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RENAISSANCE ITALY
From the hills of Tuscany to the canals of Venice
14 day tour inc. arrival/departure days
This is a country high on everybody's 'must see' list. Italy has been attracting tourists since at least the 15th century (and we don't include the various conquering invaders!). It was an essential part of a young man's (and the occasional liberated young lady's) education throughout the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The 'Grand Tour' of Europe was incomplete without time spent studying in one of the great renaissance cities. Carrying home a Canalletto painting home to hang on one's wall was as much a pre-requisite of travel as is today's purchase of souvenirs and sending postcards home.
Our tour encompasses the traditional great sights. How could one not visit Italy and see the treasures of Florence, the romantic Venice and that wonder of the modern world, Pisa's leaning tower? In addition to visiting these major iconic sights, as you'd expect of us, this itinerary also takes you behind the tourist façade into the hills of Umbria, countryside of Tuscany and south to the coastal towns around Sirolo. It's a tour designed to introduce you to Italy's magnificent culture, history and natural beauties.
Available at any date for private groups of 2 – 15 people. Price available upon application. Rates are based upon vehicle and guide hire per day; groups of 7 - 15 would have a per person rate same/similar to one of our scheduled tours of the same length.
If you do not have a group of traveling companions and are still interested in this custom tour itinerary, you are welcomed to join a waitlist…
We record who is looking for travel companions to make up a tour with them. We need between 6 and 8 persons minimum to operate a tour without it being uneconomic for us or too expensive for you. We will be happy to run the occasional special departure IF there is sufficient interest.
If you would like to check on or join a waitlist for this itinerary, please email us for full information: specialgrouptours@yahoo.com
Special Note: please do note that there is considerable walking on this tour. Many of the historic Italian cities do not permit motorised vehicles in their centres, and many are sited on hilltops. This tour is not suitable for anyone with a mobility problem so please discuss your needs with us and we will do our utmost to accommodate.
TENTATIVE ITINERARY
DAY ONE
Arriving at Rome's Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci) airport and the day is yours to do as you wish. Instead of the ‘classic’ sites of the city of Rome itself, why not consider a rest or take a seaside 'passeggiata' in a relaxing atmosphere a short drive away from the airport.
NIGHTSTOP: Fregene/Rome
DAY TWO
Being outside the capital, we'll have a traffic free start as we head towards the walled provincial capital of Viterbo. Later, we'll explore the little known but atmospheric Bolsena and its lake before heading for Umbria and the flat top volcano town of Orvieto, with possibly the most impressive cathedral façade in Christendom. You'll learn why triple 'is' wine is so called and sample local salami in typical 'osteria'.
NIGHTSTOP: Todi region
DAY THREE
Through the enchanting hilltop towns (and some spectacular graveyards!) of Central Umbria towards St. Francis's Assisi where we'll have time to explore and perhaps find some local vinicultural and gastronomic specialities for a picnic.
Todi and its neighbouring villages and towns are fascinating. Built as medieval fortresses, their town walls still dominate the hilltop and protect myriad small alleyways and streets. The impossibly quaint Monte Castello di Vibio boasts the smallest theatre in the world. It's exquisite and reflects the finery of the ancient merchants and land-owning families it was constructed for. On our Spring departures we take in an evening performance.
NIGHTSTOP: Todi region
DAY FOUR
We leave Umbria for the gastronomic and cultural delight that is Tuscany, the home of the pre-roman Etruscans. We'll take a capuccino in the wine producing town of Montepulciano before arriving in Siena that annually hosts the 'Palio', the world's most famous and vicious horse race, in its town square. We will almost guarantee everyone will hear your quick intake of breath when you first walk into this square! It is a truly stunning sight.
Tonight we stay in Greve in Chianti. This attractive village is at the very centre of this famed wine and olive producing area. At night, the village centre is left to residents and you'll love the atmosphere, sitting at a table at one of the small café bars overlooking the piazza, with a glass of local wine in hand. Bello!
NIGHTSTOP: Greve in Chianti
DAY FIVE
A short drive through the Tuscan hills to Florence with the opportunity to explore this wonder of the Italian 'rinascimento'. Because of logistical problems with parking, you may spend much of today on your own but you'll, of course, be fully briefied as to where to go and what to visit so as to get the most from this unique city. Please note, the city can be very busy and if you are wishing to visit major galleries you must expect to line for a considerable time.
NIGHTSTOP: Greve in Chianti
DAY SIX
A view of Pisa's 'torre pendente' (leaning tower) and a visit to the magnificent baptistry are on this morning's agenda, before visiting the Vinci to see Leonardo's birthplace and museum of his inventions. After this, you'll perhaps agree with those who claim Leonardo to have been the man of the last millennium. Time permitting, we may also see the spectacular towers of medieval San Gimignano.
NIGHTSTOP: Greve in Chianti
DAY SEVEN
Time to cross the Apennines which we'll do in our typical fashion, marvelling at the beauty of the Tuscan countryside which is untramelled by modern development. Although a driving day as we make our way east, we'll surely find some undiscovered villages and country hostelries. One outstanding memory will be of looking back on Florence from the villa-clad hills of Fiesole.
NIGHTSTOP: Mogliano Veneto
DAY EIGHT (ND)
Abandoning our heroic minibus for the day, we'll mingle with the locals on a brief public bus ride over the lagoon to the Pearl of the Adriatic. Trips by 'vaporetto' to the glass producing Murano island and optional gondola rides will provide highlights as well as discovering the hidden beauty that lies only just behind the throngs in the 'serenissima'. Venice is, naturally, a great tourist city but with your guide you'll enjoy getting behind the tourist façade and seeing something of the Venice known by the locals rather than the tourists. Our accommodation is a 15-minute train ride outside old Venice, in Mogliano Veneto. This small, pleasant village allows us to get a better feel for real life in the region, and past tour participants have enjoyed spending an hour or two experiencing modern Italian life in the local shops and streets.
NIGHTSTOP: Mogliano Veneto
DAY NINE
Today we have a choice. Some tour participants may enjoy another day exploring Venice; its size will probably surprise you. It's very easy to spend some time with 'organised independence' here and your guide will be able to assist in helping plan a day for anyone wishing to exploit the opportunity for a less structured visit to this absorbing city. Dinner is not included tonight.
Alternatively, your guide will be able to organize side trips to your choice of Verona, that famed city of ill-fated lovers, Romeo and Juliet, and/or to Padua, a medieval university city and perhaps, depending on group interest, Vicenza.
NIGHTSTOP: Mogliano Veneto
DAY TEN
Across the flatlands of the Po delta, homeland of Guareschi's Don Camillo, through the pine forests to Ravenna with its Byzantine mosaics and historic mystique. In the afternoon we'll cross the border to the independent state of San Marino or San Leo and visit its castle with splendid views over Romagna and the Marches.
NIGHTSTOP: Pesaro
DAY ELEVEN
Who knows that the 'old Master', Raffaele Sanzio, was a Marchigiano? Yet, a visit to the university town of Urbino reveals not only his birthplace but a splendid gallery and a vibrant youthful atmosphere. This afternoon a contrasting visit to some of Europe's largest caves which have recently hosted the world's 'isolationist' records, in the depths of the 13 mile 'grotte'. Our final base while on tour is under the enchanting and little known Conero mountain.
NIGHTSTOP: Sirolo
DAY TWELVE
A journey to the mysterious Sibylline mountains is on today's agenda with a lunch of local lentils and sausage on the upland plain of Castelluccia. This is a time to really 'feel' like a local! Returning this afternoon, we drop south to the provincial capital of Ascoli Piceno where you'll be astounded by the magnificent piazza with its marble flooring.
NIGHTSTOP: Sirolo
DAY THIRTEEN
Alas, time to cross the Apennines, Romeward bound again, but how better than through the tunnel of the 9,000 ft high 'stone of Italy' with its most southern permanent glacier and lunch in the upland town of L'Aquilla (the eagle). Before heading for the Eternal City, we'll perhaps have time to visit Tivoli's splendid gardens or Hadrian's majestic villa. Dinner not included.
NIGHTSTOP: Fregene
DAY FOURTEEN
Airport transfers or transfers into Rome for those extending their stay.
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