Private Day Tours & Activities In Tuscany
These Tours and Activities can be ADDED
to many of our packages. Please take a closelook at what's included in any of our packages.If it's not listed, it's not included. Explore all of what Italy has to offer!ARTISTS AND CRAFTSMEN OF CONTEMPORARY FLORENCE/ 3 hours
An Off-the-Beaten-Track Neighborhood Walk
In sharp contrast to the monumentality of the Renaissance core of Florence, just a few yards away - in shady cobblestone streets that haven’t changed since the Middle Ages, a bustling village of artisans, craftsmen and merchants goes about its business oblivious to the hordes of tourists and in much the same manner as in generations past. In Florence, handicraft and artistic talent are still highly valued and respected such that professions which have disappeared in other places, here, remain thriving. On this fascinating behind-the-scenes walk, enjoy the insider access of an expert local guide who will reveal many of the well-kept secrets of the city. Visit studios of local artisans, learn about age-old traditional crafts, explore a popular fruit and vegetable market, enjoy the still of a charming neighborhood church steeped in history and brimming with artistic treasures, discover hidden architectural gems. Relive the history of all of these storied places in the company of an excellent racconteur. Feel like a local as your guide introduces you to neighbors and shopkeepers like an old friend. Sip a cappuccino in a neighborhood caffé where the din is actually in Italian!
Available from: FLORENCE and surroundings
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CASTLES AND MONASTERIES OF SOUTHERN TUSCANY-
A Day Explorer of Monteriggioni, Monte Oliveto and the Crete Senesi
Travel from your accommodation by de luxe vehicle with English-speaking driver to the fairytale castellated village of Monteriggioni where there will be time to wander the narrow alleys of this enchanted place. The Medieval atmosphere is indeed palpable within these stone walls! Our next destination is just a couple of miles - and
a world away; it seems as if time has stood still at the Benedictine monastic community of Monte Oliveto. An intense spirituality permeates the place and few go away unchanged.
You will visit the magnificent cloister where the series of frescoes of the Life of St. Benedict form one of Italy’s great artistic highlights. Lunch is included nearby in the monastery’s terraced restaurant. Have time for a short hike in the pine woods in which this peaceful haven nestles before returning to your accommodation - via the picturesque landscape of clay hills of the Crete Senesi - in the late afternoon.
Available from: FLORENCE and surroundings, MONTEPULCIANO, SAN GIMIGNANO, SIENA and surroundings
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SOUTHERN TUSCANY/ 10 hours
A Full-day Excursion to Siena and San Gimignano
Set out from your hotel in the early morning with a private de luxe vehicle and English-speaking driver. En route, experience the magnificent - and certainly unforgettable - spectacle of the majestic Chianti Valley. This land of fabulous vineyards and olive groves - internationally-renowned for their productions - is truly the Tuscany of your dreams! Enjoy a seemingly endless progression of castles, villas and monasteries.
Arriving in Siena, you will be joined by an expert and lively authorized local guide for an introductory tour. The mysterious medieval atmosphere of the place is immediately perceptible in picture-postcard narrow streets and quiet squares. It is as if you have stepped back in time. Draped on its three hills, Siena is indeed a very beautiful city, a flamboyant medieval ensemble of palaces and towers cast in warm, Siena-colored brick - the whole of which is dominated by the Gothic Duomo. Make an interior visit to admire the extraordinary marble floor and the masterpieces of Pinturrichio in the adjacent Piccolomini Library. Proceed to the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, where twice each year the Palio horserace has occurred for centuries. Learn about this exciting event then visit the Palazzo Pubblico. This impressive seat of Sienese government, surmounted by the taut needle of the Torre del Mangia, houses spectacular frescoes including the Allegories of Good and Bad Government.
Have free time to enjoy lunch al fresco on the square!
Proceed to the medieval Village of Towers, San Gimignano. A highlight of the day is free time to wander this characteristic burg: the narrow streets of which are animated by numerous craft and food shops that are sure to attract your attention!
Next is a stop at a local farm; visit the estate’s vineyard, picturesquely nestled among the hills of Ulignano. Enjoy an informative wine tasting lesson by the sommelier/proprietor and a light snack of local products including bruschette, cheese, salami, ham and the estate’s own olive oil.
Available from: COLONNATA AND PIETRASANTA
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A Tour of the Villages of the Marble Country
Begin in the picturesque village of the stone cutters, Colonnata, where life doesn’t seem to have changed much since the days of Michelangelo. To give themselves the strength required for their laborious tasks - and to have a portable meal that could be carried into the pits - quarrymen devised a sandwich by inserting a thick slab of cured bacon into a loaf of bread. Today the intricately-prepared Lardo di Colonnata is considered a delicacy throughout the gourmet world. Enjoy a typical lunch of this and many other local specialties in an atmospheric trattoria. Walk off the calories on a promenade around the village in the company of your expert authorized local guide. Make a visit to a typical larderia where the traditions and preparations of the lardo and other local specialties will be revealed. Then proceed to the charming artist’s village of Pietrasanta - where Bottero and Folon, among many other artists, have kept studios. Visit the splendid Duomo as well as the Church of Sant’Antonio where you may appreciate Bottero’s incredible frescoes. Then enjoy a visit to a bronze-caster’s workshop. Have time to wander the charming village streets and browse the myriad assortment of galleries before returning to your accommodation in the late afternoon.
Available from: LUCCA and surroundings, PISA
CHIANTI VALLEY, FLORENCE and surroundings
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DELIGHTS OF THE TUSCAN TABLE/ 2 hours
A Visit to an Olive Oil Mill in the Val d’Orcia
Motorists heading south from Siena are soon enveloped in a silvery sea of olives trees spread across the gentle slopes of the Monte Amiata. The nectar of these trees has been the life-blood of Tuscany - and, indeed, the Mediterranean - since ancient times and the traditions associated with obtaining the precious liquid have changed little since then in this area where the culturing of olives is considered virtually sacred. Since the 1950s, when the Franci brothers decided to cast their lot with the olive growers of the region, the production of their frantoio has grown to be considered amongst the finest in the world. Combining age-old methods with state-of-the-art production values, the Franci now turn out an entire range of extra-virgins which regularly win accolades from connoisseurs around Italy and the world. Enjoy a fascinating and educational experience at their new OilBar where, while enjoying the splendid panorama of the Orcia Valley below you, you will savor a series of different quality oils and various applications...like the well-loved bruschetta and oil-based vegetable conserves.
Available from: MONTEPULCIANO, SIENA and surroundings, TUSCAN MAREMMAd surroundings, FLORENCE and surroundings, SIENA and surroundings
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A Gastronomic Tour of Pienza and its Countryside-
Collected from your accommodations, you travel with your expert local guide to Bio-Dynamic Pasta. A staple of the Italian diet, pasta is absolutely fundamental so the best way to start any gastronomic adventure is, of course, with pasta! See how it is produced - from the strands of fresh pici, the local delicacy, to the beautifully-packaged dry pasta ready to buy – in this state-of-the-art Pastificcio. Everything produced here is made with the semola grown here in the Val d'Orcia and, as this producer is one of the finest in Tuscany, it supplies stores like Harrod’s and Fortnum & Mason in London.
Our next adventure is a stop in Pienza for a tasting of Tuscan delicacies including chocolates, grappa and biscuits. Enjoy the company of the jovial couple who have had owned this shop for more than 30 years. There will be an opportunity to select purchases from the multitude of wonderful Tuscan food, health and beauty products on offer.
After a break in a local caffé for our traditional mid-morning cappuccino, there will be free time to explore historic Pienza with its array of charming boutiques and beautifully-kept buildings including the masterpiece of Palazzo Piccolomini and, of course, the outstanding views.
Lunch will be enjoyed in one of the many fine restaurants little Pienza has to offer and then it's off to a Caseficcio (Cheese Producer) in the countryside. Here our enthusiastic cheese–maker will show you the workshop where he makes no less than 32 different types of Pecorino Cheese! Of course, a cheese tasting is on the menu - as always, accompanied with a glass of local red wine…
Available from: CHIANTI VALLEY, MONTEPULCIANO, SIENA and surroundings
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IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF MICHELANGELO-
A Tour of the Marble Quarries of Carrara
Travel by de luxe private vehicle with English-speaking driver to the renowned and dramatically beautiful quarries of the Apuan Alps. Upon arrival, you will be met by an authorized local guide who will accompany you to a working Sculpture Studio. Here you will learn about the various qualities of Carrara marble as well as the tools and techniques as they have developed from ancient times to the present day. Marvel as you observe the artists and cutters patiently plying their skills. Proceed to the Colonnata Marble Basin where - from a panoramic terrace - can be viewed quarrymen at work in a landscape of otherworldly beauty. Then embark upon a breathtaking drive up to the top of the mountain to visit the Cave Michelangelo where the great artist lived for two years amongst the quarrymen, personally selecting the blocks of snowy white marble for his most magnificent creations.
Note: This tour can be combined with Colonnata and Pietrasanta to make a full-day excursion.
Available from: FLORENCE and surroundings, LUCCA and surroundings, PISA
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IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST. FRANCIS/ 3 hours
Assisi and the Umbrian Countryside
Travel from your accommodation by de luxe vehicle with English-speaking driver around the picturesque shores of Lago Trasimeno. View Etruscan Perugia spread majestically along the top of the hills. Visit the site of the first Franciscan friary at Santa Maria degli Angeli and - in the company of an expert guide - see the cell in which St. Francis lived and died, the kitchen garden, infirmary and apothecary. Then proceed together to old Assisi where you will enjoy a walking tour of two hours visiting all of the major sites of the town including the Basilica of St. Clare, the birthplace of St. Francis, the former Roman Temple of Minerva and culminating with the superb frescoes by Giotto in the Basilica di San Francesco. Lunch is an included taster menu at the glamorous and renowned Tre Veselle in nearby Torgiano. Afterwards, visit a family-owned ceramics factory in Deruta - the most famous ceramic-producing village in Italy. Enjoy a hands-on demonstration with a potter who still practices the age-old art of using the wheel to model his pieces. Then have an opportunity to purchase at factory prices. Return to your accommodation in the late afternoon.
Activity type: Guided Tour IN THE LAND OF VINO NOBILE
A Guided Walking Tour of Montepulciano
This delightful down-hill walk is the perfect introduction to the artistic treasures of the charming birthplace of great Renaissance thinker and poet, Angelo Poliziano. Meet your expert authorized local guide and begin the visit at the austerely elegant Santa Maria dei Servi. Then make your way through the city gates and to the sober Duomo where you will enjoy the magnificent Gothic altar retablo and majolica works of the della Robbia brothers. Proceed to the stately Piazza Grande where the most impressive palazzi of the town can be admired. Then saunter along the main street; located along the top of a narrow ridge, Montepulciano snakes down the slope with virtually a single street – short side streets usually terminating in vertiginous drops. As such, all of the great families located their residences along this thoroughfare which today forms a veritable parade of fine noble architecture. Along the way, stop to enjoy a glass of the world-renowned vino nobile in loco in an atmospheric Enoteca.
Available from: MONTEPULCIANOActivity duration: Full day
Available from: AREZZO and surroundings, CORTONA and surroundings, FLORENCE and surroundings
LUCCA AND PISA EXPLORER
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TWO OF TUSCANY'S JEWEL / FULL DAY
Your English-speaking driver and luxury vehicle will collect you in the early morning and accompany you to the center of Lucca - one of the most attractive, refined and elegant of all Tuscan cities. Girded by impressive walls 16th century walls which have UNESCO World Heritage List status, the City of Puccini abounds with art treasures and prosperous citizens enjoying la bella vita! Upon arrival, you will be met by an authorized local guide. Visit the Romanesque Cathedral of St. Martin housing Jacobo della Quercia's masterpiece, Ilaria del Carreto, the Church of St Michael in Foro, built over three centuries with the remains of ancient Roman temples and now home to Andrea della Robbia’s Madonna e Bambino, and the unique oval-shaped Piazza Anfiteatro, where the houses were built on the foundation of an ancient Roman Imperial amphitheater. Have time to amble through elegant shady piazza, admire the Art Nouveau shops along Via Fillungo, sip an espresso in Puccini's old haunt, the historic, Caffè Simo or lunch on Lucchese specialities in the renowned Buca di Sant'Antonio.
Continue to Pisa, the ancient maritime power justly famous for its Leaning Tower. This 11th century architectural project gone awry has become a Wonder of the World and object of pilgrimage for millions of tourists! Enjoy a complete visit of Piazza dei Miracoli and its monuments in the company of an expert local guide. The tower is but one of the Romanesque beauties nestled upon the green carpet of this gorgeous square - one of Europe’s most impressive - and you will also visit the Duomo, Baptistery and Cemetery (exterior). There will be free time for souvenirs and photos prior to returning to your accommodation in the late afternoon.
Available from: FLORENCE and surroundings, LUCCA and surroundings, PISA
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MASTERPIECES OF THE RENAISSANCE/ 3 hours
A Private Tour of the Uffizi Gallery
No visit to Florence would be complete without a comprehensive look at the greatest of all repositories of Renaissance Art - the Uffizi Picture Gallery. In the company of an entertaining and informative local guide, enjoy the inside story on the artists and the works of art which shaped the ideals of modern Western culture. With timed-entrance reservations, you will avoid the daunting queues and spend all of your valuable time viewing the gallery’s stunning collection of masterpieces including Uccello’s Battle of San Romano, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Allegory of Springtime, Da Vinci’s Annunciation, Lippi’s Madonna and Child and dozens more. Contemplate the works of Raphael and Tiziano in the Late Renaissance galleries.
Available from: FLORENCE and surroundings
PIENZA AND MONTALCINO
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In Search of the Perfect City and the Perfect Wine/full day
Discover the beautiful and varied scenery of the little-known Val d’Orcia en route by private de luxe vehicle with English-speaking driver to the perfect Renaissance city of Pienza. Birthplace of the brilliant and cultured Enea Silvio Piccolomini, who would take the Papal throne as Pius II, Pienza enjoyed the patronage of this extraordinary figure who dreamt of building a perfect utopian city according to the ideals of the Renaissance. Master architect, Il Rossellino, was commissioned for the project which resulted in the transformation of the former village with a magnificent public square and elegant structures. In the company of an expert local guide, visit the Duomo and imposing Palazzo Piccolomini with its delightful gardens. Have time to wander the delightful Via dell’Amore and find the perfect trattoria for lunch.
In the afternoon, proceed to the Romanesque jewel of Sant’Antimo where Benedictine monks continue to live, as they have for hundreds of years, according to the Regola. With some luck, you may hear them sing their breviary in Gregorian chant.
Later continue to Montalcino – a delightful hill-top village known around the world for the quality of its wine – Brunello – held by many to be Italy’s finest red. Decide for yourself in a special tasting held in the historic wine canteen of the ancient fortress.
Available from: CHIANTI VALLEY, MONTEPULCIANO, SIENA and surroundings.
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RURAL TUSCANY LIFE-SEEING /FULL DAY
A Day Visiting Working Farms in the Val d'Orcia
An unusual day in the beautiful countryside of the Val d’Orcia in contact with the rural lifestyle of the Tuscan farmer. Here is an ideal opportunity to see how animals are raised and crops are cultivated in this glorious landscape. In the company of your expert driver-guide, your first visit will be to a large farming and hunting estate where wine, olives and cereals are produced. This visit will also include a tour of the adjacent woodland reserve where it possible to view the local fauna: wild hares, deer and pigs. We then continue with a visit to the farm's wine cellar for a tasting accompanied by locally produced antipasti.
Our next stop is an agriturismo or full working farm which receives quests. Here we enjoy a lunch prepared with produce from the farm. Afterwards, there will be a 4 x 4 tour of the estate during which, you will see the horse trekking centre, the cattle, and the grain production - this being one of the largest producers of wheat and cereals in the area.
Quite a contrast, our final stop will be at a small family farm where you will get up close to the Chianina cattle. This is the Tuscan breed of pure white cows from which the famous Florentine steak is produced.
Available from: CHIANTI VALLEY, MONTEPULCIANO, SIENA and surroundings
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SAN GIMIGNANO WALKING TOUR/ FULL DAY
A Wander around the Fairytale Village of Towers
Ideal for visitors who opt for accommodation in San Gimignano or are self-driving, this delightful walk - in the company of a local resident steeped in the history, the lore and the legend of this magical place where time has stood still - is a true voyage of discovery! Declared a Unesco World Heritage site and locale of the well-loved film, Tea With Mussolini, San Gimignano is everyone’s dream of what a perfect Tuscan village should be. Visit the magnificently frescoed Duomo and enjoy the panoramic vistas from the Castle Hill which are so beautiful as to inspire poetry. Then delve behind-the-scenes, enjoying the insider access of your expert guide, as she reveals many of the well-kept secret charms of the village. Visit studios of local artisans, learn about age-old traditional crafts, enjoy the cacophony of charming neighborhood streets steeped in history yet brimming with life. Try a local pastry straight from an oven which has been turning them out daily for hundreds of years!
Available from: SAN GIMIGNANO
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SIENA WALKING TOUR/ 3 hours
Getting to Know the City of the Palio
Ideal for guests accommodated in Siena or on self-drive holidays. You will be joined by an expert and lively authorized local guide for a masterful city orientation and introductory tour. The mysterious medieval atmosphere of the place is immediately perceptible in picture-postcard narrow streets and quiet squares. It is as if you have stepped back in time. Draped on its three hills, Siena is indeed a very beautiful city, a flamboyant medieval ensemble of palaces and towers cast in warm, Siena-colored brick - the whole of which is dominated by the Gothic Duomo. Make an interior visit to admire the extraordinary marble floor and the masterpieces of Pinturrichio in the adjacent Piccolomini Library. Proceed to the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, where twice each year the Palio horserace has occurred for centuries. Learn about this exciting event then visit the Palazzo Pubblico. This impressive seat of Sienese government, surmounted by the taut needle of the Torre del Mangia, houses spectacular frescoes including the Allegories of Good and Bad Government.
Available from: SIENA and surroundings
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SPLENDOR IN THE HILLS/ 4 hours
The Villas of the Luccan Countryside
You will be collected at your accommodation by private de luxe air-conditioned vehicle and English-speaking driver and set out on a panoramic drive through the scenic hills to the the northeast of Lucca. In the 16th century, the wealthy merchant class families of this prosperous city built magnificent summer villas in this countryside and the finest - Villa Reale, Villa Mansi, Villa Torrigiani, Villa Oliva and Villa Bernardini - will be the objects of our attention. Arguably, the most magnificent is Villa Torrigiani – still in the hands of the noble Colonna family. Enjoy a private tour of the sumptuous interior conducted by a docent and then time to stroll in the lovely English garden. Then proceed to the Villa Reale to enjoy the fine English-style garden and its unique boxwood theatre. Make a brief visit to nearby Villa Mansi for a look at the superb gardens and graceful interior. Next is Villa Oliva Buonvisi - an architectural masterpiece of local great, Matteo Civitali, and today a delight for its garden adorned with fountains, cascades and grottoes. Villa Bernardini,still in private hands, is fascinating not only for its gardens with a teatro di verzura but its museum in the interior.
Available from: FLORENCE and surroundings, LUCCA and surroundings, PISA
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THE CARMIGNANO WINE COUNTRY, THE HILLS OF MONTALBANO AND THE MEDICI VILLAS/ 10 HOURS
A Tuscany Connoisseur’s Off-the-Beaten-Track Experience
Depart from your hotel with a private de luxe vehicle, English-speaking driver and tour escort. Drive toward the hills of Montalbano to the north of Florence. The area offers fascinating views, vineyards, olive trees, ancient Medici Villas and wine estates. Arrive in Poggio a Caiano and the Medici summer retreat of Villa Ambra. Built after designs of Giuliano da Sangallo and isolated in a dominant position atop a hill, the Villa is considered one of the finest examples of Florentine Renaissance architecture. This magnificent structure witnessed the great intellectual discourses of Medici's Plato Group and the recitations of the poet Poliziano. Visit the interior to appreciate the frescoes by famous artists such as Pontormo, Filippino Lippi and Allori and the royal apartment of the first Italian king, Vittorio Emmanuele, for whom - in the company of his mistress – La Bella Rosina - this was a favorite retreat. Continue on to the wine-making village of Carmignano. Visit San Michele Church to admire the famous painting of La Visitazione by Pontormo. Up a short incline, you may also visit the ancient Rocca Fortress which affords sweeping views over the hills and plains stretching from Montalbano to Pistoia and Florence.
Proceed to a winery estate nearby where the proprietors will guide you on a visit to their ancient cellars. A wine tasting will be offered together with a light lunch of bruschette, local precorino cheese and the renowned prosciutto ham of this area. The tasting concludes with the almond treats associated with this area,the biscottini di Prato.
In the afternoon, continue to Artimino. This fascinating medieval walled village is in a panoramic position overlooking the hills of Florence and the valley of the Arno River. Enjoy a pleasant walk through the narrow streets – perhaps shopping for local products in the charming shops. Then visit the Medici Hunting Lodge of Villa La Ferdinandaand admire its spectacular horseshoe stairway.
Available from: CHIANTI VALLEY, FLORENCE and surroundings, LUCCA and surroundings, PISA
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THE CINQUE TERRE AND PISA/ 10 hours
A Glimpse of the Ligurian Riviera
You will be collected from your lodging or ship by de luxe, private, air-conditioned vehicle and English-speaking driver and driven along the beautiful Versilia Coast. Traverse the world-famous Pineta (pine forest) mentioned in Dante’s Divine Comedy to the delightful sea-side resort of Viareggio to view the splendidly preserved Art Nouveau hotels and bathing establishments of modern Italy’s first seaside resort.
Then proceed to the magical fortress town of Portovenere - last line of defense of the medieval Republic of Genova. Have time to stroll the fairytale castellated village and shop for bargains in the charming little shops or visit the fisherman’s Church of San Pietro - a small masterpiece of the Romanesque style.
Depart from Portovenere northward by boat along the magnificent Ligurian Coast viewing the villages of the Cinque Terre as you sail. These remote fishermen’s villages are hidden in ravines amidst the fjord-like coastal mountains and are so isolated that some can only be accessed by sea. View Riomaggiore, Manarola and Corviglia en route to the most picturesque of all, Vernazza, where you will disembark for time to explore the village, hike amidst the terraced vineyards or enjoy a seafood lunch.
In the late afternoon, you return by boat to Portovenere. Your vehicle will be waiting to collect you and transfer you to the architectonic masterpiece of Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa for a brief viewing of the magnificent Leaning Tower.
Available from: FLORENCE and surroundings, LUCCA and surroundings, PISA
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THE ENCHANTED VILLAGES OF THE MAREMMA/ 4 hours
A Visit to Pitigliano and Sovana
This fascinating excursion reveals the wild untamed marshlands of the Maremma – rarely visited by even the most dedicated Italy travelers but abounding with marvels. You will be collected at your lodgings by an expert local guide and a driver with de luxe air-conditioned vehicle for the scenic drive to the spectacularly-situated and mind-bogglingly beautiful town of Pitigliano. Keep an eye out for the wild Maremma horses and the characteristic Maremma cattle.
It is as if time has stood still in the medieval hamlet of Pitigliano perched high upon the cliffs of an extinct volcanic butte. Enjoy a guided walking tour to discover the beautiful medieval Fortezza built by the papal Orsini family. Then delve into the fascinating Jewish history of this place with its synagogue and kosher bakery still intact. Have time to wander the village streets and photograph to your heart’s content!
The next stop will be the smaller but equally charming Sovana where, after a short orientation in the prinicipal Piazza del Pretorio, you will have time to explore and browse the very charming shops.
Savor seemingly endless panoramas of the vineyards from whence are produced the famous Morellino di Scansano wines en route back to your hotel.
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TUSCAN MAREMMATHE NEIGHBORHOODS SIENA/3 hours
A Wander Through the Contrade
Few citizens can compare to the Sienese in their love for their city, its traditions and its ways. Yet, it is a privileged visitor who gets even a passing glimpse of the Sienese way if life. That is our goal in this off-the-tourist-track itinerary through the neighborhood districts, or contrade, where the true flavor of life alla senese can be be savored. In the company of an excellent guide and local resident, visit the workshops where in the plying of age-old crafts - like blacksmithing or embroidery work - the traditions of the city are propagated. Explore the storied halls of the city's greatest institutions - like the State Archives - where Sienese history is made and recorded. Visit a district museum where the role played by the famous horse race, the Palio, in the life and love of every Sienese becomes patently clear. Stop off in a neighborhood caffé to enjoy a cappuccino in the boisterous atmosphere of a place where patrons are life-long friends.
Available from: SIENA and surroundings
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THE PIERO DELLA FRANCESCA TRAIL/ full day
A Wander Around the Arezzo Countryside
You will be collected by de luxe vehicle with English-speaking driver and guide. Begin with an orientation to charming Arezzo - locale of Life is Beautiful - where we begin by visiting the magnificent Church of San Francesco. Here we view the crowning glory of the career of Piero della Francesca: the restored frescoes of The Legends of the Cross. This is surely a goal of every lover of Italian art. In our panoramic drive around the countryside of Arezzo, we will see his major masterpieces starting with the Resurrection and many others in the Museo Civico in his hometown of Sansepolcro. There will also be time to search out a typical lunch in a local trattoria. In the to view the magnificent and absolutely unique Madonna del Parto in which the Virgin is represented pregnant. Return to your accommodation in the late afternoon. NB: Does not operate on Mondays.
Available from: AREZZO and surroundings, CORTONA and surroundings, FLORENCE and surroundings
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THE PITTI PALACE AND BOBOLI GARDENS/ 3 hours
A Guided Walking Tour in the Oltrarno
Join your expert Florence guide in the Piazza della Signoria and follow the path of the famous Vasari Corridor over the most famous of Florentine bridges, the Ponte Vecchio, past beautiful gold shops, to the magnificent Palazzo Pitti. En route see the newly-restored Deposizione, masterpiece of Pontormo, in the Church of Santa Felicita. At the Palazzo Pitti, you will visit the Galleria Palatina, with its magnificent collection of Renaissance art including Raphael’s Madonna of the Chair and Cleopatra by Tiziano, as well as the recently re-opened Savoy Apartments decorated in the 19th century as the royal residence of Italy’s first king, Vittorio Emmanuele. Then stroll through the splendid Boboli Gardens on a guided visit featuring the charming Bacchus!
Available from: FLORENCE and surroundings
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THE RICHES OF MONTALCINO/ full day
Exploring in and around One of Tuscany’s Most Charming Villages
Montalcino is famous around the world for its red wine, the incomparable Brunello, but it offers much, much more and that is what we aim to show you on this delightful itinerary! Collected from your accommodations, you proceed with your expert local guide to a tasting . . . but not of wine (yet)… of honey! A local apiculturist will explain how the honey is produced, showing the hives and the bees, then invite you to taste a selection of the many different varieties including Chestnut and Acacia.
We then proceed to the village center where, after a cappuccino in a local caffé – according to our Italian mid-morning tradition - you are free to investigate the charming boutiques and typical stores or simply wander to appreciate the historic Centrex of this ancient hill-top town.
We next make our way slowly up to the Fortrezza where you can climb upon the ramparts for a spectacular view over the surrounding countryside. Here we enjoy a relaxing lunch in the beautiful Enoteca.
After lunch we will experience a classic tasting . . . of the wine for which this region is so justly famous. There is a wealth of vineyards to choose from and this is amongst the finest of all. A luxurious setting and a touch of history, in the museum of wine, set the scene for you to savor a Rosso di Montalcino, a Brunello and, for the daring, even a Grappa.
We end our day with a visit to a very beautiful Abbey set at the foot of the hill outside Montalcino. Even here they make wine - as well as olive oil!
Available from: CHIANTI VALLEY, MONTEPULCIANO, SIENA and surroundings
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PISA/ 2 hours
The Leaning Tower and More
Meet your authorized local guide at the majestic Medieval gateway to the Piazza dei Miracoli. This magnificent square - and the elegant buildings which populate it - forms one of the most harmonious Romanesque architectural complexes in the world – and certainly one of the most visited. Of course, the primary goal of nearly every visitor is to view the gravity-defying Leaning Tower – one of the Wonders of the Modern World and an incredible joy to behold. With your expert guide, learn the history and mystery of this structure – including what has been done to stabilize it in recent times and the prognosis for the future. Visit the interior of the Duomo with its splendid cassettone ceiling, gorgeous Byzantine mosaics and unique incense burner. It was while observing the elliptical path of this buttafumo that, according to legend, Galileo was inspired to elaborate his Law of Elliptical Orbits to describe the path of the earth around the sun. Admire the glorious pulpit in Carrara marble by Giovanni Pisano and the tomb of local patron, San Ranieri. The tour proceeds with an interior visit to the Battistero. Here, a combination of architectural flukes has resulted in one of the most unique acoustical phenomena in the world: a sound will reverberate twelve times before dissipating therefore a series of notes sung in quick succession will blend and form chords such that one voice appears to be an entire choir. Enjoy an unforgettable demonstration. Next proceed to the heart of Renaissance Pisa to visit the glorious Piazza dei Cavalieri – once political nexus of the Ancient Marittime Republic of Pisa and locale of the Napoleon’s renowned Pisa Normal School which has counted some of Italy’s greatest minds – including Enrico Fermi and Giosue Carducci - as pupils.
Available from: FLORENCE and surroundings, LUCCA and surroundings, PIETRASANTA, PISA, TUSCAN COAST, VERSILIA COAST
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HOT-AIR BALLOON RIDE OVER TUSCANY/ 3 hours
A Champagne Breakfast Excursion
This excellent adventure begins with a very early morning pick-up at your lodgings and transfer to the launching point near Tavernelle. You may assist in the set-up of the balloon which usually takes about one hour and is tremendous fun! You then launch together with a pilot for a ride of breathtaking views and thrilling adventure - rising to a height of about 2500 feet. At all times you are in radio contact with the ground and the ride lasts about one hour. Following this once-in-a-lifetime experience, enjoy a Champagne Breakfast picnic-style. You are then returned to your accommodation around 9:00 AM.
This excursion requires no particular preparation or experience. The basket holds a maximum of three passengers plus the pilot (total passenger load weight not to exceed 400lbs). The requirement of cool air temperatures necessitates early morning departures. Long trousers and good-grip shoes are recommended. In the event of cancellation due to inappropriate meteorological conditions, a full refund is guaranteed.
Available from: CHIANTI VALLEY, FLORENCE and surroundings, LUCCA and surroundings, PISA
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ART AND NATURE IN CHIANTI/ 4 hours
A Guided Visit to the Chianti Sculpture Park
Some years ago, world travelers and art dealers, Rosalba and Piero Giadrossi, visited a sculpture garden in Capetown and were so moved by the perfect integration of art and nature that they returned to their native Italy and set out to build a similar project amongst the gorgeous ilex and oak woodlands of the Chianti Country. Artists from all over the world – from Zimbabwe to Indonesia – were invited to visit the place and then create a site-specific installation. The result is a magnificent harmony of art and nature. Off-the-beaten-track in the hill country above Siena, the park is a true highlight visit for lovers of contemporary art and a walk through these woods becomes a sort of replenishment for the weary touring soul! Join a curator for a privileged guided visit.
Available from: CHIANTI VALLEY, SIENA and surroundings
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All packages are subject to availability and change without notice. Regular tours are available and listed under tour packages in Florence. Prices is per person, price may fluctuate due to season or currency exchange rates. All private tours are on request.
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