Villages and Culture

Tour of Tuscany, in the heart of the green: the timeless beauties

5 days full of history, art and culture for an unforgettable tour in Tuscany. You will visit and walk through the streets of the most beautiful historical centers in the region and you will be enchanted. 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 discovery of 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

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 Lucca

In the morning visit guided [only outdoors] of 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 in 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 Mansi built by the famous architect F. Juvarra.

Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Day 3 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 !! 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, situated 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 [admission 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 passerby 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.
I’m going back to the hotel.

Day 4 Cinque Terre

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 easternmost, 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 the colors of the ancient fishing village.

Free lunch.

In the afternoon departure for a walk in Portovenere.

I’m going back to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Day 5 Pisa – Departure

Check-Out. 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 TASTING

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 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.

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 hotel, with breakfast;
Half board [dinners in a restaurant or hotel];
Typical "Garfagnina" dinner with a tasting of local cuisine products in the restaurant;
The meals indicated in the program;
Drinks with meals;
Guided tours and excursions, as scheduled in the program;
The entrances, where foreseen in the program;
Taxes and service rates;
An Assistant / Accompanist of the organizing agency, for the entire duration of the tour;

Not included

Return transfers from the starting points to the hotel;
Bus transfers, during all tours, where foreseen in the program;
Meals not mentioned or defined as free;
Single room supplement: € 120 for the whole tour [on request];
Full board supplement: € 96 for the whole tour [on request];
Optional visits and excursions;
Unspecified admissions [admissions to: museums, villas, castles, monuments and archaeological excavations and parks are not included, even when the visit is scheduled, inside buildings that require paid admission [for optional excursions the entrances are instead excluded].
Medical luggage insurance;
Insurance against cancellation penalties;
Insurance, unspecified, which are all optional [ask for detailed information at the agency];
Local tourist taxes, where applicable;
Tips and extras of all kinds and of a personal nature;
Anything not expressly indicated nor the item "The fee 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

555 €

Book A Holiday Idea

TOUR 5 Days/4 Nights

DEPARTURES

Period April/October

SELECTED STRUCTURE

SUPPLEMENTS

REDUCTIONS

The price is expressed in Euros. Means per person and with accommodation in a double room. The basic price refers to the departure date.

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