Italian Riviera Tour Itinerary 2008
(Itinerary is subject to change with or without notice. Sequence of daytrips may vary. Final itinerary will be given to travelers prior to the start of the trip.)
Friday Day 1 | Benvenuto - Welcome!
Arrival in Florence after a long flight overseas and get some rest in the "Cradle of the Renaissance". Stay in a historical palazzo, turned into a hotel, located just a few steps away from Brunelleschi's Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio "Old Bridge", and all the other main sites in this beautiful city. First night stay in Florence hotel.
INCLUDED MEALS: NONE.
Saturday Day 2 | Passeggiata fra Mura e Torri : A stroll among Strongholds and Towers
Morning check-out from Florence hotel. Group departure from Florence to Lucca (about 1hr transfer), the charming town completely surrounded by massive walls, on top of which lay a walkable greenway adorned with secular trees. Enjoy some free time to explore the winding streets, the beautiful churches, and the circular "Piazza Anfiteatro", famous for being built over an ancient Roman Arena. We'll have a group lunch in a historical Lucca restaurant. We continue on to Pisa (about 30 min. transfer) to see its world famous leaning tower, arguably Italy's most recognized landmark. We'll meet with a private guide for a insider's visit of the the "Piazza dei Miracoli" (Leaning Tower, Duomo, Baptistery) and the Lungarno.
We continue on to Portovenere, one of the most picturesque harbors of the Italian Riviera. (about 1 hr transfer).
Check-in at the Hotel in Portovenere for a 4-night stay. From here you can enjoy a full view of the harbor and its crystal blue waters. The ancient Portus Veneris is believed to date back to the middle of the first century BC. It has been said that the name refers to a temple to the goddess Venus which was sited on the promontory where the church of Peter the Apostle now stands. In Roman times the city was essentially a fishing community, and in the centuries that followed, Portovenere became the base of the Byzantine fleet in the northern Tyrrhenian Sea. The walls and castle were erected in the beginning of the 12th century.
Group dinner in a local trattoria.
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER.
Sunday Day 3 | Le Terre Incantate : The Enchanted lands
Morning departure by boat to the fascinating Cinque Terre, five fishing villages that have become a World Heritage protected site, and a legacy left by man's enduring spirit of adaptation to nature's erratic forces, and the strenuous reliance on sea and land for survival. We'll visit these "Five Hamlets" (Rio Maggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, Corniglia, Monterosso) built into sheer rocky coast, a small strip of roughly edged mountains dropping dramatically into the sea. With a local guide we'll make our first stop in picturesque Rio Maggiore, from which we'll walk along the mountainside's "Via dell'Amore" (Lover's Walk) all the way to Manarola. Then we continue onto Vernazza by train, ending our journey in Monterosso. Stop for group lunch in a local trattoria and we'll enjoy some free time to shop or explore in Monterosso. We then return to Portovenere by boat, admiring from the sea these amazingly impervious fishermen's villages (arrival around 6:10pm). Dinner on your own in Portovenere.
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH.
Monday Day 4 | Bianco Splendente : Shimmering White
Departure by car to Carrara to visit the world's largest white marble quarries (10am-12pm) located in the heart of the "Apuane Alps". These mountains are not part of the Alps at all, but their sharply angled peaks resemble the Alps' compared to the more softly, rounded shaped ridges of the nearby Appennini. Furthermore, the Apuane are the world's largest white marble quarry, which from a distance makes the mountains appear as covered in snow, when in fact, it is the reflection of the white marble. Our private guide will meet up with us so we can explore more in depth the quarries, taking us exactly where the marble has been extracted for the past 2 millennia. A magnificent testimony of history and the industrious presence of man.
We will then transfer to Colonnata, the nearby town known for its delicacy "Lardo", including a tasting at the Larderia "lard-curing shop ". Group lunch at a trattoria in Colonnata with local specialties. We'll drive to Carrara to visit a 'segheria' (saw mill) where marble is cut and polished. We continue today's journey to Fosdinovo to visit the austere feudal Castle of Malaspina, full of legends and winding walkways, with guided visit & entrance.
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER.
Tuesday Day 5 | Storia di Terra & Mare : History of Land and Sea
Departure by car through the small roads winding around the ancient terraced cliffs overlooking the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean. We'll stop at a farm in the Cinque Terre for a fun cooking class, learning to make the most traditional Italian Pesto 'pesto alla Genovese' and other local specialties directly from local farmers, followed by group lunch with local wine. We return to Portovenere for relaxation and free time, dinner on your own, and overnight stay.
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH.
Wednesday Day 6 | Vino, Olio e Tramonti : Wine, Olive oil, and Sunsets
Check-out from Portovenere hotel and scenic drive South, along Tuscany's Riviera. We'll make a quick stop in the Bolgheri, an old village situated in the heart of the Etruscan Coast, famous for the Viale dei Cipressi (Boulevard of Cypresses), which gained everlasting fame in the poem "Davanti a San Guido" by Italian poet Giosuè Carducci who lived here from 1838 to 1848 and was awarded a Nobel Prize. Even before arriving, the view of the countryside, with the cultivated fields and the typical colours of the Tuscan countryside leaves you enchanted. This area is also very known for its highly valued 'Super-Tuscan' wines. Vines here grow on softly-shaped hills gently caressed by the zesty sea breeze and warm sun during most of the year, making this a truly powerful wine. We'll visit a local vineyard with tasting.
We'll enjoy a light lunch at a local family-owned olive farm, visiting its 'frantoio' (olive mill) and learning about the processes that make this one of Italy's most prized productions around the world.
Transfer to Porto Santo Stefano, a fisherman's village on the side of Mount Argentario, overlooking the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. About 2 hour transfer.
Arrival at our hotel, perched over a dramatically steep cliff, with outstanding views of the Island of Giglio and Montecristo, including breath-taking sunsets. Check-in for the following 5 nights, unpack, and relax. Group dinner in hotel's restaurant.
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER.
Thursday Day 7 | Meravigliosa Scoperta : Wondrous Discovery
Departure for Capalbio, one of Italy's most charming hill-top towns, with an intact encircling wall structure, which can be traced on foot. (about 45min. transfer). Free time to explore, lunch on your own.
Return for a relaxing afternoon at the hotel and its private beach (about 45min. transfer back). Transfers to Porto Santo Stefano will also be available at no extra cost. Group dinner at a seafood restaurant on the beach of Feniglia.
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, DINNER.
Friday Day 8 | Isole Verdi, Sole Giallo, Mare Blu : Green islands, Yellow Sun, Blue Sea
Departure for Porto Santo Stefano for a FULL-DAY boat excursion to the Islands of Giglio and Giannutri with free time on the islands, swimming & sun-bathing, and group lunch on boat. Dinner at restaurant near Talamone, where we can enjoy local delicacies such as stewed rabbit with black olives, grilled veggies, home made pasta, and roasted wild boar.
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER.
Saturday Day 9 | Acqua per la Vita : Water for Life
Departure for the best preserved Etruscan towns dating back to ca. 800 BC. First stop in Sovana (about 1 hr transfer), and then Sorano, where you can enjoy some free time for lunch and shopping. Next is the striking Pitigliano, an ancient Etruscan town perched on a limestone ridge, carved into the stone called “Tufo”. Group dinner in a family owned trattoria before returning to our hotel.
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, DINNER.
Sunday Day 10 | La Terra degli Etruschi : The land of the Etruscans
Departure for Terme di Saturnia, famous hot-springs. Legend says that Roman deity, Saturn, launched a lightning bolt to punish people, who were in constant conflict with one another. This bolt gave birth to a crater from which hot water that allowed peace to settle among Earth’s inhabitants. Saturnia’s thermal baths are known especially for their unique healing properties and also for the water’s unusual capability of retaining a constant temperature, which remains unchanged throughout the year at 37°C (98°F). These hot-springs have been used for centuries since the Romans. Enjoy a pic-nic lunch and free time to relax and pack. Group dinner at hotel.
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER.
Monday Day 11 | Chianti Classico fra Dolci Colline : Chianti Classico among the soft hills
Check-out from Hotel and transfer to the Chianti Classico area (about 2 hr. transfer).
Like a fairytale, we approach the Chianti countryside. A castle announces itself in the enchanting Chianti landscape at the end of a pleasant driveway lined with cypresses and junipers, amid sun-kissed fields and vineyards. The Castle originally belonged to the Benedictine monks of the Coltibuono Abbey. The Castle boasts massive 15th century fortifications with an imposing cylindrical tower built as protection against artillery fire. But there is also the aristocratic grace of the elegant villa, with its sequence of exquisitely furnished and decorated rooms, and an unparalleled 18th century theatre. We'll enjoy a guided tour of the Castle, followed by wine tasting and group lunch. Then, we continue on to the small town of Radda in Chianti (20min. transfer), with free time in Radda. Transfer from Radda to Florence (about 1hr transfer) and check-in Florence hotel for final night stay.
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH.
Tuesday Day 12 | Arrivederci Toscana!
Check-out from Hotel and ... Arrivederci! As hard as it may be to leave these beautiful sites, we hope to see you again very soon in lovely Italy!
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST.
For $4,850 per person this is what's included in the Italian Riviera Tour
4 Nights lodging in Grand Hotel in Portovenere + 5 Nights in 4-star Hotel in Porto Santo Stefano + 2 Nights in Hotel in historical center of Florence for a trip totaling 12 Days/11 Nights (Depart from US on Thursday and return on Tuesday for a total of 13 days, including travel time).
Small group travel! Maximum of 12 travelers per group.
Privately escorted day-trips with professional private driver and full-time Nada's Italy tour leader throughout trip (in most cases, it's Nada herself!).
Escorted excursions to: Lucca, Pisa (walking tour with local guide), Portovenere, Cinque Terre, Carrara marble quarries (with local guide), Bolgheri, Pitigliano, Radda in Chianti, mini-cruise to Island of Giglio, Saturnia hot-springs, Capalbio, Sorano & Sovana (itinerary & destinations may vary).
Maps for each town visited + Italy Guide Book & Italian Travel Phrase book.
Included Meals: All Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 7 Dinners (Included meals are shown at
bottom of the description for each day).
Included Beverages: bottled water and 2 glasses of wine per person (choice of red or white) with lunch and dinner.
2 Wine Tours, including Chianti Classico and Supertuscan Bolgheri.
Hands-on cooking class at a family owned farm in Cinque Terre, Visit & tasting of "Lardo di Colonnata", Visit of Tuscan Olive Mill, followed by lunch.
Pick-up & drop-off from a Renaissance Hotel in the historical district of Florence. Private transportation for day trips throughout the stay in comfortable air-conditioned van with professional driver (does not include: transfer from and to airport, airfare, or any other personal travel expenses).
Local VAT taxes and government fees, gas, highway tolls, city access licenses and permits, parking fees.
Learn basic Italian before your trip! Receive an Audio CD set with 10 lessons by Pimsleur.
Customer loyalty Reward: receive a $300 credit towards any future trips you take with Nada's Italy!
No bag limit! (Most tours have a 1-bag limit per person).
TOUR PRICE: $4,850 per person (includes taxes & fees) based on double occupancy. A single room supplement for this trip is $900.
TO REGISTER: please download the Trip Registration Form by clicking on the link on top of this page. Form must be completed and returned with a 50% deposit to be officially registered for this trip (personal check, money order, or credit cards accepted). For more information, please contact us: info@nadasitaly.com. Price listed is subject to change with or without notice.
What's Not Included in Tour Package
Trip price does not include airfare and anything that is not specified to be included. Price does not include any personal-related expenses, or travel-related expenses outside of the scheduled itineraries. The food & wine that is included is what is presented during meals, all other items ordered by traveler including wine and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are not included in tour price. Trip price does not include optional tips to restaurants nor to tour personnel such as drivers, maids, etc. These gratuities are given at sole discretion of each individual traveler and are not required for participation in tour.
