Historical Immersion Tour of Tuscany: Siena and Florence

Siena acts as a preserved masterpiece that represents Tuscany, Italy, and the power of individual city-states. Your private transfer will greet you at Florence Peretola International Airport and escort you to your accommodations in the heart of Siena. After settling in to the comforts of your accommodation, your guide will introduce you to the marvels of the city. Your tour will begin at Piazza del Camp and will include the Duomo. After your tour, you will have the remainder of the day to spend at your leisure.

In the morning, your guide will lead you to the countryside for a stunning exploration of the Chianti region. The scenery emulates the iconic images of Tuscany with lush hills and shallow valleys that are blanketed with vineyards. You can stop at Greve in Chianti, which is a traditional town that was once inhabited by the Etruscans over two millennia ago. While exploring Chianti, you can sample the famous Chianti Classico in a family-run wine cellar. You will then continue to San Gimignano, where 13 of the original 72 medieval towers create the marvelous skyline that soars over the Tuscan countryside.

Today, you will venture to the famous Val d’Orcia with your private guide for a spectacular exploration of its gorgeous scenery and fabulous history. The town offers a superb example of Renaissance design and dates back to the 15th century. The Palazzo Piccolomini was once the residence of Pope Pius II. You will then continue to the charming town of Montalcino. You can visit an old wine cellar in Montalcino to sample the celebrated Brunello wine that is made from 100 percent Sangiovese grapes.

Your private guide will take you away from Siena for the day to the remarkable city of Pisa, which once ruled the Mediterranean Sea before falling to Genoa. Your guide will lead you to the famous Piazza dei Miracoli, which is home to the Duomo, elegant baptistery, and Leaning Tower. The history of the Sacred Fields dates back to the 13th century and the Fourth Crusade. You will continue to the charming town of Lucca, where the antique walls encircle the city center.

You will step into the beauty of Florence in the morning with your guide for a private tour of the city. In the Uffizi Gallery, you will find a timeline of the history of art in Florence. Your specialist guide will immerse you in the splendor of artwork that reflects the aesthetic of artists at the time, from the 13th to the 18th century. You can stand in front of Botticelli’s masterpiece, La Primavera, which is a 15th-century painting that depicts an allegory of spring with six female figures.

After breakfast, you will meet your guide to uncover more of the remarkable history of Florence. At San Lorenzo Church, you will find a remarkable and often overlooked view of the Renaissance. Donatello designed the pair of bronze pulpits that feature scenes from the life of Jesus and the saints. Michelangelo designed the New Sacristy for the Medici. Your guide will unveil the hidden images of Michelangelo that lines the walls of a secret room beneath the Medici Chapel. You will continue your exploration of Florence in the neighborhood of the Oltrarno.

In the morning, cafes will place tables and chairs along the cobblestone streets in view of the iconic skyline that features the Duomo and the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella. After breakfast, your private transfer will meet you in the lobby and escort you to Florence Peretola Airport for your flight home.