Art and culture in Tuscany
Site stay 7 days / 6 nights
Arrival at the hotel in or around Montecatini, check-in, welcome cocktail, dinner and overnight stay.
In the Arno Valley, near the river’s mouth, lies Pisa – birthplace of Galileo Galilei and once a powerful maritime republic. Its landmarks, the Cathedral, Baptistery and world-famous Leaning Tower on the Campo dei Miracoli, embody its rich past. Continue to Lucca, Puccini’s hometown, known for its well-preserved city walls, Romanesque churches and enchanting old town filled with history and charm.
Visit San Gimignano, the city of towers, whose historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through its medieval lanes lined with palaces and stone houses. In the afternoon, continue to Volterra to see the Cathedral, Piazza and Palazzo dei Priori, the Etruscan Gate and Roman Theatre. Famous for its alabaster craftsmanship, the town offers stunning panoramic views over Tuscany’s rolling hills.
In Florence, birthplace of Dante, artists such as Giotto, Donatello and Michelangelo created timeless masterpieces under the patronage of the Medici family. Highlights include the Cathedral with its majestic dome, the Baptistery with the “Gates of Paradise”, the Orsanmichele Church, Piazza della Signoria with Palazzo Vecchio, and the Uffizi Gallery. A stroll through Florence is a journey into the heart of the Renaissance.
Drive through the rolling Chianti hills to Siena, a Gothic city of timeless charm and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include the Piazza del Campo, home to the famous Palio horse race, the magnificent Cathedral and the Torre del Mangia. Continue to Daniel Spoerri’s sculpture park Il Giardino, where art and nature blend in captivating harmony.
The Giardino dei Tarocchi was created by artist Niki de Saint Phalle, inspired by Gaudí’s Park Güell. Its 22 colourful sculptures, some rising up to 15 metres, form a dazzling mosaic world of imagination. Continue to Montepulciano to visit the Renaissance church of San Biagio, Piazza Grande and the Cathedral — with time to enjoy the town’s renowned wines.
After breakfast, return home.