A tour in the Tuscan countryside to discover Arezzo, a thriving city famous throughout the world for the works of Piero della Francesca and Cimabue, as well as Cortona that offers visitors the chance to travel back in time.
About an hour from Siena, through the Crete Senesi hills we reach Arezzo, a city of ancient Etruscan origins, known for the great antiquarian tradition. We will walk among the places that have been the set of the Oscar-winning film Life is Beautiful by Roberto Benigni, such as St. Francis, in the Basilica where frescoes of Piero della Francesca are preserved, and in Piazza Grande. We will find antique shops and boutiques and when the tour coincides, every first weekend of each month, it will be a memorable visit to the famous and oldest Antique Fair. We will conclude with a visit to the Cathedral, the Town Hall and the Medieval church of San Domenico, where you will have the opportunity to admire the famous crucifix of Cimabue.
We will stop for a typical lunch at a traditional restaurant in the old city.
After about 30 minutes drive through the picturesque Val di Chiana, we reach the ancient Etruscan city of Cortona that dominates the entire valley. The first stop will be dedicated to the Sanctuary of Santa Margherita, located on the highest point of the city and from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view. Going down towards the city center, we will stop at the picturesque Eremo delle Celle, built by St. Francis in the thirteenth century on the rock overlooking a creek. From the main square, home to the Town Hall of the thirteenth century with the tower and clock, it will be worth to walk around the most important and pictoresque streets and alleys for a shopping tour and photos.
Heading back to Siena, we will stop at the Tenuta La Braccesca Antinori, located few kilometers away from Montepulciano, on regional border between Tuscany and Umbria. The lands of La Braccesca are located in two areas very close but, at the same time, very different: Montepulciano, classic and prestigious land of "NOBILE", and Cortona that has gained positions on the international wine-panorama thanks to the quality of its wines, obtained from a selection of international grape varieties. These two "souls" are the style of La Braccesca; respect for the tradition and constant research, by balancing the harmony between old and new style, conscious of their work and passion for quality. The tour includes a guided visit of the winery followed by a tasting of 3 wines.
At the end of the visit, we will take the road back to Siena to return to your Hotel.
The Tour includes:
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Visit to Arezzo
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A typical lunch at a restaurant in the center of Arezzo
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Visit to Cortona
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Visit and tasting of 3 wines from the Antinori Braccesca* at Valiano di Montepulciano
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Transportation by minivan to and from your accommodation
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Accompanying driver in Italian, English or Spanish
* In the absence of the availability of the company, visit and tasting it will be carried forward at a winery that produces wine Nobile di Montepulciano
** extra price with an authorized guide in Italian, English or Spanish: 40 €/h