Tuscany Tour

HOTEL GARDEN – located approximately 1.5 miles from beautiful downtown Siena—this prestigious residence built by an old noble family, has, for decades, been the central nucleus of the Hotel Garden complex. Situated in the extremity of the secular park of ilex trees one can still admire its’ fine original frescoed halls inside the villa. This seventeenth century villa is comprised of three dependent structures (Casabianca, Poggiarello, and Belvedere) which all enjoy modern comforts. The entire complex is ideal for a pleasant stay in an elegant environment. More information can be found on their web-site – http://www.gardenhotel.it/garden.html

What is the mode of transportation in Tuscany?
Relative to the logistical needs of the tour, vacationers will be treated to either of the following modes of transportation:
• Chauffeured Mini-bus (16 seats + baggage)
• FORD Transit COMBI 100 (9 seats + baggage)

What does the Tuscany tour include:
Tuscany Hotel accommodations (double rooms), breakfast, lunch, dinner as highlighted in the Tuscany tour itinerary, transportation throughout the entire vacation (including to/from Florence airport), non-alcoholic drinks, tour guides, and any tickets required to enter museums, wineries, massage parlors, and any other facilities and services as indicated in the proposed itinerary.

What is NOT included in the tour of Tuscany:
Airfare, elective’s offered throughout the Tuscany vacation period, any phone calls made while on trip, tips, laundry, hotel bar, extra messages and treatments not offered in the standard package of the masseuse parlors, as well as any other facilities and services not specified in the proposed Tuscany vacation itinerary.

Arrival at Florence Airport and hotel transfer
Relaxation
Dinner & Tuscany tour briefing (6:00 PM)
Lodging

You arrive in fabulous Tuscany after and long and arduous trip across the Atlantic. We’d prefer that you rest and charge your battery for the week that lies ahead. However, should you happen to have some energy to burn off, the following elective activities are available to help you become acquainted with SIENA -- your host city in Tuscany:

Tuscany Tour Elective(s):
• Bike riding-10am-1pm-(min. 4 people) -$49/person- Feel the Tuscan wind blow through your hair as you enjoy biking in one of Italy’s most enchanting cities. You will be free to choose your pace and your route up to a maximum 3 hours. For your safety, a minibus will accompany the group to offer assistance.
• Tour of Siena-3pm-6pm-(min. 4 people)-$39/person- Find out the true, historical importance of SIENA and its’ role in shaping Italy’s rich history. You will receive a $20 discount for enrolling in this 3 hour tour. Participation is encouraged and will greatly help our guests become familiar with their surroundings.

Breakfast (8:15 AM)
Transfer to FLORENCE (8:45 AM)
Guided tour of the city (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
Sack lunch
Continue touring the city
Transfer back to hotel (5:00 PM)
Dinner (7:00 PM)
Lodging

Your Tuscany tour gets under way!! And, can you think of a better place to begin your vacation than in FLORENCE—the Capital of Italy’s Renaissance period. A professionally guided tour is slotted for the morning, whilst the afternoon, calls for shopping and some personal time to be able to soak in all of Florence’s richness.

Tuscany Tour Elective(s):
• Museum-1pm-3pm-$19/person- Enjoy observing world famous works of art like Michelangelo’s David, by visiting the Galeria dell’Academia Museum
• Museum-3pm-5pm-$19/person- Enjoy observing world famous works of art like Leonardo Da Vinci’s Baptism of Christ, and Raffaello’s Saint John the Baptist in the Desert, by visiting the Uffizi Museum

Breakfast (9:00 AM)
Transfer to CASTELLO DI VERRAZZANO (9:30 – 10:45 AM)
Visiting the castle and its’ famous winery—GREVE IN CHIANTI
Lunch and wine tasting
Transfer back to hotel (3:00 – 4:30 PM)
Free evening
Lodging

You’re finally introduced to the much anticipated magical world of the famous Tuscan wine. Upon entering CASTELLO DI VERRAZZANO, you are immediately mystified by its’ tradition, its’ history, and its’ mystery. And if the award-winning wine of GREVE IN CHIANTI does not “enchant” you, the breath-taking panorama of the surrounding vineyards most certainly will!! Lunch will be served with a selection of the castle’s 4 most popular wines—amongst which, is the famous Vinsanto. Then, we transfer back to SIENA, where you will enjoy a relaxing, free evening under the Tuscany skyline. This would be a perfect opportunity for you to enjoy the ever famous Italian ice cream (gelato)…Buon Appetito!!!

Tuscany Tour Elective(s):
• Dinner Reservations-8:00pm-9:30pm- $39/person- The Hotel Garden’s restaurant is pleased to host a splendid dinner of traditional, creative, regional cuisines of utmost quality. For those interested in making their own dinner plans, we suggest consulting the following web-site: http://www.italiaabc.it/eng/ristoranti/toscana

Breakfast (9:00 AM)
Transfer to SAN GIMIGNANO (9:30 – 10:45 AM) http://www.sangimignano.com
Guided tour of the city (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
Free time for Lunch & Tour of the Burg
Transfer back to hotel (4:30 PM)
Free evening
Lodging

This day is dedicated towards the admiration of SAN GIMIGNANO —one of Italy’s most beautiful and heavily visited Burgs. Upon arriving, you will be treated to a guided tour of this fabulous city. In the afternoon, we give you the freedom to eat wherever you choose and enjoy a tranquil walk through the city streets—where you’ll be able to visit museums, shop, or just soak in the city’s splendor. And before the day is over, you will be treated to the famous Italian pizza for dinner.

Tuscany Tour Elective(s):
• Golf-5:30pm-7:30pm-$99/person- Golf Club Villa Gori opens its’ doors and welcomes you to enjoy 6 holes of golf in perhaps the most prestigious country club in all of Italy. Green fees, practice fees, club rental fees, 9 golf balls, and bag trolley are all included for you vacationing convenience. This option is only available from the May through September time period due to daylight savings time. http://www.golfitaliano.it/toscanagolf/index.asp
• Dinner Reservations-8:00pm–9:30pm-$39/person- The Hotel Garden’s restaurant is once again pleased to host a splendid dinner of traditional, creative, regional cuisines of utmost quality. For those interested in making their own dinner plans, we suggest consulting the following web-site: http://www.italiaabc.it/eng/ristoranti/toscana/index.html

Breakfast (8:00 AM)
Transfer to CASTELLO DI BANFI (8:30 – 9:45 AM)
Tour of the castle
Lunch—wine from BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
Transfer to visit the city of MONTALCINO (3:00 – 3:30 PM)
Transfer back to hotel (5:00 PM)
Dinner in Pizzeria (7:00 PM)
Lodging

Today, you are introduced to a different side of Italian wine making with a marvelous trip to CASTELLO DI BANFI. This structure is suggestive in all meanings of the word and is sure to leave a lasting impression. Lunch will be served with some of Italy’s most famous wines, including BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO. The day winds down with a visit and first-hand look at MONTALCINO—one of the biggest wine producing cities of Italy.

No Tuscany Tour Elective(s) Today

Breakfast (8:00 AM)
Transfer to PISA (8:30 – 10:30 AM)
Brief visit of PIAZZA MIRACOLI [Leaning Tower of Pisa (10:30 AM – 12:30 PM)]
Transfer to Center of health and beauty - GROTTA GIUSTI
Lunch at GROTTA GIUSTI (1:30 – 2:45 PM)
Afternoon dedicated to message therapy in eternal hot springs (3:00 – 6:00 PM)
Dinner (6:30 PM)
Transfer back to hotel (8:00 – 10:00 PM)
Lodging

Today, you start the day visiting one of the most famous monuments in the world -- The Leaning Tower of PISA!! Then, in the afternoon, live in the lap of luxury and treat yourself to a relaxing and therapeutic thermal message at the marvelous GROTTA GIUSTI. While you tease your body into total nirvana, sip on a home-made cocktail of your choice.

Tuscany Tour Elective(s):
• Tower and Museums-10:30am-12:30pm- Tour members may purchase museum and monument tickets in advance for PISA. The Leaning tower of Pisa is the only monument which requires an advance purchased reservation in order to guarantee entry. Tickets to all other monuments can be purchased upon arrival.
$ 4 : Cathedral
$ 8 : Visit one of the monuments or museums (M.Duomo - M.Sinopie - Camposanto - Battistero)
$ 9 : Visit any 2 monuments or museums (Cathedral - M.Duomo - M.Sinopie - Camposanto - Battistero)
$ 12 : Cathedral + any 2 monuments or museums (M.Duomo - M.Sinopie - Camposanto - Battistero)
$ 13 : Visit 2 monuments + 2 museums (M.Duomo - M.Sinopie - Camposanto - Battistero)
$ 15 : Complete tour of monuments (excluding Leaning Tower of Pisa) (Cathedral - M.Duomo - M.Sinopie - Camposanto - Battistero )
$ 24 : Leaning Tower of Pisa (with reservation)

Breakfast
Free day to live “La Dolce Vita”
Farewell Dinner (8:00 PM)
Lodging

We’ve given you the option to enjoy the last full day in Tuscany as you deem fit. Many supplemental tours, excursions, and other alternatives are offered throughout the day and are destined to generate memories of your vacation that will certainly last a lifetime. The activities include, but are not limited to:

Tuscany Tour Elective(s):
• Bike riding-10:00am-1:00pm-(min. 4 people)-$49/person- Feel the morning wind blow through your hair as you enjoy biking in one of Italy’s most enchanting cities. Feel free to choose your pace and route up to a max of 3 hrs. For your safety, a minibus will accompany the group to offer assistance.

• Bike riding-3:00pm-6:00pm-(min. 4 people)-$49/person- Feel the afternoon wind blow through your hair as you enjoy biking in one of Italy’s most enchanting cities. Feel free to choose your pace and route up to a max of 3 hrs. For your safety, a minibus will accompany the group to offer assistance.

• Tour of Siena-10:00am-1:00pm-(min. 4 people)-$39/person- You have yet another chance to find out the true, historical importance of SIENA and its’ role in shaping Italy’s rich history. This tour is identical to the one offered on Day 1. Don’t miss your chance to discover your host city.

• Tour of Siena-3:00pm-6:00pm-(min. 4 people)-$39/person- This is your last chance to find out the true, historical importance of SIENA and its’ role in shaping Italy’s rich history. This tour is identical to the one offered on Day 1. Don’t miss your last chance to discover your host cities’ surroundings.

• Ceramic Classes-10:00am-1:00pm-(min. 4 people)-$79/person- Learn the art of ceramics from the school of Ceramiche Artistiche Santa Caterina. Maestro of Art, Fabio Neri, continues a family long tradition that his father, Marcello Neri, taught him since the school opened in 1949.

• Ceramic Classes-3:00pm-6:00pm-(min. 4 people)-$79/person- Learn the art of ceramics from the school of Ceramiche Artistiche Santa Caterina. Maestro of Art, Fabio Neri, continues a long family tradition that his father, Marcello Neri, taught him since the school opened in 1949.

• Italian Cooking Classes-9:15am-2:30pm-(min. 6 people)-$89/person- Experience exactly what the entire world has been craving about for centuries. The Dante Alighieri cooking school opens its’ world famous, delicious, healthy and creative recipe book in order for you to truly taste la Dolce Vita!

• Italian Language Classes-3:00-6:00pm-(min. 4 people)-$39/person- Put your survival Italian to the test as the Dante Alighieri language school presents a 3 hour course specifically designed to maximize your vocabulary and understanding of the Italian language.

• Thermal Bath & Health Center-10:00am-4:00pm-(min. 6 people)-$199/person- Enjoy the multiple therapeutic benefits of the Fonteverde Thermal Bath & Health Center. Choose from among the many exclusive treatments that are designed to bring your body back to equilibrium. Lunch included.

• Organic Farming, Italian home & Outlet Mall Shopping-10:00am-4:00pm-(min. 6 people)-$69/person. Il Pino treats you to organic farming amongst rows of Malaysian vines, strawberry fields, meadows of medical herbs, and olive groves. After lunch, the Prada and Gucci Outlet malls await.

Breakfast
Transfer to Florence Airport

“All good things come to an end!” Today is no different as you are transported to the airport and say a sad “Arrivederci” to Tuscany. You will reflect upon the past week and remember every moment for the rest of your life. And, as you enjoy a warm reentry into the US, please consider taking a future vacation with us and recommending Etaly Vacations' Tuscany Tour to all your friends.