RENAISSANCE ITALY

From the hills of Tuscany to the Canals of Venice 

14 day tour inc. arrival/departure days

This is a country high on everybody's 'must see' list.

It was an essential part of a young man's (and the occasional liberated young lady's) education throughout the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The 'Grand Tour' of Europe was incomplete without time spent studying in one of the great renaissance cities. Carrying home a Canalletto painting home to hang on one's wall was as much a pre-requisite of travel as is today's purchase of souvenirs and sending postcards home.

Our tour encompasses the traditional great sights. How could one not visit Italy and see the treasures of Florence, the romantic Venice and that wonder of the modern world, Pisa's leaning tower? In addition, however, to visiting these major iconic sights, Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd, as you'd expect of us, also takes you behind the tourist façade into the hills of Umbria, countryside of Tuscany and south to the coastal towns around Sirolo. It's a tour designed to introduce you to Italy's magnificent culture, history and natural beauties.

We can offer only limited departures on this tour and, inevitably, it fills quickly. However, please also remember that we specialize in tailor-made itineraries for private groups. If you can't join a regular departure, or would like to see different areas, then contact us with your ideas.

DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES YEAR 2002

  Price: US$2,599.00

Single Supplement: US$495.00

TENTATIVE ITINERARY

Special Note: please do note that there is considerable walking on this tour. Many of the historic Italian cities do not permit motorized vehicles in their centres, and many are sited on hilltops. This tour is not suitable for anyone with a mobility problem. Unfortunately, anybody joining with walking difficulties would often find themselves unable to join in group activities.

DAY ONE - SUNDAY
Arriving at Rome's Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci) airport, we'll save the throng of the capital to the end of the tour and instead give you the chance to rest or take a seaside 'passeggiata' in a relaxing atmosphere a short drive away from the airport.

DAY TWO - MONDAY
Being outside the capital, we'll have a traffic free start as we head towards the walled provincial capital of Viterbo. Later, we'll explore the little known but atmospheric Bolsena and its lake before heading for Umbria and the flat top volcano town of Orvieto, with possibly the most impressive cathedral façade in Christendom. You'll learn why triple 'is' wine is so called and sample local salami in typical 'osteria'.

DAY THREE - TUESDAY
Through the enchanting hilltop towns (and some spectacular graveyards!) of Central Umbria towards St. Francis's Assisi where we'll have time to explore and perhaps find some local vinicultural and gastronomic specialties for a picnic.

Todi and its neighboring villages and towns are fascinating. Built as medieval fortresses, their town walls still dominate the hilltop and protect myriad small alleyways and streets. The impossibly quaint Monte Castello di Vibio boasts the smallest theatre in the world. It's exquisite and reflects the finery of the ancient merchants and land-owning families it was constructed for. On our Spring departures we take in an evening performance.

DAY FOUR - WEDNESDAY
We leave Umbria for the gastronomic and cultural delight that is Tuscany, the home of the pre-roman Etruscans. We'll take a capuccino in the wine producing town of Montepulciano before arriving in Siena that annually hosts the 'Palio', the world's most famous and vicious horse race, in its town square. We will almost guarantee everyone will hear your quick intake of breath when you first walk into this square! It is a truly stunning sight. Tonight we stay in Greve in Chianti. This attractive village is at the very centre of this famed wine and olive producing area. At night, the village centre is left to residents and you'll love the atmosphere, sitting at a table at one of the small café bars overlooking the piazza, with a glass of local wine in hand. Bello!

DAY FIVE - THURSDAY
A short drive through the Tuscan hills to Florence with the opportunity to explore this wonder of the Italian 'rinascimento'. Because of logistical problems with parking, you may spend much of today on your own but you'll, of course, be fully briefed as to where to go and what to visit so as to get the most from this unique city. Please note, the city can be very busy and if you are wishing to visit major galleries you must expect to line for a considerable time.

DAY SIX - FRIDAY
A view of Pisa's 'torre pendente' (leaning tower) and a visit to the magnificent baptistry are on this morning's agenda, before visiting the Vinci to see Leonardo's birthplace and museum of his inventions. After this, you'll perhaps agree with those who claim Leonardo to have been the man of the last millennium. Time permitting, we may also see the spectacular towers of medieval San Gimignano.

DAY SEVEN - SATURDAY
Time to cross the Apennines which we'll do in typical Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd fashion, marveling at the beauty of the Tuscan countryside which is untrammeled by modern development. Although a driving day as we make our way east, we'll surely find some undiscovered villages and country hostelries. One outstanding memory will be of looking back on Florence from the villa-clad hills of Fiesole.

DAY NINE - MONDAY
Today we have a choice. Some tour participants may enjoy another day exploring Venice; its size will probably surprise you. It's very easy to spend some time with 'organized independence' here and your guide will be able to assist in helping plan a day for anyone wishing to exploit the opportunity for a less structured visit to this absorbing city.

Alternatively, your guide will be offering a tour to Verona, that famed city of ill-fated lovers, Romeo and Juliet, and/or to Padua, a medieval university city and perhaps, depending on group interest, Vicenza.

Mogliano Veneto  

DAY TEN - TUESDAY
Across the flatlands of the Po delta, homeland of Guareschi's Don Camillo, through the pine forests to Ravenna with its Byzantine mosaics and historic mystique. In the afternoon we'll cross the border to the independent state of San Marino or San Leo and visit its castle with splendid views over Romagna and the Marches.

DAY ELEVEN - WEDNESDAY
Who knows that the 'old Master', Raffaele Sanzio, was a Marchigiano? Yet, a visit to the university town of Urbino reveals not only his birthplace but a splendid gallery and a vibrant youthful atmosphere. This afternoon a contrasting visit to some of Europe's largest caves which have recently hosted the world's 'isolationist' records, in the depths of the 13 mile Our final base while on tour is under the enchanting and little known Conero mountain.

DAY TWELVE - THURSDAY
A journey to the mysterious Sibylline mountains is on today's agenda with a lunch of local lentils and sausage on the upland plain of Castelluccia. This is a time to really 'feel' like a local! Returning this afternoon, we drop south to the provincial capital of Ascoli Piceno where you'll be astounded by the magnificent piazza with its marble flooring.

DAY THIRTEEN - FRIDAY
Alas, time to cross the Apennines, Romeward bound again, but how better than through the tunnel of the 9,000 ft high 'stone of Italy' with its most southern permanent glacier and lunch in the upland town of L'Aquilla (the eagle). Before heading for the Eternal City, we'll have time to visit Tivoli's splendid gardens or Hadrian's majestic villa. Dinner is not included tonight.

DAY FOURTEEN - SATURDAY
Airport transfers for departure.

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