Group tour operator for holidays to Tuscany, Italy

Depart the UK

Travel to Dover and take the ferry across to Calais or Dunkerque.  Continue south, through France making an overnight stop en-route in the Reims/Troyes area.  Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.

Travel to Montecatini Terme

Depart after breakfast for the onward journey to Italy continuing south via Lyon and east into Switzerland and then Italy via Turin and Genoa until you reach Tuscany and the town of Montecatini Terme.  This will be our base for the next 5 nights.  Relax and enjoy dinner together in the hotel this evening.

Florence by Train (driver’s rest day – coach not required)

Make the short walk to Montecatini Terme train station and board the local train for the **journey to Florence where you will be met by a local guide for an introductory walking tour of the city.  Florence is one of Italy’s most beautiful cities and the birthplace of the Renaissance.  The main sights include the magnificent Duomo Cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the shop-lined Ponte Vecchio bridge, the Piazza della Signoria, the Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery amongst others.

Spend the rest of the exploring the city further at leisure, maybe visit one of the many museums including the Academy of Fine Arts, home to Michelangelo’s ‘David’, sample some Italian ‘gelato’ (ice-cream) or a glass of sparkling wine or wander around the multitude of shops including designer and souvenir shops.

Return to Montecatini Terme by train and enjoy dinner in the hotel this evening.

(**journey time approximately 1 hour each way)

At leisure in Montecatini Terme

A day to relax and explore Montecatini Terme, a beautiful town built around its mineral water springs. Enjoy the grandeur of the buildings, stroll around the many parks and shops, or indulge yourself with a spa treatment at the Terrucio Terme.

Overlooking the town is Montecatini Alto, a picturesque, medieval hilltop village. Take the quaint funicular for the 10-minute ride to the top for more superb views (payable locally).

Dinner is at the hotel this evening.

Pisa and  Puccini’s Lucca

Accompanied by an experienced local guide, travel first to Lucca, birthplace of Puccini.  The city has retained much of its original charm and a walk around the cobbled streets of the old town will highlight the well-preserved pink-brown Renaissance ramparts that encircle the historic old town and the Duomo San Martino with a 13th century bell tower.  A visit to the Casa di Puccini museum will tell the story of the town’s most famous son, the composer Puccini.

From here continue to Pisa where the Leaning Tower is still one of Italy’s most recognisable monuments.  However, there are many other exceptional buildings in Pisa that don’t lean, including the cathedral and baptistry in Miracles Square. (Entrances optional and payable locally)

Return to Montecatini Terme for dinner and an evening at leisure.

Scenic Tuscan Riviera and Carrara Marble Mountains

Accompanied by an experienced local guide discover the Tuscan coast which is home to some of the most exclusive beach resorts in Italy, the most popular being Viareggio, which also hosts a Spring carnival.  A stop for coffee will be made at the historic Gran Caffe Margherita with its colourful ceramic decorations and ornamental facade located on the seafront of Viareggio.

A short distance along the coast is Marina di Pietrasanta with its delightful and historic old town.  It is also known as the city of artists and has an interesting museum dedicated to marble sculpture, the Bozzetti Museum.   From here, continue to the chic resort of Forte dei Marmi whose stunning beach and grand hotels are overlooked by the marble peaks of the Apuan Alps before heading back to the hotel.

Dinner is at the hotel this evening

Siena, San Gimignano and Wine Tasting

Accompanied by an experienced local guide, drive south to visit Siena, famous worldwide for the epic ‘Palio’ horse race that takes place in the heart-shaped Piazza del Campo in July and August. The town is largely unchanged from its 14^th-century heyday with fine buildings such as the Town Hall and Mangia Tower.

Continue to San Gimignano, a well preserved medieval town famous for its skyline of 14 grey stone towers. For the more energetic, a climb to the top of the Torre Grossa, the town’s highest tower, offers exceptional views across the town (optional, payable locally if applicable)

Before returning to the hotel, a stop at a local vineyard will be made for a visit and tasting of the famous Chianti wine.

Enjoy dinner and an evening at leisure at the hotel.

Depart Montecatini Terme

It’s time to leave Tuscany and travel north retracing our steps to France for an overnight stop.  Dinner is included at the hotel.

Return to the UK

Depart after breakfast and continue the homeward journey via Calais or Dunkerque and take the ferry across to the UK.