Relax & Discover Holidays
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Day 2 Pisa - Vinci
Your adventure begins in earnest with an exciting morning excursion to the city of Pisa. Awe at the aptly named Leaning Tower of Pisa that sits within the city’s Field of Miracles, next to the impressive marble cathedral and mighty Pisa Baptistery.
Later, we'll head to the hilltop town of Vinci, famous for being the birthplace of legendary Italian artist and sculptor Leonardo da Vinci. Known for his hugely influential works like 'The Last Supper' and the 'Mona Lisa', a Local Guide will teach us all about the artist's life during the Renaissance era. We'll also stop off at the Museum of Leonardo da Vinci to see some of his early inventions.
Meals included: B,DDay 3 Chianti
Wine aficionados will particularly look forward to today's trip to Chianti, one of the country's most prestigious wine regions. We travel to Greve, where you'll find the idyllic Castello di Vicchiomaggio, one of the most beautiful and well-preserved castles in Tuscany, immersed in a park of more than 130 hectares. The castle in the heart of the Chianti Classico region has a long history of wine-making, dating right back to the 10th century. It's made an awful lot of wine! Take a tour of its 16th century underground wine cellars to see where the wine is traditionally aged in huge oak barrels and learn how the grapes are still harvested by hand. It'll then be time for a tasting and a light lunch of complementary local speciality dishes on the castle's atmospheric terrace which overlooks miles of lush Tuscan vineyards.
Later, you'll get to enjoy an open-air performance at the renowned Montecatini Opera Festival.
Meals included: B,L,DDay 4 Florence
Today we discover irresistible Florence. The capital of Tuscany and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's also known as Italy's 'art city' thanks to dozens of stunning structures and galleries packed with masterpieces from the Renaissance period. Tick off its top sights, from the medieval Ponte Vecchio lined with jewellery shops to the magnificent Duomo with its terracotta-tiled dome, on a tour hosted by a Local Guide.
Florence is also a great city to indulge in a spot of shopping, whether that's designer stores or local markets. Head to Mercato Nuovo for unique souvenirs and to see the bronze statue of Il Porcellino (the Boar) that's said to give you good luck if you rub its snout and place a coin in its mouth.
Meals included: B,DDay 5 Montecatini - at Leisure
Enjoy a day at leisure soaking up the delights of Montecatini Terme. Perhaps visit one of the town's thermal spas for a pampering treatment or take a funicular railway ride up to the medieval village of Montecatini Alto to admire fabulous panoramic views.
You'll also have the chance to join an optional excursion that begins with a visit to the beautiful hilltop town of San Gimignano. We'll spend the morning admiring gorgeous views of the Tuscan countryside and exploring the town's 14 medieval towers, built by families as a display of their power and wealth. Next up is a brief stop at the charming hamlet of Abbadia a Isola and its peaceful 10th-century abbey, before we head to the town of Monteriggioni for a guided history tour of its beautifully intact medieval walls and buildings. Try on replica armour and get to grips with historic weaponry at the Museum of Medieval Armour and Weapons before tucking into a traditional meal at a local restaurant.
Meals included: BDay 6 Montecatini - at Leisure
You have the flexibility of deciding how to spend your day. You could indulge in another relaxing spa treatment in Montecatini Terme, explore the town’s tempting range of restaurants and boutiques, or pack in even more Tuscan treasures with our full-day optional tour. You’ll visit the beautiful hilltop town of Montalcino. It's famed for producing Brunello di Montalcino, a red wine made primarily from subtly spicy Sangiovese grapes. After meandering around the town's cobbled lanes, we'll move on to Siena to discover its lovely medieval charm. Strolling through the perfectly preserved city centre, you’ll discover highlights including the spectacular fan-shaped main square, Piazza del Campo, and a striking white-marble cathedral.
Meals included: BDay 7 Lucca
Today, you'll spend time in one of Tuscany's most beautiful towns - Lucca. It lies just west of Montecatini Terme and is bursting with some of the finest examples of Italian medieval and Renaissance architecture. As well as being the birthplace of composer Puccini, Lucca is also home to the Volto Santo relic. This sacred wooden sculpture of Christ thought to date back to 742 AD, is kept in the city's stunning Romanesque St Martin Cathedral.
Meals included: B,DDay 8 Pisa - UK
It’s the end of an incredible week in Tuscany and after breakfast, we’ll take you back to the airport for your flight home.
Meals included: BAdditional Information
What to expect from food and drink in Italian Hotels
Traditionally evening meals are served as a three-course dinner, with a choice of the second-course dish either decided in advance or on the evening, although some hotels will serve a buffet or accompanying salad buffet. As a group you will enjoy a set meal together.
The first course ‘Primi’ will be a local dish of pasta, risotto or occasionally pizza or soup, ‘Secondi’ is the second course which will be a protein-based dish with a local meat or fish served simply with one vegetable or potato on the side. ‘Dolci’ the dessert part of the dinner is a simple traditional dessert of fruit, cake or gelato.
Enjoying a coffee is a typical social activity in Italian culture. An electric kettle is not a common domestic appliance in Italy and therefore it is quite common for hotels to not offer coffee and tea facilities within the rooms, but instead serve in the main restaurant / bar.
