Road Scholar : Italy: Classic Tuscany and the Treasures of Florence

Italy: Classic Tuscany and the Treasures of Florence

Program Number:

19715RJ

Start and End Dates:


	9/15/2013 - 9/28/2013; 9/29/2013 - 10/12/2013; 10/13/2013 - 10/26/2013; 10/20/2013 - 11/2/2013; 11/10/2013 - 11/23/2013; 3/30/2014 - 4/12/2014; 5/5/2014 - 5/18/2014; 5/18/2014 - 5/31/2014; 6/1/2014 - 6/14/2014; 9/21/2014 - 10/4/2014; 10/5/2014 - 10/18/2014; 10/19/2014 - 11/1/2014;

Duration:

13 nights

Location:

Italy

Price starting at:

$3,695.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city

Program Type:

Meals:

28; 12 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 9 Dinners

Meal Options:

Vegetarian; Gluten Free

For centuries, the verdant landscapes and medieval villages of Tuscany remained frozen in time. Scarcely changed in appearance, today the entire region is a living cultural treasure. In the hills of northern Tuscany and the plain of Florence, discover the unparalleled artistic genius that blossomed into masterpieces of marble, canvas and architecture whose brilliance transcends time and place.

Highlights

� Visit the famed quarries of Carrara to learn why this marble is the material of choice for great sculptors and architects.
� Explore the villa of Lorenzo de'Medici at Poggio a Caiano, and visit a winery in the Tuscan countryside to sample Tuscan wines.
� View the great masterpieces in Florence: works by Donatello, Brunelleschi, Ghiberti, Caravaggio, Cellini and Michelangelo�s iconic sculpture, �David.�

Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles a day on uneven terrain. Towns and city centers have wide traffic-free areas. Expect inclines on walks in Siena.

Date Specific Information

9-15-2013, 9-29-2013, 10-13-2013, 11-10-2013, 3-30-2014, 5-5-2014, 5-18-2014, 6-1-2014, 9-21-2014, 10-5-2014, 10-19-2014

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology � listening devices � on this date.

Itinerary Summary

Arrival Pisa, coach to Lucca, 4 nights; coach to Siena, 5 nights; coach to Florence, 3 nights; departure

Overnight flight from the U.S.A.	1 night
Arrival Pisa, coach to Lucca	4 nights

Walk the streets of Medieval Lucca, tracing it nearly 2000-year history. Learn about the renowned white and blue-gray Carrara marble that was the medium of choice for Renaissance sculptors. Visit a quarry to see how the marble is extracted and an artist�s workshop (work schedule permitting) to view raw stone crafted into a work of art. Embark on a field trip to Pisa to explore the history of its famous leaning tower and baptistery and art in nearby museums.

Coach to Siena

5 nights

Begin to train your eye to discern the difference between work of art created by the Sienese and Florentine art schools, pay homage to the great Renaissance patron Lorenzo de'Medici at his villa. With an expert in Siena, view the Campo, Palazzo Pubblico and Duomo � the most famous in Italy. Learn about the incomparable Palio horse race and see why this centuries-old raucous tradition draws more than 100,000 spectators. Take field trips to the medieval city of San Gimignano and Renaissance Pienza. Sample great Tuscan wines.

Coach to Florence	3 nights
Departure

Illustrated lectures on Medieval and Renaissance art prepare you for independent explorations of the world-famous Uffizi Gallery and Bargello National Museum of Sculpture. At the Accademia delle Belle Arti marvel at Michelangelo's �David.�

Italy

�Dolce far niente,� the �sweetness of doing nothing.� This ode to leisure is a distinctly Italian phrase, and yet the expression does not do justice to the hard-work ethos of the nation�s inhabitants. The monuments, art and civilization bequeathed to the people of modern Italy are a testament to the industry of their forebears, and the legacy lives on in today�s Italians, who work hard to better enjoy the sweetness of repose.

Accommodations
Lucca: Three-star hotel in historic building overlooking piazza. Siena: Four-star hotel in city center convenient to notable sites. Florence: Three-star hotel built in 19th century at edge of Market of San Lorenzo.

Road Scholar Instructors

These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.

Jane Bacon

Jane Bacon is an associate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. She worked as an editor for the London publisher Eyre Methuen before deciding to move to the Italian Riviera. Settling in one of the small medieval villages on the Gulf of La Spezia, Jane continued to pursue her literary interests including studying the many well-known English and Italian writers who lived in the area. She continues to teach, write and study local history.

Umberto Cattani

Umberto Cattani is a licensed educational excursion leader in Tuscany. After completing his studies in finance, Umberto worked in Milan as a sales manager for a clothing manufacturer. He discovered his real passion for teaching � and completed the required courses in art history, archaeology and history to achieve his new goal. Umberto lives in Carrara with his wife and daughter.

Kevin Murphy

Kevin Murphy is the academic dean and campus director for Italy of Cultural Experience Abroad. He completed his advanced degree in Renaissance Architectural History at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London. He has lectured on art history in Florence for universities including Bristol and Syracuse. �I always look forward to sharing knowledge with adult learners,� Kevin says, �they offer unique and interesting points of view."

Donatella Grilli

Donatella Grilli enjoys sharing her energy and enthusiasm for Siena and San Gimignano. Donatella has been a part of Road Scholar programs in association with Trinity College for more than 10 years and especially enjoys sharing stories of Tuscany�s rich history with thoughtful participants.

Elaine Ruffolo

Elaine Ruffolo has been teaching art history in Florence since 1989 and is a popular instructor for students and adults alike. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin and earned a master�s in art history from Syracuse University. Elaine directs the field study programs for Syracuse University in Florence and lectures for various adult programs. She is the resident director of the Smithsonian Institute programs in Italy and is currently working on a travel book of Florence and Tuscany.

Rocky Ruggiero

Rocky Ruggiero is an art history professor at Syracuse University's Florence campus specializing in early Renaissance architecture. He has appeared in the History Channel series �Engineering an Empire" and in a PBS program focusing on the architecture of the Renaissance. Rocky shares his love of Florentine art as an advisory board member of Friends of Florence, a non-profit group that raised funds for the restoration of various works throughout the city.

Meals and Lodgings
	Hotel Universo
		Lucca, Italy	4 nights
	NH Excelsior
		Siena, Italy	5 nights
	Hotel Corona d'Italia
		Florence, Italy	3 nights

Hotel Universo
	Type:	Four-Star Hotel
	Description:	Historical building in the center of town overlooking a spacious tree lined piazza. Originally a private residence in the 16th century, it was converted into a hotel in 1857.
	Contact info:	Piazza del Giglio 1 Lucca, 55100 Italy phone: +39 0583-493-678 web: www.universolucca.com
	Room amenities:	Private bath in every room, Satellite TV, mini-bar, climate control, direct dial telephone, complimentary toiletries, hair dryer. Individual safe boxes are not in the rooms but the reception will provide an envelope for you to seal and deposit small valuables in the hotel's safe.
	Facility amenities:	Recent renovations at the property retain the charm of the historic property with tasteful decor. Breakfast buffet, meeting room, complimentary wi-fi.
	Smoking allowed:	No
	Elevators available:	Yes
	Additional nights prior:	varies by season To book additional nights at the hotel, email Lavinia Tour, Trinity College�s partnering agency in Rome, info.reserv@laviniatour.it. Another option is to book directly through the hotel�s online reservation system www.universolucca.com. Indicate to the hotel or agency at the time of your booking that you are with the Road Scholar group and every effort will be made to ensure continuity of room assignment
	Check in time:	1:00 PM

NH Excelsior
	Type:	Four-Star Hotel
	Description:	Modern hotel with excellent central location overlooking the city's main park.
	Contact info:	Piazza La Lizza 1 Siena, NA 53100 Italy phone: +39 0577 38 211 web: www.nh-hotels.it
	Room amenities:	126 rooms with air-conditioning, telephone, television, room safe and mini-bar.
	Facility amenities:	Restaurant and bar, fitness center, complimentary wi-fi in the rooms and common areas, internet point in the lobby.
	Smoking allowed:	No
	Elevators available:	Yes

Hotel Corona d'Italia
	Type:	Hotel
	Description:	Situated at the edge of the San Lorenzo market, the hotel is centrally located and convenient to the Santa Maria Novella train station, the Duomo and Accademia.
	Contact info:	Via Nazionale 14 Florence, NA 50123 Italy phone: +39 055 261 501 web: www.coronaditalia.com
	Room amenities:	All rooms have private bathroom, individual AC/Heat controls, safe box for valuables, mini-bar, direct dial telephone, satellite TV, wi-fi access (hourly rate applies), hair dryer
	Facility amenities:	Spacious lobby, marble and terracotta floors, wi-fi accessibility (hourly rate applies), meeting room, bar in the lobby open afternoon and evenings.
	Smoking allowed:	No
	Elevators available:	Yes
	Additional nights after:	varies by season To book additional nights at the hotel, email Lavinia Tour, Trinity College�s partnering agency in Rome, info.reserv@laviniatour.it. Another option is to book directly through the hotel�s online reservation system www.coronaditalia.com. Indicate to the hotel or agency at the time of your booking that you are with the Road Scholar group and every effort will be made to ensure continuity of room assignment
	Check out time:	11:00 AM

Travel Details
	Start of Program: Lunch provided for those with morning arrivals. Hotel check in 1:00 pm. Meet in lobby at 4 pm for Orientation You will be staying at Hotel Universo that night.
	End of Program: Check out of hotel by 11:00 am. No activities other than departure transfers to Florence airport You will be staying at Hotel Corona d'Italia the night before.
	Required documents: The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.

Transportation		(For Independent Travelers)

	Train or bus availability:	Regular public bus service to Lucca from Florence, Pisa and Pisa Airport. Train service from Lucca to Pisa and Florence. Check trenitalia.com for timetables

	To Start of Program
	Location:	in flight
	Transportation to site:	To reach the program site in Lucca on your own you have two public transportation options: bus or train. Inquire at the information desk in the Pisa airport arrivals terminal for the most updated bus and train timetables and purchase the train or bus ticket right at the information desk. Buses depart every hour from the airport terminal. Ride takes 50 min.; fare is about EUR 5. The train terminal is located just outside the airport terminal as well. Tickets are EUR 4. You must change trains in Pisa Centrale. If you have to change tracks and can't manage the stairs to the passageway connecting tracks, look for the elevator on the track platform. When you arrive in Lucca by train or bus it is advisable to take a taxi to the hotel (fare about EUR 12) especially if you have luggage in tow. Taxi fare direct from the Pisa airport to Lucca (about 20 miles) will be approx. EUR 85.

	From End of Program
	Location:	in flight
	Transportation from site:	To reach the Florence airport on your own, taxis from the hotel to the airport are about EUR 30 depending on time of travel, number of persons and luggage. There is a public bus that runs twice an hour from the main train station in Florence to the airport. Tickets are EUR 4.50. The hotel is one quarter of a mile from the train station. .
		(Additional transportation information same as above)

The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Daily Schedule

Day 1:

Transatlantic flight
(Sunday, September 15)

In Transit:

Flight to Pisa

Day 2:

Arrivals / Welcome and Program Overview
(Monday, September 16)

Note: Minimal exertion, a walk around town and classroom time for a lecture.

Arrive To:	Transfer from airport to the hotel in Lucca.
Lunch:	Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon:	Check in and settle into your hotel room. Meet in the lobby at 4:00 pm for a brief orientation session. Meet your fellow participants at the Welcome Reception.
Dinner:	Dinner at Trattoria Da Leo.

Accommodations:	Hotel Universo
Meals Included:	Lunch, Dinner

Day 3:

From Origins to the Present \ Welcome to Tuscany
(Tuesday, September 17)

Note: Not a strenuous day. Extended periods of standing during the expert-led walk in the heart of the pedestrian only small city. The pavement of the wide wall walk may be uneven in places.

Breakfast:	Breakfast buffet in the hotel.
Morning:	Medieval Lucca and the Walls is the theme of today's walk of discovery. Visit the Basilica of S. Martino and admire its marble facade decorated with Romanesque statues and motifs. In the Middle Ages the city was a destination of pilgrims traveling to view relics housed within the basilica.
Lunch:	Lunch at Antica Locanda dell'Angelo.
Afternoon:	Welcome to Tuscany lecture and presentation.
Dinner:	Dinner on your own
Evening:	Attend a recital of Puccini arias in the Church of San Giovanni.

Accommodations:	Hotel Universo
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4:

Palazzo Pfanner / Duomo, Baptistery, Leaning Tower of Pisa
(Wednesday, September 18)

Note: The walk to the Lucca station and from the Pisa station is about 1 mile. Light exertion in Pisa for the visit to the Piazza dei Miracoli, the Duomo complex comprised of the Leaning Tower and Baptistery.

Breakfast:	Breakfast buffet in hotel.
Morning:	With a local expert explore Lucca�s city planning from its origins in 180 BCE to the present. See the oval shaped piazza which conforms to the old Roman amphitheater. Visit continues to Palazzo Pfanner and the defensive walls surrounding Lucca which date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. The circumference is just over 3 miles and the lanes are wide enough for walkers and recreational bike riders. The high walls provide a wonderful panorama of the city. Stroll through the elegant shopping district on your walk back to the hotel.
Lunch:	Lunch on your own.
Afternoon:	Afternoon excursion by train to Pisa for an expert-led visit of the Duomo complex (Baptistery and Leaning Tower (which the group does not climb). Until the port of Pisa silted up, it was a strong maritime republic (along with Genoa, Amalfi and Venice) and the wealth of the city is demonstrated by the civic and religious pride the inhabitants had by funding such a grandiose construction. The Duomo is one of the few Romanesque churches to have a dome built over the apse. The double dome of the Baptistery provides excellent acoustics. Late afternoon train back to Lucca.
Dinner:	Dinner at Ristorante Stella Polare in Lucca

Accommodations:	Hotel Universo
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5:

From Calcium Carbonate to Art: Carrara Marble
(Thursday, September 19)

Note: Coach one hour to Carrara and the quarries. Minimal walking from the bus to the terraces overlooking the quarries high above the town. Bus back to Carrara for an expert-led walk in the historical center. Some walking and standing during guide explanations.

Breakfast:	Buffet breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:	Visit the quarries above the town of Carrara. See the massive machinery used to extract the marble, then wonder how it was accomplished since antiquity prior to the invention of mechanized machines.
Lunch:	Lunch at a restaurant in the center of Carrara. Enjoy some typical Tuscan fare.
Afternoon:	Learn about marble as the medium for artists. Working schedule permitting, visit an artists' workshop. Return to Lucca mid-afternoon for a lecture and discussion on Cooking of Tuscany.
Dinner:	Opportunity to seek out a special place to eat.

Accommodations:	Hotel Universo
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6:

Transfer to Siena / Chianti Wine Production / Palazzo Pubblico and Campo
(Friday, September 20)

Note: Coach travel and minimal walking at the working farm. In Siena the town center is restricted to car traffic, so that you can walk freely, but every walk is up or down an incline.

Breakfast:	At the hotel.
Morning:	Check out of the hotel. Coach to a winery and olive orchards in the hills outside Siena.
Lunch:	Enjoy a lunch at the working farm. Sample local wine, olive oil and farm produce.
Afternoon:	Coach south to Siena through the Tuscan countryside and check into hotel located in the historical section of town, on top of the hill. After settling into your room meet the local guide who will lead the visit to Il Campo and Palazzo Pubblico. The Campo is built over the original location of the Roman forum and the theater, which utilized the natural shell contours of converging hills. Not having a nearby river, the inhabitants of Siena paved the Campo as a way to direct rain water into city cisterns. The perimeter is the site where the famed Palio horse race takes place in July and August.The Palazzo Pubblico with its tall bell and observation tower offers a commanding view of the countryside and allowed the citizens to prepare for any approaching army. The Palazzo is still used as the town hall, and contains an important fresco cycle depicting an allegory of Good and Bad Government by Lorenzetti.
Dinner:	Dinner at a restaurant on the Piazza del Campo, Siena's magnificent main shell-shaped piazza.

Accommodations:	NH Excelsior
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7:

Italy Today / Duomo / Santa Maria Della Scala Museum Complex
(Saturday, September 21)

Note: Negotiating the inclines and descents of the hill town of Siena will require more effort than the walks in the previous program sites. The historical town center is restricted to car traffic, so that you can walk freely, but every walk is up or down an incline.

Breakfast:	Breakfast buffet at the hotel.
Morning:	A classroom session explores the regional aspects of Italian society and the national institutions that shape the lives of residents today. After a break, an expert-led walk to and visit of Siena's elaborately decorated cathedral (il Duomo). The floors are decorated with incised inlaid marble figures religious and allegorical scenes.
Lunch:	Opportunity to sample Sienese cuisine on your own. Suggestions will be provided.
Afternoon:	Guided visit continues of part of the collection of the museum complex Santa Maria della Scala.
Dinner:	Dinner at the hotel restaurant, Il Rastrello.

Accommodations:	NH Excelsior
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8:

San Gimignano: The Manhattan of Tuscany
(Sunday, September 22)

Note: Coach to San Gimignano and walk around the small hill town. Not a strenuous excursion (less than a mile of walking) but the town roads are inclined and completely closed to traffic. During free time, those with stamina may choose to climb one of the open towers to gain a commanding view of the countryside below.

Breakfast:	Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:	Free morning to explore a quarter of Siena at your own pace.
Lunch:	Lunch on your own.
Afternoon:	Excursion by coach to San Gimignano for an expert-led visit to the medieval city. An original Etruscan town, this town retains much of its medieval aspect. At one time 77 towers were standing in the city. They were used in family rivalries in order to attain the advantage of higher ground. In the Duomo there is a fresco cycle depicting scenes from Dante's Inferno as a way of visually entreating the people to repent from their evil ways. Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a distinctive white Tuscan wine with full body and rich overtones was one of the first Italian wines to receive the DOC designation in 1966, indicating the Denominazione di Origine Controllata, i.e. that the area of origin of the grapes is controlled. In 1993 it obtained the DOCG designation guaranteeing its denomination.
Dinner:	At a winery and olive oil mill, the host explains the cultivation and production process. San Gimignano produces one of the few Tuscan white wines, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, imported to the USA. Sample the wine and oil production of the winery and farm and enjoy dinner with a view.

Accommodations:	NH Excelsior
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9:

Medieval Rivals / The Palio: More Than a Horse Race
(Monday, September 23)

Note: Leisurely walk in Siena to visit the headquarters of a contrada, or district of the town. Note that Siena was settled on 3 hills and the walking path may include steep inclines of the pedestrian only streets.

Breakfast:	Breakfast buffet in the hotel.
Morning:	Lecture: The Palio, More than a Horse Race. Learn about this centuries old tradition where each of the different contrade sponsor a horse to represent their neighborhood. The shame of losing is enough to encourage cheating. Even though there is one race in July and another in August, the competitive spirit between the contrade is manifest all year round.
Lunch:	Lunch at Il Rastrello.
Afternoon:	An exclusive expert-led visit of a contrada meeting hall and chapel. In the meeting hall note the cases displaying the historical trophies (palio) for the contrada's victories in the Palio race over the centuries. Later, at a cooking school, a hands-on lesson on fresh pasta and a seasonal Sienese dish. Enjoy the fruits of your labor at dinner.
Dinner:	Dinner at the cooking school.

Accommodations:	NH Excelsior
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10:

Pienza and the Tuscan Hills
(Tuesday, September 24)

Note: One hour coach ride to Pienza and a coach ride through the Tuscan countryside on the return. Short walks in Pienza, a very small hill town.

Breakfast:	Buffet breakfast in the hotel.
Morning:	Coach excursion through the Val D'Orcia to the town of Pienza. Pope Pius II Piccolomini (1458-1464), a humanist scholar and poet, was born in the nearby village of Corsignano, and once he became pope he began a building project to transform his home town into an idealized Renaissance city. He built his palace near the main piazza renamed the town after himself.
Lunch:	Lunch on your own. In the small town of Pienza there are wine bars, caf�s and restaurants from which to choose.
Afternoon:	On the coach ride back to Siena, sit back and admire the rolling hills of vineyards dotted with isolated farmhouses
Dinner:	Dinner at a restaurant near the hotel in Siena.

Accommodations:	NH Excelsior
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11:

Coach to Florence / Accademia delle Belle Arti
(Wednesday, September 25)

Note: Transfer to Florence by coach. Walk the flat streets of Florence about half a mile to the Accademia. The main gallery is on the ground floor.

Breakfast:	Breakfast buffet at hotel.
Morning:	Transfer to Florence with a stop in Poggio a Caiano for an expert-led visit of the Villa of Lorenzo de'Medici. The architect Sangallo incorporated elements of classical antiquity: an arched portico which served as a porch and a shaded area around the building; an entrance inspired by an Ionic temple flanked by grand staircases leading to the main entrance. The mail halls are decorated with frescoes by Pontormo and Andrea del Sarto.
Lunch:	Before settling into the hotel, a light lunch in the market area of Florence
Afternoon:	Discover Florence with an expert-led walk around the historical center. Late afternoon reserved entrance to the Accademia delle Belle Arti. Marvel at Michelangelo's David but do not neglect his unfinished pieces called the Prisoners, because they seem to be still imprisoned in the Carrara marble. The Accademia is part of the School of Fine Arts of the University of Florence and in a hall to the left of David are plaster casts of some of the most important sculptures of the western world. This affords the students an opportunity to observe them and become inspired.
Dinner:	Dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodations:	Hotel Corona d'Italia
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12:

Medieval and Renaissance Art / Uffizi Gallery
(Thursday, September 26)

Note: Walk to the Uffizi is less than a mile from the hotel. An elevator for disabled visitors may be accessible at the Uffizi Gallery. There is a long flight of stairs to reach the exhibition rooms of the gallery. Expect some crowding in the museum; it is a popular destination for art afficionados.

Breakfast:	Breakfast buffet in the hotel dining hall.
Morning:	An art historian gives an overview of Renaissance Art and with an illustrated presentation describes highlighted works of art of the collection of the Uffizi Gallery.
Lunch:	At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:	We reserve an entrance time to the Uffizi Gallery and allow each participant to walk through at his/her own pace. Stay as long as you like. There is a coffee shop at the end corridor that you can purchase refreshments and enjoy a commanding view of the bell tower of Palazzo Vecchio and the Cupola of the Duomo. It is located over the Loggia dei Lanzi at Piazza della Signoria. In the Gallery works are arranged in an order that illustrates the progression from the International Gothic style to Mannerism and examples of Baroque art with pieces by Caravaggio and Artemisia Gentilleschi.
Dinner:	Dinner on your own to explore local specialties. Suggestions will be made available

Accommodations:	Hotel Corona d'Italia
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch

Day 13:

Walk of Discovery / Bargello Museum / Free Afternoon
(Friday, September 27)

Note: Minimal exertion on the walk to the Bargello - about a half mile from the hotel. The Bargello has a flight of stone stairs to reach the upper floor. A small elevator is in service for the truly needy.

Breakfast:	Breakfast buffet at hotel.
Morning:	Expert-led visit of the Bargello National Museum of Sculpture. The 13th c. palace itself served as the magistrate's headquarters and civic court. Now you will find sculptures by Donatello (St. George, David), the competition pieces between Brunelleschi and Ghiberti for the north doors of the Baptistery and sculptures by Michelangelo, Giambologna and Cellini. In addition to sculpture there are rooms with fine examples of decorated pottery and armaments: swords, lances, early pistols, and suits of armor. In the Chapel is a fresco by Giotto and his school; on the right side one can see what is considered to be an early portrait of Dante.
Lunch:	Select from the many restaurants where you want to sample local specialties. Suggestions provided.
Afternoon:	Free Afternoon
Dinner:	Farewell dinner at Trattoria Enzo e Piero.

Accommodations:	Hotel Corona d'Italia
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Dinner

Day 14:

Departures
(Saturday, September 28)

Breakfast:

Breakfast buffet at hotel, continental breakfast for early departures.

Meals Included:

Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
Siena	Torre di Mangia From the Palazzo Pubblico rises the imposing Torre del Mangia, which dates back to the 1300s. If your legs are up to the climbing the 400 steps, there are spectacular views from the top of the city and surrounding countryside. Sorry, no elevator.
	Market Each Wednesday morning, the park near the Piazza Gramsci comes alive with vendors selling home goods, clothing, leather goods, and ceramics.
Lucca	Walk, bike the walls Lucca is surrounded by 2.5 miles of wide 16th-century walls. You can walk part or all of the path or rent a bicycle and ride with all age groups of locals. The flat path is shaded and very enjoyable to stroll or bike. To rent bikes, head to the tourist office in Piazza Santa Maria and rent from one of the two bike shops, Cicli Bizzarri or Antonio Poli's. They do have helmets available but you won't see local cyclists wearing them. Head up the ramp from the piazza to get up on to the walls. Many hotels in town also provide bicycles for guests.
Florence	Botanical Gardens extensive gardens and greenhouses where the Univiversity of Florence maintains 4 million botanical specimens in a wooded urban park, the "Giardino dei Semplici"
	Museums Visit other museums in Florence such as the Stibbert Museum which houses a collection of weapons, armor and costumes from the 16th to the 20th century. The Marino Marini Museum exhibits works of the contemporary sculptor.

Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

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The Finest Wines of Tuscany and Central Italy

Author: Hugh Johnson (Foreword), Nicholas Belfrage

Description: This astute guide to wine-making regions and villages in Tuscany includes a history of Tuscan grapes and culture, excellent color maps and profiles of select vintners and wines.

The House of Medici, Its Rise and Fall

Author: Christopher Hibbert

Description: A well-written, entertaining history of the Medicis in Renaissance Florence. Great to read before going to Florence, where the influence of the Medicis and the artists they supported is still very much in evidence.

The Renaissance, A Short History

Author: Paul Johnson

Description: The history, background, literature, sculpture, paintings and architecture of the Renaissance in just over 200 lively, thought-provoking pages.

The Stones of Florence

Author: Mary McCarthy

Description: The classic history of the art, architecture and culture of Florence. Novelist McCarthy takes us on a quick and vivid tour of the history of the Medicis and the city of Florence, focusing on Renaissance art.

Tuscany Map

Author: Touring Club Italiano

Description: A detailed map at a scale of 1:200,000. Imported from Italy.

You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.

As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.

Specifically, this program includes:

12 nights accommodations
28 meals: 12 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 9 dinners
Expert-led lectures: 6
Expert-led lectures

Led by one or more of our world-class instructors, typically in a classroom setting, lectures come in the form of presentations, discussions or workshops and offer expert insight into your area of study.
Field trips: 18
Field trips

The world is your classroom, as you're on location with an instructor to pursue your educational theme firsthand.
Hands-on experiences: 1
Hands-on experiences

Learn by doing in these "hands-on" activities directed by an expert.
Performances: 1
Performances

A performance can range from a night at the opera to a visit from a local performer at your hotel.

Plus these special experiences...

Retaining much of its medieval and Renaissance imprint, Lucca is easy to embrace. For a thousand years Lucca was a center of commerce and agriculture.
Visit the marble quarries of Carrara, the material of choice to great sculptors (Michelangelo) and architects.
Coach to San Gimignano, the Manhattan of Tuscany. During the middle ages more than 70 defensive towers were built by rival families. Now 14 remain.
Explore the villa of Lorenzo de'Medici at Poggio a Caiano and tour a winery in the Tuscan countryside to sample Tuscan wines.

View the Daily Schedule to see more

And included with all Road Scholar programs:

Learning led by expert instructors who are authorities in the field of study.
An experienced Group Leader attuned to the needs of Road Scholar participants.
Customary gratuities throughout the program that you would normally pay yourself.
The Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan, providing 24-hour-a-day emergency assistance coverage.
Taxes

Highlights

Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles a day on uneven terrain. Towns and city centers have wide traffic-free areas. Expect inclines on walks in Siena.

Date Specific Information

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology � listening devices � on this date.

Itinerary Summary

Arrival Pisa, coach to Lucca, 4 nights; coach to Siena, 5 nights; coach to Florence, 3 nights; departure

Overnight flight from the U.S.A.

1 night

Arrival Pisa, coach to Lucca

4 nights

Coach to Siena

5 nights

Coach to Florence

3 nights

Departure

Illustrated lectures on Medieval and Renaissance art prepare you for independent explorations of the world-famous Uffizi Gallery and Bargello National Museum of Sculpture. At the Accademia delle Belle Arti marvel at Michelangelo's �David.�

Italy

Jane Bacon

Umberto Cattani

Kevin Murphy

Donatella Grilli

Elaine Ruffolo

Rocky Ruggiero

Meals and Lodgings

Travel Details

Daily Schedule

Note: Minimal exertion, a walk around town and classroom time for a lecture.

Note: Not a strenuous day. Extended periods of standing during the expert-led walk in the heart of the pedestrian only small city. The pavement of the wide wall walk may be uneven in places.

Note: The walk to the Lucca station and from the Pisa station is about 1 mile. Light exertion in Pisa for the visit to the Piazza dei Miracoli, the Duomo complex comprised of the Leaning Tower and Baptistery.

Note: Coach one hour to Carrara and the quarries. Minimal walking from the bus to the terraces overlooking the quarries high above the town. Bus back to Carrara for an expert-led walk in the historical center. Some walking and standing during guide explanations.

Note: Coach travel and minimal walking at the working farm. In Siena the town center is restricted to car traffic, so that you can walk freely, but every walk is up or down an incline.

Note: Negotiating the inclines and descents of the hill town of Siena will require more effort than the walks in the previous program sites. The historical town center is restricted to car traffic, so that you can walk freely, but every walk is up or down an incline.

Note: Leisurely walk in Siena to visit the headquarters of a contrada, or district of the town. Note that Siena was settled on 3 hills and the walking path may include steep inclines of the pedestrian only streets.

Note: One hour coach ride to Pienza and a coach ride through the Tuscan countryside on the return. Short walks in Pienza, a very small hill town.

Note: Transfer to Florence by coach. Walk the flat streets of Florence about half a mile to the Accademia. The main gallery is on the ground floor.

Note: Minimal exertion on the walk to the Bargello - about a half mile from the hotel. The Bargello has a flight of stone stairs to reach the upper floor. A small elevator is in service for the truly needy.

Free Time Opportunities

Suggested Reading List

Brunelleschi's Dome, How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture

Author: Ross King

Description: The story of the design and construction of the dome in the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, a tale rife with politics, cut-throat competition and mighty inspiration.

Every Day in Tuscany, Seasons of an Italian Life

Author: Frances Mayes

Description: Twenty years later Mayes is still besotted by Italy -- her house, the tumbling geraniums, the people and the food -- all lovingly documented in her best memoir yet. With interludes in Portofino, Assisi and Rome and a focus on Renaissance master artist Luca Signorelli.

Fodor's Florence's 25 Best

Author: Fodor's

Description: This shirt-pocket guide includes an excellent map and essential information on the city's highlights, including sightseeing, restaurants and shopping.

Insight Guide Tuscany

Author: Insight Guides

Description: An illustrated guide in the popular series, noteworthy for its maps and illuminating essays on history, art, food and culture.

La Bella Figura, A Field Guide to the Italian Mind

Author: Beppe Severgnini

Description: Italians themselves love this guide to the Italian character, which addresses the apparently never-ending passion for beauty, disorder and high emotion. Severgnini opens the book with a snapshot of the hubbub at Malpensa Airport, then moves on to Tuscany, Rome, Naples and Sardinia.

La Bella Lingua

Author: Dianne Hales

Description: Inebriated with the sounds of Italian, lovesick for its phrases and enamored of its earthy idioms, Hales, "a sensible woman of sturdy Polish stock," dives into the Italian of the piazza, literature, movies and streets in this charming memoir.

Renaissance Florence, The Invention of a New Art

Author: A. Richard Turner

Description: A cultural and social history of the city focusing on the great art and famous monuments, featuring vivid color pictures and illustrations.

Seven Seasons in Siena

Author: Robert Rodi

Description: Rodi chronicles with self-deprecating hilarity his increasingly desperate and finally successful efforts over seven years to belong in Siena.

The Art of the Renaissance

Author: Peter Murray

Description: A classic, illustrated survey of the world of the Renaissance and its art. With chapters on Florence and its artists, the Netherlands, early illustrated books and many individual artists.

The Finest Wines of Tuscany and Central Italy

Author: Hugh Johnson (Foreword), Nicholas Belfrage

Description: This astute guide to wine-making regions and villages in Tuscany includes a history of Tuscan grapes and culture, excellent color maps and profiles of select vintners and wines.

The House of Medici, Its Rise and Fall

Author: Christopher Hibbert

Description: A well-written, entertaining history of the Medicis in Renaissance Florence. Great to read before going to Florence, where the influence of the Medicis and the artists they supported is still very much in evidence.

The Renaissance, A Short History

Author: Paul Johnson

Description: The history, background, literature, sculpture, paintings and architecture of the Renaissance in just over 200 lively, thought-provoking pages.

The Stones of Florence

Author: Mary McCarthy

Description: The classic history of the art, architecture and culture of Florence. Novelist McCarthy takes us on a quick and vivid tour of the history of the Medicis and the city of Florence, focusing on Renaissance art.

Tuscany Map

Author: Touring Club Italiano