Secret Gem of Tuscany
Cuisine, culture, and the countryside
Your Tuscan dream come true! Take a magical journey through the hilly countryside, spotted with terracotta-roofed villas and picture-perfect medieval towns. With your own car throughout your vacation, you'll have the freedom to visit any city, town, or vineyard your heart desires. Spend days in Florence, Siena, Lucca, Cinque Terre, and more! Pave your own path through this food and wine wonderland.
What's Included
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Rome (FCO)
- Manual economy car rental for the duration - automatic available for upgrade
- 5 nights in Montecatini at Hotel Montebello or similar
- 2 night near Rome at Hotel Midas or similar
- Breakfast daily
Great Ways to Explore
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Climb up to the top of the Duomo in Florence! For more good views, bring a bottle of wine to Piazzale Michelangelo.
- Walk the stone streets of San Gimignano and feel like you're in a medieval storybook.
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Drive through Tuscany's rolling countryside, filled with villas and vineyards. Be sure to check out Chianti and Montepulciano!
-
Visit the old villages of Cinque Terre and stroll through the streets of Siena!
-
Sit back and relax with a traditional Aperol spritz in Lucca.
What do your dreams of Tuscany look like? Are you driving along hilly roads lined with terra-cotta villas and Cypress trees? Are you sipping local wine while dipping crusty bread in fresh olive oil? Or, are you strolling through medieval towns and soaking up Renaissance history? If your answer is, well, all of that, you've found the right package!
On this unforgettable journey, you'll enjoy the freedom of having your very own car in Tuscany. Feel free to roam far and wide, from Florence, Lucca, and Sienna, to San Gimignano, Cinque Terre, and other small vineyard towns! Because you'll be staying near Rome for one night, you'll also be able to explore the city, if you wish. Treat yourself to local specialties, such as pasta alla carbonara, ribolita, chicken liver pate, and bistecca Fiorentina. Sip local Tuscan wines and, of course, indulge in creamy gelato! When in Tuscany...!
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Enhance your vacation with:
For $99 per person, add the following to your vacation:
- Castello Di Meleto Wine Tasting
- Florence Walk and Talk Tour
- Wine Tasting and Wine Pair Food Class at Tenuta Torciano
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Rome (FCO)
- Manual economy car rental for the duration - automatic available for upgrade
- 5 nights in Montecatini at Hotel Montebello or similar
- 2 night near Rome at Hotel Midas or similar
- Breakfast daily
-
Climb up to the top of the Duomo in Florence! For more good views, bring a bottle of wine to Piazzale Michelangelo.
- Walk the stone streets of San Gimignano and feel like you're in a medieval storybook.
-
Drive through Tuscany's rolling countryside, filled with villas and vineyards. Be sure to check out Chianti and Montepulciano!
-
Visit the old villages of Cinque Terre and stroll through the streets of Siena!
-
Sit back and relax with a traditional Aperol spritz in Lucca.
What do your dreams of Tuscany look like? Are you driving along hilly roads lined with terra-cotta villas and Cypress trees? Are you sipping local wine while dipping crusty bread in fresh olive oil? Or, are you strolling through medieval towns and soaking up Renaissance history? If your answer is, well, all of that, you've found the right package!
On this unforgettable journey, you'll enjoy the freedom of having your very own car in Tuscany. Feel free to roam far and wide, from Florence, Lucca, and Sienna, to San Gimignano, Cinque Terre, and other small vineyard towns! Because you'll be staying near Rome for one night, you'll also be able to explore the city, if you wish. Treat yourself to local specialties, such as pasta alla carbonara, ribolita, chicken liver pate, and bistecca Fiorentina. Sip local Tuscan wines and, of course, indulge in creamy gelato! When in Tuscany...!
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Enhance your vacation with:
For $99 per person, add the following to your vacation:
- Castello Di Meleto Wine Tasting
- Florence Walk and Talk Tour
- Wine Tasting and Wine Pair Food Class at Tenuta Torciano
Day 1. Welcome to Montecatini!
Ahh, arrive in the land of culture and cuisine - that's right - Italy! Once you land and retrieve your bags, pick up your car and get goin'. Begin your scenic drive south toward Montecatini. Depending on which route you take, you'll be passing either Bologna or Genoa, so if you have time, stop at one of those cities for a quick bite to eat!
Spend your first night relaxing and settling into your hotel.
Check-in - Hotel Montebello
Immerse yourself in the charms of Tuscany at Hotel Montebello. Perched atop the town of Pistoia, travelers will be delighted with the hotel's professionalism, amenities, and location. Placed only kilometers from Florence, Pisa, and Lucca, the property affords you the ability to explore the best of Italy at your leisure. Here, you can enjoy Tuscany without the crowds.
Peruse the morning markets in Piazza del Duomo on Wednesdays and Saturdays, or the open-air stalls open in Piazza della Sala from Monday through Saturday. Explore the underground passageways below Ospedale del Ceppo or step into your hiking boots to hike through the outdoor art museum in the 19th-century gardens of the Fattoria di Celle. Sample the city's unforgettable gastronomy or enjoy a relaxing meal at the hotel's on-site restaurant.
Day 2. Montecatini
Wake up smiling - you're in the middle of Tuscany! The opportunities are endless in this wine and food fantasyland. Today, start your morning with a day trip to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa! Around lunchtime, drive up to Lucca and see why it's high on everybody's "must-visit" list. Encircled by well-preserved Renaissance walls, the city of Lucca boasts a beautiful historic center of cobblestoned streets lined with ornate churches, cute cafes, and pretty shops. Be sure to relax with an aperitivo In Piazza Anfiteatro, a bustling plaza that was once a Roman amphitheater!
Day 3. Montecatini
After breakfast, hop in the car and take a 1-hour drive to the medieval city of Florence! This city deserves at least a full day. Gawk at the famous Duomo of Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, walk over the shop-lined Ponte Vecchio, and visit the striking 13th-century Palazzo Vecchio. Oh, and how can you visit one of the most artistic cities in the world without visiting its incredible art museums? Wander through masterpieces at the Uffizi Gallery and/or say hello to the statue of David at the Galleria dell'Accademia.
In-between sites, be sure to really take the city in. Stop for photo-ops, eat lunch at a cute trattoria, and treat yourself to some gelato in the Piazza della Repubblica.
Day 4. Montecatini
After a tasty breakfast, take a breathtaking drive down to the medieval city of Siena. This city is best known for its fan-shaped central square (Piazza del Campo), which is the site of the annual Palio di Siena horse race! Stroll through this gorgeous city and enjoy sweeping views and amazing architecture.
After lunch, drive less than an hour up to the old-world hill town of San Gimignano. Feel your jaw drop as you approach a postcard-worthy skyline of 13th-century walls and towers in the middle of the Tuscan countryside. Once you step through the city gates, you'll feel like you stepped back in time. Get lost in the beauty of the town's sky-high towers and medieval stone streets lined with boutique shops, cafes, and gelaterias.
Between towns and cities, stop off at a local Tuscan winery! Treat yourself to a wine tasting or a beautiful vineyard lunch.
Day 5. Montecatini
Recharge with breakfast, pack a small backpack, and take a 1-1/2-hour drive to the picture-perfect coastal villages of Cinque Terre. Sip local wine by the teal waters of the Italian Riviera, treat yourself to some fresh seafood, and walk through the candy-colored buildings of this beloved National Park!
While cars are not allowed inside the park, it is easy to hop from village to village by either taking the train (3-minute rides between villages) or hiking. Wear comfortable shoes and take tons of Instagram-worthy photos!
Day 6. Montecatini - Rome
Fuel up with some breakfast, pack your bags, and drive north towards Rome! As you drive, stop along the way and take in the breathtaking Tuscan countryside.
Upon arrival at your final hotel, settle in and enjoy a relaxing night. Explore the surrounding area or take a one-hour drive to the city of Rome! Treat yourself to an indulgent last night meal of pasta alla carbonara, bistecca iorentina, or any other Tuscan specialty!
Enter the relaxing atmosphere of the Hotel Midas. Comfort begins the moment you enter the lobby. With over three hundred rooms all equipped with amenities such as a minibar, private bathroom, free WiFi, a TV, and more.
Enjoy meals in the Baiocco restaurant that serves up genuine Roman cuisine along with delicious Italian dishes and local wine. A buffet styled breakfast is served daily and you can unwind at their bar or poolside. If you're in need of tourist assitance, you can also visit their tour desk for the answers to your questions.
Located close to the GRA and in the bustling EUR district, Hotel Cristoforo Colombo's renovations are complete and ready to impress. The hotel has a large parking area, a seasonal outdoor pool, and well-appointed facilities equipped to meet your every need. The property is a complex comprised of three buildings, all refreshed with marble finishes and bright color schemes. Relax in the hotel's casually elegant bar or enjoy a meal from the restaurant. The professional staff is available around the clock to help with needs such as tour schedules, museum tickets, or even restaurant suggestions.
Day 7. Rome
Spend your day exploring the magnificent city of Rome, or all its stunning surrounding Tuscan countryside. Wander through enchanting vineyards, or take a step back in time and visit the Colosseum or the Pantheon.
Snap a photo where gladiators once battled, or lounge in the sun, soaking in the Tuscan way of life.
Day 8. Depart Italy
Savor one last Italian breakfast and then squeeze all your souvenirs into your luggage. Head to the airport, board your plane and say "ciao" to Italy. Spend your flight home dreaming about your next adventure!
Fly home!
We have selected the most economical flight schedule for you. Please note that shorter and more convenient flight options may be available at an additional cost.
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