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Italy in Spring 2011:
Tuscany and The Lakes
Overview | Itinerary Overview | Itinerary Detail | Dave Lowe
Why travel Italy with Dave Lowe | The Holiday Design
View our Italy in Autumn Holiday information
Below is a detailed itinerary of our Italy in Spring holiday. Go to the Itinerary Overview to view brief detail about every day's destination, or download our trip brochure, or contact us to request a printed brochure to be posted to you.
DAY 1: We depart from Brisbanefor Kuala Lumpur arriving there DAY 2: Sat May 08 at 06.10. A hotel room will be provided free of charge for the day prior to departing for Rome.
DAY 3: We arrive in Rome, where Dante will welcome us and Piero will drive us to our Tuscany Thermal Spa Resort hotel in Montecatini. On our way we will experience the lovely Southern Tuscan views. We expect to arrive at the Grand Hotel Vittoria mid afternoon, allowing time to settle in and go for a walk around the town and promenade prior to dinner..
DAY 4: We drive north to the ancient town of Lucca. We will spend the entire day exploring the historical town’s wealth of architecture as well as unique arena-shaped village, towers and fortified walls. We will have lunch in Lucca and later return to our hotel with time to shop or simply take in the delights of this wonderful town.
DAY 5: We Depart for Montrosso al Mare, where we will have the option of using the local train and bus system to explore the fishing villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Monterosso al Mare and Vernazza along the spectacular Cinque Terre. For those wishing to stretch their legs, the opportunity exists for one or more walks between these spectacular cliff top villages along the rugged Ligurian coast. We then head back to La Spezia by train where our driver will be waiting for us with our coach for the drive back to our hotel.
DAY 6: We visit the town of San Gimignano in the south of Tuscany. Since today’s journey is about 90 minutes, we will spend the whole day in this medieval hilltop village, and you will also have the opportunity to join our traditional picnic under the Tuscan sun. We then head back to our hotel.
DAY 7: This morning we depart for the fishing village of Portovenere, exploring the hidden walkways behind the bay-front buildings as well as the ancient castle and fortifications around this lovely village. After lunch we visit Sarzana where we spend the rest of the afternoon.
DAY 8: This is our day for Florence. I will take the group in by train and we will commence our visit with a walk through the markets. There are several venue options for lunch before we move on to the Duomo, Piazza Della Signoria, pass by the Uffizi Gallery and onto the Ponte Vecchio before returning to the station.
DAY 9: FREE DAY. I will be available to assist you with suggestions and travel arrangements for your free days.
DAY 10: FREE DAY. I will again be available for location suggestions and assistance.
DAY 11: Today we depart for the lakes in the north, arriving first at Stresa at Lago Maggoire mid afternoon.
DAY 12: It is only a short drive to Lago D’orta where we will spend a lovely day in the medieval lake-side village of San Guillio.
DAY 13: Today we spend the day on the Lake Maggoire, with a boat taking us from island to island.
DAY 14: We visit Ascona in Switzerland today. This lakeside town offers a variety of options, including shopping and the opportunity to have a lunch at one of the many lake-view restaurants.
DAY 15: FREE DAY (As we will be traveling tomorrow, this free day has been allocated for packing and relaxation). Breakfast is available from 07.30 to 09.30 and, after which the day is free to absorb the beauty of this lake-side town with dinner from 7.30pm.
DAY 16: We travel south today to reach San Gregorio in Pienza by the late afternoon. We will have lunch at one of the Autogrills along the way, as well as coffee and comfort stops.
DAY 17: We depart for the ancient Etruscan town of Cortona. This hillside town is relatively small but reflects the splendour of the typical Tuscan village of old.
DAY 18: We travel to the nearby Siena where we will spend the day in this splendid historic town.
DAY 19: Today we travel south to Orvieto and spend the day in this hilltop town.
DAY 20: We travel to Montepulciano, a hillside town with wonderful views. After lunch we will visit a temple and drive around the valleys and hills on the long way back to Pienza.
DAY 21: This morning, our last tour day of our sojourn, we will travel to another hilltop town, Montelcino, returning via Bagno Vignone a little earlier to pack and prepare for our return home tomorrow.
DAY 22: This morning to facilitate our departure at 07.30 for Rome Airport. Our 12.20 pm flight arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 16.00pm. We depart from Kuala Lumpur and arrive back home in Brisbane. |
