Tuscany and Rome Tour
9 Days / 8 Nights
Day 1: Florence
Arrival at the Florence/ Pisa airport
Transfer and Check in at the hotel
Hd walking tour of the city center.
History is the cohesive element of Florence, the source
of the energy that has maintained intact through the
centuries all its fascination and vitality. First
a Roman city, then a medieval county, a free commune,
a Medici dominion, a republic, grand duchy and finally
capital of united Italy, always a cosmopolitan center:
the city absorbed an extraordinary wealth of works
of art from every cultural phase of its existence.
But it is not simply the charm of the Renaissance
palaces or the richness of the many museums that make
up its irresistible attraction - it is the very
quality of life itself and the way it is lived there,
even today. To describe and visit all the places of
artistic and cultural interest, weeks would not be
enough, so we will only mention a few of them: the
Cathedral, the Baptistery, Giotto’s Bell Tower,
Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, Santa Croce, Dante’s
house, the church of Santa Maria Novella.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Florence.
Day 2: Florence
Breakfast at the hotel and departure for a tour of the Chianti region: Radda
, Gaiole and Greve . Visit to Brolio Castle and Greve
in Chianti for wine tasting of this tipical area.
Free lunch. In the afternoon, wine-tasting in one of the famous castles of the
zone return to your the hotel in Florence. Overnight stay.
Day 3: Siena - Bagno Vignoni - Montepulciano
After breakfast departure to Siena / Arrival and walking tour. Splendid
example of medieval urban design with its little squares and narrow streets
and the brick that lines everything. The main part of the city lies on three
hills, divided into as many sections called “thirds”. The Cathedral
stands on the highest hilltop, a majestic example of Romanesque-Gothic Italian
architecture. Another famous sight, always filled with visitors, is the Piazza
del Campo (where the Palio is run), with its singular shell-like shape dipping
toward two further symbols of the city, the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del
Mangia, that is 102 meters tall, making it the tallest of the communal towers
in Italy.
Free lunch.
In the afternoon departure to Bagno Vignoni - Montepulciano.
Bagno Vignoni is a tiny little town with Italy's strangest square, it is actually
not a square but a large pool where many mineral water springs fills it with
52 °C water. Around the pool there are buildings from different époques and
one of them was built by Pius II (1400) a house where he lived during some periods
of the year.
The hot water today is led to a small thermal establishment. Continues to Montepulciano.
The town which stands on a hilltop commanding a stretch of high ground stretching
between Valdorcia and Valdichiana. The high tone of the Renaissance architecture
echoes Florentine style, which includes designers such as Michelozzo, Antonio
da Sangallo il Vecchio, Baldassarre Peruzzi and Vignola. It was here that Agnolo
Ambrogini was born and adopted the name of Poliziano. Starting from Porta a
Prato, the main gateway to the historical centre, we shall visit Via Gracciano
nel Corso, Sant'Agostino, the cathedral and, outside the walls, the church
of San Biagio, Santa Maria dei Servi etc. At the end of the visit return to
the Hotel. Dinner and overnight in Siena.
Day 4: Arezzo - Cortona
After breakfast departure to Arezzo. Arezzo is as many of the Tuscany towns
of Etruscan origins, but our visit will be focused mainly on the frescoes made
of Piero della Francesca, in the church of San Francesco, that describes Jesus
Way of the Cross.
The main road is flanked by palaces from the noble families of 1300-1500 and
you find the very interesting church of Pieve di Santa Maria known for its architecture.
Piazza Grande is where all important events goes on and is the centre of the
town, we eat a lunch together and make an afternoon visit to the town of
Cortona which lies on a slope with view over the lake of Trasimeno. Originally
also this town was built by the Etruscans and it has kept the middle age and
renaissance buildings inside the city wall, it is not a big town and you get
a feeling life quality going through it.
From the nearby countryside the women comes to make their daily shopping, while
the men gathers up on the square to talk about weather, football, food and wine.
Return to the Hotel and overnight.
Day 5: Montalcino - Sant'Antimo
After breakfast departure to Montalcino
Once an important Sienese stronghold, Montalcino is
now rich in historical monuments and Medieval art
work. We’ll make our way through the tiny streets
of the city admiring many important monuments along
the way. We couldn’t possibly leave Montalcino
without tasting some of the world famous Brunello
wine. We'll continue on to the Abbey of Sant’Antimo-
an important example of Romanesque architecture in
Tuscany - return to Siena for a free time for shopping.
Overnight stay.
Day 6: Pitigliano - Sovana - Argentario - Grosseto
After breakfast departure to Pitigliano.
Pitigliano
Guided tour of this characteristic medieval
town where the houses are the color of the sandstone
cliffs looming over them. In the afternoon, the tour
proceeds to Sovana to visit the Etruscan necropolis
there.
This tiny piece of Tuscany, located on the southernmost
tip of the region, can be considered one of the most
precious jewels of our environmental heritage. This
coastal zone alternates long sandy beaches and coves
with high rocky cliffs. Originally, Argentario was
an island that silt, deposited by the rivers and sea
over the centuries, joined to the mainland by two
strips of land called “il Tombolo di Giannella”
and “il Tombolo di Feniglia” between which
lies Orbetello lagoon.
Overnight in the hotel in Grosseto area.
Day 7: Rome
After breakfast departure to Rome.
Arrival in the city center and check in at the hotel.
In the afternoon visit of archeological Rome.
Step back into antiquity during a 3 hours stroll through
the archaeological sites: Roman forum, the fora of
Caesar Augustus and Trajan, the Capitol, Colosseum
and Palatine hill and let the magic of ancient Rome
archaeological marvels cast its spell. Marcanthony
on the rostra, the stones of Caesar's cremation site,
assembled senators in the Curia, vestal virgins meditating
in the romantic surroundings of their home and the
eternal fire burning in Vesta's temple, Rome most
cherished shrine, Cicero's flaming oratory in the
Rome's basilicas, generals and their legions
thriumphal processions under the solemn arcs of the
Via Sacra, emperors in their majestic Palatine hill
palace, the wild atmosphere of gladiators games in
the Colosseum, will all seem to materialize.
Free dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 8: Rome
After breakfast departure to the Vatican. Ondering leasurely along the
galleries of the Vatican museums, passing by breathtaking roman mosaics, sculptures
of ancient Greece and Rome, the moving Lacoon group and Belvedere Apollo, spectacular
frescoed ceilings and tapestries, we make our way to Botticelli, Perugino, Signorelli,
Pinturicchio and Michelangelo's masterpieces in the Sistine Chapel and to Raphael's
magnificent decoration of Giulius the 2nd Vatican apartment. The imposing sight
of St Peter'square and Bramante's Vatican basilica are as overwhelming, as the
treasures within. Michelangelo's Pietà, most tender image ever carved out of
a block of marble, the armony and grace of Michelangelo's dome, the spectacular
Bernini's decorations and sculptures, all contribute to a memorable three hours
experience. In the afternoon free time for shopping in the city center. Overnight
stay.
Day 9: Rome
After breakfast departure to Fiumicino Airport.
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