Pleasures of Tuscany Tour: Florence and the Countryside

After breakfast, you will set off on your first full day of adventure in this vibrant setting. By now, you will have noticed the colossal form of the cathedral that towers over the city center. The Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore consists of a massive dome, adjacent baptistry, and a colossal Campanile. After a short stroll to the Cathedral entrance, you will be met by a local guide for a tour of the iconic monument. Afterward, you will make your way inside for a grand view of the nave and lateral chapels. Your tour will conclude with a visit to the lofty dome.

To not see the rural side of Tuscany is to not see Tuscany at all. Today, you will be able to enjoy some stunning views of this picturesque countryside as you venture to Pisa on a day trip. After enjoying a fortifying breakfast from your attentive hotel staff, a private car will meet you at the curb and transfer you to Pisa. The city’s history dates back to pre-Roman times. You will plunge into this world of leaning towers and medieval walls before having the remainder of the day to explore the city center at your leisure. By the time you are ready to depart, you will have had the chance to see much of what makes Pisa one of the top destinations in Italy.

As a center for trade and commerce, Florence enjoyed a growing abundance of wealth as the Dark Ages came to a close. All that was needed was the combined genius of artists, such as Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, and others, to provide the creative spark that would launch the Renaissance. This launch and the subsequent centuries of inspired artwork is well documented in the museums and galleries available to you in the Tuscan capital. Meeting you at your hotel, your guide through this artistic landscape will provide a brief overview of the period before you step into the breathing masterpiece of the city. Before the day is up, you will have visited the Uffizi gallery and the Academy Gallery.

Today, you will be led by your tongue as you delve into the viticultural history of this fertile region. In the morning, you will have time to explore your vibrant neighborhood or stop by that intriguing shop you noticed earlier in your trip. Afterward, you will visit a nearby winery for an up-close look at traditional winemaking techniques that date back to pre-Roman times. Winegrowing in this region is believed to have been introduced by the Etruscans over 2,000 years ago. After arriving, you will spend the day enjoying an in-depth orientation to this history, which will include a tour of the facility and a private tasting of some of the winery’s best vintages.

Where wine was the main course yesterday, today, you will be introduced to another venerable Italian institution: the kitchen. Rare is the table in Florence that is not heaped with steaming plates of seafood, steak, and pasta dishes, all exquisitely paired with local wine. Like Da Vinci’s studio, the kitchen is the site where these works of art are produced and careers have been won and ruined. Your final day in Florence will be marked by a private cooking course to introduce you to the techniques and ingredients that go into some of the mouthwatering dishes you have enjoyed.

You will be sad to see dawn break on your final morning in Florence. You will depart this fabled land with a much greater appreciation for the region, the people, and the culture. A private car will meet you curbside and offer an experienced journey out of the bustling traffic and cobblestone streets of the Florentine city center. As you make your way past the crumbling villas and farms of Tuscany, you will have time to reflect on the landscape you have been immersed in for the past week. Soon, you will arrive at the airport for your flight home.