Flavors of Tuscany The Enchanting Cinque Terre

Day 1 ROMA‐MONTEPULCIANO‐PIENZA ‐SIENA
Pickup at the hotel from 7.30am to 7.45am. Meet your multilingual tour leader  and start a delightful trip through the rolling hills of the Chianti Region. Will  reach the hilltop town of MONTEPULCIANO, an ancient village rich of medieval  and Renaissance buildings, famous for producing one of the oldest wines of  Italy, the “Nobile di  Montepulciano”. You will stop for a visit to a wine cellar  and experience a tasting of wines and local products like ham, cheese, and  salami.  Proceed to PIENZA, the Renaissance town built under Pope Pius II and  alsowell‐known for its pecorino cheese. The tour will proceed to SIENA, where  you will enjoy a visit of the old city centre. You will be walking along the  medieval streets admiring splendid palaces. The sightseeing tour will end in the  Piazza del Campo with its spectacular Cathedral. This is one of the most  beautiful squares in the world and site of the famous 600 years old horse‐race,  called “Il Palio”. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.  Meals: D  

Day 2 SIENA‐SAN GIMIGNANO‐TAVERNELLE‐CHIANTI LUCCA PISA‐LA SPEZIA
After breakfast at the hotel, departure to SAN GIMIGNANO, a tiny city that has  remained intact through the centuries; situated on a hilltop and famous for its  numerous towers, frescoes and other art treasures.  You will then proceed to  Tavernelle Val di Pesa  located within the CHIANTI CLASSICO “Gallo Nero”  region, where we will  make a stop at the farmhouse LA TANCIA to enjoy  an  excellent wine tasting with light lunch. The tour continues onto LUCCA, where  you will have free time for lunch. Our expert tour leader will also take you for a  pleasant walk into the enchanting historical centre, where you will admire the  Anfiteatro Square, the Guinigi Tower, the San Martino Dome and the typical  antique shops. In the early afternoon, you will then proceed to PISA, Upon  arrival you will have a walking tour of the Piazza dei Miracoli, with its famous  Leaning Tower (exterior visit),The Baptistery (exterior visit) and other beautiful  monuments. Proceed to LA SPEZIA. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.  Meals: B D

Day 3  LA SPEZIA‐PORTOVENERE‐GOLFO DEI POETI CINQUE TERRE‐ LA SPEZIA
After breakfast, departure by boat for an unforgettable day dedicated to the  discovery of one of the most amazing and enchanting landscape in the World.   The five villages, “CINQUE TERRE” is an area suspended between sea and land,  hanging from sheer cliffs surrounded by hills and vineyards.  You will enter into  a little piece of heaven. By touring the coast line by boat, you will have the  possibility to admire this amazing landscape from the seaside (the visit will be  done partly by coach and partly by train.), like in a postcard.   
During the tour, the boat will reach Portovenere and the most important  villages. You will be able to stop at PORTO VENERE, VERNAZZA, MONTEROSSO  and visit them at leisure.  PORTOVENERE  on  the  Gulf  of  Poets,  is  a  UNESCO  World  Heritage  site.  Its  picturesque harbor is lined with brightly colored houses, while narrow medieval  streets lined with shops lead up the hill from the ancient city gate to the castle.  RIOMAGGIORE:  Caught between two steep terraced hills descending in steep cliffs  to the sea, the ancient village of Riomaggiore strikes visitors with its delightfully  colored houses built vertically.   MANAROLA: Built on a high rock 70 metres above sea level, is one of the most  charming and romantic villages. The tiny harbor features a boat ramp, picturesque  multicoloured houses facing the sea, a tiny piazza with seafood restaurants.  CORNIGLIA: is an ancient Roman village that has a long and rich agricultural tradition.  The village is surrounded on three sides by vineyards and terraces. Its architecture is  closer to that of a rural inland village than that of a coastal village.  VERNAZZA: The small fishing village Vernazza is probably the most characteristic of  the Cinque Terre and is classified as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. The  village is surrounded by very steeply‐terraced olive groves which are said to produce  among the finest olive oil in the country.  MONTEROSSO: It is the largest of the five coastal villages. Its amazing beaches, its  beautiful reefs and the sea’s crystal clear waters, make this small village one of the  most hospitable of the Ligurian Riviera.   board the train from Monterosso and arrive in La Spezia. Dinner and overnight  at the hotel.               Meals:  B D  

Day 4  LA SPEZIA‐ CARRARA MARBLE CAVES ‐ MONTECARLO DI LUCCA‐ ROME  
After breakfast at the hotel, the tour will take you to CARRARA for a visit  of the  impressive marble quarries carved deep into the mountain. This is where  Michelangelo took the raw material to create his superb masterpieces. By  visiting the quarry museum you will admire ancient tools, some sculptures and  the quarryman’s house. Continue to MONTECARLO DI LUCCA, a lovely town  located on the hills around Lucca. This territory is ideal for the production of  top quality wine and extra virgin olive oil. We will stop and visit a farmhouse  where the owners will have you taste delicious Tuscan food specialities, from  olive oil to cheese, from bread to wine and of course pasta, which you will taste  with different wines. Proceed to Rome and arrival in the evening. Overnight at  the hotel. Dinner is not included.