Upscale small group tours to Italy

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THE BEST OF TUSCANY & UMBRIA

PLUS LIGURIA

May 3 - 13, 2009 - Women's Tour

SEE ITINERARY BELOW.

TOURING:  Lucca, Pisa, Riomaggiore and Manarola in Cinque Terre, Carrara, Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Pienza, Montalcino, Cortona, Montepulciano, Spoleto, Orvieto, Gubbio, Assisi

Join one of our small group tours to Italy that takes you to Tuscany, Umbria and Liguria.   Italy packaged tours designed to meet the needs of discerning travelers.

Breathtaking Sceneries

Peaceful Tuscan & Umbrian Countryside

World Class Art

Amazing History

Picture-perfect Medieval Hill Towns

Ancient Roman Architecture

Beautiful Churches & Squares

Siena and Pienza - UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Etruscan City of Cortona

Orvieto, A Beautiful Hill Town

Bagno Vignoni - Thermal Waters Enjoyed by the Romans

Brunello Wine Tasting in Montalcino

Abbey Sant'Antimo, A 9th Century Benedictine Monastery

Basilica Of St. Francis Of Assisi And Giotto's Brilliant Frescoes

Fabulous Food and Fine Wine

Ancient Gubbio 

Art, Gold & Leather Goods in Florence

Open Markets, Great Shopping

Upscale Travel

Small Groups

Excellent Service

COST OF TOUR PACKAGE TO ITALY:

$3,895.00

$850.00 - Single Supplement,

if you don't want a roommate.

INFORMATION REQUEST

RESERVATION FORM

Arrival Airport: Pisa. (OR Florence but please discuss this with us first).

Departure Airport:  Florence

ITINERARY

May 3 - 13, 2009 - Women's Tour

NOTE:  Activities or order of activities are subject to change due to unforeseen closures, etc.  We reserve the right to replace an activity.

(B = Breakfast,  L = Lunch,  D = Dinner)

Day 1 - Arrival Day in Lucca, Welcome Cocktails and Dinner, Overnight in Lucca

We will meet you at the airport and our private transfer will take you to our hotel in Lucca, your first home base in your Tuscany Tour.  You will spend the first 3 nights of the tour in ancient Lucca, one of the most charming and elegant cities of Tuscany that is completely enclosed by a well preserved wall.  The wall is wide enough to hold small parks and a path along the top. Lucca is also the birthplace of composer, Giacomo Puccini.  City sites include charming squares, the beautiful churches of San Martino and San Frediano.  Lucca also offers great shopping opportunities.

Check in and rest.  Those of you who are interested in getting a quick lunch may join us.   Rest of the day at leisure.

This evening, we will meet in the lobby bar at 6:00pm for our welcome cocktail and dinner.  Dinner tonight is in an excellent restaurant where you'll feast to fabulous Tuscan cuisine accompanied by great local wine.  (D)

Day 2 -   Excursion to the Cinque Terre, Overnight in Lucca

Today, we will travel to Cinque Terre and tour its villages high above the cliffs overlooking the sea.  You will travel by train to Riomaggiore or we may take a boat for easy access to the villages not accessible by car.  We will walk to one of the villages and you will be rewarded by fantastic views of the ocean, olive groves, fig trees and vineyards.  Scenic towns, colorful rooftops and quaint restaurants are to be enjoyed.  

We will walk through the path called the "Via dell'Amore" between the cliffside villages of Riomaggiore and Manarola. 

After lunch, we will board a boat to Monterosso, the village on hills dotted with olive groves and grapevines.  Monterosso offers amazing views of the sea, a beach and lively town to explore.

Return to Lucca  late afternoon or evening.  Free time after and dinner on your own.  Let us know if you want company. (B)

Day 3   -  Carrara, Pisa, Overnight in Lucca

Today, we will drive through the marble caves of Carrara, the area where the best marble of the world comes from and where the great Michelangelo came to choose his best pieces.  A guided tour is planned to fully appreciate this wonderful place.

From Carrara, we will stop in Pisa for the enormous Miracle Sqaure, with magnificent buildings, a beautiful church, and a baptistry.  The square, of courses, is dominated by the famous Leaning Tower.

Return to Lucca in the late afternoon.  Free time to explore and dinner on your own.  (B)

Day 4  - Florence, Pienza, Overnight in Pienza

Today, we will move to your next hotel in tiny and perfectly laid city of Pienza, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Pope Pius II ordered to have this town, his birthplace, redesigned into a masterpiece.   Very charming Pienza has many shops selling Pecorino cheese as the are is well known for the production of Pecorino cheese.

On the way to Pienza, we will first make a stop in Florence, the birthplace of Renaissance.  A guided tour of Florence is planned for its famous sites, which includes a visit to Accademia to admire the great Statue of David by Michelangelo.  We will also walk through the Duomo square, the Piazza Della Signoria, Santa Croce and the Ponte Vecchio.

Free time on your own to explore the city and enjoy the great shopping area mostly famous for leather and gold products. 

Possibility to visit the Uffizi museum in the afternoon.  Let us know ahead of time, if you are interested.

After Florence, we will head to Pienza and arrive in the late a evening.  

Free time followed by great dinner at our favourite restaurant where you can taste the wonderful typical pasta called pici.

(B, D)

Day 5  - Pienza, Montalcino, Wine Tasting, Abbey Sant'Antimo, Overnight in Pienza

Today, we will leave at 11:00am and travel through scenic countryside to reach Montalcino, world-famous for its beloved Brunello di Montalcino.  We will have a tour of a famous winery that produces this fabulous red wine and have the opportunity to sample some of their wine.   A group lunch is planned at the winery's wonderful restaurant.  

After our winery visit, we will continue traveling the back roads of Tuscany to tour the unforgettable 9th-cnetury Romanesque Abbey Sant'Antimo, a Benedictine monastery dating back to the 9th century.   It is a simple yet magnificent stone church, set amongst the field of olive trees.  We plan to arrive in time to see the monks at the altar, clad in their white robes and listen to their Gregorian chants.  This is a unforgettable experience.

After the visit to the abbey, we will travel through scenic countryside to reach Montalcino, world-famous for its beloved Brunello di Montalcino.  You will have an opportunity to enjoy this town complete with a castle and purchase some wine from one of the many wine shops in town.

You will return to Pienza in the evening.  (B, L)

Day 6   -  San Gimignano, Siena, Overnight in Pienza

In the morning, we will go the one of the most well-preserved medieval towns of Italy, known for its beautiful towers and the white wine called Vernaccia.  Free time to enjoy the beautiful town, stroll the neighborhoods, find great spots to enjoy the magnificent views of the valley below and do some shopping.

After, we will head to Siena.  A short orientation tour will get you acquainted with the city and comfortable enough to explore on your own.  The historic city of Siena, famous for the Palio and a UNESCO World Heritage site, has a one of the most beautiful square in Italy.  The fan-shaped piazza, the Piazza del Campo, has a 14th-century tower and a beautiful cathedral with important works of art by famous artist like Donatello.    

You'll have a list of sites to visit, a map, and a restaurant list. 

(B, D) 

Day 7   -  Montepulciano, Cortona, Overnight in Spoleto

Today, we will move to our next hotel in Spoleto for the next 3 nights.  On the way, our first stop in Montepulciano, the name more commonly known because of its famous wine called Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.  Positioned on a hill top, Montepulciano sites include a fortress, Renaissance buildings, the beautiful church of Madonna di San Biagio and a cathedral.

In the afternoon, we will travel to Cortona, one of the best example of the Etruscan cities with its beautiful city walls.  From the fortress, your will be treated to magnificent views of vineyards, olive groves and Lake Trasimeno.  Cortona is more popular now since it was used as the setting for the movie, Under The Tuscan Sun.   Free time on your own.   

We will arrive Spoleto late afternoon.  Group dinner is planned. (B, D)

Day 8   - Guided Tour of Spoleto, Overnight in Spoleto

We start the morning with a guided tour of ancient Spoleto, a beautiful Roman town built on top of a mountain on the Flaminia Road.  Spoleto boasts many important structures including the amazing Albornoz 14th century fortress, Roman wall, Roman theater and Roman Bridge.  Enjoy this charming city and its great churches, museums and medieval piazzas.

Group lunch is planned at a very nice wine bar, complete with some fine wine sampling.  (B, L)

Day 9   - Gubbio, Assisi, Overnight in Spoleto

This morning, we will travel to Assisi where we will have a guided tour of this spectacular city.  Magical Assisi, built up the steep slopes of Mount Subasio, is the hometown of St. Francis.  We will have a guided tour of the Basilica of St. Francis, famous for Giotto's brilliant frescoes depicting the life of St. Francis and where the saint's tomb can be found.   Other sites include various Roman ruins like an arena, arches, first century B.C. Temple of Minerva, Roman forum, Chiesa di Santa Chiara and the 2,000 year old Piazza del Comune.  Free time and lunch on your own after the tour.

Later, we will drive to Gubbio, is surely one of the most picturesque and charming Umbrian cities, on the eastern side of the Tiber, built at the bottom of the Ingino mountain.  Gubbio was an important town of the ancient Umbrian people in pre-Roman times.  The Civic museum displays the famous Eugubine Tablets, written in Umbrian language using the Latin and the Etruscan alphabets.  It is a document depicting the Umbrian civilization; dating back to the end of the 2nd century BC, they report religious prescriptions, information about places and about the government system of the town.

You will take the birdcage lift to the church of St. Ubaldo.  You many go back to the lower level and visit the museum at the Palazzo dei Consoli.  (B)

Day 10    -  Orvieto, Florence, Farewell Dinner, Overnight in Florence

Today, we will move to our next hotel in Florence. On the way, we will stop in Orvieto, another beautiful hill town.   We'll have a guided tour of the Umbria's grand city and it's beautiful cathedral with a chapel that has Luca Signorelli's beautiful, colorful frescoes with vivid scenes of Apocalypse.  Orvieto has great museums and an interesting underground remains: Etruscan and medieval caves, an old olive press and more.  Orvieto is also famous for ceramics and wine, the well-known Orvieto Classico.   Free time after the tour.

Late departure for Florence, where you will spend your last night.  Florence is a beautiful and fun city, simply magical at night.  A perfect ending to this fantastic tour.   Farewell Dinner is planned. (B)

Day 11   - Departure Day

Prepare for your departure for home.   We will have a transfer take you to the airport in  Florence.

THE BEST OF TUSCANY,

& UMBRIA PLUS LIGURIA

INCLUSIONS:

11 Days of Land Tour

Elegant Accommodations

5 Dinners and 2 Lunches with Wine

Walking Tours with Local Guides to Carrara, Florence, Assisi, Spoleto and Orvieto

Services of Your Tour Manager Throughout the Tour

Transportation to All Planned

Activities

Entrance Fees to All Scheduled Museums And Sites

Airport Transfer on Arrival Day and Departure Day

NOT INCLUDED:

Gratuity to your Tour Manager

HIGHLIGHTS:

Staute of David in Accademia

Brunello Wine Tasting in Montalcino

Lunch with Wine Pairing

The Beautiful Abbey of Sant'Antimo for Gregorian Chants

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Walk of Love between Rio Maggiore and Manarola in Cinque Terre

Marble Caves of Carrara

Ancient Gubbio, Famous for Ceramic Production

Abbey of Sant'Antimo

Culinary Sampling of Various Regional Cuisine and Fine Local Wines

Pienza - Unesco World Heritage Site

San Gimignano and Its Beautiful Medieval Towers

Beautiful Cortona, Medieval Siena And Charming, Elegant Lucca

Signorelli's Vibrant Frescoes in Orvieto’s Cathedral

Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi with Giotto's Brilliant Frescoes

Great Shopping Opportunities

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