Upon arrival in Florence, we will make our way individually to the long stay apartments where we are based for the 3 weeks. In the evening, we will meet up to walk to a local restaurant for a briefing on this Florence tour and enjoy a welcome dinner. (D)

This morning, we enjoy a guided walking tour of the city to learn more about its culture and history. We'll view some of the city's main sights, and check out the local outdoor food markets. The afternoon is free to explore Florence at your leisure, and come to know the city that will be home for the next three weeks.

Today, we focus on history and settlement in Florence. We visit the historical centre, including the iconic Duomo, or dome of the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore. The stunning dome of Brunelleschi should be appreciated from all angles. We have an entrance to the cathedral, and it is even possible to climb the Cupola. The cathedral complex features the Baptistery, one of the oldest buildings in Florence. Adjacent to this is Giotto's Campanile, a sculptural tower in the Gothic style which we also visit. Later, we visit the Luigi Cherubini Music Conservatory at the Accademia

The day is free today for you to enjoy the city at your own pace.

Today we learn all about the influential Medici family. We visit the Piazza della Signoria to view the statue of Cosimo I. The bourgeois Medici family ruled Florence for the most part of 1434 to 1737. This equestrian statue depicts Cosimo de Medici. An authoritarian ruler, he is perhaps best known for the creation of the Uffizi (or offices) which now house a large collection of art commissioned or owned by the Medici family. The statue of Cosimo I was created by the sculptor Giambologna. Next, we visit the Palazzo Medici Riccardi - the Medici's first grand palace. This impressive building, commissioned by Cosimo il Veccia, is said to convey the Renaissance spirit of rationality, order and classicism. We also visit the Medici Chapels - considered the official church of the Medici family. The Basilica of San Lorenzo is the burial place of all principal members of the Medici family.  

Today, we transfer to Fiesole for a half-day excursion using local public transport with our local guide. We visit the Villa Medici, which was built for the Medici family between 1451 to 1457. The villa is set in beautiful gardens that are arranged in three verdant terraces. We then view Florentine and Tuscan medieval art in the Bandini Musuem, before checking out the archaeological area. We return to Florence and the remainder of the day is at leisure. We meet in the evening for dinner at a local restaurant. (D)    

Today we meet our local guide and we visit the famous Uffizi Gallery. Few people know that this huge building was originally commissioned by Cosimo I de' Medici to house administrative offices. Uffizi translates to "offices". Georgio Vasari was called upon to design the u-shaped building. He included a secret corridor that leads to the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens. The Medici family were great patrons of the arts. The collection was enriched by every member of the dynasty until they died out in the 18th century. A Family Pact, signed by Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici (the last of the dynasty) ensured that all treasures would remain in Florence. Most of the collection was bequeathed to the Tuscan state upon her death, and the Uffizi gallery was made a public space. Some of the masterpieces contained in the gallery are priceless. They include the Ognissanti Madonna by Giotto (1310), Botticelli's The Birth of Venus (1482-5), plus stunning pieces by Raphael, Michelangelo, Titian and Caravaggio. We'll also visit Accademia Gallery, this is home to Michelangelo's David (and houses the largest number of Michelangelo's sculptures in the world). Here, we can also visit the Luigi Cherubini Music Conservatory and Musical Instruments Collection. Three very significant musical instruments are conserved here: a 1716, Stradivari violin and two instruments that once belonged to the Medicean Quintet. You will also learn here that the piano was invented in Florence! Following this enriching experience, the afternoon will be spent at leisure.

Today's excursion, is we venture by coach to Monteriggioni and San Gimignano for a day tour. We travel to Monteriggioni where we visit a local wine and olive oil producer for a vineyard tour and tasting. We then continue on to San Gimignano and view the main sights of this charming Tuscan hill town. It is a small, walled village with impressive medieval architecture. It was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1990. We visit the Collegiate Church, a minor basilica located at the heart of the village. Its Romanesque architecture dates to the 12th and 13th centuries. Next, we learn about Vernaccia wine at the Museo del Vino. The variety grown in and around San Gimignano is distinctive. Made from the Vernaccia grape, this white wine is described as having a crisp acidity, followed by a bitter finish. Today, you will have the opportunity to taste for yourself. Later, we return to our apartments in Florence.

The day today is free for you to enjoy at leisure. The Odyssey tour leader can assist you with options to spend the day.

We meet our local guide in the morning for a full day exploring the city. We visit the Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence's principal Franciscan church. It was built in 1294 by Arnolfo di Cambrio, and is the burial place of many key figures in Florentine history. This includes Michelango, Machiavelli and Galileo Galilei. A memorial to Dante is also housed here, though because of his exile from Florence, the sarcophagus is empty. Sixteen chapels compose the Basilica di Santa Croce, and we explore some of these today. We then visit Piazzale Michelangelo, which is a monument on a hill that offers breathtaking, panoramic views of the city. The Rose Garden offers equally impressive views. Over 350 varieties are planted here, which bloom during May and June. But any time of year is ideal to wander through this garden, which offers a quiet rest from the museums and galleries of Florence. We visit the Rose Garden today, in addition to the Abbey of San Miniato al Monte - a basilica atop one of the highest points of Florence. We then make our way to visit the Bargello Museum, a former barracks and prison which now houses a remarkable collection of Renaissance sculpture and art.  

Today we enjoy travel by coach to San Casciano where we visit Casa Museu Machiavelli, his former home, for a tour of the estate and vinyeard. We enjoy a lunch at the villa before returning to Florence, where we'll then visit the Certosa del Galluzzo monastery, located a top a Monte Acuto, south of the city. It was one of the most powerful monasteries in Europe and exhibited, until Napoleon's spoliation, 500 works of art. the Carthusian monastery established here at the end of the fourteenth century; the place of silence, meditation and spirituality. (L)

Today we take the local train and travel to the beautiful city of Sienna, to explore its distinctive brick, medieval buildings and fan-shaped central square. This square is called the Piazzo del Campo, and is the site of the Palio di Siena: a horse race that runs twice per year. We'll view the main sights and visit the Duomo Santa Maria Assunta. We return to Florence by train and later enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (D)    

Today is free for you to continue exploring the city on your own or venture to one of the nearby towns using the local trasport system.

Today we enjoy a guided tour on Art in Florence. We start with a visit to Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens. This impressive palace is one of Florence's largest architectural monuments. On the first floor of the Palazzo Pitti is the Palatine Gallery, with its 16th and 17th paintings, including works by Raphael. On the ground floor is the Treasure of the Grand Dukes, featuring a collection of Medici household treasures. Just past the Palazzo is the Boboli Gardens - a stunning open-air musuem. Centuries old oak-trees and fountains dot these grounds, along with impressive sculptures. Wander through the picturesque ampitheatre while you're here. We then make our way to Casa Buonarotti, a place of memory and of celebration of the genius of Michelangelo.

Our morning's theme is Science and Technology, with our local guide we'll visit Museo Galileo. It was founded in 1927 by the University of Florence, and located in the Palazzo Castellani, by the River Arno and close to the Uffizi Gallery. The afternoon and evening are free for you to enjoy at leisure.

Our focus today will be Politics and History. We visit the Palazzo Vecchio - Florence's town hall. We explore the Museum and Tower here, before moving on to the Museo degli Innocenti. Six centuries of history are contained within these walls. The Museum is housed within the Institute for the Innocent - a charitable public institution that originated in the 14th century. It was devoted to the hospitality, care and education of children. Once known as an orphanage for children who were often left there anonymously, it now provides services for children and pregnant mothers. UNICEF's Research Centre is also located here. It's a fascinating part of history. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore on your own.

Today we learn about all things Leonardo Da Vinci. In the morning we pay a visit to the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum. We then travel by coach to Vinci, birthplace of the Renaissance polymath. We gain entry to the Museum Leonardino, where we learn about Leonardo's scientific studies and view his models. We also visit the Casa Natale di Leonardo - his birthplace. Further insights into the man can be obtained here. We return to Florence by coach.

The day is at leisure for you to explore at your own pace.

We meet in the morning and walk to the train station where we board a local train to Prato where we meet our local guide for a tour. We'll visit the Museo del Tessuto - an impressive textile museum. We then sample the local delicacies at the famous Biscottificio Mattei, before returning to Florence by rail.  

Today we indulge in Florence's world-famous fashion and design. We view the designer boutiques on Luisa Via Roma. We then attend the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum. This was opened by the family of the shoe and fashion designer's family in 1995. Born in Bonito near Naples in 1898, Ferragamo's passion for shoes was evident from his childhood. He opened a small store in his parent's home. Then, he spent time in Boston and California, where he really began to achieve success. But it was on his return to Florence in 1927 that Ferragamo came to design shoes for some of the wealthiest and most powerful women of the twentieth century. The Museum is housed in his former headquarters and workshop. We'll also visit Gucci Museum which opened in 2011 on the 90th anniversary of the fashion house, and charts the evolution from its start in Florence to the enormous international brand it is today.  

Today is free for you to enjoy your last day in this historic and vibrant city. We meet early evening and make our way to a local restaurant for our farewell dinner. (D)

Our tour will conclude today in the morning.