Italy 2017

Day 1 -Florence –Figline:

Arrival into Florence Airport where our Tour Escort will warmly greet you and we will begin our Italian journey.

We arrive at our villa hotel outside of Florence, Villa Casagrande late in the afternoon and enjoy getting acquainted with this lovely villa. 

Welcome dinner at the villa (drinks included). Overnight.

---

Day 2 - Florence walking tour with Accademia:

Today enjoy a full day excursion to the cradle of the Renaissance.  Meet your guide and start the half-day walking tour to include some of Florence’s best-loved monuments. Starting at the Accademia to see “David” and then to the Duomo with Giotto Bell Tower and Brunelleschi Cupola (RESERVATIONS and ENTRANCE FEES   INCLUDED) 

Lunch will be on our own. The afternoon is free to discover the beauties of the city at our own pace on our own. Stroll down cobblestone lanes, through majestic squares and across ancient bridges. 

Return back to the Villa late in the afternoon, dinner on own and overnight.

---

Day 3- Cinque Terre:

After breakfast, depart for Cinque Terre and enjoy an unforgettable day dedicated to the discovery of one of the most amazing and enchanting landscape in the World. You will travel though the little villages by train and boat (weather permitting). The five villages, “Cinque Terre” is an area suspended between sea and land, hanging from sheer cliffs surrounded by hills and vineyards. You will enter into a little piece of heaven. By touring the coastline by boat, you will get to admire this amazing landscape.

Return to Figline Valdarno, dinner (with drinks) at the Villa and overnight. 

---

Day 4 -Siena – San Gimignano:

Breakfast at the hotel then we depart by motor coach to Siena for a guided visit of this wonderful city. 

Siena is the city of the blessed Virgins and the “Balzana”, black and white; decisive, just as its heraldic symbol; passionate and contemplative; always climbing and descending; clear and at the same time obscure; steep and narrow streets; the red of the Piazza del Campo appearing blinding and suddenly.  In the alleys, in the museums and oratories of the Contrada, the spiritual songs of the Palio evoke very ancient rituals and modern allegories, while during the evening the shuffling of soles on the deserted pavement is in contrast with the peacefulness of the green valleys providentially enclosed within the wall, which ancient administrators had erected hundreds of years before it became common practice.  

After lunch on your own, we depart to San Gimignano (Tour Escort – No City Guide)

The towered silhouette of San Gimignano rising from the hills of the Upper Elsa Valley, facing the land of Volterra and positioned right on one of the most important stretches of the medieval Via Francigena, is famous all over the world.  A similar renown can also be claimed by its Vernaccia wine, recently awarded the D.O.C.G., the highest acknowledgement and guarantee for quality in Italian oenology. 

Enjoy an unforgettable wine tasting at a local farm / winery. Return in the evening to the villa. Dinner will be on our own tonight.

---

Day 5 - Morning in Pisa and PM optional cooking class:

This morning we depart for Pisa and enjoy a guided visit to discover the beauties of Piazza dei Miracoli and the amazing Leaning Tower! (ENTRANCE FEES INCLUDED FOR THE BAPTISTERY) 

In the afternoon OPTIONAL COOKING CLASS (Max 20 people) ending with dinner based on what prepared.

Dinner on own (for clients not purchasing the cooking class) and overnight. 

---

Day 6 – Lucca-Borgo:

Lucca, - Borgo a Mozzanno – a Gothic Line

Set out on a guided visit to Lucca, Tuscany’s best-kept secret. Offering Renaissance walls, Romanesque churches, medieval streets flanked by towers, and delightful squares, Lucca is sure to charm you. Visit the Basilica di San Frediano before stopping to explore the home of well-known composer Giacomo Puccini where you will see the piano on which he composed Turandot. Enjoy some leisure time for lunch and independent exploration. Afterwards, depart for Borgo a Mozzano and view the remarkable Ponte del Diavolo (Devil’s Bridge). Next, view the Gothic Line – built by the Germans, it was one of their last lines of defense during WWII. Visit the Museum of Liberation and see the actual fortifications and bunkers. Return to the villa for dinner with drinks.

---

Day 7 - Florence with Uffizi and Pitti Palace: 

It’s time to return to Florence to visit with a guide the amazing Uffizi Gallery, Signoria Square Ponte Vecchio Bridge and Pitti Palace (RESERVATIONS and ENTRANCE FEES   INCLUDED) 

The rest of the day will be at leisure to relax and enjoy Florence on your own. You might like to do a little leather, gold or clothing shopping near Ponte Vecchio or just relax at an outdoor café. Later return back to the Villa late in the afternoon, dinner will be on own and overnight.

---

Day 8 - Bagno Vignoni, Montalcino and Pienza:

This morning after breakfast we depart for Montalcino, famous for its Brunello, one of the best red wines in the world. Montalcino, however, is also a beautiful art city which dominates 3,000 hectares of vineyards (1,500 for Brunello alone). During the day you will also stop in Pienza for a cheese factory visit and assist to the productions of many local products! Later we return to the Villa to have a Farewell Dinner with drinks.

---

Day 9 - Return Home:

Today we will return to the USA with warm memories of Italian culture and traditions. After breakfast, we will travel to Florence airport to take our flight back home.