Day 1. Arrive Rome / Monteriggioni
Tour departs: Rome's Fiumicino Airport one hour after the arrival
of our selected flight(s). Drive along scenic country roads lined
with sunflowers, towering cypress and rolling hills, stopping for
lunch in Pienza in the heart of Tuscany. Continue on to Hotel Il
Piccolo Castello, set in the foothills of the medieval fortress
of Monteriggioni. We invite you to join us for a welcome dinner.
Meals LD
Day 2. Montalcino / San Gimignano
Two choices await this morning. One takes you on a scenic pilgrimage
to the hilltop town of Montalcino where one of Italy's finest red
wines is produced; enjoy a walking tour along streets boasting well-preserved
14th and 15th century architecture, stopping at a local restaurant
for a wine tasting lunch. Or, you can travel to the hilltop town
of San Gimignano; Medieval towers, built in the 12th century, are
visible from afar. Stroll along the quaint streets and visit Piazza
della Cisterna; enjoy lunch with a wine tasting. Return to Monteriggioni
for a bicycle trip through the Tuscan countryside, and dine this
evening within the medieval town fortress. Meals BLD
Day 3. Artistic or Historic Siena
Travel to the captivating city of Florence via Siena, where you
select between two guided walking tours. Discover "Artistic
Siena," so beautifully displayed within the medieval state
rooms at Palazzo Pubblico, and at the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.
"Historic Siena" comes alive on a walking tour that takes
you to the home of Italy's patron saint, Casa di Santa Caterina;
the Palazzo Piccolomini, which houses a pictorial history of Siena;
and the Torre del Mangia, adjacent to the Gothic Town Hall. Both
walks visit Siena's Duomo, one of the most spectacular early Gothic
cathedrals in Italy, and the Piazza del Campo - paved in red brick
and marble, it is the site of a festive bi-annual horse race dating
back to the Middle Ages. Arrive in Florence for a three-night stay;
a dine-around tonight offers you a selection of three Tuscan restaurants
that are true culinary delights! Meals BD
Day 4. Discover the Art of Florence
A lecture by an art historian precedes a tour of the Uffizi Gallery,
featuring some of the greatest works of the Renaissance, and a visit
to Galleria dell'Accademia, which is home to Michelangelo's David.
Explore the museums or landmark sites of Florence as you wish this
afternoon and evening. Meals B
Day 5. Artistic Choices in Florence
Two choices await this morning; visit Palazzo Pitti, housing the
great art treasures of the Medicis, and the magnificent Boboli Gardens.
Alternatively, visit Casa Buonarroti - surname of Michelangelo -
to view some of his early works. The museum, in a centuries-old
building, houses a collection of what is considered some of his
most significant works. Remainder of the day is spent at your leisure.
Meals B
Day 6. Under the Tuscan Sun
Travel into the heart of Italy for a three-night stay in Bettona.
Your journey into the Tuscan countryside begins in the Etruscan
city of Cortona, featured in Under the Tuscan Sun. A walking tour
includes a visit to the Museo Diocesano, housing Fra Angelico's
famous painting Annunciation. Enjoy a Tuscan cooking demonstration
and lunch at a gastronomic school in a 15th century house. Meals
BLD
Day 7. Spoleto and Assisi
Travel to Spoleto for a guided walk through its historic streets;
admire the 15th-century frescoes in the spectacular Cathedral of
Santa Maria Assunta before exploring the picturesque town at your
leisure. Visit the beautiful medieval town of Assisi; dramatically
built into the side of the hill, Basilica di San Francesco will
be a memorable sight. Return to Bettona for an evening to be spent
as you please. Meals BD
Day 8. Perugia, Capital of Umbria
Discover the "Green Heart of Italy" on a visit to the
medieval town of Perugia, its capital. A guided walking tour reveals
within its city walls architectural treasures such as the duomo
and Oratorio di San Bernardino. This afternoon you have a choice
of sightseeing - a visit to the town of Deruta, which is renowned
for its ceramics, or a visit to the Lungarotti wine museum and vineyards
in Torgiano, including a wine tasting. We invite you to join us
this evening for a farewell dinner. Meals BD
Day 9. Journey Home
Tour ends: Rome's Fiumicino Airport 2 1/2 hours before the departure
of our selected flight(s). For your convenience, there will be two
transfers to Rome today - a very early morning transfer to Rome's
Fiumicino Airport for those guests returning on the selected Tauck
flight, and a mid-morning transfer to the city of Rome, which will
make stops at three centrally-located hotels. Meals B
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