ITINERARY

Day 1 – US/Italy

Your trip begins with a regularly scheduled overnight flight

Day 2 – Florence

Welcome to Italy! Our representative welcomes you at the airport and escorts you to your hotel by private motorcoach. The rest of the day is free for strolling along the cobbled streets and stone bridges of Florence or just relaxing in your hotel. In the evening, enjoy the famed Tuscan cuisine at one of Florence’s renowned restaurants, Il Latini.  An evening filled with wine, food, and song will be a very special welcome to this enchanting city.

Day 3 – Florence

Discover the timeless city of Florence, birthplace of opera and the Italian language. Today, your private guide introduces you to the city’s Renaissance splendor. Marvel at Brunelleschi’s masterpiece— Florence’s massive pink, white and green Duomo. Visit the Accademia and see the famous “David”.  In the afternoon, take a voyage of discovery through the palette of Tuscan olive oils; from the spicy Olio Novo of the Chianti Classico area to the fruitier oils produced in the coastal area of Northern Tuscany.  The tasting is held in a traditional wine bar located in one of downtown Florence’s medieval towers!

Day 4 – Tuscany/Cooking class and wine tasting

In the morning after checking out of your hotel in Florence, you will board your private motorcoach and drive to your accommodation at Santa Cristina.  In the afternoon, take in views of the glorious scenery before continuing to the historic Castello di Oliveto for your gourmet cooking class and local wine tasting.  There you will learn the secrets of Tuscan cooking with one of the Castello’s resident chefs; an incomparable experience.  Finish the day off by enjoying your self-prepared meal along with some of the Castello’s very fine wines.

Day 5 – Tuscany/Pisa/Lucca

After breakfast, depart on a journey through beautiful Tuscan landscapes to Pisa, the historic university town located on the Arno River. Here we will visit the Piazza dei Miracoli to see the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral – noted for its pulpit, mosaics, and paintings – the Baptistery and other landmarks. Afterward, we’ll continue to Lucca for a tour of the town.

Day 6 – Tuscany/Montalcino

The day starts with our traveling through vineyards and olive groves to the hilltop town of Montalcino, famous for its Brunello di Montalcino wine. We will enjoy the opportunity to taste this local treasure, as well as an included light lunch. Later, follow an expert local guide on an afternoon tour of Siena, a longtime rival of nearby Florence.  We will visit Siena’s Romanesque Duomo, which houses major works of art by Donatello and Nicola Pisano; and walk along medieval streets to the Piazza del Campo – where each summer, daredevils racehorses bareback around this famed piazza during the traditional Palio.

Day 7 – San Gimignano/Tuscany

The day starts with a trip to San Gimignano, one of the most splendid examples of medieval towns – so much so that it was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco! The town is also famous for its wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano; saffron; and the precious Santa Fina pottery, will we will see as well. Your guide will accompany you to every corner of the town; which is characterized by beautiful squares, hospitable buildings, ancient churches, and cozy alleyways. Later, we continue on to Villa Daniella for another fine example of Tuscan cuisine.  The Medicean Villa Dianella dates back to the end of the XVI century and was used by the Medici as a country house for hunting. Its name, Dianella, comes from the name Diana; the goddess of the moon, and the hunt.

Day 8 – Tuscany/Cinque Terre

After breakfast, we’ll take a ride to Cinque Terre to visit the unique and colorful villages.

There will be time to take a walk through the Love path and to have a quick lunch (on your own) in one of the many characteristic coffee shops. In the evening, we return to the Castle for our farewell dinner.

Day 9 – Tuscany

In the morning, we travel to the Castle, our home-base for the next three days. Afterward, the rest of the day is at your leisure, with the bus and tour leader at the groups’ disposal for excursions. Tolls and city entrance fees not included.

Day 10 – Tuscany/Viareggio/Forte dei Marmi

After breakfast there is a 2 hours trip to the coast, where we will visit the famous Versilia – the most exclusive seaside area in Italy; enjoy a day there, before traveling back to your castle in the evening.

Day 11 – Tuscany

Today is a full day at your leisure; the bus and tour leader is at the groups’ disposal for excursions. Tolls and city entrance fees are not included.

Day 12 – Tuscany/USA

After an early breakfast, board your private motorcoach for transfer to Pisa or Florence Airport for your return flight.  You will bid a fond farewell to enchanting Tuscany!