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Prince Duccio Corsini
The Corsini family is one of the great noble families of Italy.
The family dates back to the twelfth century, before the Renaissance even begun and is still flourishing to this day. Few families anywhere in the world can boast such prestigious ancestors as the Corsini – a pope (Pope Clement XII in the 18th century) and a saint (Sant’Andrea Corsini in the 14th century) among them. The Corsini pope – Pope Clement XII – commissioned one of the great masterpieces of Italy, the Trevi fountain in Rome.
Today Duccio Corsini is heir to the title of 10th Prince of Sismano. Prince Duccio Corsini’s grandfather was the largest landowner in all of Italy, owning 17 important properties. The family still own large estates in Tuscany including “Le Corti” in San Casciano just ten kilometres from Florence and the magnificent Tenuta Marsiliana in Southern Tuscany. Their two palaces in Florence, one of which (the Palazzo Corsini) contains some of the finest art works in the Italy – with masterpieces by Botticelli, Raphael and Bernini.
Prince Duccio Corsini has many interests, but perhaps his best known and celebrated is his knowledge and love of good wine and food. It is no coincidence that the prince has strong links with the Slow Food movement as his estates produce some of the finest wines and olive oils in Italy. Prince Corsini has been instrumental in renovating and expanding the agricultural achievements of his family. His family’s historic estates in the Chianti and Maremma regions of Tuscany are justly world famous.
Prince Corsini prides himself on the use of traditional methods of wine making such as hand picking the grapes and never using drip irrigation systems. His commitment to excellence is evident from the very first sniff. The most famous of the Corsini wines is probably Don Tommaso, the signature wine of the Don Tommaso vineyard made from Sangiovese grapes with a hint of Merlot. In 2006 Wine Spectator awarded this sensual wine 91 points.
Since 2003, the olive oil produced by the Corsini family has been recognised as Extra Virgin Olive Oil of Chianti Classico DOP. Only the best Italian olive oils are awarded this distinction.
The legacy of the Corsini family is visible throughout Italy – from the monumental (the Trevi fountain in Rome and the historic villas and palaces of Florence and Tuscany) to the smaller but no less important paintings and sculptures commissioned by the family. Prince Corsini ensures that this legacy will live on for many more years with his conservation of his family properties, gardens and works of art and his ever increasing commitment to high quality Tuscan wines and olive oils.
For a prestigious opportunity to meet Prince Duccio Corsini see
The Artviva Festival Experience
Adopt a Vine with Prince Duccio Corsini
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On
2011/12/09
John Brade said:
cooking class
I took the Cooking Class and Market tour (in San Lorenzo Market). It was awesome! The market had the most incredible fresh ingredients, and the most amazing seafood selection I have ever seen. The cooking class was extremely professional, and the lunch afterwards was great! I recommend this class for anyone.Mark
On
2011/12/07
Aurelija Dugnaite said:
A truly life changing experience
Absolutely amazing.Words can hardly express how much we enjoyed our experience with ArtViva! From the minute we stepped in their lovely office, we felt attended, looked after and taken care of. The friendly staff advised us in detail of what would suit our tastes and knowledge best, and as they have so many beautiful tours to choose from, that help was very appreciated. Florence's cultural richness can be overwhelming, but relying on ArtViva made everything easy and utterly enjoyable for us.The small group walking tour of Florence exceeded all expectations. Our guide Paul was tremedous: a true Florence insider, with amazing knowledge of arts and culture, engaging story telling and great local tips you won't find in a guide book. The memories of the tour will stay with me and my sister for many many years. Booking with ArtViva is the best single thing you could do to have the ultimate Florence experience.Thank you, ArtViva.
On
2011/11/29
Sepideh Emami said:
On
2011/11/24
Eddi Frantz said:
Friendly and Knowledgable.
An essential part of visiting such an historical city as Florence is a smart, knowledgeable tour guide. Artvivas guides are fun, friendly and really know their stuff. Plus they know all those great places not on most guidebooks that only a passionate local world know. Dont even contemplate a visit to the Uffizi or Michaelangelos David without one!
On
2011/11/24
Kathleen Marriott said:
Hightlight of Italian Trip
Thanks so much for the great walking tour we did in Florence in May. It was fun, informative and we were treated like VIPS! The guide made us feel welcome and got to know exactly what we were interested in seeing to make sure all was covered. If we had tried to do everything we did on the tour on our own, we would have spent days getting hopelessly lost! I highly recommend this tour if you are interested in the art, architecture, history and the culture of Florence.
On
2011/11/22
Caroline Beck said:
Feels like you have hired a first-class guide from a first-class outfit – at a fraction of the price.
If you are the type to shy away from “packaged” tours, preferring to go it alone in a brand new city, Art Viva might just be your new BFF (best friend forever) when on tour in Florence. Comfortably small groups - instead of large crowds moving en-masse. Personalized insights by well-educated guides – instead of canned presentations. ArtViva’s walking tours are the next best thing to hiring a private art historian to walk you around this fabulous city – at a fraction of the price. Their 3-hour walking introduction to Florence’s history and a follow-up tour of the Uffizi dispelled all my preconceptions that tour groups were not for me. Even if you’ve been to Florence before, start your vacation off right in 3 quick hours. It will set the stage for a perfect stay.
On
2011/11/22
Brigitte Reynolds said:
Incredible!
My husband and I had the good fortune of taking ArtViva tours of Florence while on our honeymoon. We started with the walking tour, followed by the David tour. We were so impressed we immediately signed up for the Uffizi tour the next day. The guides we had (Sasha/Sylvia & Brenda) were all amazing; they were incredibly knowledgable, friendly and spoke perfect English. What was best was their genuine enthusiam and love of the arts and history of Florence; their excitment was contagious and inspired us to want to know and learn more! I couldn't have asked for a better experience.Brigitte Reynolds
On
2011/11/22
Nadia LaMantia said:
a wonderful experience!
I loved my tour, and the artviva staff were so great and extremely helpful!!
On
2011/11/16
Jade Farley said:
GREAT Tours!
Best tours I have ever been on! The guide's knowledge was just incredible, and I can't wait to come back to do more tours.
On
2011/11/09
Alexandra Buscaino said:
Educational and entertaining!
Our tour was great - very informative, and the guide just fabulous! He not only knew so much about the history, but also had a knack for storytelling that kept us all fascinated.
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