Show Date: 05-OCT-17 • Promotion Expiration Date: Based On Availability

 

This Week's Trivia Question: What Spa Town in Italy has been known for its therapeutic waters, that is believed to heal most diseases?

 

Answer: Montecatini a lovely town, located in Tuscany, Italy

 
 
HOT TRAVEL DEAL
 
 
 

“Off the Beaten Piazza”

8 DAY GOURMET TUSCANY

From:  $ 1,339 per person

July/Aug 2018

Includes first class hotel, 7 BK/4LN/3DN

Hands on Cooking Classes ***Winery Visit

Plus much more!

Price is based on per person, double occupancy and availability.  Not included are
Round trip air flights to Florence, Italy, from CLE, meals not mentioned & optional excursions
And taxes and fees

Other Dates & Prices Available Upon Request


Hurry book now to lock in rates.  Some restrictions may apply.

 

Gourmet Tuscany

8 Day Tour from Montecatini to Montecatini

 

  

Vacation Overview

On this affordable Italian tour package, 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. From the rolling hills of Montalbano to Vinci and beyond, you’ll make daily sojourns through bountiful vineyards, olive groves, and chestnut trees. You’ll visit the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci to experience the Renaissance master’s life and art.Traveling through some of the most stunning and lush natural landscapes in Italy, you’ll embark each day to visit idyllic spots, including the gorgeous Chianti Valley and the Etruscan Coast. As you visit quaint wine shops, cafes, a traditional butcher shop, historic estates, and museums, you’ll feel immersed in the history and traditions of each daily destination.In addition to sampling the local gourmet Tuscan fare, you’ll also be treated to an Italian cooking lesson, starting with the selection of fresh ingredients at a local market. 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 sample artisan-crafted chocolates and learn the art of Italian dessert-making at your hotel. You’ll revel in the beauty of becoming familiar with a single destination of Montecatini while making priceless daily discoveries of locales that are off the beaten path – perfect for the smart, creative, and budget-minded traveler.

Itinerary
 
Day 1   ARRIVE IN MONTECATINI, ITALY

Check into your hotel. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.

Hotel Settentrionale Esplanade

  

  

     
Day 2   MONTECATINI. EXCURSION TO VINCI

This morning, head out into the lush, rolling landscape of the Montalbano hills, where you will see many Italian cuisine ingredients growing in their native environment. Pass terraced grape vineyards, olive groves, and chestnut trees on your way to the quaint village of Vinci, birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci. Here, you will learn all about the Renaissance master at the MUSEUM dedicated to his life and many areas of interest, which included everything from painting, sculpting, and inventing to anatomy, music, and cartography! Later, visit a bakery in the Chianti Montalbano area to learn the secrets of ITALIAN BREAD MAKING, followed by a light lunch of fresh bread, local cheese, cold cuts, and a glass of the local wine.
 
Day 3   MONTECATINI. EXCURSION TO THE CHIANTI VALLEY

Cradled between the provinces of Florence and Siena, the Chianti Valley is the heart of Old Tuscany, and has been hailed for its exceptional wines since the 13th century. Your journey today takes you to Greve to visit a Macelleria, a traditional Italian BUTCHER SHOP, where you’ll learn about Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine steak) and tasty Finocchiona (fennel salami). Then, enjoy lunch at a charming wine shop, and visit a HISTORIC TUSCAN ESTATE known for its Chianti and Supertuscan wine production.
 
Day 4   MONTECATINI

Your day begins at a LOCAL MARKET in Montecatini, where an expert guide will help you select fresh ingredients for an Italian cooking lesson at a rustic farmhouse in the Tuscan countryside. Once you arrive at the farm, enjoy a welcome drink, explore the orchard, 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 savor the delectable dinner you prepared—maybe your team will win the master chef prize!
 
Day 5   MONTECATINI. EXCURSION TO LUCCA

Today features a visit to 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 introduces you to the stunning ornamental gardens and grand arched ceilings of PALAZZO PFANNER.
 
Day 6   MONTECATINI. EXCURSION TO BOLGHERI

Travel through the vineyard-dotted countryside and along cypress-lined Viale dei Cipressi for your fascinating entrance into enchanting Bolgheri. With its red-brick castle and atmospheric Old Town, it’s not hard to believe Bolgheri jumped right off the pages of a storybook. There’s time here to visit one of the WINE CELLARS that produce Bolgheri’s celebrated 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 LIQUOR.
 
Day 7   MONTECATINI

Your final morning in Montecatini 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 the exciting optional excursion to the well-preserved medieval city of Pistoia, renowned for its quaint Old Town, beautiful sculpture garden, and outstanding artisan-crafted chocolate! This afternoon is dedicated to a COOKING CLASS at your hotel, focusing on the creation of cakes and desserts.
 
Day 8   MONTECATINI

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
 
 
Vacation Highlights

Visits to Castagneto Carducci, Bolgheri, Greve

Chianti Valley

Guides:

Local Guides for city sightseeing in Vinci, Montecatini, Lucca; professional Tour Director while touring
 

Meals

Buffet breakfasts daily; 4 lunches; 3 dinners, including dinner at a local farm in Montecatini
 

Travel Terms & Conditions
The purchase of any travel services offered by Cosmos, constitutes a contractual arrangement between you (the Traveler) and Cosmos, and represents your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions. Please ensure that you read carefully and understand the Terms & Conditions prior to booking. These Terms & Conditions cover Deposit & Final Payment information, Air-Inclusive Deposits & Final Payment, Revisions & Revision Fees, Air Arrangements, Participation, Travelers Who Need Special Assistance, Young Travelers, Smoking, Price Policy, Visas and Passports, Hotels & Accommodations, Baggage Allowance, Travel Documents, Not Included in the Land Price, Refunds, Service Inquires After the Vacation, Holidays, Safety, Photos & Pictures, Optional Excursions, and Responsibility.
View full Terms & Conditions

Important Notes

  • Vacation departures, itineraries and prices are subject to change.
  • A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is required for Cosmos to reserve space for you. View Terms & Conditions for limited exceptions.
  • The following charges are not included in the land vacation price unless otherwise noted: airfare to and from the start of your vacation; Intra-vacation air unless specified in the itinerary; airline baggage fees including checked and/or excess baggage fees; Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees including the September 11th Security fee up to $11.20 per person, passenger facility charges up to $18 per person, Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $4.00 per segment, and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government-imposed added by the airline and applicable at time of booking; port taxes; passports; visas (except on Cuba programs) and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship's crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Cosmos menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or onboard your vessel (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; optional excursions; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection; and all other items of a personal nature.

Booking your Vacation with Air
For air departure dates within 331 days, you'll be offered a choice of carriers and flight schedules as well as price points to choose from when selecting your flights. Your schedule will be provided to you at the time of booking (schedules are subject to change by carriers). Globus offers 2 air options: Flex Air and Instant Purchase Air. Flex Air allows flexibility if you want to make changes to your vacation schedule. Instant Purchase Air may offer additional airline options but has more restrictions. Some vacations may only offer one Air type option. Guaranteed air-inclusive prices: air is only available to passengers traveling from the United States and only available when booked in conjunction with a land vacation. An additional $300 per person non-refundable air deposit is required for Flex Air booked in conjunction with any land vacation (i.e. air-inclusive vacation). Air can only be booked by Globus in conjunction with a vacation package. Instant Purchase Air requires air payment in full at time of booking (i.e. air-inclusive vacation) plus non-refundable per person service fee ($30 for North/Central America, $50 for Europe/Middle East and $80 for all other destinations. Once booked, Instant Purchase Air is non-refundable, and non-changeable. Some vacations may only offer one Air type option. However, once your airfare is confirmed and Globus has received your full air and land deposit, your air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed.

Air-Inclusive Vacations — Applicable Taxes & Fees
Air-inclusive vacations include government-imposed taxes and fees applicable at the time of booking and will be shown as a Total Amount. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply. At the time of booking your air-inclusive vacation online, carrier Websites will be provided to check baggage fees, or you can visit www.iflybags.com for up-to-date baggage pricing/restrictions. For return travel from some countries, international travelers are required to pay entry and/or exit fees at the airport. These fees will be collected by the local government and are payable by the traveler at time of travel. Your confirmation booking information will contain information about these fees.

Copyright © , All rights reserved. Globus family of brands

The price listed does not include your airfare, taxes or fees. Once you click "Reserve Now", you will be able to receive an air quote and a final vacation quote.

 
 
 






  


As the worldwide leader in escorted travel, we offer an amazing array of destinations and travel styles around the globe. From leisurely looks at Europe's great cities, to in-depth multi-country panoramas, to incredible cruises through the world's most enchanting locales. GLOBUS has an unrivaled selection of nearly 400 vacations to over 70 countries on six continents, including religious and family vacations.

Yet, in our more than 80 years of operation, we've never forgotten the most important thing about travel: you. That's why we've put in years of research determining how to provide the richest experiences to today's globetrotter. It's why we insist on hiring only the most experienced and engaging Tour Directors. So you will walk away from your vacation having been part of the stories that bring history to life.



More than four decades ago, Cosmos virtually invented the budget vacation. Traveling with Cosmos is far easier than going it alone but you still get to do what you want. Our team of experts has refined our itineraries to combine the must-see sights with significant time on your own.





Providing worldwide independent vacations with flexible itineraries and access to a Local Host who will help you feel like a local.



Avalon sets the standard in river and small ship cruising to Europe, China, Egypt and the Galapagos Islands with extraordinary cruises on the newest ships. Take a 360° tour.
 
 
 

Details • Dates • Pricing

The world's leader in first-class escorted travel with over 80 years of experience providing a variety of travel styles.
 
    

Details • Dates • Pricing

The leading value brand in the escorted travel world. Providing enriching experiences for more than 40 years to smart travelers.
 
    

 
Providing worldwide independent vacations with flexible itineraries and access to a Local Host who will help you feel like a local.
 
    

 
Setting the standard in river & small ship cruising on the newest ships.

 


Why Use A Professional Travel Agent

Planning a trip today can be confusing and time consuming. A professional travel agent not only arranges the various modes of transportation, but a professional travel agent also may be able to save you money with early booking discounts, special fares, cruise/vacation deals and travel advisories.

Benefits of Using a Professional Travel Agent

Save Money! - Strong working relationships with travel suppliers and the latest in computer reservations technology enable professional travel agents to access the most up-to-date information on how to get you the best value.

Traveler Advocates - Your best interests are the priority.

Convenience - professional travel agents offer one-stop shopping for all your travel arrangements.

Service - Professional travel agents are knowledgeable and active in the industry.

Agents Will Go the Extra Mile - Agents work for you and will do everything they can to meet your travel needs.

 




Action Travel Is A Member Of The
Cruise Lines International Association