Medieval Festivals – Palio and Quintana

Private transfer from Rome Fiumicino airport to your hotel. We chose for you a very nice 4 star property set in the heart of lively Trastevere neighbourhood. Double room with breakfast.

Breakfast at the hotel. Meeting with your guide (for a 7-hour long guided tour) and private driver at hotel lobby and transfer to reach the Colosseum. Visit of the Colosseum (skip the line tickets included), called by the ancient Romans "Amphitheatrum Flavium", it was built by Emperor Vespasian around 72 AD,
and inaugurated by his son Titus in 80 AD. Our guide will help you relive the atmosphere of the shows with wild beasts and gladiators that were held for centuries in this imposing monument. You will then visit the Roman Forum and the Imperial Forums, which are a series of five monumental squares built over the course of a century and a half (between 46 BC and 113 AD) in the heart of the city of Rome by Julius Caesar and the emperors Augustus, Vespasian, Nerva and Trajan.
After lunch you will go with your private car to the Vatican Museums (skip the line tickets included). The Vatican Museums' fame is more than well-deserved, given the priceless works such as the Sistine Chapel, which houses Michelangelo's The Last Judgment and The Creation of Adam, Raphael's rooms, the Gallery of Maps and the Cortile della Pigna. From the museums we'll arrive at St. Peter's Basilica, where at the entrance we'll immediately find the wonderful statue of the Pieta by Michelangelo, along with other masterpieces of rare beauty. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Morning guided visit of 4-hours of the wonderful highlights of the city center. From the mesmerizing squares like Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps and Campo de’ Fiori, to the grandeur of the Pantheon and the Baroque masterpieces such as Bernini’s fountain of the Four Rivers and St. Ignazio church, you will enjoy the best of the city center. Head back to the hotel with a taxi (to be paid on the spot). You will easily reach the station with a private transfer from the hotel and then you will take a fast train to Florence, that you will reach in the afternoon. We will provide you with a private driver and luxury car
to reach your 4* hotel, in the heart of the city, in a very comfortable way. Your double room includes breakfast.

After breakfast our private driver will take you to Siena. Full day with a private guide where we will deeply unravel the beauty of the incredible and unique PALIO folkloric event, a tradition led through centuries from Medieval times. You will live all pre and post events, from the blessing of the horse inside the neighbourhood church, to the parade and the actual race in the mesmerizing Piazza del Campo where a dozen “Contrade” – neighbourhood – challenge each other on a particular horse race with three laps around the square (packed with excited Siennese people). You will enjoy the race from a privileged view on a balcony facing the square. We hope you will participate too by picking your favourite Contrada!
At the end of the race live the final parade to the Cathedral before heading back to Florence with your driver.

Breakfast at the hotel. Meeting at the lobby with our local guide. Half day walking tour in the heart of Florence with our private guide (3-hour total). A radiant city we would like to present you through a pleasant stroll along the main points of interest, starting with Piazza Santa Croce and then Piazza del Duomo, centerpiece of religious life. Let yourself be amazed by the façade of the Cathedral of Santa
Maria del Fiore and its magnificent dome by Brunelleschi, the Giotto’s Bell Tower and the octagonal Baptistery of Saint John. Your final stop will be the Accademia Gallery (skip the line tickets included), where the guide will reveal all the interesting details about the world-famous David by Michelangelo (did
you know its eyes are heart shaped?). At the end of the visits (our guide won’t forget to recommend the best sightseeing routes and restaurants), relax back at your hotel in the city center or stroll at your own pace in the city. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Meeting at the lobby with our local guide for a 4-hour long guided tour . Reaching Piazza della Signoria you will soon realize why Florence has been often designated an “open-air museum”. With the Loggia dei Lanzi on one side and Palazzo Vecchio on the other, the square is a great example of different sculptural and architectural styles. Then you will visit the Uffizi Gallery (skip the line tickets included), one of the most famous museums of Italy thanks to the famous works of art that it houses, such as Botticelli's Venus and Spring, Caravaggio's Medusa, Michelangelo's Doni Tondo and Leonardo's Annunciation. Finally you'll explore the city's artisan boutiques, such as our favorite goldsmith on Pontevecchio bridge.

After breakfast at the hotel, with your luxury car and private driver you will reach Pisa and Lucca. The first stop will be PISA, where the LEANING TOWER WILL UNDOUBTEDLY IMPRESS YOU: after the construction in 1173, the tower started to lean, but after many centuries it is still standing in the middle of the famous Piazza dei Miracoli. With our ticket you will be able to climb up the stunning tower, the perfect experience to tell friends once back home! In the square there are few other attractions worth the visit, such as the Cathedral. Pisa houses one of the oldest universities of Europe: the city is lively thanks to the students, take your time to stroll around the old town and along the river. The second stop will be LUCCA, only 20 minutes away. The city will welcome you with its well conserved
RENAISSANCE BUILDINGS AND THE FAMOUS WALLS. Less crowded than Pisa, the town is also called the City of the Hundred Churches, due to the many religious buildings. One of the main attractions in town is Piazza dell’Anfiteatro: the square still conserves the elliptical shape of the roman amphitheatre it used to be 2000 years ago. Return to your hotel in Florence at the end of the day.

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and private driver to reach Florence station. Train to reach Foligno and then driver to reach Norcia with a two hours stop in beautiful Spoleto, where our guide will unveil this precious Umbrian pearl. In Norcia you will stay in a very characteristic hotel, with Spa, very authentic and linked to local traditions. Perfect for some relaxing time.

Breakfast at the hotel and full day to relax in the hotel’s SPA or in the gorgeous nature surrounding the property, very close to Sibillini Mountains.

Breakfast at the hotel and private transfer in the early afternoon to reach Ascoli Piceno, in Marche region. Our local guide from this lovely medieval city will unravel all traditions behind this Medieval Joust where knights coming from the different “Sestieri” – neighborhood – challenge each other in hitting with their
lances a puppet resembling a moor (the enemies during medieval times since they used to often attack these areas). After a visit of the city center, you will watch the parade in costume, the flag wavers, the archers to finally reach the main square where the knights will challenge each other. We will find for you a privileged seat to enjoy the show and afterwards you will enjoy a festive dinner in one of the taverns set up in town for the event. At the end of the dinner you will leave the guide and with your private driver get back to Norcia.

Breakfast at the hotel and full day to relax in the hotel’s SPA or in the gorgeous nature surrounding the property, very close to Sibillini Mountains. Possible outdoor activities like hiking, biking or a ride on donkey-back.

Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Private transfer to reach Foligno station. From there a train will take you to Rome Termini station and then another train to Rome Fiumicino to catch your flight back home.
Good bye Italia!