Spotlight on Tuscany

Rolling landscapes, savory wines, delicious food and stunning architecture – find all of this and more in Tuscany. Unpack once on this journey among Italy's most charming towns.
Hotel Name: Hotel Ercolini and Savi

Your tour opens in the famous spa resort town of Montecatini Terme, nestled in the heart of the rolling hills of Tuscany. This evening, get to know your fellow travelers during a welcome dinner where regional foods and Italian wines kick off your adventure.
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Montecatini Terme
Montecatini Terme is a small resort town in the northern part of the Italian region of Tuscany. The town is famous for their thermal spas and many hotels. The first spas were constructed in the late 1700's. Today the town is investing in upgraded facilities and enjoy a renewed interest as a tourist destination. The city center is full of boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. Locals and tourists alike flock to the streets for an evening stroll.

Enjoy a guided tour of Lucca, Tuscany’s best-kept secret. Discover Renaissance walls, Romanesque churches, and medieval streets flanked by towers. Explore the lively city center on your own and discover the piazza built on top of a Roman amphitheater. Make your way to a Tuscan winery and learn about the art of winemaking as you taste local varieties.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: Lucca
Lucca is a small town in the northwest of Tuscany. The town is famous for its intact city walls that surround the charming pedestrianized city center. The former wealth of the town can be seen in the elegant palaces and large number of churches that can be found throughout the city. Lucca’s Roman heritage is also visible at sites like Piazza dell’Anfiteatro - a series of apartments built on the old Roman arena. Today visitors are also drawn to the number of high quality shops and cafes.

Welcome to Florence where an extensive walking tour showcases the beautiful “Cradle of the Renaissance.” Join a local Florentine guide and make your way through the city on foot. At the Piazza del Duomo, see the ornate façade of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the gilded bronze doors of the Baptistery dedicated to St. John. Take in views of the Piazza della Signoria and Santa Croce Square before enjoying the remainder of your time in Florence to explore this unparalleled city as you choose.*

Breakfast Included

Admittance: Family-Owned Winery Experience

Today, it’s your choice! Choose to relax in Montecatini, spending a morning at leisure -OR- set off for Borgo a Mozzano, where you will see the Ponte del Diavolo (Devil’s Bridge) and the nearby remains of the Gothic Line – the Germans’ last defense during WWII. Visit the Museum of Liberation and see authentic fortifications and bunkers. This afternoon, learn more about Montecatini's history during a half-day guided walking tour and visit to the historic Tettuccio Spa,** (UNESCO) known for the health benefits in its mineral waters.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: Florence
Florence is the regional capital of Tuscany and home to countless Renaissance masterpieces. The city developed great wealth during the late Middle Ages and was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance that produced great artists like Michelangelo, Raphael, Brunelleschi and many others. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with numerous museums, stunning architecture and charming piazzas. The city offers something for everyone from culture, to great food and excellent shopping (like their famous gold or leather).

Explore historic sites in the ancient maritime Republic of Pisa, including the city center and the famous Piazza dei Miracoli, or “Field of Miracles” (UNESCO). Keep your camera handy at the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. This evening, travel to the quiet countryside to learn the secrets of traditional Tuscan cuisine. Partake in a cooking class, using local ingredients and culinary techniques that have been passed down for generations. Enjoy your freshly-prepared meal for dinner.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Free Time in Montecatini or World War II Discovery in Borgo a Mozzano
You will have the choice between two activities. Your first option is to set off for Borgo a Mozzano, where you will see the Ponte del Diavolo (Devil's Bridge) and the nearby remains of the Gothic Line – the Germans’ last defense during WWII. Visit the Museum of Liberation and see authentic fortifications and bunkers. Your second choice is to take a moment for yourself and spend the morning at leisure relaxing in Montecatini. Free Time in Montecatini Activity Level: 3 Travelers will have the opportunity to spend a morning relaxing in Montecatini where they can stoll, shop or, if interested, attend the Sunday Mass. World War II Discovery in Borgo a Mozzano Activity Level: 3 Travelers will see a Liberation Museum and the remains of bunkers built by the German Army during World War II. Please note that the transfer involves a 1 hour, 15 minute travel time by bus. The bunkers are, of course, rather claustrophobic and dark, with uneven, unpaved ground.

Travel south to Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage site where stunning Romanesque and Gothic architecture can be found on every corner. Walk the narrow medieval streets on a guided tour. Get to know the local lifestyle of a contrada (neighborhood) whose community museum is centered around the colorful Palio horse race.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: Pisa
Pisa is home to one of the most recognizable architectural icons of Italy - the Leaning Tower. The city historically was a naval power and rival of Florence. Today the city is focused on tourism, its acclaimed university and light manufacturing. The highlight of the town is the Leaning Tower is one of four monuments built in Pisa’s “Field of Miracles”. The other monuments include Italy’s largest baptistry, a cemetery for Pisan Nobility, and the Cathedral. Visitors can admire the beauty of the Pisan Romanesque architecture and align a photo of themselves holding up the tower.

Take in the rural atmosphere of a family-owned farm among the goats, cows, and organic gardens and sample their local products. Soak in breathtaking views as you travel to the hilltop village of San Gimignano, one of Tuscany’s most picturesque places. Explore this enchanting medieval town, from its famous 14 towers to its magnificent vistas overlooking vineyards. Enjoy free time and perhaps indulge in some gelato, before joining your travel companies for a farewell dinner.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Cooking Class
A cooking class reveals the secrets of traditional Tuscan cuisine. Learn culinary techniques that have been passed down through generations of wonderful cooks, while using the freshest of local ingredients. Later, you’ll get to enjoy your delicious creation for dinner.

Your journey comes to a close today. Depart with many fond memories of Tuscany.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: Siena
The city of Siena is a charming hill town in central Tuscany with a city center that has masterfully preserved its medieval architecture. The city radiates out over three hills from its central piazza called Il Campo which is home to Siena’s famous Palio - a horse race and medieval festival that occurs twice a year. Siena strikes the perfect balance as a city that welcomes the students studying at their university, locals conducting their business and tourists taking in the many sights.