Discovery Italy

Day 1: Florence
Piazza della Signoria with the Palazzo Vecchio, Loggia dei Lanzi and Neptune Fountain
Arrival at the airport, 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.the late afternoon it starts the discovery of Florence.
We reccomend you to start with the most representative place of the city:Piazza della Signoria with the magnificent Palazzo Vecchio with its beautiful ‘500 Saloon housing some of Vasari’s fresco paintings and the courtyard, the statue of David by Michelangelo in front of the palace, the elegant Loggia dei Lanzi with important groups of sculptures, the Fountain of Neptune that the Florentine people call “Biancone”, the Court of the Merchandise, Palazzo Ugoccioni

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

Day 2: Florence
Uffizi Gallery, Vasari Corridor, the wonderful view from Ponte Vecchio and the Arno River
Piazza Duomo and its cathedral, the Baptistery, Giotto’s bell tower, Duomo’s Museum
After a good breakfast in Florence you start the discovery of the beautiful Florence.
We recommend you to 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 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 we recommend you to 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
Tuscan Wine Tasting
Your third day 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.
A stop in “Cioccolateria” for a chocolate and florentine wine tasting is also on the schedule.
In the heart of Florence you are going to visit a local producer of chocolate and taste four different chocolates: dark chocolate, milk chocolate, vanilla chocolate, and hazelnut cream with local Italian wines. At the end you can also taste Pan Forte and gingerbread, two typical tuscan cakes.

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: FLORENCEPALAZZO PITTI, 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 Palatine Gallery, where is exposed 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.lunch you visit the Pantheon of the city, Santa Croce, a masterpiece of gothic art covered with carrara marble.

Evening: Wine and cheese tasting in “Enoteca Obsequium” or near the home of Dante Alighieri.
Wonderful 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 (depending on the preferences)
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 “Buonamici” farm in Fiesole tasting local organic products in the middle of the nature: extra virgin olive oil spread on delicious toasted bread, soups, cheeses, 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 combined with local cheeses and cold cuts that is going to delight your palate.
A visit to a local a 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 a known and loved restaurant.

Day 7: OPTIONALLY
Another tour in Florence or
FLORENCE – MONTELUPO FIORENTINO 18 km by bus
Free day for shopping, to live the unforgettable atmosphere of Florence or a visit to Montelupo Fiorentino, a town renowned for its ancient handicraft production of ceramics, 18 km from Florence.
In Montelupo Fiorentino we recommend you to visit the Archaeological Museum of Ceramics, Villa Ambrogiana and Palazzo della Salute. If you are in Montelupo Fiorentino in June you can also 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 wonderful florence atmosphere.