Treasures of Tuscany

Day 1: UK/Pisa
Today you’ll depart on your flight to Pisa. On arrival you’ll transfer to your hotel which is in the spa town of Chianciano Terme, in the province of Siena. This popular resort boasts spa parks, lovely public gardens and mineral water said to be enriched with healing properties. At your hotel, where you will stay for seven nights, you will be invited to a tasting of local wines and olive oil by your friendly hosts.

Day 2: Montepulciano, Pienza & Bagni Vignoni
During your holiday you are free to relax in your resort or join your Tour Manager on our superb range of excursions. Today we offer a full-day optional tour of Montepulciano, Pienza and Bagni Vignoni.

Built along a narrow limestone ridge 2,000 feet above sea level, Montepulciano is encircled by walls and fortifications from the 16th century and the streets inside are crammed with Renaissance-style palaces and churches. However, the town is chiefly known for the locally produced vino nobile, an excellent red wine made primarily from the Sangiovese grape variety and then aged in oak barrels for at least two years. It would be a shame not to sample some while you are here!

Your tour continues on to Pienza, which is surrounded by a patchwork of vineyards, orchards and fields which are dotted with villas, castles and small villages. It’s also known for its pecorino cheese, probably the best produced in Italy. You’ll finish your tour in lovely Bagni Vignoni, a tiny village clustered around a Renaissance spa.

Day 3: Florence
You may choose to join today’s full-day optional excursion to Florence – Italy’s ‘Art City’ which is home to such masters as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. In the company of a knowledgeable Local Guide you will explore Florence on foot, taking a stroll across the Ponte Vecchio, which is lined with jewellery shops, before admiring the magnificent Duomo and the beautiful gothic Santa Croce church. As well as often being referred to as one of the most beautiful cities in the world and named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s a great place to indulge in a spot of shopping, so see if you can pick up a bargain among the side streets and markets.

To ensure your return to this delightful city, rub the nose of ‘Il Porcellino’, the bronze boar in Mercato Nuovo and throw a few coins into the grating at his feet.

Day 4: Montalcino and Sant’ Antimo
Today we have included a three-quarter-day excursion to help you get the most out of this beautiful region.

If you want to see a classic Tuscan hilltlop town offering picture-postcard views at every turn then this excursion is for you, as Montalcino is exactly that. During your visit you will see the fascinating Abbey at Sant’ Antimo which dates back to the 9th century – you may also hear the chanting of the monks who still live here.

Day 5: Pisa and Lucca
The Leaning Tower of Pisa took 176 years to complete and began to lean shortly after construction. View this famous structure on today’s optional full-day excursion. You’ll also see the Duomo, the Baptistry and the Monumental Cemetery which sit alongside it in the Field of Miracles.

Your tour continues to the perfectly preserved walled town of Lucca. Boasting walkable Renaissance-era ramparts and plenty of fascinating architecture, including a tree-topped tower, this is a beautiful place to visit and its compact centre is easily explored on foot.

Day 6: San Gimignano and Siena
For further exploration of the area join our optional full-day visit to the charming medieval hilltop towns of San Gimignano and Siena, which have barely changed since the Middle Ages.

San Gimignano, one of the loveliest towns in Tuscany, is also known as the ‘town of beautiful towers’ due to the vast numbers that were built here by feuding families as status symbols in medieval times.

Siena’s medieval town centre is one of the most perfectly preserved in Europe. You’re sure to be enchanted by the spectacular fan-shaped Piazza del Campo, which is the setting for the exciting and colourful Palio horse race, which is held twice a year.

Day 7: Chianciano Terme
Spend today at leisure. You may choose to explore Chianciano Terme further or make full use of your hotel’s facilities, which include a wellness centre with a thermal pool.

Day 8: Pisa/UK
Today you’ll transfer to Pisa where you will take your flight back to the UK.

Please note
To maximise your enjoyment of this holiday a certain amount of walking is essential.

Accommodation is of a comfortable standard, typical of the hotel you will stay in is:

3-star Hotel Villa Ricci in Chianciano Terme
Set against a beautiful landscape, Chianciano overlooks Mount Cetona, Lake Chiusi, Montepulciano and Trasimeno. Hotel amenities include a restaurant and bar, lift, terrace and thermal pool in the wellness centre. All bedrooms feature en suite facilities, hairdryer and air-conditioning. Please note: There is an extra charge (payable locally) to use the thermal pool.

Hotels will be confirmed in your final documentation.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Included excursions and visits

Montalcino & Sant’ Antimo (three-quarter day)

Optional excursions

Montepulciano, Pienza and Bagni Vignoni (full day, moderate walking) £51
For full details of this excursion please see page 17 of our Italy Optional Excursions booklet

Florence (full day, moderate walking) £65
For full details of this excursion please see page 12 of our Italy Optional Excursions booklet

Pisa and Lucca (full day, moderate walking) £56
For full details of this excursion please see page 18 of our Italy Optional Excursions booklet

San Gimignano and Siena (full day, moderate walking) £59
For full details of this excursion please see page 18 of our Italy Optional Excursions booklet

Your holiday includes

Scheduled flights
The services of a Travelsphere Tour Manager and Local Guides
Overseas transfers and other transportation
7 nights’ accommodation
Half-board basis
Hotel porterage (one bag per person)
All airport taxes and security charges
UK Airline Passenger Duty
All state and local taxes

With 50 years’ experience in arranging escorted tours to exciting destinations across the globe, Travelsphere have built an excellent reputation founded on quality and value.

By choosing a Travelsphere escorted holiday you can travel with confidence, knowing that every aspect of your holiday has been carefully planned and arranged from start to finish. Further to this they are ATOL bonded and members of ABTA.

Travelsphere’s thorough planning of travel arrangements, itineraries and accommodation combined with the unique insight of their knowledgeable Tour Managers and Local Guides will enable you to experience the culture, traditions and hidden away places less accessible to other travellers.

Our Opinion
“Travelsphere are one of the biggest names in the Escorted Tour market. Finely tuned over the last 50 years their tours have been tried, tested and refined by thousands of customers.”