A Taste of Tuscany and Florence

Description

Tuscany needs little introduction. The birthplace of the Renaissance and an inspiration to countless artists, Tuscany isn't just beautiful scenery and historical cities, it is home to some of the best food and wine in Italy. Italian cuisine conjures up images of colourful pizzas, pasta dishes with exquisite sauces and ice cream in every flavour imaginable, but there is so much more to taste and enjoy on this fabulous holiday.

Duration
8 days
Price
from £989

An area of irresistible attraction throughout the centuries, Tuscany isn't just beautiful scenery and historical cities, it is home to some of the best food and wine in Italy.

The food here is perhaps the most varied of all the regions of Italy, with incomparable cuisine. And where better to sample the celebrated wines of Tuscany than in some of the vineyards that actually produce them? The famous reds, including Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Chianti, are the most renowned names. Tuscany also produces what is said to be the finest olive oil in the whole of Italy. For centuries the farmers here have grown and taken care of their olive trees and pressed the fruits for extra virgin olive oil. Learn to recognise a quality oil, hear about production, and finish by tasting the golden drops of Italy!

The resort of Montecatini Terme, which lies in the centre of one of Italy's loveliest regions, is our base for this leisurely holiday. Set in a valley of olive groves and surrounded by the beauty of the Tuscan landscape, Montecatini Terme has a relaxing, peaceful atmosphere. The modern resort of Montecatini Terme, renowned for its springs, spas and thermal baths, is overlooked by the ancient hilltop town of Montecatini Alto, and the two towns are connected by a funicular railway.

We have included visits to two vineyards with wine tastings, olive oil tastings and cheese tastings and two meals in local restaurants, to give you a real flavour of the 'Tastes of Tuscany'. As well as our programme of included excursions, there are also two days at leisure in Montecatini Terme, giving plenty of time for you to relax and take in the sophistication of this elegant resort with its colourful gardens, mineral spas, pavement cafes and enticing shops and boutiques.

Book this tour today from £989
Included in price
  • Return flights to Pisa from your chosen airport
  • Return transfers between Pisa airport and the hotel
  • Seven nights in the 3 star Hotel La Pia in Montecatini Terme
  • 14 Meals: 7 buffet breakfasts and 5 evening dinners in the hotel
  • 1 dinner in a local restaurant
  • Lunch at the Vicchio Maggio Wine Estate and vineyard
  • Excursion to Florence
  • Excursion to Pisa and Lucca
  • Excursion to the Chianti Countryside and Siena and San Gimignano
  • Two vineyard visits with wine tasting
  • Cheese and olive oil tastings
  • Air-conditioned coach on the excursions
  • Services of a Mistral Tour Manager
  • ATOL Protected

Accommodation

The Hotel La Pia is set in a prime location in Montecatini Terme, in a delightful little tree-lined square with a fountain. The hotel has been a favourite with Mistral guests for many years and it has a well deserved reputation for good food and warm hospitality. The hotel has also been awarded a Certificate of Excellence by Tripadvisor. Being centrally located in the resort there are plenty of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants all within easy reach. The facilities in this traditional, family owned hotel include a restaurant offering international and Italian cuisine and local Tuscan specialities, a cosy bar and lounge and a terrace in the square with tables and chairs. Free wi-fi is available in the public areas. All of the hotel’s bedrooms are air-conditioned and have an en-suite bathroom, hairdryer, telephone and TV. A continental buffet breakfast every morning and a three course table d’hote dinner in the hotel on five evenings are included in the holiday.

We have also included dinner on one evening in a restaurant in Montecatini Alto, and a lunch in a Chianti vineyard.

For a small supplement of £175 per person you can upgrade to a 4 star hotel which will have additional facilities for your comfort and enjoyment, such as the Hotel Bristol in Montecatini Terme.

Please note that should circumstances require, we reserve the right to use an alternative hotel of the same standard in the resort.

Book this tour today from £989

Excursions

During our stay we have arranged a programme of included and optional excursions and visits, all taken at a leisurely pace.

Chianti and A Taste of Tuscany

This is a truly delightful day exploring the romantic Chianti countryside of rolling hills, broad green valleys, medieval hilltop villages, seemingly endless olive groves and mile upon mile of vineyards in one of Italy's most prestigious wine regions. Our journey takes us right into the heart of Tuscany, where we'll visit traditional wine villages which produce the famous Chianti Classico red wine, including Greve where Giovanni da Verrazzano, the Italian explorer who discovered Hudson Bay in New York, lived. We will also visit the famous Vicchio Maggio Estate, where we will taste a selection of their superb wines before enjoying an included Tuscan style three course lunch with wine in the Estate's own restaurant.

Pisa and Lucca

Pisa is world famous for its instantly recognisable landmark, the Leaning Tower, which stands at a seemingly impossible angle in the Square of Miracles. No matter how many pictures you have seen of the tower, the reality will take you by suprise and will leave you wondering why it hasn't toppled over! Next to the leaning tower is the Cathedral and the Baptistry, which is built out of the white Carrara marble. Lucca, birthplace of Puccini, is a perfectly preserved medieval town, hidden behind its splendid Renaissance ramparts. It is a small, graceful town which makes it ideal for exploring on foot and a walk along the ramparts will reward you with lovely views of the narrow streets, elegant Palaces and Romanesque churches. The town is also noted for its medieval squares, particularly the unusual oval shaped main Piazza, which was originally a Roman amphitheatre.

Siena and San Gimignano

This excursion takes us to two of Tuscany’s most enchanting towns - Siena and San Gimignano. Siena’s medieval town centre is one of the most perfectly preserved in Italy and we have a walking tour through the centre. After seeing the sights relax with a refreshing drink in the stunning fan-shaped Piazza del Campo and admire one of Italy’s finest squares, famous all over the world for the exciting and colourful Palio horserace which is held in the square. After our visit we continue our journey through the Tuscan countryside to San Gimignano, which is regarded as Tuscany’s most beautiful hill-top town with its amazing skyline of 13th century towers. Inside the ancient walls picturesque houses line the narrow cobbled streets in this UNESCO World Heritage site. We’ve also arranged a tasting of the locally produced olive oil and the rich, red Chianti wines and refreshing white wines at a vineyard near San Gimignano, together with a tasting of some local pecorino cheese and bruschetta.

Florence

The cradle of the Italian Renaissance, Florence is recognised as the art capital of the world. Built along the banks of the River Arno and surrounded by the Tuscan hills, it is here where you will find some of the finest sculptures, works of art and architecture including the magnificent Cathedral and Baptistry with its 'Gates of Paradise', Giotto's Bell Tower and the Ponte Vecchio. We have arranged a walking sightseeing tour of the historical centre of the city as soon as we arrive, conducted by a local guide, to enable you to get the most from your visit. The afternoon is then at leisure. Florence has an excellent shopping centre with a large range of Italian fashion, leather goods and shoes in the shops and boutiques. These four excursions are included in the price of the holiday - there are no optional excursions on this holiday.

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