Italian Renaissance - Tuscany

Tour Overview.    Stay 1 - Tuscany.    Stay 2 - Venice.    Stay 3 - Verona/Lake Garda.

Where to stay?

Florence - a first class parc with a delightful pool complex set in the middle of Chianti country and the heart of Tuscany.

San Vincenzo - set amongst a large pine forest, this coastal parc is in one of the most beautiful parts of the Tuscan Maremma.

Cecina - a small and peaceful parc set amongst the vineyards and hilltop villages of Tuscany.

Day 1

Arrive into Italy and check in to any of the Tuscan parcs of your choice.

Day 2

Begin with a short drive to the innovator of the Italian Renaissance - Florence. Start your visit to this UNESCO World Heritage location at the famous El Duomo in the heart of Florence, known locally as the Santa Maria del Fiore, built by Filippo Brunelleschi.

Spend the morning taking in the eloquent Baptistery buildings, observing the symmetry, proportion and geometry of the structures. After a typically long Italian lunch, head to the famous Uffizi Gallery, home of the original Michealangelo's "David" located in the Accademia dell 'Arte del Disegno, where you can also marvel at his unfinshed "Slaves". Finish your day with a stroll around the Pazzi Chapel, often referred to as a masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance.

Day 3

Returning to Florence for a second time, the focus of this day is to view some of the best art associated with the Italian Renaissance. Starting at the Pitti Palace which is superbly decorated with the Medici family's private collection, including works by Raphael. To contemplate and have a quiet moment, head to the Santa Croc church where the tombs of Galileo, Michealangelo, Machiavelli, Dante and many other notables have been laid to rest.

Take another long lunch in any of the countless cafés and restaurants before heading to the Bargello for an afternoon viewing classic sculptures by Donatello, Giambologna and Michaelangelo. To end the day, take a stroll along the river and marvel at the Ponte Vecchio, possibly the most elaborate of Florence's many bridges. Alternatively, visits to the basilicas of Santa Maria Novella, San Lorenzo, Santo Spirito or the Ormanmichel will reward you with a delightful mixture of tranquillity amongst beauty.

Day 4

Your last full day in the region is set amongst the stunning Tuscan hills and countryside in the delightful town of Siena. Start your visit to the town with a wander around the town square - Piazza del Campo. From here, you are just a few minutes away from the nearby El Duomo which will reward you with a view of great Romanesque architecture of the period just before the Renaissance.

Take note of the superb octagonal pulpit inside, built by Nicola Pisano. Within the sacristy are renaissance frescoes by Ghirlandaio. Underneath the El Duomo itself is the stunning baptismal font with works by Donatello, Ghiberti, Jacob della Quercia amongst others. The highlight of the visit though is the Musee dell' Opera del Duomo containing Duccio's famous Maestà amongst other Senese masterpieces. Returning back to the Piazza del Campo for a late afternoon or early evening stroll, relax and watch the sun set over the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia, both architectural treasures, and even more famous for hosting the Palio. If you have the energy, the Palazzo Publico is home to another fine museum where works by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Simone Martini and Pietro Lorenzetti.

Day 5

Check out of your Tuscan parc and head north towards the Adriatic region of Italy, and Venice.

View stay 2: Venice