Destination Country: Italy
Regions/Cities include: Vicopisano Pisa Volterra San Gimignano Cinque Terre Livorno Florence Lucca Venice	Activities include: Sightseeing & discovery in a small group

Tuscany + Venice

Escorted ex Auckland.  Live like a local in a Tuscan village!  Includes Medieval Festival celebrations, cooking class, truffle hunt, history, architecture, shopping and much more.

 

Saturday 29th Aug  |  Depart Auckland

We depart from Auckland and fly through to Italy.

 

Sunday 30th Aug  |  Vicopisano, Tuscany                                                                                                              (D)

On arrival in Pisa we’ll meet our hosts Massimo & Jon and transfer to the village of Vicopisano.  This small Brunelleschi medieval village is fortified by walls and towers and is located between the Arno river and Monte Pisano slopes - the perfect place to base ourselves in Tuscany.   This evening enjoy an aperitivo and supper in the piazza.

Our accommodation for the next 10 nights is Villa Lenzi.  The villa is set in landscaped gardens on a Linden tree avenue leading in to the village of Vicopisano.  There are six spacious ensuite bedrooms and a well-equipped kitchen and lounge opening out to a huge patio just perfect for entertaining.  Beautiful views of olive clad hills and Tuscany’s quintessential Cypress trees.

 

Monday 31st Aug  |  Vicopisano                                                                                                                             (B,T,L,D)

After an easy start to the day, we venture out to the local olive mill for an oil tasting and light lunch.

This evening we’ll dine “under the stars” at a local restaurant.

 

Tuesday 01st Sep  |  Pisa                                                                                                                                        (B,D)

Ride the local bus to Pisa where we have a guided walking tour of the city and time to climb the famous Leaning Tower for a fabulous view of this picturesque city.  This evening roll up your sleeves and learn to make an authentic pizza at the local pizzeria.

 

Wednesday 02nd Sep  |  Volterra & San Gimignano                                                                                             (B,L)

Today we visit two stunning Tuscan hilltop towns.  San Gimignano is famous for its central piazza and medieval houses & towers just perfect for a gentle stroll around; and Volterra a walled town with the fabulous Palazzo dei Priori with its medieval frescoes and a bell tower with expansive views.  In between towns we’ll enjoy a tasty Tuscan farm lunch at a vineyard.

 

Thursday 03rd Sep  |  Cinque Terre                                                                                                                        (B)

We have a big day out – heading off early by car to La Spezia where we board a boat.  The Cinque Terre is famous for 5 colourful villages perched on the Cliffside of the Ligurian Sea.  Today we aim to visit  Porto Venere, Monterosso, and Vernazza where there will be time in each village for exploring the narrow streets, admiring the architecture and views, having a swim, eating lunch etc.

 

Friday 04th Sep  |  Livorno                                                                                                                                      (B,D)

We’re in for a relaxing treat today as we spend a good part of the day at an Etruscan Thermal Spa which features indoor and outdoor pools.  Optional spa treatments will be available to book.  We’ll have some time to explore the port city of Livorno known for its Renaissance-era fortifications and modern harbour which opens onto the canal-laced Venezia Nuova quarter.  Watch the sunset over an aperitivo and dinner in Livorno before returning home.

 

Saturday 05th Sep  |  Florence                                                                                                                               (B,D)

Tuscany’s capital city is blessed with many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture which we will admire on a guided walking tour.  We’ll also visit one of its most iconic sights - the Duomo, a cathedral with a terracotta-tiled dome engineered by Brunelleschi and a bell tower by Giotto. The Galleria dell'Accademia displays Michelangelo’s “David” sculpture. The Uffizi Gallery exhibits Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” and da Vinci’s “Annunciation.  Our guide will also introduce us to the joys of Italian shopping - if you’re in the market for some genuine Italian Leather and Gold, this is the place to buy.  Finish off the day with dinner in Florence.

 

Sunday 06th Sep  |  Lucca & Medieval Festival                                                                                                     (B,D)

In the morning we will explore the cobbled streets of Lucca known for the well-preserved Renaissance walls encircling its historic centre.  Broad, tree-lined pathways along the tops of these massive 16th  and 17th century ramparts are popular for walking and cycling and the shopping is pretty good here too.  This evening will be a highlight as we join the Vicopisano locals at the annual Medieval Festival to celebrate their traditions with re-enactments, music and food. The Middle Ages continue to be kept alive!

 

Monday 07th Sep  |  Truffle Hunting                                                                                                                     (B,L)

This morning we go hunting for the mysterious truffle.  Together with a master truffle dog and guide, we venture into the woods of Savaia following the dog on an exciting ramble.  After this exertion, we will no doubt be ready for a delicious lunch allowing us to taste local products with fresh truffle paired with a selection of wines from the area – an unforgettable experience for nature, wine & food lovers.  

 

Tue 08th Sep  |  Cooking class                                                                                                                                (B,D)

Free morning.  Our final afternoon will be filled with laughs as we loving put together an authentic Italian meal under the tuition of Mama.  Our Tuscan adventure is topped off with a “ciao ciao” dinner which we prepared.

 

Wed 09th  Sep  |  Vicopisano - Venice                                                                                                                   (B)

We say Addio to our hosts and take a train from Pontedera to Venice.  You will no doubt be buzzing as we get our first glimpse of this fascinating city as we wind our way through the canals to our hotel by water taxi.   Check in and freshen up before a meander through the streets and enjoy a gondola ride – the perfect way to appreciate the beauty, charm and colour of this unique city built on water. 

 

Thu 10th  Sep  |   Murano – Burano – Torcello                                                                                                      (B)

This morning we will discover the true charm of Venice with our local guide.  Starting from St Mark’s Square, we learn the history of its main monuments and have a “skip the line” entry to San Marco Basilica where we will view the fabulous Golden Altarpiece.  We’ll also visit Saint John & Paul Church  - one of the largest churches in the city where many doges (chief magistrates) are buried.  This afternoon we sail to the Venetian islands by private boat.  Murano is known throughout the world for its glass manufacturing industry and we visit a factory to see glass blowing.  We then continue to the picturesque island of Burano, famous for its lace and brightly coloured fishermens houses.  Finally, we visit Torcello, the earliest centre of civilisation in the estuary to see the Cathedral and the Church of Santa Fosca. 

 

Fri 11th Sep  |  Venice                                                                                                                                            (B)

Free day to enjoy Venice at your leisure.

 

Sat 12th  Sep  |  End                                                                                                                             (B,D)

Fly back to Auckland

 

Includes:

Return economy class airfares & taxes

Transportation

13 nights accommodation

Meals & sightseeing as specified

Escorted ex Auckland subject to minimum numbers of 10 passengers

 

Price subject to change until confirmed and paid in full