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Check
out the Listing for : Combined tours of Greece and Italy
This
is a unique package that starts from Florence, the true heart of the
Renaissance and rich of history in every corners, this tour allows you
to discover all the beauty and the fashion of the environs of Florence
. You will cover as well Pisa, one of the 4 ancient Repubbliche Marinare,
known all around the world for its Piazza dei Miracoli. At last but
not least an enchanting stay in Cinque Terre, a place where you turn
back the clock and enjoy true Italy as it used to be ,
This is daily departure, choose your own dates ;
Two nights IN Florence and /or surroundings , two nights in Pisa , and
three nights in Monterosso (bed and breakfast ). Minimum required :
2 guests. (This is not a guided tour ) . This is an independent tour
.
We are happy to provide ( additional $$ ) : Private Air-Conditioned
Vehicle and Private Chauffeur
DAY
01 – Daily - Choose Your Own Dates - FLORENCE
Florence has been the epicenter of the Italian Renaissance and remains
one of the world's top attractions for art lovers.
Located in the heart of Tuscany, a stunning province of hills and mountains,
the Renaissance capital of the world, with famous sons like Leonardo,
Dante, Machiavelli and Michelangelo, is a sight not to be missed. The
best-known site and crowning architectural jewel of Florence is the
domed cathedral of the city, Santa Maria del Fiore, known as the Duomo.
The magnificent dome was built by Filippo Brunelleschi. The nearby Campanile
tower (partly designed by Giotto) and the Baptistery buildings are also
highlights. Both the dome itself and the campanile are open to tourists
and offer excellent views. At the heart of the city, in the enchanting
Piazza della Signoria, you will admire the Fountain of Neptune by Bartolomeo
Ammannati, which is a masterpiece of marble sculpture at the terminus
of a still functioning Roman aqueduct. One of the city bridges in particular
stands out as being unique, the Ponte Vecchio, whose most striking feature
is the multitude of shops built upon its edges, held up by stilts.
The bridge also carried Vasari elevated corridor, linking the Uffizi
Museums to the Medici family Residence (Palazzo Pitti).
We will book the hotel for your tonight nearby Florence and
the surrounding area and overnight.
DAY
02 – FLORENCE or FLORENCE SURROUNDINGS
Breakfast is included daily at the hotel.
There is more to visit to Florence there is still lots of things to
do. The Church of San Lorenzo contains the Medici Chapel, the most powerful
family in Florence from the 15th to the 18th century. Nearby is the
Uffizi Gallery, one of the finest art galleries in the world. The Bargello
concentrates on sculpture containing many priceless works of art created
by such sculptors as Donatello, Giambologna and Michelangelo. The Accademia
dell’ Arte del Disegno (often simply called Accademia), whose
collection's highlights are Michelangelo's’ David and his unfinished
Slaves. Across the Arno is the huge Pitti Palace containing part of
the Medici family's former private collection. In addition the wonderful
Boboli Gardens, elaborately landscaped and with many interesting sculptures.
Not far from Piazza della Signoria, The Santa Croce Basilica, originally
a Franciscan foundation, contains the monumental tombs of Galileo, Michelangelo,
Machiavelli, Dante (actually a cenotaph), and many other notables. Anyway,
for tourists interested in some new experiences, we strongly suggest
an outstanding visit in Florence surroundings. Florence spreads several
kilometers down to the Arno Valley and up to the hills. Florentine surroundings
may offer you a lot of places to see, and you will have the opportunity
to have an unforgettable experience. Few kilometers north of Florence
you will find the beautiful Fiesole, a city older than Florence founded
by the Etruscans. No less important , Prato lies in a basis in the Bisanzio
Valley. In medieval times Prato was famous for its wool, and it is still
a major textile center. The older part of the town has preserved a number
of handsome and historic old buildings. Another very good alternative
would be a visit in Vinci, the home town of the famous Leonardo, What
more?? For wine lovers this area is the top. Along the Chianti Hills
you will have an unforgettable day trip to the area where the grapes
of the most famous Tuscan wine are grown. Lying in the heart of the
most verdant countryside, you'll perceive the surrounding landscape
with its magical and enchanted atmosphere during all your way down to
Florence Countryside. We will book the hotel for your tonight
nearby Florence and the surrounding area and overnight.
DAY
03 – FLORENCE / PISA (82 Kilometers)
Breakfast is included daily at your hotel , then off to Pisa, where
you will arrive after 1 hour and half driving.
The Leaning Tower is located in the northwest area of Pisa, sharing
one same area with other important buildings. At this area, known as
Campo dei Miracoli, next to the famous Leaning Tower, there are other
three great and unique buildings: the Camposanto or Holy Field; the
amazing Duomo or Cathedral of Pisa of 1000 years; and the Battistero
or Baptistery, of circular shape. Although it is world wide famous due
to its Leaning Tower, the city of Pisa also has many other great attractions
and amazing characteristics to offer. Towards the south side of the
city, tourists can visit two interesting museums: the Museo delle Sinopie
and the Museo dell'Opera, offering the chance to observe original paintings
and sculptures of famous artists from many centuries ago. Another one
of Pisa's main characteristics is its University “Scuola Normale
Superiore”, established in the first years of 1340 and world wide
known due to its excellence. This way, Pisa is a city which gives main
importance to knowledge, science and arts, being up to the date with
modern life as well as maintaining some of the characteristics which
gave it shape through the pass of time. After visit of the city, all
touring is on your own.
We will book the hotel for you in city centre tonight in Pisa .
DAY 04 – PISA / LUCCA / PISA (72 Kilometers)
After breakfast in hotel, departure for a full day visit to Lucca .
Imagine a beautiful little Tuscan town protected by massively thick
16th-century walls, featuring some of Italy's finest medieval and Renaissance
architecture, superb dining, antique markets, classical and rock music
festivals, easy access to stunning nearby villas in the surrounding
hills and with endless beaches less than half an hour away . You are
in Lucca, one of Tuscany's best-kept secrets. A wealthy and colourful
town that draws a more discerning tourist than Florence or Pisa, it
is sufficiently off the beaten track to have kept its civility and reserve.
Due to its favorable geographical position, you can reach the most famous
tourist sites in a very short time. This strategic position also makes
Lucca one of the most sought after national and international touristic
destination, the ideal place for all types of vacation, and the optimal
destination for cultural voyages in search of Italian art. We are referring
in particular to the 16th-century walls which, with their length of
4.200 meters, completely surround the centre of town. This majestic
construction took over a century to complete, and still draws the admiration
of tourists. Its memorable promenade is something unequal and unrepeatable.
Another wonderful artistic construction is the XIV century Guinigi's
Tower with its holm-oak trees on top. We also like to mention the XV
century Cathedral of San Martino with its particular facade. Among the
numerous works of art inside the church, it is worth mentioning the
Ilaria Del Carretto's sarcophagus, sculptured by Jacopo Della Quercia
in the 1408. And finally the San Michele Church which was built on the
homonymous and beautiful square, as always considered the centre of
town. Lucca is a city of merchants who know how to woo the visitor and
the shopper, but the pace of life varies between slow and slower. After
visit of the city, back to the hotel in Pisa.
DAY
05 – PISA / LERICI / PORTOVENERE / MONTEROSSO (CINQUETERRE - 141
Kilometers)
Breakfast in hotel and departure by car to the wonderful Ligurian Riviera.
After 74 Km driving, your first stop is the notable Lerici. The heart
of the city is Piazza Garibaldi (Garibaldi Square) from where you go
up the characteristic alley called "carruggio" that takes
to the imposing Castle, stopping in several panoramic points. Built
by Pisa Seafront Republic, it changed to control of Genova (Genoa) and
was extended to the actual dimension. After a brief stop in San Giorgio
Square, from where you can enjoy a fantastic view of the “Golfo
dei Poeti”, you may visit the Geo-Paleontologico Museum. After
visit in Lerici, you will move by car and will arrive in one of the
finest locations in the Ligurian Riviera, Portovenere. The visit of
this marvelous village starts with a stop at the Church of San Lorenzo
(which holds an ecclesiastic ornament exposition, called The Treasure
of San Lorenzo) the characteristic Church of San Pietro and Byron's
Cave. From here, you walk through the "carruggio", cut by
three picturesque flights of stairs that connect the Castle to the sea,
a visit inside is a real must. After the visit in Portovenere, you will
drive again to Monterosso, in the “Cinque Terre National Park”.
Accommodation at hotel and overnight.
DAY 06 – MONTEROSSO / VERNAZZA / CORNIGLIA / MANAROLA / RIOMAGGIORE
/ MONTEROSSO (18 Kilometers)
Breakfast in hotel and full day visit of the natural jewel of Cinque
Terre Park. Eighteen kilometers of sheer rocky coastline in northern
Italy, terraced hills and vineyards sloping steeply down to the sea.
Five little villages are built into the rocks between the beach and
the hills. Each village has its own character, they are a few minutes
apart by train. Cinque Terre represent one of the best preserved natural
and semi-natural areas of the Mediterranean. Because of the uniqueness
of the Cinque Terre, it has been named by UNESCO as a World Heritage
Site. The area has also been designated a National Park to protect the
characteristic landscape. A very nice, and relaxing as well, visit is
stopping in each village as follow: Monterosso The city is divided into
two distinct parts: the old town and the new town. The two areas are
divided by a single tunnel that caters to pedestrians and the very few
cars in the town. The beach at Monterosso runs along most of the coast
line and is well used by tourists and locals. Monterosso is a small
town that in the summer months is overrun by tourists. The area is famous
for its many lemon trees that can be seen throughout Monterosso. It
is also renowned for its white wines, grapes, and olives. Vernazza is
the next to northernmost town and perhaps most picturesque of the five
towns of Cinque Terre. Colourful, antique homes cling to impossible
cliffs. A lovely small harbour is nestled under the shadows of an ancient
castle and a dramatic seaside church. It is the only village with its
own proper harbour in this area and is a charming, small fishing village.
Vernazza's historic wealth is evidenced by the elegant style of its
houses and streets, which are decorated with tower forms, open galleries,
refined arcades and elaborate doorways. Next stop will be in Corniglia.
Unlike the other localities in Cinque Terre, Corniglia is not directly
adjacent to the sea. Instead, it is on the top of a promontory about
100 meters high, surrounded on three sides by vineyards and terraces
and the fourth side descends steeply on the sea. To reach Corniglia,
it is necessary to climb the Lardarina, a long brick flight of steps
composed of 33 flights with 377 steps or, otherwise follow a vehicular
road that, from the station, leads to the village of Manarola, may be
the oldest of the cities in the Cinque Terre, with the cornerstone of
the church, San Lorenzo, dating from 1338. Manarola's primary industries
have traditionally been fishing and wine-making. The local wine, called
Sciacchetrà, is especially renowned; references from Roman writings
mention the high quality of the wine produced in the region. Riomaggiore
is the first (or the last) of Cinque Terre. The village, dating from
the early, is known for its historic character and its local wine. You
can reach Riomaggiore by car, by train, or simply on foot, thanks to
the very well known Via dell’ Amore (Love Street). It is a real
lovely promenade (approximate. 2 Km) path connecting Manarola to Riomaggiore
along a path dug in the promontory and facing the crystal clear sea.
A wonderful alternative to join the enchanting atmosphere of this unforgettable
day. After visit in Riomaggiore, back to hotel in Monterosso. Overnight.
DAY
07 – MONTEROSSO / SESTRI LEVANTE / RAPALLO / SANTA MARGHERITA
LIGURE / PORTOFINO / MONTEROSSO
(140 Kilometers)
Breakfast in hotel. The full day is dedicated to admire the highlights
of Golfo del Tigullio, in north area of Cinque Terre. You will drive
along the ancient Via Aurelia and after 40 Km you will stop in Sestri
Levante to see the magnificence of “Baia delle Favole” and“Baia
del Silenzio”. You can not miss a short walk through the ancient
“carrugi” in city centre. You can start from the oldest
part of the centre of Sestri Levante, beginning from Piazza Sant’Antonio,
which is its natural access. Then you walk the elegant Largo Colombo,
where we can see the medieval-style facade of Palazzo Fascie. You then
proceed along the characteristic carrugio (Via XXV Aprile), the narrow
lane typical of Genoese seaside towns, and you will arrive Piazzetta
Bellotti, known by the inhabitants of Sestri Levante as Piazza della
Torre dei Doganieri. After that, you end up in Via Cappuccini, where
you find the entrance to the wonderful Convento dei Cappuccini and to
the church dedicated to the Virgin. From the church square, you can
also get the best possible view over the extraordinary Baia del Silenzio,
an enchanting part of the Ligurian coast. The natural ending point for
this visit is the Church of Santa Maria di Nazareth; with its reveal
elegant 17th- and 18th-century decorations. After the visit of Sestri
Levante you will drive again for 15 minutes approximate. and you will
arrive in Rapallo. By ancient origins, Rapallo is a quite small village
of friendly fishermen, artisans and farmers. But that is not all. Not
only are the beaches well looked after and well equipped, but you can
also find spots of unsuspected exclusive beauty, such as San Michele
di Pagana. Set in a small bay, it has maintained intact the lay-out
of a fishing village whose houses give directly onto the beach. Completing
this simply splendid picture is the luxuriant vegetation amidst which
is hidden another gem: the magnificent summer residence of the Knights
of Malta, a fascinating echo of an ancient Mediterranean world. After
visit of Rapallo you will move to the outstanding Santa Margherita Ligure,
a sort of unique example where different aspects (seeming contrasting)
are lovely mixed. Nature has favored it, and the work of the man, in
the centuries, has given prominence to the nature. Indeed, it has made
more: it has added something of unmistakable to a already perfect picture.
The shapes, the colours, the disposition of its characteristic houses,
the rich villas, the large ones lodge design all around its gulf something
of similar to a magical glare. Not to be missed during its visit, a
stop in Villa Durazzo – Centurione and the Basilica of S. Margherita
di Antiochia, both with very important pictures, frescoes and baroque
structure works of genovesi masters (De Ferrari, Castle, Ponsonelli,
Carlone). Once the visit in Santa Margherita is finished, you will move
to the real best location throughout Ligurian Riviera: Portofino. There
is no need to presentation for Portofino, well known in the world like
one of the most enchanting locations throughout Mediterranean sea, where
lots of high top jet set personalities love to come. After a very nice
walk in its typical streets, we suggest the visit of the Church of St.
George and the Castle of St. George. The relics of the saint are preserved
there. The picturesque fortress of Saint George stands on Roman foundations.
Surrounded by walls, it features a turret and central tower. Thanks
to renovations made for its preservation, the castle’s natural
architectural beauty, enhanced by its magnificent position overlooking
the town of Portofino, has been discovered. The storybook gardens and
dreamy terraces surrounding the Castle offer an outstanding view of
the village. After visit in Portofino, back to hotel in Monterosso.
Overnight.
DAY
08 – MONTEROSSO - End of Tour
Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out and end of our services. Bon Voyage.
If you prefer to add extra nights and/or transfers to train station
or airports, please let's know. We
are happy to provide ( additional $$ apply ) : Private Air-Conditioned
Vehicle and Private Chauffeur
RATES per person in USD $
| |
Four
Stars Hotels |
Three
Stars Hotels |
| Triple |
$
975. US |
$
915. US |
| Double |
$
1025. US |
$
960. US |
| Single |
$
1545. US |
$
1315. US |
Rates
during Florence Fair are on request.
Child : Younger than 12 year of age at time of travel must share with
2 adults to enjoy a 50 % discount .
Prices
include:
- Continental
breakfast daily
Not
Included:
- Any
guided sightseeing .
- Car
Rental , you may book it , or if you prefer, we are happy to help
with the car rental .
- Any
entrance fees.
- Any
ground transportation
- Personal
expenses, beverages, and meals not specifically included.
- Gratuities
for local personnel
- porterage.
- Drinks/beverages
.
- Travel
insurance
- International
air fare
Sample
Accommodation
, subject to change :
| |
Four
Stars Hotels |
Three
Stars Hotels |
Florence
Greater Area |
GRANDUCATO
or similar |
VILLA
LA PALAGINA or similar |
| Pisa
|
Hotel
NH CAVALIERI or similar |
Hotel
ARISTON
or similar |
Monterosso
Cinque Terre Area |
Hotel
PALME
or similar |
Hotel
PUNTA MESCO or similar |
More
Choices :
|
