|
DAY 1: Tue., October
10:
Late afternoon departure to Frankfurt.
DAY 2: Wed., October 11:
We arrive in Frankfurt in the morning and take a short connecting
flight to Florence. We transfer to a comfortable superior
tourist class (3 star) hotel, centrally located near the San
Lorenzo Market, the Novella Church, (the train station) and
many other attractions of this great city. After we check
in and some time to settle in, we take a short introductory
walk through the historical city centre. Tonight we enjoy
a welcome drink and dinner in a nearby special restaurant.
DAY 3: Thur., October 12:
This entire day is devoted to an exploration- on foot- of
many of the highlights of Florence, on the north side of the
Arno River and west of Santa Croce Church. we start from the
Piazza della Republica, and end at the Duomo (cathedral).
We visit two churches, Santa Trinita and Orsanmichele. the
walking tour will include the Bell Tower, Baptistry (with
Ghiberti’s famous Ponte Vecchio (a medieval bridge across
the Arno River, lined with goldsmith shops), The Piazza Strozzi
and the Vasari Corridor. Quite enough for one morning!
After lunch we visit the academia to Gaze at Michelangelo’s
masterpiece, the colossal marble statue of David. Later, we
visit the Medici Chapels with the impressive tombs of that
dynasty.
DAY 4: Fri. October 13:
Our visit to an exclusive private Renaissance Villa up in
the hills, with lovely Italian gardens and sublime views over
the Tuscan countryside, should be a highlight of the week.
This grand villa is featured in the two famous films, A Room
with a View, and Tea with Mussolini. Eventually, we get to
enjoy the estate’s wine and produce, with a delicious
gourmet Tuscan lunch!
In the afternoon we head back to Florence to enjoy an afternoon
to shop and wander around on our own.
DAY 5, Sat. October 14:
After breakfast, we visit the Uffizi, truly one of the greatest
art galleries in the world, with its masterpieces of all the
great Italian (and other) masters of the middle Ages, the
Renaissance and the Baroque periods.
Afterwards, we take a side-trip by city bus to nearby Fiesole,
a romantic hilltop town with Roman and Etruscan ruins, a Franciscan
Monastery, villas, gardens and other places of interest. This
evening, perhaps we treat ourselves to a classical music concert?
DAY 6, Sun., October 15:
We board our private coach to enjoy a full day’s outing
to Tuscany’s most famous hilltop towns of San Gimignano
and Siena. These remarkable medieval mountain towns in the
beautiful Chianti region, conjure images of tall chimney pots,
and red brick towns. A local guide accompanies us to elaborate
on the history and highlights of these famous towns.
DAY 7, Mon., October 16:
Today we start out late morning to go visit the other (south)
side of the Arno river, the Oltrano district. Here, where
both in former and in present times, many aritsans established
homes and studios, we will visit the Orgnissanti Church, (where
Botticelli is buried) and the adjoining refectory where Ghirlandiao’s
masterpiece, the superb frescoe of the Last Supper is located.
After lunch we visit the wonderful Boboli Gardens, and/or
the Pitti Palace....the Louvre of Florence! We meet again
the late afternoon and entertain ourselves with some stories
and tales of the artists and aristocrats of the past, as we
get an inside look at some of the ‘cool’ places
still here on the Oltrarno. We finish off Florence style,
with some Tuscan wine at one of the best wine bars in Florence!
Later tonight we gather for a farewell dinner.
DAY 8, Tue., October 17:
Today it could be a FREE DAY on your own or you may wish to
join your Tour Leader on an optional (i.e. the cost of the
train trip and local expenses) day trip to the charming (Roman)
walled town of Lucca! The journey is approximately 90 minutes
each way by train.
DAY 9, Wed., October 18:
Another FREE DAY, or again you may wish to join your Tour
Leader on an optional tour to Pisa. Cost of train trip and
local expenses at your own expense.
DAY 10, Thur., October 19:
We bid farewell and head to the airport for our journey home
to end this enchanting trip.
|
