(Re)Discover Italy with us on
this deluxe Itinerary.We've put together a unique
tour of Tuscany for travelers looking for more
than the usual Italy tour. The trip features
indepth and after hours experiences at Tuscan
landmarks, of course delicious cuisine, regional
wines of Chianti and Toscana and staying in
authentic Tuscan villa hotels.
Itinerary:
5 Days, 4 Nights
If this Itinerary is used as an extension to
Italy’s Great Cities Tour, then you will
utilize the Itinerary starting at Day 1B below.
Day 1A – To Tuscany & Florence Upon arrival Italy OR after breakfast
and checking out from your hotel after your
tour, you board our private transfer to the
heart of Florence. Depending on your arrival
logistics you may enjoy a scenic stop or optional
afternoon excursion to Pisa. Upon arrival check
in to your hotel, the Helvetia & Bristol
(part of the Leading Hotels of the World and
a 5 Star gem) or similar in the heart of old
Florence. Check in, freshen up and then enjoy
an orientation walkabout on your way to dinner.
Tonight enjoy dinner at Osteria dei Baroncelli
(on your own expense) or another local favorite.
Day 2A - Discovering Florence Today Join our local guide on a guided tour
of Florence. Florence boasts a variety of fine
sights to see, including Santa Maria del Fiore,
the Baptistry's Bronze "Gate of Paradise,"
Giotto's Bell Tower, Signoria Square and the
Accademia Galleria where Michelangelo's David
is housed. We also visit Piazza Republica, Piazza
Signoria and the "old bridge" - Ponte
Vecchio - the only bridge to survive World War
II bombing. A great tour and perfectly balanced
day allows you to enjoy the afternoon for shopping
and sightseeing on your own. We highly recommend
the Uffizi Gallery if you want to dig deeper
into the vast riches of Florence’s art
and heritage. This afternoon you may also choose
from our Authentic Italian Cooking Experience.
Inquire with reservations if you're interested
in this exciting and authentic class. Tonight’s
dinner is optional – the concierge has
a tremendous recommendation or explore on your
own.
Day 1B – Tuscany’s Sunshine
Welcomes You! Upon arrival to Wine Country we enjoy
our first fruits of the “wine road”
throughout the Chianti region. Wind your way
into Chianti, landscape of villas, castles and,
of course, vineyards. A vineyard walk is the
perfect transition to your first cooking session,
this time in a country house on the grounds
of a 15th century castle. To complement our
private lunch, our hosts bring a young Chianti
Classico up from their cellar. Overnight in
our villa hotel near Siena for 4 nights.
Day 2B - Siena
Today enjoy a tour of Siena. This city is a
wonderful blend of the sturdy and the sophisticated.
A morning tour with our guide is followed by
a hearty lunch. After lunch, we enjoy a scenic
and historic walk around the town—through
the maze of hilly streets lined with gothic
towers, medieval houses and palazzi, and finally
to the Duomo, earliest of the great Tuscan cathedrals.
Along the way, our guide fills us in on Il Palio,
the chaotic horse race that's run annually in
the scallop-shaped Piazza del Campo. We set
aside time for shopping or on-your-own explorations.
Return to hotel for a free evening.
Day 3 – On To Toscana ~ Discovering
Tuscany: Under the Tuscan Sun ~ Discovering
San Gimignano and Villa Dievole Estate in the
heart of beautiful Tuscany and Chianti regions.
Optional Sightseeing: (Have you already experienced
San Gimignano? Then opt to explore on your own
this day!). This morning we enter deep into
the heart of Tuscany with a stop in the hilltop
village of San Gimignano - One of San Gimignano’s
most impressive sights is the medieval skyline
made up of 13 remaining towers dating back from
the 11th century. San Gimignano rises on a hill
dominating the Elsa Valley. The town increased
in wealth and developed greatly during the Middle-Ages
thanks to the "Via Francigena" the
trading and pilgrim's route that crossed it.
Once in San Gimignano, we enjoy free time to
explore the city of towers. San Gimignano also
has several distractions for shopping –
so dig in and enjoy! From San Gimi we're off
to Villa Dievole Estate for a tour of the cellars
and a delightful wine tasting with appetizers.
Experience the castle grounds with a tour of
the cellars along with wine-tasting featuring
palate-pleasing appetizers including pecorino
cheese and bruschetta or caprese! You’ll
get your fill of classic Chianti and Tuscan
vino along with delicate cuisine. Enjoy an optional
dinner tonight recommended by the concierge
or explore on your own.
Day 4 –Wine Country Optional Sightseeing: Join our local
guide for a private tour to Castles and Vineyards
or enjoy the estate!
Tonight, enjoy a last dinner in Tuscany!
Day 5 – Arrivederci Toscana! After breakfast opt for a private departure
transfer to Florence for $185 per person (minimum
two guests). Inquire with reservations for more
details.
***Tour Ends***
Extend
your Italian Vacation!
Amalfi
Coast 3 Day Extension ~Discover the beauty that
is the Amalfi Coast with Positano, Amalfi and
Sorrento. Breathtaking!
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!"
Italy Tours,
Italy Tour Packages, Italian Tours, Italy Travel,
Travel to Italy
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!
Greece
Delight 5 Day Extension ~Discover the cave houses
on Santorini, the ancient findings in Athens
and the jewel of the Mediteranean.
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.
