Day 1, Sunday: Rome – Montepulciano – Pienza – Siena
Departure at approximately 8:00 am from your hotel or agreed meeting point and venture toward a delightful trip through the rolling hills of the Chianti Region. We will reach the hilltop town of Montepulciano a medieval and Renaissance village, famous for one of the oldest wines of Italy “Nobile di Montepulciano”, here we will stop for a wine tasting including typical local appetizers, in a very ancient cellar located in one of the most beautiful palaces of Montepulciano. Proceed to Pienza the Renaissance “ideal town”, built by Pope Pius II, well-known for its “Pecorino” cheese. Then we will proceed to Siena. Here you will enjoy a guided walking tour through the medieval city of Siena including the splendid palaces of the city and eventually reaching Piazza del Campo, well-known for its horse race “Palio”. The day will end with a delicious typical Tuscan cuisine based dinner as to welcome you to Tuscany. Accommodation in Hotel. Dinner and overnight. (D)
Day 2, Monday: Siena – San Gimignano – Pisa – Montecarlo di Lucca – Lucca – Montecatini Terme
Breakfast in hotel. Say goodbye to Siena and move by coach to San Gimignano for a short visit, a famous medieval village featured by numerous towers, and then Pisa’s Piazza dei Miracoli, the Unesco listed site which hosts the famous Leaning Tower. Your experience will continue with a stop to Montecarlo di Lucca, a lovely village located among the hills of Lucca. Here you will stop by a typical Tuscany farm for a wine tour and tasting accompanied by superb specialties of Tuscany: bruschetta, Pappardelle al ragù (pasta) , cantuccini & “Vin Santo”. In the afternoon you will have a free visit to Lucca and eventually you will arrive to your hotel in Montecatini Terme situated in the Valdinievole area. This city is world famous for its thermal waters and many consider it the biggest “spa town” in Italy. Accommodation in Hotel. Dinner and Overnight. (B light lunch D)
Day 3, Tuesday: Montecatini – La Spezia – Cinque Terre – Montecatini
Breakfast in hotel. Head to La Spezia where you’ll embark for an unforgettable day trip dedicated to the discovery of one of the most amazing and enchanting landscapes of the World, The Cinque Terre. During the ride it will be possible to admire this amazing landscapes from the seaside, and then make a stop to selected docks, weather permitting, between: Riomaggiore, also known as the jewel of the Cinque Terre, this village was founded at the end of the XII century. From Riomaggiore you can reach Manarola also on foot, through an unforgettable itinerary along the coast called “Via dell’Amore” Manarola, The harbor is formed by a terraced promenade where vineyards grow. Corniglia, In the ancient time this land was more extended southwards, but due to strong slumps caused by the sea it has reduced to a long cliff connected with the village just by 365 steps, as same number as the days of the year. Vernazza, This village is formed by “carrugi ”, narrow and steep stairways that take you to the center of city.
Monterosso, Because of the reddish color of the hills at sunset, or perhaps due to the color of the lord‘s hair (Rufus) that inhabited the castle, the name Monterosso can be translated as Red Mount and it offers a spectacular view from the Convent of the “Capuccini”. Free time during the day, lunch on your own or by the tour guide recommendations. At about 4:00 pm you meet back your driver at La Spezia and return to your hotel in Montecatini. Accommodation in Hotel. Dinner and Overnight. (BD)
Day 4, Wednesday: Montecatini – Castiglione del Lago – Orvieto – Rome
Breakfast in hotel. Departure to the movie-like scenario of Castiglione del Lago, a pretty medieval village on the shore of Lago Trasimeno, the Umbria’s largest lake, and also official listed as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy under the national label of Borghi Piu’ Belli d’Italia. The older center is a fairly well preserved area, oddly governed by the “law of threes”: in the town walls there are three gates, and inside the town there are three squares and three churches. Here you will enjoy a delicious wine tasting with light snacks, then back on board until you reach Orvieto, a city which lays on the top of a tuff cliff. After a short independent visit of Orvieto you will be back to Rome by late afternoon.Drop off in Rome central areas. End of services (B)
Package Includes:
– 3 nights accommodation in 4* hotels centrally located
– Daily buffer breakfasts
– 3 dinners (drinks not included)
– 1 wine tasting in Montepulciano
– 1 wine tasting with light lunch in Montecarlo di Lucca
– 1 wine tasting with snacks in Castiglione del Lago area
– Transportation by minivan or minibus
– Boat trip along the enchanting Cinque Terre coastline
– Return train from Cinque Terre to La Spezia (boat ticket can be substituted by special Cinque Terre train tickets in case of bad weather)
– Tour leader on board
Package DOES NOT include:
– Airfare
– Porterage
– Hotel city tax
– Tips
– Extras
– Anything else not mentioned in Price Includes