Immersion Journeys in , France and Spain

The Best of Tour Here's a look at what we have planned, day-by-day, for our Best of Tuscany tour adventures this year:

DAY ONE

Over a glass of prosecco and some light hors d'oeuvres, we'll meet one another and kick off our week together. Weather permitting, we'll enjoy our hotel's rooftop terrace which overlooks the red-tile roofs of central . We'll talk a bit about Tuscan wine and Tuscan culture, and we'll view some slides of amazing by the great sculptors whose works we'll be seeing the next day. Then it's off to the other side of the Arno river across the Ponte Trinità for our first meal together.

DAY TWO

We'll start off our day with a visit to the , Florence's fabulous museum, which houses one of the finest collections of sculpture in all of Italy. We'll have a chance to see works by , Cellini and Donatello, as well as the two famous trial reliefs by Ghiberti and Brunelleschi for the doors. The Bargello also has rooms filled with wonderful special collections—ivory carvings, bronzes, armor and pottery.

Afterwards, Sam will accompany you to the newly reopened and freshly renovated Museum of the Cathedral. Among its many treasures are Donatello's amazing of as an old woman and Michelangelo's Pieta which he designed for his own tomb.

We'll have lunch in a wine bar where we'll taste an impressive variety of focaccia and enjoy the estate wine of our host's family where they've been making wine since the twelfth century. For those who want to shop, Pam will escort you to an artisan who makes marbled paper. She'll also give you suggestions for where to buy leather, gold, and the exquisite house wares of Florence. (You really can stuff that silk pillowcase in your suitcase!) This afternoon, we’ll make a reservation for you to visit the Accademia at your leisure to meet Michelangelo’s , perhaps the world’s most famous sculpture.

Dinner on your own tonight (with an optional concert at 9:30pm for classical music lovers).

DAY THREE

Today will be devoted to one of the world's great museums, The Uffizi Gallery. Tuscany Tours co-founder, Sam Hilt, is the author of an acclaimed guidebook to the museum's collection (just visit Amazon and type "Uffizi" and you'll find it on the first page). We'll have a reservation so that we don't have to wait in line!

For the first part of the visit Sam and Pam will take you to visit some of their favorite paintings, and afterwards you are free to explore at your own pace and stay as long as you like. Sam's guidebook to the Uffizi will be sent out to out all participants before the tour.

Lunch is on your own and the afternoon is free for shopping. Today you may want to visit the gold shops on Ponte Vecchio or the leather school near Santa Croce.

In the early evening, we’ll embark on a stroll through the historical city center of Florence with an outstanding local guide. Then, we'll have dinner together in a little trattoria just around the corner from our hotel. It's been featured in Bon Appétit and, yes, it's in the guide books, but this has not changed this small family run place a bit. They still serve amazing food and the local Florentines still stand in line to get in.

DAY FOUR

You’ll have time this morning to enjoy Florence on your own or to pick up some takehome souvenirs. Around noon, we'll leave Florence and make our way to the Tuscan hill town of Radda-in-Chianti. But, on the way, we are in for a very special treat. Time will stand still as we travel out into the countryside to have lunch with an Italian family at their own winery. We'll drive down a back road and pass row after row of grape vines and olive trees. Finally we'll arrive at a highpoint of rolling, green Chianti hills at one of the most beautiful intersections of woods, vineyards and olive groves that you'll ever see.

You'll be treated to home-cured meats, home-grown produce and home-cooked delights prepared by the family and paired with their outstanding wines. (Wine Spectator loves them!)

Later in the day we'll continue on to Radda-in-Chianti where we'll be based at a lovely boutique hotel right in the heart of the village. You'll have a chance to explore Radda and take in the spectacular views of the Chianti countryside that surrounds it.

DAY FIVE

This morning we'll head over to nearby for a visit to the city's splendid cathedral. It's certainly one of Italy's most beautiful: the entire floor (almost two acres!) is composed of etchings done in inlaid marble; there's a gallery of masks of the going all the way back to St. Peter; the interior is done in alternating stripes of black and white marble—in short, it's breathtaking. Next-door is the cathedral museum that contains an astonishingly beautiful altarpiece by Siena's great 13th century artist, Duccio. We'll be accompanied by a lively guide who was born and raised Siena. She'll share many of her insights (and her opinions about Florence!) as she guides you on a walk around the town.

Lunch will be together at our favorite Siena restaurant which is situated in a deconsecrated church that was once dedicated to Saint Desire. You'll have the afternoon free to further explore Siena at your leisure, and then we'll take you back to Radda to relax.

DAY SIX

This morning we'll be leaving Radda and making our way to the ancient Etruscan town of Cortona. But first, we’ll be off to a wine-tasting and visit to the famous Castle Brolio where the Baron Ricasoli first formulated the Classic Chianti vintage back in the nineteenth century. When he wasn't creating one of Italy famous wines, the Baron played a leading role in the Unification of Italy, served as Italy's second Prime Minister, founded La Nazione (today one of Italy's major newspapers), created a collection of botanical and mineral samples that became the basis for Siena's Natural History Museum, taught the local peasantry to read and write, and supervised the building of his new castle. You'll tour the castle grounds, the museum and cantina, and then enjoy sampling Ricasoli's distinguished wines in an elegant, private tasting room. You may also catch a glimpse of today's Baron Ricasoli, the 32nd Baron in a lineage that spans nearly a thousand years.

Afterwards, we'll invite you to visit our very own Tuscan village, a tiny hill town of about 500 inhabitants. A medieval jewel still undiscovered by the tour guidebooks, its ramparts offer one of the most beautiful panoramic views in all of Tuscany.

Later in the afternoon we'll continue on to Cortona ("Under the Tuscan Sun") and check-in to our elegantly appointed hotel located in a Renaissance palazzo high up on the mountainside. Tuscan stuzzichini ("finger foods") prepared by the hotel staff will be offered about 7pm; then you're free to enjoy dinner at your leisure.

DAY SEVEN

Cortona was a major Etruscan city 2500 years ago, long before ancient 's rise to power. In the morning we'll begin our explorations of the city with the expert guidance of our talented and entertaining guide who was born and raised in Cortona, loves all things Etruscan, and knows many of the fascinating stories of Cortona's past and present.

After this morning's tour we'll make our way across the Valdichiana valley to visit an exquisitely restored twelfth-century castle that once guarded the pass between and Siena. The present castle owner, Salvatore, (who is only the fourth owner in eight centuries!) will be our host for an unforgettable lunch and castle visit.

Upon return to Cortona, you are free to enjoy the evening and dinner at your leisure.

DAY EIGHT We'll begin the day with a visit to Cortona's tiny Diocesan Museum where we are often the only visitors. It hosts a Fra Angelico that is certainly one of the loveliest paintings ever created. Also on exhibit are several masterpieces by Cortona's most famous son, Luca Signorelli, who was Michelangelo's teacher and who was commissioned by the to paint some of the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. After the tour, we'll stop for wine and hors d'oeuvres at Ivan's gallery where he showcases products from some of region's finest artisans.

In the afternoon you'll have free time to explore Cortona on your own. Depending on your interests and preferences, you may want to stroll in the park, hike up the Via Crucis to the Basilica of Saint Margaret, shop along the "Corso", or explore Cortona's steep, picturesque side-streets.

We'll have our farewell dinner this evening at one of our favorite, innovative Tuscan restaurants.

DAY NINE

After breakfast, a group shuttle will be provided (at additional cost) to transfer anyone who wants to head back to Florence airport. Until we meet again.

Arrivederci! Tour Specifics:

Cost: The land cost of the tour is $3995 USD per person, based on double occupancy. Cash discount cost is $3900 per person for payment by check or wire transfer. You may make your registration deposit using PayPal and/or your credit card and still be eligible for the cash discount cost if your final balance is paid by check or wire transfer. Single rooms are available for a supplementary charge of $695. Airfare is not included.

Accommodations: 8 nights lodging in elegant, historic 4 star hotels; (3 nights in Florence, 2 nights in Radda-in-Chianti, and 3 nights in Cortona). All rooms have in-suite baths. **Due to the ancient architecture of hotels renovated from restored palazzos, each hotel room is unique and room sizes may vary.

Meals: All breakfasts, one full-course meal daily (either lunch or dinner), additional meals as scheduled. All meals—after breakfast!—include regional wines. We carefully choose the restaurants based on ambiance and quality of cuisine.

Wine Tastings: Scheduled tastings of various Tuscan wines (including small local producers and famous well-known producers).

Transfers: All ground transportation during the tour subsequent to your arrival at the hotel in Florence. For the departure day, there will be a group shuttle departing Cortona at 9 AM and going to the Florence airport. If you need to depart at a different time, we can help you book a transfer at an additional cost.

Guided Tours with local authorized expert guides: Florence, Siena, Cortona

Admissions: Entrance fees for all planned visits to monuments, galleries and museums are included. Entrance to the Accademia Gallery in Florence is not included and is optional (about €22 per person).

Small, Intimate Group: We limit the number of participants to a maximum of 16-18.

Arrival and Departure: The tour begins at our hotel in Florence. A taxi from the Florence airport to the hotel costs approx. €25 and takes about 20 minutes. Or, we can arrange for you to be met by a private driver at additional cost. On the final morning of the tour, we will arrange a group shuttle from Cortona to the Florence Airport (a 90-minute ride) at a cost of €40 per person. Pick-ups or drop-offs at other locations or times can be arranged for an additional fee. Tour Specifics:

Early Arrival/ Late Stay Options: Depending on hotel availability you may be able to arrive early or stay after the end of the tour. We'll be happy to help you make these arrangements. For trip extensions of 2 nights or less, we provide planning assistance on a complimentary basis. For extensions of 3-5 nights, there is a nominal fee of $150 to assist with trip planning including booking hotels, guides, drivers, etc.

Tour Exclusions: Airfare; transfers upon arrival and departure; Accademia admission; hotel city tax (usually €2-5 per person, per night; payable onsite).

Experienced Tour Leaders: Unless otherwise stated, the tour escorts will be Pam Mercer and Sam Hilt of Tuscany Tours who have been leading small-group tours in Europe since 1997.

Registration:

To reserve your place and register for this tour, please click the button to jump to the Registration Page.

There is a non-refundable deposit due of $350 per person at time of registration to secure your spot on the tour.

Please feel free to contact us via email or call us at (800) 634-3460 with any questions you may have about the tour or about traveling to Italy.

Note: Tuscany Tours reserves the right to make changes to tour venues and guides as circumstances may require.