The Italian Dolce Vita in Tuscany in Spring

On April 22, 2027 (Thursday), we will depart from Szeged in the early morning hours, leaving from the parking lot of the Szeged Plaza shopping centre. Travelling through Slovenia, we will arrive in Italy. In the early afternoon, we will visit Ferrara, one of the most important centres of the Italian Renaissance, whose historic city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city welcomes visitors with its charming, relaxed atmosphere and easily walkable old town. Ferrara’s most outstanding attraction is the Estense Castle (Castello Estense), one of the region’s most significant historical monuments, built in 1385 in the very heart of the city. Its impressive proportions, water-filled moats, drawbridges and majestic towers evoke the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. Located just a short distance from the castle is the Cattedrale di San Giorgio (Cathedral of Saint George), Ferrara’s largest religious building and main cathedral, which is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Following our guided sightseeing tour, we will have some free time to explore the city’s charming streets at our own pace. Afterwards, we will check into our hotel near the historic city centre, where an optional dinner will also be available.

After breakfast, we will head towards Modena, where we will visit the museum dedicated to the world-famous Ferrari sports car manufacturer. Modena is rightly proud of its automotive heritage, as it is the birthplace of Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the legendary car brand. His hometown is home to the famous museum, whose spirit can be summed up in three words: speed, design and passion. We will have the opportunity to admire the latest Ferrari models and a Formula 1 racing car on display up close, while discovering the fascinating history and remarkable achievements of this iconic car manufacturer. Afterwards, we will continue our journey to Pisa, one of Tuscany’s most famous cities, where we will visit the world-renowned Leaning Tower of Pisa, originally built as a bell tower, and the magnificent Square of Miracles (Piazza dei Miracoli). Following some free time, we will travel to Vinci, the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519). We will check into our hotel and then enjoy an optional dinner.

After breakfast, we will set off for Florence, the cultural capital of Tuscany. Situated on both banks of the Arno River in its picturesque valley, the city boasts an exceptionally rich historical heritage. For centuries, it was ruled by the powerful Medici family, and between 1865 and 1871, it served as the capital of the Kingdom of Italy. Thanks to its countless historical and artistic treasures, Florence is rightfully known as the “Cradle of the Renaissance”. Its historic city centre was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. During our sightseeing tour, we will explore the magnificent Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo), the Town Hall, the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge), the Palazzo Vecchio (Old Palace), the outdoor replica of Michelangelo’s famous statue of David, and the charming medieval quarter. We will also visit the Gothic Basilica of Santa Croce (Holy Cross), the final resting place of some of Florence’s greatest historical figures. Here, we will find the tombs or memorials of Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, Machiavelli and Rossini. Following some free time to explore the city at our own pace, we will return to Vinci, the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci, where we will enjoy an optional dinner. After dinner, we will take a pleasant evening stroll through the charming historic centre of Vinci.

After breakfast, we will begin our journey home. Along the way, we will visit one of the beautiful Tuscan villas of the famous Medici family near Vinci, which is also included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The construction of the villa was commissioned by Cosimo de’ Medici in the mid-16th century, with the aim of serving as a hunting residence and a centre for overseeing the nearby Padule di Fucecchio marshlands. After exploring this magnificent Renaissance villa, we will continue our journey towards Hungary, travelling through Slovenia. Along the way, we will make a short stop in Trojane, a Slovenian village famous for its delicious, mouth-watering doughnuts, where we will have the opportunity to taste some of the local sweet specialities. We expect to arrive back in Szeged during the night.