Fly from the US to Rome, Italy.

Upon arrival in Rome, you will be transferred to the hilltown of Orvieto, one of the prettiest towns in all of Central Italy. Built on a high plateau of tufa rock, this historic town will surely be a memorable start to your trip. You will enjoy an afternoon walking tour of the city, including a visit to the frescos that inspired Michelangelo to paint his “Last Judgement” in the Sistine chapel. We will end the evening with a lovely welcome dinner. Sleep in Orvieto

Today we will stop along the shores of the beautiful Lake Bolsena before heading to Bomarzo to visit the bizarre and inspiring Garden of Bomarzo, affectionately called the Bosco dei Mostri (Monster’s Grove). This park is filled with fascinating sculptures such as a war elephant, a monstrous fish head and a giant tearing another giant in halfanother giant in half. This very special garden, created in the 15th hundreds, broke with the traditions of the day and has inspired contemporary artists such as Salvador Dali. We will then visit the beautiful, crumbling, historic village of Civita di Bagnoregio. You will have the opportunity to sample typical bruschettas and great local wines before returning to Orvieto.Sleep in Orvieto

You will visit three lovely Tuscan hilltowns today. Pitigliano is an enchanting town that stands on a sharp bluff high above the rivers Olpeta, Fiora and Lente. It was first inhabited by the Etruscans but later became known as “La Piccola Gerusalemme” due to its physical similarities to Jerusalem and the fact that hundreds of Jewish families came here starting in the 16th century to escape catholic persecution in the neighbouring papal state of Lazio.

You will then visit Sovano and Sorano, and walk on a pathway carved in stone more than two thousand years ago (Vie Cave) as a special pilgrimage route connecting the two little cities. We will end our day with a transfer to Porto Ercole, our base for the next two nights.Sleep in Porto Ercole

Today we will visit the picturesque coastal towns of Porto Ercole and Talamone in the Maremma region of Tuscany. Porto Ercole, with its fortressed harbor and Talamone, a lovely sea village overlooking the Talamone bay and harbor, are both filled with a rich Etruscan history for you to discover.

Our visit to this Maremma region would not be complete without an exploration of the fascinating “Giadrino dei Tarrochi” or “Tarot Gardens”. This inspired, contemporary garden was started in the late seventies by esoteric sculpture artist Niki de Saint Phalle.Sleep in Porto Ercole

Today we will visit the charming village of Citta della Pieve with its medevial walls and rich roman and Etruscan history. We will follow with a visit the Museo Archeologico Nazionale of Chiusi, one of Tuscany’s secret treasures. This Museum is a lasting testament to the once great city that was Chiusi. At the end of this intense day you will transfer to a lovely countryside resort.Sleep in countryside resort in the Val d’Orcia

This morning we will start our adventure with a visit to the magnificent Villa La Foce. Built in the 15th century, the villa was a stop for many pilgrims traveling along the Frankish Way. It was later restored by writer Iris Origio and the gardens of the villa are one of the most important and best-kept early 20th century gardens in central Italy.

You will then head to Bagno Vignoni, a tiny medieval village built around a large thermal hot-spring pool. The pool, which still marks the village's center, is especially mystical at sunset or in the first light of the morning. Both the Etruscans and the Romans knew of the therapeutic proprieties of these springs and built a spa here!Sleep in countryside resort in the Val d’Orcia

In Monterichi, we will view the Madonna del Parto, an iconic depiction of the pregnant Madonna by Piero della Francesca. This early Renaissance painting, one of the most important in central Italy, was located in a tiny village chapel before being transferred to its current home in the Museum of the Madonna del Parto in Monterichi.

Time permitting, we will make a stop in the Tuscan village of Sansepolcro before heading to the town of Arezzo. The Piazza Grande, the main piazza of Arezzo, is a very impressing medieval square adorned by a beautiful loggia, designed by famous artist Giorgio Vasari. Our exploration of the city will end with a visit to the amazing Cappella Bacci, fully frescoed by Piero della Francesca.Sleep in Arezzo

We will start our day with a visit to Loro Ciuffenna, well-known for its amazing tiny bridge in the center of town. We will continue to venture until we reach the nearby Pieve di Gropina. This very early important medieval building is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Tuscany. We will then visit La Verna, one of the most important Franciscan sites of Italy. The beautiful forest around the monastery, the silence interrupted by the chanting of the friars, and breathtaking views, will be just one of the facets of this very special place. Spirituality is tangible, both in the monastery, which hosts a very interesting pharmacy and a refectory where we will have lunch, and the surrounding grounds. We will then drive back to Arezzo for our farewell dinner. Sleep in Arezzo

Transfer to Florence for departure.