A Taste of Tuscany and Florence for Solo Travellers

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.

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

Excursions

Day 1 - Fly to Italy

On arrival at Pisa airport you will be met by our Representative and transfer to our hotel in Montecatini Terme, where we stay for 7 nights.

Days 2 to 7

During our stay we have arranged an included programme of four excursions and visits, all taken at a leisurely pace. There are also two days at leisure enabling you to explore our resort, enjoy the bustling town and the local café culture, or perhaps treat yourself to one of the many spas. You could also take the funicular up to Montecatine Alto or take a train to explore further afield. Whatever you decide to do, our friendly and experienced Tour Manager will be on hand to help and advise.

Chianti and A Taste of Tuscany - Included

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 - Included

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 - Included

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 - Included

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.

Day 8 - Fly to the UK

Today, at the appropriate time, we transfer to Pisa airport to take the return flight to the UK.