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4 nights 5 days
Daily Tour
1 person
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An itinerary designed for guests who wish to discover Tuscany through its most cultural soul: medieval villages, cities of art, museums, literature, archaeology and great historic landscapes.
The base of the journey is Certaldo, a town linked to the figure of Giovanni Boccaccio and perfectly located for reaching some of the most important cultural destinations in Tuscany. The stay can be arranged in a hotel, resort or agriturismo, depending on the desired style. A car is recommended for some stops, although Florence and Siena can also be reached by train.
Arrival in Certaldo and check-in at the selected hotel, resort or agriturismo.
In the afternoon, visit Certaldo Alto, one of the most charming medieval villages in the Val d’Elsa. The day is dedicated to discovering the village linked to Giovanni Boccaccio, born in Certaldo in 1313, and to visiting Boccaccio’s House, now a museum dedicated to his life and works.
During the walk, guests may also visit Palazzo Pretorio, one of the most important monuments in the village. Built in the 12th century as the residence of the Conti Alberti family, it later became the center of Certaldo’s public life.
Dinner on your own or typical dinner in the village.
Recommended experience: guided visit of Certaldo Alto with a focus on Boccaccio, the Middle Ages and the history of the village.
After breakfast, departure for Florence, reachable from Certaldo either by train or by car.
The day will be dedicated to discovering Florence’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982 and a symbol of the Renaissance between the 15th and 16th centuries.
The itinerary may include Piazza del Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, the exterior of the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio and the Oltrarno district.
For guests particularly interested in art, it is possible to include a visit to the Uffizi Gallery or to the Duomo complex, to be booked in advance.
Lunch/dinner not included in the program.
In the afternoon, continue the visit between Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti or Santa Croce, according to the guests’ interests.
Return to Certaldo.
Recommended experience: guided tour of Renaissance Florence or entrance to the Uffizi Gallery.
After breakfast, departure for San Gimignano, one of the most iconic destinations of medieval Tuscany.
The historic center of San Gimignano is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and preserves key elements of its historic value: towers, tower-houses, noble palaces, churches and an urban layout that still clearly reflects its medieval identity.
The visit may include Piazza della Cisterna, Piazza del Duomo, the Collegiate Church, the Town Hall and, for those who wish, the climb up Torre Grossa to admire the view over the hills.
San Gimignano is a perfect stop to explore the Tuscan Middle Ages, the relationship between civic and religious power, the symbolism of the towers and the artistic richness of the fresco cycles preserved inside its churches.
Lunch/dinner not included in the program.
Return to Certaldo in the afternoon.
Recommended experience: guided visit of the historic center and the Collegiate Church.
After breakfast, departure for Volterra, an ancient and fascinating town, ideal for guests interested in archaeology, Etruscan history and material culture.
The visit may start from the historic center, with Piazza dei Priori, the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the walls and the Etruscan gates. Volterra offers the opportunity to read different layers of Tuscan history: Etruscan, Roman, medieval and Renaissance.
Not to be missed is the Roman Theatre, located in the archaeological area of Vallebuona, close to the medieval walls. Its construction was financed by the Caecina family, as documented by an inscription preserved at the Guarnacci Etruscan Museum.
The day may also include a visit to the Guarnacci Etruscan Museum or to an alabaster workshop, the symbolic craft of the city.
Lunch/dinner not included in the program.
Return to Certaldo in the afternoon.
Recommended experience: archaeological guided tour of Volterra with a focus on the Etruscans, Romans and alabaster craftsmanship.
After breakfast, departure for Siena, reachable either by car or by train.
The day will be dedicated to one of the most extraordinary medieval cities in Italy. The historic center of Siena is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city is built around Piazza del Campo, described by UNESCO as part of an urban ensemble conceived as a work of art integrated into the surrounding landscape.
The visit may include Piazza del Campo, Palazzo Pubblico, Torre del Mangia, Siena Cathedral, the streets of the Contrade and some lesser-known corners of the historic center.
Piazza del Campo, with its shell shape, is one of the universal symbols of Siena and is closely connected to the city’s identity and to the Palio.
Lunch/dinner not included in the program.
In the afternoon, return to Certaldo or end of services.
Recommended experience: guided tour of Siena with a focus on the Palio, the Contrade, the Cathedral and medieval art.
Guided visit of Certaldo Alto and Boccaccio’s House
Visit to Palazzo Pretorio in Certaldo
Guided tour of Renaissance Florence
Entrance to the Uffizi Gallery or to the Duomo complex in Florence
Guided visit of San Gimignano and the Collegiate Church
Climb to Torre Grossa in San Gimignano
Archaeological visit of Volterra
Guarnacci Etruscan Museum
Alabaster workshop visit or demonstration
Guided visit of Siena with a focus on the Palio and the Contrade
Entrance to Siena Cathedral
Cultural tour leader for one or more days, upon request
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