Overview
We will meet you at Florence airport and transport you straightaway to the lush green of the Chianti countryside, where you will spend 3 days exploring the Renaissance towns, UNESCO sites and wine-producers of Tuscany.
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.
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
Day
1
Arrival at Florence airport
1
Where we Visit :
Florence,
Chianti,
Meeting Location :
Florence Airport
When you arrive at Florence airport, you will be met by one of our drivers and taken to the lovely Hotel Cisterna located in the old town of San Gimignano with sweeping views of the Tuscan countryside. 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.
Meals :
Not applicable
Day
2
The Chianti Region: Siena & San Gimignano
2
Where we Visit :
Siena,
San Gimignano,
After breakfast, our driver will meet you at the hotel and take you around San Gimignano; you will have time to explore the town on your own and climb one of its famous towers.
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
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
Meals :
Breakfast, Wine Tasting
Day
3
Val d'Orcia: Montalcino & Pienza
3
Where we Visit :
Montalcino,
Pienza,
This morning, following breakfast, your driver will take you to the southern part of Tuscany and the beautiful Val d'Orcia. This is the Tuscan countryside you are used to seeing in photos: miles of vineyards and cornfields, isolated hilltop farmhouses and roads lined with poplar trees.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
Meals :
Breakfast, Wine Tasting
Day
4
Cooking class and Transfer to Florence
4
Where we Visit :
Chianti,
Florence,
This morning you will learn a little about Tuscan cooking in the kitchen of the Tenuta Torciano and develop some culinary skills to take home with you! Try your hand at making pasta, then enjoy eating the fruits of your labors with a truly homemade lunch.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.
Meals :
Breakfast, Lunch, Cooking Class
Day
5
Florence and the Accademia
5
Where we Visit :
Florence,
Following breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and take you through the Renaissance streets of Florence, passing some of the city’s best-known sites including Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti and the duomo. Discover the history of the powerful Medici family who at one time ruled great parts of Tuscany and whose influence of Florence can still be seen today. Their patronage of young artists gave rise to some of the greatest talents of their day, including Michelangelo. Your tour will include a visit to the Accademia Gallery, which houses one of his finest sculptures: the monumental statue of David.Afterwards, you will have the rest of the day free to enjoy the city at your leisure.
Overnight in Florence.
Meals :
Breakfast
Day
6
Florence: The Uffizi
6
Where we Visit :
Florence,
Your guide will meet you at the hotel and accompany you down the street to Italy's most visited museum. Here you will spend the morning discovering the paintings, sculptures and drawings of the Masters of the Italian Renaissance, including Giotti, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Caravaggio and many others.After the tour, you will have the rest of the day free.
Overnight in Florence.
Meals :
Breakfast
Day
7
Depart Florence via Pisa and Lucca
7
Where we Visit :
Pisa,
Lucca,
Monterosso Al Mare
Leaving Florence after breakfast, you will have the chance to visit 2 more famous Tuscan towns on route to Cinque Terre.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.
Meals :
Breakfast
Day
8
Hiking in Cinque Terre
8
Where we Visit :
Cinque Terre,
Today will be completely free for you to explore as much, or as little of the five villages as you wish. 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.
Meals :
Breakfast
Day
9
Hiking and Farewell Dinner
9
Where we Visit :
Cinque Terre,
Continue exploring the villages, or take the ferry to Portovenere and Palmaria island for wonderful views over the Gulf of Poets.Overnight in Monterosso.
Meals :
Breakfast
Day
10
Return to Florence and departure
10
Where we Visit :
Monterosso Al Mare,
Florence,
Following breakfast and perhaps a final walk on the beach, your driver will take you back to Florence airport to catch your flights home.
Meals :
Breakfast
Map
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
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