11 Days/10 Nights (2 Nights in Florence + 4 Nights in Lucca + 4 Nights in Tuscan Villa)*
To end the day, we'll take a panoramic boat ride (weather permitting) to Portovenere. The ancient Portus Veneris is believed to date back to the middle of the first century B.C. its name refers to a temple to the goddess Venus which was sited on the hilltop where the church of Peter the Apostle now stands. Take a group walk through Portovenere and then enjoy some free time to soak up the magical atmosphere of this vibrant Mediterranean village. Don't forget to shop for the local specialty: fresh basil Pesto. We’ll gather to enjoy a group dinner in a family trattoria with tasty local dishes from the region of Liguria.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Enjoy a group lunch in a local favorite trattoria with traditional home-made dishes and crostini with mixed toppings.
We'll then drive to a local winery for a private tour and tasting. This coastline is now one of the most high-level wine producing areas in Italy, where wines have gained world recognition under the category of “SuperTuscans”, whose vines grow on softly-shaped hills, gently caressed by the zesty sea breeze.
Our next stop is Bolgheri, an ancient village situated in the heart of the Etruscan Coast, famous for the Viale dei Cipressi, a spectacular 3-mile long “driveway” lined with century-old cypress trees, leading up to the Castle. Free time to shop and explore this village with wine bars at every corner.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
After check-out, we’ll drive to the Tuscan countryside, where you’ll settle into a classic countryside Villa for the next four nights. Along the way we will stop in Lucca. We will meet a local guide for a walking tour of this charming town completely surrounded by massive walls, on top of which lay a greenway adorned with spectacular trees. Enjoy some free time to explore the winding streets, ornate churches, and the circular “Piazza Anfiteatro”, which traces the foundation of an ancient Roman arena. You’ll have time to savor lunch on your own in Lucca. Why not rent a bicycle during your free time and explore Lucca as one of the locals? Depart to the lovely Tuscan Country Side Villa. Have YOUR PASSPORT ready for check-in. From the patio bar of this luxury villa, you'll be able to admire a spectacular view of the sun setting over the Tuscan hills, nestled among vineyards and olive orchards. Enjoy a Benvenuto dinner in the Villa’s dining room, with organic Tuscan dishes, made from the freshest ingredients of the villa's own vegetable garden.
Meals included: breakfast, dinnerMeals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
After check-out from the villa, we'll drive back to Florence, where you'll be able to enjoy a full day in the Renaissance city at your leisure.
Meals included: breakfast
What's Not Included in Tour Package
>
The
first day of this tour is Friday (you will need to book your flight from
the USA on Thursday to get to Florence on Friday). The last day of this
tour is Monday (arrival in the U.S. is the same day of departure on your
way back). Some tours start and end in different cities, make sure to
book your flights accordingly.
> Airfare is not included.
Nada's Italy can assist with Business and First Class airfare. Please
let us know if you need information about arrival and departure airport
for this tour.
> Reminders, hotel information, and arrival
instructions will be sent only by email, please make sure we have your current email address.
> Transfers
to and from the airport are not included in the tour rate. Please
contact us if you'd like to add transfers to your tour package.
> You
must be in good physical condition to sign-up for this trip! There will be a lot of
walking uphill, downhill, walking over uneven pavement, and standing for
extended periods of time. An average walking tour is about 2-3 hours without sitting.
> Even though tips to staff and
restaurants are included, it is suggested that you put aside
approximately $100 (US) in combined gratuities for your driver &
Tour Director for your trip (and any voluntary additional restaurant
gratuities are at your discretion).
> Nada's Italy strongly
recommends that you purchase Travel Insurance for your trip. For
suggestions on policies and a quote, please contact us.
> You should know that
air conditioning in Italy, as well as WIFI connection, are not always as
reliable as they are in the United States.
> The hotel
staff
assigns rooms to guests, some rooms may include stairs. A view is not
guaranteed. As Nada's Italy works mainly with luxury historic inns and
small upscale boutique hotels, rooms differ in size and layout. In
general, Italian bedrooms and bathrooms are smaller compared to US
standards. Each room has its own en-suite
bathroom with shower and/or tub, hair-dryer, and basic toiletry set. Please
contact us if you have specific requests/needs.
> It is your
responsibility to obtain the required documents to travel to Italy,
please verify with your own country's travel laws and government
agencies. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.
> In
the unlikely event your tour does not reach the minimum participation
requirement of 6 travelers, we will work with you to choose another
available tour or tour date. We will do our best to make the transition
as smooth as possible.
> Add extra nights and extend your stay in this amazing country. Contact us for a quote (subject to availability).
> Please note: while we do our best to adhere to our published
itineraries, they may be changed at the discretion of the Tour Leader
due to weather conditions and any other unforeseeable circumstances.
> Unless stated otherwise, all rates are per person, based on double occupancy, land only, in USD, and subject to availability. Rates may vary by departure date and are subject to change without notice. Nada’s Italy reserves the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions and to change or update rates, fees and surcharges at any time without prior notice.
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Explore the gorgeous city of Florence on this private 4-Day Signature Tour Extension with a deep dive into the masterpieces of the Renaissance. Learn about Florentine culture and local cuisine. Take a day-trip to the romantic Tuscan countryside and visit charming medieval hilltop towns and wineries, making this the perfect finish to your fabulous journey.
Treat yourself to an unforgettable trip to Venice on this private 4-Day Signature Tour Extension. Discover Venice’s history, traditions, culture, and visit its most famous sites such as St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. You’ll also cruise in the Venetian Lagoon by private boat and visit the charming island communities of Murano and Burano.
With so much to see and experience, this private 4-Day Signature Tour Extension to one of the world’s most beautiful cities is sure to take your breath away! Discover Rome's world-renown ancient sites, magnificent artwork, and vibrant local culture the way only Nada's Italy can deliver.
Complete your grand adventure with this private 4-Day Signature Tour Extension to Paris, the City of Lights, with its iconic architecture, elegant boulevards, and high-end boutiques. Take a day trip outside Paris to discover the Palace of Versailles and its wonderful gardens, savor delicious Parisian cuisine and enjoy all this magnificent city has to offer.
The spirit of Spain and Catalonia’s bright Mediterranean culture and lifestyle will be the highlight in this private 4-Day Signature Tour Extension. Get immersed in Barcelona's lively atmosphere and rich cuisine on a tasty culinary tour in the old fishing district. Be a part of the excitement in its bustling local markets, explore world-renown sites and the waterfront, combining all with the best tapas.
What a great way to experience Spain! Amazing staff, great accommodations and an experience you will never forget. The small group tour is the way to see Italy and to go to place others tour groups never see.
Sue
Sole Terre tour for our group of 8 plus 4 new friends could not have been better. Weather cooperated, food, wine and visits to Tuscany and Liguria were delightful.
Fred
Traveling with Nada’s Italy resulted in a trip of a lifetime with endless fantastic memories! My husband and I were wary of traveling, having only done so via cruises or traveling directly to a resort but never leaving it, so the thought of flying to Europe and arranging our own transportation everywhere (especially with the horror stories you read about pick pockets), finding nice hotels and must-see tourist attractions, and eating terrific food where locals go seemed daunting, especially when you factor in the language barrier. The more we researched an Italian vacation, the more overwhelming it seemed, but when we narrowed our search result down to “small tour group”, Nada’s Italy kept coming up over and over again, and each review raved about their experience, so we jumped right in. The communication with the entire Nada’s team from months before our trip was excellent, especially since I’m a worrier and have lots of questions, so the fact that they answered my questions via e-mail immediately (usually the same day!) put my mind at ease. In addition, they provided what I came to think of as an essential travel guide, filled with helpful information such as how much to tip each person, what types of things I should pack, what to expect from each day, alternative transportation options to and from the airport, cultural differences, the best way to convert dollars to euros, etc. I already felt like I was in good hands long before our trip even began. We were delighted to be on the very first “Mediterranean Bliss” tour, along with just 2 other couples. This tour covered far more than we could even dream of doing on our own within a week. We spent 3 days in Rome and visited the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, The Vatican Museum, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Colosseum. Nada’s website advertises that they get you to the front of the line, but they really sell themselves short by not explaining that the “VIP lines” easily contain 100+ people and move very slowly, while Nada’s gets you right to the front of every single line! The Nada’s tour guides have lived in the area and been in tourism so long that they know everyone who works at these tourist attractions (as well as half the people in the city, it seems!) so that they have the inside scoop regarding days when crowds are expected to be higher and they work behind the scenes to make things as smooth and convenient for you as possible. For instance, our guides got us to the Colosseum earlier than our itinerary stated since they had arranged for someone to open the back entrance, before it was set to open, so that we could walk right in. Once inside, we nearly had the whole (HUGE!!!) place to ourselves. Everywhere we went, we were accompanied by an expert who knew everything about where we were. At the Colosseum and Vatican, that was the fabulous Barbara Bruno. At Pompeii, that was Marguerite. You could see tourists there on their own who were trying to follow our group around to hear the endless interesting facts shared with us. They could answer every question, easily navigate our group through massive crowds while still being respectful of those around us and not getting in anyone’s way, and never stopped sharing a wealth of information. Their passion for the subject matter was extremely evident. The ease of working with a small tour group was obvious when you saw large groups of 50 or more people who had to follow flags on tall sticks in order to find their tour leader, and always had to wear an ear piece to hear their tour director’s microphone since they’d never get close enough to hear them otherwise. A small, intimate group of new friends sharing an experience was far more valuable than I can possibly express. In between seeing these amazing sights, we were treated to unbelievably delicious food! We never ordered our own meals since our tour guide ordered a wide variety of dishes so we could sample every local favorite, and we were never disappointed by the food or all the wine! We never left anywhere hungry, and couldn’t get enough of the delectable food with the freshest ingredients, and each place was small and owned by a family that had been growing and sourcing their own food for generations. Meals were never brought to our table without detailed explanations by the wait staff of the ingredients involved, how dishes were prepared and the history / cultural significance of each, etc. Eating wasn’t just enjoying good food, but rather more of an experience! We went to places off the beaten path that only locals know about, and they were so small that they could never accommodate the obnoxiously large tour groups. While it was so cool to spend 3 days in the middle of Rome so that we could easily walk outside our hotel and get a café, gelato, or panini without going far at all, it was so much more peaceful during our 4 days spent in Sorrento at a truly luxurious hotel, The Ludovisi Palace. Our room and bathroom were gigantic and posh, and the view of the ocean and Mt. Vesuvius were second to none! There are only 12 rooms so it was quiet and felt like we owned the place, and we were waited on at all times by the nicest people. We were fortunate to have fantastic drivers in both Rome and Sorrento. It was nice having the same driver all the time since they’d get to know things such as my motion sickness, and I could have kissed Gianluca for going so slowly around every twisty, windy road along the coast over the course of 4 days! The traffic was intimidating and terrifying, yet both drivers remained calm and stress-free, and their confidence eased our minds. The vans were comfortable, air conditioned, and even fully stocked with endless bottles of water. I saved the best part for last, which is the BEST TOUR GUIDE IMAGINABLE, Clarissa Mannino!! She was so warm and friendly that she instantly felt like family, and despite the fact that she was younger than anyone in our group, she truly mothered us in the best way possible. She let us know when to wear comfortable walking shoes, when to bring a light sweater or jacket, never neglected to mention special dietary restrictions at every restaurant, always alerted us to available bathrooms, offered to make frequent van stops for my motion sickness, etc. She spent a few minutes back in the hotel with us each night (over complimentary Prosecco, of course!) and told us what to expect the next day. We never had to get up very early, which we greatly appreciated, and we never felt rushed. She always made sure we had ample free time to explore areas on our own, and she made wonderful suggestions regarding scenic spots, ideal shopping, restaurant recommendations that covered a wide range of prices, and easy to follow walking directions. While we enjoyed the free time, it was just enough time (2 hours or so) so that we were ready to re-join the group and do the next structured activity, so it was a perfect balance. Clarissa taught us such interesting facets of the local culture, including the proper way to toast (which we all did before each meal), cute catch phrases, and even funny hand gestures. Long drives in the van were opportunities for her to teach us more. The main thing I appreciated about Clarissa, however, was her thoughtfulness. Every day found her delivering another small surprise, from gift shop treasures and pastries to surprise trips, and each was more delightful than the last! I won’t go into detail to avoid spoiling any surprises for the next group. She even got emotional when it was time to say good-bye, but she asked that we all keep in touch through social media, and she continues to check in from time to time. We can’t imagine another vacation without Nada’s Italy, and we’re willing to go to places that hadn’t interested us in the past just so we can experience another trip of a lifetime! We’re considering Sicily next, in the hopes that we can again partner with Clarissa. With regards to seeing other countries (Japan is high on our list), my husband and I keep saying we need to find a “Nada’s Italy equivalent tour group” for each country, but that seems to be easier said than done. I usually spend so much time organizing every single detail of our vacations to ensure we enjoy each minute, but Nada’s went so far beyond anything I could have ever planned that we not only enjoyed every moment of it, but it was the most stress-free vacation since Nada’s staff was always busy hashing out the details so I didn’t have to!
Karen
We were very impressed with Nada's Italian Treasure Tour . Our tour leader Cristina, tour guides, drivers and group were all so friendly and helpful. Everything was so well planned and organized. We would definitely recommend Nada's Italy Tours. Class A Tour Company.
.
just returned from Nada's Dolce Vita tour - this was my second trip with them, and their trips are spectacular! My experience both trips was truly special (I traveled solo both times). Their "signature tours" are 10 days and the itineraries are a perfect balance of learning about the culture, seeing the beautiful cities and towns, while enjoying the sweet life of wonderful food and conversation. You have experiences that larger tours would not offer - like visiting organic family wineries, private tours of a world renown ceramic studio and having lunch with the family of olive oil producers (on their farm!). I experienced all of that on the Dolce Vita tour. Our tour guide made everything fun and handled everything for us, and our driver was there with us for the whole tour, which made everything so much easier. They were both fantastic. I HIGHLY recommend Nada's Italy.
Renee