9 Days Tour of Tuscany
Day 1 — USA / Florence. Tour members gather at the ticket counter at the airport three hours prior to our departure to Florence. Dinner and breakfast are served in-flight.
DAY 2 – ARRIVAL IN FLORENCE. Upon arrival at Florence airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred by private bus to your hotel in Florence. Dinner at the hotel will be based on a menu consisting of typical Tuscan dishes.
DAY 3 – FLORENCE. The elegant city of Florence is nestled between a line of hills and the banks of the Arno River. During your stay, you will have time to enjoy the beautiful gardens and stroll through the open-air markets. Every street, every square and winding alley of Florence is a showcase for Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance grandeur. Among the wealth of masterpieces to be found in Florence, you’ll see the Piazza della Signoria with its Neptune Fountain and Vecchio Palace, the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral which houses Michelangelo’s unfinished Pietá, the Baptistry which features Ghiberti’s famous Gates of Paradise and the Academy where you can view some of Michelangelo’s finished and unfinished work, including the awe-inspiring David.
DAY FLORENCE/CHIANTI REGION. This morning after breakfast, drive towards Firenze hills to visit a winery, in the area of the Chianti Colli Fiorentini. This is a family run winery, with organic wine production, included Supertuscans. Visit the vineyards with the owners and tasting of their wines. It is a wonderful countryside villa, very close to Firenze. You will taste Chianti, a white wine, a Super Tuscan and their fabulous olive oil. Drive to Panzano and eat at the famous Macelleria of Dario Cecchini. It is an incredible place with wonderful meat! After lunch travel to another winery, in the area of Chianti Classico. The owners will welcome us personally, they do wine tastings for wine lovers’ only and not for just curious tourists. You will taste their Chianti Classico, Chianti riserva and their fantastic Super Tuscan. Then we drive to our accommodation. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 5 – FLORENCE / MONTALCINO / MONTEPULCIANO/FLORENCE. In the morning departure towards Montalcino area, to the winery “mother” of the Brunello di Montalcino, Biondi Santi. In fact they have “invented” the Brunello di Montalcino wine. No enough words to explain the beauty of this winery and villa and garden. Guided visit of the winery. Then we will taste their wines. The tasting includes Rosso di Montalcino, Brunello di Annata and a Brunello Riserva. We will walk to see the vineyards that surround the property. Lunch in the area on your own. After lunch, drive to one of the best wineries of Montepulciano, opened 50 years ago and very well organized and professional. Visit the vineyards, the winery, with explanation of everything about how they make their wines. Wine tasting of 4 of their wines among which Rosso di Montepulciano, Nobile di Montepulciano. Back to your hotel. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 6 – FLORENCE/SIENA/SAN GIMIGNANO/FLORENCE. This morning you can take a beautiful drive through the delightful hills of the Chianti countryside, with ever-changing scenery of vineyards and olive trees. Upon arrival in Siena, you can tour the old city center. Walking along the small medieval streets, admiring the splendid palaces and ending up at the Cathedral where you can visit the splendid interior including the Libreria Piccolomini and the adjacent Museo dell’Opera Metropolitana. You can end in the Piazza del Campo, one of the most beautiful in the world, where you will find the Palazzo del Comune (exterior). This afternoon, you can continue your journey on to San Gimignano, which is famous for its medieval towers and which offers a magnificent view from its rock to overlooking the valley. Take your time to explore this beautiful town. Return to Florence.
DAY 7 – FLORENCE/MONTECATINI. Today you can visit the town of Montecatini Terme and possibly look into visiting one of the public spas or visiting the daily market area. Giuseppe Verdi, the famous opera composer used to spend his summers here, to partake of the spa waters, to rest, think and write. You can also visit the upper town of “Montecatini Alto”. Think about using the “Funicular”, a small train that goes up to the hill and takes you directly to Montecatini Alto. It only takes a couple of minutes walk from where you arrive to the center of Montecatini Alto. Montecatini Alto is a sweet little medieval town that has lots of interesting shops and gives you a beautiful panoramic view of Montecatini Terme and of all the Valdinievole area. It’s an amazing place where you can spend many relaxing hours during your trip in Tuscany. Check in at your hotel in Montecatini.
DAY 8 – MONTECATINI/PISA/LUCCA/MONTECATINI. After breakfast you will drive through the green countryside of Tuscany and will arrive in the city of Pisa, which was one of the famous four Marine Republics. Here you can admire Piazza dei Cavalieri, and one of the most famous and loveliest architectural complexes in the world, the Piazza dei Miracoli where the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and the Baptistery are situated. Then, take some free time in Pisa for lunch. After lunch, you will travel to Lucca, one of the most fascinating towns in Tuscany. Here you can explore this beautiful town surrounded by its ancient walls. Why not take a walk along the walls of the city or visit Piazza Grande where the Duke’s Palace is situated. Other places of interest are the Cathedral of San Martino and the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini.
DAY 9 – MONTECATINI/FLORENCE/DEPARTURE. It’ time to fly home. Meet our representative and transfer after breakfast to the Florence airport for your return flight.