9 AM - 6 PM IST - Mon-Fri

10 AM - 1 PM IST - Sat

Gourmet Tuscany ( 6240)

8 Day Tour from Montecatini to Montecatini

2024 Tour Details

On this affordable Italy tour small group discovery package, the town of Montecatini serves as your home base from which to venture out to explore the surrounding landscapes of breathtaking Tuscany and getting to know its culinary and wine traditions. You’ll indulge in picturesque scenery, world-class local wines, traditional cuisine, and cultural discoveries. 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 revel in the beauty of becoming familiar with a single destination of Montecatini while making priceless discoveries of locales that are off the beaten path—perfect for the smart, creative, and budget-minded travel lover.

To know more about the visas for this vacation, click here

 Tour Highlights

Sightseeing:

TUSCAN FARMHOUSE
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

Guides:

Local Guides for city sightseeing in Vinci, Montecatini, Lucca; professional Tour Director while touring

Scenic Highlights:

Chianti Valley

Notes:

Nearest airports for Montecatini are Florence or Pisa

Transportation:

Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

Buffet breakfasts daily; 4 lunches; 3 dinners, including dinner at a local farm in Montecatini

 Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVE IN MONTECATINI, ITALY Check into your hotel. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a special welcome dinner.
Dinner Dinner

Day 2

MONTECATINI. EXCURSION TO VINCI 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! Round up the morning with the visit of a local bakery. Learn how bread is made and enjoy a light lunch with an opportunity to sample local products such as focaccia bread, sandwiches, wine, cheese, cold cuts, and olive oil.
Today’s Distance: 25 mi/ 40 km
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

Day 3

MONTECATINI. EXCURSION TO THE CHIANTI VALLEY Cradled between the provinces of Florence and Siena, the Chianti Valley is the heart of 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: 96 mi/ 155 km
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

Day 4

MONTECATINI 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 taste the delectable dinner you prepared—maybe your team will win the master chef prize!
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner

Day 5

MONTECATINI. EXCURSION TO LUCCA 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
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

Day 6

MONTECATINI. EXCURSION TO BOLGHERI Travel through the vineyard-dotted countryside and along cypress tree-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 and taste 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: 155 mi/ 250 km
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

Day 7

MONTECATINI 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.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner

Day 8

MONTECATINI Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast Breakfast

 Tour Director

With Cosmos, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we’d like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

CLAUDIO APREDA

Escorting tours for more than 5 years

" Born in the South of Italy, I grew up surrounded by nature, along with, historical and archaeological sites. From a young age, I always dreamed of being an ambassador of my country so that I could make everyone aware of its outstanding beauty. Today, I am proud to take people from North to South and introduce them to the wonders of Italy. Come to visit us: Italy is always a good choice!"

Tour Director -  CLAUDIO APREDA

DANIELA SPISSU

Escorting tours for more than 15 years

" I was born in Sardinia, a beautiful Italian island. Since I was young, I dreamt of working in travel, my dream became reality when I became a Tour Director. Although I initially escorted European Panoramas tours, nowadays I specialize in Italian tours. When on tour one of my favorite things is watching the faces of people that are seeing or experiencing something amazing for the very first time, those are the moments that stay with us forever and on a tour we try to create as many memorable ones as possible."

Tour Director -  DANIELA SPISSU

 Accommodation

MONTECATINI

SETTENTRIONALE ESPLANADE

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

 Optional Excursions

Contact your Travel Consultant for more information.
Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)



* The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).
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