• More than 13 included sightseeing tours & cultural experiences
• Tour of FLORENCE with its historical treasures & popular markets
• Visit popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• Tour of LUCCA with its historical treasures & popular markets
• First-class driver to accompany you throughout the journey
• All entrances to main archaeological sights are included
• All local guides tipping are included
• All transportation on tour, via private air-conditioned van or mercedes car
• All transfers while overseas; baggage transfers & porterage
• All tour city guides included as per itinerary
• Included city taxes and service charges at all hotels and restaurants
• No hidden extras
• Our Included meals: All breakfasts, 2 street food experiences, 3 dinners, 2 lunches (main meals include wine, mineral water, espresso coffee and tea only)
• View Our unique Hotels: LUCCA “San Luca Palace Hotel” or similar (2 nigths); SAN GIMIGNANO “Hotel Bel Soggiorno” or similar; CORTONA “Hotel San Michele” or similar; ORVIETO “Palazzo Piccolomini” or similar
• Activity level: Light/Moderate
• Terms & conditions/Single supplement: (View Here) and FAQ ( View Here)
• Trip Interruption and Cancellation insurance is not included. We highly recommend Travelex-Insurance.com to protect your vacation.
• Purchase of European Travel & Health Insurance is strongly recommended. We highly recommend Travelex-Insurance.com to protect your vacation

IRRESISTIBLE TUSCANY & UMBRIA TRAVEL ITINERARY

TUSCANY & UMBRIA SMALL GROUP TOUR

DAY 1: WELCOME TO LEGENDARY FLORENCE 

Arrive at Florence airport or train station and travel to the city centre for a fascinating walking tour to explore its architectural highlights such as Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, the duomo square, San Lorenzo market and Piazzale Michelangelo.Entrance to the UFFIZI GALLERY is included today, one of Italy’s leading art galleries.Continue to LUCCA, a city of seductive charms for your first two nights stay at the central “HOTEL SAN LUCA PALACE” or similar.At 18.30 enjoy a welcome drink followed by dinner in a local restaurant.Overnight stay in LUCCA

DAY 2 : ROMANTIC LUCCA & PUCCINI CONCERT

After breakfast at our hotel, we begin exploring LUCCA on a walking tour with a knowledgeable tour guide. Ringed by massive walls, Lucca sits on the fertile plain of the River Serchio. The city’s architecture includes nearly every era in Italian history: a Roman amphitheater, superb Romanesque churches and delicate Art Nouveau facades. The town jealously preserves the timeless image of the ancient city enclosed within its red walls.Our stroll takes us visiting the Duomo di San Martino, Lucca’s main church built in Romanesque style, its peaceful narrow lanes, the medieval buildings, tiny piazzas and many other reminders of the city’s long history, including a Roman amphitheater.Afterwards, we’ll visit an 18th century MANSION HOUSE boasting delightful gardens.A local street food experience is included today. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. This evening we’ll take in an eventful PUCCINI CONCERT in a local church.Overnight stay in LUCCA.

Day 3: THE MARVELS OF THE CHIANTI, COOKING CLASS IN A CASTLE & MAGICAL SAN GIMIGNANO

Located in the heart of the Chianti hills, RADDA IN CHIANTI has maintained its charm intact from time immemorial. In the 50’s its land and farmhouses were abandoned, but with its rediscovery in the 70’s the old terraced olive groves and vineyards which by this time had fallen into disuse gave way to more intensive and extensive farming. Departure to the stunning Castello Monterinaldi Winery for a cookery lesson with included lunch.Afterwards,drive to the charming hill town of SAN GIMIGNANO, known as the “Manhattan of Tuscany”, an absolutely astonishing example of a walled Medieval hilltop town, also known for its dry white wine,Vernaccia and its colorful local crafts: hand-painted pottery, alabaster, olive wood items, and much more.Drive to SAN GIMIGNANO for the next 2 nights staying in a charming, central hotel with breakfast included. Overnight in SAN GIMIGNANO

Day 4: HIGHLIGHTS OF SIENA & MONTERIGGIONI 

Siena, once a capital to rival Florence regarded by some as the most perfectly preserved medieval town in Europe.We’ll begin an exploration of its historic centre in Piazza del Campo and the surrounding maze of medieval alleys with an included visit to the Duomo, one of Italy’s greatest cathedrals, a spectacular mixture of sculpture, paintings and Pisan influenced Romanesque-Gothic architecture.In the early afternoon, you’ll enjoy a panoramic journey through the Crete Senesi to discover the sleepy MONTERIGGIONI, a gem of a medieval hilltop town. It is completely encircled by high walls with 14 heavily fortified towers, built to guard the northern borders of Siena’s territory against invasion by Florentine armies.Dinner is included this evening in a local restaurant. Overnight in SAN GIMIGNANO

DAY 5: FASCINATING PIENZA, MONTALCINO WINERY & SANT’ANTIMO ABBEY

Our adventure starts with a visit to the charming town of PIENZA, the “ideal city” constructed by Pope Pius II, overlooking the cypress-lined hills of the stunning ORCIA VALLEY. We then continue to the hill town of MONTALCINO, for a tour of a popular Brunello di Montalcino winery and a wine tasting with lunch. In the afternoon we’ll stop by the beautiful 9th century abbey SANT’ANTIMO, said to have been founded by Charlemagne.Continue to the lovely town of CORTONA, staying for at the central “HOTEL SAN MICHELE” or similar.Overnight in CORTONA

DAY 6: ASSISI

Today, we travel towards LAKE TRASIMENO,known as the Sea of Umbria. From the lakeside town of Passignano, we take the ferry across the languid waters to Isola Maggiore. As we approach, the 19th-century Guglielmi Castel can be seen nestled into the wooden hillside. Those who wish can climb the shrubby hill path to the simple Church of St Michael the Archangel, a favorite meditation spot of St Francis. Enjoy some free time to explore the medieval streets of this charming lake village before continuing on to ASSISI, dominated by the vast Basilica of St Francis complex, which includes a Franciscan monastery and two churches. Sitting on the green hillside with the town climbing ever higher behind it, this is a UNESCO World Heritage site that attracts pilgrims from around the world.Drive to ORVIETO, our base for your last two nights in Umbria staying at the central “PALAZZO PICCOLOMINI” or similar.Overnight in ORVIETO

DAY 7: IN LOVE WITH ORVIETO

ORVIETO is located in the southwestern region of Umbria, situated on the summit of a high mountain.The site of the city is among the most dramatic in Europe, rising above the almost-vertical face of a cliff with impressive defensive walls built of local volcanic stone. Originally populated by the Etruscans,Orvieto is a charming town that is rich in history and tradition.This morning we embark on a guided walking tour visiting the medieval DUOMO featuring a frescoed chapel by Fra Angelico and Luca Signorelli’s masterpiece, The Last Judment. Next we explore the formerly secret passages of PARCO DELLE GROTTE, a labyrinth of underground caves used since Etruscan times.A final dinner is included this evening in a local restaurant.Overnight in ORVIETO

DAY 8: ARRIVEDERCI UMBRIA

Group morning transfer to Rome airport or train station is included this morning.

2024 TOUR PRICE: € 3,800    SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: € 500    currency converter

Prices are per person based on double room occupancy for 8 days/7 nights