DESTINATION

Tuscany, located in the heart of Italy, stands as one of the most coveted destinations for travelers worldwide. This enchanting region offers a perfect blend of history, art, and breathtaking landscapes, making it an absolute paradise for those seeking an unforgettable experience. From the traces left by the Etruscans and the grandeur of the Roman Empire to the magnificent masterpieces of the Renaissance, Tuscany proudly preserves an unparalleled collection of art that has captivated visitors for centuries. Paintings, sculptures, frescoes, and architectural marvels adorn this land, showcasing the ingenuity and creativity of the ages. Tuscany beckons with diverse attractions, attracting a myriad of visitors. Art enthusiasts immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage, while nature lovers find solace in the awe-inspiring countryside. Food connoisseurs and wine enthusiasts flock to the region, eager to indulge in the delectable cuisine and exquisite wines. Tuscany truly has something to offer everyone who sets foot on its mesmerizing soil. As you delve deeper into its allure, you will uncover the extraordinary charms that make Tuscany an irresistible destination. Embark on a journey of discovery and let Tuscany weave its magic upon you.

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Main program includes:

• Round trip airfare from Tampa (TPA) airport. Airline taxes and fuel surcharges are included. (Valid at present time)

• First class hotel accommodations at the Francia & Quirinale Hotel in Montecatini (7 nights); or similar hotels including hotel tax and service charges.

• Services of an English-speaking tour manager throughout the program.

• Deluxe air-conditioned motor coach transportation for all transfers, tours and guided excursions.

• Guided tours, admissions and entrance fees as per program in itinerary.

• Wine Tasting

• Cooking Class

• Daily Breakfast, 1 lunch, 4 dinners (mineral water, soft drinks or a glass of wine/beer are included when available)

• All VAT city and local Tax, baggage handling at hotels. (Based on one bag per person).

• Headsets on guided tour

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Optional:

• Rome 2-night Pre Tour: Featuring full day tour of Imperial Rome and the Vatican Museums.

• Lake Garda 4-night Post Tour: Featuring Bologna, Lake Garda, Winery, Verona and Vicenza.

ITINERARY:

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Day 1: Oct 12- Departure from the USA on your overnight flight to Italy.

 

Day 2: Oct 13: Florence / Montecatini: Upon arrival at Florence airport, proceed through customs and collect your luggage. A Jet Vacations professional guide will personally greet you. Departure and transfer by deluxe coach to your hotel centrally located in Montecatini. Montecatini is an exclusive world- renowned spa resort, famed for its spring waters, thermal baths and numerous spa treatments for centuries. Beyond the array of fine spas featuring treatments old and new, today’s visitors come for the shopping, dining and sporting offerings, as well. After check in and some time for a rest your tour guide will take you on an orientation tour of Montecatini. Enjoy welcome dinner at the hotel tonight. (Dinner)

 

Day 3: Oct 14: Montecatini / Siena & San Gimignano/ Montecatini: After breakfast at the hotel, depart for your full-day excursion to Tuscany’s true gems. Our first stop is Siena, set in the most beautiful Tuscan countryside of rolling hills, lush vines and gray-green olive trees, Siena offers much to see, from the fine palaces that line the narrow-cobbled streets and the superb Duomo, to the celebrated Piazza del Campo where the famed Palio horserace is run yearly. Enjoy a guided tour to visit the Cathedral, Piazza del Campo, Salimbeni Square, and Chigi Palace. Enjoy some free time in Siena for persona discovery and for lunch on own. Proceed to San Gimignano a town of Etruscan origin. Built by noble families, the fourteen remaining towers that lined the ramparts look like a medieval skyscraper. Return to Montecatini, dinner at hotel tonight (Breakfast, Dinner)

 

Day 4: Oct 15: Montecatini / Optional tour Pisa / Montecatini: Have breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy the day at leisure to relax or indulge in a spa treatment in Montecatini. If you want to get what must be the most iconic photo in Italy, Pisa’s your place, join us to the optional half day tour to Pisa. Yes, the Leaning Tower is spectacular even more so in person than in pictures, but there’s much more to Pisa than that: the medieval city also boasts an 11th-century Duomo chock-full of gorgeous art, the elaborate Baptistery, and beautiful palaces. Also included is a nice lunch at a local place. Enjoy a guided tour and some free time. Afternoon at leisure in Montecatini. (Breakfast, Lunch if on optional tour)

 

Day 5: Oct 16: Montecatini / Florence / Montecatini: After breakfast at the hotel, we depart to discover Florence, sublime birthplace of the Renaissance. It is full to bursting with elegant squares, imposing palaces, magnificent churches, and museums displaying riches conceived by some of the most famous names in the history of art and architecture enjoy a guided tour of Florence. See the Cathedral, whose gigantic “cupola” is the symbol of Florence’s artistic achievements, the Baptistery (from outside) with its fine bronze doors adorned with the famous gates of Paradise and the Piazza della Signoria. Enjoy an included lunch at local restaurant for special Florentine dishes. Time at leisure in the afternoon to explore on own, you may visit important museums, Uffizi Gallery or Accademia Gallery or simply stroll along the narrow picturesque streets of central Florence and do some shopping. Return to Montecatini, dinner at leisure. (Breakfast, Lunch)

 

Day 6: Oct 17: Montecatini/ Chianti / Montecatini: After breakfast, we explore the Chianti Region. A perfect work of art, so beautiful as a whole that it is impossible to decide which component is the most memorable: the gorgeous grapes shining in the sun, the forest green hills, the ancient villas decorating the landscape, the richness of typical products, great food, superb wine, cultural visits, or easy relaxing. We will have an early dinner today at a local winery and have the chance to learn the secrets of wine production and taste some great regional dishes. Return to Montecatini in the evening. (Breakfast, Dinner)

 

Day 7: Oct 18: Montecatini / Optional Tour Cinque Terre / Montecatini: Breakfast at hotel. Join us on optional Full Day tour to Cinque Terre, one of the most beautiful areas of the Liguria Region, on the Mediterranean Sea. These “five lands” are suspended between sea and earth and are nestled in the cliffs, overlooking the sea and green hills. Developed in isolation through the ages as they could only be reached by sea, the small medieval fishing ports remain architecturally intact. They represent one of the best-preserved natural areas of the Mediterranean, and are recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Today, they are a National Park and Protected Marine Area with the aim of securing, not only its environment safety, but also its great cultural heritage. We will proceed by motor coach and train with magnificent views of the coast. We will stop at two of the five villages to absorb their everyday life and enjoy spectacular views of the blue sea. Return to Montecatini for evening and dinner at leisure. (Breakfast)

 

Day 8: Oct 19: Montecatini / Lucca & Cooking course/ Montecatini: After breakfast we depart for a tour of Lucca. Among the richest cities in the world for its architecture and history: destination not to be missed for those who want to go deep inside Tuscany and its artistic background. We reach Lucca where our guide awaits us for a walking guided tour. Lovely Lucca offers up cobblestoned streets and elegant palaces, elaborate churches and a ring of Renaissance-era fortification walls that have been turned into biking and walking paths. For music aficionados, it also happens to be where the composer Giacomo Puccini was born. The Guinigi Tower, the Cathedral of Lucca, the Amphitheatre Square: our guided tour in Lucca will teach you the soul of the city with a pleasant stroll through the picturesque streets of the old town. After touring Lucca, we reach our local farm for a journey into culinary traditions. Our chef will teach us the secrets of some great local recipes. Enjoy a cooking course and taste some great food to celebrate your farewell dinner. Return to Montecatini in the evening. (Breakfast, Dinner)

 

Day 9: Oct 20: Florence / U.S.: After breakfast, transfer to Florence airport for your return flight back home. Arriverderci! (Breakfast)

 

 

PRE TOUR - ROME – 4 Days – 2 Nights

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Day 1: Oct 10: Depart the U.S. for Italy.

 

Day 2: Oct 11: Arrival Rome Piazzas Walking Tour: Arrival at Rome airport, outside customs meet your Jet Vacations guide and driver transfer to the hotel. Check in in the afternoon. Today we start our discovery of Rome with a gentle walk discovering the most traditional corners of the historical center. Passing by little Piazzas and narrow streets we reach the colorful food market at Campo De’ Fiori, an explosion of colors and flavors. See the famous Pantheon and Navona Square. Admire the imposing Trevi fountain and through a coin if you wish to come back. Evening at leisure. (Breakfast in flight)

 

Day 3: Oct 12 Rome Imperial Rome: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Later depart for a guided tour to discover the splendor of the classic Roman Empire.  Your experienced local guide will introduce to the history of Imperial Rome walking along Via dei Fori Imperiali. Visit the Roman Forum, the most important archaeological area in the city and once the center of the public life; see the Colosseum, the most famous monument of ancient Rome and an impressive testament to her past greatness. Enjoy the afternoon and evening at leisure. (Breakfast)

 

Day 4: Oct 13: Rome / Tuscany: After breakfast check out and get ready for your journey to Tuscany! (Breakfast)

 

Pre Tour price includes:
• First class hotel accommodation in Rome, two nights, Hotel Quirinale 4* or similar including tax and service charges. City tax is included.
• Baggage handling at the Hotel for your arrival and departure. (Based on one bag per person)
• Services of a professional tour director throughout the program
• Daily breakfast
• Deluxe air-conditioned motor coach transportation in for all transfers, and guided excursions
• Guided tours as per program
• Entrance fees: Roman Forum, Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel St. Peter’s Basilica
• Headsets

 

 

POST TOUR - LAKE GARDA – 5 Days – 4 Nights.

 

Day 9: Oct 20: Montecatini / Bologna / Lake Garda: Begin your day with a delightful breakfast before checking out from your hotel in Montecatini. Step aboard a luxurious motorcoach as we embark on a scenic journey to Lake Garda. Along the way, we will make a captivating stop in Bologna, a region renowned for its gastronomic excellence. Known as the Food Valley, this area is home to culinary treasures such as Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Parma Ham. Bologna, with its charming hills and Renaissance ambiance, will captivate you with its dusky red buildings, marbled-floored ancient porticoes, and wide piazzas. As the birthplace of the world's oldest university, Alma Mater Studiorum, founded in 1088, Bologna has a rich historical and cultural heritage. Explore the city on a guided tour and savor an included lunch at a local trattoria. In the late afternoon, we will arrive at Lake Garda, the largest and most picturesque of the pre-alpine lakes. Its enchanting villages, medieval castles, and lakeside promenades will leave you mesmerized. Check-in to your hotel and enjoy the evening at your leisure. (Breakfast, Lunch)

 

Day 10: Oct 21: Lake Garda & Winery: Start your day with breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a scenic tour of Lake Garda. Marvel at the breathtaking beauty of the coast and the charming towns that grace the shores of the lake. Our journey will take us to Sirmione, a place of magical atmospheres immortalized in the poems of Catullus, the ancient Roman poet. Discover the town's rich history, and don't miss the opportunity to explore the stunning villa located at the tip of the Sirmione peninsula, believed to be Catullus' birthplace. As we continue our exploration, we will delve into the renowned wine-producing areas surrounding Lake Garda, with Bardolino being a standout. Visit a local winery and indulge in a delicious early dinner perfectly paired with their exquisite wines. (Breakfast, Dinner)

 

Day 11: Oct 22: Verona: After a delectable breakfast, depart for a visit to Verona accompanied by our knowledgeable local guide. Immerse yourself in the timeless love story of Romeo and Juliet as you explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Verona is celebrated for its Roman amphitheater, the third largest in the world and still used for cultural events, and its magnificent historic buildings that have withstood the test of time since the Roman era. The city seamlessly blends ancient treasures with contemporary charm, creating a captivating atmosphere. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure in Verona before returning to your Lake Garda hotel for an evening of relaxation. (Breakfast).

 

Day 12: Oct 23: Venice: Indulge in breakfast at the hotel before we visit iconic Venice. Your private water taxi will lead you directly to central Venice. Prepare to be enchanted by the world's most romantic city as you wander through its picturesque cobblestone alleyways and through the Grand Canal. Your local guide will offer a guided walking tour of Venice and admire its hidden treasures, squares, bridges and narrow streets. Visit Piazza San Marco, see the majestic Doge’s Palace, visit St. Mark’s Basilica, a marble and golden fantasy and one of the most gorgeous containers ever built to display the relics of a saint. Spend some leisure time before returning to you Hotel (Breakfast).

 

Day 13: Oct 24: Lake Garda / U.S.: After a delightful breakfast, it's time to bid farewell to the enchanting Lake Garda. Transfer to the airport for your return flight home, taking with you cherished memories of this picturesque region. Arrivederci! (Breakfast)

 

Post Tour price includes:

• First class hotel accommodation for four nights at Lake Garda, Hotel Palace (Desenzano) 4* or similar including tax, city and service charges.

• Baggage handling at the Hotel for your arrival and departure. (Based on one bag per person)

• Services of a professional tour director throughout the program

• Daily breakfast. One lunch and one dinner with wine tasting (water and wine included)

• Deluxe air-conditioned motor coach transportation in for all transfers, and guided excursions

• Guided tours and entrance fees as per program

• Headsets

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NOTES: All taxes and fuel surcharges are included and valid at the time of printing but are subject to change. *Non Chamber Member pricing:  Add $100 per person.  The price does not include tips, travel insurance, airline luggage overage fees, passports fees, visas, optional tours that might be offered in addition to our daily included program, as well as items of a personal nature. This tour includes moderate physical activity. The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days and more leisure time. Walking tours, as well as walking slightly longer distances, up stairs or on uneven walking surfaces should be expected.