Italian Connection Tailor Made Bespoke Holidays In Italy

The experience starts with your arrival into Florence or Pisa airport where you will find your English-speaking assistant who will be waiting for you at Arrivals and will lead you to your driver who will now escort you to the 5-star Lungarno (or similar). You will now be accommodated in one of their "Relaxing Doubles".

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Boasting 65 luxury rooms and suites, many with beautiful terraces overlooking Renaissance masterpieces, the hotel is within walking distance from the most renowned boutiques, granting you the possibility to breathe in the magic of Florence. The lobby of the hotel reflects the style of an elegant boat swaying on the Arno with the Ponte Vecchio as its backdrop. The living room suspended over the river provides space for private rendezvous only steps away from the Borgo San Jacopo Michelin-starred restaurant, where you can experience masterful, world-class gastronomy right in the heart of Florence.

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That evening, you will enjoy a gourmet dinner at the restaurant. Overlooking the River Arno and Ponte Vecchio, this Michelin Star restaurant will amaze you with the creations of Chef Claudio Mengoni. Enjoy the tasting menu “Experience” (7 courses!!), including wine perfectly matched by the sommelier Salvatore Biscotti.

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23rd July: In the morning, meet your English-speaking guide in the lobby and you will go on a half-day walking tour of the city. Enjoy a nice stroll through the cradle of the Renaissance: home to Cimabue and Giotto, the forefathers of Italian painting; Arnolfo and Andrea Pisano, the first exponents of the Renaissance; Brunelleschi, Donatello and Masaccio, Ghiberti, Della Robbia, Filippo Lippi, Beato Angelico, Botticelli, Paolo Uccello, and not forgetting Leonardo and Michelangelo, the city is a true treasure trove of art. During the tour, you will visit the renowned Uffizi Gallery, one of the largest and best-known museums in the world, which holds a collection of priceless works, particularly from the period of the Italian Renaissance.

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Opened to visitors by request since the 16th century, in 1765 it was officially opened to the public, formally becoming a museum in 1865. Among the most recognized artists, you will admire works by Cimabue, Giotto, and Duccio di Buoninsegna, Sandro Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Paolo Uccello and Michelangelo. There are also countless European masters, such as El Greco, Velasquez, and Goya, in addition to Rembrandt, Hans Memling, Rubens, and Dürer.

 

At the end of the tour, your guide will escort you back to the hotel where you will enjoy lunch at your own leisure.

 

In the afternoon, you will check out and meet your English-speaking driver in the lobby where you will be whisked off to the 5-star Castelfalfi in Montaione (or similar). Your accommodation will be a deluxe double room B&B.  This is a one-of-a-kind hotel, an emblem of an Italian lifestyle. Castelfalfi is an elegant hotel immersed in an ultra-exclusive, scenic location. The warm, welcoming interiors in natural shades, convey the original spirit of the location, reinterpreting the past with all eyes on a sustainable future. Built with a modern approach to sustainability, in line with the principles of green building and using traditional materials such as wood and stone,

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Castelfalfi was designed with a strong focus on energy saving, to promote a global wellness philosophy and guarantee benefits for the health of its guests and the environment. For further details: Their Environmental Policy. The most striking thing about this 5-star property is the countryside with its idyllic backdrop and breathtaking scenery overlooking the valley.  A unique, bewitching context that transforms as times pass and the seasons change, yet always retaining its distinct, timeless charm.

 

That evening a table for 2 will be reserved at the rustic restaurant only steps away from the property and from the ancient medieval village, awaiting guests with the genuine cuisine of Tuscan tradition. The meal will include a starter, first course, main course with a side dish, and of course dessert which will be a chocolate blend tasting, created by the Executive Chef and the Maitre chocolatier Giovanni Angiolini. 

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July 24:  Morning and lunch at leisure where you can enjoy your surroundings, the pool, or perhaps enjoy the spa.  In the afternoon at about 1730, you will meet your English-speaking driver in the lobby and head to the amazing Teatro Del Silenzio for Andrea Bocelli’s concert. This amazing and unique open theatre is located in the middle of the Tuscan hills, in Lajatico, the Maestro’s birthplace. 

 

Before the concert, you will enjoy an exclusive aperitif and open-air gourmet dinner in a reserved area near the stage with an amazing view over the Tuscan hills. (welcome cocktail starting at 18.30 and dinner starting at 1900 – TBC). The event is reserved for up to 250 guests and it is for this very reason that this package is booked immediately to avoid disappointment. At the end of dinner, you will enjoy the concert from the VIP Parterre (executive tickets included). The executive ticket also includes a booklet, a bracelet for access to the hospitality area, an exclusive gift from the Teatro Del Silenzio. At the end of the concert, you will be taken back to your hotel.

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July 25: Breakfast and a morning to relax. In the afternoon, your driver will meet you in the lobby, and together you will head to Siena, where you will meet your English-speaking guide for a private 3-hour walking tour. 

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Surrounded by the olive groves and vineyards typical of the Chianti area, Siena is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Italy. The historical centre, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO features plenty of wonderful spots and buildings which are truly worth admiring, from the gothic-style Cathedral to the famous Torre del Mangia in Piazza del Campo, often referred to as one of the best medieval squares in Europe. This is a city where every stone has remained the same throughout the centuries thanks to the unique handing down of mysterious and spectacular customs through the generations. The most striking expression of such a custom is surely the Palio, a twice-yearly occurrence in which the city's neighbourhoods, known as Contrade, compete in an audacious horse race around Piazza del Campo. The atmosphere of the Palio days permeates the city throughout the year and you can discover the traditions and stories related to this amazing event by simply strolling around the city.

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At the end of the tour, a private transfer back to the hotel. This evening you will enjoy dinner within the medieval castle. The restaurant is managed by the young Chef from Bergamo Michele Rinaldi. A pupil of Italy's most famous chef, Gualtiero Marchesi. Head chef Rinaldi offers traditional cuisine, based on the meat and fish of the Mediterranean. Thanks to the experience gained in the most famous national and international restaurants, he has developed an original style based on materials of the highest quality that make simplicity the distinctive element of his delicious recipes. If the weather is balmy, you will have the opportunity of eating dinner on the beautiful panoramic terrace. This evening you will enjoy a tasting menu (drinks not included). 

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July 26: After breakfast, you will receive your gift from us and check-out will take place. You will meet your private English-speaking driver and head to Florence or Pisa airport for departure OR, if you are extending your stay, drop off will be at Florence city centre.

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If you feel you really do not want to leave Italy then here are some recommendations: 

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