Florence and taste of Italy

Day 1: Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance period, where you breathe art in its Medieval streets, the craftsmens' workshops and the Renaissance Palaces. Here, the memories of the Medici family are linked with the splendour of the works of the renowned artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Botticelli.

Leaving Rome in a northerly direction and crossing the green valley of the Tiber, you pass the slopes of the Apennines covered with olive groves and vineyards to reach the famous valley of Chianti, before finally arriving in Florence built on the banks of the river Arno.

The city tour will start with a visit to the Academy Museum where you will see the magnificent David by Michelangelo before continuing on foot with your local guide to see the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with its beautiful dome by Brunelleschi. Other treasures, the Baptistry and Giotto's Bell Tower can also be admired before reaching Piazza della Signoria, the ‘heart' of Florence.

Your included lunch will be served in a typical Florentine restaurant before resuming your walk in the afternoon and making you way to Piazza Santa Croce where the church of the same name is situated and where great artists like Michelangelo are buried. You will have the opportunity to visit a leather shop in order to admire one of the typical crafts of the city, and here you will also have some free time to see the work of local goldsmiths and other traditional craftsmen. Transfer to a 4 star Agriturismo in Umbria, dinner and overnight.

Day 2: After breakfast, depart for Cortona. This town has changed little since the Middle Ages. More recently depicted in the Oscar winning film "La Vita è Bella" and described by American novelist Frances Mayes in "Under the Tuscan Sun", Cortona is enjoyng a renewed popularity. Here, we stroll through the historic centre, discovering it's hidden corners and absorbing the atmosphere of this picturesque town. After, a drive along the shores of LAKE TRASIMENO we stop to taste and buy some of the many local products (olive oil, cheeses, salami and ham). Lunch will then be served in a typical countryside restaurant. In the afternoon, driving through the gentle hills of the CHIANTI REGION, we reach the hilltop town of MONTEPULCIANO. The deep ruby red wine, "Vino Nobile" of this town is famous the world over. Here then, we visit one of its oldest wine cellars, carved out of the tufo rock, to discover some of the secrets of the winemakers and of course to taste the final result.

Return to Rome around 7-8 pm when you will be left in the vicinity of your hotel.