Explore the heart of Tuscany on this full-day kid-friendly excursion through the cities of San Gimignano and Siena. Expect to see the gorgeous Tuscan countryside and two very different, yet both equally beautiful cities and both listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Get picked up from your centrally located hotel in Florence and head towards Siena, known for the Palio horse races in Piazza del Campo. Learn all about the history of the area and the architectural jewels like the cathedral, which represents one of the most important examples of Gothic architecture in Italy. Visit the small, medieval, and walled town, Monteriggioni, before heading to San Gimignano. This charming hilltop village is known as the "City of a Thousand Towers", though only 14 can be seen today. Climb the bell tower to get marvelous views and take in the many sights as you wander around. Kids will be engaged with activities throughout and everyone will go home, knowing more about this fascinating region.
Pickup included
Piazza del Campo is the main square in the historic center of Siena and is regarded as one of Europe's greatest medieval squares. Here you can see the Public Palace that holds the seat of the Republic of Siena's government and its stunning Tower del Mangia, as well as various elegant buildings surrounding the shell-shaped piazza. Twice a year you can see the horse race, Palio di Siena, held around the edges of the piazza and it is also the finish of the annual road cycling race Strade Bianche.
A contrada is a district, within an Italian city. The most well-known are the 17 contrade of Siena, whose representatives race on horseback in the Palio di Siena, twice every year. Each is named after an animal or symbol, and each has a long history and complicated heraldic and semi-mythological associations.
The Siena Cathedral is a medieval church, dedicated from its earliest days as a Roman Catholic Marian church, and now dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. The cathedral was designed and completed between 1215 and 1263 on the site of an earlier structure. The lantern atop the dome was added by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and the bell tower has six bells, where the oldest one was cast in 1149.
Choose to be picked up from a list of locations
Please arrive at the pick up point 10 minutes before departure time.
Please meet your guide in the lobby of your centrally located hotel in Florence. They will be holding up a sign with your name on it.