ItalyTourTravel

Taste of Tuscany

Included
ACCOMMODATION & MEALS
• 11 nights in superior class hotels.
• Accommodation based on twin share with private facilities.
• Continental breakfasts (B), lunches (L) and three-course dinners (D) as per itinerary. • Hotel tips, local taxes and service charges.

SPECIALS
• Experienced, professional Tour Manager and Italian Driver.
• Experienced professional local guides
• Modern air-conditioned midi-coach.
• Free ‘Travellers Checks’ information book.
• Free backpack.
• Welcome Drink.

Discover Tuscany:
• Tarquinia: Sightseeing tour with local guide. Entrance to museum and necropolis.
• Saturnia River: Swim in the thermal waters.
• Le Marmore: Visit the Grotto and the waterfalls with our local guide.
• Orvieto: Visit the medieval township including funicular ride.
• Assisi: See St Francis Basilica with our local guide.
• Siena: Sightseeing incl. bike ride and wine tasting.
• Florence: Walking tour with local guide.
• Vinci: Visit the Musuem of Leonardo de Vinci.
• Lunigiana region: Expolre this area with our local guide.
• Pisa: See the Leaning Tower, the Baptistry and Cathedral.
• Carrara: Guided tour of the Marble Quarries.
• San Gimignano: Visit to this hilltop town.
• Rome: Visist the catacombes of San Callisto with our local guide.

Tour Itinerary

Welcome to Rome. Make you own way to the hotel, the day is then yours to discover Rome at leisure. Tonight, enjoy a welcome drink at the hotel as you meet your Tour Manager and fellow travelers.

Rome to Viterbo. This morning we travel along the coast to visit the ancient site of Tarquinia. We meet with our local guide for a tour of the Necropolis, where vibrant frescoes adorn 6000 tombs. We continue our guided tour taking in the archaeological museum with its famous winged horses dating back to the 4th century BC. It’s a short drive to Saturnia where we spend the afternoon relaxing in the natural thermal pools. Dinner tonight is at our hotel in Viterbo. (B,D)

Viterbo Sightseeing. We head to the magnificent town of Orvieto, perched on the cliff tops with breathtaking views over the surrounding vineyards. After exploring this medieval township, we make our way to the Cascades of Le Marmore. We begin our adventure with some caving, as our local guide takes us into depths of a grotto. It's then a leisurely walk along the forest-lined paths surrounding the largest waterfall in Europe or alternatively you may wish to try your hand at white water rafting on the amazing controlled course. (B,D)

Viterbo to Siena. En route to Siena we stop at deserted Bagnoregio, once a thriving medieval town there are now just 15 residents! We then make our way further north through Umbria to Assisi, the home of Saint Francis. Together with our local guide, we visit the Basilica of St Francis, passing the church of St Clare, St Francis' lifelong companion. Later we visit Lungarotti for wine tasting passing by the well known Umbrian vineyards, before taking dinner at our hotel in Siena. (B,D)

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Chianti Sightseeing. Today we experience the essential Tuscany. We spend the morning exploring the Chianti region by bike. The day progresses with a walk through the vineyards, before stopping at Castello Meleto for wine tasting and lunch. Our day of activity ends with a dip in the pool to cool off and a sunset dinner at Buonconvento, with breath-taking views of the valley of Ombrone. (B,L,D)

Siena to Florence. It's a relaxing morning in Siena home of Tuscany's most celebrated festival the Palio, with its famous bareback horse race. We visit the Cathedral, Palazzo Pubblico and Piazza del Campo, arguably Italy's most picturesque piazza. Lunch today is a real treat! We head to the small town of Vicchio, where we participate in a cooking lesson with the locals and prepare together a classic regional dish. We then take an excursion with our local guide through the countryside of the Mugello region, original home of the famous Medici family. Tonight it's an evening walk in Florence with your tour manager and a chance to try your Italian! (B,L)

Florence. Our visit to this Renaissance capital begins with a walking tour with our local guide including the Basilica of Santa Croce, Giotto's Belltower, Piazza della Signoria and of course the Duomo. See a demonstration of Florentine leathercraft. The rest of the day is yours to explore this fabulous city, maybe visit the Academia Gallery and see Michaelangelo's David or perhaps stroll through the famous Uffizi Gallery. This evening we are transported back in time, as we take dinner in a "Medieval Tower" and hear about it's legendary ghost story. (B,D)

Florence to Lucca. En route to Lucca we head to the town of Vinci, birthplace of Leonardo. We visit the Museum of Leonardo da Vinci, which features an exhibition of his historic inventions. Then on to Pisa to see it's miraculous Leaning Tower. Our last stop for the day is Lucca surrounded by it's famous 15th century walls, also renowned for it's art and the elegance of its stores. Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening exploring this magical town. Walk, or perhaps cycle around the city walls, maybe visit the house of Puccini, St Martin's Cathedral or just lose yourself in the quaint streets! (B)

Lucca sightseeing. This morning we discover the mountainous area of Lunigiana on foot with our local guide, this rugged territory of chestnut forests is inundated with castles. Perhaps visit a castle or try some canoeing on the lake. This afternoon we head to Carrara for a guided tour of its famous white marble quarries. These quarries have been in constant use since Roman times and can also lay claim to being the source of the marble Michaelangelo used in his sculptures. (B,D)

Lucca to Siena. This morning we make a picnic stop at Rosignano Solvay, one of the most beautiful beaches on the Tuscan coast. Swim in the Mediterranean Sea, lie in the sun or perhaps hire a pedal boat it's your time to relax! We then make our way to San Gimignano, the best-preserved medieval city in Europe. Time for some last minute shopping before checking into our hotel. This evening we venture into the heart of Siena. (B)

Siena to Rome. Today we leave Tuscany and make our way back to Rome. With our local guide we'll explore the famous Catacombs of San Callisto, located just outside the city walls. Later time to walk the ancient streets seeing the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi fountain, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Join us for our last dinner at a local restaurant in the ancient heart of the city. (B,D)

Depart Rome. Arriverderci Roma! Our tour ends after breakfast, it's time to swap addresses and bid your newly made friends goodbye. (B)

Note: Our Taste of Tuscany tour offers you a fascinating insight into the culture of this unique area of Italy. To really enhance your enjoyment of this tour it is important to be flexible and accept seasonal variations to the itinerary as and when they may occur.

Dates & Rates
 

Start	Finish	Price
	2003	May  7	May 18	A $2769
		May  21	Jun 1	A $2769
		May  28	Jun 8	A $2769
		Jun  11	Jun 22	A $2769
		Jun  25	Jul 6	A $2769
		Jul  9	Jul 20	A $2769
		Jul  16	Jul 27	A $2769
		Jul  23	Aug 3	A $2769
		Jul  30	Aug 10	A $2769
		Aug  13	Aug 24	A $2769
		Sep  3	Sep 14	A $2769
		Sep  10	Sep 21	A $2769
		Sep  17	Sep 28	A $2769
		Sep  24	Oct 5	A $2769
		Oct  1	Oct 12	A $2689
		Oct  15	Oct 26	A $2689

Note: Tour and Tour Information are subject to change.

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