Florence in Depth

Day 1 - Wednesday, February 22:

Evening departure from Toronto to Paris with Air France. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.

Day 2 - Thursday, February 23: (D)

Day 3 - Friday, February 24: (L)

Day 4 - Saturday, February 25:

A brief walk and tour of the Dominican preaching church of Santa Maria Novella before an excursion - by city bus! - to nearby Fiesole, a small town set high above the Arno Valley, filled with Roman and Etruscan ruins, monasteries, villas, gardens, and wonderful views of Florence below... to be enjoyed over a late lunch! Individual return to Florence at any time in the afternoon but a visit to the Archeology Zone with its excellent Museum and Roman Theatre is well worth the time! Evening for individual activities and choices: possible opportunity to attend an optional concert of classical music, an opera, or a ballet performance in the prestigious Teatro Communale. (Details to be advised later.) Michael will be available for options including local Florentine dining venues.

Day 5 - Sunday, February 26:

Full day excursion into the Tuscan countryside where we begin our day with a stroll through the unique hilltop town of San Gimignano, whose skyline is dominated by a multitude of tall towers and its shops filled with art, artifacts and products of the community. As we leave and weather permitting, an alfresco tasting of Vernacchia- the region’s delicious white wine. On to Siena, the superb Tuscan city with an almost mystical atmosphere, featuring a magnificent black-and-white marble clad cathedral and one of the finest squares in all of Italy, the breathtaking Piazza del Campo. Late afternoon departure to our hotel via the Chianti wine country, stopping briefly (time permitting) in the medieval hilltop fortress of Monteriggioni, mentioned by Dante in his Divine Comedy, to taste a glass of that most famous of Italian wines. Evening at leisure.

Day 6 - Monday, February 27:

We begin our day with a visit to the Ognissanti, the parish church of the Vespucci family. Here we find a family portrait that includes a young Amerigo, whose Christian name will be forever identified with America! Also close by in a side altar, the tomb of the great Renaissance painter, Botticelli. And in the adjoining Refectory a truly magnificent Ghirlandaio masterpiece, the superb Last Supper fresco. Later, a brief walk will take us to the 14thC Palazzo Davanzati. Built for the Davizzi family, it provides a rare example of the architectural shift from Mediaeval tower residence to Renaissance palace. The visit  will give a very real glimpse into life in that time. After lunch, perhaps in the pied à terre cellar of the famous Antinori wine family we briefly visit the Strozzi home before entering the vibrant local shopping scene from the elegant Via Tornabuoni with its full spectrum of possibilities ranging from Gucci, Versace, Feragamo et al. to the market bargains of nearby San Lorenzo. Dinner at leisure.

Day 7 - Tuesday, February 28: (D)

Day 8 - Wednesday, March 01:

Day 9 - Thursday, March 02: (D)

Day 10 - Friday, March 03:

After breakfast, coach transfer to Peretola Airport and our domestic flight to Paris in time to connect with the transatlantic flight to Toronto. Lunch and snack will be served before the late afternoon arrival at Pearson International.