Ancient Villages, Gardens and Villas of Southern Tuscany
Allow us to invite you on an unforgettable trip to the heart of medieval Italy, where the ancient is still preserved and livable.
Transfer to Siena.
Check in to Hotel Garden**** in the city center.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Breakfast in hotel. You will meet with you tour guide. Departure by bus to visit San Casciano, and then Val di Pesa with stop at Villa Antinori del Cigliano. Built in the second half of the 14th century on pre-existing medieval buildings, it was acquired by Alessandro di Niccolò Antinori at the end of the 14th century and still belongs to the descent of Eleonora Antinori, who past away in 2001. In the courtyard of the Villa there are two majolica tondo, ( circular paintings), attributed to Giovanni Della Robbia, representing coat of arms of Antinori and Tornabuoni, a memorial of the wedding celebrated between Alessandro Antinori and Giovanna Tornabuoni in 1513. The Villa preserves its Renaissance structure, and houses a beautiful garden inside the wall, whose current characteristics date back to the second half of the sixteenth century, when a large tank was created, reflecting both the baroque façade and the ‘ imposing fountain of Neptune decorated with river stones, sea shells and adorned with grotesques. The Villa and the garden retain unchanged the character of ancient Toscana. Then visit to Vignamaggio. a historic dwelling which dates back to1300. Here the famous Monna Lisa , the “Gioconda”, was painted by Leonardo da Vinci. More recently, the villa was chosen as a set for the film “Molto rumore per nulla”, (“To much noise for nothing”) by Kenneth Branagh and some TV ads. Return to the hotel, and dinner.
Breakfast in hotel. You will meet with your tour guide.
Visit to Badia in Coltibuono. Near the ruins of the ancient abbey, converted into a villa, survives a Romanesque church with the massive bell tower. Saint Lorenzo’s church was erected in 1049 by the will of the Firidolfi, feudal lords of the area, who in 1095 also built a hostel for pilgrims. At the beginning of the fifteenth century, the monastery had almost no monks: the institute, poorly managed, had suffered the ongoing wars between Siena and Firenze. Later, in order to give it life at least economically, it was given to high prelates, including Giovanni de ‘Medici, the future Leone X. When Siena was under Firenze rule, the monks enlarged and restored the property. In 1710 the cellars were built, and are still in used today.
Next, visit to Brolio Castle in Chianti owned by Baron Ricasoli. You will visit the gardens, the chapel and the Ricasoli collection. (wine tasting included).
The start of construction of the Brolio Castle in Chianti dates back to the middle Ages. The castle came into possession of the Ricasoli thanks to an exchange of lands in 1141. Being on the boundary between the territories of Siena and Firenze, Brolio soon becomes a battlefield of all conflicts of the time, representing the Florentine bastion against the fearsome Siena. The 240 hectares of vineyards that are part of the farm’s land, the largest of Chianti Classico, surround the castle: Near the castle, in the “cutting-edge cellars “, the same method which allowed in 1872 Bettino Ricasoli to invent the formula of chianti is still carried out.
Return to the hotel, and dinner.
Breakfast in hotel. You will meet with your tour guide.
Excursion to Sovicille to visit to Celsa Castle. Lunch in the villa, ( included).
In the afternoon, visit to Villa Centinale.
Return to the hotel.
Breakfast in hotel. You will meet your tour guide. .
Excursion to Seggiano to visit Daniel Spoerri’s Garden.
Lunch in the garden restaurant (included).
In the afternoon visit to Villa La Foce and San Quirico d’Orcia, located in the heart of Crete Senesi.
Return to the hotel, and dinner .
Breakfast in hotel. You will meet your tour guide.
Visit to Saint’Antimo’s Abbey and the complex of the Abbey of Monte Uliveto.
Lunch in Asciano (not included).
In the afternoon, transfer to Siena and visit to Vicobello garden.
In the evening, Dinner in a typical restaurant.
Return to the hotel.
Breakfast in hotel, and check out.
Free time for shopping and a walk.
Transfer to the airport or train station and end of the tour.