Thanksgiving in Tuscany

I enjoyed helping this group of US military families stationed in southern Italy enjoy a traditional American Thanksgiving in Tuscany. A beautiful villa in Chianti and a delicious chef dinner with turkey and all the trimmings were the key to a memorable weekend. 

Hi Kathy,

Our stay in the villa was great.  It made leaving and going to our next destination very difficult. We were all very comfortable and we felt like we were at home.

Thank you for your kind hospitality and it was a pleasure meeting you.

I look forward to another visit in the near future.  In the meantime I will be recommending some friends to you.

Thanks again and Happy Holidays!

Alison M. - USA

Photography Tour in Tuscany

Experience Tuscany: A Cultural and Culinary Journey

                                              through a photographer’s lens …

New Tuscan Experience specializes in creating custom vacations in Tuscany. We work with families, groups of friends, and even professionals who would like to host personalized trips for their own groups in this magical region.

In September we helped photographer Joanne Heaviland launch her new private tour of Tuscany. Joanne brought a small group from the US to discover the art of photography, while living a full immersion Tuscan Experience. Together we designed the trip she had envisioned for her project – creating an itinerary according to her specifications. 

After nearly a year of planning, it was my pleasure to be on hand during the group’s visit to ensure that everything ran smoothly. All my top collaborators contributed their talents and services to make it an outstanding and memorable tour. We are thrilled that everyone enjoyed their stay and look forward to continuing our collaboration!

Hi Kathy,

Thank you again for a fantastic tour! It was wonderful!! You have been incredible and I can't thank you enough for all that you did. 

The tour was a real success!! Everything you helped me with turned out fantastic and I have only heard great things from everyone who participated - they said it was even more than what they had expected - and for that I am grateful!

I look forward to working with you on my next tours!

Ciao & Grazie Mille!

Joanne

Discovering Florence!

Enjoying the cooking class at the organic vineyard

Visiting a Pecorino Cheese Farmi in Pienza

Celebrating a birthday with new friends!

Touring Montepulciano

Visiting an ancient wine cellar in Montepulciano

 Above photos are copyright of Joanne Heaviland 

Autumn Getaway for a Group of Couples

I am happy to say we are 2 for 2! Our clients from Finland returned to Tuscany again this year after a successful visit near Montecatini last October. We suggested the Val d’Orcia this time – and it looks like they really enjoyed their stay at this lovely villa in Montepulciano…  

Thanks Kathy,

The villa was superb for our group. Enjoyed the straight flow from kitchen through breakfast/dinner table throughout to balcony. Togetherness was strong. Rooms were spacious and everything so clean.

I can recommend this villa to all who enjoy also cooking at home. And serenades for the full moon will not disturb neighbours!

Hope you all the best!

Thanks,

Timo K. - Finland

Girls' Getaway in Chianti

Hi Kathy, 

I wanted to send a quick note to thank you again for all of your help and guidance in planning our trip! We had such a fantastic time!! What a great sunset you ordered for us that first evening, too! We are already talking about our return :) I think a couple of us may come next May and bring our husbands. I will keep you posted! 

I also wanted to let you know I gave your contact info to my friend. She and her family are planning a trip for next summer to Rome and Tuscany. She may be in touch in the coming weeks. 

It was a pleasure to meet you. Many, many thanks!! I've attached a couple of photos of that sunset and one of us with our wonderful driver, Simone. :)

Best, 

Sam W. - Chicago, IL

September in Tuscany with Friends

Hi Kathy,

We are home and we had a wonderful vacation in Italy.  

The villa was exquisite.  We all loved our stay there. We enjoyed planning our days around coming back to the villa for dinner, relaxation and the wonderful view.

The cooking class was wonderful. It was fun, informative and very filling.  Everyone said they had a good time.  My husband and I have tried some of the recipes since we have been home.  
We still need to practice more on the focaccia.

I’ve been telling my friends and even a few strangers in the airport how pleasant it was to work with you on planning our trip to Tuscany. Hopefully they will contact you in the future.

Thank you for the wonderful bottle of bubbly you gave to us on our arrival.  It was delicious.

Warm regards,
Chris S. - Olympia, WA (USA)

Last minute family vacation in Chianti

Dear Kathy,

We had a wonderful experience working with you and New Tuscan Experience.  My family decided last minute to plan a vacation to Tuscany and when I contacted you and explained our situation, you were extremely responsive and knowledgeable about the area we were targeting. 

You suggested the ideal villa to meet our needs. We could not have asked for a better Tuscan experience and a wonderful family vacation.  

I have recommended New Tuscan Experience to several friends who have expressed an interest to going to Tuscany.  The next time we go back to Tuscany, you will be the first call I make to help scope out the trip.  Thank you again.  

The Webbs - New York, NY  USA 

Summer vacation for 3 families with 7 kids...

Hi Kathy,

Vacationing in Tuscany was everything we could have hoped for.  We truly can't thank you enough. This trip exceeded all of our expectations. 

The villa in Vinci you helped us select was absolutely perfect for our three families. Sitting outside every evening, drinking wine and staring out to the beautiful landscape was just magical.

You did such a great job tailoring an itinerary that worked for three families traveling with seven kids, ranging in ages from 8 to 15. Our tour guides, Roberta, Sara and Wanda were not only informative but also engaging and passionate about their cities. We were equally pleased with the wine cellar tours in Chianti you recommended. 

Pizza making night at the villa was a another big hit with everyone.

This was a trip of a lifetime and you were a huge part of its success. Every step of the way,  you were so responsive and helpful. 

We recommend you to everyone who tells us they are thinking of visiting Tuscany. 
I wish you all the best and hope to return in the near future.

Thank you, 
Elsa T.  - New York, USA

Three Families with Teens - July 2014

Hi Kathy,

We had an amazing time in Tuscany. The highlight of the vacation was the fabulous villa.  As I mentioned, it couldn't have been more perfect for our 3 families and the grounds were breathtaking. The hidden gem was the caretaker, Teresa and her husband. They were so gracious and accommodating. We wanted to take Teresa home with us. She was always available to pick up groceries for us and the breakfasts and dinners were the best we had on our trip.  

You were a pleasure to work with and also so responsive and offered great recommendations. The walking tour you arranged in Florence with Sara was one of my favorite tours. 

Thanks again & I'll be sure to recommend you to all my friends back home!

Linda D. - New Jersey, USA

Family Farm Stay - July 2014

A family of 5 wanted to experience Tuscany by staying on a working farm. We helped them to find a great agriturismo just outside of San Gimignano, and it seems to have been just what they had in mind! 

Hi Kathy,

We had an amazing stay in Tuscany! It's easy to see why you stayed on in Italy! I too am in love with the country!!! 

The facility was amazing! The views, the staff and the food! 

Thanks so much for the recommendations and for your personalized attention!

Regards,

F. Numaan - Mequon, Wisconsin

 

Big Family Reunion - July 2014

with Chef Francesco!

Hi Kathy,

Just wanted to follow up and thank you for helping make our trip such a memorable one for our family.  

Organizing 20 people to help celebrate my mom’s 85^th birthday was no small task but your recommendations and attention to detail was crucial and much appreciated. My mom was actually moved to tears at the final dinner.

Navigating on our own never would have come close to the experience we had with your guidance. 

Thanks so much for helping make our trip one we will never forget.

John Driscoll  - Medfield, MA

Chef dinner at our villa (overlooking San Gimignano)

Amazing dinner (and view) at the local organic Farm!

Special memories!

A Family with Young Children - April 2014

Hi Kathy,

Our family had a lovely time in Tuscany thanks to your great recommendations. You did a great job of tailoring our itinerary to cater to our interests, mixing in some good activities for the children as well as the adults. 

Our guide in Florence, Sara, was outstanding.  

We also enjoyed Veronica’s cooking class and wine and cheese tasting at Corzano e Paterno.

The villa you chose for us was central to driving around Tuscany, and perfect for a family of four. The restaurant up the street from the villa had the best food we experienced in all of Italy.  Unfortunately, we didn’t try it until our last night in Tuscany. 

We would definitely recommend your services to our family and friends. Our kids must come back to Florence, as they dropped coins in the boar fountain and they did not fall through the grate.  

Thanks,

Janice and Tony - California, US