Cruise along the coast of Cinque Terre, where pastel-colored, picture-book fishing villages crown cliffs overlooking the sea
7. THE MEDIEVAL TREASURES OF ASSISI Take a short drive to Assisi, a well-preserved medieval hillside town spread across the slopes of a mountain. Assisi was the home of St. Francis, who left a position of wealth and founded the order whose followers became known as Franciscans. The town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its significant art and architecture. You’ll visit St. Francis Basilica, built by the people, which today houses some of Italy’s great 13th- and 14th-century frescoes, as well as the final resting place of Assisi’s beloved favorite son, the patron saint of animals. Enjoy some free time in the center of town, then return to Torgiano for the evening. Please join us tonight for a cooking demonstration by an Umbrian chef, where you’ll discover some of the nuances of great Italian cuisine. Meals BD
8. UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN
Tuscany is an enchanting region, where for centuries the beauty of nature has blended with the ingenuities of mankind; your travels through the rolling Tuscan hills take you through golden landscapes dotted with olive and fig trees. Arrive in the hilltop town of San Gimignano, one of its gems. The town’s famous medieval towers, built in the 12th century by the nobility, are visible from afar. Stroll along the quaint streets and visit Piazza della Cisterna, one of Italy’s most picturesque town squares. Continue your journey through lush Tuscan countryside to the resort town of Viareggio for an overnight stay. Your accommodations are at a landmark hotel that has been a haven of elegance for celebrities and heads of state since it opened in the 1920s. Dine tonight at the hotel. Meals BD
9. PICTURE-BOOK VILLAGES OF CINQUE TERRE Cinque Terre was ac ces si ble only by sea for hun dreds of years, five picture-book fishing villages nestled between the Medi ter ra nean’s blue waters and the rugged coastal moun tains. Travel by train through the mountains to one of the villages,
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where you’ll experience daily life – from colorful fishing boats home from the sea to the wine, olives, and citrus fruit produced locally. You’ll have some time to explore the cobblestone streets and alleyways, perhaps sampling the unique flavors of the local cuisine for lunch. Cruise the shores of the Italian Riviera for unparalleled views of this dramatic coast before traveling to the Renaissance city of Florence for a three-night stay at The Westin Excelsior, Florence, in the heart of the city. Meals BD
10. THE ART OF FLORENCE
Art and architecture whisper the history of the ages in Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. Enjoy a briefing by an art history lecturer, whose insights prepare you for a guided walking tour of Florence’s Renaissance heart. Then enjoy a guided visit through the collections of works by many of the greatest artists of the 14th and 15th centuries – including Michelangelo’s famous sculpture of David and paintings by Botticelli, Uccello, Ghirlandaio, del Sarto and others – at the inimitable Galleria dell’Accademia. Flourishing for more than four centuries, this world-renowned institution was established in 1563 as the first art school in Europe. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free for you to spend as you wish. Florence is a monument of Renaissance riches that are revealed with every step! Meals B
11. INSIDE THE UFFIZI GALLERY
Join a local expert on a walking tour that takes you inside Florence’s inspiring Uffizi Gallery. Originally a suite of offices, it was first used to display the Medici family’s private art treasures in 1581 – thereby making it the oldest art gallery in the world. Its vast collection includes some of the most revered works of the Italian Renaissance, such as Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, Michelangelo’s The Holy Family, da Vinci’s unfinished Adoration of the Magi, Bellini’s Allegory and Raphael’s Madonna of the Goldfinch. Lunch and dinner are on your own. There are many inviting trattorias and gelaterias for you to enjoy. Meals B
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