Compare Tuscany's Treasures by Mercury Holidays vs Easy Pace Italy - Classic Group, Summer by Insight Vacations
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| Trip |
4 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 11 days |
| Price From | $ 928 | $ 3,875 |
| Price Per Day | $ 116 | $ 352 |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Basic |
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| Flights & Transport | Airfare included | Airfare included |
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| Description |
With a timeless familiarity, rolling hillside vineyards crowned by frescoed churches and a legacy of artistic prodigies creating iconic masterpieces, the region of Tuscany truly captures Italy's romantic essence. |
Italy's top highlights await you on this 10-day guided tour. Stop by the Colosseum in Rome before heading to the Vatican Museums, where a VIP dinner awaits. Here you will feast in the Pope’s secret garden beneath the iconic dome of St. Peter's Basilica. In Florence, see Piazza della Signoria, an open-air art gallery where Renaissance masterpieces are housed. Join a Local Expert in Pisa for an informative tour of its infamous leaning tower, then stop at an organic farm in the Tuscan hills, where fields of vegetables give way to lines of olive trees, and you’ll feast on an authentic Italian meal. In Venice, board a private boat that will whisk you past the city’s ornate palaces and beneath its bridges to the marble arcades of Piazza San Marco. |
Day 1: UK to Montecatini Terme
Depart London on your direct flight to Pisa, where you will be transferred to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.
Dinner
Day 2: Florence City Tour
Following breakfast, travel to the city of Florence; boasting priceless masterpieces, striking Renaissance architecture and winding streets, this historic metropolis looks as it did during 1550. On your half-day escorted tour witness the cathedral?s domineering masonry dome, examine a copy of Michelangelo?s statue of David in Piazza Della Signoria and stroll across the iconic Ponte Vecchio Bridge lined with antiquated jewelry boutiques. Later that afternoon spend time exploring the city at leisure.
Breakfast
Day 3: Montecatini Terme
Today, discover the magnificent region of Tuscany at your leisure. Head to Montecatini Terme train station and onto Florence, exploring tucked-away gems scattered throughout. Visit Pistoia city?s intriguing sculpture garden at Fattoria Celle or travel west to Italy?s magnificent Mediterranean coast for unique seafood specialties within the bustling town of Viareggio.
Breakfast
Day 4: Siena & San Gimignano Tour
Today is at leisure or you have the option to embark on an optional excursion to tour the enchanting medieval city of Siena; your guide will take you through cobbled streets and past gothic boutiques to the heart of a UNESCO site, Piazza del Campo. Once a Roman marketplace, this public square is overlooked by the striking tower of Palazzo Pubblico town hall and is famed for Fonte Gaia, a fountain decorated with religious scenes carved into marble panels. After lunch travel to San Gimignano, a hilltop ?medieval Manhattan? with distinctive 11th century towers that oversee this UNESCO site; tour the town?s picturesque streets to sample white wine produced from Vernaccia grapes that grow on the surrounding sandstone hillside.
Breakfast
Day 5: Pisa & Lucca
Begin today with a visit to Italy?s most photographed monument? the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Continue past rolling hills that form Tuscany?s scenic countryside to the charming city of Lucca. Surrounded by imposing Renaissance walls, your guide will show you a city filled with picturesque piazzas, pine shaded promenades and traces of French architecture alluding to the Napoleonic occupation.
Breakfast
Day 6: Greve in Chianti
Depart after breakfast to the Castle of Vicchiomaggio, a 15th-century stronghold Leonardo da Vinci stayed within during his painting of the Mona Lisa. Discover the steps of creating exquisite Italian wine, taking you from the surrounding vineyards into a cellar lined with oak barrels for a chance to savor the castle?s delicious produce. After an authentic Italian lunch, wander through hillside gardens to absorb the Mediterranean climate and marvel at panoramic views across the verdant Greve valley.
Breakfast & Lunch
Day 7: Montecatini Terme
Today is at leisure, to explore the archetypal Tuscan town of Montecatini Terme in your own time.
Breakfast & Dinner
Day 8: Montecatini Terme to UK
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your scheduled flight back to the UK.
Day 1: Welcome to the Eternal City of Rome
Rome is one of the world’s most historic cities, filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, renaissance palaces and baroque churches. Transfers to your hotel depart Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 09:30, 12:30 and 15:30. Then this historic city is yours to discover. At 17:30, join your Travel Director for a uniquely Roman Welcome Dinner. Get to know your travelling companions over a relaxed evening of dinner and wine, as you join your local host for a truly Italian, home-cooked meal.
Veneto Palace Hotel, Rome.
Dinner with Wine
Day 2: Rome Sightseeing and Dinner in the Vatican
In the morning enjoy the very best of the city’s highlights including visiting the magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican with your Local Expert. Cross the Tiber river to enjoy ancient Rome. See the incredible Circus Maximus famous for its chariot races, and the iconic Colosseum. In the afternoon, enjoy special fast-tracked entry into the Vatican Museums with a Local Expert. Admire the Papal art collection and observe the stunning Museo Gregoriano Profano which documents various moments and themes in classical art, from Ancient Greece through to the late Imperial Roman age. Enter the Sistine Chapel to marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpiece on its ceiling. Then you'll be privileged to an exclusive Highlight Dinner at the Vatican's Cortile del Giardino Quadrato, whilst enjoying views of the cupola of St. Peters, or inside the Ethnological Museum, should weather permit.
Veneto Palace Hotel, Rome.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 3: Rome at Leisure Relaxed Start
Spend another day enjoying Rome at your own pace. Stroll to the boutiques of the Via del Corso and Via Nazionale or visit the elegant designer stores near the Spanish Steps. Perhaps take an Optional Experience south to the ill-fated town of Pompeii? As night falls, why not sip a glass of prosecco at a sidewalk cafe in Piazza Navona and enjoy life's pageantry pass by?
Veneto Palace Hotel, Rome.
Breakfast
Day 4: On to Florence Relaxed Start
Drive to the Chianti Hills and the city of Florence.
Hotel Roma, Florence.
Breakfast
Day 5: Florence, Birthplace of the Renaissance Relaxed Start
Explore Florence with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the Accademia Museum and see Michelangelo's David. Alternatively, wander through the market stalls on a shopping tour, enjoying all the Italian treats and finery on offer. Walk on to the multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, where Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise have been recreated in all their glory. Visit Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence and an open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. Spend time gazing at statues such as Neptune as well as Hercules and Cacus, along the front of the Palazzo Vecchio. Famous for the quality of its luxury goods like gold and leather, Piazza Santa Croce is also the perfect spot to see the basilica. Later, use your free time to shop or continue exploring at your leisure.
Hotel Roma, Florence.
Breakfast
Day 6: Pisa and the Tuscan Countryside Relaxed Start
After a leisurely morning in Florence, explore the nearby town of Pisa with a Local Expert. See the Leaning Tower, baptistery and the colonnaded bell tower, lurching out from behind the cathedral.Visit the organic farm il Poggio and join a guided walk, exploring olive oil and wine production. After taking in beautiful views of the rolling Tuscan hills, enjoy tasting the farm's fines wines and olive oil, in addition to an authentic Italian meal prepared with locally sourced ingredients.
Hotel Roma, Florence.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 7: Bologna and on to Venice
Stop in the charming city of Bologna, the historic capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Sample the flavours of the region and learn about Italian food culture over a delicious lunch with wine. Take the autostrada east to Venice, Queen of the Adriatic. Your luxurious hotel gazes out over the Giudecca Canal and an unforgettably romantic city skyline.
Hilton Molino Stucky Venice.
Breakfast, Lunch with Wine
Day 8: Venice and the Magic of ‘La Serenissima’ Relaxed Start
Your private boat takes you past historic churches and 13th century palaces to St. Mark's Square. The first sight is the pink marble of the Doge's Palace, connected to the prisons by the Bridge of Sighs. It was from here that Casanova made his daring escape. Turn the corner, and the gilded regalia of St. Mark's Basilica comes into view. Afterwards, board a traditional gondola for a serenade along the romantic canals. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to a traditional arts centre. See how beautiful handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding traditional skills. This afternoon there is plenty of time to explore the museums, galleries and churches or browse through the shops on the Rialto Bridge. Perhaps cruise out to some of the other islands in the lagoon to experience the age-old lifestyle of Venetian fishermen and lace-makers.
Hilton Molino Stucky Venice.
Breakfast
Day 9: Venice at Leisure Relaxed Start
Who could refuse another day to take in the unique atmosphere of this wonderful city? Lose yourself in the back lanes and quiet squares, where tourists seldom tread and the Venetians go about their daily lives. Maybe visit some of the 90 churches housing masterpieces of Venetian art or explore the modern artworks in the Guggenheim? Perhaps relax at a canal-side cafe sipping local wine or sample delicious lagoon-fresh fish?Later, board a traditional gondola for a serenade through the romantic canals.This evening, stroll past the entrance doors of the famous Opera House to La Fenice restaurant for a magical Celebration Dinner. Indulge in traditional Venetian dishes that are enriched with inspiration from seasonal produce.
Hilton Molino Stucky Venice.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 10: Arrivederci Venice
Alas, you must bid farewell to this enchanting city. Your departure transfer arrives at Venice Marco Polo Airport at 08:00 and 09:30.
Breakfast
