AN IMMERSION into Italy’s Art, Architecture and Culture 

We’ve carefully cultivated the ultimate art, architectural and cultural experiences to create an in-depth tour based in the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Featuring the best of Italy’s staggeringly rich trove of art and architectural masterpieces, you’ll enjoy in-depth tours with expert private guides, delightful cultural experiences and opportunities to explore on your own, as we make our way from Florence to Assisi to the stunningly beautiful Tuscan countryside.

From the famous Uffizi Gallery to the magnificent Basilica of Assisi to countryside churches, you’ll admire famous frescoes, paintings and sculptures, along with tucked away treasures in medieval villages. Plus we’ve arranged all private tours with selected expert local guides who are both knowledgable and delightful.

ALL INCLUSIVE and Rich with Experiences

When we’re not admiring art or architecture by Michelangelo, Caravaggio or Giotto, you’ll have a chance to try your hand at medieval design in a private fresco-painting lesson (the ultimate paint and sip experience), as well as taking part in an oh-so-fun cooking class. In fact, we’ve hand selected fabulous restaurants and trattorias where you’ll enjoy delectable meals that reflect the best culinary aspects of Italy’s central regions.

ITINERARY

DAY 1, April 26: Florence

• Highlights: Check-in Florence hotel, walk in centro storico, Basilica San Lorenzo
• Dinner

Benvenuto in Florence! In afternoon we’ll meet up in the lobby of our charming, centrally located hotel, to kick-off the tour with a visit inside the Basilica of San Lorenza, followed by a walk through the historic center of Florence to Piazza della Signore with its famous Renaissance sculptures, including Cellini’s Perseus, Giambologna’s, Rape of the Sabine Women and a copy of Michelangelo’s David. Afterwards we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner in one of Florence’s inviting trattorie.

DAY 2, April 27: Florence

• Highlights: Tour of the Uffizi and Accedemia Galleries, visit to Santa Maria Novella
• Breakfast, lunch

This morning we get an early start as we meet our private guide at the Uffizi Gallery for a private tour of this incredible trove of art. This early start allows us to get an up-close view of magnificent masterpieces, including Botticelli’s Primavera, Raffaelo’s Madonna del Cardellino and Leonardo di Vinci’s Annunciation. This expert-led, in-depth tour is truly unforgettable! Afterwards, we follow our local guide to the Accedemia for a view of Michelangelo’s stunning sculpture of David, before making our way together to one of our favorite trattoria for a well-earned lunch.

This afternoon, after some time to relax and refresh, we’ll meet up to make our way to a quieter visit in the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella. Here, in tucked away naves of the church, you’ll discover beautiful examples of medieval frescoes, including the “wall of saints”, before we make our way through an easy-to-miss doorway, leaving to the quiet, former convent cloister, tucked away behind the church. Afterwards, you’re free for the rest of the evening to shop, explore and dine on your own.

DAY 3, April 28: Florence, Arrezzo, Città della Pieve

• Highlights: Morning Florence, walking tour Arezzo, check-in Città della Pieve
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning in Florence you can chose to visit the Chiesa di San Salvatore in Ognissanti, featuring works by Botticelli, or instead shop the outdoor Mercato di San Lorenzo with its vast stalls of Florentine leather goods. We’ll meet up at the hotel mid-morning for a pick-up by our private drivers who will transport us through the rolling hills of Tuscany to the town of Arezzo. Here we’ll meet up with our fabulous local guide for a walking tour that includes a visit inside the Basilica of San Francesco, which houses 15th century frescoes by Piero della Francesca depicting stories of the True Cross, considered a masterpiece of Renaissance painting. The series reflects episodes from Genesis through the recovery of the holy cross in Jerusalem. Lunch is on your own, perhaps taken at one of the many inviting cafes in Arezzo’s main piazza.

In the afternoon we make our way to the lovely town of Città della Pieve and our accommodations in a boutique hotel just steps from the historic center of the village. After some time to get settled and refreshed, we’ll meet up for aperitivo followed by dinner at an exceptional local restaurant.

DAY 4, April 29: Città della Pieve

• Highlights: Village and church walking tour, fresco painting lesson, cooking class
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll step back in time as we explore some of Città della Pieve’s medieval alleyways, variety of churches and even the narrowest street in Italy. Birthplace of Renaissance master artist, Piero Vannucci (a contemporary of Michelangelo), you’ll have the unique opportunity to view several of his masterpieces up close – including his spectacular Adoration of the Magi – without any crowds. Next, there’s no better way to appreciate the frescoes you’ve been viewing than to learn the process during a fun fresco-painting lesson on a tile that you’ll later take home with you. Lunch follows at a nearby cafe.

In late afternoon we’re off to our friend, Cristian’s, bistro for an invigorating cooking lesson that includes a delightful history lesson of traditional foods in Italy. After a private tour beneath Cristian’s wine cantina, you’ll enjoy a regional-style dinner.

DAY 5, April 30: Assisi

• Highlights: Basilica of San Francesco, pizza night
• Breakfast, dinner

This morning, after an early breakfast, we’re off with our private drivers to the Umbrian town of Assisi, and the magnificent Basilica di San Francesco. Here we’ll meet up with a local guide for a private visit inside the basilica, which was begun in 1228. The Upper and Lower Churches are decorated with frescoes by numerous late medieval painters, including, Cimabue, Pietro Lorenzetti, and of course, Giotto – a range and quality of works that truly reflects the outstanding development of Italian art of this period.  The remains of the saint are interred in a crypt beneath the church. After this amazing tour, you’ll have free time to explore Assisi and enjoy lunch on your own.

In the afternoon we’ll make our way back to Città della Pieve where you’ll have time to relax – perhaps in the hotel’s inviting gardens. You might also do some shopping in the town’s artisan shops. This evening we gather together to walk to a private home for aperitivo and pizza!

DAY 6, May 1: San Casciano dei Bagni 

• Highlights: Visit to archeological site, farewell aperitivo
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, we’re off to the village of San Casciano dei Bagni – a town built upon a hilltop teaming with hot springs – where you’ll enjoy a private tour of an archeological site (an ancient Etruscan and Rome sanctuary), and one of the most important discoveries in Italy in decades. After our extraordinary visit, with an archeologist, we’ll make our way to our friend, Daniela’s, restaurant, nestled between the walls of the town’s castle, where you’ll enjoy an exceptional chef-prepared lunch.

In the afternoon, it’s back to Città della Pieve where you can rest, explore and do some final shopping on your own, followed by a special, farewell aperitivo and dinner at our friend, Gianluca’s, cozy trattoria.

DAY 7, May 2: Departure 

Early morning departure for Florence Peretola Airport

Note: Each day on this active itinerary, you can expect to walk. Our walks range from easy/leisure to moderate, and you’ll encounter hard cobblestones, uneven pavement, steps and steep hills. We do caution that this trip is not the right fit for those who have difficulty walking or have a health-related condition that would limit participation and/or impede or inconvenience the rest of the group.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• 2 nights stay Hotel Art Atelier, Florence
• 4 nights stay Boutique Hotel Vannucci, Città della Pieve
• No single supplement fee
• Private group transfer from Florence to Città della Pieve
• Private ground transportation to/from locations included in the daily itinerary
• Private group transfer to Florence Peretola Airport on departure day
• All breakfasts
• 3 lunches
• 5 regionally inspired dinners
• Daily accompaniment by members of team Strada Toscana, as well as expert local guides
• Entrance fees to all sites and museums
• Private tour Uffizi Gallery
• Private tour Arezzo
• Private tour Basilica di San Francesco Assisi
• Visit to Etruscan/Roman archeological site
• Guided architectural walks
• Hands-on cooking lesson
• Fresco painting lesson (take your finished work home with you)
• Free time to explore and shop on your own

Not included: Airfare, transportation to Florence hotel on trip start date, transportation or meals outside of that which is specifically listed in the trip package, gratuities for hotel staff and drivers.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Florence: The Art Atelier is a 4-star boutique hotel located in the very heart of Florence’s historic center. Just steps from museums, historic sites and fabulous shopping, the hotel boasts tastefully decorated rooms, exposed brick ceilings in common areas, antique furnishings and a delicious breakfast. View photo gallery.

Città della Pieve: Boutique Hotel Vannucci is a 4-star hotel located in the medieval village of Città della Pieve, halfway between Rome and Florence. A former residence of the daughter of the last king of Italy, the hotel exudes elegance, with luxurious sleeping rooms, marble bathrooms and inviting gardens. View photo gallery.

DATES & DETAILS

•  Tour: Florence to Assisi – Art History and Culture
• Dates:
  • April 26 – May 2, 2025
• Trip Price: $3,595 – $3,995 (choose room type upon booking)
• Room Descriptions:
  • Single Occupancy: Classic room with double bed, private ensuite bathroom
  • Double/Twin Occupancy: Superior room with double bed or two singles, private ensuite bathroom
• Tour begins on at 15:00 on April 26, 2025, at our Florence hotel
• Tour ends on May 2, 2025, with private group transport to Florence Peretola Airport
• with $700 deposit is required to book your space on this tour
• No single supplement fee
• Terms and Conditions

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