Tuscany in Summer - Detailed Programme

DAY 1

Check in by YTC representative at MIA for flight to Rome. Greeted in Rome Airport by Mariano and/or Eleonora, and private mini bus transfer to La Nuvola. On the way to the Farmhouse, stop for dinner at a restaurant close by (meal included in price). After dinner, time to unpack and settle in.

DAY 2

After breakfast you will visit the beautiful medieval walled town of Massa Marittima which is perched upon a hilltop approximately half an hour’s drive from La Nuvola. Explore the wonderful Piazza and visit the cathedral, wander the charming streets and small alleyways and you won’t be disappointed. This is a typical Tuscan hilltop town with a history stretching back over a thousand years. Of particular interest is the Museo delle Miniere with English translations of the importance of the mineral wealth to the development of the town. A guided visit in English (entrance fee is included) will be organized for our guests. At lunchtime you can choose from many dining options in Massa Marittima. Upon your return to the farmhouse there is time to relax or even take a siesta until it is time in the late afternoon, to depart to Lardarello to see the natural phenomenon of the hot geyser which gives continuous bursts of steam from deep underground. Dinner at a small typical restaurant at nearby Palazzetto (price included in package).

DAY 3

No trip to Tuscany could ever be complete without a visit to Florence. After breakfast you will be driven to Florence, and after being accompanied to the centre, you will then be free to enjoy the freedom to explore what must be one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Try to take in the simply breathtaking architecture, wander across the famous Ponte Vecchio with its goldsmiths and silversmiths shops, explore the magnificence of the Duomo. Find your way across the river (via Ponte Vecchio) to the Boboli Gardens, check out the top designer shops or the little covered street market. Departure from Florence is in the evening, leaving you time to dine in one of the places found in this wonderful city.

DAY 4

Today you will be driven to the lovely little hilltop village of Montieri just a few minutes away from La Nuvola. Time to hear mass at the local church if you choose, with free time to enjoy a snack or a drink as you wander around the winding alleys of this typical Tuscan village. Upon returning to La Nuvola you can explore the immediate surroundings. A pleasant, walk from the farmhouse along the leafy pathways to the village of Prata is a wonderful way to spend a quiet afternoon. The walk from the farmhouse takes approximately one hour each way. In the evening Mariano prepares a barbeque for everyone (meal included in price).

DAY 5

A full day’s visit to Volterra and San Gimignano are always high up on visitors’ favourite Tuscan towns and today you will discover exactly why. Volterra, perched on a hilltop dominating the surrounding countryside, is one of Tuscany’s most ancient settlements.

Volterra is now most renowned for its alabaster work which you will discover for sale in countless shops... the perfect souvenir. San Gimignano boasts the world’s first high rise skyline, its 14 medieval towers can be seen from miles away as you approach the town. The streets are lined with shops selling every imaginable Tuscan product from cheese and wine to fine works of art and ceramics. Don’t leave San Gimagnano without tasting perhaps the best ice-cream in Italy from the tiny gelateria in the Piazza Sisterna... you won’t be disappointed.

On the way home from the farmhouse, your day ends with a meal at a typical local restaurant (meal included in package price).

DAY 6

Siena, the home to the Palio horse races, is your destination today. Just an hour’s drive from La Nuvola, you find yourself at the gates to one of the most unspoiled of all towns in Italy. You are transported to a town which has remained untouched by the passing centuries. The long, cool, shady streets all radiate from the Campo (Piazza) at the centre, where one can see the magnificent town hall with its instantly recognisable clocktower in front of which is the fan-shaped Campo, scene of the Palio horse races.

Surrounding the Campo are lots of outdoor bars, cafes and restaurants. The smaller side streets are lined with shops of every description, fashion stores galore, particularly shoes and handbags.In the afternoon you will return to La Nuvola to relax, before an evening in Massa Marittima, which at night time is a particularly delightful experience. Join the local people and their families as they enjoy an evening ‘passegiata’, ice-cream and a glass of wine. You can eat from any of the excellent restaurants or pizzerias in Massa Marittima square.

DAY 7

After breakfast, some time to enjoy the farmhouse before a late morning departure, (about 11.00am), to the marvelous ruined Abbey of San Galgano (about 20 minutes from La Nuvola), where you can see the ruins of the centuries old Abbey. On the nearby hill is the chapel of San Galgano. At about 13.00 lunch at Bocchegiano, (meal included in package price). After lunch, it is a short drive to La Novella, a farm produce shop where you can purchase the very best in local wines, cheeses, meats and preserves at direct prices (excellent gifts and souvenirs). The excursion continues to Scarlino, a town dating back to 973AD and whose castle was of vital importance to the area. Enjoy a view out to sea to the nearby island of Elba. Then on to Follonica, a typical seaside village where you can wander along the promenade of this busy but nonetheless charming little harbour town.

DAY 8

Departure from La Nuvola to Rome, where Mariano/Eleonora will check you in for flight to Malta.

On 7 – 14 July our tour will follow a different program.

Thursday
Arrival. Evening meal at restaurant at Boccheggiano (included) (same as Day 1 in above program)

Friday
A visit to the fortified small town of Montereggioni and Colle Val d'Elsa. We return to farmhouse and in the evening we visit the Medieval town of Massa Marittima with enough free time to explore this delightful town and time to dine at one of the excellent restaurants or pizzerias.

Saturday
A day visit to Montepulciano the place where world famous wines are produced. The journey is very scenic with a panorama of vineyards. We visit a vineyards with an explanation re wine production and time to visit the wine cellars and to have a look at the machinery used. Time to visit the town of Montepulciano, free time for lunch. On the way back to farmhouse we stop to eat at Palazetto restaurant (dinner included).

Sunday
A visit to the nearby village of Tatti with time for mass (optional). There will also be plenty of time to enjoy a snack or a drink as you wander around the winding alleys of this typical Tuscan village.Return to the farmhouse for a relaxing afternoon with time to go for a walk, play archery, mini golf, etc. Evening BBQ at farmhouse (meal included).

Monday
A visit to the nearby villages of Prata, Rocca Tederighi with free time to explore these delightful hidden gems, we also visit Rocca Strada and then in the late afternoon we go to Castiglione della Pescaia for a free evening out.

Tuesday
A day visit to Montalcino where the world famous Brunello di Montalcino wine is produced and Pienza world famous for its cheeses. In the afternoon we return to the farmhouse and our evening meal will be at a Restaurant in Palazzetto (meal included)

Wednesday
We we spend a morning relaxing at the farmhouse with time for an archery competition for those who would like to participate. We leave the farmhouse at around 12.30 and we go to eat at Boccheggiano restaurant (meal included). After a small walk around this picturesque village and then we leave to visit Populonia and Suvereto with time for dinner there. We return to the farmhouse at around 9.30p.m.

Thursday
Early morning departure to Rome. Arrival in Malta at 13.40