| Image: The beauty of Tuscany |
Italy, Taste of Tuscany Tour –
On this special tour for 8 lucky people we get right off the beaten track and enjoy amazing Italian food and wine.
Ever thought off staying in a hilltop Tuscan castle and exploring the villages and sampling the amazing local cuisine and wines. Sounds like you – then you’re invited to join our small group tour to visit amazing Tuscany and other highlights in Italy escorted by our own Tuscan driver, AND when we say small, we mean it! On this special tour for 8 lucky people we get right off the beaten track and enjoy amazing Italian food and wine.
Just one of the highlights is a 4 night stay in a Tuscan castle villa with day trips to surrounding villages and visits to San Gimignano, Siena and Florence.
Then experience the famous Cinque Terre “five lands”. The five coastal villages are a UNESCO World Heritage site. The most popular trail, Sentiero Azzurro, runs nearest the water. It’s about 6 kilometers long and takes about five hours. You will also visit the “5 Terre” by ferry boat or by train – we give you a full day rail pass so you can explore at your own pace. The first village is Riomaggiore and after a short visit, we continue to Manarola, where the houses are pastel, the water is turquoise, and the rock on which the town sits is black. Don’t miss the “Lovers’ Path” that links Manarola and Riomaggiore. Next stop is in Vernazza, with the only natural port. Famous for its elaborate architecture. See the Castle of the Doria, the watchtower, and the Romanesque sanctuary of Our Lady of Reggio.
Last stop is in Monterosso, the largest village and surrounded by hills covered in vineyards and olive groves. We then continue to Pisa and onwards to the beautiful Italian Lakes.
Our groups are a mix of solo travellers and couples. Just because you choose to travel by yourself – you WILL definitely NOT be travelling alone as we have social opportunities, dine and explore together.
Whats Included
- Minibuses
- 4 star boutique hotel accommodation
- Breakfasts
- Special welcome and farewell dinners
- Our driver/guide
- Transfers
- Sightseeing
- Entrance fees
Some highlights …
- 4 night stay in a classic Italian castle
- Tuscan wine tasting
- Wonderful Tuscan dinners
- Montipulciano
- Montalcino – the home of brunello
- Greve
- Florence
- San Gimignano
- Siena
- Cinque Terre
- Italian Lakes
- Stresa
- Medieval villages
- Maximum of 8 in our groups
Itinerary
Day 1 – Rome / Chianti
Arrive in Rome and transfer directly north. On arrival at the accommodation we enjoy a welcome drink. Tonight we have a welcome dinner included and the chance to meet the rest of our small group. Accommodation is for 4 nights at our Castello in the heart of Chianti, a wine-producing estate for 600 years, surrounded by woods, vineyards and olive groves. D
Day 2 – Montepulciano / Montalcino / Pienza
Following breakfast we depart for the wonderful medieval town of Montepulciano. A light lunch includes a tasting of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. This afternoon visit two hilltop towns including Montalcino, known for its local food and excellent wine, including Brunello. We have wine tasting at Alessandro’s enoteca. Tonight’s dinner is at a local Chianti area restaurant. B, D
Day 3 – Chianti / Tuscan villages
After a leisurely breakfast and time to relax, enjoy a tasting of locally produced wines. This afternoon we visit two of the hilltop towns (Vertine, Volpaia, Gaiole in Chianti, or Radda in Chianti). Return to Chianti. Dinner included tonight. B, D
Day 4 – Greve / Florence
After breakfast we depart for Greve in Chianti to explore the Medieval Square, visit the Wine Museum and taste the “La Bottega del Chianti Classico.” Lunch today is in a typical regional restaurant in Greve. Continue to Florence with free time to explore or shop in the old-town area. Return to the Chianti area for included dinner. B, D
Day 5 – San Gimignano / Siena
After breakfast we depart for San Gimignano, famous for its medieval towers and featured in the movie “Tea with Mussolini.” Optionally tonight (weather permitting), watch the sunset from the old castle ruins. Accommodation for next 2 nights is in the beautiful hilltop Tuscan village of San Gimignano. B
Day 6 – San Gimignano / Siena
After breakfast we repeat our route through San Gimignano and the medieval atmosphere, optional castle-ruins sunset again if the weather allows. Two-night accommodation continues at Leon Bianco or similar in San Gimignano. B
Day 7 – Cinque Terre
After breakfast we depart San Gimignano for the Cinque Terre area, passing the magnificent Carrara marble mines. Accommodation for the next 2 nights is in the port city of La Spezia—ideal for exploring the Cinque Terre villages. B
Day 8 – Cinque Terre
World-Heritage Walkway and day rail passes are provided so you can spend the whole day exploring the Cinque Terre—one of the most famous, picturesque walks in the world. Dinner tonight at a coastal restaurant, then return to our hotel. B, D
Day 9 – The Italian Lakes
Depart after breakfast for the Italian Lakes. Accommodation for 3 nights in Stresa on the shores of beautiful Lake Maggiore, with views across the lake to the Borromean islands and Switzerland. After check-in there’s free time to relax and enjoy the setting. Time for a drink tonight before dinner to chat over the day’s experiences. B
Day 10 – The Italian Lakes
Today we visit two of the beautiful islands in Lake Maggiore—Isola Bella and Isola Madre. Free afternoon until our included farewell dinner tonight. B, D
Day 11 – Malpensa
We depart Stresa this morning for Milan International Airport, Malpensa, arriving mid-morning for onward flights. B
Optional Extension – Turin (+Days 11–13)
From Malpensa Airport we drive to Turin to view the Passion Play theatre. Two nights’ accommodation in Turin. B
On Day 12: At 10 am, viewing of the Shroud of Turin (four spaces booked), followed by local sightseeing, a long lunch and free time. B
On Day 13: Depart Turin for Milan Malpensa Airport. Arrive late afternoon or choose alternative drop-off at Milan Central Rail Station. B
Optional Turin extension is subject to minimum numbers.
Included within this package
- Minibuses
- 4-star boutique hotel accommodation
- Breakfasts
- Special welcome and farewell dinners
- Our driver/guide
- Transfers
- Sightseeing
- Entrance fees
Available dates: May & September
Pricing: $8,895 – pp t/share $2,495 – Single supp plus
THIS ITINERARY IS THE PROPERTY OF THE TOUR COMPANY AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
