DAY 1: Depart for Florence, Italy.
DAY 2: Arrive in Florence and transfer to Villa Tavolese in the ancient village of Marcialla. This evening, gather with fellow travelers for a welcome reception and dinner at the hotel. (R,D)
DAY 3: Enjoy a lecture on the magnificent Elsa Valley followed by an excursion to Castello di Monsanto in the heart of Chianti, built in 1750. Taste the region’s distinctive wines and find out how the rooster became the symbol of the Chianti region. Tonight learn about the history of Tuscany. (B,L,D)
DAY 4: Travel to Pisa, home of the iconic Leaning Tower. Continue on to Lucca, once a fortress with massive walls. Here in 56 B.C., Caesar, Pompey and Crassus agreed to rule Rome as a triumvirate. Lucca’s 11th century Romanesque cathedral contains a carving said to be a true portrait of Christ. (B,L,D)
DAY 5: This morning, learn about Renaissance art followed by a Tuscan cooking demonstration by the Villa Tavolese’s talented chef. Journey through Tuscany’s hill country to visit the 14th-century fortified town of San Gimignano, where towers stand as symbols of wealth and power. Continue on to see Colle di Val d’Elsa, center of Tuscan crystal blowing and once known as the Bohemia of Italy for its production of crystal. (B,L,D)
DAY 6: The heart of Tuscany and the soul of the Renaissance, Florence proudly displays its prodigious heritage of architecture and art. See one of the Medici’s impressive homes, the Old Palace, and admire the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, large enough to accommodate more than 20,000 worshippers. The remainder of the day is at leisure in Florence. (B,L,D)
DAY 7: Hear a lecture on contemporary Italy before enjoying a day at leisure. There is a complimentary shuttle to Florence.
DAY 8: Enjoy a guided walking tour of Siena, which has changed little over the centuries. Visit the Gaia Fountain with its stunning bas-reliefs; the Mangia Tower, which stands 300 feet tall and houses magnificent art; and the duomo, a cathedral built in the 12th century and home to masterpieces by Michelangelo and Donatello. Attend a special farewell reception and dinner in the private Castle of Santa Maria Novella. (B,L,D)
DAY 9: Depart Florence for the U.S. (B)
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