his knowledge of the wines which will be be accompanied by Tuscan regional delicacies.

Today you have the opportunity to spend free time exploring the 740-acre estate, whether relaxing by the pool, walking or cycling through the vineyards and olive groves or simply admiring the views. At around lunchtime, head to the al-fresco restaurant to learn to make an Italian classic. Guided by an expert chef, choose from carefully sourced ingredients to create a unique pizza, before sliding it into the wood-fired pizza oven. Enjoy the fruits of your labour with a cool drink as you look out over the spectacular Chianti hills.

Later in the afternoon join a session of extra virgin olive oil tasting. Chianti oils tend to be greener and spicier with hints of artichoke and pepper. During this hour-long tasting session, your guide will take you through the cultivation patterns that produce the differing tastes of oils throughout Chianti. He will also touch on the methods of COMO Castello Del Nero’s own olive oil production system. You will have the chance to sample a range of fine Italian olive oils, served alongside Tuscan antipasti.

After a final breakfast this morning, you'll be transferred to Florence in time for your flight back to the UK.