Rome Montepulciano Pienza Montalcino Borgo San Luigi Siena Greve in Chianti San Gimignano Florence Volterra Pisa

4 days/3 nights Tour - From Rome to Montepulciano, Pienza,,Montalcino, Borgo, San Luigi,Siena, Greve in Chianti, San Gimignano, Florence, Volterra, Pisa
DAY 1 ROME MONTEPULCIANO PIENZA & MONTALCINO & BORGO SAN LUIGI
Meet up with your friendly tour guide at 7/15 am and leave Rome on a deluxe coach. You will travel through the provinces of Lazio, Umbria and Tuscany to the delightful town of Montepulciano, a mediaeval gem, rich in history and art. The town is famous for its “Nobile” wine, which can be purchased from the local shops.
Montepulciano also hosts an annual jazz and wine festival every July. You can spend a few hours getting to know Montepulciano at your own pace and enjoy a free wine tasting in many of the shops. In addition, you will get free time for shopping and lunch (not included). The tour then proceeds to the lovely town of Pienza, considered the jewel in the crown of the Val d’Orcia area. You’ll get plenty of time to explore this pretty little place, which was laid out by Pope Pius II, the Humanist Pope, to create the perfect Renaissance town. After lunch, you will arrive in Montalcino, the hilltop town that gives its name not only to the region but also its wines. Here, you’ll get the chance to walk around the walls of the fortress, where courageous soldiers from the Republic of Siena made their last stand against Florence during battles in the Middle Ages.
Enjoy tastings of the famous Brunello di Montalcino wine and Pecorino cheese at Enoteca La Fortezza. Borgo San Luigi is the next stop, a rural village constructed in the sixteenth century, surrounded by cypress trees and picturesque scenery. Enjoy the quiet rural setting by relaxing in the shade of the lush gardens or go for a swim in the olympic-sized pool. Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 2 BORGO SAN LUIGI & SIENA & GREVE IN CHIANTI & SAN GIMIGNANO & BORGO SAN LUIGI
An exploration of the many delights of Tuscany is the order of the day, after a tasty breakfast, of course! When you reach the beautiful town of Siena, you’ll get to stroll along its mediaeval streets, admire the lovely palaces and the fabulous Piazza del Campo, one of the loveliest squares in the world, as well as the site of the famous 600-year old “Il Palio" horse race.
The Chianti hills are your next destination where you can enjoy views of beautiful forests, rows of vines and tiny mediaeval villages of exquisite prettiness. The lovely town of Greve is famous for its triangular piazza and for being the home of the famous explorer Verrazzano. Spend your free time visiting the local shops and market stalls before taking a short drive to Castello di Verrazzano, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the castle’s gardens and ancient wine cellars. You will enjoy a guided tasting of some of the finest wines, as well as lunch with gourmet specialities prepared with raw ingredients from the farm itself and other local producers. After lunch, you will spend your afternoon in the nearby mediaeval hill town of San Gimignano where you can explore this UNESCO World Heritage site. Why not sample a selection of medieval sweets, such as ricciarelli (rich biscuits) and panforte (a deliciously moist fruit cake)? You can explore the town on your own before returning to Borgo San Luigi for dinner and an overnight stay.
DAY 3 BORGO SAN LUIGI & FLORENCE & BORGO SAN LUIGI
After breakfast, you will enjoy a relaxing journey to Florence, where you will have free time to explore the “Cradle of the Renaissance.” Built on Etruscan-Roman foundations, the city flourished during the Middle Ages as a free “commune” and was further enhanced during the Renaissance period. Its numerous monuments, churches, and buildings await you, as well as Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly known as the Duomo. You will be astounded by its wonderful dome, built by Filippo Brunelleschi. You can cross a small piazza to see the campanile (bell tower) which was partly designed by Giotto, and the baptistery, with its bronze doors that Michelangelo named the “Gates of Paradise.” In the center of the city, you will be able visit Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo della Signoria (also known as Palazzo Vecchio), and of Santa Croce Basilica. The afternoon is yours to stroll along the cobbled streets of Florence at your own pace before you return to Borgo San Luigi
Inclusions
• Four meals
• Wine and pecorino cheese tasting at enoteca la Fortezza
• Castello di Verrazzano, visit the castle’s gardens and historical ageing cellars. Wine tasting and Lunch with gastronomic specialties
Notes
• All price are per person
• City tax is not included, must be paid directly at the hotel
• Drinks are not included in meals