Florence and Tuscany

The finest city of the Renaissance, to the classic undulating countryside that is the very essence of Italy.  For centuries Italy has attracted visitors in search of culture and romance and there are few countries that can rival its renowned Classical origins, its art, music, architecture, scenery, food and wine. As home to the Roman Empire, the Renaissance, the Roman Catholic Church and the Vatican, its contribution to the arts surpasses that of any other nation.

Tuscany embodies much that Italy is famous for, possessing more historical monuments than any other country, let alone province, on earth. Its cities, Florence, Siena and Pisa, together with smaller towns and medieval villages like Lucca and San Gimignano, house some of the world’s finest artistic treasures.  Combine this with the haunting beauty of the local countryside, an enviable climate, one of the world’s great cuisines, and of course, with the Italians themselves, and you have all the ingredients for a superb holiday.

Florence defies description, arguably the finest city of the Renaissance and often described as the most beautiful city in Italy. Browning sighed over its idyllic charms and E.M. Forster described it in “A Room with a View” as the perfect antidote to Anglo-Saxon life. It owes its wealth to the commercial explosion that emerged after the dark ages when wool and other textile industries, backed by some of the very first international banks, turned Florence into one of the world’s richest cities. Political power was in the hands of just a few families, in particular, the Medici, who married into most European royal families, including our own. Florence thus became the cultural and intellectual heart of the continent: architects, artists and sculptors flocked here and, finding work from the nouveau riche, eager to spend on themselves and the city, were soon busy filling the churches and palaces to bursting point with some of the world’s most outstanding works. Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian plus countless others, created many of the masterpieces now on display in the Uffizi, one of the world’s greatest galleries.

Then there is the city of Pisa, famous for its leaning tower, one of the world’s most photographed buildings but the city is much more than this. The tower itself is situated in a complex of ecclesiastical buildings, as remarkable today as they must have seemed to the medieval pilgrims on their way to Rome. Nowhere in Italy do the three principal buildings, namely the cathedral, baptistry and bell tower, blend together with such harmony with a lovely contrast between their intricate stonework and the gentle surrounding countryside.

Next we visit San Gimignano one of the best preserved medieval villages you will find anywhere in Europe, famous for its immense stone towers, dramatically rising upwards, creating its unique skyline.

Siena is the other great Tuscan city enclosed behind vast defensive walls, dominating the surrounding countryside like the fortress it is. It is wonderfully unique, yet is simultaneously a collection of parishes whose rivalries are still in evidence today during the Palio, the famous horse race, where seemingly the only rules are that there do not seem to be any! However, Siena is quite outstanding and has arguably the most gracious square, the Campo, in the world and, to be fair, when you see it, backed by the soaring Campanile, it is hard to disagree. 

Tuscany is far from just a collection of medieval cities, fantastic though they are. Its classic countryside is the very essence of Italy. Gently undulating, biscuit coloured hillsides often covered with vineyards flow and disappear into the distance. Punctuated by isolated farmhouses, unchanged for centuries and studded by tall cypress trees, these wonderful landscapes evoke peace and tranquillity, whilst yielding a rich harvest of superb food and wine. Tuscan cuisine is simple, using the finest ingredients such as grilled succulent meats, fresh vegetables, the unique pecorino cheese, thick wholesome soups, a hint of olive oil and garlic, creating tasty, healthy menus. Any visit to Italy shows you how important eating is to the Italians and in Tuscany you have some of the world’s finest wines too, such as Montalcino, Montepulciano and of course Chianti.

Tuscany embodies the true characteristics of Italy and the Italians themselves.  Stylish, always ready to help, justifiably proud of their heritage, vibrant, expressive and just – different!

Fully escorted price includes:

• Return flights
• Stay in central Florence and the enchanting medieval town of Volterra
• Three-star superior and four-star hotels
• Guided tour of Florence, pearl of the Renaissance
• Visit to the Uffizi, one of the finest art galleries in the world.
• Visit to San Gimignano
• Guided tour of Siena, one of the finest medieval cities
• Visit to Pisa, home of the leaning tower
• Stunning countryside
• Services of Italian speaking tour manager

Please click here to view prices for specific departures.

Prices based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement of £180 per person. Optional insurance available at a supplement.

Please follow this link to view a sample itinerary of the Florence & Tuscany tour.

Not included : Entrance to the Uffizi gallery, approximately £8 payable locally. Entry is free for EU passport holders who are over 65 years of age. Entrance to some other places of interest, approximate total cost £10.

Further information & booking:

Please click here to request your Florence and Tuscany brochure, or alternatively please call 01283 523423.

This holiday is operated by, and your resulting contract will be with: Riviera Travel, New Manor, 328 Wetmore Road, Burton upon Trent, Staffs, DE14 1SP, fax: 01283 742301, ABTA V4744 ATOL 3430 protected, a company wholly independent of The Mirror Group Limited.