Springtime dream in Tuscany

DAY 1 - THE CAMELLIAS OF LUCCHESIA 

Arrival at Pieve del Compito, in the region of Lucca, for a visit to the Camellietum Compitese, a splendid garden famous for its vast collection of over 1,500 varieties of camellia, a unique opportunity to explore the beauty of these plants in a serene, well-kept environment. Every weekend in March, the garden hosts the ‘Ancient Camellias of Lucchesia’ exhibition, which celebrates the beauty of this marvellous plant through a wide range of initiatives and events. At the end, transfer to Montecatini or Versilia region. Accommodation at the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

 

DAY 2 - CLASSICAL FLORENCE AND THE ART OF THE CRAFTSMEN 

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Florence, meeting with a guide for a tour of the city and its main monuments (the tour is on foot as most of the sites are in the pedestrian zone). You will discover the Ponte Vecchio, a covered bridge famous for its jewellers, the magnificent Piazza della Signoria, the heart of the city where you will find the Palazzo Vecchio, former seat of the “Signori”, the Neptune fountain and the Lanzi Loggia with its sculptures. Piazza Duomo will impress you with the beauty of its marble facades: the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, dominated by Brunelleschi's Cupola and Giotto's Campanile, the Baptistery with the magnificent Porta del Paradiso (external). Lunch at the restaurant. In the afternoon, guided tour of the Oltrarno workshops, to discover the city's craft tradition. This district, known for its authentic workshops, allows visitors to watch craftsmen creating jewellery, sculptures and leather goods, using techniques handed down over the centuries. The tour will take you through historic workshops and iconic sites such as the Basilica of Santo Spirito, revealing the rich culture and history of this area. Return to Montecatini. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

 

DAY 3 - PISA, LUCQUES AND THE GARDENS OF PALAZZO PFANNER

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Pisa. Meet your guide for a two-hour guided tour of the city's most important monuments: the famous Campo dei Miracoli, with its extraordinary views; the Duomo, one of the most important buildings of Romanesque-Pisan architecture, and the Baptistery with its Cupola. And then there's the Leaning Tower (outside), a true emblem of the city, known and appreciated for its elegance, but above all for its exceptional slope. Lunch at the restaurant. Departure to Lucca for a tour of the city: we start with a walk along the ancient city walls: San Frediano, the Duomo of St Martin and its interior. Optional visit to Palazzo Pfanner, an elegant historic residence in the centre of Lucca, built in the second half of the 17th century for the Moriconi family, silk merchants. You can admire the splendid Italian garden, attributed to Filippo Juvarra, one of the highlights of the villa. Geometric paths, mythological statues and a fountain enhance the atmosphere. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

 

DAY 4 - MONTERIGGIONI, SIENA 

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Siena. Stop in Monteriggioni, a small fortified medieval town with 14 towers. It is located near Siena, which in the Middle Ages used it as a stronghold on the road to Florence to protect itself from the latter. Monteriggioni Castle was built by the Sienese in the early 13th century (1214 - 1219). Wine-tasting lunch in the region renowned for its excellent wines, including Chianti. Continuation to Siena for a half-day guided tour of this charming city, set among hills, which retains its medieval appearance thanks to its narrow streets and palace facades. The Cathedral, with its splendid facade of polychrome marble, will enchant you with the rich decorations inside. The heart of the city is the Piazza del Campo, with its seashell shape, famous for being the site of Siena's famous Palio twice a year. Return to Montecatini. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

 

DAY 5 - THE CARRARA QUARRIES

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Carrara. The town owes its worldwide fame to the white marble quarried in the nearby Apuan Alps. Buildings throughout the town are made of local stone, in other words white marble. These quarries have been exploited since Roman times. Tour of the quarries and visit to a sculpture workshop (with explanations of all the marble working methods). Cold lunch based on local cured meats, to taste the famous ‘lardo’ di Colonnata. End of our services.

 

Price per person in double room in  3* hotel: € 435.00

 

Single room supplement € 120.00

 

Rates valid for the months of March/April/May, June and September 2025, excluding bank and public holidays.

 

The price includes :

• double room accommodation in Montecatini or Versilia region in 3* hotel (4 nights)

• full board from dinner on day 1 to lunch on day 5

• half-day local guides: Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Siena, Carrara- 

• 1 lunch/wine tasting on day 4

• 1 cold lunch/tasting on day 5

• Head-phones 

 

Free: 1 each 25 paying persons

 

transportation, tourist tax (€ 2/3 per person, per day), entrance fees, extras and anything else not included in the price, drinks. 

 

ON REQUEST QUOTATION FOR COACH TRANSPORT AND THE ASSISTANCE OF A TOUR GUIDE FOR THE WHOLE STAY
 

Cammelietum Compitese: € 5/8,00

Pisa Cathedral and Baptistery: € 11.00 

Siena Cathedral: € 15.00 

Palazzo Pfanner in Lucca: € 4.50