Cinque Terre & Tuscany with Florence, Siena and San Gimignano

Explore the iconic beauty of Cinque Terre and Tuscany, from Florence to Siena and San Gimignano, while basing yourself in Montecatini, perfectly placed for both discovery and local charm.

Your Holiday Itinerary

Day1Fly to Pisa

Your holiday begins as you arrive at Pisa Airport, where your Tour Manager will be waiting to greet you. Together, you will travel to the elegant spa town of Montecatini, your base for the week and a wonderful starting point for exploring Tuscany.

Upon arrival in Montecatini, you will be taken on a relaxed orientation walk around the town. This gentle introduction helps you find your bearings, see the key landmarks and become familiar with the cafés, shops and leafy streets that make the area so inviting.

Afterwards, there will be time to settle into your room and enjoy the rest of the day at your own pace, whether you prefer a quiet moment at the hotel or a pleasant stroll before dinner.

Day2At your leisure

Today is yours to enjoy at your own pace. You may prefer to stay close to the hotel and relax in Montecatini Terme, taking a peaceful stroll through its leafy parks or enjoying one of the town’s historic thermal spas.

For those who feel like exploring, the train station is just a short walk away. In around 30 minutes you can reach the delightful walled city of Lucca. Its tree-lined Renaissance walls are ideal for a gentle walk, and the historic centre offers a wealth of beautiful squares, including the oval-shaped Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, the graceful Piazza San Michele and the elegant Piazza Napoleone. Lucca is a wonderful place to enjoy a relaxed coffee, browse small shops, or simply take in the atmosphere.

If you wish to continue your day of discovery, Pisa is also within easy reach — a direct 30 minute train ride from Lucca. Here you can visit the world-famous Piazza dei Miracoli, home to the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and the Baptistery. This iconic square is a spacious and gentle area to explore at your own tempo, with plenty of places to sit, admire the architecture or take a leisurely photograph.

Whether you decide to relax, explore, or simply enjoy the gentle rhythm of Tuscany, this free day allows you to shape your holiday exactly as you wish.

Day3Florence by train

No visit to Tuscany would be complete without visiting Florence. So before you head home, you will enjoy the wonders of Florence, Tuscany's capital city. Walk to the train station in Montecatini and take the train to Florence, which will whisk you into the heart of the city. Florence was founded in the first century BC and is simply jam packed with historical, cultural and artistic treasures. Initially enjoy a two hour guided tour which includes visits to the gothic Santa Maria Novella church and Piazza della Signoria, where Michelangelo’s handsome David guards the town hall (Palazzo Vecchio), albeit not the original statue which is housed in the Galleria dell’Accademia. You will also see the beautiful Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge crossing the Arno that has tiny little jewellery shops across the whole bridge, built into it like bird nests. At the end of your visit you will see one of the biggest and most impressing churches in Europe, the Santa Maria del Fiore with its huge cupola, designed by the famous architect Brunelleschi. In front of the church you will find the antique Baptist church with its fantastically worked “door of paradise”. After the guided tour you will have plenty of time to discover the city, enjoy a delicious cappuccino in one of the elegant cafés, go shopping or explore one of the more than 70 museums that the city offers. Afterwards, return by train to Montecatini.

Please note: While the excursion is planned to operate by train, in the unlikely event of train services being disrupted or unavailable, the journey will be carried out by coach.

Day4At your leisure

Today is the day to discover Montecatini Terme at your own pace. The so called “Garden City" boasts beautiful parks and Art Deco buildings. The quiet parks are embellished with the Liberty style architecture of the ancient Spas are a green oasis of relaxation.The great composer Giuseppe Verdi fell in love with Montecatini Terme and spent many holidays in the town. Today, take the opportunity to stroll through its lively streets and indulge in the chic boutiques, the inviting cafés or enjoy the tantalizing delicacies of its restaurants.

Day5Cinque Terre

Today you set off to discover the beauty of the Ligurian coastline on a full-day excursion to the Cinque Terre. Your journey begins in La Spezia, where a scenic boat ride takes you to the charming village of Portovenere. Although not officially part of the Cinque Terre, Portovenere is often considered its “sixth village” thanks to its colourful houses, peaceful harbour and striking position along the coast. It offers a quieter, more atmospheric start to the day.

From Portovenere, continue by boat along the coastline towards Monterosso, the furthest of the Cinque Terre villages. As you cruise, you will enjoy wonderful views of the remaining villages — Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia and Vernazza — each clinging dramatically to the cliffs. This route allows you to admire their beauty from the water without navigating the narrow, often very busy streets on foot.

On arrival in Monterosso, you will have free time to explore at a gentle pace. Monterosso offers a delightful old town, medieval buildings, inviting shops and an attractive seafront promenade. Take a leisurely stroll, enjoy a coffee, or simply take in the charm of this coastal setting.

Later, you will board the train back to La Spezia, where your coach awaits to return you to Montecatini. It is a day filled with striking scenery, fresh sea air and memorable glimpses of one of Italy’s most iconic coastlines.

Day6At your Leisure

Today is yours to spend as you wish in Montecatini. You may like to take the historic funivia up to Montecatini Alto, a charming hilltop village with beautiful views, small cafés and inviting squares — a lovely option for a gentle morning or afternoon.

If you prefer to explore further afield, the town of Pistoia is an excellent choice. Named Italy’s Capital of Culture in 2017, it remains one of Tuscany’s lesser-known treasures. Buses and trains run regularly, and the journey takes around 30 minutes. Once there, you can enjoy its atmospheric main square, the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Palazzo Comunale. Pistoia also offers an underground tour of the Ospedale del Ceppo, which reveals how the Black Death shaped the city’s history — pre-booking is recommended if this interests you.

Day7Siena & San Gimignano

Today, you will be picked up from your hotel, by coach, to venture out on your full day tour. You will start with a drive to the ‘Medieval Manhattan of Tuscany’ San Gimignano where you will have free time to discover the medieval streetscapes and enjoy the enchanting rural setting. Next it is off to a local farmhouse who specialise in organic produce, your palate is in for a treat. Here you will enjoy wine tasting of the local wine Vernaccia accompanied by bruschetta with extra virgin olive oil, cold salad or soup, green olives, pecorino cheese, prosciutto and salami. And to finish, enjoy cantuccini biscuits and Vinsanto liqueur wine.

Your next destination is the enchanted UNESCO world heritage town of Siena. On arrival enjoy a local gelato before you embark on your guided walking tour, approximately a two hour tour. Your guide will regale some fascinating stories of the Sienesi people and you will have the opportunity to visit some of the key monuments and sights. You will also soak up the magic atmosphere that Siena is renound for. Afterwards, return to Montecatini by coach.

Day8Return home

You will check out of the hotel after your final breakfast of the stay. Your coach will pick you up at your designated time and transfer you to Pisa airport for your return flight back to Dublin.

Please note: For departures on 16 September, the order of excursions will differ slightly. Cinque Terre will take place on Day 3 and Florence on Day 5. All inclusions remain the same.