Italy | Tuscany Florence & Tuscany The Tuscan landscape is dotted prodigious talents to influence TUSCANY with cypresses, vineyard- the artists that followed through Lucca Torre del Lago Florence Pontassieve Pisa Montespertoli covered hills and walled towns the centuries. Radda in Chianti San Gimignano Arezzo Corsignano forming the backdrop for its Volterra Cortona Many of their works can be viewed in Florence, Mediterranian Siena Sea Lake one of the greatest artistic treasure-houses of Montepulciano Trasimeno classic Renaissance art which Campagnatico the world. But Florence is not only history and Grosseto flourished in the 15th-16th culture; shopping here is a delight, especially centuries. Michelangelo amidst the tiny jewellery shops on the Ponte Vecchio; there are the Boboli Gardens - the finest Buonarroti, along with Leonardo in Tuscany - and the local cuisine and regional Da Vinci, were two of the most wines which are simply devine. 1 2 3 4 UNESCO World Michelangelo’s ‘David’ The Palio Medieval Heritage sites No visit to Florence would A twice yearly (2nd July and hilltop towns be complete without seeing 16th August) horse race takes The historic centres of Florence, Visit the charming towns of Michelangelo’s most famous place in Siena’s main piazza. Siena, Pienza and San Gimignano; Montepulciano, Montalcino, masterpiece. The statue, This colourful medieval event the Medici Villas and gardens of Cortona, Rocca d’Orcia and Pienza completed between 1501 and celebrates competition between Tuscany; the grand Piazza del surrounded by the stunning 1503, depicts David before his neighbourhoods (contrade) to win Duomo in Pisa; and the Val d’Orcia. bucolic Tuscan countryside. historic victory over Goliath. the coveted painted silk banner ‘palio’. 1024 | Sunvil 020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk Main image: Tuscany Italy | Tuscany Uffizi Gallery, Florence This magnificent art museum exhibits great Renaissance art by the masters - from Giotto and Botticelli to Da Vinci and Michelangelo. A truly brain-draining experience but worth the viewing. Brunelleschi Hotel, Florence The Brunelleschi Hotel is a well Accommodation: 96 air-conditioned known name in Florence with a fine rooms including classic executive reputation for quality and service. rooms, superior executive rooms, deluxe Located in the heart of Florence in rooms, junior suites and suites. the centre of the historical downtown • Airports: 6km Florence / 105km Pisa area, it overlooks Brunelleschi’s • 4-star superior hotel Cathedral, just a few steps from • Bed & Breakfast the Uffizi Gallery and other famous • City centre location museums. The hotel has been • Complimentary WiFi designed around one of the oldest • Restaurant buildings in Florence, a 6th century Byzantine tower “La Pagliazza” and Guide price from £909 per person* has many ancient walls and ceilings within the property. Deluxe Room Degli Orafi Hotel, Florence This historic building has retained Accommodation: 42 air-conditioned many original architectural features rooms including single rooms, classic including the partially restored rooms, executive rooms and deluxe remains of an ancient tower and the junior suites. fabulous frescoes - dating from the • Airports: 6km Florence 19th century - which adorn the walls / 105km Pisa or Bologna of the breakfast room. There is a bar • 4-star hotel with a panoramic terrace overlooking • Bed & Breakfast the River Arno, Palazzo Vecchio and • City centre location the Cathedral (Duomo). Its location • Complimentary WiFi couldn’t be better placed next to both the Ponte Vecchio, with its Guide price from £590 per person* charming shops and street vendors, and the Uffizi museum. Athena Hotel, Siena Located in a quiet area within the Accommodation: 100 air-conditioned city walls and near the city gate of rooms including economy rooms, Porta San Marco, the Athena Hotel standard rooms, superior rooms, deluxe is the ideal choice for a city break rooms, executive rooms and family rooms. or as part of a fly-drive holiday. This • Airports: 68km Florence four star hotel is tastefully decorated / 170km Pisa throughout in either classic or • 4-star hotel modern style and the rooms are • Bed & Breakfast spacious and well equipped. Guests • City location can enjoy the fabulous sunsets from • Complimentary WiFi the panoramic terrace affording fine • Restaurant views beyond the medieval city walls towards the surrounding Guide price from £1,044 per person* Tuscan countryside. * Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (3 nights in Florence and 7 nights in Siena), flights from London Gatwick to Pisa (other airports on request) and private transfers (Florence) or car hire (Siena). Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties. 020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk Italy | 25 Italy | Tuscany Pisa, Lucca & Volterra Pisa is home to the iconic Leaning Tower, built in 1372. Lucca is known for its intact Renaissance-era walls, Roman street plan and the site of an ancient forum. Volterra, once Etruscan and later Roman, is now one of the best known centres for the turning and polishing of alabaster. Grand Hotel Bonanno, Pisa This centrally located 4-star hotel is Accommodation: 87 air-conditioned within close proximity of Piazza dei rooms including single rooms, standard Miracoli, Museo delle Sinopie, Orto rooms and junior suites. Botanico (botanical gardens) and • Airport: 3.7km Pisa Airport a 10 minute walk to the impressive • 4-star hotel Leaning Tower of Pisa. There are • Bed & Breakfast 87 modern and well-equipped • Complimentary WiFi guestrooms that have light wood • City location furniture and a garden area with • Restaurant outdoor seating. Guests can take advantage of the free parking or Guide price from £485 per person* use the close proximity of the train station to visit many neighbouring towns and villages in the area including Florence, Siena and Lucca. Ilaria Hotel & Residenza dell’Alba, Lucca Located in the historic centre of Lucca Accommodation: 41 air-conditioned and within the ancient city walls, the rooms including classic rooms, superior Ilaria is a modern, comfortable hotel. rooms and suites. The property, formerly the stables of • Airports: 34km Pisa / 68km Florence Villa Bottini, is ideally positioned near • 4-star hotel the medieval gate of San Gervasio, Classic room • Bed & Breakfast within a few minutes walk of the • City location shops and restaurants of this charming • Complimentary WiFi walled city and, more importantly, easily accessible by car. There are two Guide price from £700 per person* large sun terraces (one with a Jacuzzi) facing the park, where breakfast can be taken in the summer. Suite Villa Nencini Hotel, Volterra Villa Nencini is a beautifully restored, Accommodation: 35 rooms including 16th century stone building with standard rooms, family rooms stunning panoramic views of the and suites. surrounding countryside. The sunsets • Airports: 61km Pisa / 92km Florence here are truly amazing. This charming • 3-star hotel owner-managed property provides an • Bed & Breakfast ideal base from which to explore this • Complimentary WiFi rich cultural area. The walled town of • Restaurant Volterra, a 10-minute uphill walk from • Rural location the hotel, is an enchanting labyrinth of • Swimming pool cobbled streets with various parks and a wide choice of restaurants and bars. Guide price from £805 per person* * Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (3 nights in Pisa and 7 nights in Lucca and Volterra), flights from London Gatwick to Pisa (other airports on request) and car hire. Private transfers (Pisa and Lucca) or car hire (Volterra). Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties. 1026 | Sunvil 020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk Italy | Tuscany Etruscan Cities Tuscany is considered to be the cradle of Etruscan civilization (9BC to 1AD). Ancient Etruria was centred on twelve great Etruscan cities, which included Arezzo, Cortona, San Gimignano and Volterra. La Cisterna Hotel, San Gimignano Standard Room In the centre of San Gimignano is Accommodation: 48 air-conditioned the ancient Cistern Square where rooms including single rooms, La Cisterna Hotel stands, one façade standard rooms, superior rooms overlooking the square and the and comfort rooms. other towards Val d’Elsa, some of the • Airports: 75km Pisa / 70km Florence loveliest scenery in Tuscany. This 14th • 3-star hotel century building has been furnished • Bed & Breakfast in a style perfectly in keeping with the • Complimentary WiFi charm of its surroundings. A unique • Restaurant hotel and a town not to be missed. • Town centre location Guide price from £813 per person* Villasanpaolo Spa Resort, San Gimignano The Villasanpaolo is set within a Accommodation: 78 air-conditioned large park of cypress trees and olive rooms including classic rooms, superior groves with spectacular views over rooms and suites. the Tuscan countryside and walled • Airports: 68km Pisa / 63km Florence town of San Gimignano (4.5km). The • 4-star hotel property has been beautifully restored • Bed & Breakfast in keeping with the original features of • Complimentary WiFi this 20th century aristocratic Villa. The • Restaurants elegantly furnished rooms