The Tuscany region holds some of Italy's most outstanding wine and culinary delights. Explore the gorgeous rolling green hills of the Tuscan countryside stopping in destinations such as Montepulciano, Pienza, Siena, and more to sample authentic Italian wine and culinary treasures including the Nobile di Montepulciano wine, locally made cured meats and traditional Pecorino cheese. Then travel to Pisa's Square of Miracles and discover world renowned landmarks such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Baptistery of St. John. Next you will travel to the Liguria region to delve into nature and hike your way through the five fishing villages that make up the stunning seaside area of the Cinque Terre. This vacation package is a fantastic way to see some of Italy's most amazing natural and cultural wonders.
From Rome to Rome
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Montepulciano, Pienza, Siena, San Gimignano, Tavernelle Val di Pesa, Chianti wine region, Pisa, La Spezia, Portovenere, Golfo dei Poeti, Cinque Terre, Carrara marble caves, Montecarlo di Lucca
TRAVEL ITINERARY:
Day 1 – Sunday: ROMA – MONTEPULCIANO – PIENZA – SIENA
Early morning pick up at the designated central location in Rome. A multilingual tour leader will take you through the picturesque hills of the Chianti area. You will stop at the ancient village of Montepulciano, which is world famous for producing Nobile di Montepulciano wine. The tour will include a visit to a charming wine cellar where you will have an opportunity to taste various wines and enjoy locally made cured meats and cheese.
The next stop on the tour is Pienza, a fabulous Renaissance town that is well-known for its delicious Pecorino cheese.
The tour will then proceed to Siena, where you will visit the old city center and eventually reach Piazza del Campo, Siena's main square where the annual Palio Horse Race is held. When the day is done, enjoy dinner at your hotel in Siena before turning in for the night.
Day 2 – Monday: SIENA – SAN GIMIGNANO – TAVERNELLE –CHIANTI WINE REGION – PISA – LA SPEZIA
After breakfast at the hotel, you will leave for San Gimignano, a beautiful walled city sitting on a magnificent hilltop. This city still boasts many of the original towers which can be seen from the valley below. The beautiful lanes and squares with ancient buildings and churches are fine examples of both Gothic and Roman architecture.
You will then proceed to Tavarnelle Val di Pesa area where you will visit a charming farmhouse known as La Tancia. You will have the opportunity to sample various wines from the Chianti Classico “Gallo Nero” area and enjoy a light lunch.
Later in the afternoon, you will travel to iconic Pisa, where you will proceed on a walking tour. You will see the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa and other historical monuments within the impressive Piazza dei Miracoli such as the Cathedral and the magnificent architecture of the Baptistery of St. John.
After exploring Pisa, you will proceed towards the region of Liguria, positioned on Italy's northwestern coast. Be sure to enjoy one last look at the beautiful Tuscan scenery before arriving in the coastal city of La Spezia. You will end the day with dinner and an overnight stay at your new hotel.
Day 3 – Tuesday: LA SPEZIA – PORTOVENERE – GOLFO DEI POETI – CINQUE TERRE – LA SPEZIA
After breakfast you will head out for a day of enchanting discovery. The five fishermen villages making up the Cinque Terre are guaranteed to leave a lasting impression. The colorful villages seem to be suspended on the rocky cliffs, overlooking the tranquil waters below. You will tour the magnificent coastline by boat, allowing you to admire a panoramic view of this splendid area and take beautiful photos of the colorful coastal villages. During this fantastic boat tour, you will dock at Porto Venere, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. You will have time to visit the villages at your leisure. (During low season and in case of bad sea conditions the boat service may be suspended; in this case the tour will be held by train and minibus).
Here are some interesting features of each of the sites you will see:
Porto Venere: Porto Venere and the five villages of Cinque Terre are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This port town will offer another spectacular view of the colorful villages and is also charming in its own right, with the Church of San Pietro and the Doria Castle among its most prominent monuments.
Riomaggiore: Riomaggiore has beautifully colored houses built vertically along the steep hillside, overlooking the waterway. This village is famous for its outstanding wine. If you choose, you can walk along the spectacular Via Dell’Amore to reach Manarola (trail temporary closed).
Manarola: Manarola is both charming and romantic. It is built upon a rock standing roughly 230 feet above sea level, offering fantastic views of the breathtaking scenery. The town also has a tiny piazza featuring local restaurants offering fresh seafood.
Corniglia: Corniglia is steeped in ancient Roman agriculture, surrounded by beautiful vineyards and marvelous terraces. It is a picturesque village overlooking the sea from high above a promontory and it is the only village of the Cinque Terre without direct access to the sea.
Vernazza: Vernazza is thought by many to be the most beautiful village in Cinque Terre. Situated on the coast, Vernazza has sprawling olive groves that are said to produce some of the finest olive oil in all of Italy. It also features a small beach that is protected by the harbor on one side.
Monterosso al Mare: Monterosso, a town divided into two parts (an older part and a newer part) is known for its spectacular sandy beaches with deep blue water. Significant sights in the area include the Castle, the Convent and the Monterosso Giant, a large sculpture of Neptune that faces the sea and was damaged by World War II bombing and rough seas.
From Monterosso you will take the train to La Spezia. The night ends with a delicious dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 4 – Wednesday: LA SPEZIA – CARRARA MARBLE CAVES – MONTECARLO DI LUCCA – ROME
Rise and enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. Today’s tour will include the Tuscan city of Carrara, where you will be able to visit its famous marble quarries, offering some of the best quality marble in all of Italy. These quarries are the same ones that Michelangelo used to source the marble for many of his famous works of art. The tour also offers a chance to visit the local quarry museum, which showcases ancient tools and some beautiful sculptures.
The next stop is MonteCarlo Di Lucca, a well preserved town located in the hills that is still surrounded by ancient walls. This beautiful town is picturesque in every direction. The area produces top quality wines from a variety of grapes, and its olive groves produce excellent extra virgin olive oil. The tour will stop at a delightful farmhouse where you will be able to sample some of the food and wine indicative of the Tuscany region. The wine will be accompanied by samplings of cheese, delicious olive oils, authentic pasta and fragrant breads.
After this exciting day, you will head back to Rome, which will mark the end of the tour.
Melinda and I had a spectacular time, and several times, we commented on what a fantastic job you did on our itinerary and the high caliber
Ciao Tommaso, I hear from My Clients the B. Family. They having a wonderful time. Enjoyed their tours in Florence and Tuscany. They loved th
Where do I begin? We enjoyed Italy so much. The hotels were a good choice. Rome is truly a walking city! The city was great and the food was
PACKAGE START AT $752.00 INCLUDES:
- Transportation by Deluxe motor coach or minivan as per itinerary;
- Accommodation in 4 Star Category Hotels in double/twin rooms with private facilities;
- Daily Buffet Breakfast;
- 3 Dinners as per itinerary;
- 3 Wine Tasting in Tuscany region;
- Cinque Terre Boat excursion;
- Sightseeing Tours as per itinerary;
- Multilingual Tour-Escort;
- Vat Taxes and service Charges.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:
- All Land & Air prices: Additional U.S. & Foreign Departure Taxes and Surcharges Fee(s) assessed by the Airlines.
-Hospitality city tax which varies by city and hotel category. If applicable it has to be paid locally to the hotel.
- Beverages.
- Porterage service.
- Other Entrance Fees to Monuments or Museums, Tips, Extras.
- All that is not listed under “PACKAGE INCLUDES”.
GENERAL CONDITIONS:
Multilingual escorted group tour.
All departure are Guaranteed.
During low season and in case of bad weather, the boat service in Cinque Terre may be suspended. In this case, the excursion will be via minibus or train.
Itinerary may be reversed or modified for technical reason.
(*) Rate based on two adult persons sharing a double or twin bedded room with private bathroom. Single rooms are available at an additional supplement. Children’s, triple room rates and alternative accommodation arrangements are available upon request. (Additional and different charges may apply).
