Rome and Tuscany

Arrive in Rome and transfer to our hotel, conveniently located in the heart of the city’s historic district and closed to traffic. Get situated, then meet fellow travelers at this evening’s welcome reception, followed by dinner.

Explore Rome’s historic city center on foot, visiting iconic landmarks such as the Pantheon, the best-preserved monument of ancient Rome, and the Trevi Fountain, made famous by films including Roman Holiday and Fellini’s La Dolce Vita. Spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure, then come together this evening for dinner.

Begin the morning with a walking tour of the Eternal City’s ancient landmarks, including the Roman Forum, the Arch of Constantine, and the Colosseum—Rome’s remarkable amphitheater, once seating up to 50,000 spectators. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, then gather for a special after-hours visit to the Vatican Museums. Experience the galleries without crowds, viewing masterpieces by Giotto, Botticelli, Caravaggio, and Raphael, concluding with the magnificently restored Sistine Chapel.

Check out of the hotel this morning and head to the Borghese Gallery, showcasing paintings by Titian, Tintoretto, Botticelli, and others, along with an impressive collection of sculpture, including Canova’s once-scandalous Venus Victorius. Depart Rome for the Tuscan countryside, stopping for lunch along the way. Upon arrival at Fonte de Medici, check in to our cottages and take a brief tour of the grounds, featuring olive groves, cypress-lined alleys, and sweeping views of the Chianti Hills before enjoying dinner.

After breakfast, venture to one of Tuscany’s great medieval treasures, the hill town of Siena, celebrated for its extraordinary art and architecture. Take a walking tour of the traffic-free historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where we admire the iconic shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, the Palazzo Pubblico with its remarkable frescoes, and the Cathedral, distinguished by its striking marble facade. We also visit a contrada, one of the lively city districts that run the Palio, to understand more about the traditions of this iconic horse race. Enjoy lunch in Siena before returning to Fonte de' Medici for an afternoon at leisure.

Spend today in Cortona, famously featured in Elizabeth Romer’s Under the Tuscan Sun. Explore the fascinating world of the ancient Etruscans at the Museum of the Etruscan Academy and the City of Cortona, viewing remarkable archaeological treasures and admiring Fra Angelico’s outstanding Annunciazione di Cortona in the Diocesan Museum. Enjoy lunch on our own, then return to Fonte de' Medici in the mid-afternoon.

After a morning cooking demonstration using the local products, enjoy a tasty lunch. Afterwards, we have time at leisure in Fonte de' Medici before gathering for our final here.

We depart for Florence, stopping along the way for a memorable lunch near San Gimignano, a medieval village known for its towers, were we have time to explore on our own. Regroup for lunch at a local farmhouse where all the ingredients used in the meal are grown and produced on-site. Continue to Florence in the late afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Rise early for a walking tour tracing Florence’s history through the centuries. Wander along narrow streets past the fortified houses and towers of the medieval city to Piazza della Signoria, the political heart of Florence since the Renaissance. Conclude the morning at the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, home to Michelangelo’s Pietà and the original tools and machines used to construct the cathedral’s monumental dome. Enjoy lunch on our own, then in the afternoon, admire Michelangelo’s incomparable David and the expressive Prisoners at the Galleria dell’Accademia. Toast our journey during dinner at a local restaurant this evening.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch flights returning home.