8 days Spotlight on Tuscany
It’s Vintage Italy
The rolling hills of Tuscany are home to sprawling vineyards, charming medieval hill towns and enchanting cities steeped in history, culture and legend. Discover them for yourself on this relaxing sojourn into the Italian countryside. Visit Florence, Siena, Pisa and San Gimignano. Sample cheese at the farm where it is made. Partake in a Tuscan cooking class. Savor a seven-night stay in Montecatini Terme, the famous resort and spa town. Enjoy free time to explore the cultural treasures of Florence, including Michelangelo’s “David.” Discover the charming town of Lucca, Italy’s best-kept secret. Learn about the heroic deeds of WWII at remains of the Gothic Line and visit the Museum of Liberation. Enjoy fabulous local wines and the region’s famous cuisine. This is Tuscany as you always imagined it.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Overnight Flight. ( Not Included ) | Rolling landscapes, savory wines, delicious food and stunning architecture...this can only be Tuscany. Unpack once on this journey among Italy's most charming towns. |
| 2 | Montecatini Terme, Italy - Tour Begins | Your tour opens in the famous spa resort town of Montecatini Terme, nestled in the heart of the rolling hills of Tuscany. This evening, get to know your fellow travelers during a welcome dinner where regional foods and Italian wines kick off your adventure. Dinner Grand Hotel Tettuccio |
| 3 | Cheese Farm Visit - San Gimignano | Begin the day with breathtaking views of the Tuscan hills as we make our way to a cheese farm. Learn how the famous pecorino cheese is made before sampling it for yourself. Afterwards, travel to the hilltop village of San Gimignano, one of the most picturesque places in Tuscany. Explore this enchanting medieval town, from its famous 14 towers to its magnificent vistas overlooking the vineyards of Tuscany. Enjoy free time and perhaps indulge in some gelato. Breakfast Grand Hotel Tettuccio |
| 4 | Lucca - Borgo a Mozzano - Gothic Line | Set out on a guided visit to Lucca, Tuscany’s best-kept secret. Renaissance walls, Romanesque churches, medieval streets flanked by towers, and delightful squares are just some of Lucca’s charms. Visit the medieval Basilica di San Frediano. Its otherwise simple façade is adorned with a colorful 13th-century mosaic. Enjoy some time to explore at your own pace. Then set off for Borgo a Mozzano to see the remarkable Ponte del Diavolo (Devil’s Bridge). Continue on to the Gothic Line. Built by the Germans, it was one of their last lines of defense during WWII. We will visit the Museum of Liberation and see the actual fortifications and bunkers. Breakfast Grand Hotel Tettuccio |
| 5 | Pisa | Explore the many historic sites in the ancient maritime Republic of Pisa including the Piazza dei Miracoli, or “Field of Miracles” (UNESCO). Keep your camera handy during our stop at the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. You probably won’t be able to resist taking a picture that makes it appear as if you are holding this iconic structure up. Visit the Baptistery, the largest in all of Italy. This impressive building of Romanesque and Gothic architecture is known for its perfect acoustics. This evening we travel to the quiet countryside to learn the secrets of traditional Tuscan cuisine. Partake in a cooking class featuring a bounty of local ingredients and culinary techniques that have been passed down for generations. Then sit down and enjoy the fruits of your labor during dinner. Breakfast & Dinner Grand Hotel Tettuccio |
| 6 | Siena | Welcome to Siena. Discover this charming town with a local guide. Embark on a walking tour through its narrow Gothic streets. Take in stunning palaces, mansions and the historic Piazza del Campo along the way. Then, it’s your choice! Explore Siena's beautiful Gothic Cathedral at your own pace or join your guide to get to know local life in a contrada (neighborhood). Next we make our way to a Tuscan winery and meet the people behind some of Chianti‘s finest wines. Learn from experts as you savor a selection of the local varieties. You’ll also learn about the art of winemaking and the process of making olive oil. Breakfast Grand Hotel Tettuccio |
| 7 | Montecatini Terme | The day is yours to relax and experience the local flavor. Take this opportunity to shop at the local boutiques and dine at one of the many fine local restaurants. Or, perhaps you will choose an optional excursion to Cinque Terre with its rugged coastline dotted with terraced vineyards. Explore its string of fishing villages nestled between the mountains and the Mediterranean. Breakfast Grand Hotel Tettuccio |
| 8 | Florence | A cultural tour in the “Cradle of the Italian Renaissance” showcases the beautiful city of Florence. Join a local Florentine guide who highlights many of the city’s priceless treasures including a visit to the Academy Gallery* – housing Michelangelo’s monumental statue of David. At the Piazza del Duomo, the center of religious life in medieval Florence, see the impressive Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the gilded bronze doors of the Baptistery dedicated to St. John. Take the remainder of your day to explore this unparalleled city as you choose. Tonight, a delightful experience awaits this evening when you attend a Tuscan feast featuring traditional cuisine and savory wines in the magical Tuscan countryside. Breakfast & Dinner Grand Hotel Tettuccio |
| 9 | Montecatini Terme - Tour Ends | Your journey comes to a close today. Depart with many fond memories of Tuscany. Breakfast |