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The town of Montecatini serves as your home base from which to venture out daily to explore the surrounding landscapes of breathtaking Tuscany. You’ll indulge in picturesque scenery, world-class local wines, traditional cuisine, and cultural discoveries via eight days of regional excursions. In addition to sampling the local gourmet Tuscan fare, you’ll also be treated to an Italian cooking lesson. You’ll prepare an authentic Italian dish inside a rustic Tuscan farmhouse where you and your travel companions will enjoy your culinary creations – complete with master-chef prizes. You’ll also learn the art of Italian dessert-making at your hotel.

Inclusions:
  • 7 night guided vacation
  • 7 nights in Montecatini at Settentrionale Esplanade or similar
  • 14 Meals: 7 breakfasts daily; 4 lunches, 3 dinners – including dinner at a local farm in Montecatini
  • Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach
  • Professional Tour Director while touring

Book by Apr 30!

May 5,19,Jun 2, 2024 from $2639 tax included
Jun 16, 2024 from $2439 tax included
Oct 13,Nov 3, 2024 from $2459 tax included
Single Supplement add from $220 more

Not Included: (but can be added)

  • Round trip airfare to Florence
  • Round trip transfers from airport to hotel and hotel to airport
*Please Note:
-Not all dates listed are definite departures. A minimum number of passengers on each date are needed to run. Once the minimum is reached it will switch to a definite departure. In the event your date does not, you will be offered the best alternative dates or a full refund of any payment made.
-Cosmos requires passport and emergency contact information with final payment.

Vacation Highlights
  • MONTECATINI  – Cake- and dessert-baking class
  • TUSCAN FARMHOUSE  – Cooking class and competition, followed by dinner
  • VINCI – Visit the Leonardo da Vinci museum; learn about traditional bread making at a local bakery
  • CHIANTI VALLEY – Visit Greve; enjoy lunch at a historic Chianti wine estate
  • LUCCA – Guided sightseeing with café-crawl brunch, visit Palazzo Mansi and Palazzo Pfanner
  • BOLGHERI – Visit the village and a wine cellar
  • CASTAGNETO CARDUCCI – Visit, wine tasting and lunch in a local restaurant

Day 1: ARRIVE IN MONTECATINI, ITALY (D)

Transfer to your hotel. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a special welcome dinner.
Hotel: Settentrionale Esplanade or similar (7 nights)

Day 2: MONTECATINI. EXCURSION TO VINCI (B/L)

This morning, head out into the lush, rolling landscape of the Montalbano hills. Pass terraced grape vineyards, olive groves, and chestnut trees on your way to the quaint village of Vinci, birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci. Here, learn all about the Renaissance master at the museum dedicated to his life and many areas of interest from painting, sculpting, and inventing, to anatomy, music, and cartography! Round up the morning with the visit of a local bakery. Learn how bread is made and enjoy a light lunch with an opportunity to sample local products such as focaccia bread, sandwiches, wine, cheese, cold cuts, and olive oil.

Day 3: MONTECATINI. EXCURSION TO THE CHIANTI VALLEY (B/L)

Cradled between the provinces of Florence and Siena, the Chianti Valley is the heart of Tuscany, and has been hailed for its exceptional wines since the 13th century. Your journey today takes you to Greve, with time to visit the village and to enjoy lunch at a charming wine shop. Complete the day with the visit of a historic Tuscan estate known for its Chianti wine production.

Day 4: MONTECATINI (B/D)

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Montecatini. Maybe go for a walk in the Parco delle Terme with its tall shady trees. Most of the afternoon is dedicated to the Italian cooking lesson at a rustic farmhouse in the Tuscan countryside. Once you arrive at the farm, enjoy a welcome drink, explore the orchard to pick some fresh ingredients, learn about Italy’s most famous delicacies, and then roll up your sleeves for a fun, hands-on cooking experience. This evening, relax with your traveling companions and taste the delectable dinner you prepared—maybe your team will win the master chef prize!

Day 5: MONTECATINI. EXCURSION TO LUCCA (B/L)

Visit Lucca, a stunning showcase of medieval architecture and layer upon layer of rich history and culture. Marvel at the beautiful art and tapestry collections at the baroque Palazzo Mansi National Museum, then take a guided walking tour around the Old Town with its fine, intact Renaissance-era wall, cobblestone streets, and café-lined piazzas. A lively café-crawl snack brunch is included, followed by a main course at a local restaurant. Then, your Local Guide will introduce you to the stunning ornamental gardens and grand arched ceilings of Palazzo Pfanner.

Day 6: MONTECATINI. EXCURSION TO BOLGHERI (B/L)

Travel through the vineyard-dotted countryside and along cypress tree-lined Viale dei Cipressi for your grand entrance into enchanting Bolgheri. With its red-brick castle and atmospheric Old Town, it’s not hard to imagine that Bolgheri jumped right off the pages of a storybook. There’s time here to visit one of the wine cellars and taste Bolgheri’s celebrated Super Tuscan reds. First created in the 1980s, many wine experts believe these now rival French Bordeaux. Later, stop at nearby Castagneto Carducci, known for its splendid panoramic views of the Etruscan Coast. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and the chance to sample the local liqueur.

Day 7: MONTECATINI (B/D)

This morning is yours to do as you please. You could choose to explore more of the city on your own, to relax and shop for souvenirs, or to join an exciting optional excursion. This afternoon is dedicated to a baking class at your hotel, focusing on the creation of cakes and desserts.

Day 8: MONTECATINI (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport

Terms & Conditions

All rates are per person, based on double occupancy in Canadian dollars (unless otherwise stated) New bookings only. Space and price may be limited and subject to availability at the time of booking.  Errors or omissions may occur on the above information with no guarantee of being honoured. Terms and conditions apply. Tax is not included in the above base fare. Above tax amount includes non-refundable $30 per adult Booking Management Fee. $50 per adult cancellation fee. Not included in the above rates: Xpresspost fee, recommended medical, cancellation or baggage insurance. Child rate is applicable when travelling with 2 paying adults sharing 1 hotel room, using the existing bedding. Price Match Policy: Travel Best Bets makes every effort to remain competitive by offering our ‘Match or Beat Any Price’ offer however due to certain restrictions  there will be some product we cannot match or beat. Please note the star ratings found on www.travelbestbets.com are determined by Travel Best Bets based on a number of factors and may not match the star rating found in the Tour Operator’s brochure. Please view our star ratings by clicking here. Due to an increasing volume of disputed bookings, we will only accept payment for air only travel to India, the Philippines and the continent of Africa through the following means: book and pay cash in person or by direct deposit into our business account – once the transaction is verified and a copy of the receipt emailed or faxed to our office, we will confirm the booking. Please contact us for details on how to book using this method. Please contact [email protected] for photo credit information. BPCPA #3287