Spirit of Tuscany Tour: Highlights of Florence and Siena

Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby after breakfast to lead you through the fascinating artistry of the city, beginning at the Uffizi Gallery. The famous museum began as the magistrate’s office in the 16th century and now houses an incredible collection of works that date back to between the 13th and 18th centuries. You will continue with your guide to the Galleria dell’Accademia, home to Michelangelo’s famous work of David.

Your exploration of Florence will continue after breakfast when your guide takes you on a private tour of the Bargello Palace National Museum. The foundations date back to the 13th century and once acted as a prison. Today, it possesses a priceless collection of artwork from master artists, such as Michelangelo, Donatello, and Giambologna. In the afternoon, your guide will introduce you to the neighborhood of the Oltrarno on the opposite bank of the Arno River. You will visit a furniture-maker who specializes in magnificent Renaissance replicas. At another workshop, you will find traditional mosaics that have been made with hard stone.

After breakfast, your guide will lead you out of Florence for a half-day tour of the former maritime power of Pisa. The distinctive city is best-known for its listing monument, the Leaning Tower, which can be found in the Piazza dei Miracoli. The foundations of the unique structure date back to the 12th century and celebrate the city-states maritime power. Aside from the tower, you will also find incredible charms that stem from Romanesque buildings, Gothic churches, and the grand Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. You will then return to Florence to sample the indulgent flavors of gelato at a selection of delicious gelateria.

You will make your way to the charming city of Lucca in the morning with your specialist guide. The marvelous walls of the city continue to protect the city center that stands at 39 feet tall and over 98 feet thick at the base. You can walk along a portion of the dramatic defenses, which now possess a walking path and park. Locals jog, cycle, and bask in the golden glow of the Tuscan sun. The town of Borgo a Mozzano shines with preserved medieval architecture and the arched bridge of Ponte della Maddalena.

The historic town of Prato possesses Tuscany’s second-largest population and a heritage that is rooted in textile production. Your guide will lead you through the often-overlooked city among the aromas of freshly baked bread. You will find the Museo del Tessuto in the former Campolmi textile mill. Here, you can follow the evolution of the craft for over 800 years, from the 12th century to the mid-20th century. You will continue to the enchanting valley of Mugello. The lush landscape is celebrated for its beauty and is accentuated by small hamlets that are nestled into the hills.

The majestic city of Siena has captured the preserved beauty of medieval and Renaissance art and architecture. Your guide will lead you on a fantastic tour through narrow cobbled alleyways. During your tour, you will witness the climactic power of Siena during the 13th and 14th centuries. The landscape outside of Siena will take you into the classic images of Tuscany in the Chianti wine region. You will stop the medieval town of Radda in Chianti to sample the layers of celebrated wines inside a historic enoteca.

The walled village of San Gimignano tops a hill that overlooks the quintessential Tuscan landscape. You can visit the 12th-century Romanesque church of Santa Maria Assunta to view the outstanding fresco cycles. The 14th-century sequence features episodes from the New and Old Testaments. In the afternoon, you will visit a private home to learn the art of crafting traditional Tuscan pasta. You can sip wine, sample customary olives, and indulge in cured meats. You will dig your fingers into the mixture of flour and eggs to craft the noodles and shape them into a ball before rolling it out into a thick noodle.

This morning, you will stop in the charming town of Pienza, where the earthy scent of Pecorino di Pienza drifts out of charming shops. You will visit the magnificent Piazza Pio II. The treasure of the Renaissance design dates back to the 15th century. You will then continue to the town of Montalcino, where the narrow tower of the Palazzo Comunale acts like a beacon to travelers. You will meet with a local vendor who specializes in the wines of Val d’Orcia and sample a variety of wines, including the famous Brunello di Montalcino.

In the morning, your private transfer will meet you in the hotel lobby after breakfast and escort you to Florence Peretola Airport for your flight home.