Group tour operator for holidays to Tuscany, Italy

Depart the UK

Take a short sea ferry crossing to Calais then drive south through France, stopping overnight. The following day continue through France and on to Montecatini Terme for the next 6 nights.

Florence by Train

Board the local train in Montecatini Terme for the **journey to Florence where you will be met by a local guide for an introductory walking tour of the city.  Florence is one of Italy’s most beautiful cities and the birthplace of the Renaissance.  The main sights include the magnificent Duomo Cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the shop-lined Ponte Vecchio bridge, the Piazza della Signoria, the Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery amongst others.

Spend the rest of the exploring the city further at leisure, maybe visit one of the many museums including the Academy of Fine Arts, home to Michelangelo’s ‘David’, sample some Italian ‘gelato’ (ice-cream) or a glass of sparkling wine or wander around the multitude of shops including designer and souvenir shops.

Return to Montecatini Terme by train and enjoy dinner in the hotel this evening.

(**journey time approximately 1 hour each way)

At leisure in Montecatini Terme

After a busy day in Florence, there’s time today to relax in Montecatini Terme, a beautiful town built around its mineral water springs. Enjoy the grandeur of the buildings, stroll around the many parks and shops, or indulge yourself with a spa treatment at the Terrucio Terme. Overlooking the town is Montecatini Alto, a picturesque, medieval hilltop village. Take the quaint funicular for the 10-minute ride to the top for more superb views.

Pisa and  Lucca

Accompanied by an experienced guide, travel first to Lucca, birthplace of Puccini.  The city has retained much of its original charm and a walk around the cobbled streets of the old town will highlight the well-preserved pink-brown Renaissance ramparts that encircle the historic old town and the Duomo San Martino with a 13th century bell tower.  A visit to the Casa di Puccini museum will tell the story of the town’s most famous son, the composer Puccini.

From here continue to Pisa where the Leaning Tower is still one of Italy’s most recognisable monuments.  However, there are many other exceptional buildings in Pisa that don’t lean, including the cathedral and baptistry in Miracles Square.

Return to Montecatini Terme for dinner.

Tuscan Riviera and Carrara Marble Mountains – Scenic Drive (half or full day)

The Tuscan coast is home to some of the most exclusive beach resorts in Italy, the most popular being Viareggio, which also hosts a Spring carnival.  Recommended is a stop for coffee or lunch at the historic Gran Caffe Margherita with its colourful ceramic decorations and ornamental facade and is located on the seafront of Viareggio.

A short distance along the coast is Marina di Pietrasanta with its delightful and historic old town.  It is also known as the city of artists and has an interesting museum dedicated to marble sculpture, the Bozzetti Museum.   Continue to the chic resort of Forte dei Marmi whose stunning beach is overlooked by the marble peaks of the Apuan Alps.  See its well-known pier formerly used for the loading of marble extracted from quarries and loaded directly onto ships,  the Fort that gives the area its name and the iconic wooden bathing cabins.

Siena, San Gimignano and Wine Tasting

Again, accompanied by an experienced guide,  drive south to visit Siena, famous worldwide for the epic ‘Palio’ horse race that takes place in the heart-shaped Piazza del Campo in July and August. The town is largely unchanged from its 14^th-century heyday with fine buildings such as the Town Hall and Mangia Tower.

Continue to San Gimignano, a well preserved medieval town famous for its skyline of 14 grey stone towers. For the energetic a climb to the top of the Torre Grossa, the town’s highest tower, offers exceptional views across the town.

On the return to Montecatini Terme, a stop will be made at a local winery for a visit and tasting of the famous Chianti wine.

Return to UK

It’s time to leave Tuscany.  Travel north into France for an overnight stop before continuing to Calais the next day for the short sea crossing to the UK.