Portofino, Florence and Tuscany
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8days from
£1,134*per person
Overview
Explore one of the Mediterranean’s most exclusive corners, the beautiful Tuscan countryside and the stunning Cradle of the Renaissance.
Step into a region that is the living embodiment of La dolce vita - the Italian Riviera. From your elegant spa base in Tuscany, you'll journey to the famous Ligurian coastal resorts of Rapallo and ultra-chic Portofino. On a captivating tour filled with Italian charm, colour and warmth, you’ll also visit Florence – the exquisite Cradle of the Renaissance and one of Italy’s most stylish cities – as well as Pisa and Lucca, two more Tuscan gems.
Step into a region that is the living embodiment of La dolce vita - the Italian Riviera. From your elegant spa base in Tuscany, you'll journey to the famous Ligurian coastal resorts of Rapallo and ultra-chic Portofino. On a captivating tour filled with Italian charm, colour and warmth, you’ll also visit Florence – the exquisite Cradle of the Renaissance and one of Italy’s most stylish cities – as well as Pisa and Lucca, two more Tuscan gems.
Itinerary
- Fly to Pisa - Meet your tour manager as you arrive, and board the coach for the transfer through the Tuscan countryside to your hotel, in Montecatini.
- Day at leisure - Today, you're free to get to know the hotel and the many treasures of this historic spa resort, perhaps paying a first visit to Montecatini Alto for its stunning views, or enjoying a leisurely lunch.
- Included excursion to the Ligurian coast and Portofino - Join the first of your holiday's included excursion and head to the beautiful Ligurian coast. Here, some of Italy’s most famous resorts are dotted along the shoreline, backed by wooded hills. A mecca for visitors from around the world, elegant Rapallo overlooks a stunning bay, and lies at the northern end of the Portofino headland. Spend some time exploring the resort, then board a boat for a trip along the coast to discover its ultra-chic neighbour, the world-renowned, jet-set watering-hole of Portofino. Despite the crowds, this glamorous pastel-painted village remains one of the Mediterranean’s most idyllic settings.
- Included visit to Florence - Today will be one of the real highlights of your holiday, as you join our included tour of Florence. For many, this simply stunning place is Italy’s most beautiful city, and today you'll have the chance to see the magnificent Florentine skyline, dominated by the dome of Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, for yourself. Explore the splendour of Santa Croce and the medieval Ponte Vecchio bridge, spared by the retreating Nazis because of its timeless beauty. Florence is also the city of both the Accademia, which houses Michelangelo’s fabled statue of David, and the Uffizi, where Botticelli’s famous Birth of Venus can be admired. You'll have the chance to visit the galleries (payable locally), and will no doubt want to stop for a bite in one of the city’s cafes and restaurants.
- Optional excursions to Siena and San Gimignano - Relax today or join an optional excursion that heads first to Siena, well known for its medieval brick buildings and fan-shaped square, Piazza del Campo. See the Palazzo Pubblico, the Gothic town hall, and the tall 14th-century tower, Torre del Mangia. No less fascinating is the charming hill town, San Gimignano, with its fairy-tale towers rising from the hill-top village. This is one of the finest sights in all Italy, and a fitting finale to your wonderful holiday.
- At leisure in Montecatini or optional excursion to Cinque Terre - Today, you’re free to enjoy another day of gentle exploration in Montecatini under your own steam, or join an optional excursion sailing across the Italian Riviera to the stunning villages of Cinque Terre. Perched on the rugged coastline, Cinque Terre is a string of centuries-old seaside villages offering colourful houses clinging to steep terraces and harbours filled with fishing boats and trattorias. Start the day with a scenic coach ride to La Spezia, where you'll meet your knowledgeable local guide, before boarding a boat for a two-hour ferry journey to Monterosso, the largest of the Cinque Terre villages. With its beautiful beaches and vibrant lemon trees, you'll then have ample time to wander through its old town, visit the historic convent, and perhaps sample some local seafood delicacies. Later this afternoon, set sail again on your way to Vernazza, often considered the jewel of Cinque Terre with its narrow, winding streets, and Doria Castle offering panoramic views of the coastline. Upon arrival, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll, capture the essence of Italian coastal life, and soak in the village's unique charm. In the late afternoon, you'll make the scenic return trip to La Spezia (via boat) and conclude your memorable day with a coach ride back to Montecatini.
- Included visits to Pisa and Lucca - Today, the tour takes you to two true Italian gems. First of these is the wonderful city of Pisa, where, in the company of your guide, you'll have an opportunity to explore this mesmerising medieval treasure trove on the banks of the River Arno. Here, the broad green swathe of the Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles) is home not only to the startling Leaning Tower but also the huge circular Baptistery, the great marbled Duomo and the colonnaded Campo Santo cemetery. After a fascinating visit, you’ll reboard the coach and journey to the elegant walled city of Lucca. This simply delightful Renaissance jewel was the birthplace of the composer Puccini, and the city’s most famous son is celebrated with a museum at his home. Elsewhere, the ancient cathedral, the Torre della Ore clocktower and the exquisite Piazza Anfiteatro (built around the Roman amphitheatre) are among the must-sees of this charming city.
- Fly back to the UK - Bid farewell to your Tuscan hosts, today, and journey back to the airport to check in for your flight home.
What's Included
Holiday Highlights
- Visit Portofino, one of the Mediterranean's most exclusive corners
- Spend a day in breath-taking Florence
- Discover the wonderful cities of Pisa and Lucca
- Choose to explore medieval Siena and charming San Gimignano
- Travel to beautiful Cinque Terre on an optional excursion*
- Discover Rapallo's scenic bay
- Enjoy a week's stay in one of Tuscany's most celebrated spa-resorts
Our Price Includes
- Seven nights' dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the hotel of your choice
- Excursion to the Ligurian coast
- Boat trip to Portofino
- Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers
- Guided tours of Pisa and Lucca
- Guided tour of Florence
- Return flights to Italy
- Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
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Dates and Prices
Accommodation
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Hotel Manzoni, Montecatini -
Introduction
Close to Montecatini's main thermal baths and the centre of the resort, this tastefully decorated, completely renovated four-star hotel is dedicated to comfort and relaxation.
Facilities & Amenities
The hotel's facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, two lounges, a well-equipped wellness centre with fresh and saltwater pools, whirlpool, steam room and sauna (some facilities payable locally) and a gym. The hotel restaurant serves Tuscan specialities and international dishes as well as a varied buffet breakfast. A discount is available on green fees at Montecatini Golf Club, and the hotel offers free bike rental as well as free Wi-Fi and a lift.
Rooms
Each guest room is comfortable and air-conditioned rooms, and has satellite TV, a telephone, a hairdryer, a mini-bar and a safe. Balcony rooms are available for a supplement.
Adua Hotel, Montecatini -
Introduction
This excellent, friendly, family-run four-star hotel is centrally located in Montecatini, just a short distance on foot from the resort's amenities, shops, bars and restaurants. It is also just a short walk from Terme Excelsior and Terme Leopoldine thermal baths.
Facilities & Amenities
The Adua is decorated throughout in rich colours and fabrics, and has a cosy breakfast room, a TV room, an outdoor swimming pool and a garden. As well as an American Bar and a piano lounge, the hotel has a restaurant (Amadeus) that serves Tuscan and international dishes. A fully equipped spa offers a range of treatments (payable locally).
Rooms
The guest room are stylishly furnished and air-conditioned, and each has a telephone, a mini-bar, TB and a safe. Balcony rooms are available for a supplement.
Hotel Biondi Montecatini -
Introduction
Facilities & Amenities
The expansive outdoor and indoor pools are the highlights of this property. A sophisticated restaurant serves traditional Tuscan dishes, and the laid-back bar is perfect for an aperitif. Breakfast is complimentary, free Wi-Fi is available in the public areas, there’s a 24-hour front desk and concierge services.
Rooms
The 102 classic-style rooms are soundproof and include air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a mini-bar, a TV, and a hairdryer.
Other Information
Hotel transfer times
The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 45 minutes from Pisa.
Combining hotel transfers
We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.
Meals and dining in Italy
Guests on half-board arrangements will be served a three-course evening meal, and can expect a first course of traditional pasta or soup, a main meat or fish course accompanied by one or two types of vegetable, and a simple dessert of fruit, cake or Italian ice cream. Breakfasts will usually consist of bread rolls, jam, cereal, ham, cheese, fruit juice, tea and coffee. Menus will vary from hotel to hotel, but choice will be more limited than in a normal restaurant. In some instances, individual guests who have booked with the hotel independently may be offered a different menu from those who are staying at the hotel as part of a package tour.
An authentic dining experience in Italy can often be a bit different to the Italian food that international tourists might be used to, but it’s one of the best ways to truly appreciate the finer cultural differences of this tourist hotspot. From simpler, but more frequent, courses to regional dishes, here are some points to note when dining in Italy.
The first major difference you’re likely to notice is that the dining experience as a whole is much longer; you’ll enjoy a much more social experience than the average dinner back home with multiple smaller courses spread across a longer period of time. While each meal will be prepared to order, you may notice that dishes are served cooler than you might be used to – Italian dishes are rarely served piping hot to preserve the more delicate flavours of each ingredient and to provide a more enjoyable dining experience. The final thing to bear in mind is that it may be tricky to find Italian classics in the same form as they are at home. For instance, while Spaghetti Carbonara is a staple in historic Rome – and made traditionally using egg yolks rather than cream – you’ll often find it replaced with a wild boar ragù in Tuscany.
Special requirements
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
Disabled access
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Italian hotel room tax
Some regions of Italy have introduced a room tax of between 1€ and 4€ per person per night, payable directly by the guest to the hotel on check-out. You will be advised by your tour manager in resort if a particular hotel is implementing this charge.
Itinerary changes
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.
Foreign Office Travel Advice
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
Airport development fees
An Airport Development Fee has been introduced at a few UK Airports. You will be required to pay this charge at the following airports prior to checking in for your flight: Blackpool, Newquay and Norwich. The amount varies from airport to airport, but it is generally between £5 and £10 per person. Please visit the airport's website for further information.
Holiday code
N168Holiday provided by Newmarket Holidays (for Metro Travel Offers)
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