Florence Italy continue one world best cities travel

Town of Vernazza, Cinque Terre National Park

PRIVATE FLORENCE

Florence, Tuscany and the Italian Riviera

Tour Code TUR-01425

Duration 10 days

Group Type Private

Departs From Florence

Meeting Point Florence Airport

Customize This Journey View Full Itinerary

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.

Itinerary

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.

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

Inclusions & Exclusions

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

Quick Enquiry

Client Testimonials

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 … Read More
— Jo Ann West
This company really knows their stuff and recommended our family to stay longer in each location. We didn't listen to them, but wished we had in every single place we went. They recommended Sestri Levante over the Cinque Terre which was our favourite destination on our entire trip. We visited Rome where we stayed in the outstanding Hotel Locorno where they know the owner there,… Read More
— Sean & Veet Chapman, CGA
I traveled with JoAnn West through your services, guided by Giuseppe, in July of this year. What a wonderful experience; your service is really top notch! If I return to Italy for a tour, I will absolutely use your services again and recommend you to my friends!… Read More
— Lucretia Brower
As a travel agent, but also a traveler to Italy, thee is no other company I would recommend than the Italy Vacation Specialists. Not only do they really care about what they are doing, they also really know Italy and try to educate many people about ways they can best see the country and not fall into tourist traps. I have been on 4 trips with the IVS team, firstly when the… Read More
— Laura Chomiak, Travel Agent
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… Read More
— Ron and Deb Crosby
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
— Tammy Joyce, All About Honeymoons
I have traveled to Italy 2x with the IVS for my own pleasure trips and 2x for business with IVS. These guys really pay attention and make your trip go like clockwork. Italy is nuts, just saying! There are so many rules and restrictions now, so we did not want to drive ourselves. Having traveled with them many times and done business on several occasions, most definitely USE t… Read More
— JoAnne Beaudoin, Retired Nurse
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 to… Read More
— Vijaya Sunil CPA, CGA
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… Read More
— Nicole Haddad, Lebanese Travel Agent
In September of 2018 I brought a group of 12 from Venice to Sicily and organized all of my services with the Italy Vacation Specialists. Being a travel agent and in the business, I know how complicated organizing travel arrangements can be in Italy and the IVS team took a huge burden off of me! I would like to start of by saying "THANK YOU" both for the amazing job you did on o… Read More
— Ann Brownell, KHM Travel Group