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Tuscany & Florence - A Culinary Journey
""Isola Pescatori" Island in the Lake Maggiore (Italy) facing Stresa, belonging to "Isole Borromee islands" by Mbdortmund (GFDL 1.2) / Photo may appear cropped
"Aerial view of historic center where the Palazzo Publicco stands out with the Torre del Mangia in Piazza del Campo" by Flissphil (CC by 2.0) / Photo may appear cropped
Overview
With an optional Rome extension for a taste of the "Eternal City"
Details
- 5 nights in a Tuscan countryside resort
- Explore Volterra, Gimiganano, Pisa, Lucca, and Siena
- Cruise Lake Trasimeno to Island Maggiore
- Learn authentic Italian recipes and the origins of the flavors
- 2 nights in Florence
- See David and other wonders of Renaissance art and architecture
- 3 nights in Rome (optional extension)
- See the Colosseum, Circus Maximus, Pantheon and the Vatican
- 14/17 meals: Daily breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
- The services of both a European and Sports Leisure Tour Director
- Door-to-door airport transportation
- Roundtrip airfare to Florence/from Florence or Rome
Disclaimers
NOTE: The Rome extension as presented herein is dependent upon a minimum of 20 participants. If our number falls short we will offer an alternate experience.
Categories
Categories:
Daily Itinerary
Day 1-2
Depart for Florence, the capital of Tuscany, aboard an overnight flight. After clearing Customs you're on your way through a magical landscape defined by rolling hills, olive groves, vineyards and charming hilltop towns to the community of Montaione and your home for the first part of our journey. Savor your surroundings over a scrumptious welcome dinner. Villa Hotel Sabolini - 5 nights (D)
Day 3
We hope you rested well because we hit the ground at full speed today. Begin with an organic cooking and pasta making class ending with a lunch of our own creation. In the afternoon we visit a local olive oil-producing farm where we'll sample their virgin oils, vinegars and Chianti Classico wine. Dinner is included back at Boccioleto. (FB,L,D)
Day 4
Today we travel to Volterra, an ancient and beautiful Italian hilltop city. Nearby we'll visit a family-run farmhouse that specializes in saffron production for lunch. In the afternoon visit San Gimignano, the epitome of a Tuscan hill town, where nobles built splendid towers to outdo one another and indulge in their need for status. The medieval structures of this city have largely remained intact and San Gimignano, with its large number of art treasures, is rightfully considered an open-air museum. Next enjoy a delicious gelato ice cream in one of the oldest gelaterias in Italy. Later, visit a local farmhouse and savor a dinner of typical Tuscan dishes paired with local wines. (FB,L,D)
Day 5
Take a ride into the Umbria Region of Tuscany today. The heart-shaped Lake Trasimeno is surrounded by rolling hills, olive groves, woods of oak and cypress trees, vineyards and sunflower fields that frame castle-topped medieval towns and villages. There you'll enjoy a boat cruise to the Island Maggiore, where lunch is served at a traditional restaurant located on the lake. Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure. (FB,L)
Day 6
Today we explore nearby Pisa and Lucca. See the remarkable Leaning Tower of Pisa and more in Pisa's "Field of Miracles" including the Duomo and Baptistry. In Lucca explore the Old Town filled with quaint shops and Gothic palaces. Lucca's great era was the Gothic period just before the Renaissance, and the city contains stunning architecture from that time. (FB)
Day 7
Siena, known as "the heart of Tuscany," will be explored on a walking tour of Old Town led by a local guide. The highlight is the Piazza del Campo, the seashell-shaped square on which the famous horse-race, the Palio, takes place each year. Later this afternoon travel to a lovely Tuscan estate to learn about truffles followed by delicious tastings of oil and truffle butter bruschetta, salami, pecorino cheese and wines from the estate with an included dinner to follow. The day ends in Florence. Florence Hotel TBA - 2 nights (FB,D)
Day 8
Explore the best of Florence on a guided city tour featuring a visit to the Academy Gallery, home to Michaelangelo's David. He is a sight to behold! See the Cathedral, Gioto's stunning Bell Tower and the Baptistry's intricate "Gates of Paradise." Marvel at the open-air museum of Piazza Della Signoria with statuary too numerous to count. Florence is an architectural treasure trove with countless significant structures dating from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance. Have fun exploring on your own tonight! (FB)
Day 9
Say arrivederci to the Tuscany-only travelers today whilst the rest continue to Rome for the optional extension, with a first stop in Assisi. This beautifully-preserved medieval hill town was home to 12th Century Saints Francis and Clare, the two founders of the Franciscan movement (which among other things gave birth to California). The entire walled city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a magical place to explore in search of the perfect nativity, a Christmas tradition that was born here. Arrive in Rome, the "Eternal City," in the late afternoon. Rome Hotel TBA - 3 nights (FB)
Day 10
Embark on a Rome City tour to see such highlights as the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus, Piazza Venezia, the Pantheon and more. Then you're off to visit another country - Vatican City. With your expert local guide explore the Vatican Museums featuring a massive collection of ancient Greek sculptures, medieval tapestries and Renaissance paintings, ending with the hallowed Sistine Chapel and its ceiling painted by Michaelangelo between 1508 and 1512. next you'll visit St. Peter's Basilica, home to Michaelangelo's Pieta and Bernini's colossal seven-story bronze altar canopy. (FB)
Day 11
On your final day in Italy you're invited to sleep late, then head out to explore the city on your own. Visit a museum. Walk the Via Veneto. Climb the Spanish Steps. There are still so many monuments left to discover, so many plazas to conquer, so many quiet corners for respite! (FB)
Day 12
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino, Rome's primary airport, is about an hour and a half from the city center. Once there, your return passage to the United States and Sacramento begins filled with happy memories of your time in Tuscany, Florence and Rome. (FB)
| CB | Continental Breakfast |
|---|---|
| B | Generally a limited buffet or menu |
| FB | Full buffet or choice of menu |
| BR | Brunch, often buffet-style |
| L | Lunch, often several menu options |
| HT or AT | High or Afternoon Tea |
| D | Dinner, often several menu options |
Photo Attributions
By Mbdortmund - Own work, GFDL 1.2, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4611241
De flissphil - https://www.flickr.com/photos/flissphil/6416813/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=347752
Departures
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 to Wednesday, October 8, 2025
9 Days, 14 Meals
Daily breakfast, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
$7825 | p.p./dbl.occ. |
$8685 | single |
Pricing
Optional Rome extension 9/30-10/11/2025
Single occupancy $10,350
Double occupancy $9,150 per person
Request a Booking Now
Speak to a Staff Member
Have a question or would rather book over the phone? Call us!
| Local | (916) 361 - 2051 |
|---|---|
| Toll-Free | (800) 951 - 5556 |
