The Tuscany Experience with Private Driver
Duration
8 Days/7 Nights
TRANSPORT
Car
Starting from
$1,774.00
Day 01: FLORENCE
You will arrive in Florence and make your way to the hotel, having time at leisure to relax or get acquainted with the city until dinner. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a typical restaurant in the historical center of Florence, with local wine selections included. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02: FLORENCE
After a tasty Italian breakfast, you will spend a wonderful day discovering the beauty of Florence. Known as the Cradle of the Renaissance, you will marvel at Florence's art, architecture and churches created by the grand Masters such as Brunelleschi, Michelangelo and Giotto to name a few. Begin your visit with a two hour guided walking tour which includes the Piazza dell Duomo and its imposing Cathedral and its impressive Dome, the Bell Tower and the Baptistery and Piazza Della Signoria with the majestic Palazzo Vecchio. Time at leisure for lunch. For the afternoon, you will have reservations to the world renowned Uffizi Gallery and Accademia Gallery Museums allowing you to skip the long lines to enjoy famous works of Botticelli, Leonardo Da Vinci and the famous David Statue by Michelangelo. Dinner will be a special and unique experience: you will be guest at a private home and enjoy dinner as part of the family tasting the authentic Florentine lifestyle in a friendly and intimate athmosphere. You will be picked up and driven back to the hotel for your overnight stay.
Day 03: FLORENCE, LUCCA
Breakfast at your hotel before you board the train to historic Lucca for a full day at leisure to explore this enchanting walled city of Etruscan and roman origins highly powerful during the middle ages. Lucca is home to many beautiful churches, palaces and squares, including the famous Piazza dell’Anfiteatro with a perfect oval shape, the Piazza Napoleone where the Palazzo Ducale is located and where you will see traces from the reign of Elisa Baciocchi, sister of Napoleon Bonaparte who ruled the region in the 19th century. Nearby is the Duomo di San Martino, uniquely constructed with mismatched pillars, believed to be the result of an artist's contest during the construction. It's also noted for having the Volto Santo di Lucca, a crucifix carved by Nicodemus, friend of Christ and thus bears a true image of him. The home of composer Puccini is also nearby and open to visitors. Another lovely church worthy of a visit is the Romanesque Church of San Frediano. A simple stroll along the intact 4 km medieval walls will be a pleasing adventure on its own. In the afternoon, you will board the train back to Florence. Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel.
Day 04: FLORENCE, FIGLINE VALDARNO
After breakfast, say farewell to Florence. You will board a train for Figline Valdarno in the Florentine countryside. Check into your hotel set in a beutiful 14th century villa. The rest of the day will be at your leisure to relax in the hotel’s spa, pool and wonder through the beautiful Tuscan gardens. Dinner at the hotel consisting of a tasty Tuscan menu. Enjoy a restful night at the hotel.
Day 05: FIGLINE VALDARNO, TUSCAN COOKING CLASS
After breakfast, you will participate in a cooking class at the Relais Torre Guelfa instructed by Chef Claudio Piantini. He will guide you through the preparation of several dishes, sharing his expertise and affection for Tuscan cuisine. Enjoy lunch conisisting of the delicious meal you will prepare during class. Rest of the day is at leisure to explore the historic town of Figline Valdarno which include several beautiful churches and Praetorian Palace. Dinner on your own and overnight at your Hotel.
Day 06: FIGLINE VALDARNO, GREVE IN CHIANTI, WINE TASTING, MONTEFIORALLE, CHIANTI REGION
Breakfast at the hotel and check out in preparation to meet your English speaking driver. At 9:30 am, you will take the Chiantigiana wine road, in the heart of the picturesque Chianti region towards Greve in Chianti, the principal town of the region. At Piazza del Mercato, the “market square”, you will admire the Franciscan monastery. The tour continues with a visit to two wineries where you will enjoy wine tastings. Proceed to to the charming fortified village of Montefioralle, birthplace of explorer Amerigo Vespucci. At the end of the day you'll transfer to your new hotel in the Chianti area for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 07: CHIANTI REGION, SIENA
After breakfast, your private driver will take you to enchanting Siena. The medieval power of this lovely town still radiates glory in its magnificent Cathedral, which houses bas reliefs by Donatello and other 15th century sculptors as well as perfectly preserved frescoes by Ghirlandaio. The Piazza del Campo is another triumph of history, home to the famous Palio horse race and the Palazzo Pubblico, where frescoes by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Pietro Lorenzetti and Simone Martini are on display. Lunch on your own. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 08: CHIANTI REGION, FLORENCE
After breakfast, checkout from your hotel accommodation. A private car and driver will transfer you to Florence. End of your tour and our services.
