Italy in motion

Pappardelle al maialino di cinta senese con olive e rosmarino/
fresh pappardelle pasta with Cinta Senese pork sauce, olive
and rosemary
Tortino al cuore caldo di cioccolato fondente con frutti di
bosco / tartlet with dark chocolate and wild berries
CHIANTI CLASSICO AND MEDIEVAL CASTLES
DAY 3
MONTALCINO AND MONTEPULCIANO
Today you will leave Rome and proceed towards
Tuscany – a region famous for Florence, the capital
of Renaissance, the medieval towns such as Siena
and San Gimignano, and of course its wines
(Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Montepulciano,
etc) and its gastronomy. You will arrive in
Montepulciano at lunchtime. After lunch at a
typical trattoria here, in Montepulciano, you will
have some time to explore the charming village. In
the afternoon you will visit an excellent wine
cellar in Montalcino, located nearby, and taste the
famous Brunello di Montalcino.
Afternoon free to explore Siena. Overnight stay
and dinner in Siena.
DAY 4
In the morning you will reach San Gimignano, the
town of the medieval towers, lying halfway
between Florence and Siena. The town with its
towers – a symbol of wealth and power -
dominates the landscape offering a fantastic view.
Take a walk through the town with your tour
leader. You can reach the Rocca di Montestaffoli,
the ruins of the 14th century fortress, and climb
the torre grossa (the big tower).
Lunch at a pretty restaurant, Taverna di Bibbiano
that has a nice view on San Gimignano towers.
Sample menu:
Sformato di ricotta e zucchine su mousse fredda di pomodorini
freschi / flan with ricotta cheese and courgettes with a cherry
tomato mousse
In the afternoon you will explore the Chianti area,
which gives the red wine, recognized worldwide.
You can stop at one of the typical villages, such as
Greve in Chianti, Panzano in Chianti or Castellina
in Chianti. In this area you will find a number of
medieval castles, many of which having their own
wine cellars. You can also visit one of them, such
as the Verazzano Castle or Meleto Castle – you can
explore the castle, surrounded by vineyards and
taste their wines (incl. Chianti Classico). Reach
Florence, check in and dinner.
DAY 5
This day is dedicated to Florence, the Queen of
Renaissance Art. In the morning you will meet
your local guide, who will guide you through the
centre, illustrating the main landmarks (the Piazza
della Signoria Square and its amazing statues, the
town hall Palazzo Vecchio, and the Cathedral Santa
Maria del Fiore with its Brunelleschi Dome).
GALLERIA DEGLI UFFIZI
After lunch at a restaurant in the centre, you will
have a possibility to enter the Galleria degli Uffizi,
the top museum of Florence. It houses a very
important collection of Italian Renaissance
artworks (such as Botticelli’s Primavera and the
Birth of Venus, Titian’s Venus of Urbino, as well as
many other paintings and statues by
Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Rembrandt. Giotto, and
many others). The Uffizi Gallery also hides the
Corridoio Vassariano, a secret passage of the
Medici family above the Old Bridge (can be opened
upon a special reservation). You will exit at the
Boboli Gardens on the other side of the River Arno.
Dinner at a central restaurant.
DAY 6
Transfer to the Florence or Pisa Airport and
departure.
Please note the visit of the Vatican Museums and the
Uffizi Art Gallery in Florenze depends on the available
entrance time. The entrance into the Corridoio
Vassariano cannot be guaranteed.
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