Tuscan Treats & Cinque Terre: Small Group: Florence to Florence
- Duration
- 8 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,259
FIRST-CLASS | SMALL GROUP: This Tuscany Tour takes you to all the highlights of this beautiful region, including Florence, Siena, and Cinque Terre. Cap off your week with a Tuscan cooking class, and whip up some treats of your own.
Join one of our unique small group Blue Roads touring experiences (maximum 18 participants) that includes specially selected accommodations, transportation in purpose built Mercedes Benz Sprinters, sightseeing, special culinary experiences and a knowledgeable Tour Leader.
This 8-day trip through Tuscany takes you through the famous highlights, delightful small towns, and local discoveries of this unique region, culminating in a Tuscan cooking class.
Departing from Florence, your first overnight stop is the medieval town of Lucca, with time to explore before a welcome dinner with the group. Head west to Cinque Terre, which has become synonymous with the charms of the Italian coast. These World Heritage listed ‘Five Towns’ catch the eye with colourful facades overlooking the rocky coastline. Explore by boat, train and on foot, then return to Lucca.
Your next destinations are Pisa and Volterra, known for the famous Leaning Tower and the hilltop medieval town respectively. Of a similar era is San Gimignano, whose rural surrounds yield some delicious local treats. Continue to Monteriggioni, where you can explore the walled castle or sip coffee in the Piazza di Roma.
Your next stop is Siena, often seen as Florence’s only real rival in the region. A cathedral visit is included, but devote plenty of time to exploring the alleys and medieval streets as well, before going on to Pienza. This is recognised as one of the best planned Renaissance towns in Italy, and is particularly famous for its cheeses.
Spend two nights at an exquisite Chianti villa, where your journey into Tuscan cuisine awaits. Learn to make traditional pasta and Italian breads, then after your delicious self-made lunch, relax by the pool after a busy week of sightseeing. On your final day, return to Florence, where a short walking tour takes you to San Lorenzo Market for some tasty souvenirs. If this is your first time in Florence, consider staying an extra few days. This living renaissance city has more to offer than many visitors expect.
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- Duration
- 8 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,259
Itinerary View Trip Map
Arrive Florence
Welcome to the birthplace of the Renaissance and the romantic capital of Tuscany. After meeting the group at your hotel, you’ll get to know each other over a delicious welcome meal.
Accommodation: Hotel Roma (or similar).
| Meal Plan | Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Night |
Florence - Lucca
Your journey will begin with an in-depth walking tour of Florence. A local guide will bring the city alive as you stroll by the likes of the Duomo, Piazza della Repubblica and the Ponte Vecchio. After lunch, you’ll set a course for lovely Lucca - where cobbled streets, red-roofed buildings, fascinating history and fine architecture await us. This evening you’ll be free to explore Lucca at your leisure.
Accommodation: Hotel La Luna (or similar).
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Nights |
Lucca - Cinque Terre - Lucca
A rocky coastline dotted with candy-coloured villages - today, you’ll turn your attention to the awe-inspiring Italian Riviera! After winding your way along this sublime stretch of shoreline, you’ll find ourselves in Cinque Terre: a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Having spent some time getting to know the area with your expert Tour Leader, you’ll return to Lucca for an evening spent at your leisure.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Lucca - Pisa - Volterra
Infamous and impossible to miss, the Leaning Tower of Pisa makes for a staggering first port of call today. There will be plenty of time for photographing this iconic landmark as you explore the Campo dei Miracoli at your own pace. After a leisurely lunch, your attention will turn to the magnificent medieval ramparts of Volterra. You’ll spend some time exploring this mysterious town before discussing the day’s events over an evening meal together.
Accommodation: Hotel San Lino (or similar).
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Night |
Volterra - San Gimignano and Siena - Pienza
Today you’ll make tracks to San Gimignano: home to a magnificent piazza, meandering stepped streets and some beautifully preserved architecture. While you’re here, you’ll sample some exquisite creations of a local gelato maker – before you’re treated to an indulgent Tuscan wine tasting. Before the day concludes, you’ll pay a visit to medieval Siena – an open-air museum of Gothic architecture and home to the magnificent Duomo. After taking in the town’s historic sights on an orientation tour, you’ll journey onwards to Pienza - your home for the night.
Accommodation: Hotel Corsignano (or similar).
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Nights |
Pienza
Pienza’s timeless charm and enchanting rural backdrop makes for a serene spot to spend this morning exploring at your leisure. Later, you’ll sample some handcrafted cheese and world-class wines at a delightful local farm with sweeping views over the surrounding countryside. This evening is yours to spend as you wish.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Pienza - Rural Tuscany
After breakfast, it’s all aboard the mini-coach as you wind your way through the delightful Chianti countryside on your way to a regional cookery class. After learning some local recipes from your host, you’ll have the chance to tuck into your creations for lunch. Buon appetito! The afternoon will be yours to enjoy at your leisure before you reconvene for a final dinner together.
Accommodation: Fattoria degli Usignoli (or similar).
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Night |
Rural Tuscany - Florence
Before returning to enchanting Florence, you’ll stop off at a local oil mill for a guided tour and olive oil tasting. All in all, it’s a fitting end to a tour celebrating the natural beauty and culinary traditions of Tuscany.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Other Information
DEPARTURES:
2023: April 15, 29; May 6, 20, 27; June 3, 17, 24; July 1, 8, 22; August 5, 19, 26;
September 2, 9, 16, 23; October 7
PRICE INCLUDES:
- 7 nights first-class accommodations
- Transportation in Premium mini-coach with Tour Leader and driver
- Guided visits and orientation in Florence, Cinque Terra, Siena
- Gelato and wine tasting in San Gimignano
- Cheese and wine tasting in Pienza
- Cooking class in Tuscany
- Olive oil tasting in Tuscany
- Breakfast daily (excluding Day 1), 1 lunches, 3 dinners
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Driver/tour leader gratuity (at your discretion)
- Lunches (unless otherwise stated)
- Social drinks
- Meals on free nights
- Items of a personal nature
- Entrance fees when not listed in the schedule of inclusions
- Occasional optional evening theatre/festival visits
- Incidental expenses (such as room service incurred at hotels - all expenses are to be settled prior to leaving the accommodation)
- Laundry costs
- Shipping charges for the return of purchases made on tour, or for the return of property lost on tour
- Pre and post tour accommodation
- Transfers are not included in the tour price
OTHER INFORMATION:
Mobility: All of our tours involve walking and require our guests to board and disembark our vehicles several times a day making this tour unsuitable for those with reduced mobility.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Prices are "from", per person, based on twin share. Subject to availability. The hotels have been hand-picked from an extensive portfolio of quality properties across Europe and to ensure the very best experience on each of our tours, hotels may vary to those listed in this itinerary.
7 Oct 2023
