26 June - 04 July 2020 Bella Vita Italy
Day 1 - 26 June ARRIVAL IN ROME
Upon arrival at the Rome airport, you will be met by our professional English-speaking guide and transferred to the hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure.
Accommodation: HOTEL TWENTY ONE (2 Nights)
Day 2 - 27 June ROME
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and a full day at leisure to explore Rome your own way. Overnight.
Day 3 - 28 June ROME - FLORENCE - LUCCA
After breakfast this morning, depart for Florence by coach. Upon arrival in Florence, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant then we visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Historic Centre of Florence on an in-depth guided walking tour of the city. Enjoy the Piazza del Duomo, where the cathedral, tower, and baptistery exhibit the traditions of Florentine art from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. We will observe the massive and detailed façade of the Duomo before viewing the baptistery’s bronze doors, designed by Ghiberti and which Michelangelo commented were worthy to be the “Gates of Paradise.” Spend time in the Piazza della Signoria, an open-air museum of sculpture and walk in the streets of Florence to learn more about the history of this city. Continue to Lucca for your overnight.
Accommodation: HOTEL ILARIA & RESIDENCE DELL'ALBA (3 Nights)
Day 4 - 29 June LUCCA
After breakfast and some free time this morning, meet your guide and depart for your "Eat Like a Local" tour of Lucca. To live like a local is to eat like a local! Discover the hidden corners of medieval Lucca while tasting authentic local treats and sweets, chocolate and a selection of cured meats. You will also try some local drinks along the way while you learn about the city's artisan traditions. The remainder of your afternoon is at leisure. This evening, take par in a Pasta Making demonstration with dinner. The chef will show how to prepare and shape fresh pasta and the typical Toredelli from Lucca.
Day 5 - 30 June LUCCA - PISA - LUCCA
Infamous and impossible to miss, the Leaning Tower of Pisa in the UNESCO world heritage site Piazza dei Miracoli is a staggering sight and our first stop today. Climb up the world famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, located in Piazza del Duomo next to the 11th century Cathedral and the Baptistery. After some free time in Pisa, we visit a local winery for a tour and tasting. Afterwards, we'll travel back to Lucca for one more overnight.
Day 6 - 01 July LUCCA - SAN GIMIGNANO - CHIANTI
Today we will head to San Gimignano, home to a magnificent piazza, meandering stepped streets and some beautifully preserved architecture. Here we will visit Gelateria Dondoli to sample the creations of a master gelato maker before carrying on to Fattoria San Donato for an indulgent wine tasting complete with bruschetta and local meats and cheeses. After taking in the town's head turning historic centre, we'll continue to our villa in Chianti. This evening, enjoy a 3-course dinner at the villa where we overnight.
Accommodation: VILLA SAN LUCCHESE(3 Nights)
Day 7 - 02 July CHIANTI -SIENA - CHIANTI
After breakfast this morning, depart for Siena and it’s UNESCO world heritage site historic centre. On arrival, enjoy a walking tour of the town. After the tour we’ll have a short time for lunch and shopping of course! Some of the most important Italian artists and poets walked these streets: Dante, Leonardo, Boccaccio and Petrarca. Popes and bankers (Monte dei Paschi di Siena is the oldest bank in the world!) Then depart for a Tuscan lunch at a local farm with tasting of the famous Pecorino Cheese. After, continue back to Chianti to our villa where we will enjoy dinner together.
Day 8 - 03 July CHIANTI
Spend the morning at your own leisure. This afternoon meet your guide and depart for a Chianti Winery for a tour and tasting. This evening, at the villa, you are cordially invited to the kitchen where you will roll up your sleeves and put on your apron. The villa's chef will treat you to an exclusive lesson in making Tuscan delicacies before you sit down to savor the fruits of your labors for diner.
Day 9 - 04 July CHIANTI - FLORENCE
Sadly, we have to say goodbye to the villa this morning. -- After breakfast transfer to the Florence airport for your return flight home.