Florence sightseeing
Duration of tour: 2 – 3 hours
Walking through the historical centre of Florence you will learn about the facts and secrets of an ancient town, more that two thousands years old, from its foundation at the time of the Roman Empire to the most important events of the 15th century and later. You will be impressed at the sight of the monumental and spectacular architectural complex formed by the Duomo (Cathedral), the Baptistery with its Gates of Paradise and the Giotto bell tower. The Old Palace, symbol of the political power, the Loggia dei Lanzi, an open-air museum of sculpture, the Old Bridge with its seven centuries history, will all be a perfect introduction to the history of Florence and its treasures.
Michelangelo: in the footsteps of the Master
Duration of tour: 3 hours
Michelangelo Buonarroti, sculptor, architect, painter and poet, in his lifetime was already called “The divine one”.Florentine in his blood and republican in his beliefs, he left in his home town some unique sculptures and architectural wonders: the David, the Pietà, the Medici Chapels (New Sacristy) and many others. During this tour you will see masterpieces whose achievement was strictly connected with the political events of Florence and with the turbulent life of Michelangelo himself. We will visit the New Sacristy with the famous works of the Master, the Gallery of Academy, whose symbol is the huge marble David, and walking through the city centre we will enter the church of Santa Croce, where the Master is buried.
The treasures of the Uffizi Gallery
Duration of tour: 2 – 4 hours
The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most famous and ancient museums in the world. The major protagonist of all Uffizi collection the painting of Botticelli ” The Birth of Venus” is among of 10 most famous paintings in the world. And in 2021 the Uffizi gallery was decleared as a best museum of the world. It’s certainly a must seen sightseeing of Florence! Walking through its rooms you will see the works of the greatest masters of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance: Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raffaello, Tiziano, Caravaggio and many others. The ancient sculptures in the corridors of the gallery will disclose to your eyes the wonderful world of Greek mythology. From the windows of the museum you will admire the unforgettable view of the Arno river with its bridges. If you are a fan of Italian cuisine, you’ll surprised how some painters left his footprints on it!
The Medici in Florence
Duration of tour: 3 – 6 hours
“Medici”, this name owes most of its popularity to the movies and novels by Dumas, but few people know that the richness and splendour of the Florentine Museums depends on that dynasty, who ruled over Florence for almost 3 centuries.Walking through the places linked with the history of this family (Medici Chapels, Medici-Riccardi Palace, Old Palace, Pitti Palace) you will learn about the difficult path of the Medici on their way from simple merchants to dukes and about there basic role in the development of art and science in Florence and Tuscany.
Chianti and San Gimignano (wine tour)
Duration of tour: 6 – 8 hours
Chianti – this short name is famous all over the world thanks to the red local wine with the same name – Chianti. The Etruscan and roman civilizations left their marks in this territory, and later the land and towns of Chianti became a reason of a fierce dispute between Florence and the rival city of Siena. The result of this fight is a simbol of local red wine – black rooster. Nowadays this land is celebrated not only for its wine and olive oil, basic elements for the Tuscan food, but also for the marvelous castles, fortresses and medieval towns that look down from the tops of the hills on the spreading vineyards and olive groves. Travelling through the picturesque hills you will visit San Gimignano, dominating the landscape with its towers, where you will experience the real atmosphere of the middle ages. The Collegiata, the main church in town, whose walls are decorated by ancient frescoes still keeping their original beauty, the mysterious profile of the former church of the Templar Knights, the silent and quiet narrow streets, will make this tour an unforgettable experience to you.
The best of Tuscany in one day
Duration of tour: 11 hours
You have only e few days in Florence but you want to go to the most beautiful cities in Tuscany? This tour is for you! Siena, San Gimignano and Pisa, what to expect from them? Magnificent Sienese Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta filled with masterpieces of Michelangelo, Pinturicchio, Rafael and other big masters, unusual historical tradition of horse race in the main square of the city that has the same symbol of Rome – Wolf with Romulus and Remus, this is Siena. Breathtaking landscapes and the best gelato in the world under the shadow of medieval towers you can find in San Gimignano. And the icing on the cake is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It stands on the Piazza dei Miracoli – Square of the Miracles, it’s a poetic name of this religious center of Pisa however this piazza really has some unexpected miracles!
Siena and thermal springs
Siena, a town founded by the Etruscans, flourished during the Middle Ages, when due to the successful activity of its bankers and merchants, the city was enriched by numerous works of arts. Walking through the winding streets of the old city centre, surrounded by medieval walls, you will see palaces and fountains with their gothic arches, the Duomo (Cathedral) with its wonderful interior and ubique mosaic floor, and Piazza del Campo, where twice a year for more than 300 years has been taking place the world famous horse ride, the Palio di Siena. Upon request we can visit the Museum of Palazzo Pubblico, located in the medieval building of the municipality, where ancient frescoes will tell us about the history of the Siena Republic throughout the centuries. And in the Pinacoteca, where a unique collection of paintings by sienese masters of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance is displayed, you will see with your own eyes that richness of colors and light that is considered a typical feature of the city.To complete your daily excursion, you will have the opportunity of visiting some thermal hot springs, so widely spread in the Siena district. Hot water coming from underground, rich with inorganic salts, was already well known to Etruscans and Romans for its healing properties. Bathing in a pool decorated by white travertine, with transparent hot water (38-39°), will give you an unforgettable sensation of spiritual and physical well-being. www.ilpalio.org
http://www.ilpalio.org
http://www.operaduomo.siena.it
Thermal spring
To complete your daily excursion, you will have the opportunity of visiting some thermal hot springs, so widely spread in the Siena district. Hot water coming from underground, rich with inorganic salts, was already well known to Etruscans and Romans for its healing properties. Bathing in a pool decorated by white travertine, with transparent hot water (38-39°), will give you an unforgettable sensation of spiritual and physical well-being.
http://www.termechianciano
http://www.termesangiovanni.it
Enjoying Tuscany…
Val d’Orcia and Montepulciano
Duration of tour about 11 hours
Tuscany is a magic word that has a charm of beautiful landscapes accompanied by little cute towns, tasty local food and wine, a harmony that we dream inside our big modern cities. And this dream turns reality in Val d’Orcia or Valley of river Orcia. It is in the UNESCO list of World Heritage only for the beauty of its landscapes. The “crown of cypresses” in the middle of wheat field, the farm Belvedere on the background of hills and mountains, serpentine road of San Bernardino and “Elysian Fields” at the foot of Pienza. Try googling “Tuscany” and immediately you find many pictures of these places. Pienza is a picturesque little town that was refunded by Pope Pius II about 600 years ago with the aim of creating of small private center of Renaissance. For gourmets Pienza is a place of the most tasty Tuscan sheep cheese. The lovers of good red wine have to go to Montalcino where they can find delicious and pricey Brunello di Montalcino together with wonderful views on local vineyards. Montepulciano is literally stands on barrels, in almost every noble antique palace in the city there are a cellars filled with barrels of local wine – Nobile di Montepulciano.