The Italy of the Two Michelangelos

Upon arrival at the airport, meet with our driver. In the afternoon, meet with our guide and driver for a tour of the Roman panoramic terraces (Pincio, Giardino degli Aranci and Gianicolo). In the evening we recommend dinner at the “Antica Pesa” restaurant, in the characteristic Trastevere district.

After breakfast meet with our driver and guide and depart for a tour focused on the Caravaggesque masterpieces of Rome, with the cycle of San Matteo in the Contarelli Chapel, inside the church of San Luigi dei Francesi, and the paintings on the Conversion of St Paul and the Crucifixion of St Peter at the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo. After lunch at the “Dal Bolognese” restaurant, on the monumental Piazza del Popolo, you will continue with a visit to the Borghese Gallery, where six paintings by Caravaggio (Child with a basket of fruit, Sick Bacchus, Madonna dei Palafrenieri, San Girolamo writer, St. John the Baptist, David with the head of Goliath) stand out among dozens of artistic treasures. At the end of the day, for dinner we recommend an excellent seafood restaurant, “Assunta Madre”.

Have breakfast and meet with our driver and guide for a visit to the splendid Galleria Doria Pamphilj, which houses three other paintings by Caravaggio (Penitent Magdalene, Rest on the Flight into Egypt, St. John the Baptist). In the afternoon focus on Michelangelo Buonarroti’s masterpieces at the Vatican, with the majestic dome of St. Peter’s and the wonderful cycle of frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Following this wonderful visit, we recommend a nice walk in via Margutta, with an aperitif at “La Jardin” in the Hotel De Russie. enjoy dinner at leisure and rest for the night.

Meet with our driver and leave towards Florence. Check-in at the hotel, have lunch on the panoramic terrace and in the afternoon enjoy a lovely walking tour of the historic center. Our driver will then take you to the garden of the magnificent Villa Bardini, from which you can enjoy one of the most evocative views of the city. For dinner we recommend the “Il Cibreo” restaurant. 

Have breakfast and meet with our guide and enjoy a tour of the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most important art museums in the world, established by the Medici, lords of Florence, in 1560. Here you can admire very important works by the two Michelangelo’s, like Buonarroti’s Tondo Doni, and Merisi’s Sacrifice of Isaac and Bacchus. After lunch at the “Cantinetta Antinori”, you will reach the Accademia Gallery, which houses the main existing collection of sculptures by Michelangelo Buonarroti, including the famous David. At the end of the visit, enjoy an aperitif with wine tasting at “Procacci”. For dinner we recommend the “Ai Latini “restaurant, where you can enjoy an excellent Florentine steak. 

After breakfast meet with our driver and depart to Lucca, one of the main artistic towns of Tuscany; discover a perfectly preserved center, in which different layers overlap, from the Roman, testified by the fundamental center square of the Amphitheater, to the great medieval monuments, with the stupendous Cathedral of San Martino, and to the sixteenth-century walls, still intact. During the tour, have a taste of the “Buccellato”, a dessert prepared by a historic pastry shop, and take the opportunity to visit the “Giacomo Puccini House-Museum”.  At the end of the tour, continue towards Forte dei Marmi, on the Versilia coast.

After breakfast, meet with our driver and depart towards the Cinque Terre, the name used to indicate five picturesque seaside villages (Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore) perched on a steep coast cultivated by the characteristic terraces , an environmental and cultural microcosm named UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the tour visit the inhabited centers with a private guide, sail by boat to admire the coast in all its solemnity and travel along the beautiful panoramic roads overlooking the sea.

After breakfast and get privately transferred to the airport of your choice.