| Next we’ll wind our way up to Cortona where you will experience its dominating position over the valley, charming atmosphere and tasty trattorias which make it the perfect foil for Arezzo, its valley neighbor. The Etruscan museum in Cortona is a “must see,” as is the
“melone” Etruscan excavation at the foot of Cortona. There
are also some incredibly luxurious hotel/restaurants that
will make you forget you came to this area for any reason
but them!
Colle Val D’ Elsa and Volterra—A morning drive takes
us to this charming hill town which surprisingly produces
95% of Italy’s crystal. We’ll see crystal blown by hand and
made into delicate wine glasses, vases, and even animal sculptures
(Great for kids!). Next, we’ll drive into the incredible landscape
of Volterra, where treeless green hills make for spectacular
photos. Stop at an organic cheese farm to taste the area’s
best sheep’s milk cheese before climbing up into the hill
town of Volterra, an ancient Etruscan stronghold now famous
for its alabaster. We may see artisans at work, go into a
wealthy 19th-Century merchant’s home, and dine in a restaurant
where the “primi” will knock your socks off!
Vinci—The tiny town that was Leonardo’s birth place is the location of Museo Leonardiano which is packed with models of the inventions that he designed in his Codex Atlanticus notebooks. Kids of all ages will be fascinated by his flying machine, bicycle, diving gear, parachute, paddle boat, and device to walk on water. Also present are Leonardo’s famous military inventions: the armored tank, machine gun, and helicopter. How history would have been changed if he had an engine to put into them!
Ancient Etruscan Sites—The Etruscan people were the ancestors to modern-day Tuscans and learned their table manners long before the Romans. Their culture began to develop in the 9th Century B.C.E and flourished with walled cities, amazingly delicate gold jewelry, painted ceramics and bronze housewares. They traded heavily with the ancient Greeks and borrowed from their many religious and cultural ideas. These ancient Italians were famed even back then to be passionate about great food and wine, and great lovers too! We’d love to introduce you to some of their fascinating treasure, easily accessible in Florence (at the Archeological Museum), in Fiesole, in Cortona, and by visiting various Etruscan tombs excavated throughout Tuscany. One of the most fascinating and least discovered areas is Pitigliano, a town perched on a “tufo” mountain in southern Tuscany. Walk into beautifully carved Etruscan tombs (some not on tourist maps), learn about the local Jewish history and relax in a natural hot spring waterfall. Stay overnight and you will have time to hike the panoramic Etruscan footpaths called “Vie Cave.” This route makes a perfect stopover on your way to or from Florence or Rome.
Jewish History—Jews have been in Italy since the
fall of the second temple in 70 CE. In 1200, their presence
in Tuscany was confirmed by a letter written by Pope Innocent
III, promising remission of all debts to Jewish moneylenders
for anyone taking part in the crusades to the Holy Land. Jews
found favor under the Medici rule and met adversity when Medici
power declined. Adding some Jewish history to your tours can
be done in Florence, home of one of the world’s most magnificent
jewish synagogues, in Siena, where the small but elegant shul
dates from about 1750, and in Pitigliano, a starkly panoramic
town in southern Tuscany which once had a large Jewish population
and still produces kosher wine and jewish-inspired baked goods.
Discovering the Renaissance—Dante, Cosimo De’
Medici, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Boccaccio,
Galileo and many others lived in “our neighborhood.” Follow
their sagas on a more personal level, see their homes, & hear
the tales of intrigue that surround them. We will walk the
routes they took to and from work, as well as understand the
political statements they were trying to make in the artworks
they commissioned. Even Shakespeare has some interesting ties
to Tuscany—let us tell you all about it! You won’t believe “who slept here.” Would it be gossiping about our neighbors
if we told you their stories and showed you their haunts?! 
To review some of our other tour offerings,
click on any of the categories below.
FLORENCE TOURS | TUSCAN HILL TOWNS | WINE & GARDEN TOURS |
SHOPPING TOURS | COOKING | TRANSFER TOURS |
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