DAY 1, Friday - Depart for Italy
Depart for Italy
DAY 2, Saturday - Arrive in Florence, Transfer to Montecatini
Arrive in Florence and transfer to your hotel in Montecatini. The rest of the day is at leisure to immerse yourself in the beautiful surroundings. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM, followed by dinner. We recommend you to select flights that arrive no later than 4 PM
Overnight: Montecatini
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3, Sunday - Chianti Wine Tasting and Lunch, Town of Greve
Today, enjoy breathtaking scenery as you travel to the magnificent Chianti region, in the very heart of the Tuscan countryside, where one of Italy's most famous red wine is produced. Chianti offers a unique landscape, with green, gentle hills covered with wide fields of vineyards and olive groves, small rural villages, characteristic parishes and countryside stone houses. Stop at one of the local vineyards for wine tasting followed by lunch, highlighted by regional specialties. Then, on to the small town of Greve where you have time to wander around, sip an espresso, or indulge in a gelato before returning to Montecatini
Overnight: Montecatini
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4, Monday - Full Day in Montecatini
Spend the day at leisure to explore Montecatini and its surroundings on your own or take an optional tour to the spectacular Cinque Terre*, one of the most beautiful areas of the Liguria region. Here the Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprises of five small villages, nestled in the cliffs overlooking the sea and the surrounding hillsides. Marvel at the scenic coastline while exploring the villages and the beautiful vistas. This active walking tour covers a fair amount of ground facing uneven surfaces, stairs, steps and significant slopes. Trains and/or boats will be the means of transportation between the towns
*Exact tour itinerary & operation of the tour is subject to weather conditions as well as group size and will be advised locally
Optional: Cinque Terre Tour
Overnight: Montecatini
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Tuesday - Excursion to Pisa and Lucca, Wine Tasting & Cooking Class with Dinner
Magnificent panoramas await you today. Drive through the rolling countryside dotted with olive trees to Lucca, a jewel of medieval architecture, with its massive 17th century walls framing the city. Walk along the winding streets of the original Roman grid revealing layers of history at every turn. Arrive at the Church of San Michele adorned by its beautiful piazza, occupying the site of the ancient Roman Forum. Then, to Pisa to view the famous Piazza dei Miracoli with its Leaning Tower, one of the most instantly recognizable structures on earth. The monuments on the extraordinary Piazza dei Miracoli create a unique architectural blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. A lovely end to the day with a visit to a traditional Tuscan farm. After a warm welcome and wine tasting, participate in a cooking class followed by dinner with delicious typical local dishes and regional wines
Overnight: Montecatini
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6, Wednesday - Full Day in Montecatini
Spend time at leisure, or join the optional full day excursion to the enchanting medieval city of Siena that sits elegantly over three hills. The heart of the city is the stunning Piazza del Campo, the huge central plaza where the Roman Forum used to be. It is now the site of the famous Palio horse race, that takes place twice every summer to celebrate the holy apparition and assumption of the Virgin Mary, patron saint of the city. Tour Campo Square before returning to Montecatini
Optional: Full Day Siena from Montecatini
Overnight: Montecatini
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7, Thursday - Excursion to Florence
Today, travel to Florence, birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour through the heart of Florence, to view the magnificent Duomo, with its Brunelleschi-designed dome, the renowned "Gates of Paradise" of the Baptistery by Ghiberti and Giotto's Bell Tower. Proceed to the open-air art museum of Signoria Square, and admire the statues of the Loggia dei Lanzi, Palazzo Vecchio, former residence of the Medici family before continuing to the splendid Ponte Vecchio, the "Old Bridge."* Spend time on your own in the afternoon to visit museums, shop for gold and quality leather before returning to Montecatini
*Entrance fees are not included to the museums of Florence. Should you wish to visit on your own, free time is allotted between 1pm-3pm
Overnight: Montecatini
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Friday - Full Day in Montecatini
On your last day at leisure explore the streets lined with many shops and stylish cafes or participate in the optional morning tour and discover the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci, often depicted in Leonardo's maps and in his famous drawings. Surrounded by centuries-old olive trees, in a landscape almost untouched by time, you will view the house where Leonardo was born in 1452. From there, continue to the town of Vinci, to visit the museum that documents the work of Leonardo the inventor, the scientist, and the engineer. End the tour with a Tuscan "merenda", savoring the typical wine and snacks of the area before returning to Montecatini. Tonight, bid farewell to your Tour Manager at dinner
Optional: Half Day Leonardo da Vinci Tour from Montecatini (AM)
Overnight: Montecatini
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9, Saturday - Depart Italy
Transfer to the airport in nearby Florence for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability and are quoted in U.S. Dollars. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour
operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material
provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates
are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators.
Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices
on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors,
omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 888-942-3301 to
confirm availability and pricing.
