TUSCANY AND ITS MASTERPIECES
TUSCANY AND ITS MASTERPIECES
A complete itinerary through the most famous art cities in Tuscany and the Chianti area, with a short stay on the Elba Island and a daily trip to the Cinque Terre.
DAILY PROGRAM
Day 1: ARRIVAL
Arrival at Pisa (or Florence) airport, welcome by our English speaking tour leader and coach transfer to Montecatini Terme. Accommodation in a 4* hotel such as Hotel Terme Pellegrini or Hotel President, or similar. Welcome drink. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: FLORENCE
After breakfast, departure by coach for a daily excursion with our tour leader. In the morning, meeting with the guide in Piazzale Michelangelo and departure for a brief panoramic coach tour to admire the historic villas on the hills of Fiesole, an ancient Etruscan city above Florence. Then, descent to Florence, and guided walk through the medieval streets of the centre to discover from the outside the main monuments of this museum city: the Duomo square with the Cathedral and its famous dome designed by Brunelleschi and the elegant Campanile by Giotto, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Piazza della Signoria, the political centre of the city, decorated with statues including the Fountain of Neptune. Continue to Piazza della Repubblica, then the San Lorenzo district with its homonymous basilica, the Ponte Vecchio, famous for its goldsmith shops. And the famous streets with the rich palaces that bear witness to the splendours of the Medici era. Free time for lunch during the visit (not included). Back to the hotel in the late afternoon, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: SAN GIMIGNANO – SIENA
Breakfast at the hotel and departure by coach for a daily excursion with our tour leader. In the morning, drive to San Gimignano. Free time to discover this nice village, also known as “the town of the towers”, because of the famous tower-houses of the Middle Ages. The timeless charm of the city shows itself in its squares: Piazza della Cisterna, rich in ancient palaces and towers, and Piazza del Duomo, which also houses the sober collegiate church. Lunch tasting in a typical local farm with taste of local products and Chianti wine. In the afternoon, road to Siena. Guided visit of this magical city, where time seems to have stopped in the Middle Ages! Siena is known above all for the “Palio”, the most famous horse race in Tuscany, which takes place every year in the marvelous Piazza del Campo, renowned for its harmonious shell shape and the pink and white colours of the buildings that surround it. Visit of the grandiose Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, an extraordinary example of Italian Gothic with a sumptuous façade in white, green and pink polychrome marble. Inside, the Dome has a unique marble floor and houses, among other treasures, a pulpit by Nicola Pisano. Late afternoon free, then back to the hotel in the late afternoon, dinner with live musical entertainment and overnight stay.
Day 4: LUCCA – ELBA ISLAND
After breakfast, departure by coach for a daily excursion with our tour leader. In the morning, meeting with the guide and half day visit of Lucca. The city, well protected behind its brick walls, has retained its medieval character. In the charming historic centre stands the main sights of Lucca: the basilica of San Frediano, and its an elegant bell tower with staged arches, the Romanesque Dome of San Martino and the imposing Guinigi Tower overlooking the city. Then the Amphitheatre Square, San Michele Square with the homonymous church, witness of the purest Pisano-Lucquois Romanesque, the Gigli Palace and the Pretorio Palace. Road to Montecarlo di Lucca, stop in a farmhouse dedicated to the production of the famous oil of Tuscany. Discovery of the production process, and lunch. After that, departure to the port of Piombino and boarding to the Isle of Elba. Accommodation in a 3*sup./4* hotel such as Hotel Tamerici or Hotel La Primula, or similar. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: ELBA ISLAND
Breakfast at the hotel, and departure by coach for a daily excursion with our tour leader. Meeting with the local guide and guided tour of the island, the largest of the islands of the Tuscany archipelago, rich in natural and historical treasures. Panoramic tour along the east coast, between Porto Azzurro and Capoliveri, with its varied landscapes: beech and pine forests, vineyards and orchards, sandy coves and beaches surrounded by lush vegetation. Stop and free tasting of local wines. Road to Portoferraio, an ancient village with pink and yellow houses. The city preserves the remains of walls and two fortresses, as well as the memory of Napoleon, who spent two years in exile here. Visit of Napoleon villa-museum. Free time for lunch during the visit (not included). Back to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: PONTEDERA – PISA – VIAREGGIO
Breakfast at the hotel, then coach transfer with your tour leader and boarding to Piombino. At the arrival, departure by coach for a full day excursion. In the morning, road to Pontedera, the cradle of Piaggio and the famous Vespa. Guided tour of the Piaggio Museum, which houses precious pieces of pre-war railway and aviation production, the rich and highly appreciated Vespa collection, the different models of motorcycles, the Ape tricycle, the only Piaggio Vespa 400 car. Then, road to Pisa and free time for lunch at the arrival (not included). In the afternoon, guided tour of this ancient maritime republic, which still shows all its glory through the monuments of the Campo dei Miracoli, the most famous square in Pisa. Discovery of this harmonious architectural complex of a brilliant white, with a visit to the Dome, the Baptistery and view of the famous Leaning Tower. Departure to Viareggio. Accommodation in a 3* sup. hotel such as Hotel Oceano in Marina di Pietrasanta, or similar. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: CINQUE TERRE
Breakfast at the hotel and departure by coach for a daily excursion with our tour leader. Meeting with your guide in La Spezia and departure to Cinque Terre national park. Arrival in Manarola, walk downhill and visit of the small center with its colorful houses, then walk to the harbor, and here departure by boat (alternative by train) to Vernazza, a trail along the coastline with a stunning panoramic view. Visit of Vernazza, one of the most picturesque places, then continue by boat to Monterosso, where you will admire the “statue of the giant” leaning on the rocks of the beach of Nettuno. Free time for lunch (not included). After the meal, departure by boat to La Spezia. Then return to the hotel by bus. Depending on the weather conditions and the time, it is possible to stop in Portovenere. Dinner and overnight stay.
For technical reasons, we reserve the right to change the terms of transport, keeping all visits and services
Day 8: DEPARTURE
Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer by coach to Pisa airport with our tour escort. Check-in assistance and end of our services.
The price includes:
• 7 nights accommodation on H/B basis in mentioned3* sup/ 4* hotels or similar, in double room
• All dinners excluding beverages
• Welcome drink on the day of arrival
• Lunch with Chianti wine tasting and the musical show (day 3), wine tasting (day 5)
• Visit + lunch in a farmhouse dedicated to the oil production (day 4)
• The service of a professional English-speaking tour leader from/to the airport and for the whole duration of the tour, accommodation and meal costs included
• Local guided services as mentioned in the program
• The transportation by air-conditioned G.T. bus according to the itinerary, including all city access fees as currently in force, and including meals and/or accommodation expenses necessary for the driver
• Sea crossings Piombino/Elba/Piombino
• Boat crossings for the Cinque Terre, as indicated in the program
• VAT as currently in force 10% for hotels, 5% for maritime transport, 22% other services
• Our constant phone support
The price doesn't include:
• Air transport
• Tourist tax
• Luncheons (except day 3 and day 4)
• Drinks at meals
• Entrance fees
• Headsets (not mandatory)
• Luggage transport service at the hotels
• All services not mentioned in our program and in "the price includes"
• The possible increase in VAT, access and parking costs for the bus, taxes in general
• Extras, optional visits, tips and personal expenses
CONTACT US
If you need more information, please feel free to contact us anytime, we will be happy to help you!
#INVIAGGIOCONEXPERT
copyright: Expert Travel Team | p.iva: 04064921218 | privacy and cookies | designed with love by justweb