Great Tuscany & Cinque Terre 2025

9 Day Tour Start in Rome – End in Rome.

Main cities: Rome, Florence, Montalcino, Siena, San Gimignano, Montepulciano, Lucca, Pienza, Orvieto, Cinque Terre and Roman Castles.

17 Meals to include – 8 buffet breakfasts, 2 lunches, 7 dinners, Cooking Class, Winery

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Great Tuscany is a 9-day-tour, perfectly paced for you to enjoy the many delights that the region of Tuscany has to offer. Scheduled to depart on a Saturday and return on the following Sunday. Our tour begins in Rome and proceeds throughout the region of Tuscany, there is a visit to Cinque Terre, and the tour ends in the Roman Castles (a summer residence to the Pope). The day trips will have comfortable morning departures from one home-based location in the Chianti region to each of the other cities listed in the itinerary below.

During this marvelous tour, you will enjoy ROME, “The eternal city”, FLORENCE, “The birthplace of the Renaissance” as well as many picturesque villages such as SIENA, MONTALCINO, PIENZA, MONTEPULCIANO, SAN GIMIGNANO, LUCCA, PISA, ORVIETO, CINQUE TERRE, and the ROMAN CASTLES.

You will also enjoy hand-selected local restaurants with authentic regional dishes, some of the best wineries in the area with some special wines, experience a fun cooking class, and of course some free time for shopping or enjoying the sights at leisure.

Expect to be surprised by the many villages and enchanting landscapes of this area, that are always charming in their natural simplicity.

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Welcome to Rome, Italy

Upon arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo Da Vinci Airport, meet our tour director and tour driver. Airport transfers from the airport will leave at 9:30 am, 12:30 pm, or 3:00 pm to your hotel. In the afternoon meet your travel companions before leaving for a comfortable sightseeing bus tour of Rome’s city center. Sights include views of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, St. Peter’s Square, the Circo Massimo, and Via Veneto. The tour will be followed by a special welcome dinner at one of Rome’s lively restaurants.

Hotel: Belstay Roma Aurelia, or similar (1 night)

Day 2 – Siena – Chianti Area

After breakfast, drive towards Tuscany, passing through the landscapes of gently rolling, vine-clad hills arriving in Siena. In Siena, take a tour with a local guide through the city center to admire the elaborately carved Gothic Cathedral, Town Hall, and the famous Piazza Del Campo, the site of the spectacular Medieval-style horse race. In the afternoon we’ll enjoy a short ride to our hotel in the Chianti area. Tonight, dinner will be served at a local restaurant/hotel.

Hotel: Villa San Lucchese Hotel, San Leonino or similar (6 nights)

Day 3 – Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano

Drive through beautiful southern Tuscany and enjoy some free time in Montalcino, Pienza, and Montepulciano. These villages are known worldwide for their high-quality red wine production, and the famous cheese “Pecorino di Pienza”. Later, enjoy a wine tasting and dinner at a family run vineyard. In the evening, return to our hotel.

Day 4 – Florence

Today, go to Florence, the splendid capital of Tuscany and the birthplace of the Renaissance. Follow our local guide to see the marble-clad Cathedral and Baptistery where Ghiberti’s ‘Gates of Paradise’ have been recreated in all their glory. Next, go to the political heart of the city, Signoria Square, which remains an open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces to this day. The tour will end by seeing the Santa Croce church where the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo are kept. In the afternoon there will be free time to enjoy Florence at leisure or learn the secrets of traditional Florentine leatherwork. Dinner will be served at one of Florence’s amazing restaurants.

Day 5 – San Gimignano, Cooking Class

Experience a three-hour cooking class with a professional chef and learn how to make some of Tuscany’s traditional dishes. Lunch will consist of delicious food prepared by us during the cooking class.After lunch, drive to the most picturesque of Italy’s perfectly preserved medieval towns, the hilltop of San Gimignano. Visit the city center with some free time to enjoy the town at your own pace and do some shopping.

Day 6 – Lucca, Pisa

In the morning, follow our local guide for a light walking tour of Lucca city center. Then we make our way to Pisa to view the famous “Leaning Tower”. To top off this wonderful experience, we’ll enjoy lunch at an Osteria or dinner at an Agriturismo (farm to table) with Tuscany’s regional specialties.

Day 7 – Cinque Terre

Travel to the coastal region of Liguria for a full-day excursion through the colorful villages of Cinque Terre which are built on rugged cliffs overlooking the sea. See the terraced vineyards sustained by dry walling, an example of innovative engineering to respond to difficult terrain. Weather permitting, travel between the villages by boat to admire Cinque Terre’s sweeping coastal views (if rough seas prevail, a minibus will escort you through some of the villages). Tonight, dinner will be served in the hotel.

Day 8 – Orvieto, Roman Castles

Leave the region of Tuscany to reach the gorgeous hilltop town of Orvieto. You’ll have time to enjoy this beautiful city at your own pace. In the afternoon, make our way towards our destination, the hilltops of the Castelli Romani (a group of villages where the Pope spends his summers). Here, enjoy a farewell dinner in the hotel’s restaurant to celebrate the success of your vacation .

Hotel: Castel Vecchio, Benito al Bosco, or similar (1 night)

Day 9 – Leaving for home

Arrivederci Roma! Our airport transfers arrive to Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo Da Vinci Int. Airport (FCO) at 7:00 am and 9:30 am.

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WHAT IS INCLUDED

Transportation:

Private airport transfer at arrival and departure in Rome. Should your flights not coincide with these arrival and departure transfer times, please let us know; we can arrange your transfer inexpensively to/from the airport by limousine
Luxury air-conditioned private minibus with extended leg room
Ferry ticket for the Cinque Terre (to/from La Spezia)

Hotels:

First-Class Hotel or Four Class Agriturismo
Taxes, city tax and breakfast buffets
All standard gratuities for hotel personnel

17 Meals:

8 American inspired breakfast buffets.
2 Lunches to include: 1 wine tasting with fine local cuisine, 1 cooking class followed by lunch
7 Dinners to include dinners at local restaurants/farm houses with two main courses, desser, mineral water and local wine (1/4)
All standard gratuities for restaurant personnel

Tour Guide & Tour Driver:

Your tour will be conducted by our tour guide and tour driver. They will take the worry out of foreign travel as they manage the intricate details of your tour, keeping you entertained with anecdotes and stories to make sure your vacation is educational, entertaining, fun and safe!

Any gratuities are at your discretion for your tour director and tour driver

Licensed Local Guides:

Experts in Rome, Siena, Florence, Lucca and Winery
Our local expert guides are city natives, offering a fascinating insight into local history, customs and tradition while entertaining you with stories only a local would know!

Equipment:

Wireless headsets to hear our Guide clearly and distinctly in public places by utilizing our personal audio system for groups of 9+ allowing you to roam and explore sites (within 60 feet) without missing any insight from our tour guide or local guide.
One umbrella for each person in case of rain

View, Visit, Walking tour, Museums, and Gallery: (WLG) = With local guide and wireless headsets.

Rome:

Comfortable sightseeing minibus tour of Rome city center including the views of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, St. Peter Square, the Circo Massimo and Via Veneto *(WLG)

Siena:

Follow our local guide to through the city center, admire the Gothic Cathedral, Town Hall, Piazza Del Campo (site of the spectacular Medieval style horse race) *(WLG)

Florence:

Walking tour through Florence’s Cathedral, Bell Tower, ‘Gates of Paradise’, visit Signoria Square, and the Church of Santa Croce *(WLG)
View from Piazzale Michelangelo

Lucca:

Walking tour through the city center surrounded by the monumental walls *(WLG)

Suggested attire:

Comfortable shoes are important for walking on the uneven surfaces
Attire for Italian Churches: No shorts, skirts, tank tops, or bare shoulders for men or women are permitted. Bermuda shorts are permitted

*(WLG) = With Local Guide and wireless headsets

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