Florence and Montelupo: A journey through art and perfumes

Wrinkled hands slide over the fresh clay, from the craftsman's imagination works that are never the same come to life. Ancient craft of these "Lands of waters and mud". In Montelupo we rediscover manual skills. And then Florence, with the facade of Alberti in Santa Maria Novella and all his works. Alchemy and ancient recipes of precious perfumes.

How the tour is structured...

1st day

Overnight in B&B in Florence. Arrival, check-in at the B&B and free day for individual activities and / or individual visits.

2nd day

Breakfast. In the morning, individual transfer to Montelupo Fiorentino (we suggest to use regional train, considering the proximity of the places of interest in the village to the Montelupo / Capraia Limite railway station). A few kilometers from Florence, the city embodies the typical features of "Tuscany": love for art, quality craftsmanship, the entrepreneurial spirit of families, finally evocative landscapes. Private guided tour of the Ceramics Museum, a treasure chest of small masterpieces of local majolica production from the 13th to the 18th century. In the Renaissance period Montelupo became the Florentine “factory” and one of the major majolica production centers in Europe. After the historical tale ... HANDS IN CLAY with a clay manipulation course, where you will experience, under the guidance of an expert staff, the basic techniques for the creation of various manufacts (duration of visit and workshop about 2 hours). Opportunity to visit one of several local companies located in the city center and shopping. Meals not included. Return to Florence and overnight.

3rd day

Breakfast. Meeting with the guide for a private visit of the beautiful Basilica Santa Maria Novella, one of the most important religious buildings in Florence. Inside, the Church preserves masterpieces such as the Crucifix painted by Giotto, the wooden Crucifix by Brunelleschi, the Trinity by Masaccio, the frescoes by Domenico Ghirlandaio in the Main Chapel or by Filippino Lippi in the Strozzi Chapel, to name just a few. Tour goes on at the Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy, one of the oldest in the world still keeping the tradition in an exceptional environment. In the green room, built between 1335 and 1337, the first commercial activity began. In this room are pyramid stoves for distilling, cookers and many glass and ceramic instruments, the latter mostly coming from the Montelupo furnaces. Remaining time at leisure for individual activities. End of services.