Itinerary

1. Visit Pisa, San Gimignano & Siena

   • You will be picked up by your tour guide from Florence. Drive for an hour towards Pisa. As soon as you arrive, you will pass by the historic suburbs and encounter Piazza dei Cavalieri, the original political center of medieval Pisa. Cosimo later transformed it I de’ Medici into the center for the Order of the Knights of Santo Stefano, created to defend the Tuscan and Mediterranean coasts from Turkish and pirate fleets.
   • At the heart of the square, you will find the statue of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, made by Francavilla in 1596. Behind it stands Palazzo della Carovana and Palazzo degli Anziani del Popolo, which was transformed by Giorgio Vasari. Piazza dei Cavalieri is the location of the Scuola Normale Superiore, commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte based on the model of the Parisian Ercole. The greatest Italian professors, such as Antonio Pacinotti, Carducci, Pascoli, Fermi and Rubbia, have all studied and taught here. 
   • You will then arrive at the breathtaking Leaning Tower of Pisa, the unmistakable tilting tower that has people marvel from all over the world.
   • See Piazza dei Miracoli which has always been a fundamental part of a trip to Tuscany. Despite the presence of many tourists, the place radiates a timeless, evocative and powerful beauty. Visitors from every corner of the world typically try to keep the leaning tower upright, with a little help from their camera’s perspective, to make for amusing photos!
   • The beautiful stronghold of San Gimignano is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tuscany. San Gimignano is a treasure of medieval architecture, frozen in time in the year 1300. Above all, it is famous for its ancient towers, which still stand out from its skyline, earning it the nickname "Manhattan of the Middle Ages".
   • Don't forget to stop by the famous Dondoli ice cream shop, winner of many awards for the best ice cream in the world.
   • Visit Piazza della Cisterna, which dates back to 1287. It is located precisely in the center of the city, at a crossroads between the two main streets of the upper medieval village. While the city’s Piazza del Duomo served both as a religious and political center, Piazza della Cisterna was instead used as a local market and as a stage for social gatherings, parties and tournaments.
   • See the Duomo of San Gimignano, which is also known as La Collegiata. Visiting this beautiful cathedral is a must! Because it has never been restored, you will be able to marvel at the original colours used in the unique frescoes, which remain vivid, bright and genuinely splendid. La Collegiata has also been used as a set to film a few scenes of Franco Zeffirelli’sTea with Mussolini(1999).
   • Siena is one of the most popular and visited places in Tuscany. It is known throughout Italy for its distinguished medieval architecture. Upon arrival, explore its rich history and art, through its notable local monuments such as the famous seashell-shaped Piazza del Campo and the outstanding Siena Cathedral. Many local shops fill the historic streets of Siena, an excellent opportunity for you to taste local food or buy some gifts!
   • Visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the main location of Catholic worship in Tuscany and the diocese of Siena. The building is located in the square of the same name in the center of the city. Built-in Italian Gothic style, it is one of the most significant and spectacular churches built in Italy.
   • Explore Piazza del Campo (or simply, il Campo), the main square of the city of Siena. Unique for its particular and original seashell shape, it is renowned all over the world for its beauty and architectural integrity, as well as for being the place where the Palio di Siena takes place twice a year.
   • At the end of the tour, you will be dropped back in Florence.