DAY 1 | Pisa
Arrival in Pisa in late morning.
Light lunch and tour in downtown: Pisa is one of the most visited cities of Tuscany, through its Leaning Tower and its magnificent Square of Miracles (Piazza dei Miracoli), world heritage of UNESCO, which is regarded as one of the most beautiful monumental complex in the world. You will find 4 masterpieces of medieval architecture from the 11th to the 14th century tower, the cathedral (il Duomo), the Baptistery and the Monumental Building Camposanto.
Departure for Viareggio, accommodation in the confortable country house with swimming pool and spa area, the welcome drink and dinner on site.
In the evening visit to a sumptuous 17th century farm house producing organic olive oil of high quality for a olive oil degustation couurse. Here you can enjoy special aromatic oils, along with samples from the Chef and selected wines, discover the aromatic massage oils, the process of organic growing and visit the olive grove. |
DAY 2 | Versilia
Visit to Pietrasanta, a charming small Roman town, historically and artistically the capital of Versilia. Here are living sculptors from all around the world who work with marble and bronze, in many workshops that you can visit. The city has a pleasant old town and its main square is often decorated with works of modern sculpture. Visit of a wine and local products shop in a wine farm with the possibility of tasting. |
DAY 3 |Lucca and Montecarlo
In the morning free time in Viareggio.
Afternoon, visit of the city of Lucca, a Tuscan jewel with 100 churches, is known through its walls and amphitheater. This is one of the few Italian cities that has preserved its ramparts of the 16th and 17th centuries, within which is a preserved historic center with a rectangular
network of streets. The site of the amphitheatre is one of the most unique in the world: after the fall of the Roman, people have built houses on the walls of the amphitheatre, so the place is now elliptical. Visit other monuments: Napoleon place, Piazza San Martino cathedral and romantic place of S. Michele di Foro, theatre and Puccini place.
Short stop in the wine town of Montecarlo, created in 1333 by Emperor Charles IV. The city lies on a small hill in the center of the wine area and offers fantastic views over the vineyards and the scenery in the valley.
After the city tour we will taste the prestigious wines in a small wine factory benefiting from a stunning 360-degree panorama. The Montecarlo wines are atypical because they contain a high proportion of French grape varieties, imported up to the 18th century. The white wine of Montecarlo was long considered one of the best in Tuscany and it was called the "Chablis of Montecarlo."
Visit of a wine factory in the hills of Lucca, producing excellent organic and biodynamic wines and olive oil "DOP". Tour into the vineyards, visit of the winery and the historic villa of counts Sardi from 17th century, inhabited by the owners, where we will taste the wines with refreshments.
Pizza party at the property: we will prepare together different kinds of local pizza and foccaccia. |
DAY 4 | Liguria: Cinque Terre
Liguria is a beautiful coastal area with picturesque fishing villages. The bustling town of Lerici is a small resort located in a small harbor, with a castle "Castello San Giorgio", located on a cliff overlooking the city. It allows an incredible view over the entire peninsula with picturesque Portovenere, islands in the Gulf and the city of La Spezia.
From Lerici we will leave by both for Cinque Terre to the first village Riomaggiore, with its colorful houses of typical Ligurian style and small picturesque streets. We will discover the most famous path of Cinque Terre "via del'Amore" (path of love) with a march at the foot of the cliff, where you can admire the magnificent scenery with sea view, listen to waves crashing on the rocks and breathe the salt air.
After 20 to 30 min. of walking we will reach the next village, Manarola, which is located on a cliff with houses grouped in a mosaic of colors. Village of Manarola is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy. Then we will stop in Monterosso, the biggest village with many lemon trees and the only extensive sand beach beach in the Cinque Terre.
There will be the light lunch at the local wine farm, where wines are grown on terraces in difficult conditions of access, and we will sample excellent and precious Cinque Terre and Sciacchetrà wines.
Finally, we will drop in Vernazza, one the truest "fishing villages" on the Italian Riviera, without any car traffic.
Dinner with fish menu. |
DAY 5 | Florence
Florence is one of the most beautiful cities of Italy, the second most visited city in the country and called "the pearl of renaissance. We will arrive to Piazzale Michelangelo, where you can enjoy the view of one of the most beautiful cities in the world. In the historic center you will visit the external complex of the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral with the magnificent dome of the architect Brunelleschi, that dominates Florence and is part of the largest cathedrals in the world. The Campanile of Giotto and the Baptistery of San Giovanni with the famous Gates of Paradise are also part of this complex.
After a short walk through the streets of the historic heart of the city you get to the Galleria dell'Accademia, to the Piazza della Signoria with the Fountain of Neptune, and the copy of the famous statue of David by Michelangelo and other works. The main symbol of the city is the “Ponte Vechio” bridge of the 16th century with goldsmiths' shops.
After lunch in a historic restaurant from 1824, where you will taste the Florentine specialties, you can have a tasting course " Secrets of a taste of the real espresso, "the opportunity to enjoy in the historic center of Florence the Italian espresso, cappuccino, chocolates and some special aromatic coffees as mocaccino, hazelnut, and the caramellino coffee. |
DAY 6 | Siena, Colle Val d'Elsa, San Gimignano
We will drive to Siena by routes of a rare beauty unifying nature, medieval life and spirituality or those of painters and poets who crossed the Val d'Elsa in the past centuries, including Pontormo, Leonardo, Boccaccio and Dante. Siena, one of the best-preserved and probably Italy's loveliest medieval city is famous for its artistic heritage and the medieval character, where takes place on its central piazza in form of the shell "Il Campo" the world-renown festival and horse race "The Palio".
Then we will taste excellent and famous Chianti wines accompanied by a light lunch in Castello Bossi, the 16th century castle surrounded by vineyards.
In the afternoon we will stop in Monterrigioni, a fortified town with the castle and craft shops. Here craftsman of ship leather, ceramics and crystal are famous, having a long tradition in Val d'Elsa and on the hills of Chianti.
We end the day in the historic town of San Gimignano, medieval little town with majestic towers, considered one of the most beautiful places of Tuscany. San Gimignano is famous for producing one of the most important Italian white wine - Vernaccia.
Dinner and accommodation in the organic wine farm in San Gimignano area with special meals and accommodation. |
DAY 7 | San Miniato
In the morning we will leave to San Miniato, an ancient city in the heart of Tuscany and one of the most important centers of prestigious truffles, exported worldwide. You will visit one producers of specialties such as truffle olive oil and other products with truffles. After a city tour we will have lunch in a restaurant offering specialities.
In the afternoon we will drop in one of the best artisanal chocolate factory in the world - De Bond- near Pisa and departure to Pisa airport. |
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