Is this picnic suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, Hidden Experiences offers a vegetarian option; please specify dietary preferences at booking.

What happens if it rains on the day of the picnic?

If rain occurs, the experience is refunded as the picnic is held outdoors.

How do I get to the picnic location from San Gimignano?

The site is a few kilometers outside San Gimignano; transportation is not included, so a car or local taxi is recommended.

Are children allowed on this tour?

This experience is not accessible to minors, as per company policy.

Can I choose which wine to have with the picnic?

Yes, after a guided tasting, you select a bottle of wine to accompany your picnic.

Is the picnic accessible for people with mobility issues?

The olive groves have uneven terrain and may be challenging for some mobility impairments; please inquire directly with the operator.

Tuscan Olive Grove Picnic with Hidden Experiences | Guided Tour | Food Tour

Set just outside the medieval walls of San Gimignano in Tuscany’s Province of Siena, Hidden Experiences offers a singular outdoor journey—a two-hour picnic beneath ancient olive trees accompanied by a private winery tour. This isn’t just any meal outdoors; it’s a deliberate immersion into Tuscan rural life, where the scents of olive groves and freshly harvested Chianti grapes mingle on a gentle hillside.

San Gimignano itself is renowned for its tower-filled skyline and age-old vineyards, but it’s the quiet expanses of olive orchards here that define the local landscape’s character. Hidden Experiences takes visitors beyond the typical tourist trails, leading them through groves home to centuries-old olive trees whose gnarly trunks and fragrant leaves tell stories of generations past. This peaceful setting forms the backdrop for a traditional Tuscan picnic, featuring regional specialties like aged salumi, local cheeses, bruschette, and the rustic pappa al pomodoro—a simple yet hearty bread-and-tomato dish emblematic of this region’s humble culinary roots.

Before settling in with the picnic basket—complete with eco-friendly utensils and a soft blanket—guests receive an intimate tour of the estate’s cellar. Here, the secrets of Chianti and Vernaccia wine production unfold, including the intricate fermentation and aging processes that elevate these DOCG wines to world-wide acclaim. Visitors also learn about the site’s extra virgin olive oil production, a craft integral to Tuscany’s culinary identity.

What makes this experience stand out is its balance of sensory delight and education, all set in an outdoor environment that highlights the richness of the Tuscan terroir. With a choice of wines to accompany each picnic, guided by knowledgeable local hosts, it’s a personalized snapshot of Tuscany’s agricultural heritage. For travelers seeking an authentic, relaxed connection to the landscape, Hidden Experiences delivers a unique way to taste, see, and feel one of Italy’s most celebrated regions.

About Hidden Experiences

Hidden Experiences is a Firenze‑based experiential travel company specializing in curated guided tours and tastings across Italy. Operating from Firenze, Toscana, Hidden Experiences connects travelers with certified local guides and vetted partner wineries, museums, and chefs to deliver authentic, small‑group and private experiences.

Hidden Experiences offers a broad selection of wine tastings, walking tours, cooking classes, and museum visits across northern and central Italy. Sample itineraries include Prosecco tastings in Valdobbiadene (Treviso), guided winery visits and tastings in Valpolicella (Verona), Montepulciano, Montalcino and the Langhe, wine and picnic experiences in Monferrato (Asti), Bardolino visits on Garda, and tasting experiences in Florence and Milan.

City highlights include private walking tours of Como, guided visits to the Uffizi, Accademia and Cappelle Medicee in Firenze, Teatro alla Scala and Duomo tours in Milano, and extensive Turin itineraries including the Museo Egizio, Mole Antonelliana, Palazzo Reale and historic walking routes. Culinary options range from pasta and deluxe cooking courses in Firenze and Livorno to balsamic vinegar tastings in Modena and market‑to‑table street food tours in Florence.

Partners are local wineries, historic sites, certified guides and experienced chefs; services range from short 1.5‑ to 3‑hour visits up to half‑day experiences, with private and small‑group formats. Hidden Experiences focuses on clear descriptions, vetted local partners, and in‑destination expertise to ensure reliable logistics and memorable visits for visitors seeking authentic Italian food, wine and culture. Bookings originate from Firenze and are organized regionally across Toscana, Veneto, Piemonte, Lombardia and Emilia‑Romagna. Each experience emphasizes regional traditions, seasonal products and local storytelling to connect travelers with places they visit.