Treasures of Tuscany 2 by bianuccimariabeatrice

Tuscany is simply one of the most charming corners in Europe. Enjoy the amazing architecture, stunning scenery, fascinating history and tasty cuisine of this Jewel of Italy!!!

7 DAYS FROM

700 € FLY FROM

Your local airport A tailor-made tour for young Dutch tourists in summer!!!

WHAT’S INCLUDED          

Arrival at Pisa Airport Departure from Pisa Airport Transfer between airport and accommodation 6 nights at the lovely Ostello San Miniato in San Miniato Accommodation on B&B basis Triple rooms English- speaking tour guide on tour All sightseeing tours as mentioned Travel on tour by minibus or coach All local and airport taxes/service charges

PRICES: 700 € per person

DAY 1: SAN MINIATO Arrival at Pisa Airport. A coach will take you to the lovely Ostello San Miniato in San Miniato, a town located on three hills in the heart of Tuscany. The town is situated at the intersection of the streets that join Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Siena and the famous Via Francigena, which was the main connecting route between Northern Europe and Rome in the Middle Ages. The landscape is enchanting with old boroughs, ancient churches, amazing Medici villas, castles and tobacco mills.

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HISTORY San Miniato is a land of Etruscan and Roman settlements. The town was founded by the Lombards in the 8th century when they built a church dedicated to the martyr Miniato. The town has, therefore, Germanic origins and in the Middle Ages it became known as San Miniato al Tedesco. In the 10th century, under Otto I, Duke of Saxony, San Miniato became one of the centres of the Imperial administration and in the 13th century, under Frederick II of Swabia, who built his castle in San Miniato in 1218, the town was fortified with walls and other defensive works, including the Fortress. San Miniato became a free Commune at the end of the 13th century. Great monasteries, schools, institutions and hospitals were built during this period. In the 13th and the 14th centuries, San Miniato was drawn into the ongoing conflict between the Ghibellines and the Guelphs. By 1370 the town was under Florentine control. Later it became part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and it was still part of it when it was absorbed into the Kingdom of Italy in 1860. At the end of the 19th century San Miniato had become a town in its own right. During the Second World War the German Army mined and destroyed Frederick IIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fortress but it was rebuilt in 1958. 4

Our walking tour starts with Grifoni Palace. This Renaissance Palace was built by Giuliano of Baccio d'Agnolo for Ugolino Grifoni, Secretary of the Grand Duke Cosimo I of the Medici Family, in 1555. The building was destroyed during the Second World War, later it was restored and regained its original splendour. Now it is the headquarters of Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di San Miniato. We can continue our tour towards Piazza del Popolo with its Church of the Saints Jacopo and Lucia, also called San Domenico’s Church, with its adjacent Cloisters of the Convent. This church dates back to 1330 so it is very old, as we can see from its façade. Inside the church we can admire some works of art such as Giovanni Chellini’s tomb, attributed to Bernardo Rossellino, a fresco depicting “Scenes from San Domenico’s Life” by Antonio Domenico Bamberini, “The Virgin Mary with the Infant Jesus and the Saints Cosmas, Damian, John the Evangelist and Thomas” by Domenico di Michelino and “The Deposition” by Francesco Morandini called “Il Poppi” .

The MuMe is worth a visit. This museum was created to preserve the memory of the Second World War. The museum contains war relics, vintage posters and documents of the people from San Miniato who lived the dramatic years of the Second World War. 5

Next to the church we can admire the amazing Via Angelica, which is an ancient path that runs along the right wall of the Church of the Saints Jacopo and Lucia. In the past it was the connecting route between the town and the countryside. Along this ancient path there are three chapels decorated with 14th-century frescoes and 18th-century decorations. In one of these chapels, Saint Urban’s Oratory, we can see frescoes depicting “Scenes from the Way of the Cross” and “Saint Urban Pope”. We next visit the Archconfraternity of Mercy in Roffia Palace, which contains devotional objects connected with the role of this important institution such as a 19th-century horse-drawn ambulance, 18th-century lanterns and some splendid paintings.

Our tour continues towards Piazza del Seminario, where we can admire the Palace of the Seminary. The square has an asymmetric shape. The palace dates back to 1713 and it is characterized by its concave faรงade decorated with 18th-century frescoes and phrases in Latin. In the Middle Ages there were houses and shops whose wooden doors can still be seen. On the other side of the square we can see the rear faรงade of the Bishop's Palace.

We next head for Piazza del Duomo, where we can admire the Cathedral, which is dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta and San Genesio. It was built in the 12th century and has a beautiful Romanesque façade, which also exhibits Gothic and Renaissance architectural elements. The Church has a Latin cross plan with three naves and houses many works of art such as a 17th-century wooden crucifix by Iacopo di Giuliano Sani, Giovanni Battista Sandrini’s baptismal font, four marble busts of famous men from San Miniato: Iacopo Buonaparte, Pietro Bagnoli, Giovacchino Taddei and Francesco Maria Poggi and frescoes by Antonio Domenico Bamberini and Francesco Lanfranchi. Its Bell Tower, called Matilde Tower, has an asymmetrical clock and dates back to the 12th century. Its name refers to Countess Matilde of Canossa, who was probably born in San Miniato. Next to the Cathedral there is the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art housing paintings by famous artists such as Iacopo Chimenti called “L’Empoli”, Francesco Morandini called “Il Poppi”, Lorenzo Lippi, Giovanni Bilivert, Cenni di Francesco di Ser Cenni, Neri di Bicci, Iacopo di Mino del Pellicciaio and Lorenzo Monaco.

In Piazza del Duomo we can also admire the Bishop’s Palace, which is the residence of the Bishop of San Miniato and features a chapel dedicated to the Assumption and St. John the Baptist, the Imperial Vicars’ Palace, dating back to the 12thcentury, and its Tower, which was used as a prison. Leaving Piazza del Duomo behind us, we head off to the Sanctuary of the Most Holy Crucifix. This Baroque church, which stands between the Fort, the Cathedral and the Town Hall, was built in the 18th century. While the decoration of the façade is very simple, the walls inside the church are completely painted with "Scenes from Jesus Christ's Life" by Antonio Domenico Bamberini. On the main altar there is a tabernacle containing the famous "Holy Crucifix", which is venerated and thought to be miraculous.

In front of the Sanctuary there is the Town Hall, which was built at the end of the 13th century. Inside we can admire two beautiful rooms decorated with the 14th and 16th- century amazing frescoes: La Sala delle Sette Virtù and La Sala Consiliare.

The frescoes in La Sala delle Sette Virtù were painted between the 14th and the 16th centuries. The most important fresco is the “Virgin Mary nursing her Child surrounded by the Theological and Cardinal Virtues”, attributed to Cenni di Francesco di Ser Cenni. In the middle of the painting, you can see the Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus. Around her there are some female figures, who are symbols of the Seven Virtues. “Justice” is holding a sword in her right hand and scales in her left hand; “Prudence” is pointing to a mirror with her right hand; “Temperance” is holding a phial of wine mixed up with water in her right hand; “Fortitude” is holding a sword and is wearing a helmet; “Hope” is praying; “Charity” has got a flame in her right hand and a piece of paper in her left hand and “Faith” has a cross on her left shoulder.

La Sala Consiliare is situated next to the “Sala delle Sette Virtù” and contains Francesco Maria Galli Angelini’s famous frescoes depicting the history of San Miniato during the Middle Ages. In one of these frescoes we can see a knight riding a horse and holding a sword in his right hand. On the right there is a parchment and on the left there is the knight's Coat of Arms. Next to this fresco, we can see a man holding a green book in his left hand and a quill in his right hand. He is wearing a red robe and a red hat. In the corner there is his family’s Coat of Arms. In another fresco we can see the Virgin Mary talking to San Miniato, San Genesio, Sant'Agostino and San Francesco. The room is decorated with frescoes depicting the Coats of Arms of famous Noble Families from San Miniato and famous leaders such as Franco Sacchetti, Francesco Sforza and Barone de’ Mangiadori .

Don’t miss the visit to the Oratory of Loretino, which was built inside the Town Hall as the governors’ private chapel at the end of the 13th century. It became an important place of worship in the 14th century when the wooden image of the holy crucifix, considered to have miraculous powers, was placed here. According to a legend, the simulacrum was brought to San Miniato by two mysterious travellers, who were probably two angels. They left it in the house of a poor widow. It was closed up in a case and it emanated an “arcane” light at night. It became a symbol of peace and love. The veneration of the Holy Crucifix increased between 1629 and 1631 when the Bubonic Plague spread in Italy. A church was built in honour of the Holy Crucifix, which was placed in the Sanctuary of the Most Holy Crucifix. The Oratory contains decorations by Francesco Lanfranchi called “Spillo”, a magnificent altar attributed to Noferi di Antonio di Noferi and a wooden statue of the “Madonna di Loreto”, which gives the chapel its present name. The walls are decorated with 14th-century frescoes illustrating “Episodes from Jesus Christ’s Life”.

During our walking tour we stop at Retrobottega for lunch. Here you can taste typical Tuscan food created by the famous butcher Sergio Falaschi, his son, Andrea, and their staff by using high-quality local products and enjoy a wonderful view of the countryside. We suggest you have “crostini” and a selection of “salumi” (cold cuts) such as “sopressata”, ham, “rigatino”, “finocchiona”, “spuma di gota”, “mallegato”, pasta with sausage and leek sauce, “pappa al pomodoro”, Florentine steak with grated truffles and “Cantuccini” with “Vin Santo”.

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SLOW FOOD San Miniato is a “Slow Town” and is famous for its wines, extra-virgin olive oil, pork products and many other local agricultural products used by craftsmen in order to create high-quality products, which have become the basis of "Slow Food". In this period of globalisation, some towns have decided to form an organisation, where slowness and typical local food are symbols of a good and healthy lifestyle so the Slow Town Association has come to life. San Miniato is famous for Spuma di Gota, Sopressata and Mallegato, created by the famous butcher Sergio Falaschi and his staff, who have just opened a restaurant behind the butcher’s shop. Mallegato is made by using pig blood and fat, nutmeg, cinnamon, pine nuts, raisins and other spices. This mixture is boiled and packed inside a casing. When it is cold, it is sliced and eaten as a starter. Spuma di Gota is made by flavouring pig cheeks and chopping them until they become soft. It is ideal on hot toasted bread as a starter. Sopressata is made by boiling pig’s head cheek, tongue and skin. All the laced ingredients are cut in small pieces. The mixture is, then, placed in a particular cloth so to make the pig-jelly getting out. It is eaten cold with bread.

MERCATALE The Slow Food Association and other associations organise a market called Mercatale, where consumers can buy local fresh products such as milk, eggs, fruit and vegetables directly from farmers and local producers. This market is held in Piazza Dante Alighieri on Sunday once a month. The famous Mercatale is part of a project called “filiera corta” ("short distribution chain"), a regional network for the promotion of fresh agricultural products in Tuscany.

After lunch we head off to the Tower of Frederick II, called the Fort, which is a 37-metre tall tower, built by Frederick II of Swabia in 1217. It was the central core of the Imperial defensive system. It is the landmark of the town. The tower was destroyed during the Second World War and rebuilt in 1958. From its top you can admire the special ribbon-like layout of the town and stunning landscapes such as the area of the Lower Valdarno, Volterra’s hills, the Apennines and the sea. Pier delle Vigne, Frederick II's Chancellor, was imprisoned here for treason until his death, as Dante writes in “Inferno"(13th "Canto”) in his “Divine Comedy".

Leaving the Fort behind us, we reach the 14th-century Convent and Church of Saint Francis. Saint Francis stayed in San Miniato for a short time and founded this convent. For many centuries it was one of the main Franciscan centres in Tuscany. Inside the church there are twelve altars dedicated to Franciscan saints and famous families from San Miniato such as the Buonaparte family, 16th and 17th-century paintings and frescoes depicting Saint Francis and other Franciscan saints, Saint Francisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s statue by Luca and Piero Bonicelli and a 16thcentury wooden crucifix.

We next head to Piazza Buonaparte, flanked by ancient palaces built by noble families from San Miniato between the 16th and the 18th centuries. In this square we can admire a marble monument dedicated to the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Leopoldo II also called Canapone, Palazzo Bonaparte and the Saints Sebastian and Rocco’s Church, which was the Bonaparte family ’s chapel and houses Saint Rocco’s relics and a Gothic water soup. Our walking tour continues towards Piazza XX Settembre, where you can visit Santa Caterina’s Church dating back to the 13th century and the Euteleti Academy, which is housed in Palazzo Migliorati and contains Napoleon Bonaparte’s funeral mask and ancient documents.

Leaving this square we head for Piazza Dante Alighieri, also called “Il Piazzale”, where San Miniato’ s market is held on Tuesday mornings. Here you can see Giosue’ Carducci’s Statue. Giosue’ Carducci was a famous Italian writer, who lived in San Miniato from 1856 to 1857.

We next head off to Palazzo Formichini. The palace was built in the 16th century and contains works of art by famous artists such as Benedetto Bigordi called “Il Ghirlandaio”, Ludovico Cardi called “Il Cigoli”, Iacopo Chimenti called “L’ Empoli” and Giovanni Bilivert.

Our tour proceeds along via Giosue’ Carducci, where you can visit The Most Holy Annunziata’s Church, containing Saint Augustine’s statue, Saint Dorothea ’s relics and some frescoes .

From here it is easy to reach the Conservatory of Santa Chiara. The Monastery of Santa Chiara was built in the 13th century but the present building dates back to the 14th century. The nuns of Saint Clare’s order stayed there until the end of the 18th century when it was transformed into a Conservatory for girls' education. Later it became a school premises.

The building is arranged around a cloister with arcades and it has a chapel dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene. The Conservatory houses â&#x20AC;&#x153;Noli me Tangereâ&#x20AC;?, a wonderful painting by Ludovico Cardi, on which the appearance of Christ to Mary Magdalene is represented. There are also paintings by Jacopo Chimenti and Antonio Domenico Bamberini and a magnificent Medieval cross painted by Deodato Orlandi in 1301.

We leave your enjoy your afternoon at leisure. We suggest you have a walk along the famous Via Francigena, which runs through the town centre and touches small villages in the countryside. The landscape is enchanting with tobacco mills, old boroughs, amazing Medici villas and ancient churches. If you are interested in ancient history, you can visit San Genesioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Archaeological Site. The site was considered one of the main stops along the Via Francigena, which was the pilgrimage route from Canterbury to Rome in the Middle Ages. The borough of San Genesio was chosen by Popes, Emperors and Bishops to host councils in ancient times and Bishop Sigeric stayed there during his journey back to Canterbury.

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VIA FRANCIGENA During the Middle Ages, the Via Francigena was an important pilgrimage route, not a single road, although it included several possible routes that changed over the centuries. “All roads leads to Rome, you know!” The Via Francigena, unlike ancient Roman roads, connected abbeys, linking the sacred places of the Christian world. This road soon became an important route for men and goods, thus contributing to the great rebirth of European commerce. The increasing use of the Via Francigena as a trade route led to the development of many towns along the road. The route became the main route to take goods from the east (silk, spices...) to the markets of northern Europe and trade them for cloth from Flanders and Brabant to the Champagne fairs. In the 13th century the growing importance of Florence and the Arno Valley area marked the end of this ancient route. Nowadays the official route is divided into 79 stages and begins in Canterbury, continues in France, Switzerland and Italy and ends in Rome. It is 2,000 km long and crosses seven Italian regions - Valle d'Aosta, Piedmont, Lombardy, Emilia Romagna, Liguria, Tuscany and Lazio and 140 municipalities, with a total of 44 stages in Italy. Today the Via Francigena is also a journey through the Italian landscape, which changes greatly: from the pastures of the Aosta Valley to the industrial and agricultural plains of Piedmont, from the Po River to the rolling hills of Emilia, from the harshness of northern Tuscany to the sweetness of the Crete Senesi and the enchantment of the volcanic lakes of Lazio. This journey makes modern pilgrims really understand the landscape, the past and the present. The journey turns into a gradual immersion in the roots of our culture, in which changes in the landscape, small and great works of art, the people we meet along the road, make us understand the essence of our heritage. San Miniato is the part of project “San Miniato in the heart of Tuscany Via Francigena". Low cost “pilgrim” accommodation (religious facilities, hostels, guesthouses…) and “tourist” accommodation (hotels, B&Bs, accommodation in farms,…) are available along the Via Francigena. A Festival called Francigena Melody Road is held on the Via Francigena in San Miniato in summer.

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SAN GENESIOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE The site was important in the Middle Ages as it hosted bishopsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; conferences, papal councils and imperial diets and it was located near the River Elsa and along the Via Francigena, the main connecting route between Northern Europe and Rome. The history of this site goes back to even further than the Middle Ages. Excavations have brought to light evidence of activity in the area spanning from Etruscan times to the Roman and late Ancient periods. The area was inhabited from the 2nd/ 3rd centuries B.C. up to the 14th/ 15th centuries. Sigeric the Seriuos, the Archbishop of Canterbury who described the 79 stages of his itinerary from Rome to Canterbury in his journal, stayed in San Genesio during his journey in the year 990. Recent excavations have brought to light the ruins of a settlement known as Vicus Wallary, an 8th-century church, which was one of the biggest medieval churches in Tuscany, a mastery and an Etruscan village with its graveyard. Here you can visit a small museum housing archaeological artefacts and objects such as jars, cinerary urns and ceramic tableware.

We suggest you have dinner at Pizzeria Vecchio Cinema, located in the town centre. Here you can taste “bruschetta”, “salumi” (cold cuts) and ham or chickpea soup, “pappa al pomodoro”, pasta with pesto sauce or spaghetti with tomato sauce, chicken stew with beans with extra-virgin olive oil or pizza. If you want to taste high-quality meat, you can have dinner at La Bisteccheria, a nice restaurant where you can have a large variety of starters such as “crostini” and a selection of a selection of “salumi” (cold cuts), “tagliata” or Florentine steak with roast potatoes and “Cantuccini” with “Vin Santo”.

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TRUFFLED PARMESAN RI SOTTO Ingredients 500 g rice 60 g butter 100 g grated parmesan 50 g white truffles (sliced or pâté)

Cook the rice traditionally and add grated parmesan, butter and a half of the truffle. Mix and serve hot with slices of white truffle.

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EXTRA-VIRGIN OLIVE OIL Tuscany is famous for its top-quality extra-virgin olive oil. We suggest you have a half-day tour in La Serra, a small village near San Miniato, in order to discover the secrets of extra-virgin olive oil production. You will visit Frantoio Samminiatese, a pressing mill immersed in the Tuscan countryside and surrounded by lovely olive groves. “Frantoio Samminiatese” has been producing extra-virgin olive oil for over 50 years and the owners are excellent at the art of pressing and growing olive trees. Here you can taste “bruschetta” with extra-virgin olive oil and purchase a large variety of products such as aromatized olive oil, biological extravirgin olive oil and “IGP Tuscan” extravirgin olive oil.

After dinner you can stop at CaffĂ¨ Centrale, where you can listen to music and play board games with friends or at the lovely Chalet, which is a pleasant open-air meeting place. Here you can chat with friends and listen to music, sitting at the tables located in front of the kiosk. If you love music you can go to Le Piscine, where you can dance at the poolside. The disco opens at about 12.00 p.m. and closes at about 3.00 a.m.

In summer San Miniato attracts lots of young people and tourists as a great variety of events are organized in the town centre in the evening. The main events are La Notte Nera, La Luna Ă¨ Azzurra, Festa del Teatro, A Castle of Sounds, Francigena Melody Road, Pinocchio in Strada and Palio di San Rocco.

EVENTS NOT TO BE MISSED

LA LUNA Ă&#x2C6; AZZURRA Enjoy an evening of traditional Italian entertainment right in the heart of the town! La Luna Ă¨ Azzurra has been held in San Miniato since the 1980s and attracts children, young people and adults from all over Tuscany. It features puppet, mime and music performances and puppet workshops for all age range.

LA NOTTE NERA La Notte Nera is held in San Miniato in June. Here you can taste a large variety of black truffle dishes and local wine. A great deal of restaurants and stalls, located in the main squares and streets of San Miniato, sell black truffles and other typical local products together with specialties from other Tuscan cities. San Miniato is famous for its truffles and the National White Truffle Exhibition, which has been held here in November for 46 years and is a market which attracts thousands of Italian and foreign visitors. The white truffle of San Miniato is known as the "Food of Kings" and populates the tables of the best restaurants in the world. The white truffle found in San Miniato Hills is the "Tuber Magnatum Pico" and is the most valuable type of truffle. San Miniato White truffle is a unique product. It features a light yellow colour with brown shades and it has a long-lasting delicious flavours. It is very expensive, because it is found in moderate quantities in particular periods of the year. You can find white truffles only from October to December.

EVENT NOT TO BE MISSED

FESTA DEL TEATRO Theatre, plays and all types of performances have very old roots in San Miniato, perhaps ever since San Genesio, an actor, was chosen as its Patron Saint many centuries ago. The famous Istituto del Dramma Popolare (Folk Drama Institute), which collaborates with "Accademia di Arte Drammatica" (Dramatic Art Academy) in Rome, has had its headquarters in San Miniato since 1947 and they put on an openair performance of a religious drama in July every year. This performance attracts international dramatists, directors and actors.

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THE LEATHER & TANNING DISTRICT The area of Santa Croce sull'Arno and Ponte a Egola, in the municipality of San Miniato, is a very famous tanning and leather manufacturing district. This area is also one of the most important tanning districts in the world, producing about 85% of Italian leather, with the brand "Vero Cuoio Italiano" (Real Italian Leather) and vegetable-tanned leathers. About one hundred companies offer the national and foreign markets top-quality products for shoes and every type of leather goods. Innovation, technological development and constant attention to the environment led this district to build one of the first and most efficient centralized depuration plants in Italy in 1980.

Overnight stay at Ostello San Miniato.

DAY 2: LUCCA AND COLLODI After breakfast we head for Lucca, which is a destination for many tourists thanks to its charming churches and wonderful museums.

Our tour starts with Porta Santâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Anna, one of the six gates. The city is surrounded by about four kilometres of walls. Lucca had four rings of walls. The first, built by the Romans, had a square shape and encircles the city centre today. The other three rings were built in the 13th, 16th and 17th centuries. The walls, which are twelve metres tall, are lined with towering trees from which we can enjoy a beautiful view of the city.

We will have a cycling tour on the lovely avenue running along the top of the walls. During our cycling tour we can admire the lovely garden of Pfanner Palace, one of the most beautiful gardens in the city. This 17th-century palace was named after the Pfanner family. Felix Pfanner, who was an Austrian brewer whose family was from Bavaria, bought this palace and set up a brewery there in 1846. Its garden featuring grassy lawns, ornamental flowers, exotic plants, lemon trees, fruit trees, an octagonal fountain and 18th-century statues depicting Greek Gods and the Four Seasons, is an excellent example of a Baroque garden. Inside the palace you can admire a large reception hall with 18th-century frescoes and a collection of surgical instruments.

Continuing our tour we reach Piazza del Duomo, where we can admire the Baptistery, a small 14th-century building with a Gothic dome and a wonderful baptismal font.

We next visit the Cathedral of San Martino, dating back to the 6th century. Its most ancient part is its faĂ§ade in the Romanesque style.

Inside the church we can see amazing works of art such as the Holy Effigy by Civitali, Tintorettoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Last Supper and the Sarcophagus of Ilaria del Carretto by Jacopo della Quercia, one of the finest examples of Renaissance sculpture. 32

Ilaria del Carretto was the wife of Paolo Guinigi, the Lord of Lucca, from 1400 to 1430, and she died in 1406 at the age of twenty-six. The typically classical â&#x20AC;&#x153;puttiâ&#x20AC;? holding festoons on either sides of the sarcophagus underline the calm and serene beauty of the woman lying here. On the one of the sides we can see the Coat of Arms of the Guinigi-del Carretto family.

Leaving Piazza del Duomo behind us, we head off to Piazza Napoleone, used for many events and public occasions. You can see the marble statue of Maria Luisa di Borbone in the centre of this square. In front of the statue there is the outstanding Palazzo Ducale or Palazzo Pubblico, used for Council meetings and conferences. It dates back to the 14th century, but it was restored and completed for Maria Luisa in the 19th century.

On the right side of the square there is one of the two schools for Fine Arts in Lucca. The other two sides of the square are lined with shops, cafés and expensive restaurants. On the north-eastern corner of the square there is Piazza del Giglio with its neoclassical theatre, “Teatro del Giglio”.

Our tour continues with the Church of San Michele in Foro, built between the 11th and 14th centuries. It is one of the best examples of Romanesque style and it is made of white limestone. San Michele’s statue dominates from the top. Inside the church there are many works of art, such as Andrea della Robbia’s “Madonna with Child”.

Near the church we can visit Giacomo Puccini’s House, housing Giacomo Puccini’s manuscripts and personal items. Giacomo Puccini, the great Italian musician and composer, was born and spent the early years of his life in this house. Later he moved to Torre del Lago in Versilia, where we can admire Giacomo Puccini’s Villa, now known as the Puccini Museum.

From here it is easy to reach the Roman Amphitheatre, which is the area where gladiators’ shows and games were traditionally held in Roman Times. It was built in the second half of the 1st century A.D. Piazza dell'Anfiteatro is a very picturesque square and is lined with ancient buildings, typical shops, restaurants and cafés.

During our tour we stop in one of the best restaurants in Lucca, Giulio in Pelleria, located in the city centre. Here you can taste traditional dishes such as spelt and bean soup, “farinata”, home-made pasta with meat sauce, stock fish with “polenta”, salted codfish with tomatoes and olives, stewed tripe and “cioncia”.

We suggest you have an icecream in one of the best ice cream shops in Tuscany, Gelateria Veneta, where you can taste a large variety of ice cream.

You can also stop at the famous bakery, Taddeucci, where you can buy the delicious Buccellato di Lucca, a cake made with white flour, sugar, anise seeds, raisins and beer yeast. There is an old saying in Lucca: “Don’t say you have been to Lucca if you haven’t eaten Taddeucci’s Buccellato.

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BUCCELLATO 2-1/4 teaspoons dry yeast 2/3 cup warm water About 5 cups 1-1/4 cups milk 1 tablespoon anise seeds, bruised with the side of a knife 2 teaspoons salt 3/4 cup sugar 1 cup currants, soaked in hot water 15 minutes and drained 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon water 1 large egg. Dissolve the yeast in half the water, with a pinch of the flour in a bowl. Beat in the rest of the water, the milk, anise seeds, salt, sugar, and currants. Beat in 4 cups of the flour until soft dough has formed. Knead at medium-low speed for 15 minutes, adding an additional cup of flour. Remove the dough to a floured work surface. Knead by hand 2 minutes to form soft, very elastic dough. Place the dough in an oiled bowl. Oil a large cake pan. Knead down the dough. Shape the dough into a long loaf. Cover and let rise at room temperature 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Preheat the oven. Beat the glaze ingredients together in a small bowl. Brush generously over the dough. Bake 50 to 55 minutes.

After lunch you can walk along Via Fillungo, the most popular and sophisticated street in Lucca. It is characterized by medieval buildings and important monuments. If you like shopping, this is the best place to go, because it is full of exclusive shops, boutiques and jewellersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; stores. In Via Fillungo you can also visit La Torre delle Ore, which is a 13thcentury tower and a perfect place to enjoy a beautiful view of the city.

The 12th-century Church of San Frediano is worth a visit. We can admire the beautiful mosaics on its façade. Inside the church you can see a wonderful Romanesque baptismal font, an amazing altar by Jacopo della Quercia and Santa Zita’s relics.

Don’t forget to visit Guinigi Tower, which is an example of RomanesqueGothic architecture. Its main feature is its garden covered with holm oaks, located on its top. From here you can admire Lucca architectural jewels.

Later in the afternoon our coach takes us to Collodi, which is an ancient village in the hills of Tuscany, which was made famous by Carlo Collodi (Carlo Lorenzini’s pen name), the author of the Adventures of Pinocchio (1883), the most famous and best loved children’s book in the world. Here you can visit Villa Garzoni Garden, the Butterfly House, Pinocchio Park and Pinocchio Museum. FOCUS ON

THE ADVENTURES OF PINOCCHIO Once upon a time there was a carpenter, whose name was Geppetto, who created a puppet by using a talking piece of wood and named him Pinocchio. Pinocchio was quite naughty and told Geppetto lots of lies but his nose grew longer as soon as he lied. A Talking Cricket gave him some advice and tried to convince him to become a well-behaved boy but he killed him. One day he promised Geppetto to be a good boy and go to school but while going to school he stopped to see a puppet show in a theatre. The theatre director, Fire-Eater, gave him five gold coins and asked him to give them to Geppetto. Later he met the Cat and the Fox, who robbed him and tried to kill him. A Blue-Haired Fairy helped Pinocchio and promised him to turn him into real boy if he was a good boy. Later, he met Candlewick and they went to Pleasure Island, a place where they could have fun freely. After a series of misadventures he heard that Geppetto had been swallowed by a huge whale and decided to look for his father but the whale swallowed him, as well. He met Geppetto inside its belly. As soon as the whale opened its mouth they went out and went back home. Pinocchio became a good boy and helped the Fairy and Geppetto. The Fairy appreciated Pinocchio’s bravery and behaviour and turned him into a real boy. Pinocchio and his father lived happily together ever after.

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PINOCCHIO PARK You can learn about the puppet’s story in Pinocchio Park. At the entrance of the park you can admire a marble plaque engraved with the opening lines of The Adventures of Pinocchio. Wandering in the park you can admire statues depicting Pinocchio, Geppetto, the Fairy, the Fox and the Cat, the Talking Cricket and other characters of the book, the Fairy’s small house, a pirate ship, a giant fish-shaped fountain and other small buildings and mosaics. Pinocchio Museum is worth a visit. It houses a collection of The Adventures of Pinocchio in several languages, paintings and other works of art. The park also offers puppets’ shows and a laboratory, where children can paint, draw and create their own Pinocchio. You can also visit Villa Garzoni Garden and its Butterfly House. There are classical statues, grottos and geometric hedges in the garden. The “Butterfly House” contains caterpillars and butterflies.

After the visit to Pinocchio Park, we have dinner in the picturesque Osteria del Gambero Rosso, a lovely pizzeria in Collodi, where the waiters and waitresses are dressed as the protagonists of the famous children’s book. Here you can taste “panzerotti”(fried dough) with ham and cheese, a large selection of pizza and “schiacciata”,“tordelli” with meat sauce, “tortelli” with mushroom sauce, roast pork or chicken with roast potatoes, fruit salad and ice cream.

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SAN MINIATO & PINOCCHIO One hundred years ago the name of San Miniato Basso was “Il Pinocchio”. Its name came from the name of a bridge “Pinocchio” built there in the 14th century. The area near the bridge was called “Ponte al Pidocchio” because dirty pilgrims and beggars (“Pidocchiosi” means full of lice in Italian) on a pilgrimage on the Via Francigena stopped there. According to a legend, Collodi, whose real name was Carlo Lorenzini, took inspiration from the name of this town and its citizens for his famous children’s book “The Adventures of Pinocchio”. In his book Collodi wrote “I knew a whole family of Pinocchi once-Pinocchio the father, Pinocchia the mother, and Pinocchi the children-and they were all happy. The richest of them begged for his living.” Collodi’s father worked as a cook for a rich family in the Pinocchio area and while going to Collodi, where his mother lived, Carlo often stopped at Ponte a Elsa Station and Osteria Bianca, walked in Val Del Grillo and reached “Il Pinocchio”. This area was probably used as a setting for his famous children’s book.

After dinner we head to Lucca, where you can enjoy one of the wonderful concerts of the famous Lucca Summer Festival in Piazza Napoleone in the heart of Lucca, from 9.30 p.m. onwards. EVENTS NOT BE MISSED

LUCCA SUMMER FESTIVAL Lucca Summer Festival has taken place in Lucca since 1998. It starts at the beginning of July and lasts till the end of the month. It attracts thousands of young people from all over Europe, because concerts and performances by famous national and international rock and pop stars such as Laura Pausini, Elton John, Norah Jones, Duran Duran, Green Day and Eric Clapton are held here every summer.

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VERSILIA Versilia, which is a well-known region of natural and international appeal and a popular destination for summer holidays, is located in the province of Lucca. It is situated on the northern coast of Tuscany, between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Apuane Alps and comprises charming seaside resorts such as Torre del Lago, Marina di Pietrasanta, which is divided into three charming areas: Focette, Tonfano and Fiumetto, Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi. This area attracts lots of tourists in summer thanks to its long, sandy beaches, bathing establishments, elegant tree-lined avenues, lovely promenades, shady pinewoods, sports facilities, luxury hotels, wonderful villas, restaurants, exclusive cafĂŠs, pubs and discos. Tourists can hire bikes and go cycling along the promenades or through the pinewoods or hire a beach umbrella or a beach tent with two deckchairs and two sunbeds in a bathing establishment and sunbathe and relax in the sun or go swimming in the sea or in the swimming pool.

Overnight stay at your hostel in San Miniato. 45

DAY 3: FLORENCE After an early breakfast we head off to Florence by coach.

Our walking tour starts in Piazza del Duomo, where we can admire three marvellous buildings: the Baptistery, the Cathedral, dedicated to Santa Maria del Fiore, Brunelleschi’s Dome and Giotto’s Bell Tower. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is worth a visit. It was started by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1296 and completed by Brunelleschi and Giotto in the following centuries. Its famous white, green and pink Gothic façade has three bronze portals with mosaic decorations and statues.

Inside the cathedral you can admire frescoes by Vasari and works of art by Giotto and Luca della Robbia. The cathedral contains many works of art such as Luca Della Robbia’s “Resurrection of Christ” and “Ascension” and Giotto’s “Madonna”. Over the altar there is a magnificent crucifix attributed to Benedetto da Maiano. Outside the cathedral you can see Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, which is a wonderful example of Florentine Gothic style, and the Baptistery, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, famous for Ghiberti’s Porta del Paradiso and its mosaics.

From Piazza del Duomo it is easy to reach Via dei Calzaioli, which is one of the most famous streets in Florence, lined with ancient buildings, exclusive shops, cafés, hotels and restaurants.

Our tour continues towards Piazza della Signoria, where you can admire the magnificent Palazzo Vecchio, also known as Palazzo della Signoria. This square, which has been the political centre of the city since the Middle Ages, is one of the most spectacular squares in Italy. Here you can also admire the lovely Loggia dei Lanzi a late Gothic structure, which contains Giambologna's The Rape of the Sabine Women Cellini’s Perseus with the Head of Medusa, and beautiful sculptures such as a copy of Michelangelo’s David, the equestrian statue of Cosimo I of the Medici Family and the Fountain of Neptune. 48

Palazzo Vecchio is Florence Town Hall and was designed by the great architect, Arnolfo di Cambio in the 13th century. As soon as we enter this beautiful palace we can admire a nice courtyard frescoed by Vasari. Near the courtyard, there are two flights of stairs leading to the lovely Salone dei Cinquecento decorated by a team of painters chosen by Vasari. A door leads to the amazing Salone dei Duecento, the State Apartments and the Hall of the Lilies, so called because it is decorated with golden â&#x20AC;&#x153;fleurs de lisâ&#x20AC;? on a blue field. In the adjacent clockroom there is the famous Map of the World.

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THE MEDICI FAMILY The Medici Family ruled Florence and Tuscany for about three centuries. They encouraged the arts and had a great influence on Italian Renaissance. The Medici Family were wealthy merchants and bankers. Giovanni de’ Medici, Cosimo the Elder’s father, set up the Medici bank, which made them one of the richest families in Europe. Cosimo (1389-1464) was an Italian banker and politician, who became the ruler of Florence in 1434 and ruled the city for 30 years. He lived with his wife Contessina de’ Bardi and his sons, Piero and Giovanni, in the Medici Palace.

Cosimo supported scholars and artists such as the architect Brunelleschi, the painter Fra Angelico and the sculptors Donatello and Ghiberti and encouraged the creation of major works of art in Florence. During this period Brunelleschi completed the spectacular Dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Church of San Lorenzo. After his death in 1464, the Signoria, the government of Medieval and Renaissance Florence, gave him the title of Pater Patria (Father of the Nation). Cosimo’ s grandson, Lorenzo il Magnifico (14491492), was a statesman, a poet and a patron of the arts. He was the ruler of the Florentine Republic and had a great impact on Renaissance. During this period Florence became the cradle of Renaissance. Lorenzo supported artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Sandro Botticelli, who created amazing works of art. 51

By the early 1520s, there were few descendants of Cosimo the Elder so Lorenzo the Elder, descendant of Cosimo the Elder’s brother, started a new Medici dynasty. Lorenzo’s great-great-grandson, Cosimo (1519-1574), became Duke of Florence in 1537 and Grand Duke of Tuscany in 1569. In 1539 Cosimo married Eleonora de Toledo, daughter of the Spanish Viceroy of Naples. The marriage was attractive for a variety of political and dynastic reasons: Eleonora's royal ancestors and relations with the Habsburgs provided the Medici Family with blue blood and she provided them with a powerful link to Spain. The marriage of Eleonora de Toledo and Cosimo I de’ Medici is perhaps one of the greatest love stories of Renaissance. Eleonora and Cosimo had eleven children but some of them died when they were very young. She supported her husband and his policies and she encouraged the arts and notable artists of the age. Cosimo and Eleonora had Palazzo Vecchio re-decorated by Vasari and Boboli Gardens re-designed by famous artists. Later they moved to Pitti Palace, which became the official residence of the Grand Dukes. Vasari also built the amazing Vasari Corridor, which connected the two palaces. Cosimo supported great artists, including Gorgio Vasari, Agnolo Bronzino and Benvenuto Cellini. Agnolo Bronzino was commissioned to paint Eleonora, Cosimo’s attractive, charitable and fertile wife, with her child and heir, Giovanni. Agnolo Bronzino’s Portrait of Eleonora de Toledo and her son Giovanni (The Uffizi Gallery), shows an idealized Eleonora in an elaborately decorated dress. To her right, there is her son, Giovanni, dressed in an expensive garment. They are set against a blue background. This painting shows Eleonora’s fertility and, consequently, the strength of the Medici dynasty. Cosimo’s descendants ruled Florence and Tuscany till the 1700s. Medici: Masters of Florence is a TV series about the Medici dynasty, which came out in Italy last October. Richard Madden played the role of Cosimo de’ Medici (Cosimo the Elder), while Dustin Hoffman played the role of Giovanni de’ Medici.

Our walking tour continues towards Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence. Here you can get a splendid view of the River Arno. Nowadays the bridge is lined with expensive shops, goldsmiths, jewellers and silversmithsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; workshops.

From here it is easy to reach Boboli Gardens and Pitti Palace. The spectacular Boboli Gardens are the largest monumental green area in Florence.

It dates back to the 16th century. Here you can walk along the alleys and admire works of art such as Neptuneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pond with a bronze statue of Neptune, the charming Buontalenti Grotto, and the Oceanus Fountain located in the centre of a small lake called Piazzale dellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Isolotto.

After the visit to Boboli Gardens we enter Pitti Palace, one of the most imposing Renaissance palaces in Florence. The palace dates back to the 15th century and was bought by the Medici Family in the 16th century. Cosimo I and his wife Eleonora de Toledo lived here and commissioned Vasari to build the famous Vasari Corridor, a corridor which connects Palazzo Vecchio, their old palace and the seat of Government, with Pitti Palace running through the Uffizi Gallery and above Ponte Vecchio.

Inside the palace there are several art galleries such as the Palatine Gallery, the Silverware Museum, the Porcelain Museum and the Modern Art Gallery, containing works of art by Macchiaioli painters and 19th and 20thcentury painters.

We recommend you have lunch at the lovely All’Antico Vinaio, a typical Tuscan restaurant located in the city centre. There you can taste a large selection of ham, “salumi” (cold cuts) and cheese, “focaccia” and Chianti wine.

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WINE TOUR Discover the fine Chianti wines and visit a spectacular winery! We will tour the vineyards and a charming winery near Vinci, Leonardo da Vinci’s birthplace, and will learn about the production and ageing process of its wines.

This wonderful experience will include a wine tasting and the opportunity to buy some of the best Tuscan wines. Our tour starts with the visit to an amazing 16th-century Medici villa, where the winery has its premises. The basement of the villa hosts a spectacular historical cellar, turned into a museum of old wine-making techniques and instruments. Our tour continues with the visit to the wine cellars in order to gain insight into the various stages of wine production. At the end of the visit you will taste the various Chianti wines, which the winery produces, served with a selection of “salumi” (cold cuts) and cheese along with “focaccia” and “bruschetta” in one of the dining rooms in the magnificent villa.

A trip to Florence has to include a visit to the Uffizi Gallery, which is the oldest art gallery in the world and one of the greatest in Europe.

The Uffizi Gallery was designed by Vasari for Cosimo I of the Medici Family in the 16th century. The gallery has 45 rooms and houses very beautiful works of art by Italian and foreign artists such as Giotto, Cimabue, Masaccio, Raffaello, Rubens, Rembrandt, Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci. Here we can also admire paintings from the 13th to the 18th centuries such as Duccio di Buoninsegna’s Maestà, and Giotto’s Madonna in Glory. We visit Rooms 10-14, Botticelli’s Rooms, which were re-opened in 2016. Here you can admire two famous 15th-century masterpieces by Botticelli: The Birth of Venus and The Allegory of Spring, which are two of the most famous works of art in the world.

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THE BIRTH OF VENUS and THE ALLEGORY OF SPRING BY SANDRO BOTTICELLI Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510) was one of the greatest Italian Renaissance painters. He lived in Florence and created magnificent frescoes and paintings in Florence and Rome. The Medici Family commissioned him several works of art. The Birth of Venus (1482-1485) is one of most famous and appreciated works of art in the world. It was painted by Sandro Botticelli in the 1480s and it is the first example of a painting on canvas in Tuscany. In the centre of the painting, Venus is portrayed naked on a shell on the seashore. On her left, Zephyrus blows the wind in order to guide her. On her right, a female figure (Aura) waits the Goddess in order to cover her body with a mantle. The meadow is sprinkled with violets, symbol of temperance. Venus, the Goddess of Love and Beauty, is portrayed as a beautiful and chaste Goddess, symbol of Spring. The painting is an allegory of spring and the birth of love. The Allegory of Spring was painted between 1477 and 1482.It is full of allegorical meanings. The painting celebrates the arrival of spring. The naturalistic details of the meadow, the skilful use of the colour and the elegance of the figures make this important and fascinating painting celebrated all over the world. In this painting there are nine figures. Venus, the Goddess of Love, is in an orange grove in the centre of the painting. On the right, there is Zephyrus, the God of the West Wind, who tries to grab Flora. Flowers come out of her mouth and she turns into spring. On the left, there are the three Graces dancing and Mercury, who dissipates the clouds. Cupid uses his arrow on one of the three Graces. The figures are on a flowery meadow. The painting is an allegory where Zephyrus unites himself to Flora, who becomes the spring.

During our tour we can have an ice-cream at Gelateria Venchi, which is the best ice-cream shop in Florence. From here it is easy to reach the main shopping streets in Florence, such as Via Roma, Via dei Calziaioli and Via dei Tornabuoni. These streets are lined with Renaissance buildings, cafés, expensive designers’ shops such as “Tiffany & Co.”, “Gucci”, “Ferragamo”, “Prada”, “Guess” and “Liu Jo” and chain shops such as famous “Coin”, “Zara”, “H&M” and “La Rinascente”.

Late in the afternoon we head for Piazzale Michelangelo, an enormous panoramic terrace situated on the hills in the southern part of the city where you can get a breath-taking view of Florence.

We suggest you have dinner at the famous Florence Central Market, where you can taste Tuscan delicacies. FOCUS ON

FLORENCE CENTRAL MARKET Florence Central Market is a fascinating place to visit. It is located in a towering castiron building dating back to 1874. It has been re-opened and renovated recently. It is the perfect place to go at any time of the day from 10 a.m. to midnight. There you can have a unique experience of taste, culture and history. On the ground floor you can buy fresh food such as meat, fish, vegetables, fruit and other local specialities. On the first floor you can see how artisans create food products and typical dishes in their workshops and laboratories. You can also attend cooking lessons and learn how to cook Italian dishes. You can buy home-made pasta, bread, high-quality ice cream and chocolate, fresh seafood, “salumi” and other delicacies. We recommend you have dinner in a typical Tuscan restaurant and taste “lasagne”, “ribollita”, “pappa al pomodoro” or “panzanella”, Florentine steak with beans, “panna cotta” with raspberry sauce, “zuccotto” and Chianti wine.

FLORENTINE STEAK A good Florentine steak requires meat which has been well-aged. It should be about 2.5 cm thick. First prepare the charcoal fire. When one side of the steak is cooked, turn it over and season the grilled side with salt and pepper. Then turn it again to dissolve the salt so that it is evenly distributed and any excess runs off. Remove the steak from the grill. Arrange it on a hot dish .

TAGLIATA The secret of an excellent “tagliata” is the breed of cattle: the Chianina beef. Ingredients: Thick steak with the bones, salt, hot coals, freshly cracked pepper. Chianina beef is the huge white oxen raised in the Val di Chiana, near Arezzo. Their meat is tender. Once you have your steak and your coals, set your grill about 4 inches (10 cm) above them and let it heat for a few minutes. The cooking time should only take a few minutes, and the steak should still be rare inside. The dressing is usually lemon and green salad with tomatoes or other vegetables. Other possibilities for side dishes include French fries and freshly boiled white beans (“cannellini”) seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper. SCHIACCIATA ALLA FIORENTINA

1 orange 4 eggs salt 500 g/ 1 lb flour 150 g/ 6 oz lard 20 g/ 1 oz Brewer’s yeast Vanilla flavoured confectioner’s sugar Dissolve the yeast in water. Put the flour into a large bowl. Mix until the dough separates from the side of the bowl. Cover and let it rise in a dry place for 1 hour. When the dough has doubled, knead and add the yolks, the sugar, 100gr/4 oz lard, a pinch of salt and the finely grated orange peel and mix. Use the rest of the lard to grease a rectangular baking pan with high edges. Spread the dough evenly so that it is 2-3 cm/1 in thick. Now, here is the secret: let it rise for 2 hours. Bake at 200° C/400 F for 30 minutes. Remove and dust with vanilla flavoured confectioner’s sugar. 63

After dinner you can wander through the cobbled streets of the city, sit in a café in Piazza del Duomo or Piazza Della Repubblica, which is home to the historical "Caffé Gilli", "Caffé Paskoski" and "Caffé delle Giubbe Rosse", which were meeting places for famous artists and writers in the first decade of the 20th century.

You can also attend one of the main events organized in the city centre in summer. Florence offers a large variety of events in summer such as Calcio Storico Fiorentino, St. John the Baptistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fireworks, Renaissance Night, Florence Dance Festival and Fiesole Summer Festival. These events attract thousands of tourists who love staying outside after sunset and enjoying the starlit Tuscan sky.

EVENTS NOT TO BE MISSED

CALCIO STORICO FIORENTINO AND ST. JOHN THE BAPTISTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FIREWORKS Fabulous fireworks along the River Arno start the celebrations in honour to St. John the Baptist, the city's Patron Saint, on June 24. A parade in historical costumes leaves from the Church of Santa Maria Novella and reaches the Church of Santa Croce. The world-famous Calcio Storico is played in the square in front of the church. The game is a combination of soccer, rugby, and wrestling, all played while wearing 16th-century costumes. The four teams represent the four traditional city wards: Santa Croce (blue), Santo Spirito (white), Santa Maria Novella (red), and San Giovanni (green).

RENAISSANCE NIGHT Experience an unforgettable Renaissance court banquet in the magnificent halls of a 15th-century Florentine mansion!! Here you can enjoy a 4-course meal and fine wine surrounded by musicians, dancers, and a soprano singer playing the flute and harp music. You can admire Renaissance costumes worn by the waiters, musicians, dancers, and the court jester. If you wish, you can also try on some of the costumes and learn some traditional Italian dance steps.

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VINCI Vinci is located on the slopes of Montalbano, a beautiful range of hills between Florence and Pistoia, in the heart of Tuscany. The city is famous because Leonardo da Vinci, the great artist and scientist, was born there in 1452. It is also famous for its vineyards and olive groves, which produce excellent wine and extra-virgin olive oil. Vinci was founded by the Etruscans many centuries ago. In the Middle Ages it belonged to the Counts Guidi Family, who built the castle, which still dominates the city. Vinci fell under the Florentine control in the 13th century and later became a free commune. Vinci was decreed a city in 1954, on the 500th anniversary of Leonardo’s birth. Our tour starts at the Town Walls and continues towards Leonardo da Vinci’s Museum. On the way to the museum we can admire the Church of Santa Croce, which was built in the 13th century. It has a Romanesque façade and it contains the baptismal font where Leonardo was baptized, an ancient wooden crucifix, Giovanni della Robbia’s “Madonna and Child” and beautiful paintings such as Fra Paolino da Pistoia’s “Annunciation”. From here it is easy to reach Piazza dei Guidi, where we can see the Counts Guidi Castle and Palazzo Uzielli. The castle looks like a fortress and contains beautiful frescoes, decorations, wonderful coats of arms and one of the two parts of Leonardo Museum. It is also known as the Ship Castle because of its long shape, which recalls the shape of a sailing boat. Behind the castle, in Piazza Guido Masi, there is a large wooden sculpture by Ceroli (1987), an interpretation of Leonardo’s Vitruvian Man. Leonardo Museum is housed in the Counts Guidi Castle and in Palazzo Uzielli. The museum has been enlarged recently. The collection has become richer and richer thanks to the contributions of scholars, donors and public and private bodies. Leonardo Museum is very famous all over the world, because it contains one of the richest and most original collections of Leonardo’s machines and models. All the machines and models on show in the museum are presented together with detailed references to the artist’s sketches and notes and interactive software. 68

Here we can see Leonardo’s projects aimed at automatizing the cloth manufacturing process, important machines and models invented by Leonardo such as the slewing crane, the helicopter, the flying machine, the tank, the loom, the screw-press for oil, the ventilator, the parachute and the paddle boat, the models of the self-propelling car, and mechanical clocks. The museum also houses Leonardo’s studies of water and river navigation. From the Castle Tower we can enjoy a splendid view of the Tuscan landscape: Montalbano hills and small villages. This landscape is very similar to the one depicted by Leonardo in his maps and drawings. Our walking tour ends in Piazza della Libertà, where we can see the equestrian bronze monument carried out by the sculptor Nina Akamu. The statue is inspired by the horse Leonardo designed for an equestrian monument commissioned by Ludovico il Moro in honour of his father Francesco Sforza, the first Duke of Milan. From the old town centre an ancient path with panoramic views, known as the “Green Road”, leads to Leonardo’s birthplace in Anchiano, a small village near Vinci. The building is a typical 15th-century Tuscan farmhouse, where Leonardo was born on 15th April 1452 and spent his childhood. Inside the house there are some drawings depicting the Tuscan landscape and a map of the Arno Valley drawn by Leonardo. Leonardo Da Vinci was an Italian Renaissance genius. He was a great painter, sculptor, architect, engineer, mathematician, anatomist, scientist, musician and writer. His innovations in the fields of painting influenced Italian art and his scientific studies in the fields of Anatomy, Optics, Maths and Hydraulics anticipated many of the developments of modern science. Leonardo is considered one of the greatest artists of all times. His main paintings are “Annunciation” and “The Adoration of the Magi” which are in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, “The Virgin of the Rocks”, which is now in the “Louvre” in Paris, “Last Supper” and “Mona Lisa”.

Overnight stay at your hostel in San Miniato. 69

DAY 4: PONTEDERA & PISA After breakfast at Caffè Cantini in Piazza del Popolo, our coach takes us to Pontedera, a small town between San Miniato and Pisa, where we visit the famous Piaggio Museum. The world-famous Vespa Piaggio is produced by the Piaggio Company in this town.

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VESPA PIAGGIO Some people do not know the world-famous Vespa scooter is produced by the Piaggio company, whose premises are located right in the middle of Tuscany, in Pontedera. The company was founded here in the second half of the 19th century, while the museum was opened in March 2000. Since then the museum has welcomed more than 400,000 visitors and today it is one of the most visited industrial museums in Italy. It is located in a part of the historical premises of the company and it was opened to highlight its history and the development of Italian industry, economy and society. Inside the museum an English-speaking tour guide gives us details about the history of the company and the marvellous Vespa scooters, which are on show there. Our visit lasts an hour. We can admire a wide collection of Vespa scooters:  The 1943 MP5, nicknamed “Paperino”,  The 1945 MP6,  The 1946 98cc, 70

 The 1951 Vespa 125cc, the model used by Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck on the set of the film “Roman Holidays”,  The 1953 Vespa “U” ( “U” stands for “Utilitaria”),  The 1955 Vespa GS 150cc,  The 1963 Vespa 50cc,  The 1965 90cc Super Sprint,  The 1967 125cc Primavera,  The 1976 Vespa 125cc Primavera ET3,  The 1975 Vespa 200cc Rally,  The 1977 Vespa PX 125… At the end of the visit you can browse hundreds of stylish goods of official Vespa merchandise at the museum shop. We suggest you have a Vespa tour in your free time. A private English-speaking Vespa tour guide will accompany you for the whole tour and will show you the villages and the attractions along the route with a particular focus on the landscape, the local traditions and the historical and agricultural features of the area.

After visiting the museum you can enjoy an aperitif or a cappuccino in Pontedera and have a walk in the town centre for a shopping tour of Italian designers’ clothes, bags and shoes. Later we head off to Pisa, which is the capital city of the Province of Pisa. Pisa is known for its Leaning Tower all over the world and contains more than twenty famous churches, several palaces and various bridges across the River Arno. The city is also home to the University of Pisa, which dates back to the 12th century. Our walking tour starts with the stunning Pisa Walls, which were built in the 12th century and were restored by the Medici Family when they conquered the city in the 16th century. You can have a walking tour along the City Walls on particular days. From here you can get a breath-taking view of Piazza dei Miracoli and the city. 71

We next head for Piazza dei Miracoli, which is a miracle of architectural achievement, and is located in the heart of the city. The name “Piazza dei Miracoli” was created by the Italian writer and poet Gabriele D’Annunzio. Four buildings: the Cathedral, the Leaning Tower, the Baptistery and the Monumental Cemetery form one of the most outstanding architectural complexes in Italy. The Baptistery is worth a visit. It is a round Romanesque building. It is the largest baptistery in Italy. The Baptistery has a two-colour scheme similar to other monuments in Pisa and four entrance doors. On top there is the bronze statue of St. John the Baptist dating back to the 15th century.

Inside the Baptistery we can admire a magnificent baptismal font and the famous 13th- century pulpit by Nicola Pisano. It is well- known for its perfect acoustics. If you get as close to the centre as possible and you sing a loud note, it will echo in the Baptistery. The Baptistery Guards often demonstrate this breath-taking effect.

We next visit the Cathedral, which is located to the west of the Baptistery. It is a medieval Cathedral, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta. “The Life of Christ” is depicted on its bronze doors. Inside the Cathedral there is Nicola Pisano’s pulpit and the tomb of St. Ranieri, the Patron Saint of Pisa.

We can also admire a 15th-century chandelier known as Galileo’s Lamp. According to the tradition, Galileo figured out the law of pendulum movement by observing it swinging back and forth.

We also pay a visit to the Monumental Cemetery, which is the most beautiful cemetery in the world. The building of this huge, rectangular Gothic structure was created in the 13th century by the architect Giovanni di Simone in order to place the tombs of the noble families from Pisa together. The courtyard of the Cemetery, with its lawn and cypress trees, gives people the impression of being in a cloister. It houses Roman sarcophagi and funerary monuments.

Leaving the Cathedral museum behind us, we head off to the Leaning Tower, which is the bell tower of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. It is the symbol of Pisa and it is a unique building in the Romanesque style. It is 56 metres tall and was built between the 12th and 14th centuries. The tower is cylindrical in shape and the interior has a spiral of 294 steps leading to the top. The Leaning Tower is famous even because from its top and thanks to its inclination, Galileo carried out some of his most famous experiments concerning the gravitation of the bodies.

Our tour continues towards Piazza dei Cavalieri, which was a political centre in the Middle Ages. In 1561 it became the headquarters of the order of the knights of St. Stephen. A 16th- century statue of the Grand Duke Cosimo I of the Medici Family stands by the fountain in front of Palazzo Cavalieri.

Today the building houses the famous Scuola Normale Superiore, a highly selective university. The palace was built and decorated by Giorgio Vasari for the headquarters of St. Stephen’s Knights in the 16th century. Next to the palace we can admire the 16th-century Church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri. Don’t miss the visit to the Church of Santa Maria della Spina. This tiny building, created in 1323, is a jewel of Gothic architecture. Its name derives from a reliquary containing a thorn from Christ’s Crown of Thorns, once kept inside.

During our walking tour, we stop at the lovely pizzeria Da Nando for lunch. Here you can taste a large variety of pizza and “focaccia” with “Cecina”. 75

Cecina is a typical dish in Pisa and it is prepared with chickpea flour and olive oil.

After lunch, we head to Piazza delle Vettovaglie. Its name literally means “Supply Square” and every morning it becomes a local market, boasting cafés, wine shops, butchers, fish-sellers, bakeries, and spice shops. At night, it is the heart of the city’s nightlife.

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CECINA Ingredients     

Chickpea flour 200 g, Cold water 500 g, Salt, Extra virgin olive oil, Pepper.

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Dissolve the flour in the cold water stirring continuously in order to avoid lumps, Leave the mixture to stand for a couple of hours, Preheat the oven to 220° C, Add a pinch of salt and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, Oil a baking pan and add the batter (thickness= 1 cm), Bake for about 40 minutes, Add the pepper, cut into squares and serve hot.

From here it is easy to reach Corso Italia, where we can see Logge dei Banchi, a loggia created by the architect Bernardo Buontalenti. It used to host a market and today it is still used for this purpose, especially at Christmas. Later we can wander in the city centre. The best shopping streets in Pisa are Corso Italia and Borgo Stretto. Here you can find bookstores, exclusive and elegant shops, boutiques and jewellers’ stores, such as “Guess”, “Liu Jo”, “Kiko”, “Zara”, “Borbonese”, “Feltrinelli”, “Les Copains”, “Sisley”, hotels, restaurants and cafés such as the famous “Salza”, where you can have delicious cakes and sandwiches.

In your free time you can walk up to Sant’Antonio Square, where you will discover one of Pisa hidden jewels, Keith Haring’s mural called Tuttomondo. You can also attend a cooking class or go to San Rossore Park.

Our walking tour ends with dinner in a nice restaurant, Osteria Il Fantasma dell’Opera, where you can taste a typical menu: PRELUDE –Parmesan and speck muffin along with a selection of local cheese. FIRST ACT – Tagliatelle with “Fantasma” sauce. SECOND ACT – Black Angus “Tagliata” with Parmesan and rocket salad.

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COOKING COURSES Wouldn’t be great if you could show your family and friends your cooking skills when you go back home? Join our professional cooking class and you will learn the best techniques to make a perfect Tuscan meal! The class will take place in a unique location in Piazza del Duomo, in the heart of Pisa. During your lesson you will prepare a Tuscan meal, from starters to desserts. Our chef will show you how to make hand-made pasta such as “tagliatelle” and “ravioli” and you will have the chance to knead the dough yourself. You will also prepare tomato sauce and meat sauce, “bruschetta”, “gnocchi”, “tiramisu’ ”,“castagnaccio” and other typical Tuscan cakes. At the end of the class you will get a “Graduation Certificate” signed by the chef as well as the recipes of the dishes you made in order to prepare them again, back home.

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SAN ROSSORE PARK We suggest you visit San Rossore Park, which is an amazing place immersed in nature. It is part of Migliarino, San Rossore and Massaciuccoli Natural Park, which covers about 24,000 hectares in the provinces of Pisa and Lucca. This natural park is situated along the coast from Viareggio to Leghorn. The easiest way to explore the vast woods of the natural reserve of San RossoreMigliarino Park is on a horse coach. During the tour you can admire pinewoods, meadows, rivers, lakes, ponds and pathways leading to the beach and you can reach Marina di Vecchiano, a seaside resort in the province of Lucca. When you arrive there you can get off the coach and spend an hour on a beautiful sandy beach. Our tour guide will give you information about the oldest trees, the particular vegetation and all the wild animals living the park, such as wild boars, hares, and owls.

San Rossore Estate, which was a Medici game reserve, then owned by Italian kings and the President of the Italian Republic, is also known for its hippodrome, where races take place every year. You can also enjoy guided park tours on a small train, on foot, by bike or by boat along the River Arno. Here you can have a picnic and play all kinds of sports or simply rest under the big pine trees!

After dinner you can wander through the cobbled streets of the city and sit in a pub or a café or attend one of the events,n which are held in the city centre. In summer Pisa offers a large variety of events, such as Luminara, Regatta and the Battle of the Bridge. Don’t miss a walk in Piazza dei Miracoli at night. It is really impressive! It is quiet and lit by fantastic light purple lights. It is the perfect place to take amazing photos!!

If you come to Italy in summer, you can go to Lajatico, Andrea Bocelli’s birthplace and attend the famous singer’s concert in the spectacular Teatro del Silenzio.

EVENTS NOT TO BE MISSED

LUMINARA, REGATTA AND THE BATTLE OF THE BRIDGE The celebrations in honour of Saint Ranieri, Pisa's Patron Saint, start with the famous Luminara. Over 70,000 candles light up the palaces and bridges along the River Arno at sunset, followed by a fireworks display. The atmosphere is breath-taking. People from Pisa and all over the world watch the fireworks while walking along the famous Lungarno. Saint Ranieriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Regatta takes place on the River Arno on June 17 and celebrates Pisa as an ancient maritime Republic and Pisa's Patron Saint. A week later Pisa celebrates Saint Ranieri again. Four boats representing the ancient city wards compete in the Battle of the Bridge, a medieval competition, which takes place on Ponte di Mezzo, one of the main bridges on the River Arno. Before the battle there is a parade along Lungarno with over 700 people in magnificent 16th-century costumes.

Our coach will take you to San Miniato. Overnight stay at Ostello San Miniato.

DAY 5: SAN GIMIGNANO & SIENA Today we head for San Gimignano, which is a small medieval town in the Province of Siena, in Tuscany. It rises on top of a hill (344 metres tall) dominating the Elsa Valley and it is a famous tourist town, whose unique collection of towers and winding lanes makes it a charming destination for tourists. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town is also known for its white wine called Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

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HISTORY San Gimignano was founded by the Etruscans in the 3rd century. In the 10th century it adopted the name of the Bishop of Modena, Saint Geminianus, who had defended it from the Huns, led by Attila. In the Middle Ages the town increased in wealth due to its position on a trade and pilgrimage route, the famous Via Francigena, which was the most important route connecting Italy to the rest of Europe. In the 13th century it became a very important producer of saffron, which was exported not only to Genoa, Pisa and Lucca, but also to France and the Low Countries. Between the 11th and the 13th centuries 72 towers were built, rising above the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rooftops to witness San Gimignanoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prosperity. Nowadays there are only fourteen towers in San Gimignano.

Our walking tour begins at the Town Walls. We can pass through San Giovanni's Gate and walk along Via San Giovanni, a street flanked by old palaces, going up to the centre of the town.

From here it is easy to reach Piazza Della Cisterna. This square has a triangular shape and it is lined with beautiful Medieval buildings and towers. It takes its name from the 13th-century cistern, located in its centre. Leaving Piazza dell Cisterna behind us, we head off to Piazza Del Duomo, which features the most important buildings and palaces in San Gimignano.

On the left, at the top of a long flight of steps, we can admire the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta or Collegiata Church. It is a Romanesque church, which was built in the 12th century and was enlarged by Giuliano da Maiano in the 15th century. It has a fine brick and stone faรงade dating back to the 13th century. 88

Inside the church there are beautiful Sienese and Florentine School frescoes such as the “Last Judgement” by Taddeo di Bartolo, “The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian” by Benozzo Gozzoli, “Episodes from the Old and New Testament” by Bartolo di Fredi and “Stories of Santa Fina” by Ghirlandaio.

At the bottom of the right nave of the Cathedral we can admire The Chapel of Santa Fina, which is a Renaissance masterpiece by Giuliano and Benedetto da Maiano (1468). On the walls there are frescoes depicting “Scenes from the Life of Santa Fina” by Ghirlandaio. Santa Fina, who is the Patron Saint of San Gimignano, is buried under the altar. On the altar there is a tabernacle containing Santa Fina’s relics. Santa Fina (1238-1253) is celebrated in San Gimignano on 12th March, the anniversary of her death. On that day her relics are carried in procession in order to bless the town.

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SAINT FINA Saint Fina (1238â&#x20AC;&#x201C;1253), or Saint Serafina, was an Italian Christian girl who is venerated in the Tuscan town of San Gimignano. Fina dei Ciardi was born in San Gimignano in 1238.She lived in a humble house located in the historic centre of San Gimignano. In 1248, Fina got ill but her deep faith relieved her pain. She refused a bed and chose to lie on a wooden pallet. According to the legend, during her illness, her father and her mother died. In spite of her misfortune and poverty, she thanked God and expressed the desire her soul might separate from the body in order to meet Jesus Christ. Fina's immense devotion was an example for the citizens of San Gimignano, who often visited her. Visitors were surprised to receive words of encouragement from this young girl. On March 4, 1253, after five years of sickness and pain, Saint Gregory the Great appeared in Finaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s room and predicted that she would die on 12th March. Fina died on that date at the age of 15. Miracles attributed to Fina are described in stories, paintings, poems and important documents. Her most important miracle is her vision of Saint Gregory, also because she died on Saint Gregory's day (12 March) as he had predicted. Many sick people who visited her grave during the following years were cured and some of these became some of Fina's most fervent devotees. Saint Fina is celebrated in San Gimignano on two days: on March 12, the anniversary of her death, and on the first Sunday of August, the day on which people commemorate her stopping two plagues that ravaged the town in 1479 and 1631.On both days, her relics are carried in procession in order to bless the town. A traditional fair is held in Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Cisterna

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Our tour continues with the Town Hall, which stands to the left of the Cathedral. It was built in the 13th century and it is the seat of the Civic Museum and the Art Gallery, so it is one of the most important monuments in San Gimignano.

The Civic Museum is on the top floor and contains beautiful frescoes such as “Maestà” by Lippo Memmi. The Art Gallery contains a collection of Florentine and Sienese school paintings from the 13th to the 15th centuries including works of art by Filippo Lippi and Benozzo Gozzoli. On the right-hand side of the Town Hall we can admire the wonderful Torre Grossa (Great Tower), which dates back to the 14th century. It is the tallest tower in town (54 metres tall). From its top you can enjoy a wonderful view of the Tuscan countryside: lovely Tuscan hills with villages, villas and groves of trees.

In Piazza del Duomo we can also see Palazzo del Podesta', which is located on the opposite side of the Cathedral. It dates back to the 13th century and it is characterized by a stone and brick façade and by a tower called La Rognosa, also known as Torre Del Podesta'. This tower was built in the 13th century and belonged to the Gregori-Oti family. It is almost 52 metres tall and is the second tallest tower in town. We suggest you have lunch in the famous restaurant, San Martino 26, where you can taste delicious dishes such as a selection of Tuscan “salumi” with chicken liver “crostini”, tomato bruschetta and pecorino cheese, Lasagna with wild boar sauce, mushrooms and potato cream with San Gimignano’s saffron, “ribollita”, and chianina beef fillet or Florentine steak with roast potatoes or spinach. After lunch you can have an ice cream in the famous ice cream shop, Gelateria Dondoli, in Piazza della Cisterna, where you can taste a wide range of sophisticated flavours such as Crema di Santa Fina (cream with saffron and pine nuts),Champelmo (pink grapefruit and sparkling wine), Dolceamaro (cream with aromatic herbs) and Vernaccia Sorbet. Gelateria Dondoli is the best ice cream shop in the world. The owner has won the two titles at the Ice Cream World Championship.

From here it is easy to reach the beautiful Church of Sant’Agostino, which is a large Romanesque-Gothic church dating back to the late 13th century. It contains a marble altar by Benedetto da Maiano, important Renaissance works of art, splendid frescoes by Pollaiolo and Ghirlandaio and outstanding frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli depicting “Episodes in the Life of St. Augustine”. Next to the church we can see Sant’ Agostino’s Convent and a cloister.

Our walking tour continues towards the Rocca, a ruined fortress on the highest part of the hill, which was built under the Florentine rule. It is surrounded by parks and olive groves where you can sit and admire the Tuscan landscape.

Near the Rocca there is a small terrace and the famous Wine Museum, which is a tribute to the quality and prestige of “Vernaccia di San Gimignano”. The Museum, located in Villa della Rocca di Montestaffoli, was designed by the architect Duccio Santini and is run by the “Vernaccia di San Gimignano” Wine Road Association. In the museum there are photos and videos about the origins and history of “Vernaccia di San Gimignano”.

If you are interested in museums, you can also visit the Modern Art Museum, which exhibits works of art from the 19th century to the present day, and the Archaeological Museum, which contains Roman and Etruscan artefacts, funerary urns and Medieval and Renaissance ceramics and glassware.

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VERNACCIA DI SAN GIMIGNANO Vernaccia di San Gimignano, which has been considered Italy’s finest white wine since Renaissance, was the first Italian wine to receive to the DOC status in 1966. Vernaccia di San Gimignano is produced exclusively in the Medieval town of San Gimignano (Siena). The period when the grape harvest takes place is from September 15 to October 15.The wine-making process follows the traditional method with a gentle pressing and low temperature in order to maintain its exceptional fragrance. The fermentation has a medium duration of 12 - 18 days. These are the characteristics of Vernaccia di San Gimignano: Colour: Golden ; Scent: Penetrating; Taste: Dry; Sugar: Max 4%; Total Acidity: Min. 5%; Dry Extract: Net Min. 15%; Alcoholic Grade: Min. 11% Vernaccia di San Gimignano is an excellent aperitif. It is also excellent with hors d'oeuvres and fish and white meat courses. It must be served cool at a temperature of 11° -12° C.

Later on, we reach Siena, which is a famous Medieval, located in the heart of Tuscany. It is one of the most popular and visited places in Tuscany, a place extremely rich in history and art and with strong local traditions such as it famous Palio di Siena, the biggest annual event taking place twice a year in summer in the city.

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HISTORY The legend says that Siena was founded by Senius and Ascanius, sons of Remus, of the famous twins Romulus and Remus, who founded Rome. Statues of the wolf feeding the twins are spotted throughout Siena. In 30 A.D. the Romans established a military outpost called Siena, which developed into a busy little trading post in the following years. The Lombards arrived in the 6th century A.D. , and the Franks also governed the city. Great works were carried out, the most important was the famous Via Francigena, the road which linked Rome to France , used by pilgrims and travellers; this greatly increased Siena’s importance. The Church was actively involved in governing the city, especially between the 9th and 11th centuries, but later the Sienese people claimed their right to govern and administer the city. Siena’s economic and military power grew enormously and inevitably friction grew between Siena and Florence, as both cities tried to enlarge their territory. There were many battles between the two cities between the 13th and 15th centuries. Eventually Siena was incorporated into the Florentine territory and administration. Despite both external disputes with neighbours and internal disputes over government, in the years from 1150 to 1300, great artists were discovered and the city was adorned with beautiful monuments such as the Cathedral, “Palazzo Pubblico” and “Torre del Mangia”. From the 14th century to the 19th century Siena had rulers like Emperor Charles V and Cosimo I de’ Medici. Siena grew in economic power, with the famous bank “Monte dei Paschi di Siena” giving employment and security to the citizens throughout the ages. When Italy formed a Republic, Siena became part of the region of Tuscany and today it prospers for a combination of finance and tourism thanks to its beautiful artistic heritage.

Our walking tour starts with the 13th-century Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, which is one of the greatest cathedrals in Italy with its spectacular mixture of sculptures, paintings and Romanesque-Gothic architecture. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss its marble floor with panels by various artists representing scenes from the Old and New Testaments and the Gothic Pulpit by Arnolfo di Cambio and Nicola Pisano. Inside the cathedral the pictorial effect of the black and white marble stripes on the walls and columns is outstanding. The colours of the civic Coat of Arms of Siena are black and white. The cathedral house works of art by Donatello, Nicola Pisano, Michelangelo and Pinturicchio.

Next to the Cathedral there is a column with the she-wolf breast feeding Romulus and Remus, symbol of Siena.

Leaving the Cathedral behind us we reach the Baptistery, which serves as its crypt. It is dedicated to St. John the Baptist and was built between 1316 and 1325 and it has a Gothic faรงade. Inside you can admire the Baptismal font by Jacopo della Quercia, a masterpiece of Tuscan sculpture and frescoes by Renaissance Sienese artists.

Afterwards, we continue our tour with the visit to Piazza del Campo with its marvellous Palazzo Pubblico, which is considered one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture, and the breath-taking Torre del Mangia (102 metres tall). Piazza del Campo is one of greatest Medieval squares in Europe.

Palazzo Pubblico was started at the end of the 13th century and it was subsequently completed with the lovely Torre del Mangia. In the past it was the residence of the city’s “Signoria”, and Podestà, and now it is now the seat of the Town Council. The building houses the Civic Museum, rich in numerous treasures and frescoes such as “the Allegory of the Good and Bad Government” by Lorenzetti, which is the largest secular painting cycle of the Middle Ages, and a political manifesto in which the painter depicts two opposing methods of government along with their consequences.

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The spectacular “Sala del Mappamondo”, formerly used as the meeting room for the General Council of the Republic of Siena, is worth a visit. The room takes its name after a rotating map painted by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, which showed the lands governed by the city. It houses Maestà”, a wonderful fresco“ by Simone Martini. Piazza del Campo is still used for the famous Palio, which is one of the most popular Italian events.

During our walking tour we stop for dinnerh at the typical restaurant, Antica Salumeria Salvini, where you can taste typical Tuscan dishes. You can start off with an appetizer of mixed “salami” and “crostini”. Then you can taste “pici”, “ravioli” or “pappardelle alla lepre” as a first course and after that you can choose Chianina steak and “panforte” and some “ricciarelli”.

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EVENT NOT TO BE MISSED

PALIO DI SIENA The famous “Palio” is a horse race, which takes place on 2nd July and on 16th August every year. It celebrates the miraculous apparition of the Virgin Mary and is a historical tradition involving the famous “Contrade” (City Wards) of Siena (districts into which the city is divided). Each city ward has its own government, oratory, emblems and colours, official representatives, patron saints, a limited district and a population consisting of all those people born within the topographic limits of the districts. Originally there were about fiftynine city wards, now there are only seventeen, ten of which participate in each race. The race involves circling Piazza del Campo. Ten horses and riders represent ten of the seventeen city wards. , which are Aquila (Eagle), Bruco (Caterpillar), Chiocciola (Snail), Civetta (Little Owl), Drago (Dragon), Giraffa (Giraffe), Istrice (Crested porcupine), Liocorno (Unicorn), Lupa (Female Wolf), Nicchio (Seashell), Oca (goose), Onda (Wave), Pantera (Black Panther), Selva (Forest), Tartaruga (Tortoise), Torre (Tower) and Valdimontone (literally, “ Valley of the Ram”). The winner is awarded a banner of painted silk, or “palio”, which is newly created by a different artist for each race. A magnificent “Corteo Storico” precedes the race, which attracts visitors and spectators from all over the world. The “Palio” is an unforgettable experience for Italian and foreign tourists.

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PANFORTE This is the favourite and most famous pastry made in Siena that has also given us cavalucci, ricciarelli and copate. Recipe: Shell the almonds and crush the bitter almonds and half the others together.Mix the rest of the sweet almonds with the pine nuts. Heat the honey in a saucepan over a very low flame until it is transparent. Remove the pan from the stove and add the rest of the ingredients, stirring gently until completely blended. Pour the mixture into a floured pie plate and bake at 160° C\320°F for 30 minutes. The panforte should be dark, firm and not more than one finger thick. Cool and dust with confectioner’s sugar before serving.

RICCIARELLI Recipe: Powder the almonds with a meat hammer or a food grinder. Add most of the powdered sugar and mix well, then whip the egg white until stiff, and delicately fold it into the almond paste, one tablespoon at a time. When the paste becomes too stiff to be mixed with a spoon, work it with your hands on the kitchen pastry board dusted with a little powdered sugar. Knead until the paste is smooth, then roll out with the rolling pin to a thickness of about 1- 1.5 cm, and cut into discs the size of the confectionery wafers on an oven tray and then place an almond paste disc on each wafer. Cover with a teacloth and let rest for one hour in a cool place. Bake in a preheated oven at 16o° C for about 30 minutes, without letting the biscuits brown. Remove from the oven , allow to cool and serve with a sprinkling of powdered sugar after having trimmed off any excess wafer protruding from the almond discs.

Overnight stay at your hostel in San Miniato. 103

DAY 6: VOLTERRA After breakfast we head off to Volterra, which is a charming medieval town in the province of Pisa, in Tuscany. From the top of its hill (555 metres above the sea level), we can enjoy a marvellous view: the Gulf of La Spezia, Mount Amiata, the Apennines and Corsica. The town, which is famous for the extraction and processing of alabaster, preserves a historical centre with Etruscan walls, Roman ruins, Medieval churches and towers and Renaissance buildings.

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HISTORY The origins of Volterra, called Velathri by the Etruscans and Voleterrae by the Romans, go back to the pre-historic times. The first inhabitants of Volterra were the Etruscans. The Etruscan Age was a flourishing economic period: at that time the economy was based on agricultural activities, the production of alabaster and the exploitation of the mineral resources of the area. In the 3rd century BC, Volterra surrendered to the Romans.In the 5th century the town became a Bishopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s residence and in the 12h century it became a free city, but its independence did not last long because the powerful Republic of Florence conquered it in 1472. Later Volterra became part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and in 1860 it became part of the Kingdom of Italy.

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Our tour begins at Le Balze, which are a typical feature of Volterra’s landscape. These natural historic monuments show a part of Tuscany was covered by the sea many centuries ago. In this area, there have been frequent landslides, which have destroyed much of the precious history of the Etruscan Velathri. Leaving Le Balze behind us we head off to Porta all’Arco, which is part of the Etruscan Walls. It was built in the southern part of the city in the 3rd century BC. Its inner and outer sides have a large arch over four metres wide built in large blocks of “tufa”. Three heads representing Jupiter and other gods or warriors are set in the arch. They are probably symbols of them enemies’ trophy heads.

Our tour continues towards Piazza dei Priori, a square lined with ancient palaces such as Palazzo del Monte Pio, Palazzo Pretorio, Palazzo Incontri, seat of “Cassa di Risparmio di Volterra”, Palazzo Vescovile and La Torre del Podestà. 106

In this square we can admire Palazzo dei Priori, the most ancient palace in Volterra. It was designed by Maestro Riccardo in the 13th century and today it is the seat of the Town Hall. Its façade is decorated with della Robbia’s “terracotta” coats of arms and two Marzocco lions, symbol of the Florentine rule, the well-known “Canna Volterrana”, the Medieval standard measurement of the Town Hall, and a lovely clock. Palazzo dei Priori houses the magnificent Council Hall containing many works of art such as Donato Mascagni’s “Le Nozze di Cana”.

Leaving this palace behind us we head off to Piazza San Giovanni, where we can admire San Giovanni’s Baptistery, which has an octagonal shape and houses a wonderful holy water stoup, a 15th-century baptismal font and Mino da Fiesole’s altar. This 13th-century Romanesque building stands opposite the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, which was built in the 12th century on the site of a pre-existing church dedicated to the Holy Mary.

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The Cathedral is in the late Renaissance style but it still preserves a Romanesque façade, a Romanesque Latin cross and a nave flanked by two aisles. The columns dividing the nave from the aisles were decorated in stucco by Gianpaolo Rossetti. The church houses many works of art such as Mino da Fiesole’s altar and a 12th-century pulpit. Benozzo Gozzoli’s “Arrival of the Magi” is frescoed on the walls of the Chapel of our “Lady of Sorrow”. Near the cathedral, we can admire the Sacred Art Museum, which is housed in the Bishop’s Palace. It contains a collection of paintings, sculptures and other works of art such as a bronze crucifix by Gianbologna, Giovanni della Robbia’s bust and a Roman sarcophagus. Our walking tour continues with Palazzo MinucciSolaini, one of the most spectacular buildings in Volterra. This palace houses the Civic Museum and the Art Gallery. It was built by the Minucci family in the 16th century and it has a Renaissance façade and a charming courtyard. It contains beautiful works of art by famous artists including Luca Signorelli and Ghirlandaio.

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This palace also houses The Alabaster Ecomuseum, which offers an exhibition of alabaster artefacts arranged in a chronological order starting from the Etruscan period to the present day. It also offers the chance to visit an old workshop. The exhibition illustrates the excavations of alabaster, its qualities, the styles and models used by the sculptors and the story of the alabaster artisans who brought alabaster artefacts all over the world bringing economic wealth to Volterra. The city has an inestimable collection of alabaster sculptures and the Ecomuseum is only a small part of this heritage.

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VOLTERRA AND ALABASTER The origins of the word alabaster are certainly Egyptian and perhaps it comes from the city of Alabastron, famous for the production of vases and amphorae for the preservation of perfumes. There are two varieties of alabaster: oriental alabaster and chalky alabaster. Volterra is famous for the chalky alabaster, which is a white stone which is particularly soft and easier to carve than marble. The Etruscans used it to carve sarcophaguses and funerary urns, which were richly decorated with images of the dead person together with scenes of daily life and famous episodes from Greek mythology. The Etruscan craftsmen used the purest alabaster which they coloured with mineral substances. The art of alabaster carving began to flourish in the 17th century and many works of art were produced. In the 18th century there were eight alabaster workshops in Volterra. By 1830 the number of workshops had risen to more than sixty. The phenomena of travelling merchants began in this period. Craftsmen traded alabaster all over the world, they opened shops and participated in fairs. The entire sector expanded in Italy and abroad up to 1870. High-quality alabaster artefacts are still produced by craftsmen who work in the city centre.

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During the walking tour we stop for lunch at the typical restaurant, La Vecchia Lira, where you can taste typical Tuscan dishes. Here you can taste a selection of mixed cold cuts, “polenta”,“pici cacao e pepe”, “ravioli” or “gnocchi” with courgette and prawn sauce as a first course and after that you can choose Chianina steak, wild boar with potatoes and “tiramisu’“.

After lunch, we head for the Roman Theatre, one of the finest Roman theatres in Italy. It was commissioned by two Roman Consuls in the 1st century BC. and in 42 AD. during the reigns of Augustus and Tiberius. A good part of the stage, the “Cavea” and the fine quadrangular portico are fairly well-preserved. The “Cavea” or the seating area is composed of two tiers of steps: the “Ima Cavea” with ten rows of seats in limestone and the “media Cavea” with nine rows of seats in the same stone. It hosted from 1.800 to 2000 spectators. Above the “media Cavea” a semi-circular arched corridor, the “Crypta”, with eleven doors, gave access to the seating area and supported the “summa Cavea”, no longer visible. At the foot of the seating area there is an orchestra enclosed by a low marble slab wall. 111

Near the theatre we will also see The Roman Baths, located outside Porta San Felice. This thermal complex, dedicated to Emperor Gordian, dates back to the 3rd century BC. We can still see the remains of the furnace for heating, two bathrooms for the cold immersions, a room for warm baths, a room for hot baths and a room for the sauna. We next visit the famous Guarnacci Etruscan Museum, named after Mario Guarnacci, a priest and scholar who completed the collection of Etruscan artefacts begun by Cardinale Franceschini in the 18th century. The museum contains one of the richest collections of Etruscan antiquities in Italy and it is located in Palazzo Desideri-Tangassi. These antiquities are arranged in a chronological order to offer an overview of the historical development of the Etruscan Velathri. The museum contains three different sections. In the “Prehistoric Section”, we can admire funerary objects dating back to the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. In the “Etruscan Section” there are over 600 Etruscan funerary urns and in the “Roman Section” there are Roman sculptures, mosaics and objects.

The most important pieces on show are a warrior’s tomb and his personal items and the 6th-century BC “tufa” funeral “Stele of Avile Tite” representing a warrior with a sword a lance. We can also see many tombs and funerary objects dating back to the Hellenistic Period such as bronze artefacts, minted coins, ceramic and terracotta vases and jugs.

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Our tour ends with the Church of San Francesco, located near the gate, which bears the same name. The Church has a Romanesque faĂ§ade and it was built in the 13th century. Inside the Church we can admire four magnificent monuments belonging to the Count Guidi Family, a famous noble family, and Cenni di Francesco Cenniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s frescos dating back to the 15th century.

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FOCUS ON

VOLTERRA AND NEW MOON Volterra is an important location in Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series. In her books Volterra is home to the Volturi, a coven of powerful and ancient vampires. The film, however, was shot in Montepulciano.

THE REASONS WHY THE AUTHOR CHOSES ITALY “I chose Italy because I needed a historical place. There is a special reason why I chose Volterra in particular. I had written the whole scene of the Volturi saga before even choosing where to set the story. At the beginning I had thought about creating an imaginary city, because at this point, I began to realise that a lot of people were reading my book, and I was a bit nervous about what the real citizen of Forks or La Push would think. I had let my imagination go and I wasn’t sure how the people in these places would react. So, to avoid panicking even more, I decided to shift my clan of dominating ancient vampires to a place that I invented. I wanted to call this place “Volturin”, and I knew that it had to be in Tuscany, one or two hours from Florence. I had just written the scene from the airport. I had already written my description of the square with the clock tower and the Volturi’s room. So, I took out a map of Tuscany to see whether Alice (a character), had to drive north, south, east or west and.. lo and behold.. I found a city called Volterra, about an hour from Florence. So, I Googled the images and the first pictures which came out of Volterra were of the clock tower. I called my sister (who had already read the parts on this imaginary town called Volturin) and I told her to look up Volterra. Even she was impressed, because she had imagined it like that too. We got the “goose bumps”. From that moment onwards, I gave up the idea of inventing a fictitious city, and I hoped that the people of Volterra wouldn’t worry about vampires. When I visited Volterra a few years later, everybody was happy about all these vampires. What really struck them was fountain. They haven’t got one in Volterra, but I think that their square is perfect even without one. “ Stephanie Meyer, 16th November 2009

Scenes from “New Moon” Overnight stay at your hostel in San Miniato. 114

DAY 7 Choose among our suggested tours and enjoy the Treasures of Tuscany on your own!

Transfer to Pisa Airport for your flight back home. Bibliografia: Fondazione San Miniato Promozione, “San Miniato Terra d’Eccellenza”; ”Sistema Museale San Miniato”; G. Nanni, I.Regoli ,“San Miniato. Guida storico–artistica della citta’ e del suo territorio” Sitografia: www.wikipedia.org;www.googleimmagini.it; www.turismo.intoscana.it;www.discovertuscany.com

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I.T. CATTANEO SAN MINIATO (PISA) ITALY

4 A Turismo Anno Scolastico 2016-2017

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