Portofino, Florence and Tuscany
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8days from
£1,163*per person
Overview
Explore one of the Mediterranean’s most exclusive corners, the beautiful Tuscan countryside and the stunning Cradle of the Renaissance.
Step into a region that is the living embodiment of La dolce vita - the Italian Riviera. From your elegant spa base in Tuscany, you'll journey to the famous Ligurian coastal resorts of Rapallo and ultra-chic Portofino. On a captivating tour filled with Italian charm, colour and warmth, you’ll also visit Florence – the exquisite Cradle of the Renaissance and one of Italy’s most stylish cities – as well as Pisa and Lucca, two more Tuscan gems.
Step into a region that is the living embodiment of La dolce vita - the Italian Riviera. From your elegant spa base in Tuscany, you'll journey to the famous Ligurian coastal resorts of Rapallo and ultra-chic Portofino. On a captivating tour filled with Italian charm, colour and warmth, you’ll also visit Florence – the exquisite Cradle of the Renaissance and one of Italy’s most stylish cities – as well as Pisa and Lucca, two more Tuscan gems.
Itinerary
- Fly to Pisa - Meet your tour manager as you arrive, and board the coach for the transfer through the Tuscan countryside to your hotel, in Montecatini.
- Day at leisure - Today, you're free to get to know the hotel and the many treasures of this historic spa resort, perhaps paying a first visit to Montecatini Alto for its stunning views, or enjoying a leisurely lunch.
- Included excursion to the Ligurian coast and Portofino - Join the first of your holiday's included excursion and head to the beautiful Ligurian coast. Here, some of Italy’s most famous resorts are dotted along the shoreline, backed by wooded hills. A mecca for visitors from around the world, elegant Rapallo overlooks a stunning bay, and lies at the northern 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, jet-set watering-hole of Portofino. Despite the crowds, this glamorous pastel-painted village remains one of the Mediterranean’s most idyllic settings.
- Included visit to Florence - Today will be one of the real highlights of your holiday, as you join our included tour of Florence. For many, this simply stunning place is Italy’s most beautiful city, and today you'll have the chance to see the magnificent Florentine skyline, dominated by the dome of Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, for yourself. Explore the splendour of Santa Croce and the medieval Ponte Vecchio bridge, spared by the retreating Nazis because of its timeless beauty. Florence is also the city of both the Accademia, which houses Michelangelo’s fabled statue of David, and the Uffizi, where Botticelli’s famous Birth of Venus can be admired. You'll have the chance to visit the galleries (payable locally), and will no doubt want to stop for a bite in one of the city’s cafes and restaurants.
- Optional excursions to Siena and San Gimignano - Relax today or join an optional excursion that heads first to Siena, well known for its medieval brick buildings and fan-shaped square, Piazza del Campo. See the Palazzo Pubblico, the Gothic town hall, and the tall 14th-century tower, Torre del Mangia. No less fascinating is the charming hill town, San Gimignano, with its fairy-tale towers rising from the hill-top village. This is one of the finest sights in all Italy, and a fitting finale to your wonderful holiday.
- At leisure in Montecatini or optional excursion to Cinque Terre - Today, you’re free to enjoy another day of gentle exploration in Montecatini under your own steam, or join an optional excursion sailing across the Italian Riviera to the stunning villages of Cinque Terre. Perched on the rugged coastline, Cinque Terre is a string of centuries-old seaside villages offering colourful houses clinging to steep terraces and harbours filled with fishing boats and trattorias. Start the day with a scenic coach ride to La Spezia, where you'll meet your knowledgeable local guide, before boarding a boat for a two-hour ferry journey to Monterosso, the largest of the Cinque Terre villages. With its beautiful beaches and vibrant lemon trees, you'll then have ample time to wander through its old town, visit the historic convent, and perhaps sample some local seafood delicacies. Later this afternoon, set sail again on your way to Vernazza, often considered the jewel of Cinque Terre with its narrow, winding streets, and Doria Castle offering panoramic views of the coastline. Upon arrival, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll, capture the essence of Italian coastal life, and soak in the village's unique charm. In the late afternoon, you'll make the scenic return trip to La Spezia (via boat) and conclude your memorable day with a coach ride back to Montecatini.
- Included visits to Pisa and Lucca - Today, the tour takes you to two true Italian gems. First of these is the wonderful city of Pisa, where, in the company of your guide, you'll have an opportunity to explore this mesmerising medieval treasure trove on the banks of the River Arno. Here, 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. After a fascinating visit, you’ll reboard the coach and journey to the elegant walled city of Lucca. This simply delightful Renaissance jewel was the birthplace of the composer Puccini, and the city’s most famous son is celebrated with a museum at his home. Elsewhere, the ancient cathedral, the Torre della Ore clocktower and the exquisite Piazza Anfiteatro (built around the Roman amphitheatre) are among the must-sees of this charming city.
- Fly back to the UK - Bid farewell to your Tuscan hosts, today, and journey back to the airport to check in for your flight home.
What's Included
Holiday Highlights
- Visit Portofino, one of the Mediterranean's most exclusive corners
- Spend a day in breathtaking Florence
- Discover the wonderful cities of Pisa and Lucca
- Choose to explore medieval Siena and charming San Gimignano
- Travel to beautiful Cinque Terre on an optional excursion*
- Discover Rapallo's scenic bay
- Enjoy a week's stay in one of Tuscany's most celebrated spa-resorts
Our Price Includes
- Seven nights' dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation
- Excursion to the Ligurian coast
- Boat trip to Portofino
- Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers
- Guided tours of Pisa and Lucca
- Guided tour of Florence
- Return flights to Italy
- Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
- All mandatory local taxes and charges
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Dates and Prices
Accommodation
Hotel Columbia Wellness & Spa -
Introduction
A refined, Art Deco hotel, with a wellness centre located a four-minute walk away from Montecatini Contemporary Art Museum and in the centre of the town.
Facilities & Amenities
The wellness centre encompasses a salt cave, an indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, and treatment cabins.
Rooms
A polished restaurant looks out over the city, and there are two bars to choose from. Sophisticated guestrooms offer TVs, minibars, air conditioning, hairdryers, safes, and Wi-Fi.
Hotel Manzoni, Montecatini Terme -
Introduction
The Hotel Manzoni has been welcoming visitors for over a century and offers easy access to the heart of Montecatini Terme, with the renowned Parco delle Terme just a short walk away.
Facilities & Amenities
There is an outdoor swimming pool, surrounded by sun loungers, and there are extensive health and wellbeing facilities at the hotel, including an additional indoor saltwater swimming pool (seasonal), steam bath, jacuzzi and beauty centre (some services payable locally). The hotel's restaurant offers a buffet-style breakfast and regionally inspired evening dinners, and there's a bar which serves pre- and post-dinner aperitifs.
Rooms
The hotel offers 95 guestrooms, styled in simple pastel colours, with some rooms available with a small balcony (additional supplements may apply). Each one includes Wi-Fi, air-conditioning (seasonal), a safe, a TV, a minibar and a hairdryer.
Please note: Room sizes and decor can vary, as is typical for a traditional Italian hotel of this type.
Adua Hotel, Montecatini -
Introduction
This 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.
Facilities & Amenities
Dine at the Amadeus restaurant, which serves a buffet breakfast and Tuscan and international dishes for your included evening meal. As well as the restaurant, there is an American Bar and a piano lounge. The Regina di Saga spa offers a small heated thalassotherapy pool with therapeutic hydromassages, Turkish Bath, fitness room, wellness treatment rooms (payable locally). There is also an outdoor swimming pool (seasonal).
Rooms
The hotel’s 69 guest rooms offer comfortable accommodation with private bathroom, TV, minibar, safe and air conditioning (seasonal). For an additional supplement, choose a room with a balcony.
Please note: Room sizes and decor can vary, as is typical for a traditional Italian hotel of this type.
Hotel Biondi, Montecatini Terme -
Introduction
Conveniently located in the heart of Montecatini Terme, just a few minutes' walk from the Parco delle Terme and the funicular railway, the Hotel Biondi is an ideal base for exploring Tuscany.
Facilities & Amenities
The hotel has its own restaurant, from which breakfasts and dinners are served, and there are a number of local dining options nearby (payable locally) should you wish to venture out. There is also a seasonal outdoor swimming pool in the hotel's annex and a casual bar, as well as free Wi-Fi in all public areas.
Rooms
Comfortable guestrooms are divided between the main building and a separate annex, and they're equipped with TVs, minibars, safes, and air conditioning (seasonal).
Please note: Room sizes and decor can vary as is typical for a traditional Italian hotel of this type.
Other Information
Hotel transfer times
The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 45 minutes from Pisa.
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 and dining 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. In some instances, individual guests who have booked with the hotel independently may be offered a different menu from those who are staying at the hotel as part of a package tour.
An authentic dining experience in Italy can often be a bit different to the Italian food that international tourists might be used to, but it’s one of the best ways to truly appreciate the finer cultural differences of this tourist hotspot. From simpler, but more frequent, courses to regional dishes, here are some points to note when dining in Italy.
The first major difference you’re likely to notice is that the dining experience as a whole is much longer; you’ll enjoy a much more social experience than the average dinner back home with multiple smaller courses spread across a longer period of time. While each meal will be prepared to order, you may notice that dishes are served cooler than you might be used to – Italian dishes are rarely served piping hot to preserve the more delicate flavours of each ingredient and to provide a more enjoyable dining experience. The final thing to bear in mind is that it may be tricky to find Italian classics in the same form as they are at home. For instance, while Spaghetti Carbonara is a staple in historic Rome – and made traditionally using egg yolks rather than cream – you’ll often find it replaced with a wild boar ragù in Tuscany.
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.
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.
Swimming pool & air conditioning availability
Please be aware that for departures in March and April, the swimming pool at this hotel may not yet be open, as hotels across Italy traditionally open their pools from May onwards in line with the warmer season. Similarly, air conditioning is not typically activated until May in Italian hotels, in accordance with local custom and regional regulations. During the spring months, daytime temperatures are generally mild and pleasant, though we recommend packing a light layer for cooler evenings. We hope this does not cause inconvenience and that you enjoy the wonderful spring atmosphere Italy has to offer at this time of year.
Holiday code
N168Holiday provided by Newmarket Holidays (for iTravel Offers)
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE: This holiday is sold and operated by Newmarket Holidays (ABTOT 5509, ATOL 2325, ABTA V7812), you can be 100% sure that your money is safe.