Program highlights

Pistoia (3) Santa Margherita (2) Stresa (3)

Savor the timeless beauty of Tuscany, Italy’s most storied region, during your 3-night stay at the lovely Villa Cappugi in the countryside outside of Pistoia

Visit Florence, a living monument to the Renaissance, and a crown jewel of Tuscany

Explore the mesmerizing art and architecture of Siena, and San Gimignano

Discover the villages of Cinque Terre dramatically perched along the 11-mile stretch of Italy’s Ligurian coast

Travel by boat to Portofino, a former fishing village now crowded with sleek yachts

Enjoy magnificent views of the crystal blue Maggiore lake nestled amid the Italian Alps

Cruise to the Borromean island of Isola Bella and visit a 17-century palazzo with its extravagantly landscaped gardens

Price Includes

First class hotel accommodation for 8 nights
13 included meals consisting of:
8 buffet breakfasts
1 lunch at a farmhouse in the countryside
1 gourmet lunch with mini a-la-carte menu at local restaurant
2 dinners at the hotel
1 gourmet dinner with mini a-la-carte menu at local restaurant
Wine, mineral water, coffee or cappuccino served with meals at hotels and restaurants
Touring by private deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach
Assistance of a professional tour director for the entire length of the tour
Complete program of sightseeing tours and excursions with entrance fees
Walking tour of Florence, including the Accademia Gallery
Visit local farm in Chianti region for wine tasting
Excursion to Siena and San Gimignano
Excursion to Cinque Terre
Excursion to Portofino
Tour of Milan, including a visit to La Scala
Excursion to Borromean island of Isola Bella, including a visit to 17th-century palazzo
Excursion to Lake Orta
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Baggage handling
Document holder and luggage tags
Personalized audio system to hear your guide from a distance
Hotel taxes and service charges

Price Excludes

Hotel City tax not included according to new regulations and where applicable
Items of a personal nature: telephone calls, faxes, laundry, room service and other items of a personal nature not specifically mentioned.
Gratuities to Tour Manager, driver, and local guides.
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance. (available and highly recommended).
Airport taxes, excess baggage, meals not included in attached itinerary.
Passports and or visas necessary for entry into countries on itinerary. (Note: passports must be valid 6 months beyond intended stay.)
Flights

What to Expect

Breathtaking countryside, beautiful old cities, combined with regional cuisine. Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, has many treats for visitors. Brunelleschi’s Duomo, the Academia – home of Michelangelo’s David – and Ghiberti’s bronze Baptistery doors to name just a few.

The famous Cinque Terre, cannot fail to capture your imagination with hiking trails and small villages nestled among dry wall terraces and washed by the Ligurian sea. Explore the italian, Alpine lake district home of the Borromeo Royal family and seasonal celebrities with prestige private villas.

Itinerary

Day 1WED Arrive Florence - Pistoia (D)

Arrive at the Florence airport and transfer to your hotel located in the Tuscan countryside just outside of Florence. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Gather this evening for our Welcome dinner.

Day 2THU Pistoia - Siena – Chianti Classico - San Gimignano - Pistoia (B,L)

This morning we travel to Siena through the Tuscan rolling hills and Chianti Vineyards. Visit the maze of narrow streets and alleys around the Piazza del Campo, one of Europe’s oldest and most spectacular public squares famous for the Palio, bareback horse race. Our lunch today will be in the Chianti territory to learn about local wines and local specialties during a wine tasting session followed by lunch. In the afternoon visit Medieval San Gimignano famous for the original towers. The center of town is named “Medieval Manhattan” along the alleyway enjoy pottery shops, small museums & one of the Best italian Gelato’s at piazza della Cisterna. Late afternoon return to your Hotel.

Day 3WED Pistoia - Florence – Pistoia (B,D)

This morning we depart for a full day excursion to Florence. We begin our tour at Michelangelo square which offers great panoramic views of the city. Our walking tour includes Giottos’ Bell Tower, the Baptistery, Signoria Square, and the church of Santa Croche, as well as a visit to the Accademia Gallery to view Michelangelo’s famous “David” statue. We conclude our tour with a visit to a leather shop where we learn about the traditional “leather Gilding”process.

Independent lunch.

In the afternoon, enjoy the city center, Ponte Vecchio and time for shopping in one of the manyfine Florentine Boutique’s. Gather tonight for a dinner at the hotel.

Day 4SAT Pistoia - Cinque Terre - Italian Riviera, Santa Margherita (B)

Depart Pistoia and drive through Tuscan Apennine hills towards the Italian Riviera and its rugged coastline. Spend the day exploring Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Our tour will start in La Spezia and we will visit the most picturesque villages along the coast Rio Maggiore Vernazza, Monterosso where locals through the centuries have developed fishing activities and cultivated on terraces for the production on white wine and basil used for the authentic “Green Pesto sauce”.

Independent lunch. In the afternoon we continue our journey north, and check in at our hotel on the Italian Riviera. (B)

Day 5SUN Santa Margherita - Portofino - Santa Margherita (B)

This morning we travel by boat to the beautiful resort town of Portofino, a former fishing village which is now crowded with sleek,palatial yachts.

Free time, and independent lunch

Return to your hotel in the afternoon.

Day 6MON Santa Margherita - Milan – Stresa (B)

Check-out of the hotel and depart.

Arrive in Milan, and depart for a city tour including a visit to the Duomo and La Scala.

There will be free time for you to explore this cosmopolitan city on your own

Independent lunch

Arrive in Stresa late in the afternoon, and check in at your hotel

Day 7TUE Stresa – Lake Maggiore – Stresa (B,L, D)

Spend the day cruising Lake Maggiore and visit the Borromean island of Isola Bella for a tour of its stunning 17th-century palazzo and extravagantly landscaped gardens, then savor a special lunch in beautiful surroundings. Remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 8WED Stresa – Lake Orta – Stresa (B,D)

Morning visit to the lovely lake Orta

Afternoon at leisure

Farewell dinner

Day 9THU Stresa – Milan – USA (B)

Transfer to the airport for your return flight home