Historic wonders: Charterhouse of Pisa & Vicopisano with olive oil tasting

THE PEARLS OF MONTE PISANO

The rural area of the lower Valdarno, by Pisa, is full of unexpected art jewels like country churches, fortresses, castles and fortified villages, all streching along a chain of mountains called Monti Pisani. The most renowend product of this region is a delicious and unique extra virgin olive oil. Arianna & Friends arrange an exclusive full-day tour to the most beautiful attractions of the area.

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The carthusiam monastery of Calci
Let our knowledgeable guide take you back in time with a visit to the Charterhouse of Pisa, founded in 1366 by Carthusian monks who lived there until 1977. This magnificent site, transformed in the 17th century, boasts breathtaking Baroque architecture. Wander through the impressive church, its beautifully decorated chapels, and uncover the secrets of the monks’ mysterious lives that still linger within these walls.

The extra virgin olive oil tasting and lunch at local taverna
After exploring the Charterhouse, we’ll head to Buti or Vicopisano to savor the iconic extra virgin olive oil produced on its scenic hills. You’ll discover how to distinguish the superior quality of olive oil from our hills compared to the commercial varieties found in stores. The Pisan Mountains, particularly in Buti and Vicopisano, are renowned for producing some of the finest extra virgin olive oils in Tuscany. They even boast the ‘Strada dell’Olio,’ or Olive Oil Route.

In a charming local taverna, you’ll enjoy a delicious traditional Tuscan lunch and experience the life of a small town of Italy.

Our journey continues with a stroll through the historic streets of Vicopisano. Discover the town’s majestic tower houses, the clock tower, the Brunelleschi Fortress, and an enchanting medieval church, capturing the timeless atmosphere of the Middle Ages.

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This is a list of specialties that you are likely to sample as part of the program of this tour. Please, note that the specialties of the tasting session and/or lunch may vary according to the season and the availability of the products in the day of the tour.

Assorted Tuscan olive oils

Assorted Tuscan olive oils

The visit to the oil mill of Vicopisano ends at a table where lunch starts with a guided tasting of many kinds of olive oils scented with herbs, fruits and vegetables paired with plain rice for a perfect perception of the different tastes.

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Bruschettas

Bruschettas

A plate of mixed bruschettas, topped with fresh tomatoes, cheese and sausage, arucola and lemon juice or simply extra virgin olive oil. Bruschettas are very common appetizers in all Italy and in Tuscany they are commonly called crostini. You can top grilled bread with almost anything that comes to your mind and served varied and […]

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Mixed Tuscan appetizers

Mixed Tuscan appetizers

A plate of local prosciutto, salami and pecorino cheese is a typical appetizer in the Tuscan cooking tradition. A plate of mixed cold meats and cheese can often accompany a guided tasting of Tuscan wines.

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Zuppa alla frantoiana

Zuppa alla frantoiana

Zuppa alla frantoiana means vegetable soup of the olive oil maker. It is a delicious soup made of sauted vegetables like carrots, potatoes, beans, kale and cabbage on which the final touch is freshly squeezed extra virgin olive oil. It was traditionally the soup that authentic oil mills in Tuscany were preparing for their guests […]

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Organic pecorino cheese

Organic pecorino cheese

Pecorino cheese is the most famous cheese from Tuscany. It derives from sheep milk, from which the name comes: in Italian sheep is “pecora”. It can be fresh or long-aged and its taste can vary from mild to very sharp.

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Tuscan red wine

Tuscan red wine

The Tuscan soil provides a wide variety of red wines, from easy-to-drink young table wines to full-body and robust riservas. Tuscan red wines are often based on Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo or Colorino grapes and sometimes on international grapes like Merlot, Cabernet or Syrah. The most curious experiements are recently involving Alicante and Tempranillo!

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In our tour we like showing you places off the beaten track and introducing you to Tuscan people with their personal stories, careers and characters.
You will have one of our guides with your party during the whole tour. Please, see below all the guides who can be with you.
During this experience you can also meet some of the Tuscan friends involved in the events. Please, see below which friends you are likely to encounter.

Moira

guide

Moira

Pisa city tour guide & and tour leader at Arianna & Friends'

Ciao a tutti! My name is Moira and I'm the "foreigner" here at Arianna & Friends! In fact I come from the north west of Italy, from the town of Turin, and I moved to Tuscany in 2012, falling immediately in love with the culture, the arts and foods and of course - my favourite! - wines of this beautiful region. I started working at Arianna & Friends' back in 2013 as an assistant at the Tourist Information Office of a small hilltop village, where our office was initially located; then I got my licence as tour guide and I am today the city tour guide in the team for the main towns of Pisa, Volterra, San Miniato, but also for all our less famous tiny villages, which hide lots of secrets and such a loooong history! Last year, together with my colleague Luca, we got a licence as official truffle hunters, but I'm still mainly a truffle eater! When I'm not walking around in our amazing places talking about arts, culture and history, or discovering together with our guests the local specialties, you find me in the office, taking care of bookings and reservations. I really hope to meet you soon to show you around our beautiful land, and as I come from another region, I can also reveal some of the secrets that Tuscan people will never confess!!

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