|
FLORENCE, TUSCANY, AND UMBRIA TOUR
Overview | Itinerary | Dates & Prices | Book Now | Brochure
OVERVIEW
Majestic Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance as well as opera music and the Italian language itself. In the 14th and 15th centuries, when Europe was awakening from the long sleep that followed the fall of Rome, Florence led the way in science and architecture, in painting and sculpture, in banking and trade. Florence was the laboratory that ignited the Renaissance, and taught the whole of Europe a new way to live.
Henry James observed that "Everything about Florence seems to be colored with a mild violet, like diluted wine." Anyone who has stayed up to watch the sunrise from the Ponte Vecchio, then wandered back to their pensiones at dawn knows that James was right. But there are other colors, too—golden light dancing off terra cotta rooftops; the red, white, and green facade of the Duomo; and infinite shades of gelati. When the streets aren't overwhelming enough, art lovers head to the Uffizi, the Bargello, and the Pitti Palace to gaze at the brilliant hues of Renaissance paintings.
Despite ruinous wars, disastrous floods and lean times since, the city still displays its achievements in all their glory. Every street is crowded with architectural wonders, every great building is jammed with masterpieces of art, every superb painting mirrors the vital spirit of the Renaissance citizens who created the world that still exists today.
Rural Tuscany, the backyard of Florence and Siena, has long lured city dwellers with its burnt umber landscapes, its liquid light. Because of strict building codes, the region remains relatively unspoiled, so those lucky enough to live there or visit still enjoy a kind of pastoral bliss. A meander along Tuscany's winding white roads (as the dirt roads area called) will take the traveler back in time, past vineyards and olive groves, through fields of poppies or sunflowers, to an exquisite meal at a simple osteria around the road's bend. There, patrons can sit for hours, chatting and sampling the land's two homegrown elixirs—Chianti wine and green-gold olive oil.
Umbria, the only region of that touches neither sea nor foreign country, is Italy's heart and soul. The quiet here encourages visitors to reflect and to dream, to follow in the footsteps of painters, pilgrims, and St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of Italy. But there are also truffles to search for, ceramics to buy, and music festivals that keep things humming—for these, too, feed the soul.
During the Florence, Tuscany, and Umbria tour guests will be escorted to both the famous highlights of the city of Florence as well as the lesser-known treasures of one of the world's most fascinating locations. Day-trips to some of the main cities of Tuscany and the picturesque nearby hills include Siena, home of the world-famous Palio; Pisa with its Leaning Tower; and San Gimignano, the city of medieval skyscrapers. In Umbria we'll visit Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis and the home to one of the great basilicas, and Perugia, the region's capital.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Marvel at the renowned galleries of Renaissance masterpieces in the Uffizi
View the beautiful basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Travel the picturesque roads of Chianti, visit a winery to observe winemaking, and savor a lunch of local specialties at a countryside inn
See the Piazza del Duomo in Pisa, home to four masterpieces of medieval architecture—the cathedral, the baptistery, the campanile (the 'Leaning Tower') and the cemetery
Savor Tuscany's two homegrown elixirs—Chianti wine and green-gold olive oil
Discover the enchanting hill town of Siena and its zebra-striped Duomo
Visit an organic farm for an insider's look at how local cheeses such as pecorino and ricotta are produced, learn about Tuscan cooking and organic farming, and sample some of the local fare.
Admire Umbria's greatest collection of paintings at the Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria
Sample regional Tuscan delicacies such as gelato, Vin Santo, pecorino and ricotta (local cheeses), and cenci, panforte, and ricciarelli (Sienese pastries)
TOUR MANAGER
Michael San Filippo, the founder and director of Cantalupo Tours To Italy, will also accompany guests on the tour. The author of Everything Learning Italian as well as co-author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Italian History and Culture, Michael is also founder and editor of About Italian Language, the leading online destination for Italian language.
Michael studied in Italy as a graduate student and currently conducts private tutoring in Italian for students of all levels and abilities. With a Master of Arts degree in Italian Studies from the Middlebury College Italian School Abroad program, he has a thorough knowledge of all things Italian including Italian culture, history, literature, and Italian wine and cooking. Having traveled throughout il bel paese, Michael is dedicated to sharing his passion and enthusiasm for Italy with fellow travelers.
Home | Tours to Italy | Tour Dates | Reservations | Work For Us | About Us
© 2008 Cantalupo Tours To Italy | Site developed by Novo Design Corp
|
