This fascinating itinerary takes us to the outskirts of Florence, amongst beautiful Renaissance villas decorated with frescoes and surrounded by Italian-style gardens and numerous parks.
We will visit the Villa di Poggio a Caiano, bought by Lorenzo il Magnifico and rebuilt by Giuliano da Sangallo in 1480. This villa has a beautiful facade with an open gallery and two wide staircases which lead to a terrace. It is possible to visit the inside of the villa, where there are Vittorio Emanuele II’s royal apartments.
In the splendid Leone X lounge, there are various 16th century frescoes by Andrea del Sarto, Francabigio and Pontormo.
The Villa d’Artimino, built by Buontalenti in 1594 as a ‘hunting house’, has a scenic facade surrounded by angular towers and mounted by a host of chimneys.
To the north of the outskirts of Florence there is Villa di Careggi, favourite residence of Cosimo I, where Lorenzo il Magnifico died in 1492. Transformed by Michelozzo, it has kept, in part, the form of a castle.
Villa medicea La Pietraia This villa was home to the famous Accademia Platonica, where many renowned philosophers such as Pico de la Mirandola and important artists such as Donatello and Brunelleschi would meet.
Villa La Pietraia is a castle which was transformed into a villa by Buontalenti in 1576 for Francesco I. It has an Italian-style garden, designed by Tribolo, and was the summer residence first of the Grand Dukes, then later of the Italian royal family up until 1919.
In the hanging courtyard there is an open gallery by Volterrano (1648). The apartments are open to visitors.
Villa medicea La Pietraia The hanging garden is very beautiful and contains a fountain by Tribolo and offers a stunning view.
Villa di Castello, enlarged in 1480 and restored by Vasari, has a beautiful garden and terrace, with sculptures by Giambologna and Ammannati. It is home to the Accademia della Crusca.
Note: for this type of excursion we recommend you use a guide.