26 DAY TOUR STARTS 04 JUNE 2021

This tour is a well balanced itinerary featuring historic small cities (like Ferrara and Rieti), some beautiful unspoilt parts of Tuscany, the stunning magnificence of the Alps and the charming ambience of the picturesque islands of Elba and Giglio, just off the coast of Tuscany.
Our relaxed approach with easy optional guided strolls and centrally located hotels, makes this tour suitable for everyone.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• Six gastronomic dinners with 1/4 bottle of wine and 1/2 bottle of mineral water included!
• Three and four star hotel accommodation (bed and breakfast). Some hotels are set in high spectacular positions and offer excellent panoramic views of the surrounding areas.
• Modern air conditioned mini coach with English-speaking tour manager.
• A wide range of local excursions available daily from all the major centres of the itinerary. These tours, provided at no extra cost, are on an optional basis.
• Ferry boat to the Isle of Giglio.
• Ferry boat to the Isle of Elba. The motor coach will also be ferried with the group for the 4 night stop in the island.
• Ferry boat from Lecco to Bellagio at Lake Como.
• Taxi boat to Maggiore Island at Lake Trasimeno.

AT YOUR OWN COST

• Meals, other than those included in the package. (Optional group dinners in picturesque restaurants will be arranged at special reduced prices).
• Entry tickets into: museums, palaces, fortresses and castles.
• Cable cars at Isle of Elba and Bernina Glacier in Switzerland.
• Single accommodation supplement.
• Travel Insurance.

PROGRAM

Fri 4 Jun 09.00 – Passengers report to our tour guide at the Hotel Comfort, 3 km from Rome Airport. This is an excellent four star hotel and if people stay the night before they can also use the hotel shuttle ( we can organize accommodation if required ). Departure for Vitorchiano, an amazing picturesque historic village where we stop for some sightseeing and lunch.

11.30 – Continuation to Porto Ercole which is of Roman origin and in the 16th century came under the rule of Spain which exerted its power for about three centuries over much of the Tuscany coast establishing the “State of Presidi“ with Porto Ercole as capital. Under Spanish rule four fortresses were built ( or rebuilt ) around Porto Ercole to protect the medieval citadel and the governor’s palace still prominent today. The fortresses are still in excellent conditions.
16.30 – Arrival in Porto Ercole.
19.30 – Dinner at the hotel ( included ).

Sat 5 Jun – Morning at leisure in Porto Ercole. Options: a) visit the medieval district of Porto Ercole, b) scenic walks to the medieval fortresses, c) stroll along the scenic coastline, d) relax and enjoy along the jetty and its amenities.

14.00 – Scenic drive to Capalbio, a small medieval town on top of a hill with sweeping views over the southern coast of Tuscany. Capalbio is still circled by immaculate defence walls and a panoramic stroll along its battlements is a must. Local orientation and time at leisure. 16.15 – Departure from Capalbio.
17.00 – Arrival back in Porto Ercole.
19.30 – Optional dinner in picturesque setting by the jetty.

Sun 6 Jun 08.30 – Scenic drive through the undulated typical countryside of southern Tuscany, to the impressive medieval town of Pitigliano, built on a cliff.
10.30 – Arrival, local orientation and time at leisure.
11.30 – Departure for the picturesque village of Bolsena on the banks of Lake Bolsena. Lunch in lovely setting by the lake.
14.30 – Return to hotel.
19.30 – Optional dinner at the hotel.

Mon 7 Jun 08.30 – Departure for Porto Santo Stefano. 09.30 – Ferry boat to Giglio Island. Motor Coach to Giglio Castello on top of a mountain. Local sightseeing. Return to harbour-village at time of your choice with pre-paid individual ticket.
15.30 – Ferry boat to Porto Santo Stefano.
17.00 – Arrival at the hotel.
19.30 – Optional dinner at the hotel.

Tue 8 Jun 08.30 – Departure for the Isle of Elba. On the way to the island we stop at a couple of picturesque villages : Talamone and Castiglione della Pescaia, both endowed with scenic medieval castles. After lunch/snack in Castiglione we drive to Piombino.
15.30 – Ferry boat from Piombino to Portoferraio ( Isle of Elba ).
17.00 – Arrival at the hotel in Marciana Marina.
19.30 – Dinner at the hotel included.

Wed 9 Jun 08.30 – Departure for Villa San Martino, Napoleon’s country residence.
10.15 – Departure from Villa San Martino for Capoliveri, a heritage picturesque town on a panoramic promontory, stretching out at sea. Time at leisure.
13.00 – Return to hotel.
15.00 – Scenic drive to the beautiful Gulf of Marina Di Campo for a local stroll and refreshment by the sea.
17.00 – Return to hotel.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Thu 10 Jun 8.30 – Scenic drive along the Enfola peninsula and around the Bay of Portoferraio. Stop at Portoferraio, the island’s capital. Visit to Napoleon’s residence (Villa dei Mulini) and the medieval fortresses.
13.30 – Departure from parking area and return to hotel.
15.00 – Scenic drive to Porto Azzurro. Local sightseeing and visit to display centre of minerals and craftmanship. Optional little train through a mine displaying the exceptional variety of minerals to be found at Elba.
16.30 – Departure and return to hotel.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Fri 11 Jun 08.30 – Tour of Elba’s West Coast. Scenic drive to Mt. Capanne cable car station. Optional cable car to 1,000m or 15 minutes scenic walk to the village of Marciana.
11.15 – Return to Marciana Marina. For lunch enjoy the local wines which are very famous, especially the Aleatico and Moscato.
15.00 – Scenic drive along the south west coast to Chiessi.
17.30 – Arrival back at the hotel.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Sat 12 Jun 08.30 – Departure for Portoferraio.
09.30 – Ferry boat to Piombino. Continuation along a modern freeway heading north to Lecco on the banks of Lake Como.
16.30 – Arrival at the hotel in Lecco.
19.30 – Dinner in local restaurant ( included ).

Sun 13 Jun 08.30 – Departure for a highly spectacular drive through the Swiss Alps, climbing to the Maloja Pass ( at 1800 m ) and continuing along a beautiful plateau flanked by pretty lakes and snowy peaks to be followed by a scenic drive to a cable car station. The optional cable car can take you to a chalet/look out at 3,000 m with sweeping views of the Bernina Glacier. Local lunch/snack.
13.30 – Departure from the Swiss chalet. Scenic drive to the Bernina Pass at 2,300 m and spectacular descent on a winding road to Tirano ( Italy ) ; then westward to Lake Como.
17.00 – Arrival back in Lecco.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Mon 14 Jun 10.00 – Scenic navigation to Bellagio, the Pearl of Lake Como.
11.30 – Arrival in Bellagio. Local orientation and time at leisure. Options : visit the Park of Villa Melzi and/or explore the maze of historical alleys.
16.40 – Departure from jetty.
18.00 – Arrival in Lecco.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Tue 15 Jun 08.30 – Departure for Sirmione which, since Roman times has been praised for its extraordinary beauty, due to its panoramic setting along a tiny picturesque peninsula. So much so that ancient Roman ruins are still prominent at the very tip of the peninsula.
10.30 – Arrival and local orientation along the peninsula from the castle to the Roman ruins. Time at leisure.
15.00 – Departure from Sirmione and return to Lecco.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Wed 16 Jun 08.30 – Departure for Ferrara, a UNESCO world heritage historic city graced by a beautiful 14th century castle surrounded by a moat and drawbridges. On the way to Ferrara we stop for sightseeing and lunch at Fontanellato, an impeccable medieval town with most alleys endowed by beautiful porticos.
17.00 – Arrival in Ferrara.
19.30 – Dinner in local restaurant ( included ).

Thu 17 Jun 08.30 – Downtown orientation in Ferrara, covering the main architectural highlights of this historic city. Afternoon at leisure.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Fri 18 Jun 08.30 – Departure for Chioggia, minor sister of Venice on the same lagoon. Charming alleys and canals are a reminder that Chioggia was part of the Republic of Venice.
10.00 – Arrival, local orientation and time at leisure.
13.30 – Departure and scenic drive to the historic village of Mesola where we stop for sightseeing before returning to Ferrara.
17.00 – Arrival in Ferrara.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Sat 19 Jun 08.30 – Departure for Belriguardo (Voghiera), one of a number of country residences developed by the Estense Dynasty of the Grand Duchy of Ferrara between the 13th and 16th century.
09.30 – Arrival and local visit to be followed by a short drive to another prominent residence: the Verginese. Lunch and sightseeing in the nearby picturesque town of Portomaggiore. Continuation to the Valletta di Ostellato in the Regional Park of the River Po Delta for a scenic drive and short stroll along an oasis of water and land which alternates in a unique type of landscape.
17.00 – Arrival back in Ferrara.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Sun 20 Jun 08.30 – Departure for Poppi, located in a panoramic position on top of a scenic hill (at 400 m) in the Eastern Appennini mountain range of Tuscany. This picturesque town is still in pristine condition surrounded by an impeccable circle of medieval walls and has been miraculously by passed by the herds of tourists which invade Tuscany. This is mostly a freeway journey except for the last sector when we drive on a scenic road through the Consuma Pass at 1,060 m.
13.00 – Arrival in Poppi.
15.00 – Local orientation covering the main highlights of the town.
19.30 – Dinner at the hotel restaurant ( included )

Mon 21 Jun 08.30 – Panoramic circuit of the charming and unspoilt eastern district of Tuscany. We start with a scenic drive, through picturesque hills, to the outstanding Monastery of La Verna, set on a peak at 1,100 m with spectacular sweeping views of Tuscany’s countryside. After a local visit we continue to Caprese-Michelangelo on a hilltop ( at 650 m ), well renowned for the house where Michelangelo was born as well as for its medieval buildings. Local visit and lunch/snack in picturesque restaurant. Then we continue to Anghiari, a lovely small town built on a hillside and still circled by medieval walls. Local brief orientation and time at leisure.
15.30 – Departure from Anghiari.
17.00 – Arrival back in Poppi.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Tue 22 Jun 08.30 – Departure for Castiglione del Lago, an impressive small town set in a panoramic position on a rocky promontory overlooking Lake Trasimeno.
10.30 – Arrival and local sightseeing: most prominent are the Ducal Palace and the Castle. Time at leisure.
12.00 – Departure for Tuoro along the lake shore and taxi boat to the island of Maggiore, renowned for its ancient medieval village in picturesque setting. Local lunch, orientation and time at leisure.
14.45 – Departure from the island.
17.00 – Arrival back in Poppi.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Wed 23 Jun 08.30 – Scenic drive throughout the very picturesque countryside of the Chianti district of Tuscany.
10.30 – Stop at the outstanding Brolio Castle set on top of a hill at 500 m with sweeping views of a lovely countryside. After visiting a section of the castle and its panoramic gardens we continue to the charming village of Castellina for some time at leisure and lunch. On the way back we stop for refreshment at the scenic Badia di Coltibuono.
17.30 – Arrival back in Poppi.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Thu 24 Jun 08.30 – Scenic drive through some of the most picturesque countryside of Tuscany. First we stop at Monticchiello. Then we continue through a very undulated green landscape dotted with traditional Tuscan farm houses until we reach Bagno Vignoni set on a panoramic spot. Local sightseeing and time at leisure.
13.30 – Departure from Bagno Vignoni.
16.30 – Arrival in Poppi.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Fri 25 Jun 08.30 – Departure for Rieti ( at 400 m ), a well preserved medieval city in elevated position on top of a hill flanked by high rising mountains. This is mostly a freeway journey.
12.00 – Arrival in Rieti.
15.00 – Sightseeing orientation covering the main architectural highlights of this historic city.
19.30 – Dinner in local restaurant ( included )

Sat 26 Jun – Morning at leisure.
14.30 – Short scenic drive to Lake Piediluco in picturesque setting amongst unspoilt green hills. Local sightseeing and time at leisure.
16.30 – Return to Rieti.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Sun 27 Jun 08.30 – Panoramic circuit across the Appennini Mountain Range, from the Lazio Region to the Abruzzo Region. We start with a scenic drive from Rieti to the heritage village of Castel di Tora ( at 600 m ) in the Lazio Region on the banks of a picturesque lake. After a local visit we continue crossing into the Abruzzo Region and stopping at the historic town of Tagliacozzo ( at 750 m ) for sightseeing and lunch.

13.30 – Continuation to the spectacular Rocche Plateau with a stop at Rocca di Mezzo ( at 1,400 m ). From here we drive through a very scenic downhill road into the Aterno Valley ( at 700 m ) and back to Rieti.
17.00 – Arrival back in Rieti.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Mon 28 Jun 08.30 – Very scenic drive to the picturesque Lake District , dotted with historical
villages whose architecture has not changed for centuries.
10.30 – Refreshment stop at the Park of Roman Castles. Continuation with a panoramic drive on the slopes of Mount Cavo at 850 m with sweeping views of the volcanic lakes of Nemi and Albano. Then we drive to the crest of Lake Albano on a beautiful scenic road and downwards to the water edge for lunch in picturesque setting on the banks of the lake. After lunch we climb to the crest on the other side of the lake to the charming village of Castelgandolfo which boasts the Pope’s Summertime Residence. From Castelgandolfo we continue to another panoramic village: Nemi on the crest of its lake where we stop for some time at leisure.
15.30 – Departure from Nemi.
17.30 – Arrival back in Rieti.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Tue 29 Jun 08.30 – Departure for Norcia.
11.00 – Arrival in Norcia, a small picturesque medieval town (at 600m in the National Park of Mts. Sibillini), in a beautiful green valley. Norcia prides itself for its gastronomic traditions. It is renowned for its black truffles and offers a wide range of truffle based dishes. Local orientation and time at leisure.
13.30 – Departure. On the way back, stop at the scenic historic town of Leonessa.
16.30 – Arrival in Rieti.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Wed 30 Jun 08.30 – Departure for Rome Airport.
12.00 – Arrival at Rome Airport – Fiumicino. End of the tour.

HOTELS

We believe that you are entitled to know exactly what you get for your money and that’s why we clearly state not only the number of stars but also the location of the hotels we use.

Unless you are in a rush tour, where you get to the hotel late at night and leave early morning, we do believe that a good location makes a world of difference to the quality of your holiday.