DISCOVER Tuscany and Umbria

From Florence to Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa, Perugia, Assisi, Vinci, and Venice, Tuscany is the largest region of Italy and perhaps its most varied. It includes rolling hills with silvery-green olive trees and well-tended vines, as well as "Alps" between the coast and Florence. The smaller cities, like Siena and Pisa, all have long, illustrious histories and contain important monuments and past glories. In Umbria, known as the Green Heart of Italy, the work of God take precedence over human accomplishment. The region includes mountains, hills, valleys and plains, lakes and rivers. The sublety of the country's influence on the visitor is the reason it is difficult to try to recreate its visual impression in words.

Florence is not only beautiful, it is also spelbinding. No other city offers such a concentration of beauty in such a small area. In the 15th Century Florence was the unchallenged European capital of art, architecture, commerce and political thought. Florence is home to the best collection of Renaissance art in the world. The shops in the centre of the city, the open-air markets still sell traditional Florentine products, but in other shops you can buy the latest creations of high fashion.

1. GUIDED TOURS OF FLORENCE - Coach Itineraries
Ref: Caf
These tours are ideal for discovering Florence and the surrounding hills. Our comfortable coaches take visitors along the most important and panoramic roads of the city and its immediate surroundings. Short walks allow visitors to reach the most celebrated monuments in the historic centre.

1a VISIT OF FLORENCE [morning] Mar - Nov
Lunch included at a typical restaurant.
Terminal: Piazzo Stazione 51; Departure: 09:30; Return: 12:30 ca.

This itinerary includes a visit of the Cathedral complex: the Cathedral with Brunelleschl's grandiose cupola, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistery with bronze gates, among which the most famous Gates of Paradise. Finally a visit to the 15th century Palazzo Pitti* built for the Pitty family and last residence of the Medici family. Along the romantic Viale del Colli up to Piazzale Michelangelo: a stop to admire the wonderful panorama of the city, one of the most beautiful in the world. * Closed Sun. and national holidays. Replaced with a visit to the Archaeological Site of the Roman Theatre of Fiesole.Closed Mon. Replaced with the Museum of Palazzo Vecchio.

1b VISIT OF FLORENCE [afternoon] Every day
Terminal: Piazza Stazion 51r; Departure: 14:30; Return: 17:30

On Sunday and Holidays, you will visit the famous Uffizi Gallery.
Departure by coach for a brief excursion to Fiesole, a delightful town of Etruscan origin positioned on the hill that dominates Florence and the Arno Valley. The tour continues to the historic centre of Florence for a visit to the Franciscan Church of Santa Croce where it is possible to admire the celebrated tombs of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo, Rossini etc. Visit The Academy of Fine Arts*² where it is possible to admire the original David by Michelangelo and other masterpieces by this great artist. Finally, a visit to the 15th century Palazzo Pitti 12' built for the Pitti family and the last residence of the Medici family. Inside, visit to the Palatine Gallery, a museum of painting containing some of the most important works by Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, Rubens, Murillo, Velasquez etc. From the windows, a panoramic view of the celebrated Boholi Gardens. *² Closed on Monday. Replaced with the Bargello Museum or the Medici Chapels.

GUIDED TOURS OF FLORENCE - Itineraries on foot
These tours are easy guided walks, discovering the most interesting corners of Florence. They allow appreciation of the different artistic expressions of various historical periods, and total immersion in the magical atmosphere of life in this city.

1c FLORENCE BY NIGHT TOUR WITH DINNER
(including dinner and Cafè-Concerto )

Terminal Piazza della Repubblito; From May - mid-Oct. at the Column of 'Abbondonza'; Tuesday, Friday and Sunday
Meeting 19:50; End 23:15 ca.

A very special evening that starts with dinner in the historic centre in one of the finest Florentine trattorias, followed by an unforgettable walk discovering some of the most characteristic places in the city. At 21:30 the guided tour starts with the following itinerary: Piazza del Duomo - splendid view of the illuminated religious centre - Palazzo del Bargello - the oldest mediaeval building in Florence. Piazza San Firenze, with its magnificent Palazzo Gondi. Piazza defia Signoria, a spectacular open-air museum of sculpture. Views of the Uffizi Galleries and the Ponte Vecchio - the "bridge of jewellers". Finally, in Piazza della Repubblica, a stop at the famous "Cafè Concerto" with a drink included.

2a DISCOVERING FLORENCE TOUR
Terminal: Piazza S.M. Novella; 1 Apr. - 30 Nov.
at the church entrance; Monday and Thursday
Meeting: 09:15; End: 11:30 ca.

A fascinating itinerary that starts with a visit to the Church of Santa Maria Novella, a splendid Dominican church with works of art by Masaccio, Brunelleschi, Aberti, Ghirlandaio and his apprentice Michelangelo. Then to Via Tornabuoni, the most beautiful street in Florence with the a beautiful Renaissance palace - the Strozzi Palace -, the Piazza and Bridge of Santa Trinita, the Riversides, the Ponte Vecchio - "the bridge of jewellers" -, the Straw Market,
Piazza delta Signoria, a wonderful open-air museum of sculpture.

2c HISTORIC CRFAT WORKSHOP
Terminal Piazza Stazione 51r corner; Dep: 15:00ov.
Piazza dell'Unita; Wednesday and Friday (May-Oct)
Meeting: 09:15; End: 18:30

The irresistible tour opens up the precious old caskets of artisanal Florence, which lie hidden from the hurrying tourist. We have only chosen that which is most authentic and prestigious of historic Florentine craftworks: rare perfumes from the past, jewellery from a jewellery artisan shop, artistic leather workmanship, and the Medicean art of mosaics of semiprecious stone.
You will be shown into old laboratories, magical places where from the Renaissance right up to today this precious manual tradition has been handed down from generation to generation. It is possible to purchase exclusive items that will continue to communicate to you over time in the unique language of this city.

EXCURSIONS IN TUSCANY

[For tours no. 3 to 7 a minimum booking of 8 people is required]

3 EXCURSION TO SIENA AND SAN GIMIGNANO
Terminal Piazza Stazione 51r; Departure 09:00; Return 17:45 ca.
Every day. [From 16 Nov. - 15 March only on Mon., Wed., Fri., & Sat.]

An extremely interesting excursion through the Chianti countryside among delightful hills, with an ever-changing scenery of vineyards and olive trees. A visit to San Gimignano, a tiny city situated on the top of a hill, and kept intact through the centuries. It is famous for its numerous towers, its frescoes and other art treasures. On arrival in Siena, free time for lunch (not included) is available. To follow, a guided visit of this magnificent mediaeval city. It is possible to admire the Cathedral, the Piazza del Campo, one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, the Town Hall, San Domenico with its numerous treasures of Italian painting. Along the way back it is possible to admire the old mediaeval village of Monteriggioni, enclosed by its famous walls, still intact.

4 EXCURSION TO PISA
Terminal Piazza Stazione 51r
Departure: Daily: 16/03-15/11; Depart: 14:15; Return: 19:30
16/11-05/03; Depart: 13:45; Return: 19:00

A pleasant excursion through the fertile and picturesque Tuscan countryside towards the historic university city of Pisa, famous all over the world for its architectural beauty. A panoramic view of the beautiful Riversides, then a guided visit on foot of the Piazza dei Cavalieri, where the Normal School resides, one of the most famous universities in the world. The tour proceeds to Piazza dei Miracoli to find the celebrated Leaning Tower, the Cathedral, an unequalled masterpiece of Romanesque art carried out between the 11th and 12th centuries, the Baptistery and other important monuments.

5a AFTERNOON EXCURSION IN CHIANTI (including snack and wine tasting)
Terminal Piazza Stazione 51r; Departure 14:00; Return 18:30 ca.
Monday and Thursday [1 Apr. - 30 Nov.]

An excursion through one of the most suggestive areas in Tuscany, famous all over the world for its wine and for its countryside of unequalled beauty, alternating woods with vine trees and olive groves, where Romanesque Churches, farmhouses, Villas and Castles of rare beauty are found. Includes visits to a place of particular historic and artistic interest in a characteristic village, and to one of the most renowned farms with snack and tasting of its prestigious wines.

5b AFTERNOON EXCURSION IN CHIANTI WITH DINNER
(including snack, wine tasting and dinner)
Terminal Pazza Stazione 51; Departure 14:00; Return 23:00
Friday

A journey through the Chianti countryside, one of the most suggestive areas in Tuscany, famous all over the world for its wine, to arrive at a magnificent Castle: a visit of the gardens and the splendid cellar where the famous barrels of the Chianti Classico wine are found. A stop at an old wine shop with snack and wine tasting. To follow, a visit to one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in the area. Dinner in a fine restaurant in a characteristic village with panoramic terrace overlooking the hills.

7. EXCURSION TO THE MEDICI VILLAS OF POGGIO CAIANO AND ARTIMINO
Terminal Piazza Stazione, 51 rl; Departure 14:00; Return 18:00
1 Apr. - 30 Nov.Wednesday and Saturday

Built at the end of the 15th century by the architect Cluliano da San Gallo according to the precise instructions of Lorenzo de Medici,. The Villa of Poggio a Caiano is the most beautiful, the most famous and the best preserved of all the villas owned by the greatest family of the Renaissance. Inside there are beautiful original frescoes by Pontormo, Andrea del Sarto and other celebrated artists. The Villa of Artimino was built almost a century later, and is also known as the Ferdinanda due to its being commissioned by the Grand Duke Ferdinando 1 to his famous architect Bernardo Buontalenti in 1594. The excursion ends with visits to the little village of Artimino - which remains almost intact from the great Medici period - and to a wonderful Romanesque church.

OTHER EXCURSIONS

9. EXCURSION TO PERUGIA AND ASSISI [including lunch]
Terminal Piazzo Stazione 51r; Departure 08:00; Return 19:00 ca
Wednesday, 1 Apr. -30 Nov.

An itinerary in the green Umbria region, discovering eternally fascinating cities.
Perugia, with one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, in which it is possible to admire the Maggiore Fountain, the gothic Basilica of San Lorenzo and the Palazzo dei Priori, home to the Townhall. The excursion continues to Assisi, famous all over the world for being the native town of Saint Francis. Stop for lunch in a renowned restaurant. A guided visit to the Basilica of Saint Francis, with frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue, to the Basilica of Santa Chiara, the Basilica of San Maria degli Angeli and other important places. Return to Florence.

10. EXCURSION TO VENICE (including lunch)
Terminal Piazza Stazione 51r; Departure 07:00; Return 21:00
Tuesday and Friday, 1 Apr - 30 Nov

An excursion discovering one of the most unique cities in the world: Venice, an artistic centre of world fame, and cradle of priceless gothic treasures. The tour arrives at Tronchetto di Venezia and is then transferred via steam boat to "the most beautiful drawing-room in Europe": Saint Mark's Square. Then follows a guided visit of the city, during which it is possible to admire the Basilica of Saint Mark, with its marvellous mosaics and countless other works of art; the most celebrated Clock Tower, the exterior of the Ducal Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and other important places through the tiny 'calli', typically narrow Venetian lanes. Lunch in a characteristic restaurant. In the afternoon free time is available for participants. Return to Florence.

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Please contact (012) 460 8382 for rates, or e-mail: info3@duto.co.za

Updated: 2006