- Siena and S. Gimignano
The center of the city of Siena is the famous Piazza del Campo with its characteristic shell-shape. This is the place where, on July 2nd and August 16th every year the Palio is run, the famous horse race in which the spirit of competition of the 17 Contrade dividing the old town is brought out.
Walking along the Via di Città, and via Banchi di Sopra, there are historical buildings and many good shops.
The Duomo is one of the most evocative and original creations of medieval Italian art. In addition to the splendid façade, skillfully decorated with sculptures, note the original Romanesque bell tower with bends of black and white marble.
Inside, besides the beautiful marble floor with inlays, there are numerous treasures of art created by artists like Nicola Pisano, Donatello, Michelangelo, Duccio di Buoninsegna.
The route continues up to the beautiful old town of San Gimignano, dominated by towers, from which an unforgettable panorama can be seen. Walking along the narrow streets of the town, you can still feel a magical atmosphere that brings you back to the Middle Ages.
- Monteriggioni, S. Gimignano and the Chianti
On the road to San Gimignano a visit to the medieval fortress of Monteriggioni with its 14 towers, mentioned by Dante in The Divine Comedy, should not be missed.
The route continues up to the beautiful old town of San Gimignano, dominated by towers, from which an unforgettable panorama can be seen. Walking along the narrow streets of the town, you can still feel a magical atmosphere that brings you back to the Middle Ages. Here you’ll have free time to visit the town. Walking along its narrow streets, you can still feel a magical atmosphere that brings you back to the Middle Ages. Suggested sites: the Collegiata (the former Cathedral), Sant’Agostino, the Communal Palace and the main town squares Piazza della Cisterna, Piazza Duomo (where the Collegiata is located). Known as the town of beautiful towers, for spectacular views, you cannot miss to climb up one of them.
If you want to enjoy the flavors of this town, taste the typical white wine, the”Vernaccia”, and make a stop at the Gelateria in Piazza della Cisterna, where the Dondoli’s family creates award-winning ice cream.
After that, we will continue visiting the beautiful Chianti area, having lunch in a winery and tasting best class wines enjoying breathtaking views!
After meeting your private driver at your Hotel, departure to San Gimignano. Here you’ll have free time to visit the town. Walking along its narrow streets, you can still feel a magical atmosphere that brings you back to the Middle Ages. Suggested sites: the Collegiata (the former Cathedral), Sant’Agostino, the Communal Palace and the main town squares Piazza della Cisterna, Piazza Duomo (where the Collegiata is located). Known as the town of beautiful towers, for spectacular views, you cannot miss to climb up one of them.
If you want to enjoy the flavors of this town, taste the typical white wine, the”Vernaccia”, and make a stop at the Gelateria in Piazza della Cisterna, where the Dondoli’s family creates award-winning ice cream.
Stop for lunch between San Gimignano and Volterra. You can decide together with your driver where to have lunch (you can choose a restaurant, a local trattoria or a farm house and taste their own products).
Driving through the beautiful countryside we will arrive in Volterra, a city that enchants because of its history and culture which is alive after centuries.
Visiting it, you can recognize the main characteristics of the various historical periods: Etruscan tombs, a Roman amphitheater, medieval buildings and Renaissance palaces.
Gabriele D’Annunzio, which stayed in Volterra many times and set several novels here, defined it as “the city of wind and rock”. Volterra today looks like a typical medieval town developed around the Piazza dei Priori, the center of political and economical life. Here you find Palazzo dei Priori, the town hall. It is one of the oldest public building in Italy and it was a model for the construction of Palazzo Vecchio in Florence.
Volterra has always been such an important town because of its numerous natural resources such as salt and alabaster. Strolling around the town, you can still see several alabaster workshops.
At the end of the visit, your driver will take you back to your hotel: you can sit down comfortably, discuss about your exciting day and enjoy the way back.
- Chianti
Chianti is a vast territory between Florence and Siena in the heart of Tuscany, a region known for wine and olive oil production as well as for the magnificent landscape. In the past this area was the site of many battles between the two provinces to such a degree as to cause the Republic of Florence in 1384 to found the Chianti League, which was a military-political alliance. Its mission was to defend and to administer the territory on behalf of the Florentine republic. For their coat-of-arms they had the image of a black rooster on a gold background which became the symbol of Chianti Classico vine. The league survived even after the end of the battles between Florence and Siena and was abolished only in 1774.
During the tour we will have the occasion to visit some of the most famous farms, see their wine cellars and taste excellent wines.
We may also visit small villages such as Panzano, Castellina or Radda in Chianti, and ancient castles, hidden among green hills and surrounded by vineyards and olive groves.
This tour is a perfect combination of culinary delights, arts and culture.
- Montalcino, Montepulciano e Pienza
The Crete area offer a unique and fascinating landscape between hills where you can discover small villages and ancient buildings such as castles or religious structures.
We will visit Montalcino, a small medieval village situated on a hill and dominated by the fourteenth-century fortress built at the top. In the countryside surrounding the town the famous wine “Brunello” is produced; we shall have an opportunity to taste it at renowned wineries.
Not far away is Pienza, the “ideal city”, designed by the humanists of the Renaissance. Pienza is also known for the production of pecorino cheese. In this village, whose original name was Corsignano lived Enea Silvio Piccolomini who became Pope at the end of the fifteenth century, with the name of Pius II. He is the person who transformed the churches and palaces overlooking the main square (which you can see in the film “Romeo and Juliet” by Franco Zeffirelli), from the medieval to the Renaissance style, with the help of architect Rossellino.
Montepulciano, a town very rich in architecture of great value is also known for the production of “Vino Nobile”. Walking through the streets of the old town you can visit historic cellars and taste excellent wines.
An unforgettable day among ancient flavors and natural and architectural beauty.
- Firenze
Capital of Tuscany and center of the Renaissance, Florence is one of the most important cities of Italy and the world. Before visiting the city we can stop at the Piazzale Michelangelo, a square from where we can admire the entire city and its splendor.
The history of the city is also the story of a big family, the ‘Medici’, thanks to which today we can admire the oldest and richest museum in the world: the Uffizi.
Not far away is ‘Piazza della Signoria’, the heart of the city, with its wonderful ‘Palazzo della Signoria’ and the many statues that adorn the square, the most famous of which is the Michelangelo’s David (the original is preserved in the Museo dell’Accademia).
Not to be missed is a visit to the Duomo with its dome constructed by Brunelleschi and Giotto’s Bell Tower.
Florence is also famous for the fashion houses, the production of leather, shoes and many jewelers located on the Ponte Vecchio.
- Lucca e Pisa
Founded by the Etruscans and developed as a Roman town, Lucca became the capital of the Lombard Duchy of Tuscia, then developed as a municipality, and finally as a republic. It is one of the few cities to preserve its XV-XVII century walls (about 4,5 km long) intact. Its historic center is well preserved and includes many medieval churches of great architectural richness. Among the most beautiful are the Church of San Michele and the Duomo, as well as towers, bell towers and Renaissance palaces.
The square of the amphitheater, born on the ruins of a Roman amphitheater, is architecturally unique.
Not far from Lucca is the city of Pisa. The City Center is located in the famous Piazza dei Miracoli, with the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Baptistery, the Monumental Cemetery and the famous leaning tower, known throughout the world.
The works for the construction of the cathedral began in 1064, those of the Baptistery (where Galileo Galilei was baptized, in 1564) began in 1152, and those of the tower in 1173.
The tower was built in several stages because of the sinking of the land. It was completed in 1350. In the last years of the 20th century the tower needed to be fixed and so its inclination has been corrected using a contemporary technique, never used before.
The Cemetery was the last work in the square. Inside there are the tombs of the most illustrious Pisans, but also of emperors and other important people
- Cortona e Assisi
The town of Cortona is situated on a hill-side overlooking the Val di Chiana from where you can also see the lake Trasimeno. You can admire the town’s ancient origins by visiting the Etruscan tombs and remains of the Roman roads. There are numerous historic buildings including the Town Hall, the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo and the the Bishop’s Palace. The famous Etruscan Museum preserves ornaments and jewelry found in tombs. Religion has also played an important role in the history of the town of Cortona: St. Francis of Assisi had stayed there several times with Brother Elijah who, in 1247, built a church dedicated to the saint. You can also explore the castle which is accessed only by foot along a narrow road that climbs the steep slope to the top of the hill.
Further south you come to the town of Assisi.
Assisi is a small town located in Umbria known as the birthplace of St. Francis, patron saint of Italy and founder of the Franciscan order. Despite being a predominantly religious site, it is worth visiting for the many artistic treasures and its Roman ruins. Assisi’s main attraction is the Basilica of St. Francis of the thirteenth century. It contains the sacred relics of Francis and a beautiful series of frescoes depicting his life
- Cinque Terre
The National Park of the Cinque Terre has been declared a World Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO since 1997.
Riomaggiore, Cornaglia, Manarola, Vernazza and Monterosso are the five villages composing the area. Situated between sea and mountains, sheltering them from cold winds, they offer the possibility to walk through beautiful paths, make excursions by boat and enjoy good food and wines. A naturalistic heritage of great variety with terracings cultivated with vineyards and olive trees.
Monterosso is the largest village of the Cinque Terre. Consisting of two districts, the old village and Fegina, the more touristy part, it also boasts important monuments.
Vernazza, considered by many to be the most charming of the Cinque Terre is characterized by the presence of architectural elements of great importance, like lodges, churches, tower houses and arcades. The village is dominated by the remains of the “castrum”, a series of Medieval forts dating back to the XI century.
Corniglia, the only village of the Cinque Terre not in contact with the sea, rising on top of a rock promontory. The traditional vocation of the village has always been more inclined towards the land than the sea.
Manarola is a town planning jewel, rich as it is in typical tower houses of Genovese style. Founded during the XII century, the village probably derives its name from an antique “magna roea”, a large mill wheel present in the village.
We have the first news of Riomaggiore only in 1251.It boasts monuments of great interest, among which the Castello (castle) which dominates the historical centre.
- Venezia
For its particular town-planning and the invaluable artistic treasures, Venice is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world and ranks among the UNESCO world heritage.
The main body of Venice, seen from above, looks like a fish with its tail pointing east. The center is traditionally divided into six neighborhoods (Dorsoduro, Santa Croce, San Polo, San Marco, Cannaregio and Castello) and spread on 118 small islands connected by 354 bridges.
The heart of the city of Venice is St Mark’s Square where stands the Basilica di San Marco, coloured gold and covered with mosaics representing the history of Venice, together with beautiful bas-reliefs depicting the months of the year.
Next to the Basilica stands the Palazzo Ducale. Seat of Government of ‘the Serenissima’, was built in the fifteenth century of Istrian marble, and is now a museum, with works by the greatest Venetian artists.
Opposite to the Palazzo Ducale rises the bell tower that was built in 1173 as a lighthouse for sailors.
Another symbol of the city is the Rialto Bridge. Built in 1591, for a long period it has been the only way to cross the Grand Canal on foot: in fact, it remained the only bridge until 1854, when it was built the Ponte dell’Accademia. On both sides of the central body there are luxury stores while, at the end of the bridge, there are the picturesque fish market and the church of San Giacomo di Rialto.
Other important monuments are the Venice Arsenale, the church of Santa Maria della Salute, the church of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, and the synagogues of the Ghetto.
- Roma
Rome, became capital of the Italian Republic in 1946, during the centuries has been the capital of the Roman Empire and the heart of Catholic Christianity. If you do not have enough time to stay there a few days, do not miss the opportunity to visit it together with our drivers who will show you the main sights of the city.
Its historic center, overlapping testimonies of almost three millennia, has been listed as World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Founded, according to tradition, in 753 BC by Romulus and Remus, Rome has played a key role in Italy and Europe.
“Caput Mundi” during the Roman era, indeed the capital of the world then known – and the political and spiritual reference point to this day – Rome is also home to the papacy and houses the Vatican City.
Because of the enormous number of palaces, churches, temples, fountains, plazas and works of art it is difficult to count them all, but we must mention the Piazza di Spagna with the famous steps of ‘Trinita dei Monti’, at the top of which there is a beautiful view of Rome, the nearby Via Condotti (known for shopping), the Fontana di Trevi, Piazza Navona, surrounded by magnificent buildings with a beautiful central fountain designed by Bernini, the Pantheon, Piazza Venezia with its impressive ‘Altar of the Fatherland’, the Colosseum, the ruins of ancient Rome, Castel Sant’Angelo. Do not overlook the beauty of the Vatican City with the monumental church of St. Peter, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum.