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Vineyard Dinner Under The Stars

Vineyard Dinner Under The Stars

Treat yourself to a star-lit dinner among the vineyards of Brunello di Montalcino, a scene straight out of La Dolce Vita.

Watch the gold-streaked sun melt behind the rolling hills, as you indulge in a variety of delicious Tuscan specialties paired with the wines, right where they are produced. Spend the evening listening to live music intermingled with the tinkling of glasses, laughter, and chirping crickets.

Create a picture-perfect night in all-white attire: Men’s straw hats and women’s white shawls are provided to each guest to make the evening picture perfect!.

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Gelato Making

Gelato Making

Become an honorary artisanal gelato maker, learning all the ins and outs of this perennial favorite under the guidance of an award-winning Florentine gelato maestro.

At the laboratory of a Florentine gelateria, you’ll learn all about Florence’s 500-year love affair with the frozen artisanal dessert as well as the proper techniques and ingredient combinations that go into making an authentic gelato.

After sampling freshly churned gelato, you’ll begin to create your own – cream-based or fior di latte, chocolate or nut-based (hazelnut or pistachio) and a seasonal fruit sorbet –  all from scratch and using only the highest quality of fresh and raw ingredients. 

Suitable for children and families, and for that matter, all gelato enthusiasts, this hands-on experience will leave you with a heightened appreciation for artisanal gelato, and the ability to distinguish the good from the industrial, alongside recipes on how to make Florentine gelato right at home.

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Private Tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica

Private Tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica

Embark on a whirlwind journey through thousands of years of history and art, discovering the timeless masterpieces of the Vatican museums, alongside a private art-historian guide who has spent the past 15 years studying the Vatican collection, and has lectured and written extensively about its galleries and artistic treasures.

Learn about the fascinating story of the Renaissance as the past is brought to life by your expert guide, and customize your tour to suit your interests, knowledge of art, and experience of the museums. 

If visiting for the first time, your journey begins in the Sistine Chapel, where you will encounter the Genius of Michelangelo and admire the artistic space, its creators, and genesis. 

For those who’ve already visited the museums, you’ll discover the lesser-explored sections of the museum – from the Carriage collection, to the painting gallery, and to early Christian sculpture, always with an eye to recounting the great narrative of the world’s greatest art collection. 

The tour can also shift focus to St. Peter’s, exploring not only the dense spiritual and artistic space but also the less visited areas, such as the Treasury Museum. 

This tour can be rendered more intimate by opening special areas of the collection such as the Niccoline Chapel or the Bramante stair. We can also arrange visits to the Santa Rosa Necropolis, recently uncovered during excavation for the construction of a parking lot. Additionally, tours of the Vatican Garden and the Barracks of the Swiss Guard are also possible. 

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Private Half Day Walking Tour in Venice

Private Half Day Walking Tour in Venice

Queen of the Mediterranean and gateway between East and West, Venice preserves its irresistible allure, magical romantic atmosphere, marvels of art and history, and outstanding cuisine. Experience the true essence of this enchanted city on a private walking tour that’ll have you delighting in all that it has to offer.

Your expert Venetian guide will first lead you to the city’s pulsing heart, San Marco’s square, shedding light on the stories behind all the landmarks in the former political center of the Venetian Republic. You’ll then step inside the Gothic Doge’s Palace, once the seat of the government where the Doge, the ‘Leader’, together with his advisors and politicians, decided the fate of Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries. After taking in its impressive courtyard, you’ll climb the magnificent Renaissance Golden Staircase to admire the opulent rooms decorated with paintings by Veronese, Tintoretto and Titian.

From there, you’ll cross the well-known Bridge of Sighs and make your way towards the empty cells of the former prison building. You’ll then pay a visit to the oldest church in Venice, St. Mark’s Church with its breath-taking luminous mosaics. From there you will visit either the spectacular La Pala d’Oro or the Quadriga and the Terrace.

Next, you’ll wander through the main shopping street, and cross over the oldest bridge on the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge to discover how Venetians ruled over part of the Mediterranean, thanks to luxury goods imported from the Far East. You’ll also be able to admire the former trading center, now housing the fruit, vegetable and fish markets.

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Drawing & Watercolor Painting Class with Local Artist

Drawing & Watercolor Painting Class with Local Artist

Enjoy a relaxing, fun, and informative three hours of drawing and watercolor in the core and cradle of the Renaissance. Discover the world that hides behind various pigments, learn about techniques and materials, and unleash your inner creativity all under the guidance of a Florentine artist and art historian. 

Begin the day in Florence’s most shabby-chic district, Piazza Santo Spirito, followed by an energizing expresso break, before strolling over to the beautiful and historic Bardini Gardens where you’ll be drawing and painting with the best views of the city. 

All levels of expertise are welcome and all ages from 10 to 100. 

In case of inclement weather, a change of location may be necessary.

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Jewish Heritage Tour Rome

Jewish Heritage Tour Rome

Discover the fascinating story of Rome’s ancient Jewish community, one of the oldest in Europe, in the beautiful and historic Roman Ghetto, home to a striking synagogue, kosher bakers, historic ruins and incredible Jewish-Roman restaurants serving the famous carciofi alla giudia.

The story of the Jewish Ghetto in Rome is a gripping tale both for its atmospheric beauty and its frequently tragic history, the quarter is one of Rome’s most enduringly fascinating areas. On this privately-guided tour, we’ll take you through the quarter, rich with history and tradition on every street.

Walk along the lively main street of Via Portico d’Ottavia with its characteristic Kosher shops and bakeries, while sampling your way through the unique flavors of Roman-Jewish cuisine. Dive into the cobbled back streets and gaze up at the magnificent Synagogue, the largest in Rome. 

Along the way you’ll visit picturesque Piazza Mattei and stop to admire the Fontana delle Tartarughe, ‘Turtle Fountain’, which provided water sourced from one of Rome’s first aqueducts Acqua Vergine. You’ll pass by the grand ruins of an ancient Roman theater – the spectacular Teatro Marcello, known as the ‘Little Colosseum’, which once held up to 20,000 spectators for various events, and a close view to the 17th-century marble carving La Bocca della Verità, the ‘Mouth of Truth’, made famous by the 1953 classic Roman Holiday.

As you stroll through the cobblestone streets of the Jewish quarter, you’ll spot engraved brass plaques at the foot of residential doorways – commemorating

the city’s Holocaust victims –  and learn about the long and turbulent history of this indomitable community – a story of emigration and persecution but also of triumph over adversity.

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A Walk Through History: Franciscans to the Black Death

A Walk Through History:
Franciscans to the Black Death

Grand, elegant and refined. Just three words that spring to mind when one thinks of Tuscany’s crowning glory – Florence. Yet to many visitors, the Renaissance capital can cause somewhat of a sensory overload. With museums, galleries, historical landmarks, famed churches, and palaces at virtually every corner, Florence is often overwhelming upon first visit. This walk provides a fascinating overview of the city and puts its neighborhoods in historical context.

Walk in the footsteps of great artists and historical figures that made Florence the glorious city of the Renaissance. Begin in Piazza della Repubblica and discover the city’s beginnings as part of the Roman Empire.

Walkthrough medieval streets and unveil the many towers that once made up the center of the city. There is no better place to understand the rise of the city-state of Florence than emerging from these dark, towered streets into the light-filled Piazza Signoria, the seat of the government and the center of Florentine politics since the 14th century. Finish in the religious heart of Florence, gazing up upon Brunelleschi’s Santa Maria del Fiore — the Duomo — most iconic silhouette of the Florentine skyline, as well as the nearby 11th century Romanesque Baptistery with its Paradise Door.

If desired, continue on to visit the church of Santa Croce that houses famous tombs of Florentines as well as some of the best examples of 14th-century frescoes in Italy. Finish the morning with a visit to Santa Croce’s rival, the Dominican church of Santa Maria Novella, which will reveal how Florence reacted artistically to the Black Death of 1348.

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Palio of Siena

Palio of Siena

Twice a year in July and August, the city of Siena steps back in time and transforms its main medieval square into an arena of unbridled fury. Ten bareback horses and their respective jockeys race three laps at breakneck speed around a dirt-covered piazza, filled with fifty-thousand people all vying for a glimpse of the gallop! That is the Palio di Siena, and for the past seven centuries, winning the race has been the most important objective of every Sienese citizen.

Witness Tuscany’s highly anticipated summer event from a 13th-century palace that offers a magnificent view of the historic Piazza del Campo square. From this vantage point, you can observe the stunning and vibrant spectacle of the race and savor every moment of excitement. Additionally, indulge in an aperitivo and a four-course meal prepared by a skilled chef, which showcases the region’s delectable food and wine. Our staff and servers will be available to guarantee your complete comfort throughout the event.

With the Palio lasting four days, savor the bustling atmosphere of the city and share the unique experience of the Palio di Siena with a complete itinerary during the three days preceding the race. 

Attend test races, dine in the Contrada set up along the city streets, dance to the popular songs that characterize different districts, take part in sacred processions and ceremonies, including the traditional blessing of the horse, the historic walk, and the extraordinary dinner of the general rehearsal that each Contrada organizes the evening before the race.

To experience the Palio all year round, we organize private visits to the most important museums in the Contrada, as well as exclusive dinners accompanied by famous jockeys of the past and present, along with visits to jockey stables and horseback riding in the splendid Sienese hills.

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Lake Como Tour

Lake Como Tour

Glitzy, glamorous, and effortlessly easy-going, Lake Como is at the centerpiece of the Italian ‘lake district’, and has captured the hearts of many travelers with its cerulean blue waters, stunning alpine vistas, and majestic lake-side villas graced with paradisiacal gardens.

There’s no better way to admire Lake Como’s most stunning and hidden spots than discovering them directly from the water aboard a private classic Riva boat, whose craftsmanship, beauty, and speed have earned it praise as Italy’s Ferrari on water. With your private licensed local guide, you’ll glide through Lake Como’s glistening waters, learn all about its fascinating history, discover the splendid noble residences that adorn its shores, and witness incredible sights – all from a unique perspective. 

In between, you’ll be visiting elegant and timeless Bellagio – the pearl of Lake Como – where you’ll wander through its cobblestone lanes, take in views alongside its waterfront promenade or visit the exotic gardens of neoclassical Villa Melzi and Serbelloni.  

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Cinque Terre Hike

Cinque Terre Hike

Explore the quintet of untouched pastel fishing villages, collectively known as Cinque Terre, on a privately-guided coastal hike, as you trail through ancient footpaths, terraced vineyards and fragrant orange blossoms.

Have your private driver and local expert guide pick you up from your accommodation, and whisk you away on your great Ligurian escape. With a quick stopover in Pisa to visit its signature sights – the Torre Pendente with its iconic 3.9-degree lean, and the legendary Piazza dei Miracoli – you’ll be driven to La Spezia to hop on a local train or ferry to begin your hike at Riomaggiore, the largest village of Cinque Terre with its peeling pastel buildings marching down a steep ravine to a tiny harbor – the region’s favorite postcard view. 

From there, you’ll trek through to Manarola, the oldest of the five villages with its priceless medieval relics, and famed for its sweet Sciacchetrà wine, before reaching Corniglia where you’ll be greeted with a dazzling view of all the five villages and a quick lunch, sampling the exquisite flavors of Liguria. You’ll then continue on to the UNESCO world heritage site Vernazza before finishing off at Monterosso with a swim at the sandy Fegina beach.

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