Tuscany and Umbria 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 Florence
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.
Back to the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 2: Florence - Chianti Region
Breakfast at the hotel and departure for a tour of the Chianti region: Radda
, Gaiole and Greve. Visit to Brolio Castle (5).
Free Lunch. In the afternoon, wine-tasting in one of the
famous castles of the area. Return to the Hotel in Florence, Free time and overnight.
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: 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 5: Assisi - Spello
After breakfast departure to Assisi.
Assisi, the small mountain town, where the holy Franciscus was born
and where people comes from all over the world to see the art and history left.
The town is amazing from a religious, historical and artistic point of view,
we are going to see the frescoes of Giotto and Cimabue and a visit in the church
of Santa Chiara where the legend tells the crucifix did talk to Franciscus.
Free lunch and in the afternoon visit of Spello . Spello.
Pinturicchio was called in 1501, by the family Baglione that was running the
city during 1500, to decorate Santa Maria Maggiore, today we can find his art
in this church. During this period Pinturicchio was very famous as he had just
finished decorate the Borgia residence in the Vatican.
Back to the hotel in Assisi. Overnight.
Day 6: Norcia - Spoleto
After breakfast departure to Norcia. ’The itinerary begin with an exciting
walkdown to the impressive ruin of ancient “sanguinary bridge”,
that was for many centuries the only access, from the North, to the beautiful
Dukedom’s capital. During that time Spoleto was a great political and
cultural centre along the Flaminia road, ’to discover its important past
visiting the magnificent churches built in the middle age, San Gregorio, Santi
Giovanni e Paolo, S. Eufemia and the Duomo (Santa Maria Assunta), whose wonderful
facade is one of the loveliest in Umbria. After a stroll around the oldest walls
of the town (IV a.C.) we’ll arrive on the top of the hill, where the majestic
building of the Rocca Albornoziana (XIV) is situated.
After the free lunch departure to Spoleto. Sightseeing in town, we visit the
rests of the Roman theatre from 100 before Christ, partly covered by a middle
age church, passing under triumphal arch, a visit in the cathedral from 1100,
seeing Ponte delle Torri an imposing bridge from 1300 and we end the tour at
the Roman Forum called today Piazza Mercato, the centre of the oldest parts
of town. Overnight at the hotel.
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.
Overnight.
Day 8: Rome
After breakfast departure to the Vatican. Wondering 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.
Free lunch.
In the afternoon free time for shopping in the city center.
Overnight
Day 9: Rome
After breakfast departure to Fiumicino Airport.
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