Guest Tours
SPE and Newtours are offering many exciting tours for guests during and after ATCE. Purchase tickets to these tours (online or download registration form).
- The tours below are based on the participation of minimum 15/maximum 25 people for the walking tours and minimum 30/maximum 45 people for the bus tours.
- If the minimum guaranteed number of participants is not reached by 16 August 2010, Newtours will suggest alternative tours.
- Many of the proposed tours include visits to churches. Please remember that bare shoulder and/or shorts are not allowed inside churches.
- The cost of the tours includes an English-speaking guide and museum tickets when visited. Full-day tours include lunch.
Half-Day Tours
Half-day tours are traveled by foot, unless noted otherwise below.
City Centre
Monday, 20 September 0930–1230 - SOLD OUT
Tuesday, 21 September 1430–1730
EUR 30 per person
The 11th century Baptistery and its famous “Doors of Paradise” and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Flore (il Campanile) are the most outstanding monuments in the Cathedral Square. On the other end is the Signoria Square with the Palazzo Vecchio, which is the Town Hall of Florence. Quite impressive is the incredible series of original status (Perseus, Neptune, the Rape of the Sabines, etc.) which stands here, so that the square can be considered an open air museum. Ponte Vecchio, with all its famous jewelry stores, is one more world famous monument of Florence. It’s the only original bridge still standing and dates back to the 14th century. From Ponte Vecchio, one of the main streets leads to the Piazza della Repubblica, which is a more recent square created in the 19th century when Florence was the capital of Italy. It was also the location of the centre of the ancient Roman colony of Florentia. Many of Florence’s outdoors cafes are located in this square.
The Medici Family
Tuesday, 21 September 0930–1230
EUR 42 per person
In the three hundred years during which the Medici were the ruling dynasty in Florence, they did something unique and special for the city. It’s thanks to them that some of the greatest artists created original masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s Medici tombs or Brunelleschi’s Church of San Lorenzo. Their first residence was the Medici-Riccardi Palace, which was also the first palace of the Renaissance, and their private chapel with the fabulous paintings by Benozzo Gozzoli.
The Uffizi Gallery
Tuesday, 21 September 1000–1200 - SOLD OUT
Tuesday, 21 September 1500–1700 - SOLD OUT
Wednesday, 22 September 1000–1200 - SOLD OUT
EUR 35 per person – based on the participation of minimum 30
The Uffizi Gallery is one of the greatest museums in the world. It was founded in 1581 by Francesco I de’ Medici, who collected numerous art-works in the building designed by Vasari. Today the Uffizi contains masterpieces by Italian and foreign artists from 13th to 18th century such as Cimabue, Giotto, Masaccio, Beato Angelico, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Piero Della Francesca, Raffaello, Caravaggio, along with Rubens Rembrandt, Durer, Goya, and many others.
The Academy Gallery
Tuesday, 21 September 1000–1200
Wednesday, 22 September 1000–1200
Wednesday, 22 September 1500–1700 - SOLD OUT
EUR 35 per person – based on the participation of minimum 30
In 2004, Michelangelo’s David celebrated its 500th birthday, as it was completed in 1504. On this occasion the statue was cleaned and restored, so that it’s now even more important to pay a visit to the museum where it’s kept, together with some other impressive works by the great master, such as his unfinished status called the captives. But this is not only David’s museum. There is also, for instance, an interesting collection of 13th-16th century paintings.
Santa Maria Novella: its District, its Pharmacy
Monday, 20 September 0930–1230 - SOLD OUT
Thursday, 23 September 0930–1230
EUR 45 per person
The Dominican friars settled in this area in the 13th century and built here the purest Gothic style church of Florence. Masaccio, Ghirlandaio, Filippino Lippi, and many other artists embellished it with spectacular works of arts. The monks distilled herbs and flowers and made essence which became worldwide famous over the centuries. This tradition is still alive thanks to the owners who, nowadays, keep working in the ancient rooms decorated with paintings, statues, and precious furniture. After the visit to the Pharmacy, a walking tour of the area will give the opportunity to admire the elegant exterior of the Rucellai Palace, the home of the Rucellai family which had the façade of Santa Mario Novella church completed in 1470. The tour includes a little present from the Pharmacy, to remind you of the visit to this special place.
Florentine Hills (By Bus)
Monday, 20 September 1430–1730
Wednesday, 22 September 1430–1730
EUR 43 per person
Piazzale Michelangelo: Located along the “Avenue of the hills” it provides an unforgettable view of the city but the view one can enjoy from San Miniato Church is even more enchanting. This church, with its green and white marble façade, is one of the most important examples of Florentine Romanesque architecture, surrounded by the typical Tuscan countryside. On the hills overlooking Florence to the north, the small historical town of Fiesole, of Etruscan origin, later a Roman town provides a marvelous and truly exhilarating panorama of Florence, the Arno river valley, and the Tuscan hills.
Masaccio and Churches in the Oltrarno Area
Wednesday, 22 September 0930–1230
EUR 43 per person
The Church of Santa Felicita, beside the Ponte Vecchio, contains one of the greatest masterpieces of Mannerist art: the dramatic “Deposizione dalla Croce” by Pontorno. The Church of Santo Sirito, built in the 15th century by Brunelleschi, is a splendid example of Renaissance architecture hidden behind a very simple façade. It also still contains many of the paintings which were originally commissioned to decorate it, which is something very rare to find. The Church of S. Maria del Carmine was originally a 13th century Romanesque church, later rebuilt after being almost totally destroyed by the fire of 1771. Of the surviving chapels, the famous “Cappella Brancacci” boasts one of the most solemn monuments of Renaissance painting: the frescoes by Masaccio. These outstanding churches are located in the “Oltrarno” area, which is by itself worth a visit for its many workshops, where the tradition of Florentine artistic handicraft is still alive. The tour includes a stop in a typical outdoor café of the picturesque Santo Spirito Square for a refreshing ice cream or a drink.
Pitti Palace
Tuesday, 21 September 1000–1200
Wednesday, 22 September 1000–1200
EUR 42 per person
The Pitti Palace was the third and last – really sumptuous – residence of the Medici Family. It was later on the residence of the Austrian Grand Dukes and of the Kings of Italy, so that it became richer and richer in decoration and a model for the European royal palaces. Fully furnished and lavishly decorated, it’s also the seat of the Palatine Gallery, with masterpieces by Raffaello, Tiziano, Rubens, and other great masters, and of the Royal apartments.
Full-Day Tours
Full-day tours are traveled by bus.
Siena and San Gimignano
Monday, 20 September 0830–1800
EUR 105 per person
Drive through the Chianti wine area amidst lovely, ever changing scenery of vine clad hills and olive groves to Siens, a medieval town situated on the hillside between the Arbia and Elsa rivers. It's the birthplace of St. Catherine and many famous artists. Visit the Cathedral, the Campo Square with the Town Hall, the Church of San Domenico, and observe other fine specimens of medival architecture. On the way home, visit San Gimignano, a charming little town perched on a hilltop and preserved almost intact since the Middle Ages, with its famous towers, precious frescoes, and other art treasures. Lunch in a typical restaurant in Siena.
Pisa and Lucca
Tuesday, 21 September 0830–1800
EUR 98 per person
Pisa, located on the river Arno, a few kilometers inland, is famous for its “Piazza dei Miracoli”, with the Cathedral, the Leaning Tower, the Baptistery, the Camposanto, a monumental complex and one of the greatest examples of Romanesque architecture and sculpture. It is one of the most beautifulplaces in Italy: its splendid buildings with their rational and spacious layout rise proudly from the grass lawns. The tour continues to Lucca with its suggestive city walls, the Cathedral, the Church of San Frediano, and its “Pizza del Mercato”, a square which has kept the original oval shape of the ancient Roman amphitheatre. Lunch in a typical restaurant in Lucca.
Chianti Area
Sunday, 19 September 0930–1700 - SOLD OUT
Wednesday, 22 September 0930–1700
EUR 98 per person
A relaxing drive through the Chianti wine area amidst lovely, ever changing scenery of vine clad hills, dotted with olive and cypress trees, little country churches, farmhouses, villas and castles, gives the opportunity to see one of the most suggestive areas of Tuscany, known all over the world. A stop in one of the best Chianti wine estates will give the possibility to taste the local wines with country snacks and to visit the wine cellars.
Medici Villas
Tuesday, 21 September 0930–1700
EUR 98 per person
If you want to know more about how the Medici family, and later on the Kings of Italy, lived in the country, you shouldn’t miss the visit to the Villas of Petraia and of Poggio a Caiano, which still offer an incredible selection of 19th century furniture. Both villas are surrounded by gorgeous gardens and parks. In the case of the Villa La Ferdinanda in Artimino, on the other hand, there is no garden. It’s the Tuscan countryside surrounding it – with gently rolling hills, olive groves and vineyards – that creates a marvelous setting for this former hunting residence of Ferdinando 1st of the Medici family. This area is also important for the production of great wines, and it will be possible to taste them during a lunch served in this “corner of paradise.”
Post-Conference Tour — “Unknown Tuscany” - SOLD OUT
The following tour is based on the participation of minimum 10, maximum 20 people. If the minimum guaranteed number of participants is not reached, Newtours will inform you by 16 August 2010.
Please Note: All lunches and dinners include typical local dishes and wines. This tour is dedicated to the art, culture, landscapes, foods, and wines of Tuscany.
Unknown Tuscany – Double Room |
EUR 1,390 |
Unknown Tuscany – Single Room |
EUR 760 |
The cost includes:
- English-speaking guide at disposal for the 3 days
- 2 nights in two three star hotels (names to be advised)
- Lunches and dinner as indicated in the program
"Unknown Tuscany" Itinerary
Thursday, 23 September
Departure by deluxe coach to Cortona for a visit to the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie al Calcinaio, one of the purest examples of Renaissance architecture, which stands outside the town, perched on a hilltop, in a superb location overlooking the broad plane of the Chiana River. Lunch will be hosted in a typical restaurant in Cortona. The drive will continue to Montepulciano for the visit of the temple of San Biagio, one more spectacular examples of Renaissance architecture, which stands in a green field outside this little town. We will continue to Pienza, a little town which represents the ideal Renaissance city in miniature, with imposing “palazzo” and an impressive Cathedral, created by the humanist Pope Pio II. Pienza is centered in the magnificent is the landscape of the Val d’Orcia. We will check in at the hotel, have an orientation walk, dine, and stay overnight.
Friday, 24 September
After breakfast and some free time in Pienza we will proceed by bus to the Romanesque Abbey of Sant’Antimo, which according to traditions, was founded by Charlemagne. It stands isolated in the valley immersed in a typical Tuscan countryside and was built with travertine, onyx, and alabaster, which gives it some of its golden reflections. We will stop for lunch at a wine estate to taste the Brunello di Montalcino, one of the top wines of Italy, and we will visit its wine cellars. Proceed southwards along the old Cassia road, with a stop at Bagno Vignoni, a charming little spa village, where the Dinner and the overnight stay will be in Pitigliano, one more picturesque hill town, where the buildings seem to come out from the rock on top of which they were built. It used to be an important Jewish settlement so there is still an impressive Synagogue in the oldest section of this little town.
Saturday, 25 September
After breakfast and some free time to enjoy the special atmosphere of Pitigliano we will drive to the Maremma coastline for lunch in a typical restaurant in Castiglion della Pescaia, the most popular sea resort of this area. After lunch we will drive out to Bolgheri, which has become one of the most famous wine areas in the world for producing amongst others the famous wines of Sassicaia. Then we will head back to Florence in the late afternoon.
QUICK LINKS
Tour Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be addressed to Organizing Secretariat.
- 100% refund- Postmarked by 16 July 2010
- 50% refund - Postmarked between 16 July and 16 August 2010
- No refund - Postmarked after 16 August 2010
The cost does not include:
- Tips
- Anything that has not been explicitly specified in the descriptions listed below.
If you need assistance, please email atce2010@newtours.it
