Chianti , Tuscany |
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 • Pienza • 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 .
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DAY 14 • Umbria • Rome Bid farewell to Umbria and begin the overland transfer to Rome . In Rome , enjoy a walking tour of the Trastevere district , a young and bohemian area of the city . Tonight , we ’ ll toast our memories of our Italy and Tuscany travel experiences during a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant .
Meals : B , L , D | River Palace Hotel or similar
DAY 15 • Return to U . S . Transfer to the airport for your return flight home . Or , begin your Rome : Ancient Sites & Hidden City Gems post-trip extension .
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Meals : B |
WESTERN EUROPE |
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Meals : B , D | Piccolo Hotel La Valle or similar |
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A Day in the Life , Pettino |
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 .
Meals : B , L | Piccolo Hotel La Valle or similar
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For departure dates & prices , visit www . oattravel . com / bta2025pricing
PERSONALIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE
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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 .
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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 .
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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
DAY 11 • Pienza • Perugia • Chocolate-making experience • Spoleto
We ’ ll depart Tuscany and set off for Umbria , known as “ the green heart of Italy .” We ’ ll first stop in Perugia , a hilltop town of medieval walls and elegant piazzas . Our walking tour through the city center concludes at a former goldsmith workshop turned chocolaterie . Try your hand at chocolate-making , then transfer to Spoleto .
Meals : B , L , D | Hotel Clitunno or similar
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OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS
History and Culinary Delights of Bologna & Parma , Italy
PRE-TRIP : 6 nights from $ 1,995
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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 learn about sustainable agricultural methods and then 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
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DAY 12 • Spoleto • Optional Umbrian Folk Music tour
Explore Spoleto , a walled hill town framed by the towering Apennine Mountains , featuring the Duomo di Spoleto , an eleventh-century cathedral , and a 774-footlong medieval bridge . Later , join the optional tour to Spello for a concert in a local Umbrian musician ’ s home before dinner in a local restaurant .
Meals : B , L | Hotel Clitunno or similar
DAY 13 • Spoleto • Truffle hunting • Controversial Topic : Truffle exclusivity
Visit a small mountain village nestled in the Apennines and meet up with local truffle hunters and their dogs to seek out the precious mushrooms . Later , return to the village for lunch and conversation with a local shepherd .
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Rome : Ancient Sites & Hidden City Gems
POST-TRIP : 4 nights from $ 1,495
ARRIVE EARLY We recommend that you relax after a long flight or explore more in depth before your trip . Prices shown include accommodations and private airport transfer .
• Arrive early in Bologna before your Bologna & Parma pre-trip extension from $ 220 per room , per night
• Arrive early in Lucca before your main adventure from $ 170 per room , per night
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Meals : B , L , D | Hotel Clitunno or similar |