Italian Riviera and Tuscany (2-Centre Holiday)
Active pace with longer touring days. Expect intermittent walking at a moderate pace for 2–3 hours over a variety of terrain, including cobblestones, hills and uneven pavements. Must be able to negotiate stairs of varying heights, sometimes without handrails. Can tolerate periods of standing during guided tours and be able to climb in/out of various modes of transportation. Some days may include 5–7 km of walking over the course of the day.
We depart for Milan, via Amsterdam.
We arrive in Milan and transfer to our hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure until our Welcome Dinner tonight.
On our morning tour of Milan we see the Milan Cathedral (the Duomo di Milano), the castle, the Galleria and the renowned La Scala opera house. After our tour we depart for the Ligurian coast and our 4-night stay in Liguria.
We take a boat ride along one of Italy’s most beautiful coasts, stopping in fabled Portofino - a stunning port town that has long been a favourite destination for the rich and famous. We then continue to the picturesque fishing village of Camogli, and its stunning seafront array of coloured hotels and homes.
We board the local train to Cinque Terre (“chin-quay terra”). This UNESCO World Heritage Site comprises 5 picturesque villages clinging dramatically to the cliffs along the rocky coastline of the Italian Riviera. Upon arrival at the village of Monterosso we will have time to explore before taking a scenic boat trip to Vernazza - one of the most beautiful villages in the region. We continue by train to Manarola and, after some free time there, return by train to our hotel.
A day at leisure to explore the Italian Riviera, popular for its beautiful beaches, cliffside views and charming towns. A wonderful day for shoppers, café lovers and photographers!
We depart for Montecatini, our base for 8 nights as we tour the region. Enroute we will stop at the enchanting village of Portovenere, situated on a rocky coastline. The village was dear to romantic poet Lord Byron because of its tranquility. The 12th century village centre is still home to the original pastel houses overlooking the harbour and the Tinetto Islands. We will also see 13th century St. Peter's Church built on rocks. This evening there will be a talk on the history, art, local traditions and present-day rivalries in Tuscany
This morning we enjoy a tour of Siena. Distinguished by its medieval brick buildings, the fan-shaped Piazza del Campo (where the famous annual horse race is held) is dominated by the Palazzo Pubblico - the gothic town hall. We will also visit a castle in the Chianti District followed by, of course, a wine tasting.
The morning is at leisure to explore this charming spa town with its many shops and cafes. This afternoon we visit a local farm to learn of the agricultural products Tuscany is well known for. The visit will be followed by dinner with a selection of local wine and produce.
After a free morning, we enjoy the lovely Tuscan scenery as we travel to medieval Lucca to visit the 17th century Villa Reale - an elegant villa with magnificent gardens surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. The villa has its original furnishings, boasts a picturesque lake, and still houses a green theatre in the garden. We then have some time to discover the historic centre of Lucca, followed by dinner at a local restaurant, before we return to Montecatini.
A full day touring in Florence - the "Cradle of the Renaissance". We visit the Academia Gallery to see the magnificent statue of David by Michelangelo. We then have a walking tour and see the multi-coloured marble cathedral, Signoria Square, the Baptistery and Piazzale Michelangelo from where we have the best view over the city.
At leisure to explore the town and stroll the lovely promenade.
A full day to explore the unique hilltop towns set among the Tuscan vineyards and cypress trees. These small towns, with their medieval buildings and monuments, date back to the 1100s.
At leisure. You may wish to take the cog train up the hill to the ancient upper town. This evening’s Farewell Dinner at a local farm will feature some specially prepared regional dishes, a fitting arrivederci to our Italian holiday!
We fly home via Paris.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (90 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
