Day 2, April 19, 2025: Montecatini Terme – Full Day in Florence
Breakfast at the hotel. We will then take public transport to central Florence, where we’ll meet our local guide for a walking tour (entrance fees are not included). Florence, known as the "Capital of Arts," is the heart of Tuscany and one of Italy's most beautiful and romantic cities. It’s the birthplace of the Renaissance and home to numerous famous personalities such as Dante, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Niccolò Machiavelli, Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, and Catherine de’ Medici. We will visit: the Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore), the Baptistery, Santa Croce Church, Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Bargello Museum, Uffizi Galleries, Ponte Vecchio, and Palazzo Pitti (entrance fees are not included). Free time for shopping and individual visits. Return to the hotel by public transport. Overnight and dinner (without drinks) at a 4-star hotel in Montecatini Terme.
Day 3, April 20, 2025: Montecatini Terme – San Gimignano and Siena, Optional Day Trip
Breakfast at the hotel. Free time for rest and individual exploration, or optionally, join a day trip with the Romanian tour leader to San Gimignano and Siena in the heart of Tuscany. San Gimignano, the "Town of Beautiful Towers," is a fortified village, a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its medieval architecture and slender towers that once served as a "barometer" of the wealth of its owners. Enjoy the romantic atmosphere of its cobbled streets, old fountains, churches, and palaces. Siena is a medieval city rich in history, with its cobbled streets and buildings of red stone and brick: Piazza del Campo, surrounded by palaces, Siena Cathedral, Monte dei Paschi di Siena Bank, and the Town Hall Square.
Evening: overnight and dinner (without drinks) at Grand Hotel Panoramic 4* or similar in Montecatini Terme.
Day 4, April 21, 2025: Montecatini Terme – Pisa & Lucca – Lunch and Wine Tasting
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, we will visit Pisa and Lucca with the Romanian tour leader. Pisa, famous for its Leaning Tower, which stands 56 meters high, is one of the most recognized monuments in the world and its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site: the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Cathedral-Torre di Pisa, the Cathedral, and the Baptistery. After visiting Pisa, we’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant, including a wine tasting. After lunch, we’ll explore Lucca, a beautiful medieval city surrounded by strong defensive walls that guard its cobbled streets, palaces, numerous churches (about 100), and old towers. Lucca is the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini, and its central square is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Evening: overnight at Grand Hotel Panoramic 4* or similar in Montecatini Terme.
Day 5, April 22, 2025: Montecatini Terme – Vinci and Livorno, Optional Day Trip
Breakfast at the hotel. Free time for rest or individual exploration. Optionally, join a day trip with the Romanian tour leader to Vinci and Livorno. Vinci is the birthplace of the famous artist Leonardo da Vinci. The town is surrounded by a landscape of hills and fields with olive groves and vineyards: the Church of the Holy Cross, built in the 13th century and said to be the baptism place of Leonardo da Vinci, the Guidi Castle (with the Museo Leonardiano – a museum dedicated to Da Vinci’s over 100 inventions), and Piazza Guidi. Livorno, Tuscany's second-largest city, is a charming settlement with a mild climate, palm trees, palaces, villas, and public gardens. The port, at the western end of the old city, is one of the largest in the Mediterranean and a bustling place with constant maritime traffic. From the port, you can take ferries to Elba and other Tuscan archipelago islands, as well as Sardinia and the French island of Corsica. Don’t miss the central market in Livorno, a lively place filled with the aroma of fresh coffee and local products. Evening: overnight and dinner (without drinks) at Grand Hotel Panoramic 4* or similar in Montecatini Terme.