Rome – Tuscany – Florence from Thessaloniki

After breakfast at our hotel, today is devoted entirely to Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and one of the world’s most important cities of art. The city that gave birth to great artists and is home to priceless masterpieces is ready to reveal its secrets and timeless charm through a captivating guided tour of the main monuments in its historic center. We begin our tour at the imposing Basilica di Santa Croce, one of the city’s most impressive churches, which serves as the final resting place for some 270 of Italy’s greatest figures, including Michelangelo, Galileo, and Niccolò Machiavelli. Next, our path takes us to the famous Ponte Vecchio. We’ll admire the iconic “Old Bridge” with its characteristic hanging houses and small jewelry shops that seem to hover over the Arno River, creating one of the most recognizable and romantic scenes in all of Tuscany. We continue on to Piazza della Signoria, the heart of political life in medieval Florence, where the imposing Palazzo Vecchio stands. This palace served as the seat of the local government for more than seven hundred years, and today its square is adorned with magnificent sculptures that form an open-air gallery. Our tour will culminate in the most spectacular way at Piazza del Duomo. There we will behold the majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, with Filippo Brunelleschi’s famous and innovative dome stealing the show as the city’s ultimate symbol. After the tour, you’ll have plenty of free time to enjoy an authentic Tuscan meal, a high-quality espresso, or a leisurely stroll through the city’s elegant streets, among historic palaces, lively squares, and designer shops. Late in the afternoon, filled with the unique sights of this city-museum, we’ll board the bus for the return trip to our hotel, where you can enjoy a relaxing evening at your leisure.

After breakfast at our hotel, we say goodbye to Lucca and set off for the famous “Manhattan of the Middle Ages,” the picturesque walled town of San Gimignano. From afar, the tall, majestic towers welcome us, giving the town a unique, fairy-tale appearance. The “city of beautiful towers” is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Tuscany. Of the 76 imposing 13th-century towers that once defined its skyline, 14 have survived intact to this day, creating a unique setting that transports visitors back in time. Our next stop is medieval Siena, a city that enchants every visitor with its authentic atmosphere. Eleven picturesque streets converge on the impressive Piazza del Campo, one of Italy’s most beautiful squares, where the medieval Town Hall stands out. As we stroll along the granite cobblestone streets, we’ll admire historic mansions and end up at the majestic Siena Cathedral, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. This cathedral, one of Italy’s greatest works of art, stands out for its unique Gothic architecture and its rich, captivating decoration. Leaving Tuscany behind, we set off for our final destination, the one-of-a-kind Rome. Upon arrival, we’ll be transferred to the hotel to check into our rooms. In the afternoon, as the autumn light fades, we invite you to join us on a magical optional night tour (Roma by Night), to discover together the most authentic and vibrant side of the Italian capital. Our walk begins at the famous Piazza Navona, which is bustling with life, featuring restaurants and street performers. There, we’ll admire the square’s three historic fountains, highlighted by Bernini’s impressive Fountain of the Four Rivers, where each statue allegorically represents a major river from a different continent. We’ll continue our stroll toward the Campo de’ Fiori area, which will charm you with its liveliness, vibrant colors, and narrow, picturesque alleys. Then, crossing the Tiber River, we arrive at the church of Santa Maria in Trastevere, in the heart of the neighborhood of the same name, which is one of Rome’s most picturesque and cosmopolitan neighborhoods. In Trastevere, you’ll have free time to enjoy your evening. We highly recommend trying traditional Roman dishes, such as the authentic, rich Carbonara, Cacio e Pepe pasta (with Pecorino cheese and pepper), or the classic Saltimbocca alla Romana (tender veal with prosciutto and sage). All these dishes are perfectly paired with a glass of local red wine from the Lazio region or a sparkling Prosecco, bringing our day to a delightful close before we return to the hotel.

We enjoy a good breakfast at the hotel and get ready to begin our walking tour through the heart of Rome. Our starting point for today is the impressive Piazza del Popolo, the city’s historic northern gateway. From there, we head downhill toward the famous Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps) to admire the renowned Spanish Steps, one of the most popular meeting spots in the world and the very heart of haute couture, with the elegant boutiques of top fashion houses. We’ll continue our enchanting journey to the famous Trevi Fountain, Rome’s most recognizable cinematic backdrop. Here we’ll have the chance to toss a coin into its deep blue waters while making a wish that, according to tradition, will surely bring us back to the Eternal City. A few steps further on, the road leads us to the awe-inspiring Pantheon, a 2,000-year-old temple dedicated to all the gods, so exceptionally well-preserved that it stands as a landmark of world architecture. Passing by the Palazzo Montecitorio (home to the Italian Parliament) and the square with the impressive Column of Marcus Aurelius, our tour concludes at the atmospheric Piazza Navona. In this square, bustling with life thanks to its cafes and restaurants, we’ll have free time to relax. Afterward, you can spend your time in Rome however you wish or, alternatively, join us on a thrilling optional tour of the independent state of Vatican City for a unique guided tour. The Vatican Museums are one of the world’s premier museum complexes, housing the priceless, centuries-old collection of the Roman Catholic Church, featuring famous ancient statues and Renaissance masterpieces. Along the way, we’ll admire priceless treasures, such as the Gallery of the Candelabra, the Corridor of the Tapestries, the Hall of Maps, and the Raphael Rooms. The tour will culminate in the most breathtaking way at the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo’s iconic frescoes, including the “Creation of Adam,” will leave us speechless in the presence of one of the greatest works of art in human history. Immediately afterward, there will be an optional visit to the magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in Christendom, built over the tomb of the Apostle Peter. The basilica’s monumental architecture, its masterpieces of art, and, of course, Michelangelo’s famous Pietà combine to create a truly unique experience. Late in the afternoon, filled with images of great beauty, history, and art, we’ll return to our hotel to rest.

Another exciting day of our trip to Italy is dawning, and we’re getting ready for a unique tour through the heart of the Eternal City. We’ll start at the famous Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheater, which is the most iconic monument of ancient Rome. Built in the 1st century AD, it is the largest amphitheater ever built, with a capacity of approximately 50,000 spectators, and served as the venue for legendary gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. Next, the route takes us to the Roman Forum, which served as the political, commercial, and social center of the ancient empire. The impressive ruins of the temples and administrative buildings offer a unique opportunity to understand the grandeur and structure of the ancient city. The final stop on our main route is Piazza Venezia, Rome’s most central square, considered the city’s geographical zero point. The square is dominated by the imposing Monument to Victor Emmanuel II (Vittoriano), dedicated to the first king of a united Italy, as well as the Palazzo Venezia, a magnificent Renaissance palace that today houses the national museum of the same name. To conclude this tour, we invite you to join us on an exceptionally interesting guided tour of the Capitoline and the hill of the same name. Although it is the smallest of Rome’s seven hills, the Capitoline is considered the birthplace of the city, as it was here that Romulus chose to lay its foundations. In ancient times, it was home to the most important temples, while today it is the political and cultural heart of Rome, housing City Hall and the famous Capitoline Museums. During the tour, we will admire the impressive Capitoline Stairs, Piazza d’Aracoeli, the statues of the Dioscuri, as well as the iconic equestrian statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, all while enjoying a breathtaking panoramic view of the Roman Forum. Alternatively, you can choose to spend your free time taking an idyllic stroll through Villa Borghese. This is a lush 800-stremma park in the heart of the city, artfully landscaped with Italian and English gardens, lakes, fountains, and centuries-old trees. It’s worth heading up to Pincio Hill and Piazzale Napoleone to enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Rome bathed in the soft autumn light, before heading down to Piazza del Popolo or the historic Casina Valadier. Of course, if you prefer the cosmopolitan buzz of the market, you can wander along the main street, Via del Corso, and the surrounding alleys to do some shopping and spend the afternoon however you like.