Arrive at Florence international airport and transfer to your hotel. The historic streets and churches around Florence have lent the city to be dubbed the “Cradle of the Renaissance.” Stunning marble sculptures decorate the public square of Piazza della Signoria. The Loggia della Signoria decorates the southern border of the square, filled with images of the Renaissance set beneath the large, open arches that date back to the 14th century. Medici lions look out to Palazzo Vecchio. Perseus holds the head of Medusa, cast in shimmering bronze. The Arno River floats past the nearby canal. The lush Tuscan hills encompass the outer reaches of the city, emphasized with thin towering cypress trees.
Your private transfer leads you into Florence helping you settle into the beauty and romance of the historic city. Piazzale Michelangelo watches over the historic city centre on the Otra Arno, known as the other side of the Arno River. The terrace provides a spectacular view of the entire city, stretching from the banks of the river, past the dramatic dome of the Florence Cathedral, all the way to the hills beyond the ancient city walls. The scent of fresh pasta fills the evening air. Every evening the monks at the Abbey of San Miniato al Monte, just behind the piazza, perform mass. Their
Gregorian chants echo in the gilded church gallery. The scent of frankincense filters out the doors of the church and into the countryside. It is a perfect introduction to Tuscany.
Breakfast in the hotel. In the morning, the soft light washes over the brick dome of the Florence Cathedral. The gold-plated Gates of Paradise on the baptistery shimmer in the sunlight, with the images of the Old Testament, showcased on the east doors. The morning is yours to discover more of the majesty of Florence, savouring the quality of the city that
resembles an open-air museum, with historic palaces, a marble cathedral, and priceless artistry for public viewing. In the early afternoon, you leave the Tuscan capital and make your way into the verdant hillsides, covered in emerald grass and jade cypress trees. Villas speckle the countryside en route to Pisa. When you arrive, you find a principality with a historic Navy that once surpassed that of its northern neighbour of Genoa.
Once in the city, you find a vibrant, youthful energy stemming from the student population. The university has been a staple in the city since the 14th century and remains a prized institution across Italy.
At the Piazza dei Miracoli, you find the expansive square home to the renowned Leaning Tower, but also the sensational Pisa Cathedral. The medieval structure was erected in the 11th century with five naves and a Romanesque style. The pointed arches in the interior and the mosaics show a heavy Byzantine influence. The grey marble façade contrasts the
white stone and marble disks enveloping the main doors made of bronze. The grandeur of the structure heightens the atmosphere around the Leaning Tower, showing the historic power and wealth of the city
Breakfast in the hotel. In the morning, the remnants of the city’s opulent past blossom out of the quiet streets, surrounding the Piazza dei Miracoli and emerge from the grounds of the Sacred Field made legendary by Archbishop Ubaldo dei Lanfranchi. After breakfast, you pass the Piazza dei Cavelieri and the 16th-century palace of the same name, leaving Pisa behind for the sensational medieval walled city of Lucca. A circuit of
walls more than two and a half miles long borders the historic city centre. Eleven bastions and six gates have fortified the 39-foot-tall walls since the 16th century. Today, a public park surrounds the walls providing lush space for locals to walk, run, and bike. Flowers blossom and trees glow in the gentle Tuscan breeze, bringing a verdant scent to the city. The massive Guinigi Tower stands at the centre of the old walled town adorned with holm oaks. The tower stands more than 145 feet tall and was erected to connect a complex of two mansions belonging to the Guingigi household, a family that brought the city an era of prosperity and peace in the 1400s. The city has an ineffable charm emanating from the Roman Amphitheater, whose oval outline remains in the design of the bordering homes
Breakfast in the hotel. The walls of Lucca practically blend into the scenery, embraced by the organic greenery of the park. The day is yours to enjoy the city and its surroundings at your leisure, taking the time to savour the aroma of the morning espresso and images of the Renaissance structures enlivening the cityscape. On the northern coast of the city is the town of Carrara, noted throughout history as the quarry site for Carrara marble. White peaks form the backdrop of the city throughout the year and are in fact showcasing the sensational marble terrain around the region, spanning 4,942 acres of marble quarried from the Apuane Alps since the Roman Empire. The marble
remains the world’s most pure and sought-after shining stone. For a unique look into the artistry of stonework, symbolizing the masterful allure of Michelangelo’s David, you visit the Studi di Scultura Carlo Nicoli. It was in Carrara that Michelangelo chose the gigantic stone from which to carve his masterpiece. In the sculpting school, you find students designing, shaping, marking, and planning their methodology to bring their imagined works into the stone reality. The studio is the most atmospheric of the workshops in Carrara, filled with dusty air from the chipped and tinkered stone. The studio showcases internationally renowned artists alongside students to remind everyone of the possibilities of marble, and the millennium-old tradition of sculpting.
Breakfast in the hotel. Today, you leave behind the Lombard region of Tuscany and make your way south to the Chianti region, known for the sweeping vineyards, tasty wine, and dramatic towers of San Gimignano. Before you even reach the city, you can see the medieval edifices and strongholds standing atop the hillside like a picture in a storybook.
Once in the city, you can stroll up the inclined walkway, through the city gates, and enter
the historic streets. In the centre of the city, you can see the top of numerous square towers peeking through the top of the buildings and creating a unique skyline. The two Torri Salvucci Towers were erected in the 13th century and overlook the Piazza del Duomo. Each tower in the city was erected to show a family’s wealth and prominence in the city, which is shown
dramatically in Torri Salvucci. Legend says the two towers were constructed to bypass a city ordinance defining a tower’s height, therefore when the height of towers is combined it would prove taller, and, therefore, prove the family’s wealth is greater than another rival family. The antique city is marvellously preserved and fills with the aroma of delicious
gelato in the afternoon. The city walls have protected the town since the 13th century and continue to offer tremendous views of the exemplary Tuscan countryside. Once you have properly acquainted yourself with the picturesque hill town of San Gimignano, you return to your charming accommodation for the evening, Castelfalfi. Located in the heart of Tuscany, this upscale accommodation has
both 4 stars and a 5 stars hotel plus an outstanding SPA, a 27 holes golf course, vineyards, trattorias and
The picturesque Tuscan town of Siena stands on the hilltops 28 miles south of San Gimignano. The city was a seat of power and wealth in the 12th to 14th centuries competing with Florence for supremacy. The historic city centre looks like a medieval city frozen in time. Colourful stone houses line the cobbled streets. The Gothic tower of Torre del Mangia, connected to Palazzo Pubblico, stands 318 feet and is visible from the rolling hills encircling the city, especially its marble crown atop the red brick turret. The scent of fresh pasta filters out of charming restaurants and cafes. Locals and visitors linger under the shady umbrellas
decorating the entryways to cafes in the Piazza del Campo, the city’s main square. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is a perfect example of Italian Gothic architecture. Dark stripes along the façade create a dramatic contrast with the shimmering white marble and pink-hued tripartite entry arches. The cathedral was erected in the 13th century and is
filled with the continuation of the black and white marbled motif. Your eyes are drawn to the mosaics on the floor. Fifty-six inlaid marble panels depict various Biblical scenes and popular mythologies, including a representation of Romulus and Remus found in the wild by a mother wolf. While you're heading south, you may want to visit one of the famous wineries located in close proximity to your luxury accommodation. The famed region of Chianti Classico is world-renowned for its red wines and extra-virgin olive oil, with
wineries and estates offering guided tours and wine tastings. In the afternoon, you once again return to your resort and indulge in the authentic flavours
of a traditional Tuscan dinner, which uses the freshest local and regionally sourced ingredients. The meal is accompanied by a glass of Chianti Classico, the wine of choice in this world-famous region. If you are interested in furthering your culinary skills and
cultivating the skills necessary to prepare a delicious Tuscan meal, Castelfalfi provides cooking classes with one of their chefs, who will share their culinary secrets and techniques to prepare the quintessential dishes of Tuscan cuisine. Afterwards, relax in the outdoor swimming pool or the lush gardens. Exclusive massages and beauty treatments are also available upon request, allowing you to fully relax your body and mind in the heart of Tuscany.
Breakfast in the hotel. The morning light shines through the rose window of the Siena Cathedral, washing over the radiant marble panels you witnessed the previous day. After breakfast, you travel across the verdant Tuscan hills once more and return to the vibrant and enchanting city of Florence. Once in the city, the remainder of the day is yours to savour the beauty of the city and its treasured works. The Galleria dell’Accademia was established in the 18th century and acts as a school for inspiring artists, along with a museum housing Renaissance paintings and sculptures. When you enter the museum, you find a pristine gallery. The sheer white walls around the main hall allow the art to burst from their canvases. A doorway to the left of the entrance leads you into a long hall. Crowning the hall is the original and breathtaking sculpture of Michelangelo’s David. The statue has stood in the gallery since 1873 and stands beneath a single dome framing the 17-foot-tall marble masterpiece. What separates the statue from others you have seen is not just the size, but the remarkable detail connoting every muscle to create a divine structure of the body. Even David’s hair has heft and
movement in its added curls.
The cool air of the museum adds to the atmosphere surrounding the statue. The wonderment of the artwork created during the Renaissance never ceases. On the way back to Castelfalfi from Florence, consider making a stop at the world-famous Pierotucci Leather Factory. As you arrive at this institution, the smell of ripened leather gently encompasses you as you explore some of the finest leather goods in the world, which are produced right on the premises into handcrafted jackets, handbags, belts, wallets, and accessories. Piero Tucci created the business in the early 1970s by gathering the finest group of leather artisans who were highly skilled in the timeless art of handcrafted leatherwork. Although Pierotucci has paved its own award-winning designs over the decades from its humble beginnings, the company has also gone on to design works for other famous international and Italian brands, such as Cole Haan, Hugo Boss, Valentino, as well as Toscanella, Pierotucci's own flagship label.
In 1985, the Tucci family expanded the workshop so that their master artisans could have the proper spacious environment they need to create their magic. The Pierotucci workspace can be accessed with a behind-the-scenes tour of their leather production, from prepping the raw letter to buffing its detailed finish. In May 1999, they grew even further to include an exclusive Art and Jewelry Corner, to showcase the legendary craftsmanship of Italian artists and
jewellers. Partnering with the finest expert artisans and craftsmen from Rome, Florence, and Naples, they began to showcase selective displays of 18K gold jewellery, exquisitely detailed cameos, and glass and stone mosaics. Furthermore, Pierotucci especially prides itself on sourcing all of its materials locally in Italy, bearing a traditional brand of "Made
in Italy" and the brand has become internationally acclaimed and synonymous with quality.
The chirping of the birds gradually crescendoes as life sleepily awakens in the dreamy countryside of Tuscany, a region that appreciates a slower pace of life. You glance outside of your luxury resort, taking in the views of the verdurous vineyards and olive groves. However, for your final morning, you have one surprise left; you take to the skies in a hot air balloon to gain a newfound perspective of the iconic rolling hills of Tuscany. The panoramic angle is Located a mere 10 minutes from Castelfalfi, and the exhilarating experience is followed by a Champagne breakfast.
After you have had the chance to fully take in the tranquil beauty of the landscape one last time, your private transfer will meet you at the hotel to escort you to Florence Airport Peretola. For now, though, you can enjoy the morning and watch the countryside come to life around you.
Arrivederci Italia !
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