Day 1 - Arrival

Upon arrival in Florence check in to your hotel. Balance of day at leisure.

Day 2 - Renaissance Florence

Depart with your local guide for an hour tour dedicated to the Renaissance in Florence.Florence alone became the cradle of the magnificent philosophical, cultural and artistic movement that subsequently affected the entire world. So many geniuses such as Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Brunelleschi were all born here and produced some of the most amazing pieces of art forever regarded in great awe by mankind. This tour, an "aesthetic experience", will take you through the Uffizi Museum, which houses some of the greatest masterpieces of the Renaissance. In the Palazzo Vecchio, you will be able to see the Monumental Quarters. This is where the Medici Family, the great rulers of Florence, conceived this revolutionary cultural change that spread throughout Europe and beyond.Balance of the day at leisure.

Day 3 - Pisa & Lucca

Your private full day tour takes you through the fertile and picturesque Tuscan countryside towards the historic university city of Pisa, famous for its architectural beauty. Together with a local English speaking guide you will visit the famous Piazza dei Miracoli and the Cathedral, an unequalled masterpiece of Romanesque art carried out between the 11th and 12th centuries, as well as the Baptistry and Piazza dei Cavalieri.Continue to Lucca where you will have time to visit at leisure. Lucca is also know as the city of Ilaria, the unfortunate bride. It is one of the more distinguished Italian cities housing invaluable historic and artistic treasures. St. Martin Cathedral, St. Michael in Foro Church and St. Frediano Church are examples of the architecture typical of Pisa and Lucca.

Day 4 - Medici Villa la Pietraia, Chianti & Tuscan Dinner

Morning departure with driver and guide to discover the Medici Villa, La Petraia. The Medici family had many spectacular summer homes around Florence. The Villa Petriai was originally a castle of the Brunelleschi family and was passed to the Cardinal Ferdinando de' Medici in 1575 and fully renovated. The villa was the summer residence of Victor Emmanuel II king of Italy. It has beautiful furnished rooms and Italian style gardens. Following your visit to the villa you will continue the day with a visit of the celebrated Chianti Wine Region, an area as much renowned for its natural beauty as for its excellent wines.You will then continue on Figline Valdarno, an Arcadian oasis in the Tuscan countryside surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. Here a local chef will greet you and prepare for you a true Tuscan dinner complete with wines of the region. Your driver will return you to your hotel in Florence after dinner.

Day 5 - Michelangelo Tour

Together with your guide, you will discover the Florence of Michelangelo. It is difficult to describe the importance of the works of Michelangelo in Florence, as the fame of the David tends to obscure all of his other masterpieces. In order to truly understand the artist's breadth of work, you will begin your tour at Casa Buonarroti, where you will admire several important early works of the artist, including the "Madonna of The Stairs" and the "Battle of the Centaurs".Next you will get a sense of the biographic and artistic history of the artist as you arrive at number 70 Via Ghibellina, which was built by his great nephew, Michelangelo di Giovane, before you head to the Galleria dell'Accademia. Upon reaching the Galleria dell'Accademia, you will head toward the Galleria dei Prigioni, a corridor that houses the famed La Pieta di Palestrina, and San Matteo. Reaching the end of the hall, standing at the very center, is the Accademia's cult statue, Michelangelo's David. Everything in the fascinating story of its creation contributes to its lasting fame: the fact that the work was begun by another artist, the low quality of the marble block and Michelangelo's genius, which finally transformed it into the figure of the man with classical shape and an anatomically perfect body: it serves as a stern admonition for tyrants and as a symbol of republican freedom.

Day 6 - Renaissance Arezzo and Cortona

Departure with your private driver for a full day excursion to visit the Renaissance works in Arezzo and Cortona. You will begin with a local guide in the enchanting small town of Arezzo. You'll be fascinated from the fusion of all artistic style. The Cathedral contains fine works of art such as La Maddalena by Piero della Francesca. In the central Piazza Grande you will see the mix of medieval and Renaissance styles. Here you will visit the essence of the Renaissance the Bacci Chapel in the Basilica di San Francesco which houses the stunning Renaissance cycle of frescoes of The legend of the True Cross by Piero della Francesca. Before you finish, you will see the newly restored Crucifix by Cimabue, in S. Domenico Church. You will then continue to Cortona where with the local guide you will visit the Renaissance Cathedral and the Diocesan Museum. Here you will admire the works by great local artists like Luca Signorelli and Fra Angelico. After the tour you will return to Florence.

Day 7 - Departure

After checking out of your hotel, depart for your onward travel. Transfers can be arranged to your next point or the airport or rail station.

Accommodations

Florence Hotel Plaza Lucchesi (or similar)

Sightseeing

Private 4 hour walking tour of Florence, including entrance to the Uffizi and Santa Croce church

Private full day excursion to Pisa and Lucca, including local guide and entrance fee to Duomo and Baptistry in Pisa

Private full day excursion to Villa Petraia and Chianti including entrance fee to villa and winery visit in Chianti with wine tasting and dinner

Private Michelangelo tour includint entrance fee to Academia Gallery, Buonarroti house and Medici chapels

Private full day excursion to Arezzo and Cortona including local guides and entrance fees to St. Francesco

Church entrance fee in Arezzo and Entrance fee to the Diocesan Museum in Cortona

Transfers

Private transfer from city to city as per itinerary with English speaking drivers

Meals

Breakfast at hotels daily

Wine tasting in Chianti

Dinner at a Tuscan restaurant in Figline Valdarno

Services

Assistance from our Road to Italy office in Rome and local representative offices throughout Italy

Local emergency contact number daily

Does not include

Airfare

Travel Insurance (highly recommended) Link to Insurance page

Tips and gratuities to drivers and local guides

1) Consult with our tour designers

Contact our office by phone or e-mail and speak to one of our tour designers who will answer any question you have about our suggested tour. They will listen attentively to your ideas and plans and suggest changes to personalize the tour based on your interests and budget.

Tel: 416 964 7600
Toll: 1-800-848-8163
reservations@roadtoitaly.com

2) We send you a Proposal

Shortly after your initial contact with our tour designers, you will receive a draft proposal based on your earlier discussions, normally within 2 business days. This proposal is a no obligation draft for your review and comments. Any additions or modifications will be implemented and a new proposal will be forwarded to you for approval.

3) You like what you see!

Upon meeting your requirements and expectations, you will be requested to send a deposit in the amount of 25% of total. Final Payment is due 45 days prior to scheduled departure date.

4) Buon viaggio!

Approximately, 2 weeks prior to departure you will receive a personalized and detailed day by day itinerary booklet and the necessary vouchers for the services to be provided, along with a general information section on the various regions of Italy.

The booklet and vouchers will include all the important information; addresses, phone & mobile numbers for all your service providers, hotels as well as the phone number of our office in Rome.