Classical Florence and Tuscany

(8 days/7 nights)

A journey through Art, History and wonderful landscapes to discover the roots of Italian culture.

 Arrival at the airport in Florence/Pisa and transfer by deluxe bus to your hotel in the city. Accommodations, dinner in a typical trattoria and presentation by the Pro.Italy tour guides taking the opportunity to know us better. After dinner, for those who wish, a night walk through the streets of downtown.

 The Renaissance city. Full day excursion to one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Florence, with its palaces, museums and churches, home to some of the most important art treasures of the world. Strolling through the streets of the historic centre to discover the most hidden monuments of admirable quality. Visit of the main works of art with specialized guides. Santa Maria del Fiore and Brunelleschi's dome, the Baptistery, the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio and Santa Croce. Free afternoon and typical Tuscan dinner.

 Florence. A city so rich in works of art, worth living another day. We'll visit Palazzo Pitti, the Bargello, Palazzo della Signoria, the Medici Chapels and many other places and monuments that have made this unique city, the cradle of Italian art. With the help of professional guides who will accompany you to discover the most hidden and amazing works of Florence, done by artists as Michelangelo, Raphael, Giotto, Brunelleschi and others. Afternoon free for shopping and dinner in a typical Florentine restaurant.

 The land of Chianti. We'll leave the hotel in Florence to transfer in Chianti. From the Piazzale Michelangelo, after visiting the beautiful church of San Miniato, a farewell of the city admiring the beautiful scenery. The first stop is Greve in Chianti, situated on the rolling hills of endless stretches of vineyards. A walk through the little streets before reaching Panzano with its wonderful old town. Tastings of the famous Chianti wine and typical local products in a characteristic wine cellar. Accommodations in a three / four star hotel. In the afternoon a visit of San Gimignano, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city, built on the Via Francingena, is famous for its medieval town centre and its high towers, a symbol of powerful families.

 Siena, the city of Palio. The tour includes a visit to the city of Siena. For centuries the great rival of Florence. Siena, is another art city of Tuscany, which has preserved its medieval appearance. Rich in treasures and of its austere and imposing palaces that show the economic power of the great noble families. Piazza del Campo, with its distinctive shell shape, where, one of the world's most famous Palios is played. The imposing Romanesque Cathedral – a great gothic example of fine Italian art, and then again the Town Hall with the Mangia Tower and countless lavish medieval palaces. Here we will taste the sweets typical of the Sienese like ricciarelli and panforte. On the way back we stop to admire the imposing walls of Monteriggioni, a medieval village, scene of many bloody battles in the thirteenth century between Siena and its enemy, Florence.

 The Orcia Valley. Travelling through the Tuscan hills of green and yellow, dotted with rows of cypress trees and fields of sunflowers, a serene landscape that opens the heart. We will visit medieval settlements and villages where time has stood at about 1000 years ago, such as Montalcino, famous for its famous Brunello wine; Bagno Vignoni with its thermal baths, the magnificent Romanesque Abbey of Sant'Antimo; Monticchiello and finally Pienza, the ideal Renaissance city desired by Pope Pius II Piccolomini in the 15th century. Today, Pienza is part of the artistic and cultural heritage of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we can taste the famous pecorino cheese.

 A Piazza called the "Miracles". You cannot leave Tuscany without visiting Pisa, famous worldwide for its Leaning Tower. We will visit with guides of the famous monuments of Romanesque architecture as the backdrop to one of the most beautiful squares in the world. The Duomo and the Baptistery of the eleventh century and the famous Leaning Tower of the twelfth century. Leave Pisa and drive towards Lucca another splendid jewel of Tuscany, called a little Venice without water, enclosed in the Cyclopean walls of the Renaissance. Wander through the streets of this beautiful old town to discover the hidden treasures.

 Arriverderci Toscana, the land of artists and poets. Transfer to the Florence or Pisa airports for your return flight home.