Florence & The Cinque Terre 9 DAYS: Saturday, September 21-Sunday, September 29, 2019 FLORENCE A STUNNING MEDIEVAL CITY considered to be one of the world's most beautiful with its palaces, churches and museums. Don't be overwhelmed by this breathtaking collection we've included a half-day walking tour to acquaint you with the city's most famous areas and visits to both the Uffizi Gallery (be sure to hit the third level where you'll get marvelous views of the Ponte Vecchio!) and the Accademia. Don't miss the delightful antique flea markets at Piazza dei Ciompi, the jewelry shops along Ponte Vecchio, the Boboli Gardens, and the espresso cafés along the Piazza della Repubblica. Stretched along eleven miles of rugged coastline on the Italian Riviera are five villages that form the wildly charming area known as The Cinque Terre. It's almost unfair how much intense beauty, great cuisine and amazing aromas are jampacked into such a compact space" NYTimes. com. We'll spend three nights in Monterosso al Mare split into the old village and the new and surrounded by lemon trees, olive groves and terraced vineyards. We'll also visit several of the other cliffside villages on a boat (or train) excursion. Includes Round-trip regularly scheduled Alitalia Airlines flights from Boston to Florence and Pisa to Boston, via Rome (land only pricing available if you prefer to make your own air arrangements) Seven nights' three-star accommodations Breakfast daily Welcome and farewell dinners Wine tasting in the Cinque Terre Escorted, private, airport/hotel transfers and transfer from Florence to Monterosso al Mare Services of professional local guides during excursions Rates $2999 per person double occupancy Single supplement is $525 We have a limited number of single supplements available at just $400. Call to reserve. Includes round-trip airfare, fuel surcharge and all air taxes and fees. Fuel surcharge, air taxes and fees subject to change. Triple accommodations may be available upon request. Passport required. Per person deposit is $300. Accommodations DAY 1 Overnight flight from Boston DAYS 2 5 Hotel Cellai, Florence DAYS 6 8 Hotel Margherita, Monterosso al Mare DAY 9 Return flight to Boston or similar hotel accommodations
Day 1: Departure from Boston Evening departure from Boston on Alitalia Airlines, non-stop flight to Rome. There will be meal service aloft. Day 2: Arrive Rome connecting flight to Florence transfer to hotel Upon arrival at the Rome airport we ll clear immigration/passport control and transfer to our connecting flight to Florence. In Florence we claim our luggage and clear customs and be met by our assistant who will direct us to the motorcoach for the transfer to the Hotel Cellai. Enjoy a welcome dinner with wine at a local restaurant. (D) Day 3: Florence walking tour After breakfast at the hotel, we ll meet our guide for a morning walking tour. We'll stop at the Piazza del Duomo to see the Cathedral with Brunelleschi s Dome, the Belltower by Giotto and the Baptistry with the Gate of Paradise, by Lorenzo Ghiberti. Although erected in different periods they look similar as they were all built with white and green marble. We'll continue along the elegant Via dei Calzaioli lined with many exclusive boutiques and arrive in Piazza della Signoria. (B)
Day 4: Florence visit the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Today we ll enjoy skip-the-line admissions to both the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia. We ll depart the hotel with our guide and walk to the nearby Uffizi. After our visit we ll have time for lunch on our own before walking to the Accademia. Our guide will walk us back to the hotel in the afternoon or we may continue exploring on our own. (B) Ufizzi Gallery Accademia Day 5: Florence day at leisure After breakfast, we ll have the day to explore on our own. (Suggestions at the end of this itinerary.) (B) Ponte Vecchio Boboli Gardens
Day 6: Private coach transfer from Florence to Monterosso al Mare This morning after breakfast at the hotel, we ll transfer by private coach to Monterosso al Mare on the Cinque Terre. From here we ll transfer by car to our hotel. (B) The Italian Riviera is not short of rugged coastline or romantic towns and villages, but the five fishing communities of the Cinque Terre are its most iconic highlight. The five villages are no longer the isolated hamlets they once were, but there s still a feeling of remote authenticity, with few roads, perfectly preserved architecture and a network of stunning coastal and mountain trails. In each of the five towns, colorful houses and vineyards cling to steep terraces, harbors are filled with fishing boats and trattorias turn out seafood specialties along with the Liguria region s famous sauce, pesto. The Sentiero Azzurro cliffside hiking trail links the villages and offers sweeping sea vistas. Day 7: The Cinque Terre Today our local tour guide will meet us at the lobby of our hotel and set off on a full-day tour of Cinque Terre. After an introduction of the area we ll walk to the pier to embark the boat to Riomaggiore. During the ride we ll enjoy scenic cliffs and views of the five towns with their steep, terraced vineyards. After visiting Riomaggiore we ll have a second short boat ride to Manarola: here we ll have a nice walk along a path carved in the rocks and go on by boat to Vernazza. Vernazza has a plain but beautiful church and the ruins of a medieval castle dominate the village from a rocky spur. Enjoy some free time for lunch on our own and return by boat to Monterosso where our tour ends at a local Enoteca to savor the local white wine. (B) Vernazza
Riomaggiore Manarola Day 8: Monterosso al Mare day at leisure Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore on our own. Tonight we ll enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) Monterosso al Mare is the northernmost village of the area known as the Cinque Terre. From north to south the villages are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. This particularly beautiful stretch of coast tucked in between the city La Spezia and the beach town Levanto was included in the UNESCO s World Heritage List in 1997. Before the arrival of the railway at the end of the 19th century, these villages were only accessible by foot or by boat. Monterosso is protected by hills covered with vineyard and olive groves and has beautiful beaches, steep rugged cliffs and crystal clear waters. The town is divided into two parts the old town and the new town that are separated by a single tunnel used by pedestrians and the few cars that are in the town.
Day 9: Return flight to Boston After breakfast, we ll be transferred, with assistance, to the airport in Pisa for our return flight to Boston, via Rome. (B) Florence, Italy: cradle of the Renaissance Florence's museums, palaces, and churches house some of the greatest artistic treasures in the world. The most popular and important sites in Florence include the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Uffizi, the Bargello, and the Accademia. The churches of Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce are veritable art galleries, and the library of San Lorenzo is a magnificent exhibition of Michelangelo's architectural genius. Wander some of the oldest streets in the city until you reach the Arno River, cross the Ponte Vecchio, and experience the "newest" area of Florence, the Oltrarno. Be sure to set aside time to see the vast and varied art collection housed in the Pitti Palace. When you grow weary of museums and monuments, head outdoors. Spend a day at the Boboli Gardens or climb the hill to the church of San Miniato al Monte to experience an enchanting view of Florence. What to See in Florence, Italy Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio Florence's most famous square is Piazza della Signoria, the heart of the historic center and a free open-air sculpture exhibit. The Loggia della Signoria holds some important statues including a copy of Michelangelo's David. The piazza has been Florence's political center since the middle ages and Florence's town hall, the medieval Palazzo Vecchio, sits on the piazza. The palazzo contains elaborately decorated public rooms and private apartments that can be visited (Visiting Information). Around the piazza are cafes and restaurants. Il Duomo - Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore Florence's most popular site is its Duomo (cathedral), the Cattedrale de Santa Maria del Fiore. The huge Gothic duomo was begun in 1296, consecrated in 1436, and holds 20,000 people. Its exterior, made of green, pink, and white marble, has several elaborate doors and interesting statues. Inside, Brunelleschi's Dome is a masterpiece of construction.
The Baptistery The Baptistery of John the Baptist, from the 11th century, is one of Florence's oldest buildings. Its exterior is made of green and white marble and has three sets of amazing bronze doors (reproductions - the originals are in the Duomo Museum, also worth a visit). Inside, you can see some mosaics and a marble pavement of the zodiac. In Piazza San Giovanni, off Piazza del Duomo, open 12:00-7:00 daily except holidays and 8:30-2:00 Sundays Campanile - Bell Tower The Campanile, bell tower, is in Piazza del Duomo. The first story was designed by Giotto and it is commonly called Giotto's Campanile. Buy a ticket and climb the 414 stairs (no lift) for great views of the Cathedral and its dome and the city of Florence and surroundings. Ponte Vecchio The Ponte Vecchio (old bridge), built in 1345, was Florence's first bridge across the Arno River and is the only surviving bridge from Florence's medieval days (others were destroyed in World War II). The Ponte Vecchio is still lined with shops selling gold and silver jewelry. From the bridge, you'll have a great view along the Arno River and beyond. Galleria degli Uffizi The Galleria degli Uffizi holds the world's most important collection of Renaissance art but it's also Italy's most crowded museum so it's a good idea to buy tickets ahead to avoid long ticket lines. The Uffizi holds thousands of paintings from medieval to modern times and many antique sculptures, illuminations, and tapestries. Artists whose works you'll see include Michelangelo, Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Perugino, and Raphael. Galleria dell' Academia Florence's Galleria dell' Academia holds important paintings and sculptures from the 13th-16th centuries. Michelangelo's David, probably the most famous sculpture in the world, is in the Galleria dell' Academia as well as other sculptures by Michelangelo. You'll also find an interesting collection of musical instruments, begun by the Medici family. Boboli Garden and Pitti Palace Cross the Ponte Vecchio to the Giardino di Boboli, a huge park on a hillside in the middle of Florence behind the Pitti Palace. Here you'll find beautiful gardens and fountains and a great view of Florence from the Forte Belvedere (picture). Open daily at 8:15 (except some Mondays in winter) with seasonal closing times. The Pitti Palace, Florence's largest palazzo, was once the seat of the Medici family. Santa Croce Santa Croce, in Piazza Santa Croce, is the largest Franciscan church in Italy and holds the tombs of several important Florentines including Michelangelo and Dante. The vast interior contains some exceptional stained glass windows and frescoes. One of Brunelleschi's most important works, the Cappella dei Pazzi, is in Santa Croce. Admission includes the museum and tours given by volunteers when available. Open Monday-Saturday, 9:30-5:30 and Sunday, 1-5:30. Top Squares in Florence Florence has several significant squares that are worth a visit. Walking around a piazza is free and many of Florence's squares are like outdoor museums with beautiful works of art. Here are seven squares not to miss: 1. Piazza della Signoria Florence's most historically significant square, the Piazza della Signoria has long been a gathering place for Florentines and visitors. In the shadow of the Palazzo Vecchio, the wide square has been a site for political rallies, festivals, and for the infamous "Bonfire of the Vanities" during the 15th century. Several beautiful statues from the Renaissance era decorate the Piazza della Signoria and it is next to one of Florence's most important attractions, the Uffizi Gallery. 2. Piazza del Duomo This is a rather small square in terms of walking space in that it is largely occupied by the cathedral complex that includes the Duomo, Baptistery, and Campanile. Adjacent to Piazza del Duomo, and often considered part of the square, is Piazza San Giovanni. The Baptistery, one of the oldest buildings in
Florence, technically sits in Piazza San Giovanni. Thus, this district of Florence is also known as the San Giovanni quarter. 3. Piazza della Repubblica The Piazza della Repubblica is a vast space surrounded by bustling (and expensive) cafés and chic hotels. The square sits in the historical center of the city, a few blocks from the Duomo and at the intersection of two ancient Roman roads, the Cardo and the Decumanus. Unfortunately, neither the ancient nor medieval remains in this piazza as it was restructured in the 19th century during the short period when Florence became the capital of a unified Italy. A redeeming quality: there is a lovely carousel in the square that kids will enjoy. 4. Piazza Santa Croce East of Piazza della Signoria and not far from the banks of the Arno, Piazza Santa Croce is one of the largest squares in Florence. It regularly hosts festivals, concerts, and rallies, including the terrific Calcio Storico match which has locals playing soccer (football) in traditional dress. Surrounded by medieval buildings with the massive Franciscan basilica of Santa Croce at one end, the piazza been a focal point of civic life since the 13th century. 5. Piazza Santissima Annunziata A rather small square tucked into the northeastern quadrant of the city near San Marco and the Accademia, Piazza Santissima Annunziata is named after the 13th century church of the same name. The piazza is particularly beautiful because both the Santissima Annunziata church and the Ospedale degli Innocenti, a 15th century hospital/orphanage designed by Brunelleschi, are defined by harmonious arcades. The latter, which today contains a small picture gallery on its upper floor, is also decorated with round terracotta reliefs designed by Andrea della Robbia. In the center of the square is an equestrian statue of Grand Duke Ferdinand I by Giambologna and two fountains by Pietro Tacca. 6. Piazza Santo Spirito Piazza Santo Spirito is named after the Santo Spirito church, but it should derive its name from the spirited cafés and markets that call this square home. Located on the Oltrarno (across the Arno) side of Florence, Piazza Santo Spirito is favored by Florentines because of its daily food market, which is open from 8am to 2pm, and its relatively non-touristy bars, restaurants, and cafés. On Sundays, Piazza Santo Spirito hosts a second-hand market with antiques and other bric-a-brac and in the summers, you can occasionally find live music in the square. 7. Piazzale Michelangelo High above the city is Piazzale Michelangelo, a required stop for coach tours of Florence. The square contains a fantastic panoramic view of the city and a copy of Michelangelo's David statue. Other than that, the square is littered with souvenir vendors and overflowing with cars and buses. Michelangelo in Florence: Where to See the Art of Michelangelo in Florence, Italy Born and raised in Tuscany, Michelangelo Buonarotti has long been associated with the city of Florence, which holds a small trove of many of his masterpieces. Florence is where you will find the sculpture of David, which is one of the great icons of Renaissance art, as well as numerous sculptures, architectural projects, and a painting from the Italian artist. Here is a list of Michelangelo's great works - and where to find them - in Florence. Michelangeo's Art in the Galleria dell'accademia The Galleria dell'accademia houses the original sculpture of David, considered one of Michelangelo's finest works of art. David once stood in front of the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence's City Hall, as a symbol of the city's independence. There are now copies of David in front of the Palazzo Vecchio and in the center of Piazzale Michelangelo, a hilltop square famous for its panorama of Florence. A few other Michelangelo works reside in the Accademia. They are "The Four Prisoners," a marble group designed for the tomb of Pope Julius II, and a statue of Saint Matthew. Casa Buonarotti, Michelangelo's House Michelangelo once owned this house on Via Ghibellina where the Casa Buonarroti is located. This small museum contains several sculptures and drawings, including two of Michelangelo's early relief sculptures: Battle of the Centaurs and Madonna of the Stairs.
Michelangelo's Art in the Bargello Florence's premier museum for sculpture, the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, boasts a few Michelangelo sculptures, too. The most famous of these is Bacchus, a statue depicting a tipsy Bacchus (God of Wine) adorned with grapes and holding a chalice. Additionally in the Bargello, there's Michelangelo's "David Apollo," which bears similarity to the David in the Accademia; a bust of Brutus; and the Tondo Pitti, a relief sculpture in the round depicting the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus. Michelangelo's Art in the Museo dell'opera del Duomo The Museum of the Duomo, which holds many prized objects from Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo), is where you'll find The Depostion, another fine sculpture by the Renaissance master. Also called The Florentine Pietà (Michelangelo's more famous Pietà is in Rome), The Deposition shows the dead Christ being held up by the Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalene, and Nicodemus. Michelangelo's Art in Palazzo Vecchio Florence's City Hall is the site of yet another Michelangelo sculpture, "The Genius of Victory." But it is also where Michelangelo was to paint a monumental "Battle of Cascina." This painting was never initiated, though some art historians believe it may be "lost." Where to Shop in Florence From fine stationery and artisan crafts to leather and gold, Florence is an ideal destination for the refined shopper. Following are some ideas of where to go to buy the best that Florence has to offer. High Fashion and Mainstream Shopping in Florence If you're looking for haute couture fashions, such as Gucci, Pucci, or Ferragamo (the latter two design houses being native to Florence), head to the area around the streets of Via Tornabuoni, Via della Vigna Nuova, and Via dei Calzaiuoli. These streets in the Santa Maria Novella district are teeming with the latest fashions from the biggest Italian and international designers. For clothing, housewares, and other items affordable to mere mortals, check out the shops around the streets of Piazza della Repubblica, such as on Via Calimala. Here you'll find name brands like Zara and department stores like Rinascente. Outdoor Flea Markets and Antiques in Florence Outdoor markets are common all over Florence, with the most famous being the vendors in and around the Mercato Centrale in the San Lorenzo district. Inside the market, you will find fantastic food stalls, selling meats, cheeses, olives, breads, and countless goodies to fill up a picnic basket. Vendors of clothing, leather goods, ceramics, etc., reside in the stalls outside of the market. The Mercato Nuovo, near the Ponte Vecchio, is another place to look for discount finds and tourist trinkets. Across the Arno, Piazza Santo Spirito is the place to go for produce and other provisions as well as vintage clothing and accessories, antiques, jewelry, pottery, and more. The produce market is open daily except Sunday. An arts and crafts market operates here every second Sunday of the month. Further away from the tourist track, a weekly (Tuesdays) market operates at the Parco delle Cascine. The market is chock-a-block with vendors around 300 selling clothing, linens, housewares, antiques, and more. For a more local experience and likely a better bargain the Cascine Market is a good bet. Florentine Specialty Items Beyond designer duds and vintage finds, Florence is a great city in which to purchase unique gifts. For beautiful marbled stationery, visit Zecchi (Via dello Studio 19r) or Il Papiro (Piazza del Duomo 24r) in the San Giovanni neighborhood. Leather goods can be had all over the city, but the Santa Croce Leather Workshop, in the cloister of the church of Santa Croce, is the most famous place to find leather items, from jackets and belts to bookmarks. Another church in which you can find a sweet souvenir is Santa Maria Novella, where there is an apothecary that has been creating perfumes and aromatic oil blends since the 13th century. Gold is a classic item often searched for in Florence, most usually because of its traditional association with the Ponte Vecchio. Traverse Florence's most famous bridge, and you'll see gold sellers lining each side of it. Whether the gold here is a bargain is unclear, but you can find high quality, unique necklaces, earrings, bracelets, watches, rings, and more.
Monterosso al Mare & The Cinque Terre Monterosso Vecchio Monterosso has a medieval historical centre which lies on the summit of the hill of San Cristoforo. You find the old town through the tunnel from the train station. The old town is made up of mainly pedestrian cobblestone streets with narrow crooked lanes lined with shops and restaurants and the brightly coloured tower houses that you find in the other towns of the Cinque Terre. The other part of Monterosso is the residential district which spreads along the beach of Fegina. During the 12 th and 13 th centuries there was an increase in population and families began to move down the hill to be closer to a water supply which was a stream that is no longer there. The part of the village, known as Monterosso Vecchio or Old Monterosso has remained practically intact. In Medieval times many fortifications were built in this village to protect it from pirate attacks. The remains of these can be found today in the old part of Monterosso and three of the 13 defense towers are still standing. Torre Aurora (Dawn Tower) separates the old part of the town from the new part and is found on a headland. The remains of the castle of Monterosso is found on the hill of San Cristoforo. The original castle was built by the Obertenghi family but was extended and widened over time. Today you can see the remains of the walls, three circular towers and a square tower and these are part of the cemetery of the Church of St Francis. The Giant" Statue Neptune emerging from the stone at the far end of the Fegina beach, this massive statue has become the symbol of Monterosso. Made by the Jewish sculptor and architect Levacher Minerbi in 1910 from concrete and iron, the giant 14-metre statue has suffered the passage of time, the elements and war, having lost both arms, his trident and a giant seashell Church of St Francis The abbey and the church of St Francis are found on the hill of San Cristoforo next to the ruins of the Castle of Monterosso. It was built in 1619 and over time it has had other uses than a church such as a hospital and then a warehouse. In 1894 Don Giuseppe Policardi, a clergyman of Monterosso, bought the building and restored it and he donated it to the Cappuccini monks. The interior consists of an aisle and wooden altars and has some beautiful works of art. There is a painting of the Crucifixion attributed to Van Dyck, as well as some works by Luca Cambiaso and Bernardo Castello. The ruins of the castle are found to the right of the church and are now part of its cemetery.
Traveller's Tip Take some time after visiting the church to admire the stunning panorama that you get from here of the village below and the promontories that enclose the Cinque Terre. MONTEROSSO AL MARE: Best for shopping The largest of the five villages and the best for shopping; walk the cobbled streets of the old town to find great ceramics most featuring a nautical theme plus jewellery, clothing and food stores featuring fresh pesto. Cantina du Sciacchetra arguably makes the best lemoncino in town the local digestive, and a relation to limoncello made in the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy. Lorenzo, the proprietor of the Cantina, has lived in Monterosso since 1964 and is proud of his produce, which doesn t stop at lemon. Pop in to try orange, mandarin and even strawberry liquors. After an afternoon shopping take the stairs up to the Capuchins monastery and the church of St Francesco to find the Crucifixion by painter Anthony Van Dyck. Where to shop: Fabbrica D Arte via Vittorio Emanuele, Monterosso Al Mare, also at via Roma 9, for locally made ceramics, jewellery and clothing Cantina du Sciacchetra via Roma 7, Monterosso al Mare for local wines, condiments and lemoncino Brothers Surf House via Roma, 19, Monterosso al Mare for fashion and beach clothing Lanapo via Roma 48, Monterosso al Mare for local handmade leather sandals Baico Pesto bar via Roma 35, Monterosso al Mare for the freshest pesto in town plus typical Ligurian food products Bottega d Arte via Roma 16, Monterosso al Mare for bright and bold contemporary art