Tuscany Vacation – Independent Self drive Package of the Romantic Hill Towns  

Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra, Arezzo, Cortona, Montepulciano

7 nights, 8 days  2013   Romantic Tuscany

From Euro 837 Per Person   

Independent driving program With or Without Car.
Travel to Tuscany at your leisure but with the security of a prebooked and custom designed holiday. Marvel romantic hill towns of ancient Etruscan origin, villages of art hidden among vineyards, great food and wine and the famous scenery of rolling Tuscan hills

ITINERARY  
Day  1 (Siena)
Arrival Siena on your own. Check into a 3 star hotel in the historical center. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day  2 (Siena)
Visit on your own the elegant Medieval town known universally as the city of the Palio. You can admire the most interesting and characteristic corners: the Basilica of San Domenico, the House of Saint Catherine, the Magnificent Duomo and the Palazzo Pubblico on the main squere. Enjoy the view and the special medieval atmosphere from a local vantage point on the famous Square Il Campo where twice a year the horse race is held and the town completely transforms itself into a spinning wheel of festive colors, sounds and celebrations. At 7:30 p.m. dinner at the typical trattoria in the historical center of this unique city.

Day 3 (San Gimignano)
Today visit San Gimignano renowned for  the “hundred towers city” and the Etruscan trails. After Checking  in at your local hotel hotel,  visit the city of many “skyscrapers” paying particular attention to the splendid historical center with the many medieval towers.  You will be able to admire: the characteristic towers, churches and convents rich with works of art like the Duomo or the Chiesa Collegiata, built in 1148, which hosts a museum of grand prestige and the Palazzo Comunale. Wine tasting in a central winery and lunch at a traditional restaurant. San Gimignano is the center of local wine production. Do not forget to taste the famous local vine and the boar prochiutto, a typical Tuscan delicacy.  In the evening after the tourist crowds are gone, you will have the chance to emerge in the town’s special ambiance.

Day 4 (Volterra)  
Continue on to Voltera, this ancient Etruscan stronghold where the subsoil is full of alabaster. Check into your hotel located in the historical center. Wonder around the ancient town of narrow alleys, tower houses, churches and public buildings. Walk down to the ruins of the original Etruscan walls and gates and don’t forget to pay visit to the excellent little Etruscan Museum exhibiting local ancient artwork among them the famous statuette, called” Shadow”. Your stay in the town can be culminated by a visit to a local handicraftsman laboratory where you can watch the various techniques used in making alabaster objects. Dinner in typical Restaurant and overnight in Voltera.

Day 5 (Arezzo)
Arezzo, one of the most beautiful and richest cities of Tuscany, renowned for a flourishing production of jewels in gold exported throughout the world, as well as the famous Giostra of Saracino opening on the 3rd Sunday of June and the 1st of September. We suggest a visit of the splendid city paying particular attention to the Duomo and to the arcaded Piazza Grande, where on the first Sunday of the month, is the Mercato dell’ Antiquariato is held. The classic Roberto Benini  “Life is Beautiful” was filmed in this city, home of Vasary and  De Francesco whose colorful late medieval frescos decorate in vivid colors the church. Check into your centrally located hotel. Evening at leasure.

Day 6 (Cortona)
Travel to this tiny hill town of considerable charm and beauty decorated with many public buildings, numerous churches and monasteries. Cortona and check in at the central hotel. Walk up through its ancient cobblestone streets of this Etruscan town to the vantage point from where you will have a charming view of Trasimeno Lake and the surrounding lush country side. Time at leisure for individual activities. Overnight in charming Cortona.

Day 7 (Montepulciano)  Montepulciano is a town of antique origins, full of Medieval and Renaissance history has a thriving cultural life and active mercantile trade.  It became well known in the last century for its soft red wine, Vino Nobile, which in the course of the years has become one of the most well known wines in the world. After checking in at your centrally located hotel, you could enjoy a wine tasting in one of the oldest and most fascinating  cellars in Italy, found right in the heart of the town. Overnight in Montepulciano.

It is possible to visit these towns in a different order. 

Transportation is on your own using local scheduled bus service or we can offer car rentals on request!

Price per person in double occupancy  in a 3 star accommodation 

Euro ($ rate varies depending exchange) : 837 per person based on double occupancy
Single supplement: Euro ($ rate varies depending the exchange) 325 

Price includes:

  •  2 nights in 3 star hotel in Siena in B&B (Hotel Italia or similar)
  • Welcome Dinner in typical Medieval Restaurant (drinks included)
  • 1 night in hotel in San Gimignano in B&B (Hotel La Cisterna or similar)
  • 1 wine tasting in a famous winery (3 wines with snacks)
  • 1 lunch in local trattoria (drinks included)
  • 1 night in central hotel in Volterra in B&B (Hotel Porta all’Arco)
  • Visit of an alabaster laboratory in the historical centre
  • 1 dinner in Volterra (no drinks included)
  • 1 night in central hotel in Arezzo in B&B (Hotel Continentale or similar)
  •  1 night in central hotel in Cortona in B&B (Hotel Italia or similar)
  • 1 night in central hotel in Montepulciano in B&B (Hotel Granducato or similar)
  • 1 wine tasting in a renowned cellar in Montepulciano

Price does not include: 

  • Transfers, Tips, extra, guide service, meals where not indicated and whatever not mentioned

Car rental prices in Euro –  1Apr – 31Oct 2013 PER DAY (2013 prices similar – on request at the time of booking)

CAR type or similar and CODE
Prices are per day		 3/5DAY 6DAYS 7DAYS EXTRA DAYS
EBMR – Fiat Panda Low season 43 38 33 32
EBMR – Fiat Panda High season 49 42 36 36
CDMR – Volkswagen Golf Low season 59 53 43 43
CDMR – Volkswagen Golf High  Season 65 55 48 47
FDAR – Mercedes C200 CDI – Automatic-Low Season 109 92 79 79
FDAR – Mercedes C200 CDI – Automatic-High Season 119 102 87 87

CAR RENTAL RATES INCLUDE

– Unlimited Mileage

– Collison Damage Waiver Insurance

– Theft Protection Reduction

– Third Party Liability

– Personal Accident Insurance

– Domestic One-way Drop off Charge

– Road Tax

– Airport/Railway Surcharge

RATES DO NOT INCLUDE

CAF: Administrative cost of invoice for extras locally purchased Administrative fees in case of Damage (GMU) & Fines (GRV) .
Whatever not mentioned in the inclusions