Pasqua, Pasta and Prugnolo: A Tuscan Easter Land Only - No Flights Included ·  April 2028

In flight to Florence (or sightseeing in the area for early arrivals.)

Pilgrims are met at the Florence airport or local train station and shuttled to the villa. Our week of Tuscan treasures kicks off with a wine and cheese orientation. Pilgrims are then free to explore a nearby village, relax at the villa, or curl up with a good book on a sunny patio. We close our day with Mass and a special dinner of regional foods and wines.

Today pilgrims can participate in two traditional Spy Wednesday activities of making visits to churches and viewing Lenten art. Mystical Montepulciano offers a serene setting for exploring the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption and the Jesuit Church of the Gesu. Renaissance Beauty brings pilgrims to twin sacred treasures in Florence: San Marco Convent and Church of Santa Croce. Both outings include stops at a pasticceria and for an afternoon glass of wine. Dinner of exceptional Tuscan cooking will be back at the villa.

Our Holy Thursday outings provide a unique entry into the Paschal Triddum and invite pilgrims to reflect on the significance of the day. The Great Tuscan Breadcrumb Trail introduces pilgrims to baking traditions in the Chianti region, while Sangiovese with the Saints offers a serene setting in a medieval church for prayer, followed by a wine tasting. In the afternoon we will gather for a traditional Seder Meal, and then attend Mass at the stunning Arezzo Cathedral. Pilgrims can stay after Mass to pray in the cathedral, walk around the stunning medieval and Renaissance hilltop district, or return to the villa for a nightcap

Pilgrims are invited to enter the solemnity of Good Friday with several rituals and experiences. Soothing Soaks and Steeples offers a subdued sojourn to Bagno Vignoni to immerse in the healing waters of its thermal baths, and in the quiet of the medieval church of San Juan Batista. Sacred Siena Stroll connects pilgrims to the sacred silence of the day with visits to the stunning Duomo and the gothic Basilicas of San Domenico and San Francesco. After a traditional Good Friday meal featuring fish, we will travel to Grassina to encounter its revered Holy Week tradition that dates back to the 17th century. What began as an act of devout gratitude for freedom from war and the Black Death evolved to a spectacular reenactment of the Passion of Christ, complete with over 600 costumed figures and stirring music from various classical composers.

Holy Saturday in Tuscany is a day of preparation and anticipation for the Paschal joy of Easter. Pilgrims can join in this animated activity with an ebike Espolare to nearby villages, making stops at bakeries and culinary venues; or they can experience the colorful Corteo delle Quattro Contrade (Procession of the Four Contrade) in Figline Valdarno, which includes the traditional opening of the Chocolate Easter Egg. Our main meal is simple but tasty dishes commonly served on this day. Afterwards, we will celebrate the Easter Vigil (Veglia Pasquale) at the Collegiate Church in Castiglion Fiorentino, which features its midnight ritual of the “Volata,” where the statue of Risen Christ is rushed to the high altar amid trumpet blasts and much festivity.

Our celebration of Easter begins with high Mass in the spectacular Florence Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiori. Immediately following outside the church we will witness the 500-year old exploding oxcart tradition – Scoppio del Carro. Rooted in the First Crusade, its purpose is to celebrate Easter, distribute the holy fire, and portend a prosperous year and good harvest for the city. Returning to the villa, we will partake in the traditional Tuscan Easter Sunday lunch of blessed hard-boiled eggs, chicken liver crostini, roasted lamb, fresh gnudi, and regional wines. Later in the evening we will gather for a nightcap and indulge in favored sweets like the glossy Quaresimali, Schiacciata di Pasqua and the anise cookie Ciambelline.

La Pasquetta (Easter Monday) in Tuscany combines spiritual reflection with the joyful, ancient tradition of the gita fuori porta (trip outside the city gates). It mirrors the journey of the disciples to Emmaus, marking Christ’s resurrection and the arrival of spring amid Tuscany’s awakening vineyards and cypress hills. On our last full day pilgrims can enjoy relaxing at the villa, exploring on ebike or by foot, or taking a private tour. We will close our time together with a feast of Beef Florentine and regional wines, followed by a Sacred Encounter feature, Sips and Stories, to share our blessings of the week and raise a glass to our Tuscan Easter.

Vans are available to shuttle pilgrims to a local train station for their return flights back to the US or continuation of their Tuscan Easter adventure.