Amber Road Tours

Tuscany/Umbria

13 days/12 nights

• Day 1

  Arrival at Florence airport, where you will be met by your tour manager and transferred to Hotel Villa Cappugi (3 nights), located in the foothills just outside of Pistoia (see map).

  Pistoia is a little touristed jewel of a town located in northern Tuscany between Florence and Lucca. We'll be making a late afternoon trip to the historic center with a welcome dinner of local Tuscan specialties and wine tasting at its finest restaurant.

• Day 2

  Our excursion today is to Lucca, an elegant city of art ringed by a 4 kilometer massive wall that took 150 years to build. In the morning you'll have time to walk the pedestrian path atop the wall, wander Lucca's ancient Roman streets or browse stylish shops. After lunch we'll have a walking tour of the city with our local guide.

  Early evening we'll be going up into the Apennine mountains to the small village of San Mommè for dinner at one of the best pizzerias in northern Tuscany.

• Day 3

  This morning will find us in the historic district of fabulous Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. Our first visit is to the Accademia Museum to see Michelangelo's incomparable David. Then our local guide will take us on an historical and architectural walking tour that covers the Piazza del Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Piazza Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio and more.

  After some free time for your own explorations, we have an afternoon appointment at the Uffizi, the most famous art museum in Italy, where you'll find masterpieces by Botticelli, Raphael, Leonardo and Caravaggio.

• Day 4

  Today we move from the mountains of northern Tuscany to the chalk hills of the central. Our first stop is for a cappuccino inside the 13th century walled fortress of Monteriggioni, the northernmost citadel of Siena in wars against Florence.

  Our next visit is to the abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, a Benedictine monastery set amongst forests of cypress, pine and oak. The Great Cloister features the famous cycle of frescoes depicting the life of St Benedict by Signorelli and Sodoma.

  Then we move on to the renaissance town of Pienza, the "ideal city" constructed by Pope Pius II, overlooking the rolling cypress-lined hills of the stunning Orcia Valley. Our lodging is Hotel Corsignano (3 nights) located just outside the town walls.

• Day 5

  Brunello wines are considered among the most prestigious of Italy. We begin this morning with a tour of an unusual winery and a tasting of their olive oil and wines.

  Then we'll take in the hill-town and imposing castle of Montalcino, with some of the most scenic settings on our tour.

  In the afternoon we'll stop by the beautiful 9th century abbey Sant'Antimo where we'll hear the monks' Gregorian chants.

• Day 6

  Today's first visit is to the unique medieval village of Civita di Bagnoregio in the region of Lazio, isolated by earthquakes and erosion creating an inland island of nineteen inhabitants, accessible now only on foot across a 300 meter bridge!

  Spectacular Orvieto sits atop a 325 meter outcrop of volcanic tufa rock, with thousands of caves underneath the city, dug out during Etruscan, Medieval and Renaissance times. We'll explore them on a fascinating tour of Orvieto Underground. After lunch our local guide will take us through one of Italy's most famous Gothic cathedrals, 300 years in construction, and the San Brizio chapel with the wonderful frescoes of Signorelli.

• Day 7

  Our pilgrimage this morning is to Assisi and the incomparable Basilica di San Francesco and its brilliant cycle of frescoes on the Life of Saint Francis by Giotto. Assisi has even more to offer with its 2,000 year old Piazza del Comune, the first century B.C. Temple of Minerva, numerous churches, Duomo and 14th century fortress, the Rocca Maggiore.

  In the afternoon we'll move north to Gubbio, perhaps the best preserved of medieval Umbrian towns, laying against the slopes of Monte Ingino. We'll be staying for two nights at the 14th century Hotel Relais Ducale. Here you will have the opportunity to visit the Palazzo dei Consoli Museum, the Roman amphitheater and the option to ride the funivia (bird-cage lift) to the top of the mountain to enjoy the views and see the Basilica of Saint Ubaldo, whose 900 year old remains are still on display.

• Day 8

  Today we'll take a trip into the region of The Marches to visit Urbino whose main attraction, besides being one of the most beautiful medieval towns in central Italy, is the enormous Palazzo Ducale of Duke Federico which now houses the National Gallery of Le Marche. Here we will spend one of the most rewarding mornings of our tour. Urbino is also home to a very beautiful cathedral and the natal house of the Renaissance painter Raphael.

• Day 9

  We visit three very interesting small Umbrian villages, beginning with a guided tour of the Olive Oil Museum at Torgiano, followed by a visit to Deruta, famous for its ceramics. After time for shopping and lunch we'll visit the smallest theater in the world, the Teatro della Concordia at Monte Castello di Vibio.

  Then we head for romantic Spoleto, whose 3000 year past includes Umbrians, Romans, Goths, Lombards, Franks, emperors and popes. We'll be staying for 2 nights at the Hotel dei Duchi located in the upper town near the ancient Roman Theater.

• Day 10

  There is a wealth of history to explore within Spoleto - its massive 14th century fortress, cathedral, Roman walls and medieval piazzas, the amazing aqueduct- bridge, fine museums and churches, not to mention the maze of medieval town planning. We begin our day with a local guide tour, followed by a tasting of Umbrian delicacies and wines at a local enoteca. Afternoon and evening on your own.

• Day 11

  Cortona, the oldest continuously inhabited hill town in Italy, is our first destination. After a visit to the 16th century Medici fortress you'll have the morning free for a delightful exploration of winding alleys, pleasant squares, small cafés and restaurants.

  After lunch we're off to San Gimignano, a tour favorite with its many towers, lovely scenery and enjoyable evenings. We'll be staying at the 13th century Hotel La Cisterna (two nights), set in the main square of town.

• Day 12

  Our last excursion is to the enchanting Gothic city of Siena, home to one of Italy's most beautiful squares, the Piazza del Campo and what-was-to-have-been the largest cathedral in the world (interrupted by the Black Death). Our guide will walk us through Siena's fascinating medieval story that, in surprising ways, lives on today.

  Late day free in San Gimignano prior to farewell dinner and last gelato.

• Day 13

  End of tour - transfer to Florence.