Presents: An Italian Honeymoon
Day One: Welcome to Italy! You will be arriving in the city of Genoa, Italy. Once you have gone through customs and gathered your luggage, you will be met by an English-speaking escort, who will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will then be transferred by private car to your hotel in Cinque Terre. Let your Italian honeymoon adventure begin! Cinque Terre is an enchanting area of towns that seem to hang high above the ocean, looped together by a series of walking trails. You will be staying in the town of Monterosso for the next couple of days. The area has recently been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its crystalline sea, with blue, green and cobalt hues, offers breathtaking ocean views. The village is protected by hills covered with vineyards and olive groves and is surrounded by lush vegetation. Its beautiful beaches, steep rugged cliffs and crystal-clear waters make this one of the most charming resorts on the Ligurian Riviera of the east. The beach at Monterosso runs along most of the coastline and is popular with tourists and locals. It is the only extensive sand beach in Cinque Terre. Your hotel is set between the hills and the magnificent sea of Monterosso. The elegant Villa, first built in the early 1950’s and now completely redecorated, is situated in a peaceful and exclusive area in front of the sea, separated from the water by a small, picturesque, tree lined country road. It has a limited number of rooms all furnished with total elegance and equipped with every modern comfort: air conditioning, fridge bar, satellite TV, shower with hydro-massage system, safe, hairdryer and electronically operated window blinds. A breakfast buffet is included daily. After you check-in, begin your exploration of this beautiful area. Ask your concierge for a dinner suggestion for the evening.
Day Two: Wake up this morning to a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. You may want to wander down to the beautiful sand beach and relax this afternoon. Or perhaps you would rather spend the afternoon getting to know Cinque Terre, hiking and walking all around this amazing part of Italy. The Cinque Terre literally means "the five lands," which are the communities of Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore, and Vernazza along with their urban relative Monterosso. The northernmost of these five is Monterosso which is the tourist hub of the region. The other four are inaccessible by road, and are pure rural villages in an agricultural belt lush with gardens and vineyards. All five communities are situated among olive and chestnut groves on steep, rocky terrain overlooking the gulf of Genoa. The walk between all of the villages takes the better part of a day and is some of the best coastline hiking in the world. Most of the trails are a very easy hike, with a few steep areas at certain places. For those who would rather not walk (or not walk the entire trail), a pedestrian ferry service runs seasonally to all five villages as well as a local train. The incredible experience of hiking from village to village is something that you will never forget. You will see up-close the vineyards that stretch across the steep mountainsides with breathtaking views of the coastal waters. Make sure you have plenty of film in your camera! This evening, ask the concierge for a dinner suggestion and find a romantic corner to savor and enjoy. Do not miss watching the sun set over this enchanting corner of the world! Day Three: After a scrumptious breakfast, pack up your belongings before your departure. Your final destination this evening will be the amazing city of Florence but there is much adventure to be had before you arrive! You will be picked up and escorted by private driver and English speaking guide at your hotel this morning at 9 am. You will be driven through the beautiful countryside until you arrive at a very special winery. You will be having a tour and lunch at this winery that sits on a hilltop in the Chianti Region. This is the first grape growing and wine producing area in the world to be determined so by an official proclamation made in 1716. You will be guided through the historical but still working cellars, see how the art of wine making has changed through the years. Your tour guide will escort you through the villas late-Renaissance gardens, enlightening you on the history of the castle, pausing for you to hear the snorts of the wild
boar that encircle the vineyards. The winery also creates their own brand of olive oil and you will learn all about the production during the tour. After your tour, you will partake of an exquisite lunch of ham, wild boar, pork, assorted cheeses and pasta complete with wine pairings. You will be educated throughout the meal and thoroughly entertained by your guide! This will certainly be one of the highlights of your time in Italy. After lunch, your driver will begin the beautiful drive through the northern Tuscan hills to Florence which is about 45 minutes from the winery. You will be heading to your Florence hotel, located in Independence Square. Florence is an extraordinary city in one of the most beautiful regions of Italy. Florence gave birth to the Renaissance and with it, to the spirit of the modern Western world. The city, which graces the Arno River in central Italy's Tuscany region, has captured the hearts and minds of every visitor who has made his or her way here. It casts a spell in a way that few cities can: perhaps because it's an artistic treasure trove of incomparable proportions; perhaps because of the views of the Ponte Vecchio and the Arno at sunset; perhaps because Florentine food and wine delight the palate; or perhaps it's because the city has not changed much since the 15th century. The Arno River winds through Florence and is the second most important river in Italy, next to the Tiber River. The historic elegance combined with Florentine hospitality can be found at your late 19th century hotel, filled with modern comforts for the most pleasant of stays. Just 5 minutes from Fortezza da Basso and 10 minutes from the Duomo, it is in an ideal location for your visit. Charming and inviting, your 3-star hotel will provide you with all the comforts of home. You will have a TV, telephone, mini-bar, safe and air conditioning to make your stay more comfortable. All the details of the wooden furniture have been carefully selected and are in classic Tuscan style as are the Florentine terra cotta tile floors. The pretty breakfast room offers you a plentiful buffet with sweet and savory foods, typical Florentine sweets, juices and hot beverages. After you have settled into your hotel, ask the concierge for a restaurant suggestion and step out into the city to explore.
Day Four: After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel your private guide will meet you in the city center for a half-day walking tour of Florence’s historic and cultural sites. Highlights of this tour may include a visit to the museum of the Medici Chapel. This museum is well known for the new sacristy which Michelangelo designed for the tombs of Lorenzo and Guiliano de Medici. One of the most magnificent stops on this tour will be the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the third largest in the world, and the Baptistry of San Giovanni, built on the ancient ruins of a Roman temple once dedicated to the god Mars. You tour will end at the Accademia del Galleria, one of the most important galleries to house the works of Michelangelo. Inside the Galleria, you can admire Michelangelo’s David, the famous sculpture fashioned out of a 17-foot slab of marble. The galleria also holds some of Italy’s greatest Renaissance paintings. After your tour ends, you can wander into interesting shops, linger over a cappuccino at a local café or visit open markets where you can indulge in world famous gelatos. You can’t miss crossing over the medieval Ponte Vecchio Bridge, noted for the numerous shops scattered over its entire length. While butchers initially occupied the bridge, today it is lined with jewelers, art dealers and souvenir shops – a great opportunity for picking up a few extra mementos of your European adventure! Don’t forget to walk through San Lorenzo market. The covered booths are filled with tempting items like leather gloves, purses and wallets, scarves of every color and design, silk ties, belts, and shoes. Truly a Florence experience! After your shopping is complete, duck into a little ristorante for a glass of wine and enjoy the charming dinner atmosphere just like the locals! Day Five: Start your day off with a hearty breakfast in the hotel. You are going to have an unforgettable experience as you journey into the Chianti Region for a full day of tasting this region's magnificent wines. Wine tasting and touring in the Chianti and Siena Regions have gained fame with world travelers and are now known as the “Tuscan experience.” This wine region is filled with unbelievable scenery making you vow to return here one day! Your English-speaking guide will pick you up in the hotel lobby and escort you to your first private tour and tasting of the day at a winery that was named the “Emerging Winery of the Year” by the Italian Gambero Rosso. It also won three Bicchieri Awards (the highest award) for its Gratius 2000. You will enjoy a tour of the vineyards and learn how they make their award winning wines. Following the tour, you will enjoy a sampling of their magnificent wines.
Next you are off to another quaint wine village located on a forested hillside surrounded by extensive vineyards where you can enjoy lunch on your own. Walk the streets of this ancient village, feel the history about you. See if you can find a café and dine al fresco, like the locals do. Following your lunch, you will make your way to another winery where you will experience a guided tour of wine cellars and an olive mill. Your last stop of the day will be at one of Tuscany's top wine-growing estates which has won national and international awards on an annual basis. Savor the wine tasting at this special winery. This region is also famous for olive oil, balsamic vinegar and prosciutto. Relax and enjoy this final tasting and tour. At the end of this remarkable day, your driver will escort you back to your Florence hotel. Ask the concierge for a suggestion for dinner arrangements. Take a stroll through town after dinner and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of a Tuscan summer evening. Day Six: Today is a free day for you to be on your own in Florence. Spend it any way that you would like! Don’t forget to purchase any last minute souvenirs that you might want to take home with you. Tonight, find a special out-of-the-way-spot to linger and enjoy your final evening in Italy. Look back over your special honeymoon week and begin planning your next adventure! Day Seven: After breakfast in your hotel, pack your suitcases for it’s time to head home. Hopefully you can fit all of your goodies into your bags! You will be escorted by private transfer to the Florence Airport where you will begin your trip home to the United States. Safe travels!
Ciao Italia!!
INCLUDED: Day One: Private transfer from the Genoa Airport to hotel Accommodations in Cinque Terre Hotel
Day Four: Half Day walking city tour Accommodations in Florence Hotel
Day Two: Accommodations in Cinque Terre Hotel
Day Five: Full Day excursion through Tuscany; 3 wineries Private car and English escort Accommodations in Florence Hotel
Day Three: Private car and English speaking escort to Florence Winery & Lunch visit Accommodations in Siena Hotel
Day Six: Accommodations in Florence Hotel Day Seven: Private transfer to Florence Airport
NOT INCLUDED: Prices do not include costs of obtaining passports, visas, inoculations, excess baggage charges, all items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls and cables, internet access, meals not specified in the itinerary, personal and baggage insurance, local airport taxes and tips to waiters, hotel staff, tour conductors, sightseeing drivers and guides. Gratuities: Tips to tour guides, waiters, hotel staff and baggage handling are not included and are at the tour participant’s discretion. Guidelines for gratuities will be provided with final tour documents. •
Most meals, unless otherwise noted on itinerary, or room service charges
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Intercontinental flights
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Tips to drivers and guides
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Porterage at arrival
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Luggage handling fees at hotels
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Travel insurance
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Excessive baggage or shipping charges
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Storage and/or transportation of excess baggage
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Charges for extra meals, transport, sightseeing service or other optional additions to your itinerary are your responsibility and must be paid locally.
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Excess time beyond contracted service carried out at the request of the passenger for driver, guide service, vehicle charges, etc.
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Additional wait time or additional service due to delayed or cancelled airline flight
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Any items not specified under inclusions
LAND QUOTE RATE PER PERSON: Vacation Price Starting at: $2711.05 USD per person double occupancy . EXACT VACATION QUOTE: Will be calculated based on dates of travel, hotel category and transportation type.
