Tuscan Impressions
1. Day: Roses: Following breakfast, we depart for one of the largest rose gardens in the world. Visiting this collection of over 7000 types of roses you will immerse yourself in the incomparable realm of delicate scents, amazing colors and fascinating forms, which encompass almost the entire history of rose-growing! We'll lunch on the outside terrace of a high-class restaurant and then visit the adjacent villa and its private garden. In the afternoon, we stop in Greve in Chianti where you'll enjoy a cup of coffee on the lovely piazza. Dinner will be served at your excellent hotel.
2. Day: Mediterranean Herbs: After breakfast, we'll first stop at a farm specializing in cultivation of old and rare Mediterranean herbs. Learn the amazing world of over 20 kinds of basil, 50 varieties of rosemary or 40 types of thyme - just as an introduction! Take your time to enjoy the peace, the colors and scents of this magic place far away from the roads and mass tourism. Lunch will be served in a typical trattoria, followed by a guided visit to Volterra, an old Etruscan town founded almost 3000 years ago. You'll enjoy dinner in an excellent fattoria in the Chianti region.
3. Day: Cypresses: After breakfast, we'll visit a typical Florentine villa. >From your expert guide, you will learn about the architectural and stylistic principles of Tuscan villas. But a view from the terrace over the garden and the surrounding landscape will reveal something more: the basic idea of Tuscan life style, characterized by the harmonic interaction of art, architecture and gardening. Lunch features local dishes in a trattoria. In the afternoon, we'll visit a famous tree nursery where you learn the practical side of Mediterranean gardening. During this guided tour we pay special attention to the symbol of tuscany - the Mediterranean cypress (Cupressus sempervirens). Dinner will be in your hotel.
4. Day: Villas : In the old days, wealthy Lucchesian families had at least one villa for every season. During a guided visit of one of them, you'll get in touch with the life style of a past epoch. Then we'll indulge in olive-oil tasting in a Lucchesian farm house, followed by lunch on the outside terrace with a stunning view. Before heading back to the hotel, you'll enjoy a guided walking tour in Lucca. Dinner will be in your hotel.
5. Day: Gardens: At the end to the roots! Today you'll visit the botanical garden of Pisa. Founded in 1543, it is considered the oldest scientific botanical garden in Europe. Learn the early beginnings of botany but also enjoy the unexpected calm of this magic place right next to the famous Leaning Tower. Lunch will offer typical Pisan dishes. In the afternoon, you'll experience an exciting guided walking tour in Pisa. Together with your local guide, you will explore the famous Miracle square. In particular, the tour will focus on the deep impact of botanical topics on the cathedral and inside the Campo Santo. Dinner will be in your hotel.
Recommended period: may - july and september - october
This all-inclusive tour has been developed with great care in collaboration with a highly specialized tour operator. Although you will be guided every day by our own tour guides, booking occurs exclusively through our partner firm.
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