Cathedral of Cortona, Cortona, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy, Europe
Cortona Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Cortona, Tuscany, central Italy, dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was the seat of the Bishops of Cortona from 1507 to 1986, and is now a co-cathedral in the present Diocese of Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepolcro. The church was built over the remains of an ancient Roman temple and is mentioned in the 11th century. In 1325 the diocese of Cortona was created from the territory of the diocese of Arezzo, but the present cathedral was not chosen at that date as the episcopal seat, although the adjoining building was used as the bishop's residence. In 1507 Pope Julius II resolved the anomaly and transferred the bishop's seat from the sub-urban church of San Vincenzo. As if in preparation for its new importance, the interior had been refurbished in the late 15th century. The appearance of the original medieval church is mostly hidden by later additions, such as the 18th century barrel vaulted ceiling in the nave, which was repainted in the late 19th century by the local artist Giovanni Brunacci; in the same period the oval windows, the triumphal arch and the pavement were also added or remade. The oldest elements visible are in the Romanesque façade - a pier with capital, and small columns at the corners, and part of the large arcade. The church has a central nave and two aisles, divided by columns with Brunelleschi-inspired capitals. The south side has a loggia built in the late 16th century. The bell tower dates from the middle of the same century. Artworks in the interior include an Adoration of the Shepherds by Pietro da Cortona and assistants (c. 1663), a Consecration of the Church of the Holy Saviour by Andrea Commodi (1607, brought here in the late 18th century) and a Descent of the Holy Spirit by Tommaso Bernabei (1528-1529). The town's Diocesan Museum houses works formerly in the cathedral, including Pietro Lorenzetti's Maestà (before 1320), and a tapestry and a reliquary from the period of the Renaissance.
Hotel Italia, Cortona, Italy.
Hotel Italia, Cortona, Italy.
For Great Rates Book Online:
Hotel Italia is a 15th-century mansion recently renovated and is located in the heart of Cortona in the region of Tuscany, Italy.
The hotel features 25 rooms with: single, standard, superior, superior with view on the Valdichiana, junior suites, triple and family rooms. Facilities in the rooms include: - Individual air conditioning - Individual heating - Private safe - Coffee and tea making facilities - Satellite TV with international channels - Bathroom with hand basin, shower, WC, bidet and hairdryer
GUEST SERVICES
Multilingual reception staff - Complimentary Wi-fi connection - Breakfast room with stunning view on the Valdichiana - Elevator - Bicycle store - Complimentary baby cot upon request - Laundry service upon charge with delivery on the next day - Complimentary luggage storage room.
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The Best of Tuscany Tour 2018 with Tuscany Tours
Tuscany Tours, Italy’s best small-group (limited to 16 participants), escorted, tour company presents The Best of Tuscany 2018.
9 glorious days exploring the best Tuscany has to offer – from Florence to Cortona and many places in between. Enjoy Tuscany’s rich history, art, culture, food, wine, and breathtaking scenery while having fun!
Three tours dates to choose from:
May 15 to May 23, 2018 – [Only 5 places left]
Sep 7 to Sep 15, 2018 – [Only 5 places left]
Nov 8 to Nov 16, 2018
We've designed this tour as a sampler that provides a taste of the many pleasures that Florence and Tuscany have to offer. You'll have a chance to go wine tasting in Chianti, visit medieval castles, see art treasures of the Renaissance, explore Tuscany's picturesque towns and villages, and enjoy the exquisite local cuisine.
We'll be staying at charming, historic 4-star hotels in Tuscany. We'll spend the first portion of our week in Florence at a gracious hotel situated in a 15th-century palazzo in the historic core of the city, only steps away from many of the world's greatest collections of artistic masterpieces.
For the next portion of our adventure in Tuscany, we'll be based in a tiny village in the Chianti region at an elegant boutique hotel that was an 18th-century noble residence. From here, we'll visit the fascinating medieval city of Siena with its world-famous Gothic cathedral. And we'll make several short excursions to explore wine, food, and art in the marvelous hill-towns and villages that make this one of the most beautiful areas of Tuscany.
Lastly, we transfer to the ancient Etruscan town of Cortona which has recently been made famous by the book and movie, Under the Tuscan Sun. We'll be staying in a luxurious palazzo in the old town at the top of the mountain with commanding views of the Valdichiana plains down below.
You will have the opportunity to experience both the excitement and stimulus of the cities of Florence and Siena and the beauty and tranquility of rural Tuscan life. The small size of our group (maximum 16 participants) allows us to move about without following a red umbrella and to eat in restaurants and trattorias that are popular with the locals. In addition to breakfast, we share one full-course meal every day as a group, either lunch or dinner. Be prepared for a week of feasting at some of the finest restaurants in Tuscany!
The Best of Tuscany Tour combines daily planned activities along with unstructured time that you may spend as you like. If you have special activities that you'd like to pursue during the unscheduled portions of our tour in Tuscany, we're happy to help you arrange it. And if you'd like to visit other special places in Italy either before or after the tour, we'll be glad to assist with bookings, transfers, guides and all the rest.
During the course of the tour, we offer presentations and slideshows to help you better appreciate the art and the places we visit. The rest of the time, we attend to all the details to make your travel adventure as smooth as possible. You get to relax and experience The Best of Tuscany!
Click on this link to request your itinerary today:
For more information about Tuscany Tours visit:
Join us on Facebook too!
#TuscanyTours #Tuscany #BestTuscanyTours
Tuscany Tours presents Treasured Moments in Tuscany
Tuscany Tours ( in Tuscany, Italy -
A treasured moment from our Best of Tuscany immersion journey. Our group enjoyed a private performance during our visit to Tuscany. Sit back and enjoy.
This was only one of the many treasured moments we had during this tour. Our Best of Tuscany tour visits Florence, Chianti, Siena, Cortona and many places in between.
Come join us on The Best of Tuscany Tour! Small groups limited to only 16 participants; Four-Star hotels; fine dining and wine tastings; great local guides for real cultural immersion. All of this in one of the most beautiful and interesting places in the world!
We've designed this tour as a sampler that provides a taste of the many pleasures that Florence and Tuscany have to offer. You'll have a chance to go wine tasting in Chianti, visit medieval castles, see art treasures of the Renaissance, explore Tuscany's picturesque towns and villages, and enjoy the exquisite local cuisine.
We'll be staying at charming, comfortable 4 Star hotels in Tuscany. We'll spend the first portion of our week in Florence at a gracious hotel situated in a 15th-century palazzo in the historic core of the city, only steps away from many of the world's greatest collections of artistic masterpieces.
For the next portion of our adventure in Tuscany, we'll be based in a tiny village in the Chianti region at an elegant boutique hotel that was an 18th-century noble residence. From here we'll visit the fascinating medieval city of Siena with its world-famous Gothic cathedral. And we'll make several short excursions to explore wine, food, and art in the marvelous hill towns and villages that make this one of the most beautiful areas of Tuscany.
Lastly, we transfer to the ancient Etruscan town of Cortona which has recently been made famous by the book and movie, Under the Tuscan Sun. We'll be staying in a luxurious palazzo in the old town at the top of the mountain with commanding views of the Valdichiana plains down below.
You will have the opportunity to experience both the excitement and stimulus of the cities of Florence and Siena and the beauty and tranquility of rural Tuscan life. The small size of our group allows us to move about without following a red umbrella and to eat in restaurants and trattorias that are popular with the locals. In addition to breakfast, we share one full-course meal every day as a group, either lunch or dinner. Be prepared for a week of feasting at some of the finest restaurants in Tuscany!
The Best of Tuscany Tour combines daily planned activities along with unstructured time that you may spend as you like. If you have special activities that you'd like to pursue during the unscheduled portions of our tour in Tuscany, we're happy to help you arrange it. And if you'd like to visit other special places in Italy either before or after the tour, we'll be glad to assist with bookings, transfers, guides and all the rest.
During the tour, we offer presentations and slideshows to help you better appreciate the art and the places we visit. The rest of the time, we attend to all the details to make your travel adventure as smooth as possible. You get to relax and experience The Best of Tuscany!
Request your itinerary here:
#BestofTuscany #TuscanyTours #ToursofTuscany #ItalyTours
Tuscany Tours Presents: The Best of Tuscany
Tuscany Tours, ( ) Italy’s best small-group (limited to 16 participants), escorted, tour company presents The Best of Tuscany.
9 glorious days exploring the best Tuscany has to offer – from Florence to Cortona and many places in between. Enjoy Tuscany’s rich history, art, culture, food, wine, and breathtaking scenery while having fun!
We've designed this tour as a sampler that provides a taste of the many pleasures that Florence and Tuscany have to offer. You'll have a chance to go wine tasting in Chianti, visit medieval castles, see art treasures of the Renaissance, explore Tuscany's picturesque towns and villages, and enjoy the exquisite local cuisine.
We'll be staying at charming, historic 4-star hotels in Tuscany. We'll spend the first portion of our week in Florence at a gracious hotel situated in a 15th-century palazzo in the historic core of the city, only steps away from many of the world's greatest collections of artistic masterpieces.
For the next portion of our adventure in Tuscany, we'll be based in a tiny village in the Chianti region at an elegant boutique hotel that was an 18th-century noble residence. From here, we'll visit the fascinating medieval city of Siena with its world-famous Gothic cathedral. And we'll make several short excursions to explore wine, food, and art in the marvelous hill-towns and villages that make this one of the most beautiful areas of Tuscany.
Lastly, we transfer to the ancient Etruscan town of Cortona which has recently been made famous by the book and movie, Under the Tuscan Sun. We'll be staying in a luxurious palazzo in the old town at the top of the mountain with commanding views of the Valdichiana plains down below.
You will have the opportunity to experience both the excitement and stimulus of the cities of Florence and Siena and the beauty and tranquility of rural Tuscan life. The small size of our group (maximum 16 participants) allows us to move about without following a red umbrella and to eat in restaurants and trattorias that are popular with the locals. In addition to breakfast, we share one full-course meal every day as a group, either lunch or dinner. Be prepared for a week of feasting at some of the finest restaurants in Tuscany!
The Best of Tuscany Tour combines daily planned activities along with unstructured time that you may spend as you like. If you have special activities that you'd like to pursue during the unscheduled portions of our tour in Tuscany, we're happy to help you arrange it. And if you'd like to visit other special places in Italy either before or after the tour, we'll be glad to assist with bookings, transfers, guides and all the rest.
During the tour, we offer presentations and slideshows to help you better appreciate the art and the places we visit. The rest of the time, we attend to all the details to make your travel adventure as smooth as possible. You get to relax and experience The Best of Tuscany!
REQUEST YOUR ITINERARY TODAY! Click on this link to request your itinerary:
To learn more about other tours in Italy and France, please visit:
Join us on Facebook too!
#TuscanyTours #Tuscany #BestTuscanyTours
Tuscany Tours: Best of Tuscany 2016 - 2 June 2016
Tuscany Tours, Italy’s best small-group, escorted tour company (limited to 16 participants), presents some special moments from our Best of Tuscany June 2016 immersion journey.
The Best of Tuscany immersion journey is nine glorious days exploring the best Tuscany has to offer – from Florence to Cortona and many places in between. Enjoy Tuscany’s rich history, art, culture, food, wine, and breathtaking scenery while having fun!
We've designed this tour as a sampler of the many pleasures that Florence and Tuscany have to offer. You'll have a chance to go wine tasting in Chianti, visit medieval castles, see art treasures of the Renaissance, explore Tuscany's picturesque towns and villages, and enjoy exquisite local cuisine.
We'll be staying at charming, historic 4-star hotels in Tuscany. We'll spend the first portion of our week in Florence at a gracious hotel situated in a 15th-century palazzo in the historic core of the city, only steps away from many of the world's greatest collections of artistic masterpieces.
For the next portion of our adventure in Tuscany, we'll be based in a tiny village in the Chianti region at an elegant boutique hotel that was an 18th-century noble residence. From here, we'll visit the fascinating medieval city of Siena with its world-famous Gothic cathedral. And we'll make several short excursions to explore wine, food, and art in the marvelous hill-towns and villages that make this one of the most beautiful areas of Tuscany.
Lastly, we transfer to the ancient Etruscan town of Cortona which has recently been made famous by the book and movie, Under the Tuscan Sun. We'll be staying in a luxurious palazzo in the old town at the top of the mountain with commanding views of the Valdichiana plains down below.
You will have the opportunity to experience both the excitement and stimulus of the cities of Florence and Siena and the beauty and tranquility of rural Tuscan life. The small size of our group allows us to move about without following a red umbrella and to eat in restaurants and trattorias that are popular with the locals. In addition to breakfast, we share one full-course meal every day as a group, either lunch or dinner. Be prepared for a week of feasting at some of the finest restaurants in Tuscany!
The Best of Tuscany Tour combines daily planned activities along with unstructured time that you may spend as you like. If you have special activities that you'd like to pursue during the unscheduled portions of our tour in Tuscany, we're happy to help you arrange it. And if you'd like to visit other special places in Italy either before or after the tour, we'll be glad to assist with bookings, transfers, guides and all the rest.
We offer presentations and slideshows to help you better appreciate the art and the places we visit. The rest of the time, we attend to all the details to make your travel adventure as smooth as possible. You get to relax and experience The Best of Tuscany!
Click on this link to request your itinerary today:
For more information about Tuscany Tours visit:
Join us on Facebook too!
#TuscanyTours #BestTuscanyTours #BestSmallGroupTours
The Artviva Festival Florence Italy April 27th to October 31st
Looking for something to do during the evening in Florence? Introducing ... The Artviva Festival Experience. A unique ongoing Festival, a world first! With nightly events celebrating Italian Culture, 'Made in Italy past and present' and 'slow food'. Our new Artviva festival provides an exclusive and unique opportunity to meet Italian princes and counts,aristocrats, brilliant literati, gifted artists, famous authors, artisans and wine makers in the stunning surrounds of a historic palazzo in the heart of Florence. Each evening kicks off with a free event and a free glass of wine while you meet talented artists and writers presenting their brilliant works. Then enjoy an entertaining introduction to Italian culture presented by princes, counts and literati. This is followed by a fun 'class' on how to taste wine with some of Tuscany's best wines presented again by our distinguished patrons. You can then head off for a festival dinner. We thank our distinguished patrons Prince Duccio Corsini, Count Niccolò Capponi and Count Sebastiano Capponi. Their generous patronage makes this unique Festival possible. As a part of our Artviva Festival we are also offering special exclusive Festival vouchers for free transfers, free Florence maps, free Florence tasting maps, free artisan demonstrations, free artist studio tours, free gifts, free tastings, great discounts and more!
Tuscany Tours Presents: The Best of Tuscany Fall Tour Nov 8-16, 2018
Tuscany Tours ( invites you to explore the Best of Tuscany with us – November 8-16, 2018.
Come discover the charm of Tuscany in the fall on our Best of Tuscany Tour! Our escorted, small group tour is limited to only 16 participants; Four-Star hotels; fine dining and wine tastings; great local guides for real cultural immersion. All of this in one of the most beautiful and interesting places in the world!
We've designed this tour as a sampler that provides a taste of the many pleasures that Florence and Tuscany have to offer. You'll have a chance to go wine tasting in Chianti, visit medieval castles, see art treasures of the Renaissance, explore Tuscany's picturesque towns and villages, and enjoy the exquisite local cuisine.
We'll be staying at charming, comfortable 4 Star hotels in Tuscany. We'll spend the first portion of our week in Florence at a gracious hotel situated in a 15th-century palazzo in the historic core of the city, only steps away from many of the world's greatest collections of artistic masterpieces.
For the next portion of our adventure in Tuscany, we'll be based in a tiny village in the Chianti region at an elegant boutique hotel that was an 18th-century noble residence. From here we'll visit the fascinating medieval city of Siena with its world-famous Gothic cathedral. And we'll make several short excursions to explore wine, food, and art in the marvelous hill towns and villages that make this one of the most beautiful areas of Tuscany.
Lastly, we transfer to the ancient Etruscan town of Cortona which has recently been made famous by the book and movie, Under the Tuscan Sun. We'll be staying in a luxurious palazzo in the old town at the top of the mountain with commanding views of the Valdichiana plains down below.
You will have the opportunity to experience both the excitement and stimulus of the cities of Florence and Siena and the beauty and tranquility of rural Tuscan life. The small size of our group allows us to move about without following a red umbrella and to eat in restaurants and trattorias that are popular with the locals. In addition to breakfast, we share one full-course meal every day as a group, either lunch or dinner. Be prepared for a week of feasting at some of the finest restaurants in Tuscany!
The Best of Tuscany Tour combines daily planned activities along with unstructured time that you may spend as you like. If you have special activities that you'd like to pursue during the unscheduled portions of our tour in Tuscany, we're happy to help you arrange it. And if you'd like to visit other special places in Italy either before or after the tour, we'll be glad to assist with bookings, transfers, guides and all the rest.
During the course of the tour, we offer presentations and slideshows to help you better appreciate the art and the places we visit. The rest of the time, we attend to all the details to make your travel adventure as smooth as possible. You get to relax and experience The Best of Tuscany!
Request your free itinerary here:
Check out our other scheduled authentic immersion journeys in Italy and France here:
#TuscanyTours #BestTuscanyTours #SmallGroupToursItaly
Arezzo Cathedral, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy, Europe
Arezzo Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in the city of Arezzo in Tuscany, Italy. It is located on the site of a pre-existing Palaeo-Christian church and, perhaps, of the ancient city's acropolis. A first cathedral of Arezzo was built on the nearby Pionta Hill, over the burial place of Donatus of Arezzo, martyred in 363. In 1203 Pope Innocent III had the cathedral moved within the city's walls, in the current site. The Cathedral, however, lost the relics of Donatus, which were transferred in the church of San Donato in Castiglione Messer Raimondo (in what is now the province of Teramo). In spite of this, the church is still entitled to St. Donatus and houses, at the high altar, a 14th-century arch named after him. The construction of the current structure, started in 1278, went through different phases, and ended in 1511. The façade was built in 1901-1914, replacing the previous, unfinished one, dating to the 15th century. It was the seat of the Bishop of Arezzo from the 3rd century until 1986, and from 1986 onwards of the present Bishop of Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepolcro. The façade was designed by Dante Viviani and has a sculpture description by Giuseppe Cassioli, Enrico Quattrini and Viviani himself. The right side of the church is from the original medieval building, in sandstone. In the middle is a 14th-century portal in Florentine style, with two porphyry columns taken from an ancient temple. The polygonal apse, with double mullioned windows, dates to the 13th century. The interior has a nave and two aisles divided by piers with ogival arches, with five spans covered by cross vault, without a transept. The seven stained glass windows in the right aisles were executed in 1516-1524 by Guillaume de Marcillat. Other stained glass windows are in the presbytery, one also by Marcillat and another by early 15th century Florentine masters. The presbytery houses a large arch dedicated to St. Donatus. Sculpted in marble, it has twelve small piers ending with spires and pinnacles in Gothic style and was executed by Florentine, Aretine and Sienese artists of the 14th century, including (in the lower section) Agnolo di Ventura and Agostino di Giovanni. The wooden choir of the Grand Chapel was designed by Giorgio Vasari in 1554. In the counter-façade is the hexagonal baptismal font, with reliefs by Donatello's workshop, including a Baptism of Christ by Donatello himself. The Chapel of Madonna del Confort is a Neoclassicist work, built from 1796 and housing several terracottas by Andrea della Robbia. In the same side is the cenotaph of Guido Tarlati, lord of Arezzo until 1327. According to some, it was designed by Giotto, and executed by Agnolo di Ventura and Agostino di Giovanni. Near to the cenotaph is Piero della Francesca's Mary Magdalene (1460s). In the right aisle is the funerary monument of Pope Gregory X (died 1276), dating to the early 14th century. Another funerary monument in the aisles is that of Ciuto Tarlati (1334), formed by a marble sarcophagus of the 4th century AD and a series of reliefs by Agostino di Giovanni, crowned by a 14th-century fresco.
Castello di Casole: Luxury in Tuscany
Castello di Casole is one of the finest hotels in the Tuscany region of Italy. It is a completely five-star experience, from the hotel rooms to the restaurants to the spa to the bar. Truly classic experience in one of the iconic regions of Italy.
Follow along all my adventures at
Tuscany & Umbria with The Wayfarers Walking Vacations
Join The Wayfarers for a sun-kissed stroll through the vineyards, mountain views, culinary delights and centuries of history of Italy's Tuscany and Umbria regions.
We visit the beautiful town of Orvieto upon arrival, then transfer to the first of three luxury hotels. Walking along the vineyards towards Montefalco, we then take a medieval tour in Bevagna, where we are shown how cloth, paper, coins and candles were made. We walk along the forest and mountain route of Monte Subasio, towards Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis. In Cortona, we explore the countryside around this charming, quintessentially Italian hilltop town. We end the trip in the beautiful city of Siena, home to some of Italy's finest architecture and religious buildings.
To find out more about the Tuscany and Umbria Walk, visit The Wayfarers website:
KSU in Italy: Misadventures in Montepulciano
Thanks for joining me for my next Italy vlog! I'm sorry that it's extremely long; I simply couldn't remove any part of the finished product and maintain the integrity of the experience that I wanted to capture. I highly recommend you watch the entire video for the full effect, but if you must, skip to 15:22 to experience our main misadventures with us. Hope you laugh as much as we did!
Under the Tuscan Sun: Summer walking at your own pace
Take a walking holiday in the heart of Tuscany along the Via Francigena, for an unforgettable experience this summer.
Enjoy a relaxed walking holiday across the picture-perfect Tuscan countryside, taking time to enjoy the region's cuisine and explore the most stunning UNESCO World Heritage sites -- Monteriggioni, San Gimignano and Siena.
Starting in San Miniato, this 7 day holiday takes you on an easy leisurely walk across the Tuscan countryside visiting stunning sites and villages before reaching the historic centre of Siena.
This walk, which is suitable for even the most novice walkers, covers part of section 14 of the Via Francigena. The Via Francigena is a classic pilgrimage route that starts in Canterbury and crosses France and Switzerland on its way to Rome.
This holiday is designed for those looking for an active summer, while taking time to discover and admire some of the most beautiful spots of Tuscany. Walkers will also get to taste authentic Tuscan food and wine in the region's best 'osterias'.
En route to Siena, you will pass the vineyards of Chianti and visit the medieval walled town of Monteriggioni and the breath-taking hilltop town of San Gimignano, where you will spend a night. Over the 5 walking days you will also pass through the villages of Colle di Val d'Elsa and Gambassi Terme.
You can also time your trip to coincide with some of the region's colourful festivals. Il Palio di Siena, the city's spectacular and colourful horse race, takes place in the city of Siena in July and August. San Gimignano goes back to the Middle Ages in June with its Cavalieri di Santa Fina Medieval Festival.
This relaxing culture-filled holiday is available now from CaminoWays.com, the walking and cycling holiday specialists, from just €679pp.
For more information on our Under the Tuscan Sun walking holiday package.
Price includes: Accommodation on a half board basis, luggage transfers and a holiday pack.
Price does not include: Flights, insurance, airport transfers, dinner on first or last night or drinks.
Book today by logging onto caminoways.com or call 353 (0)1-525-28-86.
Find CaminoWays.com on Facebook: facebook.com/caminoways.
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Tuscany Tours presents Traveler Raves: Gary and Kathy
Tuscany Tours ( Best of Tuscany tour traveler rave. One of the biggest thrills for Tuscany Tours is when a past traveler returns to explore new destinations with us. When a past traveler decides to repeat the same tour, it’s one of the best compliments we could ever receive!
Today, Tuscany Tours co-owner, Pam Mercer is speaking with Gary and Kathy about why they chose to repeat our Best of Tuscany tour after 10 years and why they brought friends along this time! Hint: It has something to do with magic and recapturing “lightning in a bottle.
Come join us on the Best of Tuscany Tour! Our small-group, escorted tours are limited to only 16 participants. You’ll enjoy meticulously selected four-star accommodations, fine dining and wine tastings, and great local guides for real cultural immersion. All of this in one of the most beautiful and interesting places in the world!
We've designed this tour as a sampler that provides a taste of the many pleasures that Florence and Tuscany have to offer. You'll have a chance to go wine tasting in Chianti, visit medieval castles, see art treasures of the Renaissance, explore Tuscany's picturesque towns and villages, and enjoy the exquisite local cuisine.
We'll be staying at charming, comfortable 4-star hotels in Tuscany. We'll spend the first portion of our week in Florence at a gracious hotel situated in a 15th-century palazzo in the historic core of the city, only steps away from many of the world's greatest collections of artistic masterpieces.
For the next portion of our adventure in Tuscany, we'll be based in a tiny village in the Chianti region at an elegant boutique hotel that was an 18th-century noble residence. From here we'll visit the fascinating medieval city of Siena with its world-famous Gothic cathedral. And we'll make several short excursions to explore wine, food, and art in the marvelous hill towns and villages that make this one of the most beautiful areas of Tuscany.
Lastly, we transfer to the ancient Etruscan town of Cortona which has recently been made famous by the book and movie, Under the Tuscan Sun. We'll be staying in a luxurious palazzo in the old town at the top of the mountain with commanding views of the Valdichiana plains down below.
You will have the opportunity to experience both the excitement and stimulus of the cities of Florence and Siena and the beauty and tranquility of rural Tuscan life. The small size of our group allows us to move about without following a red umbrella and to eat in restaurants and trattorias that are popular with the locals. In addition to breakfast, we share one full-course meal every day as a group, either lunch or dinner. Be prepared for a week of feasting at some of the finest restaurants in Tuscany!
The Best of Tuscany Tour combines daily planned activities along with unstructured time that you may spend as you like. If you have special activities that you'd like to pursue during the unscheduled portions of our tour in Tuscany, we're happy to help you arrange it. And if you'd like to visit other special places in Italy either before or after the tour, we'll be glad to assist with bookings, transfers, guides and all the rest.
During the tour, we offer presentations and slideshows to help you better appreciate the art and the places we visit. The rest of the time, we attend to all the details to make your travel adventure as smooth as possible. You get to relax and experience The Best of Tuscany in true Tuscany Tours style!
Request your itinerary here:
#BestofTuscany #TuscanyTours #ToursofTuscany #ItalyTours
Wheelchair on one of the flatter streets in Cortona
Watch John Sage roll his wheelchair across the cobblestones in Cortona, Italy. Learn more at
Europe Village Scene (1944)
Unissued / unused material - dates and locations unclear or unknown.
Location of events unknown - somewhere in Europe.
Various L/Ss of village that has been scene of heavy fighting, smoke still rises from wrecked buildings, aeroplanes fly overhead.
Note: transferred version is badly scratched.
FILM ID:2127.06
A VIDEO FROM BRITISH PATHÉ. EXPLORE OUR ONLINE CHANNEL, BRITISH PATHÉ TV. IT'S FULL OF GREAT DOCUMENTARIES, FASCINATING INTERVIEWS, AND CLASSIC MOVIES.
FOR LICENSING ENQUIRIES VISIT
British Pathé also represents the Reuters historical collection, which includes more than 136,000 items from the news agencies Gaumont Graphic (1910-1932), Empire News Bulletin (1926-1930), British Paramount (1931-1957), and Gaumont British (1934-1959), as well as Visnews content from 1957 to the end of 1984. All footage can be viewed on the British Pathé website.
5 Steps to Plan an Accessible Tuscany Vacation
Watch John Sage describe how to plan an accessible vacation in Tuscany, Italy.
1. Decide which activities interest you (historic sightseeing, wine tasting, cooking classes, etc...)
2. Find out where those activities are accessible
3. Decide on your number of days in each region
4. Find accessible accommodation (hotels, villas, or agriturismos)
5. Make all reservations (accommodation, transportation, activities, and guided tours)
Learn more at
Tuscany Tours: The Best of Beautiful Italy
Tuscany Tours ( ) invites you to explore the best of Italy with us: Tuscany, Florence, Siena, Cortona, Amalfi, Ravello, the Isle of Capri, Pompeii, Naples, Venice, Lake Como, Torino, Barolo, Lake Maggiore, Stresa and many places in between!
Join us as we explore the Best of Tuscany, Best of Sicily, Best of the Amalfi Coast, Enchanting Northern Italy and Italy’s Majestic Northwest! Our small group, escorted tours are limited to only 16 participants. You’ll stay in four-star hotels, enjoy fine dining and wine tastings, and have access to great local guides for real cultural immersion.
Few places in the world can claim such a bountiful collection of art, architecture, ambience, and food—or so intense a range of natural beauty, from rugged mountains to lush rolling hills to coasts of breathtaking beauty. Without a doubt, Italy is overflowing with old-world splendor. From the rugged beauty of Sicily to Tuscany’s medieval villages seemingly frozen in time, to the vast expanses of the Northwest and the enchantment and romance of Venice and Northern Italy, here are our most beautiful places to visit in Italy.
The Best of Tuscany: Florence, Chianti, Siena, Cortona and more
Made famous by Francis Maye’s book, Under the Tuscan Sun, Tuscany is filled with picture perfect moments from winding, cypress-lined roads, rolling green hills and golden fields dotted with sunflowers. Our 9-day small group Best of Tuscany tour is “la dolce vita” at its best!
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The Best of the Amalfi Coast: Naples, Pompeii, Positano, Sorrento, the Isle of Capri, Ravello
The Amalfi Coast, Italy’s garden that is forever in bloom, has been a prime destination for artists and writers, celebrities and even royalty for more than a century. Its breathtaking landscapes and unique small towns and villages have made it one of the most desirable regions in the world to visit. If touring the Amalfi Coast has been on your bucket list, our Best of the Amalfi Coast tour will be everything you've dreamed about—and more!
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Enchanting Northern Italy: Venice, Verona, Bergamo and Lake Como
In the course of our tour of Northern Italy, we will make our way from the coast of the Adriatic Sea to the lakes resting at the foot of the Alps, from the Byzantine cathedral of Venice to the spectacular Roman amphitheater of Verona, then west to the romantic village of Bellagio, the Pearl of the Lake on Lake Como and many places in between. It’s a magical, enchanting journey that you won’t want to miss!
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Majestic Northwest Italy: Torino, Barolo, and Lake Maggiore
Discover the fascinating history, scenic beauty, and rich gastronomic traditions of Italy's Majestic Northwest! Experience Torino's urban sophistication, the small villages and countryside of Piedmont's famous wine regions, and the breathtaking splendor of Lake Maggiore. In addition to Piedmont’s grand wines, you’ll enjoy artisan cheeses, truffles, chocolates and other regional specialties in and around the towns of Alba, Asti and Bra, where the Slow Food movement began.
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The Best of Sicily: Palermo, Valley of Temples-Agrigento, Ragusa, Modica, Siracusa, Noto
In the course of our Best of Sicily tour, we will make our way south from the medieval cathedrals of Palermo to the spectacular Greek temples of Agrigento, then east to the Spanish Baroque cities of Ragusa and Noto, and finally to Siracusa, one the largest and most important cities of the ancient world. Expect to be surprised. Expect to be charmed. Expect to come away with vivid memories and the desire to return!
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The small size of our group allows us to move about with ease and to eat in restaurants and trattorias that are popular with the locals. In addition to breakfast, we share one full-course meal every day as a group, either lunch or dinner. (Be prepared for a week of feasting at some of the finest restaurants in Italy!)
Tuscany Tours combines daily planned activities along with unstructured time that you may spend as you like. If you have special activities that you'd like to pursue during the unscheduled portions of any of our tours, we're happy to help you arrange it. And if you'd like to visit other special places in Italy either before or after the tour, we'll be glad to assist with bookings, transfers, guides and all the rest.
We attend to all the details to make your travel adventure as smooth as possible. You get to relax and experience the best Italy has to offer!
Have questions? Email us at Pamela@TuscanyTours.com
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Italy/Rome (Walking tour. Piazza Navona II) Part 8/84
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Piazza Navona:
Defined as a public space in the last years of 15th century, when the city market was transferred to it from the Campidoglio, the Piazza Navona was transformed into a highly significant example of Baroque Roman architecture and art during the pontificate of Innocent X, who reigned in from 1644 until 1655 and whose family palace, the Palazzo Pamphili, faced the piazza. It features important sculptural and architectural creations: in the center stands the famous Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi or Fountain of the Four Rivers (1651) by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, topped by the Obelisk of Domitian, brought here in pieces from the Circus of Maxentius; the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone by Francesco Borromini, Girolamo Rainaldi, Carlo Rainaldi and others; and the aforementioned Pamphili palace, also by Girolamo Rainaldi, that accommodates the long gallery designed by Borromini and frescoed by Pietro da Cortona.
Piazza Navona has two additional fountains: at the southern end is the Fontana del Moro with a basin and four Tritons sculpted by Giacomo della Porta (1575) to which, in 1673, Bernini added a statue of a Moor, or African, wrestling with a dolphin, and at the northern end is the Fountain of Neptune (1574) created by Giacomo della Porta. The statue of Neptune in the northern fountain, the work of Antonio Della Bitta, was added in 1878 to make that fountain more symmetrical with La Fontana del Moro in the south.
At the southwest end of the piazza is the ancient 'speaking' statue of Pasquino. Erected in 1501, Romans could leave lampoons or derogatory social commentary attached to the statue.
During its history, the piazza has hosted theatrical events and other ephemeral activities. From 1652 until 1866, when the festival was suppressed, it was flooded on every Saturday and Sunday in August in elaborate celebrations of the Pamphilj family. The pavement level was raised in the 19th century and the market was moved again in 1869 to the nearby Campo de' Fiori. A Christmas market is held in the piazza.Wikipedia