Two uniquely different areas of Tuscany will be your destination for this journey, one rarely visited by foreigners and the other made famous by books such as Under the Tuscan Sun. You will begin your journey in northern Tuscany in the Garfagnana region known for its mountainous terrain dotted with little shelters for shepherds, high pastures and a never tiring succession of churches, hermitages, castles and fortresses. The second half of your visit will be in southern Tuscany, the area famous for its rolling hills, fine Chianti wine, medieval towns, and terracotta landscapes. You will also spend two magical days walking the breath taking "Cinque Terre" trail on the Ligurian coast and enjoying the inviting Italian Rivera. During your last days in Italy you will relax on the Island of Elba with its magnificent beaches and coastal cliffs all surrounded by crystal clear waters.

In the Garfagnana you will be special guests of a family owned "agroturismo" farm at the base of the Apennine mountains - a true Italian-style retreat mixing the traditional with the modern. You will have the chance to visit with the family, learn about their time-honored wine making tradition, savor their local cuisine, and experience first-hand their profound knowledge of the region. Your days will be spent enjoying the mountainous landscape and vistas, paying visits to small villages and visiting natural parks such as the Orecchiella Natural Park. The Orecchiella Natural Park is a successful experiment in reconciling conservation of nature with the presence of humans: the otter and the wolf have recently returned to the area and the sight of the soaring golden eagle is no longer a rarity.

Then you will take a two-day excursion to the western coast to walk the famous "Cinque Terre" trail or Five Lands trail. This breathtaking path along the Mediterranean coast extends for about 12 kilometers from Riomaggiore through three other villages to Monterosso, reaching a maximum height of 200 meters. The singular beauty of the landscape and the historical context of the path make for a relaxing stroll along the seaside and up to where the path seems to touch the sky. The inhabitants of the villages in their daily farming and trading activities have used the path for centuries. You will finish your walk for a two-night stay at Portofino, one of the most picturesque towns on the Italian Rivera.

During the second week, your days will be filled with cultural experiences including a day in Florence and wine and olive oil tasting in Lucca. You will tour through the rolling hills of southern Tuscany, visiting medieval villages and renaissance towns such as Volterra, and San Gimignano. Your base will be a villa in the Tuscan countryside and you will tour on little used routes stopping to visit castles, abbeys or to just take in the views. You will spend the evening enjoying towns such as Siena and Florence strolling through plazas with the local Italians and dining in their fine restaurants. During your last days in Italy you will relax on the Island of Elba with its magnificent beaches and coastal cliffs all surrounded by crystal clear waters. Half of the island is a national park and the natural environments range from shady woods, to cultivated fields to a desert like landscape with aloe and cactus plants. The fishing villages and towns on the island still maintain their ancient character.

DAY 02
PISA AIRPORT - GARFAGNANA REGION
Morning arrival in Pisa meet Andean and Rainforest representative. After a 2-hour drive, we will arrive at the family owned "agroturismo" accommodations nestled in the foothills of the Apennine Mountains. For lunch we will go to the town of Castelnuovo and have our welcome lunch in the main square. Return to accommodations to relax for the rest of the afternoon. In the evening we will enjoy a slide show with images from the region. Traditional evening meal with family including local wines. We will have an orientation talk. L,D

DAY 03
CASTIGLIONE - VILLA COLLEMANDINA - SAMBUCA
Morning breakfast at agroturismo. Later we will take a walk through the traditional enchanted birch, sweet chestnut, and acacia forests of the Garfagnana coming into a ridge with great views of the valley and the towns of Castiglione and Collemandina. We will have lunch at the fortified walled town of dating back to the Byzantine era. Later we will have a short walk to a medieval bridge where our van will be waiting for a drive to the river Serchio below the town of Villetta and walk to the village of Sambuca through a great gorge. We will also drive to the villages of Sillicagnana and San Romano and the ancient fortress of Verrucole with magnificent views of the Apuane mountain range. B,L,D

DAY 04
GARFAGNANA LANDSCAPE - CAMPOCATINO
After breakfast we will drive out or from the agroturismo via lake Pontecosi and up towards lake Vagli for great views of the traditional village of Vagli Sotto. We will stop and walk the streets of this traditional village and visit one of the local bars for some coffee or wine. We will continue our exploration and our destination is the pastoral hamlet of Campocatino. Lunch in Campocatino. In the small village of Campocatino there are remarkable shepherds huts built with dry stonewalls and slate roofs, once characteristic of this area. Some of them date from the 17C. For people interested in a walk, we can visit the Old Hermitage of San Viviano, which is nested on the side of a mountain with good views of a marble quarry. Return to agroturismo for dinner and overnight. B,L,D

DAY 05
LUCCA
After breakfast we will travel from the mountains of the Garfagnana to the town of Lucca. We will spend the day walking this marvelous walled city with its famous towers, private villas and narrow streets. Walking is made easy by the fact that very few cars are allowed inside the walls. Most people are on foot or bicycle giving us a fantastic opportunity to observe the daily life of Italians. The group will also participate in a private wine tasting in the medieval wine cellar of a "enoteca" located in the heart of the city. The tasting will include wines and produces from the Lucca region. Because the local vineyards have small productions, this is a rare opportunity and a very special treat. The Lucca region is also considered by experts to be the best in the world for the production of olive oil. Evening return to agroturismo for overnight. B,L,D

DAY 06
LIGURIAN RIVIERA - CINQUE TERRE - PORTOFINO
After early breakfast we will drive to the Ligurian region of Italy and visit the famous towns of Cinque Terre along the Mediterranean coast. You will have a chance to wander the narrow streets of these colorful towns from Riomaggiore to Monterosso, spend time photographing the charming architecture, charismatic people, local vineyards, olive groves doting the hillside and have a chance to walk portions of the Cinque Terre trails for stunning images of the towns from high vantage points. Or you can choose to take the day to walk the splendid trail that interconnects the five villages of Cinque Terre rather than taking the train and ferry. Late in the afternoon you will drive from Cinque Terre to the town of Portofino for overnight at a hotel overlooking the Mediterranean. B

DAY 07
LIGURIAN RIVIERA - PORTOFINO
Open day to explore the region. There are many options available and you may opt for a drive to other towns, stay in Portofino to do some exploring or stay at the hotel and enjoy the private beach. Overnight in Portofino B

DAY 08
PORTOFINO - CARRARA - SIENA
Today is a travel day. Morning departure by bus to the Montagnola Senese region of Tuscany with it's famous capital Siena. You will visit the marble quarry of Carrara for a look at the marble industry and a chance to see where Michelangelo selected the marble for his remarkable sculptures. We will find a quaint restaurant for some foccacia and meats. We will stop along the way to photograph the Tuscan countryside and picturesque villages before our arrival at the hotel in Bargianino where will have dinner and spend the night. B,L,D

DAY 09
MONTAGNOLA SENESE - CITY OF SIENA
We will spend the morning touring the back roads of the scenic Montagnola Senese countryside doted with well preserved picturesquely situated medieval villages, monasteries and farms. After lunch, we will drive to the city of Siena where we will spend the rest of the day and stay through the evening. Siena has a special continuity with the past unrivalled by any other major town in Tuscany. The walled center has stayed almost unchanged for centuries and entering its narrow streets, you soon lose yourself in a maze of medieval streets and alleyways. Dinner at restaurant in Siena. Return to your villa for overnight. B,D

DAY 10
FLORENCE
Today you will travel to the city of Florence to spend a full day visiting the most important sites in Florence like the Duomo, the Battistero, Ponte Vecchio and the Piazza di Signoria. You will also reserve a time to visit the Uffizi museum to avoid the long lines. For those interested in seen the works of Michelangelo, there will be plenty of time allowed to visit the Academia where the David is housed. We will have dinner in Florence before returning to our hotel for overnight. B,D

DAY 11
VOLTERRA - SAN GIMIGNANO
Morning departure to the city of Volterra. Located on a hilltop, Volterra, the "town of the wind and rock" with its simple medieval appearance, dominates the Era and Cecina valleys. It also overlooks the unique view of the "Balze", a vast stretch of highly eroded chalk landscape furrowed by gully erosion, which over the years has engulfed necropolises, churches and cyclopean walls. On the edge of a precipice, there are ruins of Etruscan walls and the Badia Church. It is a true monumental town, steeped in urban and artistic tradition. Afternoon lunch you will depart for San Gimignano. With its original 14th-century town design and architecture virtually intact, San Gimignano stands out for its historic significance since it was linked to the ever-changing fortunes of the Florentine Republic. It is still possible to see 15 out of the 72 original towers built by the noble houses. The beautiful Piazza della Cisterna (built in 1327) is undoubtedly the true heart of the town and is an example of one of the finest Italian piazzas. A magnificent view over the town can be enjoyed from the only surviving tower of the 14th-century pentagonal Fortress, demolished by the Medici's in 1555. Dinner in town before returning to your hotel. B,D

DAY 12
MASSA MARITTIMA - ISLAND OF ELBA
After breakfast morning visit of Massa Marittima, one of the finest and relatively unknown medieval town of southern Tuscany. From Massa Marittima we will travel to the Island of Elba by ferry from the port of Piombino. Elba is the largest island in the archipelago of Tuscany and was the exile home for Napoleon in 1814 - 1815. The island will provide the group with magnificent opportunities for nature and architecture photography and also time to unwind before our departure back to USA. Elba's beaches and coastal cliffs are surrounded by crystal clear waters. Half of the island is a national park and the island environments range from shady woods, to cultivated fields to a desert like landscape with aloe and cactus plants. The fishing villages and towns in the island still maintain their ancient character. In Elba we will stay at a hotel near the Marciana Marina. The owner of the hotel is along with his community has created a botanical garden. You will have the option to relax or explore the island. B

DAY 13
ISLAND OF ELBA
Full day open to explore the island or just relax on one of the many beaches. Overnight in Elba. B

DAY 14
ISLAND OF ELBA - PISA
After breakfast, you will travel to the city of Pisa. After arrival in Pisa you will have time to relax or visit the historical sites. Evening farewell dinner. Overnight in Pisa. B,D

DAY 15
PISA - USA
Morning transfer to the Pisa airport for flight out. B

CALL FOR PRICING

TRIP DIFFICULTY: Requires moderate walking and ability to walk on some relatively steep cobblestone streets and uneven ground. Optional Cinque Terre walk has some step inclines especially before reaching Monterosso.

INCLUDES: All hotel accommodations based on double occupancy. English speaking guides and all activities. Meals as specified in the itinerary, B=Breakfast; L= Lunch; D=Dinner. Wine is included with some meals. Transportation and transfers.

NOT INCLUDED: International or domestic airfares, airport departure taxes or visa fees, excess baggage charges, additional nights during the trip due to flight cancellations, alcoholic beverages or bottled water, snacks, insurance of any kind, laundry, phone calls, or messages, reconfirmation of flights and items of personal nature.