Day 1 FLORENCE AIRPORT-PISTOIA

Arrival at Florence airport, where you will be met by your guide and transferred to Hotel Patria 4* or similar for 3 nights, located in the old town of Pistoia.

Located in northern Tuscany between Florence and Lucca, Pistoia is a little-touristed jewel of a town.  It has a charming historic center with inviting pedestrian lanes and beautiful squares, vegetable and flower markets. We’ll be making a late afternoon trip for a guided exploration of the historic district followed by a welcome dinner of local Tuscan specialties and wine tasting at its finest restaurant. (D)

Day 2 PISTOIA-LUCCA-PISA-PISTOIA

Our excursion today is to Lucca, an elegant city of art ringed by a 4 kilometer massive wall that took 150 years to build. Morning walking tour of the city with our local guide. Enjoy your time for lunch in one of the restaurants on the elliptical piazza on the grounds of a former Ancient Roman amphitheater. In the afternoon you visit Pisa and its famous Square of Miracles with leaning tower and marvelous Cathedral.

Back to Pistoia and free evening.(B)

Day 3 PISTOIA- FLORENCE-PISTOIA

This morning will find us in the historic district of fabulous Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. Our first visit is to the Accademia Museum to see Michelangelo’s incomparable David. Then our local guide will take us on an historical and architectural walking tour that covers the Piazza del Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Piazza Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio and more.

After some free time for your own explorations and lunc we head back to Pistoia. Free evening in Pistoia. (B)

Day 4 PISTOIA-CHIANTI AREA-MONTERIGGONI-PIENZA

Leaving the plains of northern Tuscany we’re going to explore the most famous of Tuscany’s wine region – Chianti, today. It’s rolling hills and endless vineyards and oliver groves, it’s pleasent villages and little towns are going to be our scenery for the day. We’ll stop here and there for wine tasting and snacks, and we’ll say, yes, this is a good life.

After some free time and lunch we continue for a cappuccino inside the 13th century walled fortress of Monteriggioni, the northernmost citadel of Siena in wars against Florence.

Then we move on to the renaissance town of Pienza, the “ideal city” constructed by Pope Pius II, overlooking the stunning Orcia Valley. Our lodging is Hotel Il Chiostro 4* or similar for 2 nights located just outside the town walls. Dinner in a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 5 PIENZA-MONTE OLIVETTO MAGGIORE – MONTALCINO-PIENZA

Morning takes us to Monte Olivetto Maggiore Abbey, the off the beaten paths gem in Crete Senesi area. Its stunning red brick buildings in contrast with gray clay and sany soil, are a feast for your eyes.

Brunello wines are considered among the most prestigious of Italy. We continue this morning with a tour of an unique Brunello winery. Then we’ll take in the hill-town and imposing castle of Montalcino, final bastion of the the Republic of Siena, with some of the most scenic settings on our tour.

In the afternoon we’ll stop by the beautiful 9th century abbey Sant’Antimo, said to have been founded by Charlemagne.(B)

Day 6 PIENZA-CIVITTA DI BAGNOREGIO-ORVIETO-SPOLETO

Today’s first visit is to the unique medieval village of Civita di Bagnoregio in the region of Lazio, isolated by earthquakes and erosion creating an inland island of nineteen inhabitants, accessible now only on foot across a 300 meter bridge!

Spectacular Orvieto sits atop a 325 meter outcrop of volcanic tufa rock, with thousands of caves underneath the city, dug out during Etruscan, Medieval and Renaissance times. Our local guide will take us through one of Italy’s most famous Gothic cathedrals, 300 years in construction, featuring the San Brizio chapel with the wonderful frescoes of Signorelli. Then we head for romantic Spoleto. We’ll be staying for 3 nights at the Hotel dei Duchi 4* or similar located in the upper town near the ancient Roman Theater. Included dinner at a nearby ristorante where we’ll taste the famous local pasta. (B,D)

Day 7 SPOLETO-TREVI – MONTEFALCO-SPOLETO

Today we visit three very interesting small Umbrian towns, beginning with a visit to an olive oil farm near Trevi. After we’ve learned about extra virgin olive oil, we may as well visit an vinery and learn about Montefalco rosso and Sagrantino, the most famous Umbrian wines. After time for shopping and late lunch we’ll return to Spoleto. Free evening. (B)

Day 8 SPOLETO-PERUGIA-SPOLETO

There is a wealth of history to explore in Umbria. We start a day with a short drive to Perugia-Umbria’s capital. Perugia strongly fortified by art and nature rissing above the breathtaking Umbrian plain, since the etruscan times to the perfect day in Perugia. We begin a visit with a guided walking tour, followed by an afternoon and evening on your own back in Spoleto.(B)

Day 9 SPOLETO-ASSISI-GUBBIO

Our pilgrimage this morning is to Assisi and the incomparable Basilica di San Francesco and its brilliant cycle of frescoes on the Life of Saint Francis by Giotto. Assisi has even more to offer with its 2,000 year old Piazza del Comune, the first century B.C. Temple of Minerva, numerous churches, Duomo and 14th century fortress, the Rocca Maggiore.

In the afternoon we’ll move north to Gubbio, perhaps the best preserved of medieval Umbrian towns, laying against the slopes of Monte Ingino. We’ll be staying for two nights at Hotel dei Consoli 4* or similar. Included dinner in Gubbio. (B,D)

Day 10 GUBBIO-URBINO-GUBBIO

Today we’ll take a trip into the region of Le Marche to visit Urbino whose main attraction, besides being one of the most beautiful medieval towns in central Italy, is the enormous Palazzo Ducale of Duke Federico which now houses the National Gallery of Le Marche. Here we will spend one of the most rewarding mornings of our tour. Urbino is also home to a very beautiful cathedral and the natal house of the Renaissance painter Raphael.

Returning to Gubbio we’ll ride the funivia (bird-cage lift) to the top of the mountain to enjoy the views and see the Basilica of Saint Ubaldo, whose 900 year old remains are still on display. (B)

Day 11 GUBBIO-CORTONA-SAN GIMIGNIANO

Cortona, the oldest continuously inhabited hill town in Italy, is our first destination. One can trace the history of this town all the way back to Etruscan times. You’ll have the morning free for a delightful exploration of winding alleys, pleasant squares, small cafés and restaurants. After lunch we’re off to San Gimignano, a tour favorite with its many towers, lovely scenery and enjoyable evenings. We’ll be staying at the 13th century Hotel La Cisterna 4* or similar for two nights, set in the main square of town.(B)

Day 12 SAN GIMIGNIANO-SIENA-SAN GIMIGNIANO

Our last excursion is to the enchanting Gothic city of Siena, home to one of Italy’s most beautiful squares, the Piazza del Campo and what-was-to-have-been the largest cathedral in the world. Our guide will walk us through Siena’s fascinating medieval story that, in surprising ways, lives on today.

Late day free in San Gimignano prior to the farewell dinner and last gelato. Our restaurant is located in the historic center with stunning views over the valley. (B,D)

Day 13 SAN GIMIGNIANO-AIRPORT

Morning transfer to Florence, Pisa or Rome airport.(B)