Join Marketplace on customized trip through Tuscany—where power, wealth, and beauty helped shaped the course of Western history. Step into the world of the Medici, the formidable banking family whose influence helped transform Florence into the heart of the Renaissance. Their patronage brought forth the genius of Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Botticelli, while their financial empire fueled a golden age of art, technology, architecture, and humanist thought.
Founded in 1397 by Giovanni di Bicci de’ Medici, the Medici Bank grew to become the most powerful and respected financial institution in 15th-century Europe. With branches in major cities such as Florence, Rome, Venice, London, Bruges, Lyon, and Geneva, it revolutionized banking through innovations like double-entry bookkeeping and the use of bills of exchange. But the Medici influence went far beyond
banking. Their immense wealth allowed them to become leading patrons of the arts, funding masterpieces by Michelangelo, Botticelli, and other Renaissance legends. Their political reach was just as impressive and the family helped place relatives on papal thrones and European thrones alike. Discover how the Medici shaped the Renaissance — and history — through finance, art, and power.
Throughout your week in Tuscany, you'll enjoy a delicious journey through the region’s rich culinary traditions. Wake up to fresh-baked breads, seasonal fruit, and rich Italian coffee each morning. Midday meals feature rustic favorites like handmade pastas, wood fired pizzas, and crisp local salads — often enjoyed al fresco with sweeping vineyard views. In the evenings, gather for multi-course dinners showcasing regional specialties such as wild boar ragu, truffle-infused risotto, and perfectly grilled meats, all paired with exceptional Tuscan wines. You'll also experience authentic farm-to-table dining, visits to
family-run wineries, and a cooking demonstration where you’ll learn to prepare traditional dishes using fresh, local ingredients. Every meal is a celebration of Tuscany’s flavors, designed to delight your senses and bring people together.
with Marketplace Morning Report's David Brancaccio
David Brancaccio
David Brancaccio is host and senior editor of Marketplace Morning Report. David freelanced for Marketplace in 1989 before becoming the program’s European correspondent based in London 1990.
David hosted the evening program from 1993-2003, then anchored the award-winning public television news program “Now” on PBS after a period co-hosting with journalist Bill Moyers. David has co-produced and appeared in several documentaries, including “Fixing the Future,” about alternative approaches to the economy, and “On Thin Ice,” about climate change and water security, with mountaineer Conrad Anker. David is author of “Squandering Aimlessly,” a book about personal values and money. He enjoys moderating public policy discussions, including at the Aspen Ideas Festival, Chicago Ideas Week and the Camden Conference. David is from Waterville, Maine, and has degrees from Wesleyan and Stanford universities. Honors include the Peabody, Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University, Emmy and Walter Cronkite awards. He is married to Mary Brancaccio, a poet and educator. They have three offspring, all adults. He likes making beer and building (and launching) pretty big rockets in Maine. Among his heroes are Edward R. Murrow and Wolfman Jack.
Itinerary
Day 1: Friday, October 23: Welcome to Tuscany
Arrive at the Villa Olmi, located just outside historic Florence. Enjoy views of vineyards, olive groves, and distant church towers create a quintessential Tuscan welcome. After settling into your room and taking time to unwind, gather for a festive welcome dinner with Marketplace Morning Host David Brancaccio. Savor classic Florentine flavors, and regional wines, as the sun sets over the countryside. Airport transfers included if arriving today. Sleep in the Villa Olmi Firenze, 4-star superior (D)
Day 2: Saturday, October 24: Florence – Medici Power and Renaissance Wealth
Today’s journey takes you to Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance. Begin with a guided visit
to Palazzo Medici Riccardi, the Medici family's first palace, and the San Lorenzo Church and Medici Chapels, where Michelangelo’s masterpieces celebrate their legacy. Learn how Florence’s banking elite, led by the Medici, funded the city’s cultural explosion. After a leisurely lunch
near the Duomo, visit Santa Maria Novella, a hub of merchant and banking history. Return to our villa in the early evening for a relaxed dinner. Sleep in the Villa Olmi Firenze
Day 3: Sunday, October 25: Wines and Villages of Chianti
Head into the heart of Chianti Classico for a day immersed in wine and history. Visit a family run wine estate with deep roots in the region’s feudal and financial past. Enjoy a tour of the vineyards, a tasting of Chianti and Super Tuscan wines, and a rustic farm-to-table lunch. Explore picturesque villages like Castellina or Radda in Chianti, rich with medieval character
and artisan shops. Return to the villa for an evening talk. Wine and hors d’oeuvres served this evening. Sleep in the Villa Olmi Firenze
Day 4: Monday, October 26: Lucca’s Legacy: Puccini, Politics, and Tuscan Flavors
Start the day with a tribute to Giacomo Puccini, Lucca’s most famous son. Visit the Puccini Museum, set in his birthplace, to see original manuscripts, costumes, and his piano. Then tour
the Teatro del Giglio and enjoy a curated Puccini music experience.
In the afternoon, head into the surrounding hills for an olive oil tasting and lunch at a nearby estate. Sleep in the Villa Olmi Firenze
Day 5: Tuesday, October 27: Siena – Rival City and the World’s Oldest Bank
Travel to Siena, Florence’s historic rival and home of Monte dei Paschi di Siena, the world’s oldest bank still in operation. A guided walking tour explores the Piazza del Campo, Siena Cathedral, and banking institutions that shaped European finance. Learn how Sienese bankers,
merchants, and guilds competed with their Florentine counterparts. After a beautiful lunch in a
quiet courtyard restaurant, enjoy free time for shopping or gelato in Siena’s narrow medieval lanes. Return to Florence in the early evening. Sleep in the Villa Olmi Firenze
Day 6: Wednesday, October 28 - Florence – Uffizi Treasures and Medici Gardens
Your day in Florence begins at the iconic Uffizi Gallery, where masterpieces by Botticelli, da Vinci, and Michelangelo, many commissioned by the Medici, reveal the dynasty’s artistic legacy. After lunch, cross the Ponte Vecchio to the Oltrarno, exploring Pitti Palace, the Medici’s
grand residence, and the Boboli Gardens, a stunning example of Renaissance landscape design. Return to our villa for dinner with Tuscan wine pairings, music, and musings on the day. Sleep in the Villa Olmi Firenze
Day 7: Thursday, October 29: Wine Roads and the Nature of Montecarlo
Today unwind at one of Tuscany’s renowned spas. Feeling adventurous? Join your guide and host and head out to explore nearby hill towns, including San Gimignano, famous for its medieval towers, charming piazzas, and world-class gelato. This evening, return to your villa for an engaging lecture that brings Tuscany’s rich culture and history to life. Then, gather for a mouthwatering Tuscan feast, featuring seasonal dishes and regional wines for the perfect end to a memorable day. Sleep in the Villa Olmi Firenze
Day 8: Friday, October 30: Journey Concludes
After breakfast, private transfers to Florence Airport are included. Depart with rich memories of Tuscany’s artistry, history, and the enduring legacy of artists and people who shaped history.
Note: If you have time, you may consider heading south to historic Rome, east to Bologna, or north to Venice and/or Milan (B)
IT'S INCLUDED!
- Hosted by David Brancaccio
- Guide by an expert Earthbound Expeditions director
- Seven nights at the historic Vill Olmi Fienze (4-star superior)
- Daily breakfasts and seven multi-course meals and two evenings of hors d'oeuvres
- Guided tours of Italy's most treasured museums
- Fascinating talks, lectures and local storytelling
- An entertaining cooking demonstration
- A spa outing: soak in the warm thermal waters of Montecatini
- Outings to Lucca, Siena with time to explore enchanting Tuscan hill towns
- Special docent-led talks on Medici and Renaissance artists
- A private opera recital celebrating the life of Maestro Puccini
- Daily excursions by private comfy mini coach
- Visits to acclaimed wineries and family-run olive mills
- A community of curious, like-minded public radio friends and travelers
Pricing and Terms
8 Days / 7 Nights in a villa in Tuscany (Villa Olmi 4-star superior) Trip begins: October 23, 2026 in Tuscany Trip ends: October 30, 2026 in Tuscany $7,745 per person based on double occupancy $1,995 single occupancy supplement
Reservations and Deposits: A $1000 per person deposit is required to confirm your space on this journey. Deposits can be made via credit card or by calling the Earthbound office at 206.842.9775. Deposits are refundable, minus a $250 per person cancellation fee, for 60 days from the processing date or until 90 days prior to departure, whichever comes first. Deposits made 90 days prior to a trip departing are not refundable. Final payment is also non-refundable, which is why we strongly urge guests to purchase travel insurance.
Not Included: International airline tickets, alcoholic beverages, room service and gratuities for hotel staff, travel insurance, meals not listed in brochure, and any activities or items not listed in your itinerary.
Physical Requirements: It is the responsibility of each guest to be aware of their physical abilities or limitations and to be in sufficient good health to undertake the trip. Visit earthboundexpeditions.com and read “Is an Earthbound trip right for you?” or call the Earthbound office for more details.
Travel Insurance: Earthbound Expeditions strongly encourages the purchase of travel insurance coverage. We include information on trip insurance in your deposit information.
Events and Hosted Journeys: If a planned event is cancelled for any reason, another event will be included in its place. This is not cause for refund. Events are subject to change. Also, if a host or special guest is unable to attend as planned, Earthbound Expeditions will do its utmost to find another host who has similar interests, talents, and expertise. The inability of a host to participate in a tour is not grounds for a full or partial refund.
Terms & Conditions: Visit earthboundexpedtions.com for the full terms and conditions
Need more information?
Call us: (1) 206-842-9775 Earthbound Expeditions is open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Contact us! Complete our contact form and one of our travel consultants will contact you to answer your questions and help you complete your reservation.