What’s included:
- Transfers to and from the airport
- Accommodation at a 4 Star hotel
- Breakfast daily
- 2 Lunches
- 2 Dinners
What’s not included:
- International flights to and from Florence. Contact us for the best prices from your home town.
- Taxes, Insurance and additional meals not stated below.
Day 1: Arrival, transfer to your accommodation and group dinner
Day 2: Florence and walking tour
Highlights
- See such Florence wonders as Piazzale Michelangelo, Duomo Complex, Porta del Paradiso, and Giotto’s Bell Tower
- Visit the Piazza Signoria, the Galleria degli Uffizi, the Franciscan Church of Santa Croce
- Enjoy a delicious Italian lunch
- Discover this ancient Italian city with a knowledgeable guide
Day 3: Siena – San Gimignano – Voltera
Country Drive, 2 hours each city, Lunch in Siena (cost of lunch not included)
Sites we will see include:
- Roman theatre (1st century BC), excavated in the 1950s.
- Piazza dei Priori, one of Italy’s most beautiful squares.
- Palazzo dei Priori
- Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. It was enlarged in the 13th century after an earthquake. It houses a ciborium and some angles by Mino da Fiesole, a notable wood Deposition (1228), a masterwork of Romanesque sculpture and the Sacrament Chapel, with paintings by Santi di Tito, Giovanni Balducci and Agostino Veracini. In the center of the vault are fragments of an Eternal Father by Niccolò Circignani. Also noteworthy is the Addolorata Chapel, with a terracotta group attributed to Andrea della Robbia and a fresco of Riding Magi by Benozzo Gozzoli. In the nearby chapel, dedicate to the Very Holy Name of Jesus, is a table with Christ’s monogram, allegedly painted by Bernardine of Siena. The rectangular bell tower is from 1493.
- Medicean Fortress (Maschio)
- Guarnacci Etruscan Museum, with thousands of funeral urns dating back to the Hellenistic and Archaic periods.
Day 4: Chianti/Grieve
Lunch (included) in Chianti/Grieve
Lose yourself for an afternoon in the beautiful Tuscan countryside. Chianti is not only famous for its breathtaking landscape, its rolling hills, its tall cypress trees set against the clear blue sky, and its ancient settlements, but also for producing Chianti Classico wines and the best extra-virgin olive oil.
Day 5: Island of Elba
A bus will transport us to the port to board the ferry to Elba.
Elba, pearl of the Arcipelago Toscano National Park, is a destination of such inexorable tourism which can both be considered its ruin as well as main source of income. Elba is the island where Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled after his forced abdication and lived for 10 months, the island where for thousands of years populations at all times have settled (and keep on settling) and have wholeheartedly defended this wonderful piece of land between the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Sea.
Elba, the pearl of the Mediterranean, or, to be more precise, as legend has it, a pearl of the necklace that Aphrodite (who was born as a woman from the foam of the sea) lost while she was trying to reach her beloved Eros on the coast. That’s why Elba’s destiny – to be a precious jewel – has always been determined!
Day 6: On your own, wine tasting and lunch included at the Villa
Day 7: Cinque Terre
You’ll fall in love with Italy’s prettiest coastal villages on a small group visit to the Cinque Terre from Florence. You’ve probably heard of the five famous fishing ports of the Cinque Terre. Now’s your chance to visit these picture-postcard villages on a personalized small group day trip you’ll treasure.
Highlights:
• Full-day small group day trip to the Cinque Terre villages from Florence
• Easy-walking Lovers Lane trail from Riomaggiore
• Explore Manarola or relax in a cafe or bar
• Shared boat trip from Manarola to Vernazza
• Lunch (not included) in Vernazza
• Scenic views from Corniglia
Day 8: Pisa and Lucca
Don’t miss two of the most important historical towns in Tuscany: Lucca and Pisa. The tour of these historically rich towns will guide you through the history and traditions of two Tuscan cities that are close geographically, but much different in personality. An enchanting Tuscan landscape will be the backdrop to your special day with our authorized guides. Lucca is on the road that leads to the Tyrrhenian coast from Florence. It is a city of art and Renaissance surrounded by tall walls interrupted in places by beautiful stone gates and ramparts. Some of the wonderful sites you will see include are: beautiful view overlooking the rooftops, alleyways, house-towers, churches and elegant noble palazzos, a visit Piazza Anfiteatro, Guinigi tower, St. Martin’s Cathedral and the typical Street of Antique shops. Our tour continues to Pisa, where you will have free time for lunch (not included) on arrival. Our guide will show you the most important squares and monuments of Pisa: the famous Piazza dei Miracoli with the Leaning Tower, the Cemetery and the Cathedral (included is a visit inside). Free time available. A breathtaking view opens in front of you after climbing the 296 steps of the tower, a unique perspective for your photos of the city.
Day 9: Our day with the bus with dinner included
The bus will be at our service for 8 hours and/or 200 klms. We decide what we would like to do and just let the driver know. Need some suggestions….just ask.
Day 10: Transfer to airport or train station.
We would be happy to add 3 days in either Rome or Venice, should you wish.