Nice | Cinque Terre, Florence & Tuscany Small Group Tour

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Travel beyond the glitz & glamour of the well-trod tourist destinations and discover ancient architecture, the stunning pastel-hued villages of the Cinque Terre and take that classic photo with the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa. 

Day 1: Nice | Cinque Terre

This morning you'll leave the bustling streets of Nice and head east along the French Riviera. This area of the coast is also called the Côte d’Azur and it’s as stunning as it is famous. It’s where the greatest artists came for inspiration and the rich and famous come to soak up the sun. You'll cross the border into Italy and continue your journey along the Italian coast. Your first stop of the day is the charming seaside town of Porto Maurizio where you can get some refreshments and take a photo of the pastel-coloured houses rising over the harbour like a pop-up book and then continue your journey to Recco. It’s time to have lunch and we suggest that you try the local focaccia with cheese. This little town, located on the aptly named Golfo Paradiso (Paradise Gulf), is the gastronomic capital of the area, so make sure to try as many culinary specialities as possible. In the afternoon, you arrive in La Spezia, check in to your hotel, and get ready to uncover the gems of the Ligurian coast: Cinque Terre. Perched to the side of the cliffs and strung like colourful beads, Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore are yours to explore for the rest of the day. Simply purchase a rail ticket and just jump on the Cinque Terre train and decide where you want to go first. If it’s beaches and a seafront promenade you’re after, head to Monterosso. The wine lovers should explore Manarola which is surrounded by vines and offers some great local wine. And if you want to visit the hamlets with the great views and a dramatic location, travel to Riomaggiore, Vernazza and Corniglia. After an afternoon and an evening exploring the Cinque Terre villages, you get on the train back to La Spezia, your base for the night.

Day 2: Pisa | Lucca | Florence

Buongiorno! Today is all about discovering the architectural wonders of Northern Italy. You'll leave La Spezia in the morning and travel to Pisa where you can explore the city for a couple of hours and have lunch on your own. Once a maritime power competing with Genoa and Venice, this city is now famous worldwide for an architectural project which went horribly wrong. Tilting or not, the Leaning Tower of Pisa has beautiful, elaborate Romanesque architecture and a fascinating history. But remember, the Tower is just one component of a spectacular architectural ensemble. You should not overlook the Duomo, the Baptistery and the Camposanto, which are part of Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles). Next on the list of our Italian delights is Lucca, known as the city of a hundred churches. Originally founded by the Etruscans, then a Roman colony, the city has gained its wealth through the silk trade. And you can see this prosperity in the abundance of graceful buildings and pretty piazzas. You'll have time to wander around shady promenades or along the Renaissance city walls before you continue your journey further. All these impressive architectural gems of the day were just a warm-up. Prepare yourself for a real feast for the eyes as you travel to Florence, your base for the next two nights. (B)

Day 3: Florence

Today you have a full day to enjoy the ‘Birthplace of the Renaissance’ and can decide how you want to spend it. You can start by following the paths of Leonardo, Michelangelo, Dante and Galileo - stare in awe at the Duomo, the city’s majestic cathedral that dominates the skyline; see The Birth of Venus and some of the most celebrated treasures at the Uffizi Gallery; or visit Galleria dell’Accademia, to admire Michelangelo’s masterpiece, David. Man does not live by art alone, so don’t forget to try some of the local specialities. The culinary delights like handmade pasta, pizza, bread, pastries, wine and gelato will help you to regain your strength. In the afternoon, you could ponder over the Medici’s power and secrets as you explore Palazzo Pitti. The grand palace of this influential family is home to some of the greatest treasures of the Renaissance and the secret Vasari Corridor. For a perfect end of the day, visit Boboli Gardens peppered with statues, fountains, ponds and hidden mazes. It’s your second night in Florence so spend the evening soaking up the atmosphere as you explore the bustling squares or excellent restaurants and bars.(B)

Day 4: San Gimignano | Siena

It’s time to wave Florence goodbye and set off to discover the spectacular medieval hill-towns of Tuscany. As you travel over the green Tuscan hills, you'll notice the 14 towers of San Gimignano soaring like a medieval Manhattan. Originally set up by the Etruscans, the settlement was named after San Gimignano, the bishop of Modena, who is said to have rescued it from Attila the Hun. You'll have a chance to explore this unique town, walk around the well-preserved fortified old centre, and ponder over the noble families who got caught up in a race for building the highest tower house. Continue south to Siena, the highlight of the day. This gorgeous red-brick city celebrates Gothic architecture like no one else. The place’s essence centres around the unique shell-shaped Piazza del Campo. It’s here where the bi-annual horse Palio is hosted. And it’s also where James Bond madly chases his enemy in ‘Quantum of Solace’. Savour your lunch on the Piazza, watch as the world goes by, and enjoy the atmosphere. Next, you travel along the country roads, past cypress trees and olive groves to arrive in Chianciano Terme in the early evening. This hilltop town in rural Tuscany is your home for two nights. (B)

Day 5: Montalcino | Pienza

Curvy backroads lined by cypress trees, vineyards, olive groves, and old romantic villages. This is the dreamy Tuscan region of Val d’Orcia where time seems to slow down. This area boasts unspoiled beauty and is steeped in history and culture. No wonder it has been declared a UNESCO heritage site. Start the day with a leisurely drive through the rolling green hills to Bagno Vignoni. This extraordinary ancient site grew around a basin renowned for its curative waters. The Etruscans, Romans, pilgrims of the Via Francigena, and even the Medici appreciated the hot sulphurous waters here. Today, you can admire this ancient spa and can choose to take the waters at the hot springs below the village. So, remember to bring your swimwear and a towel for a quick dip. Rejuvenated after your therapeutic bath, you'll continue the journey through the green and ochre hills dotted with chapels. This land, its culture and identity are inextricably connected with wine production. So, it’s time for you to try some of the best wines in the world in a local winery. You can choose to visit the historic wine cellars, discover the secrets of ageing wine, and savour the legendary Brunello di Montalcino. Next, you'll travel to the medieval walled city of Montalcino surrounded by scenic vineyards. With its famous wine heritage and stunning location, it’s a perfect place for lunch. Your adventure takes you to Pienza after your delicious meal and possibly a few too many glasses of Brunello. This jewel of a city is known as the ‘Ideal City’ and is a fruit of the Renaissance vision of Pope Pius II. Call it vain or forward-thinking, but in the 15th-century, the Pope set about transforming his birthplace and the results are so stunning that UNESCO designated Pienza as a world heritage site. Wander around the Piazza Pio II and marvel at the magnificent ensemble of the church, papal palace, town hall and accompanying buildings. You finish your afternoon off with a visit to an organic cheese farm where you can choose to have a guided tour and discover more about rural life in Tuscany. Learn about cheese production, savour some local specials accompanied by a glass of wine, and enjoy a remarkable view of Val d’Orcia. After experiencing and savouring the best of rural Tuscany, you'll arrive in Chianciano Terme in the early evening for your second night. (B)

Day 6: Rome

This morning you'll leave Chianciano Terme and Tuscany and travel south to the Maremma region to discover Sorano. Literally carved out of tuff rock and built on a fortress, this hilltop city feels like a time capsule. It dates back to the Etruscan era and is a fascinating ensemble of towers, alcoves and cellars perched above the Lente river and gorge. Delve into the maze of small streets and alleys and marvel at the city gates and the impressive fortified medieval castle towering over the city. Then the tour continues to another dramatic hilltop city, Pitigliano, where you can enjoy your lunch. The city rises from the outcrop of the volcanic tufa rocks and is surrounded by gorges on three sides. With its rows of jumbled houses and cobblestone streets, it looks like something out of an old fairytale. Pitigliano became known as ‘Little Jerusalem’ because it turned to be a safe haven for persecuted Jews. You can still discover their rich heritage in the local cuisine and enchanting synagogues. In the afternoon, we'll get off the beaten path and travel through a patchwork of green fields towards the Bolsena Lake. It’s the largest volcanic lake in Italy and its deep waters sustain a thriving fishing community in the local area. We'll stop to take some pictures and then continue along the edge of the lake to Capodimonte. Here, you have time to enjoy the sun and relax on the beach, or you can soak up the atmosphere, roam the town, and admire the castle and many of the town’s beautiful churches. Then continue your leisurely ramble south along the west coast of Italy taking photo stops along the way. Finally, you can say ‘Ciao Roma’ as you arrive at the gateway to Rome in the evening. (B)

Guaranteed departures!

Guaranteed departures: May ; June ; July ; August ; September  and October , 2022 
All visits & excursions are optional and at your own expense.  
Cancellation & change penalties for this tour differ from regular CIT Terms & Conditions.   Full cancellation penalties of 100% apply at 45 days prior to departure.