Italy Travel Tours

Posts Tagged ‘Prato’

Some say the best private tours Italy are those that occur in Tuscany.  Situated between the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines and the Tyrrhenian sea, the Tuscan capital is world-beloved Florence.

Other smaller capitals of the provinces include Arezzo, Grosseto, Livorno, Lucca, Massa Carrara, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato and Siena.  All of them a rich with history, art, architecture and culture, and all are worthy of a visit with a well-informed and confident tour guide.

Tuscany has a variety of topographical features.  Much of Tuscany is hilly and mountainous, but the area near the sea is flat in stretches.   Whether you want to relax at the scenic beaches or enjoy the local flavor of wine and cuisine, there is something for everyone in Tuscany.

The first time visitor often goes straight to Florence.  And who can blame them?  You can use any mode of transportation to get around.

Why not consider a visit to the Abbey of San Miniato al Monte?  From the Piazzale Michelangelo, you proceed on foot to the abbey for a step back in time to a devout and religious experience.

The Academia Gallery is a second must-see stop on your tour.  Ordered by the Grand-duke Pietro Leopoldo, the museum houses a collection of magnificent tapestries revealing the story of creation, as well as plaster busts by Lorenzo Bartolini and Luigi Pampaloni.

Most everyone has heard of Michelangelo and even Donatello, though American youngsters may think the latter is a Mutant Ninja Turtle.  In truth, the real Donatello was a sculptor and his works are displayed at the Bargello National Museum on Via del Proconsolo, 4.  When you book a trip with a private tour guide, you don’t need to worry about how to find these places.  Your knowledgeable guide will bring you right to the door.

With private tours Italy, all you need is a camera, a credit card, and an open mind to all the experiences that await you.

Your search for Tours Tuscany ends here, with some of the best kept secrets of this marvelous region of Italy.  Old world charm is very much the order in the Tuscan region.  Hotel prices have come down a bit from 2008, making this the best time to make that trip you’ve always dreamed of.

While everyone is going to Florence, you might want to try Siena.  The Palazzo Pubblico boasts the best secular fresco in all of Italy.  Significant artists such as Domenico Beccafumi, Simone Martini and Duccio are evidenced throughout the city with their works dispersed in private and public arenas.

If your visit is long enough to travel to Florence, be sure to look at the Cappella Brancacci at the Piazza del Carmine.  Created by Masaccio, Michelangelo himself studied the work when he was alive.  Masaccio is considered the finest Tuscan painter of all time even though he died at the age of 27.  Many of his works are housed at the Uffizi Gallery.

Public transportation is the normal way to go in Europe.  To rent a car can be quite costly, thanks to lofty insurance rates. A far better way to travel is to rent a car with a driver.  This is a way that every little detail that you would be otherwise concerned with will all be taken care of for you.  Your personal tour guide at “Tuscany with Me!” will be happy to make the arrangements for you.

For rail transportation you may check train timetables at http://www.trenitalia.it.  Train service is ideal to Arezzo, Lucca and Prato as well as Le Crete and Val d’Orcia.   Again, these details will be arranged for you by your personal tour guide.

Smaller areas are best accessed by bus and a pdf. schedule is available for download at http://www.lfi.it, and http://www.sitabus.com/.

As you will likely rely on your tour guide, try to plan as far ahead as you can.  The best accommodations and prices are usually available to those who plan their trip 6 to 12 months in advance.

Tell your tour operator your preferred budget of price for your hotel and it will all be taken care of for you.  The same goes for meals, a guide with experience in Tours Tuscany is invaluable in helping you navigate this beautiful and historic country.

While planning tours to Italy, it’s best to prioritize locations and experiences so you are not overwhelmed.   It’s true that Italy is much smaller than America, but it is still too big to see in one or two weeks on vacation.   Tour guides can help you create an itinerary to maximize the exposure during your stay.

Unfortunately the dollar isn’t going very far in Europe these days.  It takes about $1.50 to buy what a single euro will get you.  If you enjoy going to the museums, you might want to scrimp on elegant dining every night or vise versa.

Italy joins Germany and France in having the best highway systems in Europe.  Roads are in good shape and access is complete.  If you don’t rent a car and you stay in the larger cities, you can rent a scooter.   This new venture by Auto Europe in Italy and France offers Vespa scooters for rent so you can do as the Romans do; explore cities the fun and easy way.  Gas consumption is light, you can park on the sidewalk and you’ll dart in and out of auto traffic.  A ride on a Vespa alone is worth the trip.

If you decide to rent a car the rules are similar to the U.S.   You drive on the right and you pass on the left.  Seatbelt use is mandatory and there is zero tolerance for aggressive driving.   Be prepared to pay.  Sky-high insurance rates make renting a car in Italy almost prohibitive.

The best way to get around the country is by train or bus.  In Tuscany for example, the train will get you to top destinations like Arezzo, Lucca, Pisa, Pistoia and Prato.   Smaller towns are best accessed by bus.  No matter what mode of transportation you chose, your tours to Italy will enchant and mesmerize you.