26 DAY TOUR STARTS 01 JUNE 2021

This tour is a well balanced itinerary featuring historic small cities (like Lecco and Ferrara), 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

Tue 01 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.

13.30 – 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).

Wed 02 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.

Thu 03 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.

Fri 04 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.

Sat 05 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.

Sun 06 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.

Mon 07 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.

Tue 08 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.

Wed 09 Jun 08.30 – Departure for Portoferraio.
09.30 – Ferry boat to Piombino. Continuation along a modern freeway heading north to Saluzzo in the Piedmont Region.
17.00 – Arrival at the hotel.
19.30 – Dinner in local restaurant (included).

Thu 10 Jun 08.30 – Brief orientation (1hr) on foot in the central district of Saluzzo, covering the main architectural highlights of this historic town. Time at leisure.
14.30 – Scenic drive, through the local countryside to the 15th century Castle of Manta.
15.30 – Guided visit to the castle.
16.30 – Return to Saluzzo.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Fri 11 Jun 08.30 – Scenic drive to the ancient Abbey Sacra St. Michael set in strategic position overlooking the Susa Valley. A Roman stronghold was originally built on the spot. A simple religious chapel was built over the Roman ruins in the 11th century, which, over time, acquired the present physiognomy in the 15th century.
10.30 – Arrival at the Abbey. Time for refreshment and local visit.
11.45 – Scenic downhill drive (on a different road) to the charming Lake Avigliana, where we stop for lunch in picturesque setting on the banks of the lake.

13.30 – Short drive (1 hr) to the Royal Palace of Stupinigi, developed in the 18th century by Vittorio Amedeo II of Savoia, King of Piedmont and Sardinia. The complex was originally conceived as a hunting lodge, but it was soon upgraded to become a luxurious residence of the Savoia family. Local visit.
16.00 – Departure from Stupinigi.
18.00 – Arrival back in Saluzzo.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Sat 12 Jun 08.30 – Very scenic drive throughout the Langhe district of Piedmont, famous for its picturesque countryside, vineyards and castles. The local wines are very upmarket and the Langhe are also renowned for a distinctive gastronomic tradition. First we stop in Pollenzo, a small town which is a jewel of Gothic architecture. Local orientation and time at leisure.
11.00 – Departure from Pollenzo for a short drive (15 km) to Alba, the main town in the
Langhe district. Local orientation and time at leisure.

13.30 – Departure from Alba and very short drive to Grinzane-Cavour Castle which boasts a showcase of the best local wines and gastronomic specialties. Then we continue on a scenic drive along hill crests flanked by vineyards and castles until we get to the picturesque village of Bossolasco (at 700m) with sweeping views over a beautiful landscape. After a local visit and refreshment in panoramic spot, we return to Saluzzo.
17.00 – Arrival back in Saluzzo.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Sun 13 Jun 08.30 – Departure for Vigevano, one of the great heritage cities of the Lombardy Region, whose architecture provides an outstanding testimony of the Renaissance period (16th century).
11.30 – Arrival and local orientation covering the main highlights of the city. Then is time at leisure with many options to choose from.
15.00 – Departure from Vigevano and continuation to Lecco.
17.00 – Arrival in Lecco.
19.30 – Dinner in local restaurant (included)

Mon 14 Jun 08.30 – Brief orientation in the small city of Lecco, graced by the beauty of Lake Como and flanked by attractive Alpine peaks. Then is time at leisure.

14.00 – Scenic drive through the Alps, just east of Lecco, to the charming village of Barzio, set at 800m amongst high Alpine peaks.
17.00 – Arrival back in Lecco.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Tue 15 Jun 08.30 – Departure for a highly spectacular drive through the Swiss Alps, climbing to the Maloja Pass (at 1800m) 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.

Wed 16 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.

Thu 17 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 continuation to Ferrara.
17.00 – Arrival in Ferrara.
19.30 – Dinner in local restaurant (included).

Fri 18 Jun 08.30 – Downtown orientation in Ferrara covering the main architectural highlights. Ferrara is a premium city of the Emilia-Romagna Region and for three centuries (14th to 16th) was the capital of the Gran Duchy of Este. Its splendid pristine architecture, dating back to Medieval and Renaissance times has earned this city a listing as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Afternoon at leisure.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Sat 19 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.

Sun 20 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.

Mon 21 Jun 08.30 – Departure for Poppi, located in a panoramic position on top of a scenic hill (at 400m) 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)

Tue 22 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 1,100m, with spectacular sweeping views of Tuscany’s countryside. After a local visit we continue to Caprese-Michelangelo, on a hilltop (at 650m), 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.

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 Castiglione del Lago, an impressive small town set in 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.

Sat 26 Jun 08.30 – Departure for Rome Airport.
14.00 – Arrival at Rome Airport. 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.