Nature and Trekking
Tuscany tour, in the heart of greenery and Cinque Terre, enchanted landscapes: art, nature, sea
8 days on a journey that allows you to get to know one of the undisputed protagonists of the Italian tourist panorama: Tuscany. The landscapes, the artistic heritage and important cities make it a unique region in the world, full of amazing views and artistic masterpieces created by the greatest masters of Humanism and the Renaissance, characters who have left their indelible mark in the field of architecture and art of all times. This beautiful itinerary is enriched both by an excursion to discover the scenic Cinque Terre, a territory where sea, sky and earth merge to form an area of suggestive beauty, and by the discoveryof the landscape of flavors, where nature is the undisputed protagonist of every itinerary, the Garfagnana.
Programme
Day 1 Departure – Lucca
In the early afternoon, I arrive in Lucca by own means. Transfer to the hotel (https://www.grandhotelguinigi.it/experience-toscana/). Check in. Accommodation in reserved rooms. Presentation of the program by one of our representatives.
- Dinner and overnight.
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS
PISTOIA optional excursions
In addition to the visits and excursions included in the program, it is possible to make some optional excursions always with a guided tour, of which we provide some useful information:
In the morning guided tour [only outdoors] of Pistoia, which became a settlement after the Romans reclaimed the surrounding marshes. Longobard and surrounded by walls between the sec. VI and VIII, it became a free municipality since 1117, when it erected a second wall perimeter, trying in vain to oppose Florence, which in the 14th century helped to rebuild the walls it destroyed.
Day 2 Garfagnana
In the morning transfer for the guided tour [only outdoors] of Garfagnana, a region of the province of Lucca. Following the Serchio from the surroundings of Lucca towards the Garfagnana, we will climb to a height such as to meet the first chestnut woods, a culture documented in this area since the early Middle Ages. To understand the territory and discover unique realities of their kind immediately a surprise !! [ticket included in the fee]: from here begins our guided tour.
During his visit, a stop in Borgo a Mozzano where we can admire the beautiful Ponte del Diavolo, an exceptional example of medieval architecture that connects the two banks of the Serchio river.
Continuation for the visit [only outside] of Barga, an interesting medieval center still well preserved: visit of the Romanesque cathedral, located in a panoramic position with a view of the Apennine mountains and the Apuan Alpsand recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
- Free lunch.
In the afternoon we will reach the Verrucole Fortress, which we will visit [ticket included in the fee]. It is one of the most beautiful examples of a medieval Tuscan castle as well as a perfectly successful conservative restoration. Already in the distance its walls seem to order the passer-by to pay homage to his power. Once at the top we enjoy the panoramic view over the whole surrounding area.
Another surprise !! … will welcome us shortly thereafter.
After that we reach a mill.
- We will visit the mill and the farro processing plant;
- We will discover the processing of fruit for the preparation of typical jams.
Continue with the guided tour of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. We will visit [only outside] theRocca Ariostesca which in the sixteenth century hosted the poet Ludovico Ariosto for three years, who had been appointed governor of the province of Garfagnana.
Walk on the “Via dell’Ariosto” in the city center.
- Typical “Garfagnina” dinner with a tasting of local cuisine products.
- Return to the hotel, overnight.
Day 3 Lucca
In the morning visit guided [only outside] the elegant and refined Lucca, a splendid city of art, begins with a very pleasant walk along the famous sixteenth-century walls, shaded by large trees, which enclose the ancient city center. We will also visit the medieval Church of San Francesco, with the large 13th century mosaic on the facade, the amazing Piazza Anfiteatro, modeled on the ruins of the Roman Amphitheater of the 2nd century AD, the Guinigi Tower, the Museum Complex of the Cathedral and the Church of San John, the typical street of antique dealers and the churches of San Michele in Foro and San Frediano.
Free time at your disposal for the shopping streets.
- Free lunch.
In the afternoon guided tour [only outside] of the Lucca Villas the immediate surroundings of the city, summer residences of the most important noble families of Lucca and distinguished foreign guests including: Villa Torrigiani, with a scenic facade and a very beautiful and well-kept garden;
Villa Bernardini, with the lemon-house and the green garden [a real stage of a theater]; Villa Grabau to admire the remains of the ancient villa remodeled in the 19th century but which retains all the main characteristics of a villa in Lucca, the 19th-century frescoes and the beautiful park.Villa Mansibuilt by the famous architect F. Juvarra.
- Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.
The marble quarries of Carrara, famous all over the world for its precious marble obtained from the majestic Apuan Alps, rich in marble basins, since the imperial age up to the present day have given art, design and industry the raw material for the creation of famous masterpieces of sculpture and architecture.
An exciting Exclusive Tour to discover the famous quarries and the world of quarrymen: an adventure that leaves its mark!
The Marble Quarries in a 4×4 Jeep!
8 seats each with guide
(Over 16 people max 24 people)
Transfer on 4 × 4 jeeps that will take you to discover the most famous marble quarries in the world Fantiscritti, Miseglia, Torano. Three hours to discover this magical place where Michelangelo found the block that gave life to his famous Pietà.
if the group exceeds 24 participants, part of the group will have to choose for:
The Marble Quarries in Minivan!
8 seats each with guide
(Over 16 people max 24 people)
We will immediately head to the heart of the marble basins to visit the “Galleria Ravaccione” quarry, a guided tour of just under an hour in what is called the “Marble Cathedral” where the extraction techniques, machinery and the history of this precious material.
The Group will then head towards the square of the exclusive Lazzareschi quarry, an active open-air quarry, to find out how the marble is extracted from the mountain.
For both groups:
We will end with a Tasting directly in a Larderia in Colonnata to discover how and why the famous “Lardo di Colonnata IGP” is left to mature for a long time, an ancient food so dear to quarrymen capable of providing them with the necessary energy for such a tiring job.
- Free lunch.
In the afternoon free time available for individual visits and shopping.
- Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 5 Cinque Terre by boat
In the morning departure for La Spezia. Arrival at the port and embarkation on the boat [ticket included in the fee] which stops in all the places of the Cinque Terre.
We will visit:
- Riomaggiore, the most easternt, picturesque, situated on the steep sides of the valley of a covered stream;
- Vernazza, with the small port, the church overlooking the sea from a cliff, steep stairways, narrow alleys, arcades and loggias overlooking the village, perhaps the most beautiful of all lands;
- Monterosso, the most western, located in a basin, closed by a series of terraced hills sloping down to the sea, where olive trees, lemons and above all grapes are grown. It preserves the structure and colors of the ancient fishing village.
- Free lunch.
In the afternoon departure for a walk in Portovenere.
- Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Free lunch. Full day experiential built on[Tailor Made] size and customized according to your needs[costs not included in the fee].
VISIT GARFAGNANA EXPERIENCE, link https://www.garfagnanaexperience.com/protare-unexperience/ and, choose between:
- Excursions and Trekking
- Cycle tourism: e-bike and e-mtb
- Speleology
- Adventure Parks
- Canyoning
- Tastings
- Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 7 Pisa
In the morning guided tour [only outdoors] of Pisa. This city is much more than the famous Leaning Tower and deserves a longer visit than the irreplaceable stop at the beautiful Piazza dei Miracoli, a UNESCO heritage site. Ancient Maritime Republic, Pisa is a city born and raised along the Arno river axis.
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS
CHOCOLATE TASTINGo ptional excursions
In addition to the visits and excursions included in the program, it is possible to make some optional excursions always with a guided tour, of which we provide some useful information:
During the visit we may decide to stop at a chocolate shop for a delicious chocolate tasting[costs not included in the fee].
- Free lunch.
In the afternoon free time available for individual visits and shopping.
- Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Check-Out. Departure for the return trip to the destinations of origin.
Details
Travel notes
This programme may be subject to change, both before and during the trip, depending on the weather, the needs of the travellers and the people hosting the group of travellers. All the visits are guaranteed, but they may be subject to change, on site, respect to the order listed above, at “our” discretion, for the sole purpose to ensure the best success of the tour, but without changing the substance of the visits [ The visits may be reversed depending on the opening times of the museums or for technical reasons, but the programme remains unchanged ].
Special requests
When defining and accepting the travel contract, it is necessary to indicate the presence of people requiring special diets or with reduced mobility in order to be able to verify the services and the possibility of assistance.
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These are necessary
For all walking tours, you will need hiking boots, a water bottle of at least one litre, a kway or poncho, a backpack of at least 20/30 litres. Spare socks or T-shirt are recommended, as well as food or energy supplements.
Level of difficulty of walking tours
The trip is suitable for people who can walk, not necessarily trained but in good health. It is not suitable for children.
The price includes
- Overnight stay with accommodation in the agreed facility: hotel/farm/ B&B/holiday house
- Half board: breakfast and dinner in a restaurant, or hotel
- Lunches indicated in the programme
- Drinks at meals
- Guided tours and excursions as provided in the programme
- Tastings, provided for in the programme
- Entrances, if included in the programme
- Train tickets, provided for in the programme
- Taxes and service charges
- One Assistant/Companion for the duration of the tour
Not included
- Transfers to/from places of residence
- Transfers during the tour
- Transfers to/from train stations
- Meals not mentioned or defined as free
- Optional visits and excursions
- Entrances not specified
- Medical and baggage insurance and cancellation insurance
- Optional insurance
- Local tourist taxes, where applicable
- Tips and extras of any kind and of a personal nature
- Anything not expressly indicated under "The price includes".
Methods of payment
- DEPOSIT: € ___, within 7 days of registration
- BALANCE: no later than 21 days before the date of departure: € ___, by ___________
Cancellation
CANCELLATION BY THE TRAVELLER:
FOR ANY VOLUNTARY CANCELLATIONS THE FOLLOWING PENALTIES WILL APPLY:
- CANCELLATIONS UP TO 15 DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE: 50% PENALTY
- CANCELLATIONS FROM 14 DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE: 100% CANCELLATION FEE
CANCELLATION WITHOUT PENALTY: within ___________
Price
FROM
985 €
Book A Holiday Idea
TOUR 8 Days/7 Nights
DEPARTURES
Period 01.05./15.10
- Dates on request
SELECTED STRUCTURE
- GRAND HOTEL GUINIGI
SUPPLEMENTS
- Single room for the whole tour: € 80 [on request].
- Tourist tax is not included in the rates and will be paid directly on site
REDUCTIONS
- Third bed for adults: on request
- Children sharing a room with two adults: on request
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