This is a land of gentle rises and fecund meadows, where grapes grow fat in the summer sun and Italian nobles retire to enjoy the countryside. It’s a place of fine art and delectable food, cosmopolitan cities and entrancing towns, timeless history and endless culture. It’s a region of untrammeled natural beauty and unbounded imagination, the home to some of the great minds and great landscapes in the world. This is Tuscany, and there’s nowhere else quite like it.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
The Magnificent Villas of Tuscany
This morning is left to your own devices. You can enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a cappuccino while you watch the traffic pass in one of Florence’s many piazzas or set out on a shopping expedition for some of the city’s best wares, like fine leather goods and jewelry. After a delicious lunch, you’ll head out to the Tuscan countryside to take in some of the most majestic country villas in Italy. You’ll start by walking along the famed double lane of cypresses that leads to the entrance of the splendid Villa Torrigiani, decorated with classical statues and dramatic balustrades that recall the splendor of Tuscany’s past.
Continue on to Villa Reale, whose renowned garden features the unique and unforgettable Teatro di Verdura – literally, the “Greenery Theatre” but perhaps most eloquently translated as “A Curtain of Green.” This performance space has been designed into the hedges and topiary that fill the gardens. The tour concludes at the most iconic of Lucchese villas, the stunning Villa Mansi, which is now the site of an excellent museum.
What's Included:
Day 2
Hiking the Arresting Alps
Day 3
A Tour of Chianti, Italy’s Wine Capital
Day 4
Around Fantastic Florence
Day 5
Visiting the Very Best Tuscan Towns
Day 6
A Day of Indulgence in the Heart of Italy
Day 7
Hitting the Streets of Italy’s Most Fashionable City
Day 8
Saying Arrivederci
Trip Highlights
- Marvel at the spectacular country homes of the central Italian elite, from Lucca to Mutigliano
- Enjoy an excursion to the heart of Italy’s famed wine region, where you’ll learn all about the history of Italian wine making and get a taste of the best vintages from the best wineries
- Walk the streets of famous Florence, the chief city of the Italian Renaissance and one of the greatest cities in the world for art lovers, from the rich offerings of the Accademia to the incredible paintings in the Uffizi
- Revel in the unparalleled comfort and relaxation at Bagni di Pisa, where you’ll enjoy soothing therapeutic waters and the splendor of a former villa turned into a world-class spa
- Explore the finest fashion houses and the best small boutiques of the renowned avenues of chic and tony Milan, one of the few world cities that drives the global fashion scene
Detailed Description
Nowhere says splendor quite like the famed hills of Tuscany, the home to scintillating countryside and some of the country’s best-loved cities. This nine-day trip will give you the chance to see the best of this arresting area, from the streets of Florence to the magnificent country villas of Lucca, showing you the best food, art and culture around.
Discover the art of the Italian Renaissance as you perambulate through Florence, where you’ll find the astounding Santa Maria del Fiore and the sublime works of Michelangelo on prominent display in the Accademia. Visit the villas of the Italian nobility around Lucca and Mutigliano and enjoy the sumptuous wines of the spectacular Chianti region. You’ll even get the chance to spend a day in the lap of luxury, as you revel in the setting and the services of a world-class spa in the delightful town of Bagni di Pisa.
From the paintings of the Renaissance to the celluloid of today’s silver screen, Tuscany is synonymous with Italian allure and countryside charm. Visit for the sunsets or the light as it mingles with the crisp Italian air over the tranquil peace of an olive grove. Come for the incomparable cuisine, known the world round for its comforting delicacies. Stop by for the culture that has been cultivated for centuries, from big cities to tiny towns. Why ever you choose to visit, you’ll find you have a much bigger problem finding a reason to leave.
Starting Price
$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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