Tuscan Escape
From CAD $2,104
Guarantee
Group Tour
Easy
Rating
(10 reviews)
Experience Overview
Starting in Rome, we’ll live la dolce vita for seven unforgettable days on this adventure up through sun-soaked Tuscany for a truly authentic taste of this iconic region. Whether you get your kicks from food, history, culture or Chianti, this is the one you’ve been waiting for - with mouthwatering cuisine, idyllic vineyards & a chance to try artisan crafts, we’ll re-live the Renaissance in Florence and Lucca, marvel at the medieval beauty of Siena and pose for the perfect picture in Pisa all across one extraordinary week.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 1 Dinner (D)
- 6 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Included Experience
- Rome: Get a taste of Rome with a food walking tour of Trastevere district
- Baschi: We'll head to the rocky (but so picturesque) village of Baschi to visit Casale Polegri. Stroll around the vineyards and olive orchards on a short tour of the azienda agricola. We'll learn about the farming techniques used by the Polegri Family to harvest their fresh plants and fruit. We'll end the afternoon with a crunchy bruschetta topped with homemade extra virgin olive oil, focaccia bread with homegrown rosemary and vegetables. And of course, some risotto or pasta. All of this with a glass of their homemade wine and dessert. Happy tummy, happy life!
- Gaiole in Chianti: We’ll hop on our bikes and travel from Gaiole to explore a local winery.
- Florence: See the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery & Piazza della Signoria on a locally guided walking tour of Florence.
- Pisa: Get a Pisa the action! Your expert guide will enlighten you, and you’ll finally get the ‘propping up the tower’ pic you’ve longed for.
- Lucca: Visit the Fattoria Al Dotto winery outside Lucca and taste local wines accompanied with a delicious platter of snacks
Trip Details
Product Code: 16992
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+, Luxury
Tour Operator:
Contiki (CA)
Supplier Code: 495.1722A
Starts: Rome, Italy
Finishes: Rome, Italy
Duration: 7 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,104 ($301 /day)
Itinerary
We’re all set to fall in love with this ancient Italian capital the moment we set foot in it. ‘Ciao’ your new Contiki pals and we’ll hop on our coach. Next we’ll cross the River Tiber to taste our way through Trastevere on a food walking tour, sampling local treats and more in this bohemian district known for trattorias, pubs and artisan shops. Full of our first introductions to Italian life, we’ll join the locals for a passeggiata (promenade) to stroll off a few of the carbs before a satisfied slumber tonight.
Accommodation: Hotel Santa Costanza (or similar)
Meals: Dinner
Sorry Rome, we’d love to linger but there are so many more experiences to soak up!But first, hop on a funicular ride to the top of the hill in the city centre, you can take in the stunning views of Orvieto & the surrounding countryside. We have an epic, included MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience to enjoy. Casale Polegri is set in the countryside near the gorgeous town of Baschi, where we'll meet the Polegri family. They have run their vineyard and olive orchard for generations, and after giving us the grand tour, will serve us lunch under the Veranda. Enjoying some of the most authentic Italian food we've ever tasted (topped off with the Polegri's very own wine, naturally), we might reflect that we've never had it so good. It's the kind of local travel experience you don't encounter every day (you're welcome). The day is still unfolding and we’ve already done so much! After arriving in Siena there’ll be time to explore what is possibly Italy’s most beautiful medieval city. The historic centre has been declared a UNESCO world heritage site and its heart is the Piazza del Campo, the sweeping central square that hosts the world-famous Palio horse race. This evening we have the chance to savour a dinner of pizza, in a typical Sienese restaurant before departing Siena for our hotel in Tuscany.
Accommodation: Park Hotel Chianti (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Bathed in the golden glow of the Tuscan sun, there’s no better way to uncover this historical region than by tasting it. Today we’ll hop on our bikes to ride from Gaiole to a local vineyard where we'll discover for ourselves this rich ruby red tipple the locals have been perfecting here for centuries followed by a visit to a local butchers to sample meat and cheeses. Another place famous for its wine, next we head to the enchanting hilltop town of San Gimignano. Known as the Town of Fine Towers, it’s yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its medieval architecture & sweeping views of the entire Chianti valley. Once you’ve stopped staring there’ll be free time to explore, have dinner and, hey why not, maybe another glass of wine?
Accommodation: Park Hotel Chianti (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Our destination today is home to red roofs, Renaissance architecture and rustic cuisine. This morning we’ll have the chance to get involved with local handicrafts at a leather craft demonstration, part of Florence's artisan history, learning about this ancient tradition from a master craftsman and using the opportunity to customise your own leather accessory. Florence is often referred to as a 'walking museum', and today we'll find out why. With a locally guided walking tour, we'll explore the city on foot, swooning at Giotto's Bell Tower and the remarkable architectural feat that is the Duomo, pausing at the stalls and jewellery shops on the Ponte Vecchio and posing for a selfie with the replica statue of David. Later there’ll be free time for more sightseeing, shopping or food, and meat-eaters won’t want to miss the chance to sample a Bistecca Fiorentina, a Tuscan speciality. Before we leave the city today don’t forget to touch the nose of ‘Il Porcellino’, the bronze boar in Piazza del Mercato, the traditional way to make sure you return to Florence!
Accommodation: Park Hotel Chianti (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
We can't be in this part of the world without a sneaky visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Depriving you of the chance to perfect the ‘holding-up-the-tower’ shot would be criminal. Our visit includes a locally guided tour. We’ll make a quick stop in Lucca, with its charming piazzas, Renaissance architecture and historic cafes. Explore the well-preserved 16th century walls surrounding the historic centre and cobbled streets with a gelato in hand. We'll hop back onto the coach and head out on a drive to a local winery to sample wines.
Accommodation: Park Hotel Chianti (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Further south you can choose to find some dinner in Montalcino, another beautiful historic town known for – you guessed it – the production of delicious red wine. Don’t go knocking this one back too easily though, thanks to its individual grape variety, Brunello di Montalcino is one of Italy’s priciest wines...
Accommodation: Park Hotel Chianti (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
It’s said that all roads lead to Rome and that’s where we’re headed back to today. Has it really only been a week since we last set foot in the Eternal city? Back in modern day Rome this afternoon, it’s time to say our sad goodbyes – or ‘Arrivederci’ - until we meet again on our next adventure. How does a reunion in Greece sound?
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Contiki (CA)
Contiki is a New Zealand-based tour company that caters to 18 to 35-year-olds, offering over 350 different tours in over 75 countries in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, North America, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.[1] It is a subsidiary of The Travel Corporation. Its tours historically had a reputation for partying;[2][3] however, it also operates wellness trips culturally immersive experiences that focus less on alcohol, which are more popular with Generation Z.[4] The company owns lodging facilities in Europe, including the Chateau De Cruix, a 16th century castle in the Beaujolais wine region, and the Gasthof Schoneck in the Austrian Tyrol. The name "Contiki" comes from the portmanteau 'Con' from the word 'Continent' and 'Tiki'; from the Māori referring to the first man, often symbolised as a pendant known as hei-tiki. It can also be attributed to the New Zealand slang 'Tiki-tour' describing taking a longer route to a destination in order to explore.[5]
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Robert - Traveled, January 2024
Great trip overall. The day trip were great. I wish the hotel was near a town or close to restaurants, but overall very great trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/24/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, February 2024
Such an awesome trip, seeing the best of Tuscany and having the most amazing food and wine all week. Would love to do it all again!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/18/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, February 2024
I think They could’ve changed some of the itinerary and and included some of the smaller towns and villages in Tuscany. I had a travel agent to help but it was easy.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/27/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, May 2024
The trip in its entirety was fantastic. From wine tasting to food tours to having local guides direct us around churches and cities, everything was organized and curated perfectly. Contiki's #MakeTravelMatter experiences are amazing in every way and the activities which are included in the original package are sufficient for a great time - BUT - the extra add-ons are a MUST, they are out of this world and definitely worth every penny if you are able. Our trip manager was 10/10, he was knowledgeable about the history of the places we went to, a self-acclaimed wine connoisseur and a definite foody! I would recommend this trip to anyone who wants to drink and taste their way through Tuscany while having the time of their lives. Definitely a trip for a twenty-something crowd, the teens may have thought along the lines of "party trip" which this was not, instead very chilled, lots of laughs and LOTS of walking! (lots of wine too). Easiest booking of my life, i was assisted by someone on the online chat and everything was done in about 10 minutes.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/23/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, February 2024
My Highlight was walking through Florence; the little streets and cornershops all around. It was amazing to see in person! It was very easy to book. All the Information was easily available. The MyTrip Part was also quite intuitive. Although I wasnt able to edit my flights after sending off once. Helpcenter was really helpful and helped me fix it. The Option to start chatting with People from my Group before travel started, made it easier for me to connect once we met on the first day.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/17/2024
Nicholas - Traveled, October 2024
Contiki was the best decision I ever made. Meeting so many amazing new people and experiencing such an amazing country like Italy was a dream come true! Contiki was amazing. We had the absolute best driver and guide anyone could ask for. They gave us a truly unique and wonderful authentic experience!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/14/2024
Amelie - Traveled, June 2024
Easy to book a trip. The website is well designed. We had a fun time visiting Italy. We saw a lot of cities, we ate a lot of food. The facts that it's a small group is really nice.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/16/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, July 2024
Wonderful time! Very satisfied. Fantastic trip with a wonderful guide - worth every penny!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/13/2024
Katrina - Traveled, July 2024
It’s really hard to have a bad time with Contiki! Great trip, super short length makes it easy to fit into just about any time limit. Staying in the incredible heart of Tuscany you truly feel like you’re living the Italian dream! 10/10 would recommend! With the most awesome trip manager ever, even cyclonic weather couldn’t dampen our spirits. Absolutely brilliant trip! Booking online is super easy and hassle free. No travel agent required. I never required any support in booking process because it is just that easy.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/12/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, November 2024
Food on the actual group tour was meh. Itinerary changed so much we didn't do the things we bought the trip for. San gimiano was yhe best part. Food on the actual group tour was meh. Itinerary changed so much we didn't do the things we bought the trip for. San gimiano was yhe best part.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/11/2024
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