Historical Immersion Tour of Stunning Tuscany

After breakfast this morning, your guide will lead you through the city to reach the spectacular collection of art in the Uffizi Gallery. The gallery displays artwork from between the 13th to the 18th centuries by master artists, such as Michelangelo and da Vinci. In the afternoon, you will continue with your guide to the Galleria dell’Accademia. The museum features the stunning masterwork of Michelangelo’s David, which stands 17 feet tall. After you have finished touring the gallery, you will have the rest of the day to explore the splendors of Florence at your leisure.

Before leaving for the Chianti Region, you will continue your discovery of Florence’s unparalleled art collection by visiting the Bargello Museum, which sits inside the austere façade of a 13th-century palace. Your guide will take you to the Donatello Room, where you will find the magnificent bronze statue of David. After your tour, you will then transfer to the Chianti region with your private driver. Soon, you will be enveloped by scenes of rolling hills and olive trees. Medieval towns top the distant knolls, and tranquil vineyards blanket the lower foothills. You will visit a local enoteca that specializes in the wines of the Chianti region.

Siena is a treasured city that continues to capture the essence of the Middle Ages in Tuscany. After arriving in the city by private transfer, you will meet your guide for a tour of the art, architecture, and Gothic ambiance of Siena. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta was built in the 12th century with a transept that spans more than 328 feet long. You can continue to the 14th-century Palazzo Buonsignori to view the collection of Gothic masterpieces that are associated with the Sienese school, which include work by Pietro Lorenzetti and San di Pietro.

The marvels of the Val d’Orcia reflect the bucolic scenery of Tuscany with pristine hills and stunning vineyards. You will reach the town of Montepulciano with your guide to find the pearl of the Renaissance as it rises out of the greenery. Montepulciano’s Museum hosts Etruscan remains and paintings that date back to the 1st century BC. You can stop in one of the various enoteche that line the narrow lanes to sample one of the famous Nobile wines, such as Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. In the afternoon, you will visit a private kitchen for an immersive cooking class that will offer you insight into the delicacies of Tuscan cuisine and Cucina Povera.

Today, you will visit the town of Pienza with your guide for insight into the grand architectural transformation that was funded by Pope Pio II in the 15th century. In Pienza, artisan cheese shops offer elegant and rustic displays that reflect their pride in their craft. On the outskirts of town, you will visit a family farm. Here, you can learn more about the process of crafting pecorino cheese. You can meet the sheep, learn about daily life, uncover the steps required to make the delicious cheese, and sample the delicate flavor of the cheese at lunch, which will be accompanied by wine. You will continue your discovery of Tuscan history with an artisan workshop class.

Your private transfer will meet you at the hotel after breakfast and escort you away from the charms of the Val d’Orcia. As you travel through the Tuscan region, you will stop at an alabaster workshop for an artisanal demonstration and unique perspective of the artwork in the heart of Volterra. Alabaster carving has been part of the artisanal heritage of Volterra for over 2,000 years, beginning with the Etruscans. Your instructor will lead you through the process of crafting a small decorative object known for its durability and prized colors.

The city of Lucca has an endearing ambiance that stems from the massive defensive walls. Sections of the walls have become parks, where locals jog or cycle in the morning. After breakfast, your guide will lead you through the charming history of the city. Boutique shops and elegant restaurants line the cobbled street of Il Fillungo, leading to St. Michael’s Church in Piazza San Michele. The church was constructed over the grounds of the Roman forum and boats a façade of splendid inlaid marble.

Your private guide will meet you in the morning and lead you to the marvelous city of Pisa. Here, the intricate architecture highlights the decadent maritime powers of the former city-state. You will begin your tour in the Piazza dei Miracoli before continuing to an elegant cathedral, the baptistery, and the Leaning Tower. You will then continue to the enchanting coastal town of Livorno for a unique view of Tuscany’s once active port. You will begin wandering along the wide promenade of Terrazza Mascagni, where the tiled walkway overlooks the shimmering water of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

After breakfast this morning, your private driver will transfer you to Florence Peretola Airport for your flight home.