Discover the true colors of this acclaimed region on a tour
that highlights the beauty of Tuscany. Ochre and terracotta hill
towns, linked by winding white roads and pathways lined with
cypress trees, contrast with the magnificent architecture of great
Renaissance cities.
Leaving from our St Pancras Departure Office, we board the
Eurostar, traveling in Standard Premier Class to Paris, then
continuing by high-speed TGV to Chambéry, where we overnight.
On Day 2, we continue to Florence by
highspeed rail before changing to a coach for the short transfer to
Montecatini, where we stay for seven nights.
Includes
Day 1 - Eurostar Meal, Dinner
Day 2 - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Siena
Today we travel by coach to beautifully preserved, medieval
Siena, a charismatic Tuscan city where steep, narrow streets wind
haphazardly through the town, occasionally opening out onto
charming piazzas. The city is delightfully traffic free, making it
perfect to explore on foot.
Walking among the terracotta-roofed houses, you will frequently
stumble across secret squares and hidden back streets, discovering
countless small fountains outside tiny community churches. Sights
of interest in Siena include the magnificent Duomo, one of Italy's
great cathedrals. The cathedral boasts statues by Donatello,
Bernini and Michelangelo, as well as a unique and elaborate mosaic
floor. Perhaps Siena's most famous sight however, is the incredible
Piazza del Campo - a vast, shell-shaped square which plays host to
the famous Palio horse race each year and is highly regarded as one
of the greatest medieval squares on the continent. Enjoy free time
to explore after a guided tour.
Includes
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - San Gimignano, cookery and wine in Chianti
Today we take an excursion deep into the heart of the Tuscan
countryside, traveling by coach through the undulating
ochre-coloured hills and past countless lonely farmhouses. Our
first destination is charming San Gimignano, a striking walled
village with a delightfully rural feel. The village is perhaps best
known for the thirteen towers which dominate the skyline, visible
for miles around, they were built by competitive Tuscan families in
the Middle Ages.
This afternoon we venture deeper into the countryside to
Castello di Meleto. Surrounded by fields and vineyards, the
property is located in the beautiful Chianti region, at the end of
a pathway lined with cypress trees and laurel bushes. We enjoy a
cookery demonstration using typical Tuscan produce and traditional
recipes handed down through the generations, before sampling some
of the delicious wines for which the area is justly famous. We
enjoy a guided tour before dining in the castle.
Includes
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - At leisure in Montecatini
Today is free to explore the attractive spa town of Montecatini.
The extravagant 18th century Tettuccio Terme spa is certainly worth
a visit, not only for its healing waters but also for its beautiful
Liberty architecture.
A small funicular railroad connects Montecatini Terme with
Montecatini Alto, the old town located a few hundred metres above,
which offers superb views across the rolling hills of the
surrounding Tuscan countryside. Here you can admire the pretty
townhouses, and the imposing churches towering high over the town
below, before choosing a restaurant or café to enjoy lunch and soak
up the atmosphere.
Includes
Breakfast
Day 6 - Florence
A short rail journey (Standard Class) this morning takes us to
the beautiful city of Florence - 'the Jewel of the Renaissance'. We
enjoy a guided tour of the city's many treasures, including the
Duomo with its iconic red-tiled dome, and the beautiful Ponte
Vecchio - a 14th century bridge that is home to 43 jewellers'
shops.
Your afternoon is free to explore Florence at leisure.
Picturesque labyrinthine streets and squares, including the Piazza
della Signoria - the people-watching center of Florence - are only
part of the city's charm; much of the beauty of the city is found
indoors. One fifth of the world's Renaissance art is kept and
displayed in Florence's museums, galleries, churches, monasteries
and palaces; many in the Basilica Santa Croce and as many as 1,700
masterpieces in the world-famous Uffizi Gallery.
Includes
Breakfast, Dinner
Days 7-8 - Excursion to Pisa and Lucca
This morning we travel by rail (Standard Class) to Lucca - one
of Tuscany's bestkept secrets and a place of true beauty. Majestic
city walls encircle a Roman and medieval heart packed with piazzas,
art galleries and tiny churches, all connected by an intricate
network of narrow cobbled streets.
A stroll around the wide walkways along the top of the ancient
ramparts is an excellent way to discover the true charm of the
city, while you can get a bird'seye view from the Guinigi Tower,
which has an oak tree growing from its top.
We then enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, before continuing to
Pisa, where we have a guided tour that includes the city's
beautiful Field of Miracles. Here we see the world famous Leaning
Tower, which began to lean as soon as it was built and was used by
Galileo to study gravity, and the marvellous white marble Duomo.
The cathedral is a superb example of Romanesque architecture, often
overlooked by tourists who flock to see the bell tower.
Day 8 is free to continue exploring
Montecatini before we enjoy a farewell dinner at our hotel.
Includes
Day 7 - Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8 - Breakfast, Dinner
Days 9-10 - To Turin and home
Leaving Montecatini, we travel by coach to Florence, then by
high-speed rail to Turin, where we spend the night.
On Day 10 we leave Italy behind,
traveling by direct TGV to Paris, where we cross the city by coach
to board the Eurostar to London. On arrival in the capital, your
tour concludes.
For this tour, we recommend arriving to, and departing from,
London Gatwick or London Heathrow airport (LGW or LHR). London
Gatwick is approximately 30 miles from your start and end point,
and London Heathrow is approximately 19 miles from your start and
end point.
Visa Requirements
It is your responsibility to check and fulfil the passport,
visa, health and immigration requirements applicable to your
itinerary. We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot
travel, or incur any other loss because you have not complied with
any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities.
You agree to reimburse us in relation to any fines or other losses
which we incur as a result of your failure to comply with any
passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities.
Departure times
Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be
found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices
& Availability' button. We write to all booked customers
approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise
the exact departure and return time for their particular group.
Hotel
Grand Hotel Francia e Quirinale, Montecatini Terme
Excellent tour manager and overall content of vacation.
Anonymous
Submitted Oct 04, 2019
Well organised and an excellent tour manager. However, the size of the group was uncomfortably large - this meant a bit of a hassle getting on and off trains, particularly for the less able bodied (which is a major factor when these tours usually have a fairly high proportion of people of more advanced age) - and also was a bit of a handicap on walking tours, where some form of amplified address system would have been useful for the tour manager
Anonymous
Submitted Jul 19, 2019
Only 21 on the tour which made for easier outward and homebound journeys. Other travelers were lovely and tour manager always went the extra mile. Despite the intense heat, the visits were enjoyable. Hotel was friendly and well located.
Anonymous
Submitted Jul 19, 2019
The return journey was so so stressful for all concerned and we fully appreciated the lengths taken to ensure we got back on the return date.
Perhaps areas to consider would be the free days - would it be possible to have one day on arrival after 2 days travel... and instead of guides could not entry to at least one place of interest be included eg Florence
Anonymous
Submitted Jul 12, 2019
Well organised, first class Tour Guide and fine hotel.
Anonymous
Submitted Jul 07, 2019
Vacation content and hotels good. Too long delay in Paris. Group too large.
