Page 19 - DreamScapes Magazine | Winter/Spring 2026

PHOTOS: ALEE DESIGN CO | CALEB VAN WYK
Settling into Siena
The tour starts in Rome, but Tuscany truly
takes shape in Siena, where medieval
walls glow warmly under autumn light.
Our base, Villa Scacciapensieri, sits just
outside the historic centre, surrounded by
fragrant gardens clinging to their last
roses. Victory Travel & Events’ philos-
ophy—fewer hotel changes, more
immersion—sets the tone of relaxed ele-
gance. I drop my bags, and ease into a
slower Tuscany.
Our welcome dinner unfolds at the
villa. Wood-fired pizza, local wine and a
soft jazz trio ease us into Tuscan
evenings. No chain hotels here.
The next morning, I step into the
sunlit kitchen of Fonte Giusta Academy. A
local chef presses dough into my palms,
guiding me through kneading, folding,
and shaping. The repetitive motions are
meditative, and by the time we taste our
pasta, the act of cooking grounds me in
this moment.
Vineyards, Olive Mills,
and Tuscan Flavours
We travel deeper into the southern Chi-
anti region and the “Slow City” of
Castelnuovo Berardenga. At Cantina
Vallepicciola, Tuscany literally appears in
a glass. Cypress-lined vineyards frame a
tasting of Chianti reds, their notes of
berries and forest echoing the autumn
landscape. The winemaker lingers with
us, sharing stories as rich as the wine.
Leaving Siena, our private bus follows
winding ridgelines to Abbazia Monte
Oliveto Maggiore, a Benedictine
monastery tucked into the countryside.
Cool cloisters offer a moment of stillness
before we sample the monks’ wines, each
sip a reminder of craft and history. Later,
at a local olive mill, bright green olio
nuovo drips onto warm bruschetta, its bite
a delicious hallmark of the harvest.
San Gimignano greets us with towers
rising into a crisp blue sky. Nearby,
Pienza, a Renaissance gem glows in soft
fall light. In both towns, Victory Travel &
Events builds in generous free time—no
guided tours, no rush—just space to linger
and enjoy the ambiance.
Castles, Cellars, and
Florence’s Quiet Splendour
In Montalcino, the landscape shifts to
wilder valleys. Here, Castello Banfi, a
MICHELIN Key-rated castle-on-a-hill,
welcomes us with its vaulted cellars.
Dinner is intimate: pillowy ravioli,
braised beef cheeks, and rustic apple pie.
Each dish is paired with Banfi wines that
glow ruby by candlelight.
For more wine pleasure, we raise even
more glasses at Antinori Winery. Consid-
ered Italy’s top wine producer, the
modern winery pairs its jaw-dropping,
earth-sculpted architecture with volup-
tuous, berry-rich pours.
Our final day unfolds in Florence, the
birthplace of the Renaissance. Our hotel,
Croce Di Malta, has a rooftop bar that is so
close it feels like you can touch the
Duomo. In the afternoon, I stand inside
the Duomo, climb Giotto’s bell tower, and
wander the Baptistery of San Giovanni,
without the crush of summer tourists.
And with Victory Travel & Events, in this
quiet season, la dolce vita unfolds at
exactly the speed it’s meant to.
TRAVEL PLANNER
For booking information about the
2026 Tuscany Wine and Food Tour,
visit www.VictoryTravel.ca or email
info@victorytravel.ca
2026
Tuscany Wine
and Food Tour
OCTOBER 1-10, 2026
Experience Tuscany on a small-group
journey curated by Victory Travel &
Events. With a maximum of 30
guests, this 9-day itinerary blends
culinary discovery, culture, and
unhurried immersion in some of
Tuscany’s most storied landscapes.
Inclusions: accommodations,
ground transportation, transfers,
excursions and city tours, four
winery tours, and most meals and
drinks. Rates are from $5,000 CAD.
Airfare is additional.
WINTER/SPRING 2026 DREAMSCAPES 19