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for more information, call: 800-935-5000 or visit:
www.centralholidays.comDAY 1
I
FLORENCE OR PISA
I
PISTOIA
Upon arrival proceed to
baggage claim. After clearing customs, you will be met by our local
representative and transferred to your hotel in Pistoia. With its
medieval streets and irregularly-shaped piazzas, prestigious palaces
and small tower-houses, unexpected series of churches and
cloisters, Pistoia is perfect for travelers who appreciate elegance and
refined beauty. A welcome drink will be followed by dinner at the
hotel. (D)
DAY 2
I
PISTOIA
I
FLORENCE I PISTOIA
After enjoying breakfast at
the hotel, you will be transferred to Pistoia railway station where you
will board your train to florence. Start your tour with a visit of the
Accademia, famous worldwide for housing one of michelangelo’s
masterpieces – the “David”. from the classic elegance of the
Brunelleschi’s Duomo and Baptistery to the magnificent Piazza della
Signoria and the breathtaking city view from the famous Boboli
Gardens, florence inspires and delights at every turn. Your walking
tour will take you through streets and piazzas lined up with elegant
renaissance-style buildings and gorgeous marble sculptures, fine
leather and jewelry stores, and restaurants serving local delicacies.
return to Pistoia by train and transfer to your hotel. (B)
DAY 3
I
PISTOIA
I
SIENA
I
SAN GIMIGNANO
I
PISTOIA
Today you will
spend an unforgettable day savoring the essence of Tuscany. A
scenic drive through gentle rolling hills dotted with lush vineyards,
green olive trees and sunflowers fields, will take you to Siena, a
medieval city made up of yellow-ochre buildings, terracotta rooftops
and green shutters. Learn about the world’s oldest bank, spectacular
Duomo and Piazza del Campo, a shell shaped 12th Century square
and site of the 600 year old bi-annual Palio horserace, before
heading to San Gimignano. Listed as a UNESCo World Heritage Site,
San Gimignano is nicknamed “the medieval manhattan”. of the
original 72 towers that centuries ago graced its skyline, today only 13
remain. Time to roam the picturesque streets and squares, to browse
the local shops and to try an award-winning gelato before heading
back to Pistoia. Tonight enjoy dinner at a local “pizzeria” in Pistoia.
overnight at the hotel. (B,D)
DAY 4
I
PISTOIA
I
PISA
I
LUCCA
I
PISTOIA
Today you will visit two more
Tuscan treasures: Pisa and Lucca. Gateway to the Tuscan hills, Pisa
is a medieval city of architectural masterpieces, and in its heyday,
one of Italy's most powerful maritime republics. Native son Galileo
Galilei may be long gone, but students still come here to study at the
prestigious university where he once taught. During your guided tour
you will see Pisa's symbol - the Leaning Tower. originally intended as
a bell tower it’s the most well-known of the buildings comprising the
Campo dei miracoli, or field of miracles. Site of Galileo’s gravitational
experiments, the tower began to tilt even before it was finished and
the angle has increased alarmingly. Elsewhere in the complex, you
will visit the magnificent Cathedral with its dark grey marble and
white stone geometric patterns later imitated all over Tuscany, and
the Baptistery, a perfect example of transition from the romanesque
to the Gothic style. Continue to the walled city of Lucca. once a
roman town and birthplace of Italian composer Giacomo Puccini,
Lucca is known as "the city of the hundred churches". Your guided
tour will take you to the city center where well preserved middle Age
palazzos are complemented by Art Nouveau shops embellished by
delicate facades. return to Pistoia for dinner and overnight at the
hotel. (B,D)
DAY 5
I
PISTOIA
I
CHIANTI
I
PISTOIA
Today's tour will be an exploration
of the heart of the Chianti Classico, the oldest wine region in the world
that lies just South of florence and North of Siena, amid a rolling
carpet of lush green hills, sentinel cypress trees, ancient olive groves
and sunflowers and poppy fields. An included lunch at a local
restaurant and wine tasting will make this experience a memorable
one. return to Pistoia in the late afternoon. overnight at the hotel. (B,L)
DAY 6
I
PISTOIA
I
VINCI
I
PISTOIA
Today your local guide will take you
on a walking tour of Pistoia. See the romanesque church of S.
Andrea, the ospedale del Ceppo with the famous Giovanni della
robbia's startlingly colorful frieze, Piazza del Duomo with its
cathedral, baptistery and intact medieval buildings, and Piazza della
Sala, home to a typical Italian food market. After lunch at a local
“trattoria” you will enjoy a guided tour in the footsteps of Leonardo da
Vinci, the most brilliant mind of all times! Painter, artist, architect,
sculptor, anatomist, scientist, inventor, engineer, and musician, he is
considered one of the greatest geniuses of mankind. Tonight enjoy
dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D)
DAY 7
I
PISTOIA
I
FLORENCE OR PISA TO USA (OR EXTEND YOUR
STAY)
morning transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B)
(B) Breakfast - (L) Lunch - (D) Dinner
INCLUDED FEATURES
•
first class hotel accommodation for 6 nights
(Deluxe room with Balcony)
•
12 included meals consisting of:
- 6 buffet breakfasts
- 2 lunches at local restaurants
- 3 dinners at hotel
- 1 pizza dinner at local restaurant
•
Assistance of a professional local representative
•
Sightseeing, including local guide and all entrance fees as follows:
- full day excursion to florence
- full day excursion to Siena and San Gimignano
- full day excursion to Lucca and Pisa
- full day excursion to Chianti region
- Wine tasting
- Half day tour of Pistoia
- “In the footsteps of Leonardo Da Vinci” tour
•
round trip transfers from florence or Pisa airport to hotel
•
Baggage handling
•
Document holder and luggage tags
•
Hotel taxes and service charges
PRICED FROM
First class hotels:
$2,991
From price is per person, double occupancy, and based on following hotels:
Pistoia: Villa Cappugi
Pistoia Cathedral