Brunello
of
Montalcino
and
Nobile
of
Montepulciano
become
part
of
the
vernacular
on
this
tour.
Discovering
La
Passeggiata
Toscana
Style
~
It
starts
at
evening
in
the
historical
center
of
most
every
Italian
town.
Sit
back
(or
join
in)
and
enjoy
one
of
the
most
authentic
Italian
experiences.
Open
my
heart
and
you
will
see,
Graved
inside
of
it
Italy
~
Scenic
landscapes
that
beg
for
a
movie
set.
Culinary
and
wine
experiences
that
rival
the
world's
top
destinations.
Photographic
experiences
for
the
amateur
or
professional.
Discovering
a
unique
tour
of
Tuscany
for
travelers
looking
for
more
than
the
usual
is
QueensLander's
Tuscany's Hill Towns
Tour.
The
trip
features
in depth
and
after
hours
experiences
at
Tuscan
landmarks,
delicious
culinary
experiences,
regional
wines
of
Chianti
and
Toscana
and
of
course
we
stay
in
authentic
Tuscan
villas
and
hotels.
It's
the
perfect
expedition
for
that
photographer,
wine
enthusiast
or
traveler
simply
seeking
the
different
in
life!
Siena
• Volterra
• Monteriggioni
•
Montalcino
• Lucca
Day 1 Flights
from
USA
~
Arrange
your
air
to
depart
from
the
USA,
Canada
or
Australia
in
order
to
arrive
Italy
the
date
following
published
tour
date
(example:
May
16
Tour
commences
in
Italy
on
May
17).
We can provide you with an air-inclusive vacation package if you like ~ contact Reservations on 1 (877) 865-6711.
Tonight, enjoy your Transatlantic Flight.
Day 2 Florence
The
Adventure
Begins in Florence Ciao,
Italia!
Welcome
to
Tuscany
City: Florence
Region: Toscana
Upon arrival at Florence airport, enjoy an optional transfer to our hotel in the very heart of Firenze. Our tour commences with an orientation walkabout at 1pm.
Florence is the city of arts and the birthplace of the Renaissance and the family Medici. Though you may check-in and drop bags at the hotel, your rooms are guaranteed ready by 2PM.
1:00PM INCLUDED HOST ORIENTATION WALKABOUT You will join the Tour Captain for the included Florence Orientation Walkabout through the cobblestones streets to become familiar with the location around our hotel, in the very heart of Florence. Find out where the major landmarks are located, ATM machines and other helpful sites ~ Hey, is that the Arno River?
• Admission and tour of Palazzo Vecchio ~
Walking Level: Light, Leisurely Pace: Volume: Light
INCLUDED WELCOME DINNER TONIGHT ~ Tonight, Florence welcomes us with a variety of regional culinary tastes, beverages and ample portions of fine local wines from Toscana and Chianti.
Free-choice dining means you select what you'd like from our designed menu ~ the Tour Captain is available to help you interpret the menu and your many choices. Your Tour Captain Host will provide a selection of locally-inspired appetizers featuring regional cuisine and vino for the evening. A variety of delicious and varied red and white wine from the region is on order.
OUR HOTEL: Hotel Axial - located just steps from Piazza della Repubblica and the Duomo
Day 3 Florence &
the Medici Family
Discovery in Florence
Florence boasts a variety of fine sights to see, including Santa Maria del Fiore, the Baptistery's Bronze "Gate of Paradise," Giotto's Bell Tower and more, but on this itinerary get ready for everything Medici!
The Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens delight and inspire while the mystery and romance of the family Medici springs to life.
A great morning tour allows you to enjoy the afternoon for shopping and sightseeing on your own. This afternoon you may also choose from our Italian Culinary Experience or Optional Round-Trip Train Tickets to Pisa. Inquire with reservations if you're interested in one of these optional excursions.
Tonight for dinner you may explore on your own, however, the Tour Captain will invite you to join them. Meet in the lobby for another wonderful dining experience.
INCLUDED GUIDED TOUR WITH OUR LOCAL GUIDE~
Today ENJOY ADMISSION & SIGHTSEEING to:
• Admission and tour of Pitti Palace ~ The palazzo was built for the Pitti family in 1457, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and built by his pupil Luca Fancelli. We enjoy a full tour of the grounds and palace.
• Boboli Gardens ~ These gardens, housed on the grounds of the Pitti, are one of the most largest and elegant Italian style gardens in existence.
• Vasari Corridor ~ This corridor connects the Uffizi Gallery to the Pitti Palace. It is a small museum now separate from the Uffizi. The entrance to the Corridor is located on the first floor within the Uffizi Gallery behind an unmarked door. It is likely that most who visit don't realize what secrets and discoveries await them behind this door.
Once inside the Vasari Corridor, your adventure into another world begins.
Walking Level: Moderate, Leisurely Pace; Volume: Moderate to Ample
Day 4 Monteriggioni & Siena
Taste of Siena Deeper into Tuscany along the Wine Road we are bound for Siena in the heart of Tuscany today. On our route we enjoy a stop in the hill town of Monteriggioni.
Monteriggioni
A community in the greater Province of Siena, Monteriggioni is architecturally and culturally significant boasting many piazze [plural for a lot of piazzas!] and is referenced in Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy as well as in Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed and Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood video games.
Upon arrival to Siena, we check-in to our hotel, meet our Local Guide and enjoy our Taste of Siena walking tour.
We begin in the impressive Piazza del Campo, the heart of Siena. The piazza is in the shape of the letter “D,” and is divided into cloves to mimic the mantle of the Virgin Mary to whom the city honors. The tall tower, or Torre del Mangia, caps the Palazzo Pubblico, Siena’s town hall.
We will take in a variety of tastes including chocolate, cheese and yes, vino, as well as a tour of the San domenico brick church.
We return to the hotel and freshen up before our included Welcome Dinner tonight.
OUR HOTEL - NH Excelsior - located in the city center of Siena
Day 5
Montalcino & Altesino
Made famous for its Brunello di Montalcino wine of the same name, the town sits on a hill which has been settled since Etruscan times.
The town takes its name from a variety of oak tree that once covered the terrain.
We then visit the Altesino Winery for tasting and lunch (included).
We return to Siena for the balance of day at leisure. Consider joining for an optional dinner tonight with the Tour Captain.
Walking Level: Light, Leisurely Pace;Volume: Light
OPTIONAL DINING TONIGHT Day 6
Volterra and Lucca
Volterra
This morning we journey to the town of Volterra, known to the ancient Etruscans as Velathri and to the Romans as Volaterrae. Volterra boasts a Roman Theatre from the 1st Century BC and many important Palazzi and Churches. The city is walled and boasts the well-preserved Porta dell'Arco and Porta Diana gates.
Podere La Marronaia
We continue our journey and enjoy an authentic farm experience at Podere La Marronaia.
Lucca
Late afternoon we enter the Roman walled city of Lucca where we make our home for the next two days.
Enjoy an orientation walkabout before our included Welcome Dinner Tonight.
OUR HOTEL - Palazzo Alexander Hotel
Day 7 Lucca
Magical Discovery of Lucca
INCLUDED SIGHTSEEING TOUR: This morning enjoy a tour with our local guide of Lucca and then the afternoon by bicycle throughout the inviting flat landscape that is Lucca. If ’biking’ is not your game, no worries, you can enjoy Lucca this afternoon at your own pace.
Lucca is perched on the river Serchio and is the capital city of the Province of the same name. Its most notable feature is its intact Renaissance-era city walls that enclose its rectangular grid which is the original Roman street plan for the city.
Traces of the amphitheater are found in the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro and the city boasts a rich history.
OPTIONAL SIGHTSEEING: Consider a roundtrip train ticket to Pisa, located only 30 minutes away. Inquire with reservations.
Tonight we enjoy a Farewell Dinner to celebrate our time together and plan for more adventures.
INCLUDED DINNER TONIGHT.
Day 8 Tour
Ends
Today
or
Extend
Your
Journey...
After
breakfast,
check-out
and
consider
our
optional
transfer
to
your
departing
airport:
1.
Are
you
Ending
your
journey
with
us
in
Lucca?
Inquire
for
optional
transfer
to
Florence Airport,
Pisa,
Rome
or
other
destination.
B
(Breakfast
Included
Today) 2.
Are
you
Extending
your
journey
with
us
to
another
exotic
locale?
Inquire
with
Reservations
for
extensions
such
as...
Yes,
we
can
arrange
your
air
travel
from
the
QueensLander
air
department.
We'll
work
with
you
to
get
the
absolutely
lowest-fare
available
based
on
your
travel
preferences.
We
utilize
both
our
own
air
department
and
online
agencies
to
find
the
best
rate.
Please
Note:
Should
our
hotels
not
be
available
at
the
time
of
booking,
properties
of
equal
or
greater
quality
will
be
substituted.
Small Groups
Great Guides
All Admissions
Off-the-Beaten-Path
Tour
of Tuscany Small Group Tour
Discover
Small
Group
Italy
Touring
– "Discover
the
cuisine
and
delicious
wine
-
it
literally
flows
on
this
tour
-
every
dinner
and
the
amazing
wine
road
in
Tuscany
-
wonderful!"
Yes, you
can extend your vacation
to the Amalfi Coast - see extensions below!
Extend your Italian
Vacation!
Amalfi
Coast
3
Day
Extension ~Discover
the
beauty
that
is
the
Amalfi
Coast
with
Positano,
Amalfi
and
Sorrento.
Breathtaking!
Small Group Touring™ - Only Way To Go! Many
companies boast interesting itineraries and
complement that with a large group of bus junkies
(sometimes upwards of 75 people!). With QueensLander's Italy's Great Cities Tour, you are guaranteed
a small group tour experience of this delightful
land. We mean it when we say small: average
size groups range from 10 to 16 passengers.
Licensed Professional Italian Guides. We are proud
to comply with Italy law, and offer only professional,
licensed guides throughout our Italy's Great
Cities Tour experience. In Venice, we meet Cinzia
and Luigi, our boat driver. In Florence, it's
Susanna. In Rome, it's Cynthia. Bilingual, friendly, and knowledgeable.
