TOURING TUSCANY

After breakfast meet your private guide in your hotel lobby and enjoy a full-day tour of one of Italy’s best-loved cultural capitals.

This Tuscan pearl has very few serious rivals: it’s in a class of its own. Priceless art, stunning architecture, gripping history, exquisite craftsmanship, delectable gastronomy, world-acclaimed fashion… a truly eclectic mix of human achievement. Florence offers the visitor a vast range of unique experiences and the avenues to explore are endless. This private walking tour aims to introduce you to some of the celebrated highlights of the Cradle of the Renaissance and provide insight into why the period’s greatest works of creative genius and artistic mastery took root and flourished on this very spot, turning Florence into such a spectacular jewel.

Built as a military settlement by the Romans in the 1st century BC, the ancient Florentia blossomed in the Middle Ages and reached the peak of its splendour under the rule of the prominent Medici family, when it became an unrivalled artistic and cultural centre. Your guide will unravel the trail through the alleys of this enchanting city, revealing its precious fabric and animating the route with stories and anecdotes about Florentine celebrities. Power-mad lords, headstrong artists and a host of other fascinating characters will make their appearance in the colourful canvas that unfolds before your eyes.

Make your way to Piazza del Duomo, the city’s religious heart, to admire three striking monuments: the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence’s best-known landmark and an astonishing feat of engineering; Giotto’s Bell Tower, a fine example of Gothic architecture; the Baptistery, the city’s oldest religious site where poet Dante Alighieri himself was baptized. As you lap up views of the square, you will discover how architect Filippo Brunelleschi, back in the 15th century, built the largest masonry dome still in existence and hear about the competition for the creation of a bronze door that, according to tradition, marked the beginning of the Renaissance era in 1401.

You will then reach Piazza della Signoria dominated by the towering Palazzo Vecchio, the seat of political power and intrigue for over seven hundred years. Here, in the out-door sculpture gallery of the Loggia dei Lanzi, you will come face to face with Greek heroes Hercules and Perseus, brought vividly to life on the cusp of their triumphs by Giambologna and Benvenuto Cellini.

Your quest for Florentine attractions will also include the superbly decorated exterior of the Church of Orsanmichele and the 14th century Ponte Vecchio, world-famous for its goldsmiths and jewellery shops… And don’t forget to rub the boar’s snout in the Porcellino market for good luck as well as to ensure your return trip to Florence!

After some free time for lunch it’s time to discover Florence’s most cherished artworks on a tour of the Uffizi Gallery. Your guide will lead you through the halls and highlight the masterpieces no visitor to the city should ever miss. The treasure trove you see today originated over four hundred years ago as the Grand Duchy’s administrative centre having been built at the request of Cosimo I de’ Medici to house the Florentine magistrates’ judiciary offices – called uffizi in old Italian. Construction work began in 1560 under the direction of architect Giorgio Vasari and was completed by Bernardo Buontalenti in 1574. Only 7 years later, in 1581, Francesco I de’ Medici, Cosimo’s son, set up his private gallery inside the building’s rooftop loggia adorning it with all sorts of precious artefacts, including cameos, stones, jewellery, bronzes, scientific instruments, paintings and statues. As time passed the Medici family’s collection was enriched until it was eventually bequeathed to the city of Florence by the last member of the dynasty, Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici, in 1743. The gallery first opened to the public in 1769 and has delighted visitors ever since with its vast store of wonders.

Where else in the world could you find such a dazzling, prestigious collection of Renaissance marvels? Over sixty rooms display stunning works of art from the 12th to the 16th centuries, including classic paintings by well-loved artists Cimabue, Giotto, Michelangelo, Raphael and Titian. Your guide will treat you to the insider information you need to appreciate the significance of the pieces on display and the circumstances in which they were produced and commissioned. Who could resist the charms of Botticelli’s Venus emerging from her shell, as pure and perfect as a pearl? The grace of Leonardo’s Gabriel announcing the glad tidings and the thrill of meeting an illustrious Italian couple, immortalised in Piero della Francesca’s finely rendered portraits are among the lasting Florentine memories you will take away with you.

The last stop on this tour will bring you to the impressive Basilica of Santa Croce, one of the largest Franciscan churches in the world. Attributed to the genius of Arnolfo di Cambio, who probably began work in 1294, this splendid church is also one of the finest examples of Italian Gothic architecture. Over the centuries several notable Florentine families acquired patronage of the basilica’s chapels, thus incurring the responsibility of embellishing and furnishing its walls. Not to be missed are the Bardi and Peruzzi chapels decorated by master Giotto, Taddeo Gaddi’s magnificent frescoes in the Baroncelli chapel, the Pazzi chapel designed by Brunelleschi and a wooden Crucifix by Donatello. Highlights also include the funerary monuments of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo and Rossini as this very spot is the burial place for the great and good.

After the tour spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Explore the colourful Oltrarno neighbourhood and gain behind-the-scenes insight into Florence’s bustling, creative craft scene. Lying “beyond the Arno” – as its etymology explains – Oltrarno is the repository of the city’s age-old traditions and unique manufacturing heritage. Here you won’t find chain stores or haute couture boutiques but you’ll get a real feel for the texture of life in Florence and discover some of the city’s long-hoarded secrets. As you roam through the neighbourhood you’ll come across typical family-run botteghe selling all sorts of masterly crafted mirabilia, including musical instruments, wooden items, leather shoes, jewellery, marbled paper and bespoke clothing – all lovingly hand-made, hand-carved, hand-painted and hand-sewn by talented artisans.

This tour will be led by an artisan expert and can be tailored to suit the needs and interests of all guests. Send us your wish list and we’ll create a customised “Made in Florence” itinerary just for you. From handbags to old manuscripts, from pottery to perfume, the Oltrarno district will fulfil your every desire. With an innate passion for scouting and twenty years of experience in the field of fashion and tourism, your artisan expert is unbeatable when it comes to locating hard-to-find items. She also keeps up to date with new workshop openings and artisanal-related events both in town and in the region. Meet her at your hotel and follow her on a trail through the streets of this 500-year-old district. You will be led past a variety of hand-picked botteghe tucked away on the Arno’s southern bank and discover to whom Florence owes its enduring fame as a centre of excellence for the production of ultra-quality crafts. There will be ample opportunity to find out more about the trades, traditions and production methods in personal exchanges with the artisans themselves.

Depending on your interests and the day of the week, you might visit furniture restorers, leather workers, shoemakers, wood carvers, goldsmiths, silversmiths, mosaic artists, tailors, milliners, custom jewellery designers, potters, book binders and antiquarians… the very best talents in every sphere. Your local expert will enrich your experience by recounting stories and curiosities regarding past and present-day protagonists of Florence’s magnificent world of arts and crafts.

After the tour and free time for lunch cap off the day by climbing the cathedral’s 463 steps up to Brunelleschi’s majestic cupola. The ascent is fairly arduous but the perks at the finishing line make the effort well worthwhile. Along the way you’ll gain a closer look at Vasari’s frescoes of the Last Judgement depicted on the interior of the dome. Once at the top you’ll be treated to unbeatable panoramic views over the city and enjoy the priceless photo opportunities.

After breakfast and check out meet your private driver outside your hotel in Florence and set off for your accommodation in Tuscany. En route learn all about one of the world’s most popular wines on a visit to a highly esteemed Chianti estate.

You may not know that the word Chianti originates from the Latin term clangor meaning “clamour”, which refers to the noise produced by the blasts of trumpets, rolling drums and clashing swords that resonated during the countless battles that shook the area. As a border territory between the two rival cities of Florence and Siena, Chianti often found itself at the centre of tumultuous events and was far from being the peaceful Eden you can admire today!

Beautiful landscapes, charming towns and fine red wines have made Chianti a must-see for visitors to Tuscany. The region boasts an age-old tradition of vine cultivation that dates back to Etruscan times but it was only in 1716 that Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo III de’ Medici officially established the boundaries of the Chianti wine area. Today, a true Chianti must contain at least 80% Sangiovese grapes and can be recognised by its distinctive label, the black rooster – a symbol steeped in a curious legend. Florence and Siena agreed to put an end to their long quarrel over the borders of their territories by each sending out a knight on horseback when the rooster crowed, at daybreak on a given date. The place they met would become the new border between them. The two cities both did their best to outwit their rival. In Siena, the white rooster was treated to a lavish meal in the hope that a full stomach would produce a vigorous morning crow, while in Florence, the black rooster was left hungry so that it would rise earlier, allowing their knight a head start. The latter strategy proved to be the right one for the Florentine knight set off long before his opposite number in Siena and successfully claimed most of Chianti for Florence. Since then the black rooster has been the emblem of the region.

You begin your day with a scenic ride through the Tuscan countryside to a renowned Chianti wine estate. Here, on a tour of the property, you will get to know about wine-making and ageing methods, become familiar with the particular features and regulations that define Chianti Classico and discover the unique characteristics of the terroir and climate that make wines produced here so special. Top off your morning with a delicious Tuscan meal made with prime quality ingredients and accompanied with the estate’s wines.

After lunch your private chauffeur will drive you to your hotel in Tuscany where you will be staying for 3 nights. Following check in spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Take a trip back in time and explore two of central Italy’s most beguiling medieval towns, both recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Your expert guide will meet you in Siena and make sure no fascinating detail eludes you as you follow this stirring trail.

No doubt you will notice the symbol of Siena, the she-wolf and twins, which links the town with its Roman origins, though centuries elapsed before this centre bloomed into the glorious gem you see today. Legend has it that Remus’ sons escaped to safety here after the murder of their father by the children’s uncle Romulus, the founder of Rome. Siena is indeed immersed in legends, steeped in ancient traditions and replete with true stories of battles and bravery. The town is also richly peppered with wondrously preserved monuments, churches and architectural marvels, attesting to its extraordinarily rich and riveting past.

Your guide will certainly show you around the 13th century Church of San Domenico, one of Siena’s best-loved landmarks, and explain why this site is intricately bound up with the life and miracles of beloved Saint Catherine. A collection of priceless works of art, including what is believed to be the only existing portrait of the saint, embellish the walls of the church but what draws thousands of visitors and pilgrims here is the much venerated relic of Saint Catherine’s holy head, carefully safeguarded in a chapel surrounded by master Sodoma’s frescoes.

Countless treasures await you inside the black-and-white striped Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta: the wonderfully inlaid marble flooring, the rose window by Duccio di Buoninsegna, the marble pulpit by Nicola Pisano, Donatello’s statue of St. John the Baptist and the gorgeous Piccolomini Library. Well-known for its illustrated hymn books and beautifully preserved Renaissance paintings by Perugian painter Pinturicchio, the library was built at the request of Cardinal Francesco Piccolomini, Archbishop of Siena, to honour the memory and manuscript collection of his uncle Pope Pius II. A radiant fresco cycle depicts a glorified version of the life of the pope as well as mythological scenes and ornate decorative motifs, all rendered with the greatest skill and painstaking attention to detail.

No tour of Siena would be complete without exploring the shell-shaped Piazza Del Campo, for centuries the pulsing heart of the town’s social and political life and known the world over as the atmospheric setting of the Palio. Your guide will elucidate the origins of this famous horse race that still takes place regularly twice a year in July and August and help you understand why the event continues to play a significant role in fostering a Siennese sense of belonging, re-evoking the rivalry that flourished among its seventeen contrade and its legacy of ward-centric culture.

The looming Torre del Mangia, the elegant red-brick buildings and the medieval aura of the city’s winding alleys are among the unforgettable impressions to be savoured in this delightful wellspring of wonders.

After some free time for lunch, a 50-minute drive through the lovely Tuscan countryside brings you to the charming walled town of San Gimignano. Set high atop a hill, it looks out over silver green olive groves and lush vineyards in the Val d’Elsa below. Folktales claim the town was founded in 63 BC when two patrician brothers, Muzio and Silvio, fled Rome for Tuscany after their incrimination in the conspiracy of Catiline and built two castles on this very site. We know, however, that San Gimignano has been inhabited since Etruscan times but it was only much later, during the Middle Ages, that the town thrived due to its location along the Via Francigena, the pilgrimage route that linked Rome to Canterbury.

Here you can saunter through the two central squares, Piazza della Cisterna and Piazza del Duomo, wander along enchanting narrow streets and gaze up at a number of sturdy medieval towers that still dominate the skyline, pronouncing the wealth and ambitions of the families who built them centuries ago. Several outstanding Renaissance masterpieces can be admired here in their original locations, including Benozzo Gozzoli’s celebrated decorative fresco cycle of St. Augustine, located in a chapel of the Church of Sant’Agostino. Don’t forget to take a peek inside the Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta, the city’s cathedral. Behind its bare Romanesque facade, this church conceals a precious Last Judgement by Taddeo di Bartolo, Benozzo Gozzoli’s Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian and Ghirlandaio’s fresco cycle depicting the legendary Life and miracles of Santa Fina who spent all her days lying on a wooden pallet deep in prayer.

While you weave your way through this remarkably beautiful town, pause for a moment to breathe in traces of a feudal air that still linger here. It only takes a tiny step of the imagination to picture the scene – not so very different from today – as it appeared to the nobles, knights and dames who must have taken this same route hundreds of years ago.

But San Gimignano also boasts some modern delights… before returning to your hotel you might want to taste the local Vernaccia wine or savour the much acclaimed, award-winning ice cream lovingly created by Gelateria Dondoli.

Touch the clouds on this exclusive, once-in-a-life-time experience. You will feast your eyes on splendid views of Tuscany while floating on air.

In the early morning, when the other guests of the hotel are still asleep, you will meet your driver outside your accommodation and set off for the hot-air balloon launch point. Here, your expert captain and qualified crew will be waiting, ready to lift you up in the air, 2,000 feet above the ground. You will see the last phases of set up and inflation followed by a brief safety demonstration. You will then hop aboard the basket and start sailing heavenwards. Relish the crisp morning breeze and enjoy Chiantiland from cloud nine as you gaze down at the countryside below. Rolling hills dotted with castles and quaint medieval villages, a green patchwork of olive groves and vineyards crossed by ribbons of country roads: you’ll feel the thrill of inspecting this life-size canvas from your privileged perspective.

Although the invention of hot air balloons is attributed to 18th century French brothers Montgolfier, Tuscany prides itself on being the homeland of Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci who was perhaps the first to foresee the lifting properties of hot air. His passion for flight and elevation was visionary as evidenced by his drawings and writings on this subject. After five hundred years his famous statement still rings true: “Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return”.

After about an hour you will begin your descent back to the ground. Part of the magic of this adventure is that you never know exactly where you will land. A balloon cannot be steered and drifts with the wind so you might touch down in a field or, if you’re lucky, in the grounds of a castle. Back on earth top off your experience with a refreshing glass of Prosecco and a toast… cheers to enchanting Chianti!

After a morning spent in heaven it’s time to taste the fruits of this unique territory on a private cooking lesson. Under the guidance of an expert instructor you will discover regional recipes and culinary traditions, put some infallible cooking techniques to the test and pick up tips you can use to impress your friends back home at the dinner table.

Language and proverbs reflect the customs, culture and tastes of a territory. It may come as no surprise that many traditional Tuscan expressions are inspired by gastronomy, culinary habits and the act of eating or sharing food, revealing the age-old origins of the region’s food-focused way of life. Here are three sayings that are evidence of how food has always been central to the hearts and minds of Tuscans and is an essential component of the territory’s culture. Né amico riconciliato, né pietanza due volte cucinata conveys Tuscans’ belief that once your trust in a friend has been broken, your relationship will never be the same again – just like a dish never tastes the same after it has been reheated. Più vale un pan con amore che un cappone con dolore means that a simple piece of bread made with love is better than a succulent capon made with anger, as love is the best of ingredients. A tavola non si invecchia – translating as “one never grows old at the table” – is a tribute to the dinner table and to long-lasting Sunday lunches. An unbroken flow of wine, food and good conversation enlivens spirits, raises energy levels and increases pleasure for all dining companions.

By teaching you how to prepare traditional dishes this cooking lesson will allow you to delve further into Tuscan culture and give you a key to understanding the local food-centred lifestyle. Although we can’t promise eternal youth, we can indeed guarantee a delectable, enjoyable and educational experience.

Your instructor will meet you at the location of your cooking class and guide you through the preparation of a delicious meal in true Tuscan style. The aim of the course is not only to teach participants how to create a dish by following a recipe but to provide a culturally enriching experience. In addition to explaining the technical aspects of cooking, your chef will share his culinary knowledge and passion for food by unveiling the secrets behind the ingredients used. You will savour local flavours, learn how to recognize healthy, prime quality raw materials and enhance your awareness of the environment and eating seasonally.

After the cooking lesson, enjoy the meal you just prepared, washed down with Chianti wine… Buon appetito!

After breakfast and check out, which will take place before 10:00 or 11:00 AM, meet your private driver outside your hotel and head for the airport or your next travel destination.