Under theTuscan Sun Cortona, Italy
Petra Kolber - Never Too Late!
Join Petra Kolber on this exceptional adventure in Tuscany.
RSVP Opens April 1st7 Nights | April 6-13, 2027 | €8,950 euro (excluding flights)
10 Women are Welcome
Under The Tuscan Sun...
Under The Tuscan Sun is an exceptional book that was turned into a beloved film. The story represents freedom, change, a new chapter in life, foreign exploration, and a leap of faith. Although it is a work of fiction, the author Frances Mayes based it upon her own experience of traveling to Cortona, Italy, buying a beautiful villa, and fixing it up. She still lives in that Villa Bramasole today! The movie itself was filmed in a different villa, as the story required a property that was in need of serious repair. They found the perfect place just 2 kilometers away in the same village, and this became the "Bramasole" that you see in the movie. This Bramasole was purchased by an American woman after the movie was released, and she became the driving force behind the exceptional renovation we see today. Incredible frescoes and other original artifacts were revealed, and the entire space, including 3 separate buildings, was transformed into a precious display of comfort and luxury. This is where you will sleep for 7 sweet nights ... in the very Bramasole you see in the movie.
Tuscany is at it's most delicious in Spring when local markets are teeming with freshly foraged ingredients, and the landscape is sumptuously blooming with iris, wisteria, baby pomegranates, walnuts, tiny olives and grapes, and the fuzzy young quince. The weather is also very pleasant for daily explorations in nature and nightly meals al fresco.
Villages You Will Explore...
This Getaway Is For You If...
You think it would be dreamy to sleep in the villa from the movie "Under The Tuscan Sun" and to imagine you live in Italy. Having a private, ensuite room to yourself is a must (we don't offer shares). You prefer a more local experience. The desire to embrace freedom and change resonates with you. Historic walks through the past awaken your curiosity. You love dining al fresco and you're enamoured by actual frescoes. Visiting local shops to taste everything in season rocks your socks. Temperatures in the 70's (22 celcius) are your comfort zone. You adore nature. You prefer to mingle with locals and immerse yourself in their way of life. Visiting medieval villages is irresistible to you. And travelling with an intimate group of like-minded women, with more time on foot and less in a vehicle is your jam. There will be a good amount of walking, so comfortable shoes and an appropriate level of fitness is required. Tuscany is full of hill towns, so think 10,000-15,000 steps per day with steep hills, stone stairs, and beautiful cobblestones.
10 Women are Welcome
RSVP Opens April 1st
Your Host
Petra Kolber
How often is it that you go on holiday with the founder of your chosen tribe? Petra Kolber ... author, speaker, mind and body wellness expert ... will be there to experience every moment with you. Join us as we enjoy each other’s company, share our stories, forge new friendships, and have an insane amount of fun to boot.
Itinerary...
Day 1, Tuesday - April 6
Bramasole
Total Driving Time: 90 minutes from Florence Airport
Arrive to Florence Airport, meet your driver, and check in to the actual Bramasole villa from the movie Under The Tuscan Sun. We have private use of the entire property, with expansive gardens, a swimming pool, a hot tub, and a bocce ball court. For your pleasure, there is a private chef and daily cleaning staff. Chef Francesco will surprise you with the most incredible selection of local foods ... picked from the garden and sourced from local farms. Our welcome dinner is under the stars.
Day 2, Wednesday - April 7
Cortona
Total Driving Time: 10 minutes
Guided Tour, Hats, Jewelry... Morning stretch, coffee and breakfast. After lunch we visit our village of Cortona, a medieval hilltop town whose soaring position offers 360° views of the incredible Val di Chiana. Spend the day surrounded by beanstalk-like cyprus trees, sunflower fields, and the most intriguing history and architecture. An ancient tour with Valeria teaches us about the Etruscan civilization that founded this walled town. Discover the stories, art-filled spaces, palaces, churches, and monuments. Just before dinner, we embark on a fashion reconnaissance. It begins with choosing a hat for our "Hat Party" ... this is our gift to you. All of the hats in this shop are made by women, and fun fact ... Lady Gaga has one! Next is a private tour of the most stunning jewelry showroom, in one of the oldest and most beautiful buildings of Cortona. In this ancient space, glasses of Cava are laced with flakes of silver, and the owners tell their story. Dinner is served at the famous La Loggetta Restaurant.
Day 3, Thursday - April 8
Pienza / Montalcino
Total Driving Time: 2:30 hours
Romantic Village, Women Owned Winery... Morning stretch, coffee and breakfast. Today's journey begins with a walk around the romantic city of Pienza, with street names such as Via dell'Amore and Via Del Bacio. Considered a Renaissance Utopia, Pienza will enchant you with its charming stone architecture, narrow cobblestone lanes, and panoramas of picture-perfect landscapes. We then arrive to a hilltop village, crowned by the Rocca which was erected by the Sienese in 1361. Montalcino is a medieval, walled village that has its centre in Piazza del Popolo, overlooking the Palazzo dei Priori with the high tower and the portico and the Gothic loggia. The town itself is surrounded by olive groves and rolling hills of grapes. The views are spectacular! After a bit of exploration, we taste one of the most famous wines in the world ... Brunello di Montalcino. The woman-owned winery we have selected is where lunch is served. Dinner with our private chef is back at Bramasole.
Day 4, Friday - April 9
Cortona
Total Driving Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Class with Silvia... Morning stretch, coffee and breakfast. Today, lunch is a magical cooking class with Michelin Chef Silvia Baracchi. Silvia is the head chef of a gorgeous restaurant located inside the luxury hotel, Il Falconiere. Every day she brings to the table the wonderful zero-kilometer products of Tuscany. Silvia believes that for the best tasting meals, cooking should be done using only those ingredients that are in season. So let's see what she prepares for us. In the late afternoon we head back to our villa where massage services are available. In the evening, we head out to a beautiful dinner in the village.
Day 5, Saturday - April 10
Arezzo / Anghiari
Total Driving Time: 2:00 hours
Two Ancient Villages... Morning stretch, coffee and breakfast. Our first stop today is in Arezzo, the biggest city nearest to Cortona and one of the 3 largest in Tuscany. Valeria will show us Piazza Grande, The Cathedral, the green park of Il Prato, Il Corso with it's many stores, the Parish Church of the 13th Century, and the well preserved medieval walls. There is time for shopping on the main street. Lunch is solo today so that everyone can explore at their own pace. Next stop is Anghiari, rated "one of the most beautiful villages in Italy". Here we walk the ancient streets, then visit the incredible Busatti Linen Factory. The shop was actually opened in 1795, but it wasn't until 1797 when Napolean's army was stationed at the Busatti house in Anghiari, that they began making blankets, uniforms and clothing for the soldiers. The official weaving mill is recorded to have begun in 1842. Their high quality, organic linens can be found in the bedrooms, living rooms and dining rooms of our Bramasole villa. You are welcome to place a custom order to be shipped to your home. Dinner is back at our Bramasole villa.
Day 6, Sunday - April 11
Le Celle / Montepulciano
Total Driving Time: 90 minutes
Wondrous Hike, Spa Experience, Underground Winery... Morning stretch, coffee and breakfast. The day begins with a 5km hike to see Le Celle - the hermitage of Saint Francis of Assisi, a place of immense spirituality. Landscape views reminiscent of an ancient nativity scene, complex architecture carved into the rock, and bridges suspended over flowing mountain streams: finding peace of mind here is not a difficult task. Transport then awaits to take us to a beautiful spa experience, where we have exclusive use of the therapeutic pools. Lunch is served back at our villa. In the late afternoon we head to Montepulciano, a village full of history and works of art, surrounded by olive trees and chestnut forests. An escort leads us through secret passages along the monumental path of the fifteenth century "Underground City". Through spectacular brick vaults and tunnels dug into the tuff, we find gigantic oak barrels in which the famous Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Rosso di Montepulciano reside. Enjoy a tasting of these most exceptional wines with an explanation of their characteristics. There will be time for wandering and popping in and out of local shops before we all meet for a delicious dinner in Montepulciano
Day 7, Monday - April 12
Celebration
Total Driving Time: 10 minutes
Clay Lab, Professional Photos, Hat Party... Morning stretch, coffee and breakfast. Today is spent enjoying Cortona and Bramasole. A fun pottery class with Prosecco. Pizza lunch by Chef Francesco. Then in the evening, our hat party begins. Wear your festive best along with the new hat you selected in Cortona. We kick off the festivities with an authentic Italian Negroni, a bit of music and dancing, and a professional photographer to capture you living your best life. These photos are our gift to you. All the while, Chef Francesco prepares our final, celebratory dinner. Thank you to Frances Mayes for writing such a beautiful book full of hopes and dreams. It's never too late to move, change, or simply add the most wonderful elements to your life.
Day 11, Wednesday - May 5
Home Sweet Home
Total Driving Time: 90 minutes to Florence Airport
Until Next Time... Bid a reluctant yet grateful farewell to Tuscany. You leave with the most exceptional memories, a Never Too Late outlook on the future, and an all new set of FANTASTIC FRIENDS to boot! Transport to Florence airport will be arranged.