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2010
Tour
Itinerary
for Toscana &
Umbria
June 1 - 14, 2010
Day
1
Today your tour begins with pick up in Pisa at Leonardo da
Vinci International Airport and transfer to the hotel. Welcome reception
and dinner included!
Day
2
Today we will visit Volterra where Umbrians, Etruscans and Florentines
lived over 2400 years ago. Together we will see the alabaster artwork
of a master artesian and explore the winding streets of this monumental
castle town, one of the oldest of its kind, dating back to the 12th
century. Lunch optional.
In the afternoon, we will visit San Gimignano, famed for its
Vernaccia wine and its beautiful tall towers, a sign of wealth during
medieval times. San Gimingnano is a well-preserved town boasting the
most medieval towers in all of Italy. The towers were built by the nobility
as the result of a feud between two local factions. The towers thus
served two purposes: they were a means of protection as well as status
symbols - each party tried to build their respective towers as high
as possible. Some say they lean due to the settling that has occurred;
others maintain that it was simply to show off the architect's skill.
Artesian gelato will be our afternoon treat!
Day
3
Today we will visit Pisa and walk through the historic downtown
to the Field of Miracles. Here we can see the six stories of white marble
comprising the 12th century Leaning Tower of Pisa and the adjacent marble
cathedral, older even than the Leaning Tower.
In the afternoon we will guide you to Lucca where we can explore
the well-preserved city whose walls date back to the Renaissance. Lucca
is best known for its quality olive oil produced in the rolling hills
that surround the town. We will enjoy a superb concert (included)
in a medieval church and have dinner (optional) in the best restaurant
in town, if not one of the finest in all of Tuscany!
Day 4
Today we will spend the morning shopping at the mercatino,
the largest outdoor market in Tuscany.
At noon, we will guide you through Livorno downtown and then
board a boat to visit the Royal Canals (optional) which were built by the Medici
family of Florence in the 16th century. We will also see Livorno by
boat! Dinner (optional).
Day 5
Today we will take the train to Firenze where we will enjoy a
half-day guided walking tour of the historic downtown Firenze. We will
visit the birthplace of the Italian language, the Renaissance and the
Opera and fall under the spell of the powerful Medici family!
See
Giotto's bell tower and the imposing marble cathedral in the Piazza
del Duomo whose remarkable dome is "enough to shelter all of Tuscany
within its shadow." Stand before Ghilberti's legendary Gates of
Paradise and pass the classical statues of the Piazza della Signoria,
including a replica of Michelangelo's David.
We
will also visit Santa Croce church -- final resting place of Michelangelo,
Macchiavelli and Gallileo -- and view a demonstration of an authentic
leather workshop.
You are free to enjoy the afternoon in Firenze at
leisure. You can troll the medieval Ponte Vecchio, practice your haggling
skills at the San Lorenzo market place, but whatever you do, don't miss
the gelato at Vivoli's! We will take the train to Chiusi for the evening. Dinner optional.
Day 6
Enjoy a day at a luxurious Tuscan Spa (optional). A Professional Gourmet Cooking Class and Dinner at the villa included!
Day 7
Today we will be off to visit the fine castle town of Siena which
is the heart of Tuscany. We will have a Medieval lunch (optional) in a real Medieval tavern in the 12th century -- bricks and vaulted
ceilings included!
In the afternoon we will explore Siena and see some of Italy's finest
art, architecture and landscapes. Visit the duomo which houses masterpieces
by Donatello and Ghiberti. Walk along medieval streets to the Piazza
del Campo where the Palio has been held every year since the 13th century. Return to the villa, our home away from home.
Day
8
Today we will visit the oldest abbey in Italy, Sant'Antimo, and
then continue to the castle town of Montalcino for lunch (optional).
Wine tasting (optional) at one of the most prestigious wineries to taste
"Brunello. Return to the villa to relax for the evening.
Day
9
Today we will journey to Assisi -- in Umbria -- where you will
visit the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli within which you will
find the Chapel of Porziuncola, the original church founded by Saint
Francis. We will then continue uphill on the two-mile Roman road leading
to the Basilica di San Francesco.
On the return journey from Assisi, we will stop at Lake Trasimeno
for dinner at Castiglione del Lago. Dinner optional.
Day 10
Today we will visit Cortona, made famous to the world in the
book and movie "Under the Tuscan Sun." Climb up past the main
square and look down over the hilltops to the breathtaking view of Lake
Trasimeno, the second largest lake in Italy. Dinner at
the villa included!
Day 11
This morning we will have a guided tour of Pienza, a symbol of
the Italian Renaissance which has been designated as part of the "world-wide
heritage of humanity" by UNESCO. Lunch optional.
In the afternoon, we will visit Montepulciano, a dignified and
interesting hilltop town which has well-preserved palaces from the 16th
century. It is also famous for its red wine, vino nobile. Wine tasting optional.
Day 12
Today we will journey back to Livorno, the Port of Tuscany, where we
will have a free afternoon to relax or to do last minute shopping. In
the evening we will be tasting wine (optional) at a local winery in Montescudaio.
The farmer makes his own wine and his wife is the chef in charge of
their organic garden and gourmet restaurant! Dinner tonight
will be at their farmhouse! Dinner optional.
Day 13
Today we will spend the day in Le Cinque Terre and have lunch (optional)
on the main piazza of Vernazza. After lunch we will take a boat
ride to Monterosso and spend the afternoon there before returning
to Livorno for the evening.
Day 14
Today we will transfer you to Leonardo da Vinci International Airport
in Pisa for your departure - end of tour!
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