Essential Europe Travel

Day 1

Meet & Greet Private transfer

Check in Hotel Villa Fiesole

Situated on the side of an ancient Etruscan Hill in Fiesole, surrounded by centuries old forests, the Villa Fiesole Hotel offers clients a harmonious experience of elegance and tranquility.The beautiful restored 19th century villa, with its frescoed ceiling and renovated and characteristic greenhouse has 28 rooms, all equipped with the modern comforts of a world class hotel. Peaceful, elegant and exquisitely decorated, the hotel offers breathtaking views of Florence.

Day 2

½ day morning walking tour of Florence

Explore the most famous sights of Florence's ancient centre. Tread in the tantalising footsteps of over 2000 years of tumultuous history. Find out who was buried alive near the Duomo. Why Michelangelo never forgave Leonardo da Vinci. Discover why Florence became one of the greatest art centres the world has ever seen.

See fabulous masterpieces. See famous sculptures, frescoes & paintings in the Duomo, Santa Trinita, Orsanmichele, the Baptistery, Bell Tower, Gates of Paradise, Brunelleschi's Dome, Vasari's Corridor, Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Medieval towers, Ponte Vecchio, Renaissance Palaces, famous shopping streets & other sights.

½ day afternoon tour of the Uffizi Palace

Why are there so many blondes in Renaissance paintings? How did Michelangelo out-smart a famous skinflint?  Who was that beautiful woman in Botticelli's famous "Birth of Venus"? All this and more when you discover the highlights of the Uffizi Gallery with our fascinating & exclusive introduction to Renaissance art & famous artists.

On the Highlights of the Uffizi Gallery you will see works by:
Cimabue, Giotto, Lorenzo Monaco, Gentile da Fabriano, Paolo Uccello, Piero della Franceso, Filippo Lippi, Sandro Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian, & Parmagianino.  

Day 3

Cooking class and discovery of a typical Tuscan dish at Villa Fiesole

The courses are organized as follows:

Antipasti
Tasty starters to whet the appetite and start off the meal in the true Tuscan tradition

Soups and risottos
The first courses of rural tradition... without pasta

Home made pasta
Various types of egg pasta with the appropriate sauces

Game and poultry
An overview of these minor but highly flavoursome meats in the ancient local recipes

Meat
Beef, veal and pork in the characteristics Tuscan versions

Desserts and cheeses
Small delicacies to round off the gastronomic itinerary through our region
The single-theme lessons will last about three hours and will be held in the new kitchen of the Hotel, followed by the tasting of the prepared dishes in the magnificent setting of our panoramic terrace.

Day 4

A Perfect Morning in Tuscany

Unsurpassed stunning views, a famous hill top town-Fiesole, an exclusive Renaissance Villa, a delicious Tuscan lunch & wine tasting
See glorious views of Tuscany while walking ancient paths through Tuscan olive groves and scented cypress woods and the 'must see' beautiful hill top town of Fiesole. Pass through fascinating ancient Roman and Etruscan ruins.

Experience the sublime Tuscan setting where the makers of the most famous artworks in the world- the Mona Lisa and the David-worked and played. See where Leonardo da Vinci tested his historic flying machine and the shaded hillside stone works where Michelangelo learnt his craft. Visit an exclusive private Renaissance villa featured in two famous films 'A Room with a View' and 'Tea with Mussolini' with lovely Italian gardens and more superb views of Tuscany and distant Florence. Then enjoy a wine tasting during a delicious gourmet Tuscan lunch on the villa's estate.

During the afternoon visit Santa Maria pharmacy, the oldest of Italy
Discover amazing products:  essences, pomades, spirits, balms, waters, liqueurs and other preparations of the officina profumo-farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella.  
Adiacent to Piazza di Santa Maria novella is one of the oldest pharmacies in the world, established by the Dominican fathers shortly after 1221, the year of their arrival in Florence. in the garden, the fathers began to cultivate the herbs that they need to prepare medications, balms and creams for the monastery's little infirmary.

:any of the officina's preparations have made history  and have marked an epoch: the essences, as well as the famous and much requested perfumes, are still prepared to a large extent following the formulas studied in 1500 for Caterina de' Medici. The history of 'eau de cologne' is quite special in this regard.   Indeed, it seems that this was the essence that Caterina de' Medici, queen of France, took with her to Paris, where it acquired the name of 'eau de la reine'. The 'acqua di rose', rose water, an excellent refreshing tonic for red eyes, was already available for sale in the second half of the fourteenth century.

other favourites include the perfumed powders produced from the ground rhizome of the iris, the flower that grows freely on the hills around Florence in such profusion as to be adopted as the lily symbol of the city, still represented in its coat of arms.

Day 5

Full day Guided Private tour of Tuscany

Your private chauffeur guide will show you the real Tuscany, shimmering olive groves, glorious vineyards; amazing medieval hilltop towns (Tuscany's most famous) stunning frescoes and iconic Tuscan views. Experience a classic Tuscan wine producer's estate, taste great wines and savour a delicious Tuscan lunch then this is the tour for you!

Discover San Gimignano and Siena, two remarkable medieval towns in the Chianti region. To facilitate your enjoyment our guide explains the history and highlights of each fascinating hill town in private transport on the way; whilst seeing the very beautiful and aptly famous Tuscan landscape. The guide also stops for photo opportunities at particularly scenic locations. Upon arrival at each town our guide gives you time to explore after pointing out the best places to see artisan's studios, local producers of typical Tuscan products, nice places to 'people watch' while enjoying a cold drink and where to explore the town's highlights. You also visit a classic Tuscan wine estate with an introduction to Tuscan wine and a wine tasting and olive oil tasting. This tour is designed to give maximum enjoyment for a days outing to Tuscany's most famous hill top towns.

Check in Hotel Alla Corte del Sole****

Relais Alla Corte del Sole - at the sun's court - is located in the vicinities of the Lake Trasimeno, although territorially belonging to the Siena area of Montepulciano. On one hand it enjoys the view of one of the most suggestive Italian lakes and of a nature filled with the sense of a wholly Franciscan mysticism, while on the other hand it is in close touch with the most important artistic monumental landscape expressions of the Tuscan region: on one side Cortona, Montepulciano and Siena, on the other the quiet image of peace transpiring from the surrounding green and the silver waters of the lake, assure a serene and fulfilling stay. Each room is equipped with every comfort and furnished with period furniture. Here and there, some precious details such as a fine painting, a canopied or wrought iron bed drape curtains and soft fabrics, small armchairs and dressing tables

Day 6

Spa Treatment at Montecatini Terme

You can either try a relaxing facial, a stimulating salt glow, or choose from an array of massages (aromatherapy, Shiatsu, holistic, reflexology or Reiki). You will have a chance to learn about all the treatments.

Day 7

Full day Guided Private tour of Tuscany

Discover with your guide

Montepulciano: medieval alleyways and plethora of Renaissance palaces and churches
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano:  the fields around the town produce a violet-scented, orange-speckled ruby wine
Bagno Vignoni:  the springs that have been enjoyed since the Roman times.  They were also made famous by illustrious regular visitors such as Lorenzo il Magnifico Medici and Sainte Catherine from Siena.  The waters rise up from a depth of 1000 meters, flowing into a magnificent pool measuring 49 meters in length by 29 in width.  This water-filled town square is the undeniable focus of the village. 

Pienza: extraordinary gems of renaissance.  It retains its remarkable city-sized piazza, one of the grandest achievements of Renaissance architecture. Director Franco Zefferelli was so taken by the village's look he filmed his Romeo and Juliet in Pienza.  Pienza was also used in the Oscar-winning epic The English Patient.
Also, try the delectible pecorino cheeses of Pienza.

Day 8

Private transfer to Florence airport