Art & Design Trips to Florence

The freestanding bell tower of the cathedral in Pisa is world-famous for its unintended tilt. Construction of the tower started in 1173 and took over 200 years to complete - it began to lean almost from the outset! This is a must see landmark for any visitor to Tuscany and creates a great photo opportunity for your students.

The remarkable Duomo, of Santa Maria del Fiore, with its pink, white and green marble façade and characteristic dome, dominates the city's skyline. The building took almost two centuries to build (and even then the façade wasn't completed until the 19th century), and is the fourth-largest cathedral in the world. It also houses the crypt of Santa Reparata.

The National Museum has its setting in one of the oldest buildings in Florence and one of the most beautiful in Italy. Initially the headquarters of the Capitano del Popolo and later of the Podestà, in the sixteenth century it became the residence of the Bargello or head of police spies from which it took its name. The building is the setting mainly for works of sculpture and many examples of the decorative arts.

The most famous bridge in Florence and also the oldest, this structure with three stone arches replaced a wooden bridge which had crossed the Arno River at this spot since Roman times. The upper side of the bridge, known as the Vasariano corridor, was designed by Vasari to link the Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery to the Pitti Palace; today it is an art gallery. The bridge is inhabited. Originally the sides held food shops but by the end of the 15th century the shops were assigned to goldsmiths and silversmiths. An opening midway across the bridge offers views of the river and shore.

Pisa is best known for its leaning tower and is a real must see for any trip to Tuscany, but the city also has Romanesque buildings, Gothic churches, Renaissance piazzas and a lively street life making it the ideal stop. Nearby Lucca with its famous walls shields one of Italy's finest mediaeval treasures, an unspoilt site sprinkled with palazzi, towers and countless splendid churches. The surrounding hills produce some excellent wines and arguably, the finest olive oil in the entire world.

Known primarily as the birthplace of St. Francis (1182-1226 AD), Assisi has been a sacred town since long before the Franciscan era. Visitors can enjoy stunning architecture, well know artistic works and medieval and Renaissance culture.

A sightseeing tour of Florence on foot will offer the opportunity to see all its main attractions including the Piazza della Signoria, the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio. An experienced guide will give information on the history of the city and will be able to answer any questions you have on the city and its buildings.

This gothic looking church was built in 1337. The extraordinary structure testifies to the historic evolution of the city, which once served as a granary in the gardens of the Sisters of San Michele during Florence's mercantile period.

Take a trip to discover Tuscany’s medieval past. San Gimignano, is a small walled village famous for its fascinating medieval architecture and 14 towers that rise above all the other buildings offering an impressive views of the city and surrounding valley. Siena is likely Italy's loveliest medieval city. Built around the Piazza del Campo, it was devised as a work of art that blends into the surrounding landscape.

Situated in the centre of the Apuan Alps' Natural Park, this is one of the most complete European caves. Following illuminated and easy-going trails, you can admire the many wonders of the underground world: from shining stalactites and stalagmites to polychrome flowstone, alabaster draperies, crystal-brimmed lakes, underground water-courses and bizarre forms of erosion.

Take a sightseeing tour around this fabulous city. Occupying 117 islands in the azure waters of the Adriatic, this lagoon city is a watery maze of grand canals, 177 smaller canals, over 400 bridges and the world's most famous sandbar, the Lido. Though thoroughly walkable, getting around Venice is a mesmerizing experience aboard the city's variety of public transport boats, the vaporetti or smaller (and more expensive) motoscafi.

The “magic and mysterious” city of Volterra has its roots in three thousand years of history. It is possible to find evidence and traces from every historical period, which gives the artistic city a unique aspect. Explore the 12th century city walls, narrow streets, palaces, tower houses and churches.