Tuscany

Itinerary

Day One

Fly to Italy, and upon arrival meet your tour manager and board the coach for the transfer through the Tuscan countryside to Montecatini.

Day Two

Today you're free to get to know the hotel and the surroundings of this historic spa resort, perhaps paying a first visit to Montecatini Alto for its stunning views.

Day Three

The first of our optional excursions heads to the beautiful Ligurian coast, where some of Italy's most famous resorts are dotted along the shoreline, backed by wooded hills, and a Mecca for visitors from the four corners of the globe. Elegant Santa Margherita Ligure overlooks a stunning bay, and lies at the eastern 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 resort of Portofino, which despite the crowds, the glitz and the glamour, remains one of the Mediterranean's most idyllic settings.

Day Four

Our second optional tour is to two true Italian gems. You'll first visit the wonderful city of Pisa, where, in the company of our guide, there'll be an opportunity to explore this mesmerising medieval treasure trove, built on the banks of the River Arno, and where 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.

Following a fascinating visit you'll reboard the coach for the journey to the elegant walled city of Lucca, a simply delightful Renaissance jewel that was the birthplace of the composer Puccini. The city's most famous son is celebrated with a museum at his home. Elsewhere, the ancient cathedral, the Torre delle Ore and the exquisite Piazza Anfiteatro, built around the Roman amphitheatre, are among the must-sees in this charming city.

Day Five

Another day of gentle exploration in Montecatini, enjoying the atmosphere of the spa-town.

Day Six

Today will be one of the undoubted highlights of the holiday, as you enjoy our optional tour of Florence. See for yourself the magnificent Florentine skyline, dominated by the dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and to explore the splendour of Santa Croce and the medieval Ponte Vecchio bridge, spared by the retreating Nazis because of its timeless beauty. Of course, Florence is the city of both the Acaddemia, which houses Michelangelo's fabled statue of David, and the Uffizi, where Botticelli's famous 'Birth of Venus' can be admired, should you choose to visit the galleries (payable locally).

Day Seven

Relax in the resort, or join us on today's optional excursion which heads into the Tuscan countryside to explore the exquisite hill towns of Volterra, Certaldo and UNESCO-listed medieval gem San Gimignano. Set high above the Cecina and Dell'Era valleys, Etruscan Volterra is beautifully preserved, with its ancient walls surrounding a medieval core, at the heart of which is a stunning Romanesque cathedral and the ornate Piazza del Priori, lined with beautiful palazzi. You'll also take in the Roman amphitheatre, uncovered in 1951.

No less fascinating is the charming 'twin-town' of Certaldo, the 'newer' lower town nestled beneath the upper, fortified Certaldo alto, with its ancient gates and defensive walls. Saving the best till last, San Gimignano, with its fairy-tale towers rising from the hill-top village, is one of the finest sights in all Italy, and a fitting crowning glory to a wonderful holiday.

Day Eight

Bid farewell to your Tuscan hosts as you journey back to the airport and the return flight, at the end of a marvellous holiday. Back to top

Accommodation

Hotel Belvedere

The Belvedere boasts an excellent location opposite the famous Tettuccio Spa.

he hotel is surrounded by a well-tended garden, and has a bar and lounge, a reception, a lift and a spacious restaurant, which serves traditional Tuscan dishes, as well as more typical Mediterranean and international food, and offers a buffet breakfast each morning. There is also a sun terrace and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.

The guest rooms are air-conditioned, and each is individually themed and decorated, and has parquet flooring. All the rooms have satellite TV, hairdryers and telephones. Balcony rooms are available for a supplement.

Adua Hotel

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.

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).

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 Manzoni

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.

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.

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.

Hotel Columbia

This four-star spa hotel has recently been refurbished in a way that respects the Art Nouveau style of its original interiors. It's an ideal choice for those looking to indulge themselves during their stay.

The hotel has a state-of-the-art wellness centre that boasts fresh and saltwater pools, a unique salt cave, steam rooms, a sauna and massage rooms (facilities and treatments payable locally). It has a bar, a comfortable lounge, an outdoor terrace and an excellent restaurant offering stunning panoramic views of the surrounding Tuscan hills.

Each guest room is individually and stylishly decorated, and has air conditioning, satellite TV, a hairdryer, a safe, a mini-bar and free Wi-Fi. Balcony rooms are available for a supplement.

Back to top

Further Information

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 45 minutes from Pisa, approximately two hours and 30 minutes from Verona, approximately three hours from Rome and approximately three hours 45 minutes from Malpensa.

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 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.

Entrance fees

Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable. This applies to excursions that are included in the price of your holiday and to excursions booked as optional extras.

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 EURO and 3 EURO 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.

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, Durham Tees Valley, Newquay and Norwich. The amount varies from airport to airport, but it is generally between GBP5 and GBP10 per person. Please visit the airport's website for further information.

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, Durham Tees Valley, 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. Back to top