Southern, Italy…Escorted!

LUCCA, VOLTERRA, SAN GIMIGNANO & CHIANTI
Small group touring
A rich tapestry of idyllic countryside and ancient towns, beautiful architecture and delectable food. On our Tuscany tour you’ll seek out world-renowned treasures and hidden gems, turn into a culinary connoisseur and fall head over heels for this exquisite Italian region.

Take in UNESCO World Heritage Sites – from the Cinque Terre to Siena

Live the high life with two nights at a country house in the Chianti hills

Unlock the secrets of Tuscan cuisine with wine tastings and an exclusive cookery class.

What’s Included:
6 nights’ accommodation in boutique hotels
Tour Leader
Luxury mini-coach transportation
European breakfast daily (B)
3 x evening meals (D)
2 x lunch (L)
Two wine tastings
A Tuscan cooking class
Included Entrances: Cinque Terre Card, Baptistery of St John in Pisa, Cathedral of Siena and Verrazzano Castle

Monthly departures April – October 2018 from $2,895 per person / Single supplement available

Itinerary:
DAY 1 FLORENCE – LUCCA
Leafy Lucca, with its atmospheric cobbled streets and red-roofed buildings, is one of Tuscany’s A rich tapestry of idyllic countryside and ancient towns, beautiful architecture and delectable food. On our Tuscany tour you’ll seek out world-renowned treasures and hidden gems, turn into a culinary connoisseur and fall head over heels for this exquisite Italian region and tucked away treasures. And it acts as a beautiful introduction to our tour of this region. But first, have your camera handy on the way here as we stop to soak up views of Florence. Then, when we reach Lucca, unwrap layer upon layer of fascinating history and fine architecture as we go beyond its 16th century walls. The afternoon is yours, to take in the town at your own pace. Share what you discover this evening, as we come together for the first of our delicious dinners at a local osteria. (D)

DAY 2 LUCCA – CINQUE TERRE – LUCCA
Rocky coastline. Romantic, sugared almond-colored villages. It’s time to take the road less travelled along the more remote parts of the Italian Riviera’s sublime shoreline. Our route brings us to the Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a tour highlight. We explore three of the five villages dotted along this secluded stretch and marvel at the breathtaking scenery surrounding us. After time spent discovering this beautiful area, we return to Lucca in time for dinner. Friendly local eatery or fine dining restaurant – the choice is yours tonight. (B)

DAY 3 LUCCA – PISA – VOLTERRA
Infamous and impossible to miss, Pisa’s Leaning Tower is a staggering sight – and our first point of call today. More than simply a photo opportunity, this is an extraordinary structure that has managed to withstand the force of gravity for centuries. But there’s more than just one impressive sight to see here. Delving deeper, we lead you to the impressive Baptistery of St John – a huge marble masterpiece with a distinctive domed roof. Afterwards, we travel on to Volterra. Perched on a plateau, this magnificent and mysterious medieval walled town is your home for the night – but before bed beckons, there’s plenty of time for you to discover its charismatic character. (B)

DAY 4 VOLTERRA – SIENA – MONTERIGGIONI – VOLTERRA
A magnificent piazza. Meandering stepped streets. Throw in beautifully preserved architecture and a sensational hilltop location, and you have Siena. After taking in the city’s head-turning historic centre, from the cathedral to the winding lanes lined with medieval buildings, we continue to the enchanting walled village of Monteriggioni. Here the choice is yours, you could sip cappuccinos on Piazza di Roma, pay a visit to the Church of Santa Maria Assunta or simply marvel at the fortified castle that captured the imagination of Dante Alighieri, and features in The Divine Comedy. (B)

DAY 5 VOLTERRA – SAN GIMIGNANO – CHIANTI
Its timeless charm and enchanting rural backdrop make San Gimignano a serene spot to spend this morning. Stroll through its medieval streets. Sample its culinary specialities. And see just why this has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards, we escape to the country and learn about centuries-old winemaking before reaching for a glass and enjoying a tasting session – which includes one of the region’s very few white wines. Driving onwards through the Chianti countryside, another gem awaits – a Tuscan country house that you’ll call home for the next two nights. (B, D)

DAY 6 CHIANTI
Sipping wine on the terrace or swimming the day away. However you choose to spend your time at the villa, you’ll soon be in full relaxation mode. But before then, we’re invited to the kitchen where we roll up our sleeves and don aprons. The villa’s chef treats us to an exclusive lesson in making Tuscan delicacies, sharing all his secrets, and then we sit down to savor the fruits of our labors for lunch. After an afternoon of ‘me time’, you come together once more for a final group dinner. (B, L, D)

DAY 7 CHIANTI – FLORENCE
While you have to say goodbye to our villa this morning and we reach the final day of our trip, there’s one more treat in store: a stop-off at the Castle of Verrazzano. There’s no need to hurry, so you enjoy a relaxing start to the day before packing up and heading for the hills. You’ll find Verrazzano high up in the renowned Chianti Classico area, wrapped in vineyards. A tour of the castle ends in a chance to sample a selection of wines that have been produced here for centuries, as well as smooth olive oils and tangy balsamic vinegars – with a delicious lunch to go with them. If you’re lucky, we may even spot wild boar that roam the surrounding woodland. All in all, it’s a fitting end to our tour that has celebrated the natural beauty and culinary traditions of Tuscany, and that ends back in romantic Florence. (B, L)

Contact us for information on these small group tours!

Book your tour by December 31st and receive a $50 Visa Gift Card compliments of us! Mention promo code: 50December

Tour Code: RB