Day 1 – Chianciano Terme

Scheduled flight to Rome – transfer with our tour manager in our private executive coach to the 3* Hotel Villa Ricci in Chianciano Terme in Tuscany – dinner in hotel.

Day 2 – Pienza & Abbey of Monte Olivieto Maggiore

Morning guided tour of the enchanting town of Pienza with time to walk along the walls to enjoy the wonderful views – in the afternoon guided tour of Abbey of Monte Olivieto Maggiore with one of the monks (voluntary donation) to see the magnificent 41 frescoes of the Life of St Benedict by Signorelli and Sodoma.

Day 3 – Basilica of St Francis of Assisi

Full day in Assisi – guided tour of the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi and its wonderful frescoes by Giotto, Simone Martini and Lorenzetti – free time to explore the main square, the Piazza del Comune, dominated by the columns of the Tempio di Minerva, or just enjoy the many side streets with their lovely views over the Umbrian countryside.

Day 4 – Siena & San Gimignano

Spend the morning in Siena – a guided tour of the Opera del Duomo with the 13th century Rose Window and the Duccio di Buoninsegna’s 1308 altar piece dedicated to the Virgin Mary – free time to visit sights such as the Campo where the Palio horse race is run every year and the Piccolomini Library in the Duomo – travel into the Chianti wine growing region to visit San Gimignano with its cathedral housing the ‘Poor Man’s Bible’ and the 13 defensive Medieval towers giving it the name ‘the Small Manhattan’.

Day 5 – Florence & the Uffizi

Full day in Florence, the capital of Renaissance art – pre-booked entry into the Uffizi Gallery, one of the world’s finest art galleries – time at leisure to enjoy the magnificent Renaissance masterpieces including works by Giotto, Masaccio, Paolo Ucello, Sandro Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Titian and Caravaggio – free time to visit Michelangelo’s ‘David’ at the Accademia, the Ponte Vecchio, the magnificent Duomo, the Pitti Palace or Boboli Gardens.

Day 6 – Orvieto

Morning guided tour of the charming Etruscan town of Orvieto including the stunning 13th century Duomo with its amazing façade adorned with Frescoes by Lorenzo Maitani – transfer to Rome for our scheduled flight back home.

Five nights in the excellent family run 3* Hotel Villa Ricci in Chianciano Terme in Tuscany. Dinner is included at the hotel on the first evening and the remaining four are on bed and breakfast basis. All rooms are en suite and the hotel has a bar, restaurant, indoor pool and spa.

Single room supplement £69

Insurance

Entrance fees to places of interest (State run museums free to over 65’s)

Gratuities

Remember this itinerary is just our suggestion. Tailor make this tour exclusively for your group to suit your members’ budget or preferences. You could:

• combine with visits to Rome or Cortona & Arezzo
• stay at a 4* hotel
• on half board basis throughout
• with fewer or different excursions
• for more (or fewer) days
• bring your own specialist lecturer
• include all entrance fees and gratuities