The countryside of Tuscany is stunningly beautiful with a landscape of vineyards, olive groves and medieval hill-top towns and villages. The famous cities of Florence and Pisa need no introduction with their imposing architecture, beautiful settings and famous landmarks. Our holiday base in Tuscany is Viareggio, one of the more famous resorts along Italy’s Versilian Coast. It offers clear seas and sandy beaches with the stunning backdrop of the Apennine Mountains, there are elegant shops along the palm-lined promenade and numerous cafes and restaurants in which to enjoy great food and wine.

ITINERARY

• Day One: Early departure to Dover for the ferry to Calais and on to our overnight hotel at Lille.
• Day Two: Across the Champagne region and on to our second overnight stay at Chambery.
• Day Three: We cross into Italy and on via Turin and Genoa to the resort of Viareggio and the Hotel President where we stay for the next five nights.
• Day Four: A day at leisure to relax and explore Viareggio.
• Day Five: Enjoy a visit to the magnificent city of Florence, the artistic and cultural capital of Europe. The city is synonymous with the names of Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Botticelli and Galileo to name but a few. A guided walking tour is included to see the famous sights such as the Duomo, Santa Maria Novella, the Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery.
• Day Six: Today we visit the medieval walled city of Lucca, one of the oldest cities in Tuscany. The maze of narrow cobbled streets are a pleasure to wander around and see the very old and beautiful churches and chapels. On then to Pisa, made famous by its leaning tower, one of Italy’s most familiar images. The neighbouring cathedral is one of the most spectacular in Tuscany with amazing grandeur and detail.
• Day Seven: A further day at leisure in Viareggio or join us on an optional excursion. We travel
• through the Tuscan Hills in the Chianti wine growing region to visit Siena, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Italy that still looks much as it was in the Middle Ages. Enjoy the unique atmosphere as you walk in the narrow streets and squares in the walled part of the city. Some of the highlights to see are the main square (The Campo), the Town Hall, the Gothic Cathedral and the Baptistery.
• Day Eight: We leave Tuscany and head back to France for another overnight stay at Chambery.
• Day Nine: Continue north to our final overnight hotel at Lille.
• Day Ten: To Calais for the return ferry to Dover and home to North Wales.