Spotlight on Tuscany

What's Included

• Stay in Montecatini Terme

  Stay in the famous spa resort town of Montecatini Terme for 7 nights.

• Florence Tour

  Journey to Florence for a tour of the 'Cradle of the Renaissance.'

• Lucca Visit

  Stop in the medieval city of Lucca, encircled by 16th-century walls.

• Gothic Line Visit

  See the Gothic Line, one of the Germans’ last lines of defense during WWII.

• Devil’s Bridge

  Retrace the steps of ancient pilgrims as they crossed the Devil’s Bridge in the Serchio Valley.

• Wine Tasting

  Sample delectable wines during a wine tasting at a local farm.

• Cheese Farm Visit

  Spend time at a cheese farm to taste flavorful pecorino cheese.

• Cooking Class

  Learn about Tuscan cuisine during a cooking class.

• Pisa Exploration

  Explore historic sites in the ancient maritime Republic of Pisa, including the Piazza dei Miracoli and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

• San Gimignano Visit

  Visit the hilltop village of San Gimignano, one of Tuscany’s most picturesque places.

What's Not Included

Optional Excursion to Cinque TerreAn optional full day excursion to Cinque Terre is available, which is not included in the main itinerary.

Experiences

See the Gothic Line, one of the Germans’ last lines of defense during WWII.Retrace the steps of ancient pilgrims as they crossed the Devil’s Bridge in the Serchio Valley.

Options

Cinque Terre: Day Trip to Cinque Terre Spend a glorious day exploring the unique Cinque Terre. You’ll discover a magical land nestled between the mountains and the Mediterranean that is nearly inaccessible. Travel by rail and boat,* past terraced vineyards and stunning panoramas on your way to a string of colorful fishing villages that sit along the area’s breathtaking, rugged coastline. Savor the charms of this special place with a local guide who will help you explore some of the delightful towns of the area. Hear tales of the region’s past and present as you come to know why the Cinque Terre National Park has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is the perfect way to spend your day – feeling like you have stepped into a postcard. Duration approximately 8 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 10 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.

*Boat trip is seasonal. When a boat is not available, travel will be by rail only.


Cinque Terre: Day Trip to Cinque Terre Spend a glorious day exploring the unique Cinque Terre. You’ll discover a magical land nestled between the mountains and the Mediterranean that is nearly inaccessible. Travel by rail and boat,* past terraced vineyards and stunning panoramas on your way to a string of colorful fishing villages that sit along the area’s breathtaking, rugged coastline. Savor the charms of this special place with a local guide who will help you explore some of the delightful towns of the area. Hear tales of the region’s past and present as you come to know why the Cinque Terre National Park has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is the perfect way to spend your day – feeling like you have stepped into a postcard. Duration approximately 8 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 10 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.

*Boat trip is seasonal. When a boat is not available, travel will be by rail only.

Culinaries

Sample delectable wines during a wine tasting at a local farm.Spend time at a cheese farm to taste flavorful pecorino cheese.Learn about Tuscan cuisine during a cooking class.

Must See

Stay in the famous spa resort town of Montecatini Terme for 7 nights.Journey to Florence for a tour of the "Cradle of the Renaissance."Stop in the medieval city of Lucca, encircled by 16th-century walls.

Choice Highlights

Montecatini Terme Montecatini Terme is a small resort town in the northern part of the Italian region of Tuscany. The town is famous for their thermal spas and many hotels. The first spas were constructed in the late 1700's. Today the town is investing in upgraded facilities and enjoy a renewed interest as a tourist destination. The city center is full of boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. Locals and tourists alike flock to the streets for an evening stroll.

Lucca Lucca is a small town in the northwest of Tuscany. The town is famous for its intact city walls that surround the charming pedestrianized city center. The former wealth of the town can be seen in the elegant palaces and large number of churches that can be found throughout the city. Lucca’s Roman heritage is also visible at sites like Piazza dell’Anfiteatro - a series of apartments built on the old Roman arena. Today visitors are also drawn to the number of high quality shops and cafes.



Gothic Line In the waning days of World War II (and after the fall of Rome), German forces made preparations to defend northern Italy. Along the Apennine Mountains, they created a formidable line of defense in an effort to hold back Allied forces. The site of some of the hardest fighting of the Italian campaign, the battles along the Gothic Line helped tie down two German armies. Join us and see the array of bunkers and fortifications along the line and visit the Museum of Liberation. Learn of the heroic deed of Allied forces and Italian partisans. Come away with a new appreciation for those who gave so much in the name of freedom.



Winery Tour Make your way to a Tuscan winery and learn about the art of winemaking as you taste local varieties. Tuscany is one of the most renowned wine-making regions in Italy, and its picturesque hills are lined with countless vineyards. Popular wines from Tuscany include Chianti and Brunello.

Florence Florence is the regional capital of Tuscany and home to countless Renaissance masterpieces. The city developed great wealth during the late Middle Ages and was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance that produced great artists like Michelangelo, Raphael, Brunelleschi and many others. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with numerous museums, stunning architecture and charming piazzas. The city offers something for everyone from culture, to great food and excellent shopping (like their famous gold or leather).

Choice on Tour: Montecatini Walking Tour or Siena Your first option is to learn more about Montecatini’s curative waters during a guided walking tour of the city. Discover the town’s elegant Art Nouveau architecture and visit the historic Tettuccio Spa,* known for the health benefits in its mineral waters. Your second choice is to journey to Siena and embark on a walking tour through its narrow Gothic streets. Take in stunning palaces, mansions and the historic Piazza del Campo along the way. Then, get to know local life in a contrada (neighborhood) who’s community life is centered around the colorful Palio horse race.

*The interior of Tettuccio Spa is closed to visits during the months of November and December.



NEO DAY #4 - Montecatini Walking Tour

Activity Level: 2

Travelers will meet the local guide in the hotel's lobby at the time appointed by the Tour Manager. The local guide will escort them on a walking tour of Montecatini Terme, the spa town where they are spending 7 nights. Travelers should expect to walk about 1.5 miles over paved, flat terrain. Montecatini is a prime example of elegant Art Nouveau architecture. As part of the walking tour, travelers will visit Tettuccio which is one of the city's most important examples of Art Nouveau architecture.



NEO DAY #4 - Siena Walking Tour

Activity Level: 3

Siena is Italy's best preserved Gothic city. It is located about 2 hours drive from Montecatini (total bussing time on this day is 4 hours). Once in Siena, travelers must expect to walk about 2.5 miles over hilly terrain with lots of steep inclines. There is a 30-minute walk from the bus drop-off point to the start of the guided tour. The guided tour itself lasts about 75-90 minutes. Travelers should expect another 30 minutes uphill walk to get back to the bus before transferring back to Montecatini.

Pisa Pisa is home to one of the most recognizable architectural icons of Italy - the Leaning Tower. The city historically was a naval power and rival of Florence. Today the city is focused on tourism, its acclaimed university and light manufacturing. The highlight of the town is the Leaning Tower is one of four monuments built in Pisa’s “Field of Miracles”. The other monuments include Italy’s largest baptistry, a cemetery for Pisan Nobility, and the Cathedral. Visitors can admire the beauty of the Pisan Romanesque architecture and align a photo of themselves holding up the tower.

Cooking Class A cooking class reveals the secrets of traditional Tuscan cuisine. Learn culinary techniques that have been passed down through generations of wonderful cooks, while using the freshest of local ingredients. Later, you’ll get to enjoy your delicious creation for dinner.



Cheese Farm Pecorino cheese is made from sheep’s milk and is a staple in Italian cooking. Visit a cheese farm in the Tuscan hills to see how this famous cheese is made. Enjoy a sample of the best and freshest pecorino you’ll ever taste before heading out to explore the picturesque hilltop village of San Gimignano.

San Gimignano San Gimignano is a picturesque hill town in the central part of Tuscany. The town developed great wealth in the middle ages and was home to 70 plus medieval towers. Today, only a handful of the towers are still intact, but at least one is open to the public. The hilltop location allows for beautiful panoramic views over the Tuscan Countryside. The town is also home to shops that sell a variety of Tuscan goods from pottery to wine, cheese and wild boar salami.

Mode of Transport

Travel through Tuscany with ease, enjoying guided tours and excursions to iconic locations such as Florence, Lucca, and Pisa, with transportation included for a seamless experience.

Accommodation

Stay at the Hotel Ercolini and Savi in the renowned spa town of Montecatini Terme, offering a comfortable and relaxing base for your Tuscan adventure.