Overview
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From the rolling hills of Montalbano to Vinci and beyond, we’ll take you through bountiful vineyards, olive groves, and chestnut trees. You’ll even visit the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci to experience the Renaissance master’s life and art. Traveling through some of the most stunning and lush natural landscapes in Italy, you’ll embark to visit idyllic spots, including the gorgeous Chianti Valley and the Etruscan Coast. As you visit quaint wine shops, cafes, historic estates, and museums, you’ll feel immersed in the history and traditions of each destination.
In addition to sampling the local gourmet Tuscan fare, you’ll also be treated to an Italian cooking lesson. You’ll prepare an authentic Italian dish inside a rustic Tuscan farmhouse where you and your travel companions will enjoy your culinary creations – complete with master-chef prizes. You’ll also learn the art of Italian dessert-making at your hotel and get to taste some of the celebrated Chianti and Super Tuscan wines right where they are produced. You’ll enjoy making Montecatini your home for this vacation in Tuscany, while making priceless discoveries on your excursions to the best in Tuscan experiences only the locals know. Next, travel to Florence for your Monograms vacation.
Your Monograms vacation package in Florence includes transfer from Montecatini to Florence. Visit the Duomo Museum, walk through Piazza del Duomo, see the sculptures of Piazza della Signoria, and visit Santa Croce Square with an expert local guide. You’ll be treated to superior hotel accommodations, a Local Host® on call to offer guidance and assistance during your stay, and the perfect blend of guided sightseeing and free time to enjoy all that Florence has to offer.
Highlights
Cooking class and competition, followed by dinner
VINCI Visit the Leonardo da Vinci museum and a local butchery at a nearby village
CHIANTI VALLEY Visit Greve and a historic Chianti wine estate
LUCCA Guided sightseeing with café-crawl brunch, visit Palazzo Mansi and Palazzo Pfanner
BOLGHERI Visit the village and a wine cellar
CASTAGNETO CARDUCCI Visit, wine tasting and lunch in a local restaurant
MONTECATINI Cake- and dessert-baking class
2020 Tour itinerary
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
Total meals included:
- 10 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
ARRIVE IN MONTECATINI, ITALY
Day1
Check into your hotel. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers and enjoy a special welcome dinner.
Meals included:
- Dinner
MONTECATINI. EXCURSION TO VINCI
Day2
This morning, head out into the lush, rolling landscape of the Montalbano hills. Pass terraced grape vineyards, olive groves, and chestnut trees on your way to the quaint village of Vinci, birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci. Here, learn all about the Renaissance master at the MUSEUM dedicated to his life and many areas of interest from painting, sculpting, and inventing, to anatomy, music, and cartography! Later, visit a BUTCHERY in a local village, followed by a generous tasting of cold cuts.
Today’s Distance: 112 mi/ 180 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
MONTECATINI. EXCURSION TO THE CHIANTI VALLEY
Day3
Cradled between the provinces of Florence and Siena, the Chianti Valley is the heart of Old Tuscany, and has been hailed for its exceptional wines since the 13th century. Your journey today takes you to Greve, with time to visit the village and to enjoy lunch at a charming wine shop. Complete the day with the visit of a HISTORIC TUSCAN ESTATE known for its Chianti wine production.
Today’s Distance: 124 mi/ 200 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
MONTECATINI
Day4
Enjoy a leisurely morning in Montecatini. Maybe go for a walk in the Parco delle Terme with its tall shady trees. Most of the afternoon is dedicated to the Italian cooking lesson at a rustic farmhouse in the Tuscan countryside. Once you arrive at the farm, enjoy a welcome drink, explore the orchard to pick some fresh ingredients, learn about Italy’s most famous delicacies, and then roll up your sleeves for a fun, hands-on COOKING EXPERIENCE. This evening, relax with your traveling companions and savor the delectable dinner you prepared—maybe your team will win the master chef prize!
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
MONTECATINI. EXCURSION TO LUCCA.
Day5
Visit Lucca, a stunning showcase of medieval architecture and layer upon layer of rich history and culture. Marvel at the beautiful art and tapestry collections at the baroque PALAZZO MANSI NATIONAL MUSEUM, then take a guided walking tour around the Old Town with its fine, intact Renaissance-era wall, cobblestone streets, and café-lined piazzas. A lively CAFÉ-CRAWL snack brunch is included, followed by a main course at a local restaurant. Then, your Local Guide will introduce you to the stunning ornamental gardens and grand arched ceilings of PALAZZO PFANNER.
Today’s Distance: 39 mi/ 62 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
MONTECATINI. EXCURSION TO BOLGHERI
Day6
Travel through the vineyard-dotted countryside and along cypress-lined Viale dei Cipressi for your grand entrance into enchanting Bolgheri. With its red-brick castle and atmospheric Old Town, it’s not hard to imagine that Bolgheri jumped right off the pages of a storybook. There’s time here to visit one of the WINE CELLARS that produce Bolgheri’s celebrated Super Tuscan reds. First created in the 1980s, many wine experts believe these now rival French Bordeaux. Later, stop at nearby Castagneto Carducci, known for its splendid panoramic views of the Etruscan Coast. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and the chance to sample the local LIQUEUR.
Today’s Distance: 186 mi/ 300 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
MONTECATINI.
Day7
This morning is yours to do as you please. You could choose to explore more of the city on your own, to relax and shop for souvenirs, or to join an exciting optional excursion. This afternoon is dedicated to a BAKING CLASS at your hotel, focusing on the creation of cakes and desserts.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
MONTECATINI–FLORENCE.
Day8
Transfer to Florence. Your Local Host is on hand to help you make the most of your stay.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
FLORENCE.
Day9
Morning guided sightseeing includes a visit to the Duomo Museum and a walk through Piazza del Duomo, sculpture-studded Piazza della Signoria, and Santa Croce Square.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
FLORENCE.
Day10
Your Local Host will have many suggestions for your day at leisure.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
FLORENCE.
Day11
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Things to note
Flight arrival/departure for Montecatini is Florence or PisaExtend your stay
Hotels
It may occasionally be necessary to use alternative hotels of a similar standard to those shown.
Settentrionale Esplanade
First-Class
In the heart of Montecatini Terme offering hospitality and courtesy. The centrally located hotel has always been managed by the owners and is one of the cornerstones of the traditional hotels of Montecatini Terme.Restaurant, outdoors pool.
Location
Viale Grocco 2/4, Montecatini Terme-Pt, Italy
Hotel Facilities
- Laundry Available
- Elevator
- Bar/Lounge
- Business Center
- Currency Exchange
- Pool
- Restaurant On-Site
- Luggage Storage
Room Facilities
- Hair Dryer
- In-Room Safe
- Air Conditioning
- Desk
- Television
- Phone
- Room Service
- Mini-bar
- Window Opens
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Cable/Satellite
Mercure Firenze Centro
First-Class
Elegant and stylish hotel equipped with all modern comforts located in the heart of Florence. The hotel sits only a short walk from the cathedral and the Santa Maria Novella train station, amidst culture, art and streets full of stores. The property offers 85 spacious and sound-proof guest rooms (carved out from one of Florence's former main Cinema Theathers) contemporary Lounge Bar, Internet zone and complimentary WIFI.
Location
Via Nazionale 21/23 R, Firenze, Italy
Hotel Facilities
- Free WiFi
- Concierge desk
- Luggage Storage
- Bar/Lounge
- Elevator
- Business Center
- Laundry Available
Room Facilities
- Desk
- In-Room Safe
- Phone
- Television
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Hair Dryer
- Complimentary Toiletries
- Disabled Access / Rooms
- Window Opens
- Mini-bar
- Air Conditioning
- Climate Control
- Coffee Maker
- Room Service
- Wake-Up Calls
- Internet Access
Hotel Cellai
First-Class
Located in the historic heart of Florence, this upscale 55-room boutique property is housed in a restored 19th-century townhouse with elegant parlors, vaulted wooden ceilings and original Tuscan artwork. There is a bar in the antique library that works on an honor-system, a charming rooftop garden with city views and Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout. Breakfast is served in a lavish mirrored room on a long table decked out with silver candelabras and complimentary tea, coffee and cake are served between 5 and 7 pm daily.
Location
Via 27 Aprile, 14, 52r, Florence, Italy
Hotel Facilities
- Bar/Lounge
- Fitness Room
- Business Center
- Free WiFi
- Elevator
- Concierge desk
- Laundry Available
- Luggage Storage
Room Facilities
- Disabled Access / Rooms
- Mini-bar
- Room Service
- Window Opens
- Hair Dryer
- Complimentary Toiletries
- Air Conditioning
- Climate Control
- Television
- Cable/Satellite
- In-Room Safe
- Internet Access
- Air Conditioning (Seasonal)
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Wake-Up Calls
- Desk
- Complimentary Newspaper
- Phone
