Art Tour of Tuscany
Immerse yourself in Italian Culture and experience the dynamic blend of Art, History & “La Dolce Vita” that has fascinated scholars and travellers to Tuscany for centuries, and continues to captivate the modern visitor, even today.
Join our exciting adventure as we explore the diversity of Italian Art and Culture, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Tuscan Hills. Our lovely accommodations are located in a restored Sixteenth Century Villa in the Chianti Valley Vineyard District of the Val D’Arno just outside of Florence, where we will reside for the entire tour.
Unpack when you reach your Villa Apartment, complete with kitchen and relax at any one of the four swimming pools, or use the spa, exercise gym or tennis court; you can even go horseback riding. Afterwards sip a mellow Chianti from the extensive wine cellar on the terrace of the Villa overlooking the scenic vistas of the Chianti Valley. Enjoy authentic Tuscan ‘Cucina’ in any of the three restaurants on the grounds; the facility includes a Gelateria, take out Restaurant, grocery store and deli, wine shop, bazaar, internet bar and late night disco. Six Tuscan meals, Italian cooking lesson and wine tasting are included in the tour that offers a slice of authentic Tuscany and Italian cuisine.
Well-known Art Historian Bruce Hanbury will share his expertise and knowledge of Italian Art and History to provide insight into why Florence became the pre-eminent centre of Renaissance Humanism and inspired some of the greatest artists of the Western World such as Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, Botticelli, Brunelleschi, Giotto and Dante.
Our itinerary offers an indepth look at the Rennaissance Masterpieces of Florence, the “jewel” of Tuscany. The program includes guided tours of all major Museums and Sights in Florence as well as walking tours of Florence with visits to the Uffizi and Bargello Galleries, the Duomo, Baptistery, Santa Croce, Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza Michelangelo, Santa Maria Novella, Academia, Santa Trinita, Brancacci Chapel, San Lorenzo, Orsanmichele, San Miniato, Ponte Vecchio and San Lorenzo Market. Galleries, sites and monuments will be visited in the mornings with time in the afternoon free for personal exploration.
Also included are all day trips and walking tours to towns like Greve - birthplace of the explorer Verrazzano, Lucca – the home of Pucini, Pisa, Siena – which celebrates the famous Palio, Arezzo – location of Roberto Benigni’s film, “La Vita e bella”, San Gimignano – the “New York City” of Italy so called for the medieval tours that grace the skyline, and Cortona – the setting for the movie, “Under the Tuscan Sun”.
