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ABOVE THE FIVE LANDS & OVER THE TUSCAN HILLS GUARANTEEDDEPARTURE

9 DAY/ 8 NIGHTS  VISIT  TUSCANY & THE CINQUE TERRE
4 STAR HOTELS • SPECIAL DEPARTURE – SEPTEMBER 09, 2015

……………..FLORENCE • SIENA • MONTEPULCIANO • PIENZA • SAN GIMIGNANO •
…………………….TAVERNELLE  (CHIANTI AREA) • LUCCA • PISA • LA SPEZIA•
………………………..PORTOVENERE • GOLFO DEI POETI • CINQUE TERRE •
……………………CARRARA MARBLE CAVES • MONTECARLO DI LUCCA • ROME

 

INCLUSIONS:

  • DAILY BREAKFAST
  • FOUR STARS HOTELS ACCOMMODATION ( 8 NIGHTS)
  • SIGHT SEEING OF COUNTRY , COAST AND CITY TOURS AS PER ITINERARY (HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:FLORENCE HISTORIC CENTRE, THE ACCADEMIA- MICHELANGELO’S “DAVID” STATUE, UFFIZI GALLERY, BRUNELLESCHI’S DOME, LEANING TOWER OF PISA, TUSCANY WINE COUNTRY,CINQUE TERRE FAMOUS FISHING VILLAGES)
  • MULTILINGUAL TOUR GUIDE
  •  

  • 3 DINNERS (DRINKS NOT INCLUDED)
  • 4 WINE TASTING WITH LOCAL PRODUCTS
  • GROUND TRANSPORTATION BY AIR- CONDITIONED MOTOR COACH AS PER ITINERARY
  • BOAT TRIP TO CINQUE TERRE
  • ENTRANCE FEES AS PER ITINERARY

NOT INCLUDED:

  • TIPS, DRINKS, PORTAGE, EXTRAS
  • MANDATORY CITY TAX (1.5-3 EURO, PER PERSON PER NIGHT)
  • EVERYTHING THAT IS NOT MENTIONED UNDER “INCLUSIONS”

itinerary

ITINERARY:

SEPTEMBER 09 – FLORENCE

Transfer from the Florence Airport to Florence Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

SEPTEMBER 10 – FLORENCE

Start the morning by discovering the city from one of the most romantic panoramic points of view in the World: Piazzale Michelangelo. The tour will resume going down into the heart of Florence to the Accademia Gallery, where it will be possible to admire the original version of David by Michelangelo, the unfinished “I Prigioni”, “San Matteo”, “Piet‡ di Palestrina” and other masterpieces. The tour will continue through the historical streets of Florence, and will lead us in front of the Duomo where the guide will explain from the outside Giotto’s bell tower, the Baptistery with its golden bronze doors including the famous Portadel Paradiso and, lastly, the Cathedral with its inner mosaics. Entrance tickets with no line up, professional guide and headsets included. Duration: 3 hours approx. Pick-up at the hotel in the early morning. The tour ends close to the Cathedral, the rest of the day at leisure, then at 7:30 meet your guide at the Ponte Vecchio, in front of Benvenuto Cellini’s statue, for a professional guided tour of the Oltrano district and wine tasting. You will stroll along the ancient streets, until you will cross the river to reach the Dome and Signoria Square for a second tasting. Visit the Dome with its spectacular frescos. By going to the top, you can see everything from its perspective. In order to build the dome quickly, new tools were invented. These tools are still preserved in the “Opera del Duomo” Museum and you will see them during this tour. Similar tools are still used to this day. (The tour ends around 9:00 p.m.) Find your way back to the hotel.

SEPTEMBER 11 – FLORENCE

A coach tour offering panoramic views of the unparalleled beauty of Florence, taking in Fiesole, a delightful town of Etruscan origin set on the hills overlooking Florence and the Arno Valley. The tour continues to the old city centre for a visit to the Franciscan Church of Santa Croce (exterior visit) where we can admire the tombs of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo and Rossini among others. A short walk through the historic streets of the heart of Florence brings you to the famous Piazza Signoria, where you can admire the imposing Palazzo Vecchio (exterior) and the beautiful Loggia del Lanzi. The tour continues with a guided tour of the famous Galleria degli Uffizi where you can admire the superb paintings of Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raffaello, Giotto, Cimabue, Masaccio. Tour ends inside the Uffizi, where travellers can spend more time on their own. Transportation back to the hotel not provided.

SEPTEMBER 12 – FLORENCE/ SIENA

Transfer from Florence to Siena. Check-in at your Siena Hotel, the Rest of the Day at Leisure.


SEPTEMBER 13 – SIENA/ MONTEPULCIANO/ PIENZA/ SIENA

American buffet breakfast, you will be picked-up by your multilingual tour leader and start a delightful trip through the rolling hills of the Chianti Region. Will reach the hilltop town of MONTEPULCIANO, an ancient village rich of medieval and Renaissance buildings, famous for producing one of the oldest wines of Italy, the Nobile di Montepulciano. You will stop for a visit to a wine cellar and experience a tasting of wines and local products like ham, cheese, and salami. Proceed to PIENZA, the Renaissance town built under Pope Pius II and also well-known for its pecorino cheese. The tour will proceed to SIENA, where you will enjoy a visit of the old city centre. You will be walking along the medieval streets admiring splendid palaces. The sightseeing tour will end in the Piazza del Campo with its spectacular Cathedral. This is one of the most beautiful squares in the world and site of the famous 600 years old horse-race, called ìIl Palio. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

SEPTEMEBR 14 – SIENA/ SAN GIMIGNANO/ TAVERNELLE (CHIANTI AREA)/ LUCCA/ PISA/ LA SPEZIA

After breakfast at the hotel, departure to SAN GIMIGNANO, a tiny city that has remained intact through the centuries; situated on a hilltop and famous for its numerous towers, frescoes and other art treasures. You will then proceed to Tavernelle Val di Pesa located within the CHIANTI CLASSICO “Gallo Nero” region, where we will make a stop at the farmhouse LA TANCIA to enjoy an excellent wine tasting with light lunch. The tour continues onto LUCCA, where you will have free time for lunch. Our expert tour leader will also take you for a pleasant walk into the enchanting historical centre, where you will admire the Anfiteatro Square, the Guinigi Tower, the San Martino Dome and the typical antique shops. In the early afternoon, you will then proceed to PISA, Upon arrival you will have a walking tour of the Piazza dei Miracoli, with its famous Leaning Tower (exterior visit),The Baptistery (exterior visit) and other beautiful monuments. Proceed to LA SPEZIA. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

 

SEPTEMBER 15 – LA SPEZIA/ PORTOVENERE/ GOLFO DEI POETI/ CINQUE TERRE/ LA SPEZIA

After breakfast, departure by boat for an unforgettable day dedicated to the discovery of one of the most amazing and enchanting landscape in the World. The five villages, “CINQUE TERRE” is an area suspended between sea and land, hanging from sheer cliffs surrounded by hills and vineyards. You will enter into a little piece of heaven. By touring the coast line by boat, you will have the possibility to admire this amazing landscape from the seaside *, like in a postcard. *In the event of rough sea, the visit will be done partly by coach and parthy by train. During the tour, the boat will reach Portovenere and the most important villages. You will be able to stop at PORTO VENERE, VERNAZZA, MONTEROSSO and visit them at leisure.After breakfast, departure by boat for an unforgettable day dedicated to the discovery of one of the most amazing and enchanting landscape in the World. The five villages, CINQUE TERRE is an area suspended between sea and land, hanging from sheer cliffs surrounded by hills and vineyards. You will enter into a little piece of heaven. By touring the coast line by boat, you will have the possibility to admire this amazing landscape from the seaside *, like in a postcard. *In the event of rough sea, the visit will be done parthly by coach and parthly by train. During the tour, the boat will reach Portovenere and the most important villages. You will be able to stop at PORTO VENERE, VERNAZZA, MONTEROSSO and visit them at leisure. PORTOVENERE: Portovenere, on the Gulf of Poets, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its picturesque harbor is lined with brightly colored houses, while narrow medieval streets lined with shops lead up the hill from the ancient city gate to the castle. RIOMAGGIORE: Caught between two steep terraced hills descending in steep cliffs to the sea, the ancient village of Riomaggiore strikes visitors with its delightfully colored houses built vertically. MANAROLA: Built on a high rock 70 metres above sea level, is one of the most charming and romantic villages. The tiny harbor features a boat ramp, picturesque multicoloured houses facing the sea, a tiny piazza with seafood restaurants. CORNIGLIA: is an ancient Roman village that has a long and rich agricultural tradition. The village is surrounded on three sides by vineyards and terraces. Its architecture is closer to that of a rural inland village than that of a coastal village. VERNAZZA: The small fishing village Vernazza is probably the most characteristic of the Cinque Terre and is classified as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. The village is surrounded by very steeply-terraced olive groves which are said to produce among the finest olive oil in the country. MONTEROSSO: It is the largest of the five coastal villages. Its amazing beaches, its beautiful reefs and the seas crystal clear waters, make this small village one of the most hospitable of the Ligurian Riviera. Board the train from Monterosso and arrive in La Spezia. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

SEPTEMBER 16 – LA SPEZIA/ CARRARA MARBLE CAVES/ MONTECARLO DI LUCCA/ ROME

After breakfast at the hotel, the tour will take you to CARRARA for a visit of the impressive marble quarries carved deep into the mountain. This is where Michelangelo took the raw material to create his superb masterpieces. By visiting the quarry museum you will admire ancient tools, some sculptures and the quarry man’s house. Continue to MONTECARLO DI LUCCA, a lovely town located on the hills around Lucca. This territory is ideal for the production of top quality wine and extra virgin olive oil. We will stop and visit a farmhouse where the owners will have you taste delicious Tuscan food specialities, from olive oil to cheese, from bread to wine and of course pasta, which you will taste with different wines. Proceed to Rome and arrival in the evening, overnight.


SEPTEMBER 17 – ROME

American buffet breakfast at the hotel you will be transferred to the Airport.

Ask your representative about special discounts on additional nights prior or after your tour and/or inquire about including a departure transfer.

 

NOTE: 1) Participants must bring with them only 1 piece of luggage (which will be stowed in the bottom compartment of the coach bus, during check-in and check-out from accommodation) Only one carry-on or purse is permitted on board. 2) In Sorrento, when dinner included in the program, we highly recommend to wear long trousers, in order to be admitted to the restaurant hall.

 

ticketSPECIAL DEPARTURE  ARRIVAL SEPTEMBER  09 – DEPARTURE SEPTEMBER 17, 2016:
4 STAR | DOUBLE ON REQUEST
*Prices are in CAD Dollars, per person for specified package, in specified room type. btn-submitRequest-off

 

DOUBLE: Based on 2 adults sharing one room (1 Queen/King -OR- 2 Individual Single/Twin Beds as per clients request)

Other room types available please inquire.


Hotels used on Tour or Similar

FLORENCE: LAURUS AL DUOMO 4*
SIENA: HOTEL GARDEN 4*
LA SPEZIA: NH LA SPEZIA 4*
ROME: HOTEL DIANA ROOF GARDEN, OXFORD or GIOBERTI 4*

Hotels listed are based on availability, and are confirmed at the time of booking.

 

Terms & Conditions:

Terms and conditions apply as published catalog tour. Click here for full booking details, policies and terms and conditions.