Discovering Siena and Tuscany

Day 1
Depart London Heathrow in the mid morning with British Airways direct to Pisa airport. We transfer by private coach to Siena and spend 5 nights in a stylish 17^th century palace, built by the Chigi Pope Alexander VII for his niece Olimpia on the occasion of her marriage, and now a sumptuous 5-star hotel. This afternoon we have a guided introductory walk through the city followed by a special wine-tasting in the atmospheric hotel cellars and dinner with wine in the hotel restaurant (included).

Day 2
We stroll towards the Piazza del Campo, one of the most attractive squares in Italy and location of the famous annual Palio horse race. Here we will visit the Palazzo Pubblico or town hall where we see the famous equestrian portrait of Guidoriccio da Fogliano attributed to Simone Martini, as well as frescoes painted by Ambrogio Lorenzetti on the subject of Good and Bad Government. We spend time in the Baptistery looking at sculptures by Donatello, Jacopo della Quercia and Ghiberti, as well as the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo  which houses Duccio’s famous Maesta.  Siena is famous for its magnificent Cathedral and we will look at the unusual history of its construction, and why plans for its extension were dramatically curtailed. Inside we spend time admiring Pisano’s pulpit panels, the Piccolomini Library and some little known sculptures by Michelangelo.  Lunch today is arranged in the Piazza del Campo.

Day 3
Our second full day is spent in Siena. We begin with a tour of the little visited Pinacoteca – one of the hidden gems of the city which traces the development of Sienese painting from the 12^th to the 16^th centuries. We concentrate in particular on the Golden Age of Sienese art or trecento looking at works by Duccio, Lorenzetti and Simone Martini, but we also see how these artists had a profound impact on those of the Renaissance such as Sano di Pietro and Matteo di Giovanni, particularly evident in the expense of their pigments and beauty of craftsmanship.  The Virgin Mary holds a very important place in the hearts of the Sienese, but St Catherine of Siena is equally venerated and today we visit the church and shrine built over her family’s house. There will also be a private guided tour of the Palazzo Chigi Saracini, rarely open to the public. There will be some time this afternoon for independent exploration, and in the evening you may wish to join the group for dinner in the tiny medieval walled town of Monteriggione (taxis are included).

Day 4
Today we explore the beautiful Chianti region. We will drive by private coach through the countryside and learn about the history of viticulture in this world-famous area. During the afternoon we will also stop in the charming small town of Greve, the centre of the Chianti Classico wine zone, visiting the local museum. Lunch reservations have been made in a wonderful restaurant specialising in fine Tuscan cuisine and affording spectacular views over the countryside. Last time I took friends here, they said that it made the finest pasta they had ever tasted  - and I agree! I will select a typical and popular Tuscan winter menu for us to sample – lunch and wine is included today.

Day 5
We enjoy another day out in Tuscany today with an excursion by private coach to the charming nearby town of San Gimignano. First of all we visit the Civic Museum and examine an image of the Maesta inspired by frescoes which we will have seen earlier in the week in Siena.  There are also fine paintings by other Tuscan artists including Gozzoli and Coppo di Marcovaldo, as well as incredible views over the countryside for those who wish to climb the bell tower. After coffee we visit the Collegiata church and spend time admiring the frescoed interior with its graphic scenes of the Last Judgement and exquisite paintings by Ghirlandaio. There will be free time for lunch and independent exploration before we return to Siena. Dinner is arranged in the hotel this evening for those who would like to join the group.

Day 6
We will leave Siena in the late morning to catch our BA flight from Pisa to London Heathrow, arriving in the UK at 16.10.

Please note that the order of the days may alter according to opening times.

Please note the itinerary may be subject to some changes and a detailed, confirmed itinerary will be provided nearer the time.

Accommodation

5 nights’ accommodation in an exclusive 5-star hotel in the centre of the city, just a couple of minutes’ walk from the Piazza del Campo. Rooms have excellent facilities, there are two elegant bars and a fine restaurant, and a frescoed ballroom which can be enjoyed in the evenings for reading and relaxing.

Itinerary and Meals
I will lead guided tours on all days, giving you some free time too (please feel free to join the group or be independent). A detailed, confirmed itinerary will be provided nearer the time and all reservations made where necessary. Please note that flight times may be subject to alteration. All will be done to ensure that the details of the trip remain as indicated, but museums and churches in Italy do sometimes close without warning, and if this happens we will always make every effort to organise alternative arrangements. We will always suggest good places for lunch and dinner, so we can either eat together as a group or you can be independent – it’s up to you.  One dinner with wine and one lunch with wine are included, as well as three wine tastings.

How Strenuous?
Please note that there is a fair amount of walking involved in the trip, particularly on cobbled ground.  Please note that Siena is built on three hills!

Price
The price will be £1611 per person for those sharing a standard twin or double room, and a single room supplement of £260.  There is a supplement of  £90 per room per night for a deluxe upgrade. 

The price includes scheduled flights and taxes with BA; 5-star hotel accommodation for 5 nights, taxes and breakfast; gratuities; transfers and excursions by private coach; historical notes to accompany the tour; fully guided tours; dinner with wine on the first evening; lunch with wine in Chianti; three wine tastings; reservations and all entrance fees in the itinerary. It does not include other meals; travel to and from Heathrow; insurance, and personal spending.  Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for booking this trip.

Participation
If you would like to join the trip please complete the online booking form.  If you would prefer to send a booking form by post please download a copy here. Please note a £200 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking.  I will send your tickets, full travel details and other practical information approximately a month before travel. Numbers on the trip are strictly limited, so do get in touch earlier rather than later if you would like to join the group, to avoid disappointment