Florence, Tuscany and the Italian Riviera
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Tour Code: TUR-01425
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Type: Private
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Duration: 10 days -
Departs from: Florence
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Meeting Place: Florence Airport
Overview
At its height, San Gimignano could boast 72 towers, symbols of the wealth and power of the Medieval families who lived here. Today, even with just 14 surviving, San Gimignano is recognized for its unique characteristics. You will have time to visit the town and the option to climb one of the towers to enjoy sweeping views across the countryside below. There's a reason that Siena is one of the most visited towns in Italy, with its rich history and clean, pedestrianized center it makes for a perfect afternoon stroll, not to mention the chance to visit the famous, striped duomo and taste the delicious local sweets.
Val d'Orcia is so picturesque that the entire area has been named a World Heritage site! Our tour will take us to just 3 of the delightful towns that scatter the countryside: firstly, the hilltop town of Montalcino, surrounded by vineyards growing the Sangiovese grapes that are used to make the famous Brunello di Montalcino. Of course, there will be the opportunity to taste examples of this wine in a very special enoteca. Next we will go to Pienza, the Renaissance utopia and producer of pecorino di pienza. Finally, Montepulciano, home to another famous Tuscan wine.
On our way to Cinque Terre, we will stop in Pisa to visit the Leaning Tower and the town of Lucca for lunch before ending the day in Monterosso a Mare. You'll get the chance to hike the famous trails between the 5 fishing villages as well as visiting them from the tranquility of a boat. To round off the tour will head to Portovenere for a wonderful dinner in the Palmaria Restuarant.
The final stop of our tour will be 2 nights in the heart of Tuscany, in Florence, cradle of the Renaissance. Here you will be introduced to the history of the city and the men who brought it to prominence as we tour the streets and visit the 2 most famous galleries. You will also have plenty of free time to explore the compact city-center on your own, try the famous bistecca alla fiorentina, explore the leather market and shopping streets and wander the banks of the river with an ice-cream as the locals do!
As our tour comes to end, our drivers will take you back to Florence to fly home. If you are interested in extending your Italian vacation, speak to one of our Italian experts who will be happy to help you.
Itinerary
Where we Visit : Florence, Chianti, | Meeting Location : Florence Airport
Spend the rest of the day relaxing from your flight, with the option to enjoy the town, incredible shops and one of the very best Gelato stops in Italy!
In the evening, you will enjoy your first taste of Tuscan life before turning in for the night in the peace of the countryside.
Overnight at Hotel Cisterna.
Where we Visit : Siena, San Gimignano,
For lunch, we will stop at a local winery, enjoy some local produce and sample both the famous Chianti reds and Vernaccia, one of Italy's finest white wines, which is produced in vineyards around San Gimignano.
The afternoon will be spent in the delightful provincial capital of Siena. Here you will meet a local guide, who will walk you through the lovely, traffic-free Renaissance center, the Piazza del Campo, one of the loveliest squares in Italy where the Palio takes place twice a year and the famous black and white duomo. The day will end back at the hotel.
Overnight at the Hotel Cisterna
Where we Visit : Montalcino, Pienza,
The first stop of the day will be the town of Montalcino. We suggest you pop into the wonderful enoteca inside a majestic 12th century fortress that was once part of the town's defenses. Here we can enjoy a tasting of local wines, including Brunello di Montalcino served with local cheese and cold cuts to keep you going till lunch!
The next town as you make your way through the valley is Pienza, where you will have free time to sit down for lunch or to grab a snack and explore the town. Pienza is known as the 'ideal city of the Renaissance', thanks to the patronage of Pope Pius II, who wanted to change his humble birthplace into a utopia.
The final stop of the day will be Montepulciano, a name associated the world over with the rich red wine produced here. Wander through the town, enjoying the stunning views across the Orcia Valley, before stopping for a tour of a famous wine cellar, where you will be able to taste more local wines.
Back to the villa for dinner and some well-deserved relaxation.
NB: uphill walking is unavoidable in the towns.
Return in the early evening to San Gimignano for dinner at leisure and Overnight at the Hotel Cisterna
Where we Visit : Chianti, Florence,
In the afternoon, it is time to say goodbye to the green hills of the Tuscan countryside. Your driver will meet you at the hotel to drive you to the Renaissance splendor of Florence and the lovely Hotel Berchielli centrally located on the banks of the Arno River, right by Ponte Vecchio in central Florence.
You will have the rest of the day to relax, enjoy a leisurely dinner and an evening walk along the banks of the Arno.
Overnight at Hotel Berchielli.
Where we Visit : Florence,
Afterwards, you will have the rest of the day free to enjoy the city at your leisure.
Overnight in Florence.
Where we Visit : Florence,
After the tour, you will have the rest of the day free.
Overnight in Florence.
Where we Visit : Pisa, Lucca, Monterosso Al Mare
In Pisa you will have time to walk around the 'Field of Miracles', climb the famous tower and visit the cathedral before moving onto Lucca. This lovely Renaissance town is centered around a 'square' that was built over a Roman amphitheater. You will also be able to get lunch here, before continuing your journey north.
In the afternoon, we will arrive in Monterosso where we will be staying at Margherita which is few minutes walking to the seafront. You will now have the evening to relax, stroll on the beach and enjoy dinner in the town.
Overnight in Monterosso.
Where we Visit : Cinque Terre,
If you are feeling energetic, hike between them enjoying the wonderful views as you go. Alternatively, you can take the train or ferry which stop in each of the villages for a more relaxed experience.
Overnight in Monterosso.
Where we Visit : Cinque Terre,
Overnight in Monterosso.
Where we Visit : Monterosso Al Mare, Florence,
Inclusions/Exclusions
Tour Highlights and What's Included
All hotel taxes and service charges- All transfers
- Cellar Tour
- Cooking class
- Daily Buffet Breakfast
- English speaking tour escort for the duration of the tour
- Entrance Ticket to Leaning Tower
- Florence: Guided visit of the most important monuments including the inside visit of the Academia museum with its Michelangelo statue
- Free Time For Lunch
- Fuel
- Road Tolls
- Service Charges and Taxes
- Siena and San Gimignano
- Small Group Sizes
- Wine Tastings
- Winery Visits
What's Not Included
Pricing & Availability
Please contact us today by either phone or email for assistance with this booking.
Email : team@italyvacationspecialists.com
Toll Free : 1-866-779-2565
Map
Starting From : EUR 5450
(Pricing is per person based on 2 pax traveling)
Note : Price also Depends on Point of Departure & Number of Participants. Get in touch with us today to get an accurate quote!
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Dear Guiseppe and Jesse, We just returned from our most wonderful vacation to Italy and wanted to first thank you for putting together such a wonderful trip, and second to provide some feedback for the future. Hotels 1. Hotel Sovestro in San Gimignano was wonderful. The staff were very friendly and helpful and made the first portion of our journey very stress free. They made us feel like we wer ... [Read More]
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I am a travel agent with All About Honeymoons and I would highly recommend Italy Vacation Specialists. Jessica was wonderful in helping us plan in a last minute anniversary vacation during high season without any issues. She even checked on our clients while on vacation to make sure things were going well. I plan on using them again soon for all my future bookings! ... [Read More]
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Jesse, There are no words to describe the fabulous time we had in Italy. Everything went as you promised. Absolutely no problems! The venues were fabulous. The guides were punctual and helpful. It couldn't have worked out better. You and your staff deserve high praise for the quality and efficiency of your work. BTW, Guiseppe was an absolute delight. We enjoyed his informative and effervescent per ... [Read More]
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The trip was great we appreciate all the hard work you and your team invested to make our experience a once in a lifetime trip. We appreciate all the attention to the details in particular Giuseppe spending the time and the focus with us on the road and as we were exploring your great country. ... [Read More]
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I am a travel agent from Lebanon and have organized several group tours as well as individual tours of Italy with Italy Vacation Specialists. I highly recommend them as one of the very best tour operators in Italy to work with, given their professionalism and work ethic which I feel is second-to-none in the travel industry. All of the staff, the guides, the coaches and even the meals we enjoyed we ... [Read More]
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In August 2018, my family of four and myself travelled from Vancouver, BC to Rome Italy and spent 3 weeks touring Italy with IVS. This company had come highly recommended by many friends and associates of ours who had used them before and indeed to say they do an outstanding job is an understatement. You can tell while being in Italy that it is one complicated place to run tours in, just by the ... [Read More]
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Jesse & Giuseppe,Sandy and I have been looking through my slides of our trip to Southern Italy. We had such a good time with you and Giuseppe that we wanted to let you know again. You were the best guides ever. ... [Read More]
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