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Hotels, transport and tours booked for you
7 days from $1,995per person
7 days and 6 nights in Florence from $1,995 per person (flights not included). Best time to go: Jan-Dec.
In this 7-day tour of Tuscany and beyond, prepare yourself for an esthetic experience like nowhere else. While you stay in Florence, meet Michelangelo's "David" and countless other masterpieces before eating with a local guide in the Santa Croce neighborhood. Travel to San Gimignano and take time for a wine tasting of its Vernaccia. In Siena, marvel at the sublime Piazza del Campo and the Palazzo Publico to learn how Florence's medieval rival lived. Take a day in the food capital, Bologna, before honing your skills with a cooking class back in Florence. After one week with UNESCO Heritage Sites, your mind, and bellies, will be full!
Day 1
Arrive Florence
To Be Determined
Private Transfer from Florence Airport to Hotel
For your arrival in Florence, we will provide information on the customs and passport procedures. We will schedule a pick up for your flight's arrival time. You will be met in the arrivals hall inside the terminal by a driver holding a sign with your name on it. The transfer is for your party only - you will not be sharing a vehicle. The cost of the ride will be included in your itinerary package and you will be taken directly to your hotel. IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be aware the car service can fit up to 1 checked item of luggage and 1 personal item per person, such as a purse or small backpack. If you think you will have more baggage, please inform your travel consultant as this may result in an additional fee.
Afternoon/Late Afternoon
Visit to the Duomo and the Piazza del Duomo
Discover the medieval marvel of the Duomo, Santa Maria del Fiore, with its iconic dome offering panoramic views of Florence. Founded in 1296, it aimed to be the world's largest church, showcasing unmatched Renaissance grandeur in Piazza del Duomo. While entry to the Duomo is free, dome access requires a reservation. Consider a Firenze Card for easy access to other sites.
Day 1
Arrive Florence
Piazza del Duomo
OverviewPrivate Transfer to your Hotel
For your arrival in Florence, we will provide information on the customs and passport procedures. We will schedule a pick up for your flight's arrival time. You will be met in the arrivals hall inside the terminal by a driver holding a sign with your name on it. The transfer is for your party only - you will not be sharing a vehicle. The cost of the ride will be included in your itinerary package and you will be taken directly to your hotel. IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be aware the car service can fit up to 1 checked item of luggage and 1 personal item per person, such as a purse or small backpack. If you think you will have more baggage, please inform your travel consultant as this may result in an additional fee.
Piazza del Duomo
Discover the medieval marvel of the Duomo, Santa Maria del Fiore, with its iconic dome offering panoramic views of Florence. Founded in 1296, it aimed to be the world's largest church, showcasing unmatched Renaissance grandeur in Piazza del Duomo. While entry to the Duomo is free, dome access requires a reservation. Consider a Firenze Card for easy access to other sites.
Campanile (i.e. the Bell Tower)
Highlight of Piazza del DuomoClimb 414 steps to the top of Italy's most famous bell tower.
The campanile, or bell tower, is at 278ft/84.7m tall and approximately 49ft/15m in breadth the most eloquent example of 14th century Gothic architecture in Florence. Clad in white, red and green marble like the cathedral directly adjacent to it, the majestic square bell tower is considered to be the most beautiful campanile in Italy. There are 414 steps to climb and no elevator available.
Opera Duomo Museum
Highlight of Piazza del DuomoSee how the master architect Brunelleschi planned and built the cathedral, as well as many sculptural masterpieces.
The museum contains the largest concentration of Florentine sculpture in the world, including medieval and Renaissance works in marble, bronze, and silver by the leading artists of the era. Most of the masterpieces on display were designed to adorn the religious monuments that still stand on the Piazza del Duomo. You'll find a number of sculptures by Donatello, a forerunner of Michelangelo, as well as a mock-up of Brunelleschi's building site, complete with broken bricks, wooden scaffolding and some of the tools that were used to build the dome. Plus there are displays of various proposals for completing parts of the dome, as well as the original wooden model of the cathedral lantern presumably made by Brunelleschi himself.
Loggia del Bigallo & Museo della Misericordia
Highlight of Piazza del DuomoDiscover these hidden-in-plain-sight gems and learn about a noble organization which has done much to alleviate the suffering of Florence's population over the centuries.
The Loggia del Bigallo is a small museum in a medieval building. It is home to several jewels of Florentine Gothic painting. It was built in the 1350s for the Compagnia della Misericordia (the Company of Mercy), a religious charitable organization founded in 1244 to aid the sick and bury the dead. It still exists today and you can see their ambulances parked just across the street at the Museo della Misericordia, which was originally an orphanage. The building was commissioned as a place to display abandoned babies in the hope they might be recognized before being given to foster parents. Today it houses a small museum which tells the history of the charity.
Baptistery of St John
Highlight of Piazza del DuomoStand before the "Gate of Paradise".
The Baptistery of San Giovanni (St. John) is one of the most ancient churches in Florence, sitting opposite the Duomo. It is the most conspicuous illustration of the special relationship between Florence and ancient Rome, as the Florentines believe the Baptistery is actually a converted Roman temple to Mars. The granite columns inside were probably taken from the city's old Roman Capitol. But it's the doors to the Baptistery which are the primary attraction. They took 27 years to complete and were so beautiful that they became known as the "Gate of Paradise".
For your arrival in Florence, we will provide information on the customs and passport procedures. We will schedule a pick up for your flight's arrival time. You will be met in the arrivals hall inside the terminal by a driver holding a sign with your name on it. The transfer is for your party only - you will not be sharing a vehicle. The cost of the ride will be included in your itinerary package and you will be taken directly to your hotel. IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be aware the car service can fit up to 1 checked item of luggage and 1 personal item per person, such as a purse or small backpack. If you think you will have more baggage, please inform your travel consultant as this may result in an additional fee.
Discover the medieval marvel of the Duomo, Santa Maria del Fiore, with its iconic dome offering panoramic views of Florence. Founded in 1296, it aimed to be the world's largest church, showcasing unmatched Renaissance grandeur in Piazza del Duomo. While entry to the Duomo is free, dome access requires a reservation. Consider a Firenze Card for easy access to other sites.
Climb 414 steps to the top of Italy's most famous bell tower.
The campanile, or bell tower, is at 278ft/84.7m tall and approximately 49ft/15m in breadth the most eloquent example of 14th century Gothic architecture in Florence. Clad in white, red and green marble like the cathedral directly adjacent to it, the majestic square bell tower is considered to be the most beautiful campanile in Italy. There are 414 steps to climb and no elevator available.
See how the master architect Brunelleschi planned and built the cathedral, as well as many sculptural masterpieces.
The museum contains the largest concentration of Florentine sculpture in the world, including medieval and Renaissance works in marble, bronze, and silver by the leading artists of the era. Most of the masterpieces on display were designed to adorn the religious monuments that still stand on the Piazza del Duomo. You'll find a number of sculptures by Donatello, a forerunner of Michelangelo, as well as a mock-up of Brunelleschi's building site, complete with broken bricks, wooden scaffolding and some of the tools that were used to build the dome. Plus there are displays of various proposals for completing parts of the dome, as well as the original wooden model of the cathedral lantern presumably made by Brunelleschi himself.
Discover these hidden-in-plain-sight gems and learn about a noble organization which has done much to alleviate the suffering of Florence's population over the centuries.
The Loggia del Bigallo is a small museum in a medieval building. It is home to several jewels of Florentine Gothic painting. It was built in the 1350s for the Compagnia della Misericordia (the Company of Mercy), a religious charitable organization founded in 1244 to aid the sick and bury the dead. It still exists today and you can see their ambulances parked just across the street at the Museo della Misericordia, which was originally an orphanage. The building was commissioned as a place to display abandoned babies in the hope they might be recognized before being given to foster parents. Today it houses a small museum which tells the history of the charity.
Stand before the "Gate of Paradise".
The Baptistery of San Giovanni (St. John) is one of the most ancient churches in Florence, sitting opposite the Duomo. It is the most conspicuous illustration of the special relationship between Florence and ancient Rome, as the Florentines believe the Baptistery is actually a converted Roman temple to Mars. The granite columns inside were probably taken from the city's old Roman Capitol. But it's the doors to the Baptistery which are the primary attraction. They took 27 years to complete and were so beautiful that they became known as the "Gate of Paradise".
Day 2
Florence
Day 2
Florence
Morning
Visit Italy's Greatest Display of Art at the Uffizi Gallery
As the capital of the Renaissance, it's only fitting that Florence should also host Italy's greatest art gallery at the Uffizi. It's understandably busy throughout the year, but it's nevertheless worth the crowds to see to see some of the most sumptuous masterpieces of Renaissance art, including Botticelli's Primavera and Venus, and works by Michelangelo and Da Vinci. If you're planning to visit other galleries and museums in Florence, then it's definitely worth investing in a Firenze Card, which gives you free entry and priority access to 72 venues in the city. At a minimum, you should book ahead for the Uffizi to avoid very long queues.
2:15 PM - 7:15 PM
Half Day Excursion to San Gimignano with a driver
Drive through the scenic Tuscan countryside to San Gimignano, one of the most charming and picturesque Tuscan hill towns with medieval towers built for the richest families of the time. You can choose to visit the Cathedral, climb the “Torre Grossa”, take pictures of the gorgeous landscape and enjoy a delicious gelato in the Cistern Square. IMPORTANT NOTE : This excursion does not include a guide.
As the capital of the Renaissance, it's only fitting that Florence should also host Italy's greatest art gallery at the Uffizi. It's understandably busy throughout the year, but it's nevertheless worth the crowds to see to see some of the most sumptuous masterpieces of Renaissance art, including Botticelli's Primavera and Venus, and works by Michelangelo and Da Vinci. If you're planning to visit other galleries and museums in Florence, then it's definitely worth investing in a Firenze Card, which gives you free entry and priority access to 72 venues in the city. At a minimum, you should book ahead for the Uffizi to avoid very long queues.
Drive through the scenic Tuscan countryside to San Gimignano, one of the most charming and picturesque Tuscan hill towns with medieval towers built for the richest families of the time. You can choose to visit the Cathedral, climb the “Torre Grossa”, take pictures of the gorgeous landscape and enjoy a delicious gelato in the Cistern Square. IMPORTANT NOTE : This excursion does not include a guide.
Day 3
Florence
Day 3
Florence
Early Morning to Early Evening
Excursion to the Medieval Hilltop Town of Siena
For beauty and interest in Tuscany, only Siena comes close to Florence. Only an hour-and-a-half from Florence by train, it makes for a perfect day trip. The mesmerising brick-built medieval town with its narrow streets winding down into the valleys below was once a great regional power which rivaled Florence, and famously defeated the larger town in the legendary Battle of Montaperti. Its main square, the Campo, is one of the most satisfying urban spaces ever built, playing host to the annual Palio horse race in which each of the town's 17 contrade (i.e. city districts) participate. The traffic-free streets have been wonderfully preserved and its great Gothic buildings still exhibit the artistic masterpieces of the Sienese school of painting commissioned for them during the town's heyday in the 14th century.
Early Evening to Late Evening
Dining Out In Santa Croce
While the focal point of Santa Croce is its exquisite Franciscan basilica, there are a number of culinary gems scattered around the quarter demanding the attention of gourmands and casual foodies alike. With fresh, high-quality ingredients on offer at the nearby Sant’Ambrogio market and a treasure trove of historical architecture as a backdrop, this neighborhood has all the necessary requisites to be a culinary paradise. You can choose from dynamic restaurants with innovative menus serving a hip clientele, or more formal restaurants hewing closely to Florence's strict culinary mores of the past. You can also discover plenty of unpretentious traditional mom-and-pop trattorias serving regional classics such as ribollita and bistecca all Fiorentina.
For beauty and interest in Tuscany, only Siena comes close to Florence. Only an hour-and-a-half from Florence by train, it makes for a perfect day trip. The mesmerising brick-built medieval town with its narrow streets winding down into the valleys below was once a great regional power which rivaled Florence, and famously defeated the larger town in the legendary Battle of Montaperti. Its main square, the Campo, is one of the most satisfying urban spaces ever built, playing host to the annual Palio horse race in which each of the town's 17 contrade (i.e. city districts) participate. The traffic-free streets have been wonderfully preserved and its great Gothic buildings still exhibit the artistic masterpieces of the Sienese school of painting commissioned for them during the town's heyday in the 14th century.
Stop and linger in one of the more glorious and satisfying urban spaces ever built.
With its remarkable fan shape and gentle slope, the Piazza del Campo is one of the more memorable and unique public squares in Europe. It has been heart of Siena since the mid-12th century when it was built on the site of a Roman marketplace. Cafes line the square offering coffee and aperitivo for the young and old alike who relax and take in the scene. The piazza is made doubly famous by the fact that it hosts the annual Palio horse race, a hotly-contested event which splits the city into competing factions.
Make your way into the courtyard of this brick palace built in the 13th century and enter the Museo Civico, where you will marvel at the beautiful murals which adorn the interiors.
Dominating the Piazza del Campo, this 13th century palace and tower was built as a symbol of the independence and wealth of Siena by the Government of Nine (Governo dei Nove) - nine representatives of the people elected by the merchant class, not noble families. Looking at its façade from the Piazza del Campo, it's possible to immediately see its different periods of construction: on the lower level of the three-mullioned (triple-arched) windows the stone that was used and then later brick. The 400 steps to the top of the palace tower is no easy feat even for the fittest of travelers, but the view over the city and Piazza del Campo below make the narrow ascent worth it. Inside the palace courtyard you will find the entrance to the Museo Civico, a treasure trove of magnificent works of art which can be seen inside the palace. One of the most beautiful rooms in the palace is the Sala dei Nove, the Hall of the Nine, with the Allegories of Good and Bad Government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti where you can see the medieval city with its workshops and artisans.
Make time to visit this gallery holding precious art and history from the Gothic era, when Siena's power and influence peaked.
This is the main state art museum of the city and includes a rich collection of masterpieces from the famous Sienese school of artists, which created mainly large, majestic altarpieces with golden decorations. The "gold" background paintings include a piece by Master of Tressa which marks the beginning of the golden age of Sienese painting.
Experience a riot of the senses as you walk into one of Tuscany's most colorful and remarkable cathedrals.
Siena's Duomo is a fabulous conglomeration of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, delineated by encircling bands of black and white marble. It is the earliest of all the great Tuscan cathedrals, having been mostly completed by 1263. Before you enter, take a moment to admire the marble facade and its remarkable statuary. Once inside, you can invest in the audio guide to get the most out of a visit. The standout artistic treasure is the pulpit with columns resting on the backs of alternating lions and lionesses. The Piccolomini Library was added on to the cathedral in 1495 by the future Pope Pius III, and is one of the loveliest rooms in all Italy thanks to its cycle of crystal-sharp, brilliantly colorful frescoes.
While the focal point of Santa Croce is its exquisite Franciscan basilica, there are a number of culinary gems scattered around the quarter demanding the attention of gourmands and casual foodies alike. With fresh, high-quality ingredients on offer at the nearby Sant’Ambrogio market and a treasure trove of historical architecture as a backdrop, this neighborhood has all the necessary requisites to be a culinary paradise. You can choose from dynamic restaurants with innovative menus serving a hip clientele, or more formal restaurants hewing closely to Florence's strict culinary mores of the past. You can also discover plenty of unpretentious traditional mom-and-pop trattorias serving regional classics such as ribollita and bistecca all Fiorentina.
Day 4
Florence
Day 4
Florence
Morning
Explore the Oltrarno District
Meaning literally "the other side of the Arno", Oltrarno is often the forgotten side of Florence, with tourists generally more focused on central Florence, but sometimes it's also worth venturing off the tourist trail! Oltrarno is one of Florence's most popular and trendiest neighborhoods and offers visitors a trove of cultural treasures. Just a short walk from the Ponte Vecchio brings you to the heart of this thriving neighborhood which is host to beautiful gardens and artistic churches. You'll also find the most famous viewpoint in the city - Piazzale Michelangelo.
Afternoon to Early Evening
Galleria dell'Accademia & North of the Center
Take the opportunity to visit Galleria dell'Accademia to see Michelangelo's statue of David and his unfinished Slaves, then pop by the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, the first grand palace built by the Medici family, followed by the Church of San Lorenzo to see more masterpieces by Michelangelo in the Medici Chapel and Old Sacristy. The Spedale degli Innocenti (Hospital of the Innocents) also contains a deeply moving museum dedicated to the social conditions in medieval Florence and the treatment of its unwanted children. We highly recommend the Firenze Card to facilitate easy entry into museums and galleries like Galleria dell'Accademia.
Early Evening/Evening
Concert Evening
Florence is well-known as the home of the Renaissance but many are unaware that it also lies at the heart of the Western musical tradition, as it was here that the first operas were performed in the mid-16th century. Today, the musical tradition remains strong, and you can see a performance in one of several theaters. Notable among them are the Teatro Niccolini, the oldest in Florence and one of the oldest in Europe, and the stunning Teatro della Pergola, one of the first theaters to use box seating. Famous Florentine festivals include Estate Fiesolana from mid-June to late August and the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (i.e. the Florence Musical May).
Meaning literally "the other side of the Arno", Oltrarno is often the forgotten side of Florence, with tourists generally more focused on central Florence, but sometimes it's also worth venturing off the tourist trail! Oltrarno is one of Florence's most popular and trendiest neighborhoods and offers visitors a trove of cultural treasures. Just a short walk from the Ponte Vecchio brings you to the heart of this thriving neighborhood which is host to beautiful gardens and artistic churches. You'll also find the most famous viewpoint in the city - Piazzale Michelangelo.
Create an unforgettable memory and see Florence from above.
No matter what time of day or weather, you will find that Piazzale Michelangelo truly offers a stupendous lookout over Florence. Not just a perfect photo opportunity, but a moment of wonder. You are looking at the city that gave birth to incredible artists, amazing scientists and an enthralling history of discovery and power that has filled novels and movie theaters. Many mistakenly believe that this piazza has existed since the birth of Florence or that it was designed by Michelangelo. Actually, it is a rather recent addition to the list of great monuments in Florence, created in 1869 by Florentine architect Giuseppe Poggi, as part of a major restructuring of the city walls in 1869. In 1873, a copy of Michelangelo's David was taken to the square with the help of nine pairs of oxen. This monument occupies a privileged position, observing the city from above as a guard attentive to all the beauties that the city of Florence offers.
Visit a Renaissance church where Michelango once found refuge.
Usually referred to simply as Santo Spirito, this unassuming basilica is one of the main examples of early Renaissance architecture in Florence. Compared to other churches found on the north side of the river, the Basilica di Santo Spirito is very often ignored by tourists, despite offering some serious history and a wonderful interior. Notable pieces of artwork inside the church include its thirty-eight altars, almost all with painted altarpieces. The best have been cleaned and are almost all in the transept and behind the Baldacchino, this being where the most prestigious local families could afford to have chapels. Michelangelo found refuge in the convent of Santo Spirito in 1492 at the age of seventeen and it was within the walls of the convent that the curious artist had the opportunity to analyze corpses from the adjoining hospital to study the anatomy of the human body. As a form of thank-you, Michelangelo carved a highly realistic wooden crucifix which can now be found within the sacristy to the left as you enter the church.
Stand beneath the magnificent 14th century frescoes, still intensely radiant six centuries after they were first painted.
Dating back to the 13th century, a fire in the 18th century practically destroyed the church, but spared its magnificent Renaissance frescoes in the Brancacci Chapel – a treasure trove of paintings from the 1400's by Masolino da Panicale, Masaccio, and Filippino Lippi. After years of accumulated candle soot and mold, the frescoes which have been fully restored and have an intense radiance, making it possible to see very clearly the shifts in emphasis between the artists' work. The Brancacci Chapel entrance is to the right of the main church entrance. Only 30 people can visit at a time.
Look down upon Florence from amidst the rose bushes.
The Giardino delle Rose (Rose Garden) and the nearby Giardino dell'Iris (Iris Garden) are two free public gardens on either side of Piazzale Michelangelo. They are perfect for flower-lovers or anyone who wants to wander in a peaceful green space, free from the nearby crowds. You'll even find a Japanese garden and sculptures by the artist Folon.
Wander beneath the wisteria whilst gazing down upon the roofs of Florence.
Less crowded than the nearby Boboli Gardens, the Bardini Villa is a splendid Italianate Garden which enjoys panoramic views of the city. Wisteria covered pergola allow visitors to walk through tunnels of green while enjoying romantic views of the city and surroundings. Within the 17th century villa itself, you will find artworks by the painter Pietro Annigoni.
Take the opportunity to visit Galleria dell'Accademia to see Michelangelo's statue of David and his unfinished Slaves, then pop by the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, the first grand palace built by the Medici family, followed by the Church of San Lorenzo to see more masterpieces by Michelangelo in the Medici Chapel and Old Sacristy. The Spedale degli Innocenti (Hospital of the Innocents) also contains a deeply moving museum dedicated to the social conditions in medieval Florence and the treatment of its unwanted children. We highly recommend the Firenze Card to facilitate easy entry into museums and galleries like Galleria dell'Accademia.
Take a stroll around one of Florence's most pleasant squares.
The fully pedestrianized Piazza Santissima Annuziata was designed by Brunelleschi in the 1420s, and prominentally displays an equestrian statue of Grand Duke Ferdinand I. The statue was cast from cannons captured at the Battle of Lepanto, the last great sea battle between galleys in which the Christian West decisively defeated the Ottoman Empire. Two Mannerist fountains with fantastical figures also adorn the square. The square is named after the church of the Annunziata, whose interior is one of the more striking in Florence.
Learn the oft-heartbreaking tale of Europe's first hospital for abandoned infants.
Opened in 1445, this was the first foundlings' hospital in Europe. Its nine-arched loggia was one of Renaissance's earliest examples of the new classically influenced style and has been copied relentlessly elsewhere. In the blue-backed ceramic circular paintings, heavily swaddled babies advertise the hospital's function, though their revelry belies the misery associated with it. Slavery was part and parcel of the Florentine economy as late as the 15th century, and many infants in the hospital were born to domestic slaves. In later centuries the hosptial took in not only unwanted children born out of wedlock, but also the children of the poor. The excellent museum inside the hospital brilliantly explains the life of these children, their parents and their carers over the centuries. You'd need a heart of stone not be deeply moved by some of the stories depicted. From 1660, children could be abandoned anonymously in the 'rote', a small revolving door whose bricked-up remains are still visible at the extreme left of the facade - an early version of modern hospital 'baby boxes'; it remained in use until 1875.
Discover a church missed by most visitors despite being one of Florence's most important, and admire masterpieces of Renaissance art and sculpture by Donatello, Michelangelo, and others.
The Church of San Lorenzo is one of Florence's greatest historical landmarks as most important Medici are buried here. The church lays claim to being the oldest in Florence (393 AD) and was for a time its cathedral. It gradually became the Medici parish church and thus attracted the family's munificence. The money was never quite enough, however, and that's why the church remains without a facade to cover its bare brickwork to this day. The interior is naturally stuffed full of great works of arts: Rosso Fiorentino's Marriage of the Virgin in the second chapel on the right; the bronze pulpits by Donatello; Filippo Lippi's altarpiece of the Annunciation, the Pala del Sacramento tabernacle; and in the center of the church, the tomb of Cosimo de' Medici bearing the old Roman title "Pater Patriae" (Father of the Fatherland). The so-called Medici Chapels, built as extensions to the church, are decorated with some of Michelangelo's finest sculptures.
Explore the 15th-century palace which the Medici family once called home.
This grandiose palace is more modest than it could have been. Designed for Cosimo the Elder, he did not want too grand a home for fear of arousing hostility, and thus the original plans were rejected as too ornate. The enraged architect Brunelleschi is said to have smashed his model in response. Thus the exterior is simple, but the interior luxurious enough to befit the guests who came to stay, including the likes of Charles V of France. The palazzo is probably most famous for its private chapel, Cappella dei Magi. This tiny chapel (only 15 people at a time can pass through it) is covered in wonderful frescoes depicting The Journey of the Magi, portrayed by leading members of the Medici family.
Florence is well-known as the home of the Renaissance but many are unaware that it also lies at the heart of the Western musical tradition, as it was here that the first operas were performed in the mid-16th century. Today, the musical tradition remains strong, and you can see a performance in one of several theaters. Notable among them are the Teatro Niccolini, the oldest in Florence and one of the oldest in Europe, and the stunning Teatro della Pergola, one of the first theaters to use box seating. Famous Florentine festivals include Estate Fiesolana from mid-June to late August and the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (i.e. the Florence Musical May).
Day 5
Florence
Day 5
Florence
Morning to Early Evening
Excursion to Medieval City of Bologna
Located only a short train ride away, this off-the-tourist-radar city is one of Italy's best surprises. Apart from being the source of the inexpensive deli meat and the spaghetti dish, Bologna is probably best known as the home of the oldest university in the world. Its historic center contains two medieval towers that lean similarly to the tower in Pisa, one of which is still accessible and provides amazing views of the city. The main basilica, old town hall and other structures around the old town are equally awe-inspiring. The city is also rightly famous for its over 25 miles (40km) of covered walkways, which serve as the open-air salons of the city. That includes the longest portico in the world. At nearly 4 kilometers (2.5m) in length and with 666 arches, the Portico di San Luca leads up to the Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca, where you can enjoy another great view of the city, as well as of the surrounding countryside.
6:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Florence Sunset Food Tour
Set off as the sun dips over the horizon and be introduced to the very best restaurants and wine bars Florence has to offer on this guided 3.5-hour group tour. See the perfect cocktail being constructed then sip it down at aperitivo o’clock as you watch the world go by on the cobblestone Santo Spirito streets. Savour artisanal truffle cheese and cured local meats paired with the perfect local vino.
Located only a short train ride away, this off-the-tourist-radar city is one of Italy's best surprises. Apart from being the source of the inexpensive deli meat and the spaghetti dish, Bologna is probably best known as the home of the oldest university in the world. Its historic center contains two medieval towers that lean similarly to the tower in Pisa, one of which is still accessible and provides amazing views of the city. The main basilica, old town hall and other structures around the old town are equally awe-inspiring. The city is also rightly famous for its over 25 miles (40km) of covered walkways, which serve as the open-air salons of the city. That includes the longest portico in the world. At nearly 4 kilometers (2.5m) in length and with 666 arches, the Portico di San Luca leads up to the Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca, where you can enjoy another great view of the city, as well as of the surrounding countryside.
Admire this monumental restored marble & bronze fountain in the heart of Piazza del Nettuno.
Commissioned by Pope Pius IV, the Fountain of Neptune is one of Bologna's most famous landmarks and a popular meeting point. He was originally destined for the larger Piazza Maggiore but instead, he sits proudly on the Piazza del Nettuno as a symbol of the city. Standing at almost thirteen feet (4m) high and weighing in at nearly 5000 lbs (2,200 kg), the fountain is hard to miss.
Visit one of the oldest university buildings in the world and admire its incredible library.
Bologna's University is amongst one of the oldest in the world. The Archiginnasio (Greek for “first school”), was built in 1563 and was once the ancient seat of the University of Bologna, established as a school of Law and Arts. It houses one of the most incredible libraries in Italy, containing over one million pieces. Its anatomical theatre is by far the highlight, a place where corpses were dissected for the first scientific studies of the human body.
Climb to the top of the Asinelli Tower for great vistas over the city of Bologna below.
Symbols of the city and its most popular and notable landmarks, the two towers (Due Torri) are sat in the heart of the city. They were built during the Middle Ages as noble and wealthy families competed against each other for dominance over Bologna's politics, a competition that often become violent. There was once 180 towers, but these are the only two that remain. At 319 feet (97m), The Torre degli Asinelli is the tallest leaning medieval tower in the world and the only one open to the public. Ascend the 498 steps for a panoramic view of the city.
Set off as the sun dips over the horizon and be introduced to the very best restaurants and wine bars Florence has to offer on this guided 3.5-hour group tour. See the perfect cocktail being constructed then sip it down at aperitivo o’clock as you watch the world go by on the cobblestone Santo Spirito streets. Savour artisanal truffle cheese and cured local meats paired with the perfect local vino.
Day 6
Florence
Day 6
Florence
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Tuscan Cuisine Cooking Class
Tuscany is blessed with the perfect climate and location for food, producing a diverse bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables, wild game, beef & pork, and seafood. In fact, when you consider the quality of ingredients produced here, you understand why Tuscan cooking is not just about recipes, but about bringing out the best of the ingredients. Even within Italy, Tuscany is renowned for its cuisine. Taking a cooking class can introduce you to the magic, teaching you how to make traditional Tuscan starters, pastas, main courses, and deserts.
Late Afternoon
Explore Renaissance Villas in the Nearby Hills of Florence
The Medicis and other powerful families of Renaissance Florence constructed magnificent country villas in the foothills surrounding the city and surrounded them with elaborate gardens populated with rose bushes, manicured hedgerows, and citrus trees. You can explore these beautiful villas which are concentrated in an area just a short bus ride from the city center of Florence. The villas served several functions, first and foremost as country palaces demonstrating power and wealth. They were also recreational resorts for the leisure and pleasure of their owners; and, more prosaically, they were the center of agricultural activities on the surrounding estates.
Tuscany is blessed with the perfect climate and location for food, producing a diverse bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables, wild game, beef & pork, and seafood. In fact, when you consider the quality of ingredients produced here, you understand why Tuscan cooking is not just about recipes, but about bringing out the best of the ingredients. Even within Italy, Tuscany is renowned for its cuisine. Taking a cooking class can introduce you to the magic, teaching you how to make traditional Tuscan starters, pastas, main courses, and deserts.
The Medicis and other powerful families of Renaissance Florence constructed magnificent country villas in the foothills surrounding the city and surrounded them with elaborate gardens populated with rose bushes, manicured hedgerows, and citrus trees. You can explore these beautiful villas which are concentrated in an area just a short bus ride from the city center of Florence. The villas served several functions, first and foremost as country palaces demonstrating power and wealth. They were also recreational resorts for the leisure and pleasure of their owners; and, more prosaically, they were the center of agricultural activities on the surrounding estates.
See the villa where Tuscany's first Grand Duke spent his childhood.
Villa di Castello is a 15th century Medici villa mostly famous as the residence where Duke Cosimo I de’Medici spent his childhood. Cosimo, who was later called the Father of the Nation, was the first member of the Medici political dynasty. Not surprisingly, Villa di Castello was his favourite villa and as an adult he expanded it with an extensive garden second only to the Boboli Gardens that included footpaths, fountains and the world famous Animal Grotto. The Villa is not accessible to the public since it has been the home of the prestigious Crusca Academy since 1583, a school dedicated to the study of the Italian language. You can, however, visit the splendid gardens without paying.
Experience an amazing view of Florence as you stroll the gardens of this Medici family villa.
This fortified hilltop mansion was purchased by the Medici in the 16th century and transformed into a princely residence by Cardinal Ferdinando. The villa is richly decorated in the interior and has a beautiful Italian garden that attracts visitors from all around the world. The courtyard that is decorated with frescoes by Cosimo Daddi is probably the most impressive part of the villa, while a series of rooms you can visit present a later style. Both the structured Italian garden and the villa are open to visitors and the admission is free, with guided visits.
Day 7
Depart Florence
Day 7
Depart Florence
Morning
The Quiet Mastery in San Marco Museum
The devil, they say, is in the details, but so are the better angels. Case in point, the faces of Fra Angelico's cherubs and saints (and sinners) at his former friary, the Museum of San Marco. An inspiration to the later giants of the Renaissance, Fra Angelico mastered light and human expression. Every character in his paintings is unique, and they express their joy, sorrow, or wonder uniquely. Even with the overwhelming number of masterpieces in Florence, a visit to San Marco merits a visit; the gentleness of Fra Angelico's work will bring you gentle down to earth, even as it lifts your heart.
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Private Transfer from Hotel to Florence Airport
A private transfer service will pick you up from the N/A and take you directly to Florence Airport. This is a private transfer for you and your travel party. You do not need to pay the driver as the cost of the transfer is included in your itinerary. IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be aware the car service can fit up to 1 checked item of luggage and 1 personal item per person, such as a purse or small backpack. If you think you will have more baggage, please inform your travel consultant as this may result in an additional fee.
The devil, they say, is in the details, but so are the better angels. Case in point, the faces of Fra Angelico's cherubs and saints (and sinners) at his former friary, the Museum of San Marco. An inspiration to the later giants of the Renaissance, Fra Angelico mastered light and human expression. Every character in his paintings is unique, and they express their joy, sorrow, or wonder uniquely. Even with the overwhelming number of masterpieces in Florence, a visit to San Marco merits a visit; the gentleness of Fra Angelico's work will bring you gentle down to earth, even as it lifts your heart.
Painting as an Act of Love: Fra Angelico in the San Marco Friary
The crowds thin out slightly beyond the Galleria dell'Accademia, and not far beyond it rests the superlative frescos of Fra Angelico, in the Museum of San Marco. Tender, but never saccharin, gentle, but never sentimental, his paintings grace the walls of this former friary and expose another side of the Renaissance. Fra Angelico's subjects are always treated respectfully, and the breadth of facial expressions is remarkable, if subtle. With a peaceful atmosphere, and a lesser amount of people, this museum might provide the most intimate experience you will find with Renaissance masterpieces in Florence.
A private transfer service will pick you up from the N/A and take you directly to Florence Airport. This is a private transfer for you and your travel party. You do not need to pay the driver as the cost of the transfer is included in your itinerary. IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be aware the car service can fit up to 1 checked item of luggage and 1 personal item per person, such as a purse or small backpack. If you think you will have more baggage, please inform your travel consultant as this may result in an additional fee.
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ItalyCulture and history are thick in the air in Florence. Located on the banks of the Arno River in Tuscany, Florence’s past is deeply compelling. The birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is where innovators like Dante, Machiavelli, Michelangelo, and Da Vinci made their fortunes. Centuries of art, politics, and commerce have left their mark on every stone in this Northern Italian city. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Florentine banks funded new enterprises that went on to change the history of the world. Powerful families like the Medici’s financed some of the finest art in history and pioneered new ways of doing statecraft and politics. As you stand in the Piazzale Michelangelo and gaze upon the city below it’s hard to take it all in at once. It feels like behind every door in Florence might hide a work of genius. Michelangelo’s David and Botticelli’s Primavera can be found just a short walk away. After a long day wandering the streets and gazing at art, fueled by exquisite coffee and gelato, relax like the locals do: with a glass of some of the best wine in the world.
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Terri McCormack and Michael Lanza
Just back from 15 day trip to Italy planned for us by Go Real Travel. Go Real formulated an outstanding trip for us based on the locations we wanted to explore. Connections were seamless. Go Real was available throughout the trip to provide on the spot advice and assistance. Our drivers and tour guides were top notch. Our Vatican tour guide was full of great information that made the tour terrific. He even had a PhD in religious studies. Language no problem as they all were fluent in English. We had plenty of time for ourselves and, although we had a full schedule, we didn’t feel rushed. Hotels were in great locations and met our needs. We especially liked the hotel in Sorrento with a view of Mt Vesuvius, and with easy access to Pompeii, Capri,and the Amalfi Coast. Go Real gave us an abundance of information on each of the destinations, so we were well versed even before we got there. They provided step by step instructions for public transportation, which made that portion of our travels easy. We highly recommend that you Go with Go Real!
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Our trip to Italy was amazing. Thank you to Go Real Travel for the organization of this trip! The private transfers to and from the airport and train stations went smoothly. The layout of the trip and the train schedules were perfect. All of our guides were wonderful and very knowledgeable. The sunset boat cruise was amazing with a fantastic guide. The hotels, specifically, the Berchielli and U-Visionary, were wonderful. I would like to point out the driver/guide for the Pompeii and Herculaneum tour who went above and beyond to make sure we toured Pompeii. There was a storm the night before that shut down one or two of the tunnels on the main road between Sorrento and Naples. The driver stayed in contact with other drivers to ensure the best route and after a four drive we made it to Pompeii. The tour was amazing. The drive/guide asked if we wanted to continue to Herculaneum, but it was late and we declined. He offered to drive us back to Sorrento, which meant another 4 plus hour drive or take a 30-minute train to Sorrento. We opted for the train, which he paid for, validated the tickets, and got us on the train that was at the station before it took off. Huge thank you to this driver/guide!!! We will use Go Real Travel for any future travel plans.
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