Explore Tuscany: Florence & Siena

Set in the heart of Italy, Rome oozes history and exudes culture, making it the perfect place to begin your Italian exploration. As your flight arrives at Rome's international airport, a driver greets you to provide a private transfer to your four-star hotel. Take some time to settle into your room, and then begin to explore the area. Tonight, enjoy your first look at the city's incredible architecture and age-old sites on a small group tour. A local guide leads the way, offering fascinating insight at each stop. Overnight Rome.

A private driver takes you from your hotel to Rome's train station this morning, where on arrival, you board a high-speed train bound for Florence in northern Italy. There are approximately 160 scenic miles between these two beloved destinations; however, the journey takes less than 2 hours to complete. As you enter Tuscany, note the rolling hills, which give way to rich olive groves, vineyards, and lush orchards. In the backdrop, imposing mountains make for a picture-perfect scene. On arrival, a driver picks you up from Florence's train station and escorts you to your luxurious hotel. Revel in a private introduction to this Renaissance City on this afternoon's guided walking tour. Alongside a local, stroll between beloved buildings and famous sites throughout the city, with points of interest including the likes of the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, pretty piazzas, and Giotto's Bell Tower. You can upgrade this experience to a combination excursion that includes a walking tour through Florence and admission and touring at the Accademia, home to Michelangelo's famous statue, David.

Following your tour, take the rest of the day to immerse your senses in all of Tuscany's offerings. There are over 800 restaurants in Florence that cater to diverse palettes and utilize locally grown ingredients to create fantastic dishes, including the city's most notable offering, Bistecca alla Fiorentina. Overnight Florence.

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Timeless scenes of rolling farmlands and lush vineyards welcome you to the Chiantigiana countryside in the heart of Tuscany. The Chianti region has a long-held tradition of producing delicious olive oil, wonderful wine, and flavorful meats and cheeses. Today, wrap yourself in these customs by embarking on a private tour through the region. An English-speaking driver greets you at your hotel this morning and escorts you through the serene landscape to Greve at the heart of Chianti. This medieval town is a hub for foodies and historians alike, as its timeless appearance sets an idyllic background while you meander between shops and get acquainted with the tastes of Tuscany. The excursion continues to a local farm, where the owners guide you through their grounds, showcasing their vineyards and olive groves as you walk. Learn about traditional harvesting and processing methods, and cap off your visit by tasting five varieties of wine, bruschetta prepared using freshly harvested produce, and cured meats processed locally.

Return to Florence with the remainder of the day at your leisure. You may wish to take a more in-depth look at some of the sights from yesterday's walking tour or start anew; after all, there is no lack of things to see in this incredible locale. From palaces and basilicas to the Mercato Centrale, an indoor market with nearly 150 years of history, there are adventures to be had, both big and small. Venture to the Piazza Michelangelo for sweeping views over the city or find your inner child on the carousel in Piazza della Repubblica, smack-dab in the historic heart of Florence. Overnight Florence.

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Florence's setting makes it the ideal base to explore the diverse cities throughout Tuscany. Choose your adventure, and soak in the splendors that come with your new location.

Option 1: Pisa and Lucca
Spend a full day exploring two incredible cities, each brimming with fascinating sites and impeccable scenery: Pisa and Lucca. A private driver escorts you from your hotel and through the complex layers of the Florentine landscape to Pisa to begin your day. Find yourself left in awe as you explore the Piazza dei Miracoli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases the artwork, craftsmanship, and architecture of the Middle Ages. Visit the grand centerpiece of the square, the Cathedral of Santa Maria, where Galileo was inspired to invent the pendulum clock. Continue to the Baptistery, the monumental cemetery, and finally, to the building for which Pisa is best known, the 186-foot leaning marble tower. While it stands alone as an attraction, the Leaning Tower is actually Duomo's bell tower.

From Pisa, venture to Lucca, whose layered history began with the Etruscans, saw the height of the Roman empire, and experienced further growth and influence during the medieval period. Impressive fortifications surround the city, and varied architecture speaks to the locale's long and winding tale. Lucca is a fantastic place to discover on foot. You may wish to look upon the 11th-century Lucca Cathedral, the Guinigi Tower that overlooks the city, or Lucca's beautiful piazzas, such as Piazza dell Anfiteatro and Piazza Napoleone, as you wander. Before departing, enjoy lunch with a glass of wine in one of Lucca's many restaurants.

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In Florence, exquisite gastronomy is just as much a part of the culture as art, invention, and innovation. A juxtaposition of typical peasant cuisine and royal fare fit for the aristocratic palates of the House of Medici collide to create a taste unlike anywhere else in the world. Experience the flavors of Florence firsthand today alongside a knowledgeable local guide. Meet a group of fellow foodies and your tour leader in Piazza S. Giovanni and embark on a walking tour that transports you through the centuries, aligning your tastebuds with those of Florentines throughout the ages. Sip caffè, savor flaky pastries, and nibble on Tuscan Schiacciata made with truffles. Sample locally grown fruits and vegetables, as well as cheeses, cured meats, and a Chianti wine from regional farms. Fried fish and creamy gelato round out the offerings and give you a comprehensive look at the vast and diverse culinary offerings here.

Alternatively, join an optional full-day tour that explores the Tuscan region. Options include:

● A full-day Tuscan wine and cheese tour, where you can savor fantastic views and even better cuisine while exploring Tuscany alongside an expert guide. Taste locally produced wines and cheese at several locations, each exemplifying the nuances of Tuscan gastronomy.

● A full-day cooking class with lunch and a visit to San Gimignano, where you learn how to prepare traditional Italian cuisine using fresh, delicious ingredients, then enjoy lunch and a visit to San Gimignano, a medieval town nestled in the hills of southwest Florence.

Overnight Florence.

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Heading further south in Tuscany today, medieval Siena awaits at the end of your morning train journey. This city is surrounded by ancient walls and is filled with narrow stone streets that lead to sweeping piazzas and its UNESCO World Heritage city center. From afar, the city appears to be built layer upon layer, with each building somehow supporting the next. As you walk, the steep alleys and byways also hint at this fact. Make your way to the hotel for check-in on arrival, then join a guide in exploring your new destination.

Begin at the 13th-century Basilica of San Domenico, dedicated to St. Catherine of Siena. This Renaissance masterpiece sits as the crowning jewel of the city center, and its vaulted ceilings and beautiful altar speak to the love and detail that went into its construction. After visiting the cathedral, meander through the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, looking upon the cafés, pubs, and historic buildings that line the cobbled streets as you approach the 12th-century Siena Cathedral. Step inside with your guide and take a look around at the magnificent interior. From its intricate statue and gorgeous pulpit to its striped stone walls, there is much to see in this historic structure.

Following the tour, you are free to spend your day in this atmospheric destination however you choose. Overnight Siena.

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Ruby red wines and inspiring scenery lie ahead as you head out into the Tuscan countryside in pursuit of Montalcino. Your intimate travel group explores wineries and wine cellars alongside an expert guide on this excursion, learning about the love and care that goes into Montalcino wine. Savor samplings of wine, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil as you travel, as well as tastes of cured meats and salami. Take a deep dive into the local lore as you tour Montalcino and look upon its ancient fortress and historic buildings. This immersive experience is sure to leave you wanting for nothing.

Return to Siena following the tour with the rest of the day at leisure. The Publico Palace and Tower of Mangia are other sights to experience before the sun goes down. Overnight Siena. 

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Relish the views of hillside Siena once more as you transfer by taxi to the train station this morning to join your high-speed train back to Rome. Reflect on the fabulous wine and unbelievable scenery of the last week as the three-hour route through Italy's interior unfolds. An English-speaking driver greets you as the train stations in Rome, and from here, you are taken to Rome's international airport, where your Tuscan expedition concludes.

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