DAY 1 - Arrival
Arrival in Florence Airport or Pisa Airport and private transfer or shared transfer to a 4* hotel in Montecatini Terme
Montecatini Terme is a pleasant litte town in the heart of Tuscany close to Florence, Lucca and Pisa but also between Vinci (birthplace of great Leonardo), and Collodi (cradle of the fairytale of the famous puppet “Pinocchio”).
In this area, known as Valdinievole, we wil rediscover enchanted landscapes, villages and castles that tell us of times gone by and real jewels of art.
Arrival at the hotel and room accommodation.
In Montecatini Terme, charming spa town recently recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the circuit of the Great Spas of Europe, you will have the opportunity to take a walk in the fabulous park (la “pineta”), to visit the Tettuccio (a fascinating spa building and garden where time seems to have stopped at the time of the belle epoque), to get some beauty or relax treatment or to shopping in the streets of the center and enjoy in one of the trendy clubs.
Free time for dinner, overnight stay in hotel.
DAY 2 - Discovering Leonardo da Vinci origin’s & tasting among vineyard
Breakfast in hotel, free time in the morning and departure to Vinci in the afternoon.
Have you ever wondered where the great Leonardo da Vinci was born? His hometown is right a few minutes from Montecatini Terme! You will have the opportunity to learn about some history, art, and science, while also seeing the beautiful Tuscany countryside. Your escort will pick you up directly from your accommodation in Montecatini, and you will arrive in about thirty minutes. The path dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci starts from the birthplace where,according to a centuries-old tradition, he was born on Saturday, April 15,1452. The birthplace is surrounded by green hills and from here you can admire the beautiful landscape often present in the works of the artist. Here you will have the opportunity to enter the house where a life-size hologram of the artist tells an exciting tale of his extraordinary life. We continue to Vinci with its characteristic medieval alleys and panoramic views of the green hills. Vinci is a very picturesque town, you will immediately notice that most things in this town revolve around Leonardo da Vinci. Here you can have a visit on your own of the famous Museo Leonardiano inside the Castle of the Conti Guidi where you can admire the oldest collection of machines and models dedicated to the work of Leonardo. The Museum also includes the exhibition "Leonardo and painting", an educational exhibition that presents high-resolution and life-size reproductions of Leonardo’s paintings and some drawings. At the end we will walk together through the small streets of the village and visit the church of S. Croce, where we can admire the ancient baptismal font where Leonardo was baptized. On the way back we will stop at a farm for a fantastic and suggestive aperitif in the vineyard. After the exploration, simply sit back, relax, and enjoy your transportation back to Montecatini with your mind full of enchanting memories.
Overnight stay in hotel.
DAY 3 - Wine Tasting and lunch in a typical farm
Breakfast in hotel.
Late in the morning meeting with the driver in front of your accommodation and starting to a typical farm house for a wine tasting with typical products and light lunch: homemade pasta, cantuccini, vinsanto and grappa.
“An unforgettable taste and smell experience with an incredible wine tasting in an authentic Tuscan location. A farm rooted in the territory since 1963, which, thanks to hard work hard work and passion, has become an international reality”
Return in hotel with shuttle service.
Free time at your disposal.
Free time for dinner, overnight stay in hotel.
DAY 4 - An unforgettable day in Tuscany: Siena, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni & Chianti
Breakfast at the hotel and departure by private car or minivan to Florence.
Your excited journey begins with a shuttle service from your accommodation in Montecatini Terme to the meeting point in Florence: at 7:15 a.m. you will find your driver waiting for you just outside your hotel of Montecatini Terme. In about an hour by drive you will be taken to Florence, where you will meet the guide and the fully fitted coach, which from 8:45 will lead you to discover Tuscany. Explore the unspoiled beauty of Tuscany! Medieval towns, rolling hills, and fine wines will make your day unforgettable!
Through the enchanting hills of Chianti, the first stop is the fantastic medieval village of MONTERIGGIONI, with its walls still perfectly intact. Walking through the cobble streets, you will feel like you are traveling through time in the Middle-Age era. You will have time to enjoy a more modern espresso or cappuccino before heading to your next destination!
Your tour will continue to SIENA, famous for its splendid examples of Gothic architecture and its Palio horse race, an annual tradition. You will have free time for an unforgettable walk at your leisure through the famous Piazza del Campo, where the magnificent Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia stand and through all the historic centre. But do not forget to head to Piazza del Duomo and admire the Cathedral, one of the finest achievements of Italian Gothic architecture.
Leaving Siena, the next stop will be in SAN GIMIGNANO, famous for its white wine and its towers, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO! Enjoy some free time for your visit, strolling through the streets and admiring the beautiful landscapes
Finally, you will spend some time in the heart of CHIANTI, with its landscapes. After learning the secrets of the Chianti wine making process from the expert owner of the wine estate, let's have a taste of the high quality wines, local snacks, and fresh olive oils.
On the way back to Florence, some of the most beautiful memories of the history and beauty of Tuscany will remain with you.
On your return you will be dropped off in Florence. We suggest to return to Montecatini Terme by train. Florence Railway Station is 500 meters far from the arrival point in Florence.
Free time for dinner, overnight stay in hotel.
DAY 5 - Florence: Food Walking Tour
Breakfast in hotel and departure (on your own) by train to Florence. At 11 a.m. you will have the meeting with a professional guide, in order to discover Florence in an unusual way.
You will immerse yourselves in the city's culinary tradition on a walking tour dedicated to discovering the historical flavours and aromas of Florence.
Our guide will be waiting for you in Piazza Duomo, from where you will embark on a journey to discover the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and its Monumental Complex.
Walking through the streets of the historic centre, you will get a sense of the real Florence, in a fusion of art, history and culture, and culinary traditions rooted since the Middle Ages.
The first stage in the discovery of flavours is dedicated to the wine shops, where we will stop to enjoy a platter of cold meats, cheeses, bruschetta and a few glasses of wine typical of the Chianti area, a vast area of the Florentine hills where some of the world's finest wines are produced.
Then, walking through the streets of the center, we will reach the medieval village of Dante, where among the tower-houses you will taste the typical Florentine lampredotto, a dish of the poor appreciated throughout the region.
After the 'salty' treat, last but not least, you will taste the real Florentine artisanal ice cream: you will choose two flavours to taste and you can experience completely innovative flavors without forgetting about the product's tradition and history.
Way back to Montecatini Terme on your own by train.
Free time for dinner, overnight stay in hotel.
DAY 6 - End of the tour
Breakfast in hotel and private or shared transfer to Florence Airport or Pisa Airport.
Bye bye Tuscany
PLEASE NOTE: the order of visits may change depending on the day of departure of the tour.
