Montepulciano
WESTERN EUROPE
Florence Chianti Valley
ITINERARY
DAY 1 • Depart U. S. Fly overnight to Florence, Italy.
DAY 2 • Arrive in Lucca, Italy Transfer to Lucca, check into our hotel and meet those who traveled on our optional History and Culinary Delights of Bologna & Parma, Italy pre-trip extension.
Hotel San Luca Palace or similar
DAY 3 • Lucca Set off on a walking tour to explore Lucca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As we explore, we’ ll find quiet, tree-lined squares and ancient churches with ornate facades of green, gray, and white marble. Our stroll also takes us by the Duomo di San Martino, or St. Martin’ s Cathedral, which was originally built in 1063. After a free afternoon to explore on your own, we’ ll gather for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: B, D | Hotel San Luca Palace or similar
DAY 4 • Lucca • Carrara Marble Quarries • Conversation about marble production • Home- Hosted Lunch
Depart for Carrara and visit the ancient marble quarries. Afterward, meet a former quarry worker to discuss the impacts of marble quarrying in the area. Later this afternoon, enjoy a Home-Hosted Lunch with a local family in Marina di Carrara before returning to Lucca.
Meals: B, L | Hotel San Luca Palace or similar
DAY 5 • Lucca • Florence • Chianti region Board a bus to Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the company of a local guide, set off on a walking tour of the historic city center. Highlights include the Ponte Vecchio, the Church of San Miniato, the Oltrarno neighborhood, and the Piazza Santo Spirito. After some free time to explore the city on your own, depart for the Chianti countryside.
Meals: B, D | Villa Il Leccio or similar
DAY 6 • A Day in the Life in the Chianti Valley Enjoy A Day in the Life in the Chianti Valley, first stopping at a local goat farm to make cheese and learn about sustainable agricultural methods before enjoying lunch with our hosts. Later, join your Trip Experience Leader on an optional hike through the Chianti Valley.
Meals: B, L, D | Villa Il Leccio or similar
DAY 7 • Chianti countryside • Olive oil mill • Cooking class & farmhouse lunch
Drive through the Chianti countryside, traveling through Tuscany’ s rolling, vineyard-carpeted hills. Stop at an olive oil mill and enjoy a tasting of this staple of Tuscan cooking. Then, continue to a nearby town for a cooking lesson and lunch at an agriturismo farmhouse.
Meals: B, L, D | Villa Il Leccio or similar
DAY 8 • Siena Transfer to Pienza, beginning with a short ride into Siena. Discover Siena’ s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and stroll from Piazza del Campo to Porta Romana. Departing Siena, a scenic drive brings us through the hills of Tuscany before arriving in Pienza.
Meals: B, D | Piccolo Hotel La Valle or similar
DAY 9 • Etruscan Museum • Montepulciano Visit the Etruscan Museum for a talk on the history of the Etruscans in the Chianciano community. After, we’ ll explore the medieval hilltop town of Montepulciano, and have lunch at a local winery followed by a tour.
Meals: B, L | Piccolo Hotel La Valle or similar
DAY 10 • Pienza • Optional Pitigliano & Sovana tour
Today is yours to make your own discoveries in Pienza. Or, join our full-day optional tour to discover the rich Jewish heritage of Pitigliano and the ancient Etruscan necropolis of Sovana.
Meals: B | Piccolo Hotel La Valle or similar
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT
On Day 6, spend A Day in the Life of the Chianti Valley, a region rich in gastronomic heritage.
Information & Reservations 1-800-955-1925 www. oattravel. com / bta 141