Italy, Under the Tuscan Sun

Discover the marvelous city of Florence! Meet your English-speaking guide at your hotel, and kick off your walking tour from the majestic cathedral nearby. Known as ‘Duomo’ for its spectacular dome, find out more about the history behind the structure even as you admire its beauty and form as an architectural feat. From the city’s Roman foundations, move on to its journey leading up to the Renaissance; admire the impressive gate of the baptistery and the famous sculptures. Stop by the leather market and see the city’s revered mascot, before carrying on to the bank of the Arno river from where you can enjoy a sweeping view of Ponte Vecchio, a picturesque old bridge. Once you cross the bridge, continue through the secret corridor built by the legendary Medici family and arrive at the Uffizi Courtyard and the Piazza Signoria, which used to be the city’s political center. Explore its iteration as an open-air gallery today, filled with beautiful sculptures including a copy of Michelangelo’s masterpiece David. Wrap up your tour with a visit to the bustling artisans’ market. (Half Day; Time: 0900 hrs; Private Activity & Guide will meet you at your hotel; Fitness Level: Moderate; Please note that the English-speaking guide is included as a part of the tour, while the entrance fees to the monuments are NOT included. Please remember to wear comfortable shoes, and carry a light raincoat or umbrella.)

Get picked up from your hotel as you embark on this interesting excursion in search of truffles. Head to the Tuscan hills where you will accompany an expert truffle-gatherer and his loyal dog in this hunt for prized white truffles. Watch the skilled dog harness its instincts and follow it into the woods to unearth this hidden treasure. Learn all about the traditions and legends related to these tubers, also known as white gold. Walk out of the woods to a truffle factory where you will learn all about the techniques of processing truffle for use in delicious meals. Enjoy a tasting lunch at the factory featuring this premium ingredient and relish the earthy flavor that is unique to truffles. After you wind up your tour, get dropped back at your hotel with memories of a lifetime. (Full Day; Time: 0900 hrs; Private Activity & Transfers; Lunch Included; Fitness Level: Moderate. Please wear comfortable shoes. You could also bring a light raincoat or umbrella depending on the weather.)

Start off from your hotel in Florence with your private driver to discover the attractions in Pisa and Lucca. Begin your tour at Miracle Square or Piazza del Duomo best known for its legendary Leaning Tower. Wander around this fine example of medieval art, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Get a closer look at the cathedral, baptistery, and cemetery that together make up the sprawling complex. Around noon, drive over to Lucca where you can stroll around the city center and amble down the quaint streets right up to the walls that make up the public promenade. Stop by the bustling San Michele and Napoleon squares as you watch people stroll by. Get a glimpse of the Ducal Palace and the magnificent Cathedral of San Martino also known as the Duomo of Lucca. Amble on to amphitheater square before making your way to the Romanesque Church of San Frediano dating back to the sixth century. At your own pace, explore other attractions such as the Tower of the Hours set on the famous Via Fillungo and Puccini House with a museum dedicated to the great composer Giacomo Puccini. Return you to your hotel in Florence with cherished memories of a great experience. (Full Day; Private Activity & Transfers; Private Local Guide in Pisa & Lucca; Fitness Level: Easy-Moderate; Please wear comfortable shoes.)

Discover the Tuscan winelands on this visit to pretty villages, secluded hamlets and local settlements in the Chianti region. Meet your local guide and chauffeur in the hotel lobby after an early breakfast, and drive to the Tuscan countryside. Enjoy your journey through the backcountry, amid rolling hills and valleys clad in verdant vineyards and olive groves. Stop at a medieval town called Greve and explore its historic buildings and architecture, including the central plaza, the town hall and the statue of the explorer, Giovanni da Verrazzano. If you arrive on a Saturday, you may catch the town’s weekly farmer’s market, too. Your next stop is the sleepy village of Castellina. Explore this Etruscan settlement with its medieval structures, such as the Church of Saint Salvatore and the Town Hall, which was originally built as a fortress in the 15th-century. Take a break at a local winery for a wine tasting session and a light lunch. Your last stop is Radda Village, known for its old medieval settlement’s meandering streets and stone paved alleys. Stroll to the central piazza and visit the Palazzo del Podestá and the Church of St Niccolò, before driving back to your hotel. (Duration: full day; Time: 0900 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Meals included: wine tasting and light lunch; Fitness level: moderate, people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance; Please wear comfortable shoes and bring light raincoat or umbrella, depending on weather).

Explore the city of Siena and taste the fine wines of the Chianti region on this enjoyable tour. After getting picked up from your hotel, head to a farmhouse near San Gimignano and saddle up for your horseback adventure. This one hour activity is suitable for novice and experienced riders alike. Take a break and have a light lunch at a Tuscan farmhouse and enjoy a wine tasting session. Next, head to the medieval city of Siena, the hub of art and culture during the Roman era. Enjoy a leisurely walk from the Piazza Salimbeni to the stately Duomo of Siena that dates back to the 14th-century. Stop by the famous oval-shaped Piazza del Campo, known across the world for the historic horse race called the Palio. Enjoy scenic views of the Tuscan landscape passing through vineyards and olive groves along the hillside before it’s time to turn back. (Duration: full day; Private activity & transfers; Shared horseback riding; Meals included: wine tasting and lunch; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: moderate, horse ride suitable for beginners and experience riders alike; Please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance)

Explore the neighborhoods of Siena on a leisurely walking tour with your local guide. Starting your day at the Piazza del Duomo, admire the gothic spires of Siena’s 13th-century white cathedral that houses a library and works by Michelangelo, Bernini, and Donatello. Stroll along the historic pilgrimage route of Via Francigena, which is flanked by several religious and cultural treasures. Stop by Europe’s oldest bank at Monte Dei Paschi, and the gothic Palazzo Tolomei among other attractions. Soak up the atmospheric Piazza del Campo, which hosts the annual Palio horse race – a popular event in Siena’s calendar. See the surrounding buildings, including the Tower of Mangia, and the Fountain of Gaia, known for their stunning architecture. (Half Day; Time: 0900-12:00 hrs / 14:00-17:00 hrs; Private Activity; Guide will meet guests at the hotel; Fitness level: Moderate. This is a walking tour. Please wear comfortable walking shoes. Opa Si Passes included).