DAY 1 - Arrival
Arrival in Florence Airport and private transfer or shared transfer to a 3*** or 4**** hotel in Florence
How to explain the magnificence of Florence? Talking about its history? Talking about its immortal artists? Choose the best way yourself and start dreaming...
Arrival at the hotel and room accommodation.
Free time for dinner, overnight stay in hotel.
DAY 2 - Florence Food Walking Tour
Breakfast at the hotel.
Short walk to the meeting point, where you will meet your guide, starting for an incredible journey in the real Florentine culinary tradition!
Starting from Piazza Duomo, we will walk through the streets of the historic center visiting the places of greatest interest: the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Piazza della Signoria, Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio, and many more.
Thanks to this tour, you will have experience the Florence that the Florentines know and love, because the essence of a city is not only made by the historical and cultural part, but also by its traditions, its cuisine and the everyday life.
We will pass through the historic center and stop in the middle-age streets of Dante time, and you will taste the famous Lampredotto, a dish loved by the Florentines, which is based on the stomach of cow and it is a real must to try Florence cuisine while you are here.
You will hear the legends about the typical dishes that the workers ate during the construction of the famous dome of Brunelleschi, closely connected to the history of Florence.
Piazza del Duomo becomes a starting point to pass to more particular and less known paths, visiting the wine shops where you can enjoy a glass of excellent wine with Finocchiona and Crostini. All this while listening to the story of the history of Tuscan gastronomic events.
And then you cannot miss a stop with the guide in one of the historic Florentine ice cream shops, to taste the real homemade ice cream.
Free time at your disposal for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 3 - Day Off
Breakfast at the hotel and free time at disposal.
You will be able to starting explore Florence the Magnificient, and maybe visit Uffizi Gallery and Accademia Gallery: you have the opportunity to see the world famous masterpieces of Florentine artists, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli
Free time for dinner, overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 4 - Pisa and Lucca Day Tour
Breakfast at the hotel and short walk to the meeting point of Piazzale Montelungo, where the assistant and the coach for this shared tour are waiting for you at 9:00 am
An adorable excursion to discover the magnificent Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa famous for the majestic Leaning Tower and Lucca with its Renaissance walls, the medieval streets and the enchanting Romanesque churches.
First stop in Pisa where you will meet our local guide who will show you Piazza dei Miracoli with the Leaning Tower (external), the Baptistery (external) and other wonderful monuments before entering the Cathedral (internal if accessible). You will surely be enchanted by so much beauty!.
The second stop of our excursion will be Lucca, where the guide will bring you on a fascinating walk in the historic city center where you can admire Piazza Anfiteatro, the Guinigi Tower, the Duomo of San Martino.
The visit will end in a pastry shop where we will taste the Buccellato, a typical cake of Lucca.
Way back to Florence, where you will have free time for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 5 - From Florence to Siena: tour of a farmhouse in San Gimignano with lunch and wine tasting
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
Your driver is waiting for you just outside your hotel, to take you in San Gimignano to visit a farm.
An experienced local guide will lead you around the estate to witness agricultural practices and cellars. The guide will explain the history of the company and complex workings of the production line. Will be intrigued by the sights of the landscape that surround this estate that includes the barrel room, wine cellar, and also the various tasting rooms both inside and in the garden. In particular you will appreciate the Vernaccia Vineyard of San Gimignano, one of the most famous wines that originated in the area, and you do not want to miss the Sangiovese vineyard! After the estate visit, you will stop in one of the Winery rooms for taste excellent wines and oils. This tour of the vineyard enjoy a unique experience in wine culture.
After the tour, your driver will take you to your new hotel in Siena.
Arrival in Hotel in Siena and room accommodation.
Free time at your disposal to have a first contact with Siena
Free time for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 6 - Siena: walking through history
Breakfast at the hotel and short walk to your meeting point, in front of the church of San Domenico in Siena, where you will meet your professional guide.
Tour begins by taking a look at the magnificent Basilica of San Domenico to admire its architecture and art, as well as the important relic that it contains, of the patron Saint of Italy and Europe: Saint Catherine, who was born in Siena. Then, exploring Siena’s medieval streets and squares and listen as your guide points out the most important historical buildings linked to the city’s main houses of power. Marvel at Rocca Salimbeni, housing the most ancient bank in the world, Monte dei Paschi, home to the main offices and an impressive collection of archives and works of art. Walk to Palazzo Tolomei, which is said to be the oldest private palace in Siena and see the imposing stone tower of Palazzo Chigi Saracini, a mid-12th century palazzo built by the powerful Marescotti family. Currently, this building is the seat of the prestigious Accademia Musicale Chigiana, a music school founded in 1923. Admire one of Italy's most beautiful piazzas, the Piazza del Campo built in the shape of a shell, with the impressive Palazzo Comunale or Town Hall with its imposing bell tower, the Torre del Mangia. This is the square that enjoys one of the most famous medieval tournaments, the Palio horse race, held twice a year by the city's Contrada neighborhoods and is to this day, the heart and soul of this magnificent medieval city. End the tour with a guided visit to one of the most spectacular cathedrals in Italy, the Siena Duomo (Cathedral), with its rich interiors that span the centuries. Your guide will escort you into this breathtaking monument to see impressive masterpieces by Donatello, Bernini and Michelangelo. Admire the exquisite Gothic architecture, the ancient pulpit, and visit the chapels. Walk below the naves and marvel at the Renaissance busts of popes and the intricate marble decorations and stained-glass windows.
Rest of day at your disposal.
Free time for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel
DAY 7 - Pienza and Montepulciano Day Tour
Breakfast at the hotel.
Meet your guide with a short walk in front of the church of San Domenico in Siena.
Travel south out of town on one of the most panoramic roads of Tuscany, through the characteristic moonscapes of the Crete Senesi. Enjoy brief stops along the way for photo opportunities before visiting a quaint, non touristic medieval hamlet. Continue along this stunning landscape and reach the UNESCO heritage site of the Val d’Orcia, where you come across some of Tuscany’s most iconic postcard pictures.
Arrive to the beautiful, utopian renaissance town of Pienza, one of the first towns to be entirely planned out on paper by important architects of the time. These were called upon by Pope Pius II, the humanist pope who wanted to renovate his native town and bring it new splendor. Spend your leisure time exploring the Romanesque church of Corsignano or the ideal, Renaissance Cathedral and walk along the scenic route overlooking the valleys and hills beyond. Browse the pretty streets of this gem of a town or some of its many shops of local crafts and products.
Visit a local farm for a wholesome and refreshing lunch based mainly on the fresh ingredients produced on the farm. Here you can learn about the pecorino sheep cheese making processes, visit the farm animals and learn about the lifestyle of the area. Weather permitting, lunch will be served on a panoramic terrace, overlooking the valley below.
In the afternoon, visit one of the biggest and proudest of the Tuscan hill towns, Montepulciano. This town was first under the dominance of medieval Siena and then became an ally to renaissance Florence: here you can recognize the influences of both Republics in its architecture and art. Located on a steep hill, you can look over the ledge at the the Tuscany - Umbrian border. Visit the main square, Piazza Grande, and explore one of the many old wineries carved out of the ground below the city, taste the Vino Nobile that is produced by the many important and noble families live here. After a short walk around town with your guide, enjoy some free time in town.
On your journey back to Siena, you can admire the sky light up as the sun sets over the Tuscan hills and vineyards. Don't miss out on this incredible experience in the heart of Tuscany!
Free time for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 8 - End of the tour
Breakfast in hotel and private or shared transfer to Florence Airport.
Bye bye Tuscany
PLEASE NOTE: the order of visits may change depending on the day of departure of the tour.
