Tuscany & Cinque Terre

Reliving the Renaissance in Florence Location Information Description

Florence, Italy

The tour begins at 3:00PM. A transfer is included from the Peretola Airport to the elegant Hotel Plaza Lucchesi, a historic property overlooking the Arno River in the center of Florence since 1860. Your room will have a view featuring the river or the Duomo and Santa Croce.

A twisted Maze of narrow alleyways... and your Tuscan travel adventure begins. Florence's Renaissance heart makes yours beat a little faster as you ramble through it with your Florentine guide. Stroll along the Arno and check out Santa Maria del Fiore and the Duomo. See, touch and feel the mark of Michelangelo and Brunelleschi in stately palazzi and beautiful basilicas and tour the new Opera Duomo Museum.

Cocktails and canapes on your hotel's rooftop terrace (weather permitting) offer a warm and tasty welcome tonight along with 360-degree views of the city! Then it's a short walk to a local Florentine restaurant for a true Tuscan welcome dinner. The venue is lively and the conversation stimulating. You have arrived in Italy!

Dinner

Plaza Hotel Lucchesi

Explore an artistic Florence neighborhood Location Information Description

Florence, Italy

For centuries, the arts have flourished and received encouragement in Florence. Join a local guide this morning begins with a walking tour along the cobbled streets of Florence, in the neighborhood of old San Niccolo and the Oltrarno area. The area is home to Florence's rich artisan traditions, boasting local cafes, bistros, and small craft studios. Enjoy beautiful views of the historic center from the Arno River and meander through the narrow medieval streets to take in the local flavor.

The afternoon and evening are free to explore as you please in Florence.

Breakfast

Plaza Hotel Lucchesi

Florentine Artisans and Artists Location Information Description

Florence, Italy

Michelangelo's shadow looms large in Firenze. Sightseeing begins today with an early-opening, private morning visit of the 15th-century Basilica di Santa Croce. Dubbed the "Temple of Italian Glories," Florence's answer to London's Westminster Abbey is filled with the tombs of major Italian legends – including Michelangelo, Galileo, Rossini, Machiavelli, and more, along with a statue that inspired the Statue of Liberty. Discover some of the city's masterpieces on a guided visit to the fabulous Uffizi Galleries – Europe's oldest art gallery, founded by the Medicis to display their countless treasures - today housing some of the world's most beloved art. By midday you'll understand how art and history are inextricably intertwined in Florence.

Following an afternoon exploring as you wish, join concert pianist Gregorio Nardi at his Palazzo Bargellini, where you'll enjoy a personal tour, a recital on a Steinway grand piano, lively discussions on history and local politics, and an aperitivo. Your evening is free to dine as you please.

Breakfast

Plaza Hotel Lucchesi

Carrara Marble to Cinque Terre National Park Location Information Description

Carrara, Italy

The road winds and twists and turns as you travel toward the Gulf of Genoa. Take a winding road deep into a mountain aboard a 4x4 to see where celebrated Carrara marble, considered the finest on Earth, has been quarried since Roman times, at what is the oldest industrial site on Earth.

Location Information Description

Cinque Terre, Italy

After stopping for a simple lunch in the village of Colonnata, continue to Portovenere on the Gulf of Poets, where you'll instantly get why this stunning Roman-Byzantine town was named for the goddess Venus. Colorful houses cascade along a hillside against the azure sea… the black-and-white-striped Gothic church of San Pietro perched above... images captured as your motor boat (weather permitting) navigates the Mediterranean waters along Cinque Terre to Portovenere in the heart of the "Gulf of Poets" for a two night stay inside Cinque Terre National Park where all guest rooms have sea views.

Dine this evening at your hotel overlooking the harbor... images not soon forgotten...

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Grand Hotel Portovenere

"The Five Lands" of Cinque Terre National Park Location Information Description

Cinque Terre, Italy

Travel by ferry to Monterosso al Mare, one of five remote fishing villages strung like jewels along the coast – Cinque Terre National Park, "the five lands." They're now linked to the outside world by rail, but for centuries were accessible only by sea… or on foot, the best way to appreciate life in what is truly a world of its own.

If you wish, join the group for one of the world's most spectacular coastal hikes, through terraced vineyards overlooking the sea from Monterosso to Vernazza – the "pearl of Cinque Terre." If not, you'll take a walking tour with a local guide. Spend the afternoon in Vernazza, and fall in love with village life… indelible seascape memories… or perhaps a visit to a sidewalk café, alive with the flavors of local wines, citrus, olives, and the catch of the day.

Return late day to Portovenere, where the evening is free to spend as you please.

Breakfast

Grand Hotel Portovenere

Cycling & Cooking in Lucca & on to Siena Location Information Description

Lucca, Italy

A jog, or a swim, is an excellent way to start the day before a drive through the Tuscan hills to Lucca. This medieval city's surviving Renaissance-era, red-brick walls shut out traffic and the modern world… leaving a peaceful community that still revolves around its original Roman street plan, encircled by a delightful, tree-lined promenade. And because it's topographically flat – unlike most Tuscan towns – Lucca is a cyclist's dream. One of the best ways to explore this historically powerful and culturally rich city is by bicycle... and, led by your local guide, you'll do just that – down its narrow lanes… across its ancient piazzas… even along the top of its massive walls. Guests who choose not to join the bicycle excursion can spend the time walking and exploring the center of Lucca as they please.

Location Information Description

Capannori, Italy

If you're wondering if Tuscany is all about the food, a hands-on lesson with experts in the art of making fresh pasta at Fattoria Colle Verde, one of the region's foremost wineries and olive oil producers, may shed some light. After a little testing and a little cooking, cap your pasta-making debut with a little virgin olive oil tasting… a little Tuscan wine tasting… and more than a little pasta tasting at lunch.

Location Information Description

Siena, Italy

After an amazing lunch it's on to the historic Tuscan city of Siena for a two-night stay.

Breakfast, Lunch

Grand Hotel Continental

Siena's Many Treasures & a Tuscan Farewell Location Information Description

Siena, Italy

Awaken in beautiful Siena and spend the morning exploring as you wish; your Tauck Director can suggest museums, galleries and other points of interest, as well as great spots to enjoy lunch on your own.

Later, accompany your local guide to discover Siena's many architectural treasures on a walking tour – including its black-and-white Duomo, one of Italy's great cathedrals, with scenes inlaid in the marble floors and sculpture by Michelangelo. You'll see the Piazza del Campo – where the famous Palio bareback horse race has been held twice every year for centuries – Palazzo Salimbeni, Palazzo Tolomei, Torre di Mangia, Santa Maria della Scalla and more.

After some time to explore on your own, cap your Tuscany travel adventure with cocktails and canapés in an ancient wine cellar, followed by a memorable dinner of Tuscan specialties in an absolutely magical spot… under the setting Tuscan sun.

Breakfast, Dinner

Grand Hotel Continental

Arrivederci, Tuscany Location Information Description

Florence, Italy

The tour ends in Florence. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Siena's Grand Hotel Continental to Florence Airport, Peretola, or Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station. Allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in.

Breakfast

ALL guests must carefully verify the existing identification requirements for their particular travel situation DIRECTLY WITH THEIR LOCAL CONSULATES OR EMBASSIES or with a visa service, as these requirements may change. Guests without proper documentation may be denied entry and will not be entitled to a refund

• 60 days or more before departure: $600.00 per person
• 59-8 days before departure: $900.00 per person
• 7-1 days before departure: $1500.00 per person
• On departure day and later: 100% of total price
• Any changes or cancellations to airline reservations made through Tauck either before or after departure are subject to the cancellation / change policies of the individual airlines. In n some instances these cancellation / change fees may be up to 100% of the ticket price.
• Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services, including extra night accommodations, independently supplied services, and optional excursions reserved prior to, during, and after the tour. If flight changes, including, but not limited to, flight cancellations or name changes, are requested after full land and air deposits are received, revision fees, change fees, or airline cancellation fees will apply.
• All cancellations must be received in writing prior to tour departure. The cancellation policy will apply according to the date that the cancellation notification is received. The MINIMUM cancellation penalty is the deposit amount.
• The purchase to trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.

• Land only “from price” is per person based on two people sharing a room together and does not include airfare unless expressly stated.
• All prices are in US Dollars.
• A $600 non-refundable, non-transferable, per-person, per-vacation deposit is required to reserve space for you. Payment of the deposit indicates you have read and accepted all Terms & Conditions. Your booking is not confirmed until the deposit payment is processed and you receive a confirmation invoice.
• Final payment is due 75 days prior to departure. Within the final payment date, payment in full is required at time of booking to reserve space. Reservations (land, cruise, and air) are canceled if final payment is not received by the due date.
• Additional deposits or payments are required for international air added to the start and/or end of your vacation.