We're celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary, and as wine lovers had to go to Italy. We love art and history as well, so we're limited to 2-3 days visiting wineries in Toscano, likely travelling in from Florence Oct 17 and out to Rome Oct 20. Any recommendations on wineries to visit, etc. would be appreciated.

One thing we've thought of is going on wine tours, public, private or semi-private - any recommendations here would be fabulous.

As background, we love strong reds, and Antinori and Frescobaldi are houses on our must visit list. Brunello di Montalcino and fine Chiantis are wines we love.

The more I look into this the more I realize how little I know - help!

- R.

We meet again...LOL
Since your time is limited, I would recommend another guide, Luca Garrapa of Hills and Roads Tours. Our group again utilized Luca as he picked us up from our Firenze hotel for a day in the Tuscan countryside.
Luca is from Siena and can tailor a tour to meet your needs. You tell him what you are interested in seeing, such as wineries etc. and he will respond with a tentative itinerary for a tour whether it may be a half day or an entire day. He is very knowledgeable of the region and flexible. He took us to a winery in Castellina in Chianti for a tour and tasting within our full day tour of the Tuscan countryside.
I have also been to Montepulciano which is home to the Nobile De Montepulciano, which is considered the second great red next to the Brunellos. Great town. Lucas email is [email protected]

Hi Rooster, check out www.antinori.it and the reference to their estate at Badia di Passignano, they offer tours and cooking school at Osteria di Passignano and the place looks fantastic. We actually are planning to visit there in early October ourselves from Florence.

We had a great private tour with Tuscan Trails, www.tuscantrails.com. A visit to 2 vineyards with tours through the vines and the wine making areas as well as a large country lunch. Highly recommended.

Another vote for Luca Garapa of Hillsandroads.com. He set up some wonderful tours for us in and around Radda. We enjoyed the fact that we didn't have to drive back to the hotel after sampling the wines!

Hi Rooster - The following do excursions to the Chianti area from Florence:

www.caftours.com/en/regtoursac.htm

http://tinyurl.com/yw6hx3

http://www.accidentaltourist.com/

http://www.italy.artviva.com/italytr...r/tuscany_tour

For a personalised tour, Luca at 'Hills & Roads' - mentioned by Russ and Weadles - has had numerous recommendations here:

www.hillsandroads.com

Here's a recent thread which you may find useful:
http://fodors.com/forums/pgMessages....me=Steve_James

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Another recommendation for Luca. OUr small group enjoyed his company and expertise for two day trips last fall and have engaged him for three trips next month. He is gracious and has adapted this years visit to meet our more specific requests. We cannot wait!

Yet ANOTHER recommendation for Luca!! He is a fabulous tour guide, very safe driver and reliable with timing. We loved our 2 separate touring days about 3 years ago with him. Have fun !!!

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Hi,

We'll be in Montepulciano for 2 weeks in early October. We like wine, but do not know a lot about them. We want to visit some wineries, and I was thinking that a day wine tour might be helpful. Does anyone know of any tour guides that leave from Southern Tuscany?

Margie

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Look at TOURSBYROBERTO

justretired - we have booked Luca from Hills and Roads for a day trip out of Montepulciano. He'll come there to pick you up and take you to various wineries.

To everyone else who has toured with Luca -- is it customary to give him a gratuity at the end of the day? If so, how much?

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We did choose to Luca and he certainly was appreciate it and did not seem to expect it.

We tipped him at the end of the second day and gave him about 10% of his fee.

I used Tuscan Wine Tours last time I was in Florence. My wife and I did the small group tour (I think there were 8 in our group) and would recommend the tour. They also offer private tours http://www.tuscan-wine-tours.com/

We tipped Luca about 15% of his fee plus bought his lunches on the day that we toured with him. His tours were a highlight of our visit to Tuscany.

I don't think there is a "rule" to tipping, especially since with someone like Lucca, he is the owner of his company and not, for instance, a paid employee. However, having said that, we enjoyed the 2 days we spent with him SOOO much that it seemed just natural to both buy his lunches and give him a tip at the end of the fabulous days we spent with him. Personally, I believe it is a personal choice for everyone individually to decide.

I totally agree with Flame123. Do what you're comfortable with after the tours. We thought he provided extraordinary service, and wanted to acknowledge that after the days we spent with him.

Thanks for the input on tipping for Luca!