Tourists to Tuscany can take a private half-day tour to the village of Lari and visit the renowned artisan pasta factory Martelli, located within a conserved medieval castle. Personal tour guides meet guests on the premises and walk them through the family owned and operated pasta factory. The tour guides are able to communicate in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German and Russian. The castle dates back to the XIV century, and tours are able to see how the pasta is produced and shipped to locations all over the world. Guests leave the tour with a pasta gift basket and are invited to sample a local cheery liquor made in the village.
A local farm near Volterra offers guided tours that educate tourists about the production of fully organic cheese. A guide takes the tour through the workroom, which allows guests to see how the cheese is produced. Opportunities are available to visit the animals in the barn. A light lunch is provided that includes various types of pecorino cheese, along with salami, ham and wine. After lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the small olive mill, and the tour learns about the production of olive oil.
The Chocolate Tasting Tour is an opportunity to visit a small workshop in San Miniato, located between Florence and Pisa, and be introduced to how chocolate is created. A private tour guide conducts the two-hour tour, and guests learn about the ingredients in chocolate creations and receive hands on experience in the chocolate workshop. The guide teaches the tour how to temper, mould and decorate the chocolate. Guests are invited to taste a variety of cocoa blends.
