Discovery Italy

Day 1: FLORENCE
PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA WITH PALAZZO VECCHIO, LOGGIA DEI LANZI AND NEPTUNE FOUNTAIN
Arrival at the airport, welcome by Discovery Italy Now Tour Leader, transfer to ***Hotel or B&B.
Refreshing welcome drink and free time to relax or to begin acquaint yourself with the enchanting atmosphere of Florence.
During the late afternoon starts your discovery of Florence with the most representative place of the city: Piazza della Signoria with the magnificent Palazzo Vecchio and its beautiful ‘500 Saloon housing some of Vasari’s fresco paintings and the courtyard with the statue of David by Michelangelo.
You are also going to admire the elegant Loggia dei Lanzi with important groups of sculptures, Fountain of Neptune that the Florentine people call “Biancone”, the Court of the Merchandise and Palazzo Ugoccioni.

Evening: Dedicated to old and famous food and tuscan wine tradition in a restaurant and then walk around the magic atmosphere and town's lit alleyways.

Day 2: FLORENCE
UFFIZI GALLERY, VASARI CORRIDOR, WONDERFUL VIEW FROM PONTE VECCHIO AND ARNO RIVER
PIAZZA DUOMO AND ITS CATHEDRAL, BAPTISTERY, GIOTTO'S BELL TOWER, DUOMO'S MUSEUM
After a good breakfast in Florence, together with your Tour Leader you continue the discovery of the beautiful Florence.
We start with the “not to be missed” visit to one of the most prestigious museums of the world, Uffizi Gallery which houses paintings of Giotto, Michelangelo, Raffaello, Leonardo, Botticelli just to name some of the greatest masters.
Particular attention will be given to the Vasari Corridor where can be admired the original portrait collection of famous painters from the Middle Ages and portraits of the famous family doctors.
The view on the Arno you have in front of you when you cross the Old Bridge will be kept in you heart for a long time.
Of equal beauty is the view of the hills surrounding the city of Florence.
Lunch in trattoria where can be tasted culinary delights of Florence (a must to be tasted are the florentine steak, a dish of roasted game, ribollita, florentine pappardelle, pasta with beans or local cheeses accompanied by a glass of wine).
During the afternoon you visit another nice corner of Florence: Piazza del Duomo with its important monuments built in white marble of Carrara by geniuses like Giotto and Brunelleschi. You also visit the museum that houses models and tools for the construction of the imposing cathedral.

Evening: Typical florentine restaurant, tasting the delicious culinary dishes

Day 3: FLORENCE
THE CHURCH OF SAN LORENZO, THE CONTIGUOUS MARKET, MEDICI’S CHAPELS, PIAZZA SS. ANNUNZIATA, SANTA MARIA NOVELLA, THE LAST SUPPER BY GHIRLANDAIO, PONTE VECCHIO AND ITALIAN FASHION IN FLORENCE
The third day guided tour in Florence takes you to a very impressive corner, characterized by Florentine handiwork.
You visit the Church of San Lorenzo, the handiwork market and Piazza SS. Annunziata with its church and magnificent buildings.
After lunch you continue to Santa Maria Novella with its magnificent church where you find works of Brunelleschi, Masaccio and Ghirlandaio and then towards the elegant Via della Vigna Nuova lined with boutiques of the most famous Italian designers.
From Piazza Santa Trinita, walking for a while, in front of you will be visible again the wonderful view of Ponte Vecchio.

Evening: Horse drawn carriage ride to admire the beautiful Florence.
Dinner at “Acqua al 2” and a delicious Florentine ice cream at “Gelateria Carabè

Day 4: FLORENCE
PITTI PALACE, GALLERIA PALATINA , MUSEUM ARGENTI, SANTA CROCE SQUARE
Tasting of tuscan wines and cheeses
Your fourth itinerant day takes you to Pitti Palace, built by the famous artist Brunelleschi.
You are going to visit the: the Palatine Gallery with the largest art collection of Medici’s family that ranges from Renaissance to Baroque, Museo degli Argenti and the Costume Gallery.
In this magnificent corner of Florence you are also going to visit Boboli garden, full of beautiful fountains and statues.
After lunch you visit together with your tour leader the Pantheon of the city, Santa Croce, a masterpiece of gothic art covered with carrara marble.

Evening: Wine and cheese tasting at “Enoteca Obsequium” or in a wine cellar near the home of Dante Alighieri. The best Tuscan cheeses are going to be enhanced by the taste of tuscan wines, such as Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG, Brunello di Montalcino, Tiezzi.
Live music in a local bar full of lively atmosphere

Day 5: FIRENZE – FIESOLE AND THE HILLS 8, 5 km on foot or by bus
Tasting of local delicious gastronomic products and tuscan wines
Your fifth itinerant day takes you to Fiesole which lies on one of the hills that surround Florence. It has a magnificent beauty both for its location which offers a wonderful view over the river Arno as well as for the rich archaeological area.
You are going to visit the ruins of the ancient baths, the temple, the roman theatre and the old church and former convent.
During the afternoon you are going to visit the Farm “Buonamici” in Fiesole and taste local organic products in the middle of the nature: extra virgin olive oil spread on delicious toasted bread, soups, cheeses and delicious pastries accompanied by a good tuscan wine.

Evening: Return from Fiesole and walk to Oltrarno, an area of Florence, which preserves the authentic spirit of the Tuscan capital.
Dinner at “Antica Osteria Mescita San Niccolo” in via San Niccolò.

Day 6 : FIRENZE – GREVE IN CHIANTI 30 km by train or bus
Tasting of a selection of cheese, cold cuts and tuscan wines
The sixth day of your itinerant adventure takes you into the footsteps of the famous Chianti wine. You are going to visit the church of Santa Croce and Piazza Matteotti.
The itinerary includes also a wine tasting, local cheeses and cold cuts that is going to delight your palate. A visit to a local winery where it is going to be explained the methods of vinification, aging in cask & technical bottling, is also on the schedule.
A stroll through the vineyards of the famous Chianti wine.The wine cellars of Greve in Chianti Carpineto will have you as guests.

Evening: return to Florence and dinner in a rustic trattoria. “Cibreo” is known and loved restaurant.

Day 7: OPTIONALLY
day off to discover on your own the beauty of Florence or
FLORENCE – MONTELUPO FIORENTINO 18 km by bus
Free day for shopping, to live on your own the unforgettable atmosphere of Florence or together with your Tour Leader visit Montelupo Fiorentino, a town renowned for its ancient handicraft production of ceramics, 18 km from Florence.

In Montelupo Fiorentino you are going to visit the Archaeological Museum of Ceramics, Villa Ambrogiana and Palazzo della Salute. If you are going to be in Montelupo Fiorentino in June you can visit the International Ceramics Festival. During this festival the historic town recalls the atmosphere of the sixteenth century festivities and there are being exposed hundreds of pottery works.

Evening: end of the program dinner in a local traditional tuscan restaurant to enjoy the Florence atmosphere