A JOURNEY TO TUSCANY
March 24 - 31, 2011
See below for prices and discounts.
The entire tour is from ONE HOTEL with a maximum of only 8 participants and a PRIVATE VAN and DRIVER.
Your host and guide is MIKE ROSS, travel professional since 1982.
Includes flights from Detroit, superior class hotel with private bath, breakfast and dinner daily, airport transfers in Europe and travel documents. Featuring the Leaning Tower of PISA, the medieval charm of LUCCA, SIENA, SAN GIMIGNANO and VOLTERRA, wine tastings, hill towns and wonderful Tuscan cooking and amazing FLORENCE with Michelangelo's DAVID. PLUS a PRIVATE van and driver! Participants should enjoy walking, as many sights are available only to pedestrians.
Itinerary
Day 1. Overnight flight to ITALY.
Day 2. Arrival in ITALY. A drive through Tuscany brings us to the medieval village of VOLTERRA. High atop a knoll overlooking the verdant countryside, Volterra is the essence of a Tuscan hill town. Stroll to the impressive walls and the ancient city gate, Porto allÁrco, enjoy a Chianti before dinner and drink in the rich luster of Tuscany.
Day 3. A visit to the Etruscan Museum in Volterra begins the day. This unique display examines this very important 3000 year old culture. Later we take a History Walk around the town, see the ruins of the Roman Amphitheater and have free time later to stroll and shop the Via Matteotti and Via Gramsci. This afternoon we drive to FRANTOIO DEI COLLI for a wine and olive oil tasting and an introduction to the wonderful products of this area.
Day 4: Through the hills this morning to SAN GIMIGNANO, with its 14 towers and delightful town square. Later it´s on to SIENA. It´s remarkable Piazza Il Campo (main square) and beautiful Duomo (cathedral) are among the finest in Italy. We visit these sights and have time to wander and discover the tiny back lanes and lovely boutiques.
Day 5. West this morning to PISA. For three centuries a great sea power of the Mediterranean, Pisa became immensely wealthy. The Cathedral, Baptistry and Tower, now leaning, were built on the Field of Miracles during those glorious days and remain today the icons of the city. We visit the Cathedral and walk around the world famous tower for some great photos. Later we drive to the medieval walled town of LUCCA. One of the gems of Tuscany, Lucca was the center of the silk trade 500 years ago then later a Napoleonic capital. The little lanes are filled with unique cafes, boutiques and shops.
Day 6: The impressive Art Gallery begins the day in Volterra. Next is the 12th century cathedral, wonderful in its Tuscan simplicity. This afternoon you can join an optional COOKING CLASS at the Podero San Lorenzo and learn to cook an entire Tuscan meal…and eat it!
Day 7: Florence. The city of Renaissance dreams, home to Michelangelo, da Vinci, Galileo, Dante, Brunelleschi´s great dome and the Medicis, Florence´s impact on Western civilization cannot be exaggerated. We will start with a visit to the Accademia to see Michelangelo´s DAVID. Afterward we will visit the Cathedral, see the famous Baptistry bronze doors and take our Renaissance Walk through the heart of the city to Piazza della Signoria. Visit the art boutiques or the leather shops this afternoon.
Day 8: After a fun-filled week we transfer to the airport for our flight home.
PRICE from Detroit from $3737 per person in a double room, other departure cities available. ONLY $3387 with early deposit. FOR PREVIOUS MIKE ROSS TRAVELERS only $3237 with early deposit. Single supplement $395. Price may vary with airfare at time of booking. Security charges and airport taxes assessed 90 days before departure.
PAYMENTS: $1500 p/p deposit with RESERVATION FORM. Balance due 95 days prior to departure. See TERMS & CONDITIONS.