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Get ready for La Dolce Vita as we head to
Italy to study and appreciate the great art, savor fine Italian
cuisine, drink world class wine from the surrounding vineyards
and enjoy a tour designed to showcase the best that Tuscany,
Umbria and Rome have to offer.
Most North American travelers will depart
from home today to join the group in Florence. A pre-tour visit
to Venice starts three days prior to our gathering in Florence,
allowing two full days to experience the wonders of the city
with our elegant Venetian guide who has been our hostess in
Venice for over 20 years. Those on the Venice pre-tour will
travel by train along with our Hanns Ebensten Travel Leader, to
join the group in Florence.
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The main tour begins in Florence, where we
stay in a charming hotel for three nights in the heart of the
city. We will gather in the evening of arrival day with an
orientation and Welcome Dinner. Then for the next two days we
will explore Florence and its treasures.
Art and history are alive at every step
along the cobblestone streets of this exciting Renaissance city.
Stroll the Via Dante Alighieri and contemplate the great
writer’s life and you will begin to understand why we call
this The Men’s Tour. We will cross the paths of so many
world–class writers, philosophers, artists, architects and
history makers, it boggles the mind. In many ways, Florence is
the epitome of the power of the imagination, and the Men whose
work we will see will attest to this greatness. With so much
encompassed in such a relatively small area, we will have much
to see. We will enjoy two half-day walking tours of the major
sites including the Duomo, which dominates the cityscape,
surrounded by a wonderful piazza inviting visitors to stroll
through the surrounding shops, cafes, and museums. We will enjoy
the archetype of male beauty set in marble -- Michelangelo’s
David -- at the Accademia. The Uffizi Gallery offers some of the
greatest works by Titian, DaVinci, Rafael, and Boticelli.
On our second full afternoon (day three),
we will visit the village of Impruneta south of the city. Gaze
at the Tuscan hillside as we take a short ride through the
countryside. We will enjoy dinner at a quaint local restaurant.
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Next we head to the heart of the Tuscan
countryside. Along the road, we’ll see picturesque hillsides
covered with vineyards and olive trees, old-fashioned stone
farmhouses overlooking fields of grazing sheep, and stately
ancient towers rising out of the mists. We will visit Siena, a
charming example of an ancient walled city, with its narrow
alleys that twist and turn along the hills and wind down to the
city center where the famous Palio horserace is held each July
and August. Look for the colorful flags with their various
animal mascots for the seventeen different contrades (parishes
or neighborhoods) of Siena.
Our accommodations for the next two nights
are at a lovely small inn in the town of Castellina in Chianti.
The origins of Castellina in Chianti go back to the 7th century
B.C. Now, it is a quiet hilltop town, yet at one time it was at
the frontline of the wars between Florence and Siena. A striking
remnant of those times is the Via delle Volte, a covered gallery
that was once part of the town fortifications. The old fort, in
the central square, is now home to municipal offices.
In the morning (day five), we will visit
nearby San Gimignano, known as the “City of Beautiful
Towers” for its lovely and historic windowless towers which
have welcomed pilgrims since the 13th century. Fourteen of the
original seventy-six towers remain intact, reaching up to create
a magnificent skyline. San Gimignano is also home to a number of
magnificent churches and museums, including the Museo Etrusco,
where you can view early Etruscan stone work. During our stay we
will enjoy lunch at the family-owned Castello di Volpaia. After
these sumptuous lunches, dinner will be on your own, to choose,
perhaps, lighter simpler fare. Our Hanns Ebensten Travel Leader
will be happy to assist the group in choosing a spot, it so
desired. |
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Passing from Tuscan to Umbrian hill towns, we
travel to the hilltop village of Torgiano, in Umbria, where we
stay for two nights. Overlooking the Tiber Valley, Torgiano is
the perfect place from which to explore the Umbrian countryside.
En route, we will stop to visit other small hillside towns, such
as Cortona. Although the towns have similarities to each other,
each also has its own personality as well. In the evening, we
will enjoy a wine tasting and dinner in our hotel's elegant 17th
century dining room.
The next morning, we head to the mystical
and enchanting town of Assisi. From a distance we can see the
Basilica of St. Francis, a striking vision resplendent with a
Cosmati rose window. The Basilica, built in 1253, has been
almost completely restored after suffering major damage in a
1997 earthquake. From Assisi, we drive into the hills to the
Benedictine hermitage, Erema delle Carceri, formerly a retreat
of St. Francis. It is an ideal spot to ponder the life of this
man whose love of animals, mysticism and the simple life created
a way of life for many generations to follow.
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In the morning we drive to Rome. The
“Eternal City” is a stunning collection of Classical
Antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque
churches. History lives side by side with contemporary life with
incredible ease. One can walk along Caesar’s footsteps then
dance in the splendor of Italy’s most fashionable
trendsetters. We will taste a bit of “La Dolce Vita” with an
afternoon walking tour, including the Pantheon and a stop for
gelato near the Trevi Fountain. Tonight we enjoy a Farewell
Dinner, Roman style.
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Today we say arrivaderci to those returning
home.
For those who continue on our extension,
we will explore Rome in more depth. The immensity of this great
center of civilization has persuaded travelers to spend decades
discovering its wealth. Byron ended his days here, Gore Vidal
has never left. Rome has a way of insinuating itself into the
lives of artists and writers. It captivates them with its
history, its art. It makes love to the senses in a warm embrace
of fine food and world-class wine. |
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There are so many sights to see in Rome, one
could explore for a lifetime. Over the next few days we'll visit
the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peters Basilica.
Vatican City itself is a treasure trove of architecture and
public space. Inside some of the grandest buildings in Western
civilization lies art and sculpture without equal. Later, we
will turn our attention to Ancient Rome, including a tour of the
Coliseum and remains of the Roman Forum. Dinners will be on your
own.
With so many opportunities for
exploration, we have left the last day of our tour free for you
to choose what activities you would like to do. Our tour leader
will be available to help you with your choice or assist in
arranging transportation or reservations. Perhaps you’ll want
to linger at the Piazza de Spagna (Spanish Steps), sip a
cappuccino and watch the world go by. Or maybe shop at the
trendy stores along Via Veneto, or explore the catacombs of
ancient Rome. If there is enough interest, we will arrange a
visit to Hadrian's villa, just outside Rome. Whether you want
more art, history, culture, or nightlife, Rome has more and more
and more to offer. Enjoy!
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Our time in Italy is over. Until next
time-Ciao! |
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