Gourmet Tuscany
Tuscany, Italy
On this affordable Italy Small Group Adventure, the town of Montecatini serves as home base from which to venture out to explore the surrounding landscapes of breathtaking Tuscany and getting to know its culinary and wine traditions. Indulge in picturesque scenery, world-class local wines, traditional cuisine, and cultural discoveries.
From the rolling hills of Montalbano to Vinci and beyond, we’ll take you through bountiful vineyards, olive groves, and chestnut trees. You’ll even 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 to visit idyllic spots, including the gorgeous Chianti Valley and the Etruscan Coast. As you visit quaint wine shops, cafés, historic estates, and museums, you’ll feel immersed in the history and traditions of each destination.
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. You’ll also learn the art of Italian dessert making at your hotel and get to taste some of the celebrated Chianti and Super Tuscan wines right where they are produced. You’ll revel in the beauty of becoming familiar with a single destination of Montecatini while making priceless discoveries of locales that are off the beaten path—perfect for the smart, creative, and budget-minded travel lover.
8 Day Small Group Tour Roundtrip from Montecatini
Your Itinerary
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Check into your hotel. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a special welcome dinner
Meals Included Dinner
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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 to 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. Everything tastes better in Tuscany! See for yourself with an optional culinary experience in the Tuscan countryside to indulge in authentic traditional dishes—with wine, of course!
Meals Included Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Excursions at an additional cost
Tuscan Dinner. Enjoy a wonderful dinner in the delightful Tuscan countryside, featuring authentic traditional dishes using the finest local ingredients
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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 to a historic Tuscan estate known for its Chianti wine production.
Meals Included Breakfast, Lunch
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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 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 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.
Meals Included Breakfast, Dinner
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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 Renaissanceera 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.
Meals Included Breakfast, Lunch
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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.
Meals Included Breakfast, Lunch
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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. This afternoon is dedicated to a baking class at your hotel, focusing on the creation of cakes and desserts.
Meals Included Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Excursions at an additional cost
Carrara Marble Quarries & Culinary Delights. Embark on an exclusive excursion to the Carrara marble quarries, nestled amid the majestic Apuan Alps and the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines.
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Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Meals Included Breakfast
What Your Journey Looks Like
Leonardo da Vinci's Tuscany Visit Vinci, the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci, and discover the life and inventions of one of history's greatest minds at the dedicated museum
The Flavours of the Chianti Valley Explore one of Italy's most celebrated wine regions, enjoy lunch at a charming wine shop and visit a historic estate renowned for its Chianti wines
A Hands-On Tuscan Cooking Experience Learn the secrets of regional cuisine at a rustic farmhouse, gathering fresh ingredients before preparing and enjoying a traditional Tuscan dinner
Lucca's Timeless Charm Wander through the beautifully preserved historic centre of Lucca, with guided visits to Palazzo Mansi, Palazzo Pfanner and the city's Renaissance walls
Bolgheri & The Super Tuscans Travel through vineyard-covered countryside to discover the enchanting town of Bolgheri and sample the region's acclaimed Super Tuscan wines
Italian Sweet Traditions Take part in a dessert-making class and learn the art behind some of Italy's most beloved cakes and sweet treats
Lucca, Tuscany, Italy
Tour Inclusions
Guided Sightseeing with an experienced Tour Director and local guides.
Included Meals 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners
Accommodation 7 nights in Montecatini at Settentrionale Esplanade Hotel.
Max Group Size 28
Book by 13 October and save 20% on 2027 Europe Tours from $3,119 per person share twin
*From price is based on departure date 31 Oct 2027. Airfares and any pre/post tour accommodation is additional.
Note Nearest airports for Montecatini are Florence
Terms & Conditions *Prices shown are per person, based on two people sharing a room. Prices include applicable discounts. Save 20% applicable on 2027 Cosmos UK/Europe tours only, for new bookings made and deposited between 29/09/26 - 13/10/26. Offer cannot be applied retrospectively. Deposit is required at time of booking. Discount is applicable on the base tour only. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer except Second Tour Discount and Welcome Back Credit. Prices do not include airfares, except where noted on specific itineraries, and are subject to change without notice. Pricing is to be used as a guide only and is subject to availability at the time of booking. Pricing for our trips and services are set by the tour operator and are subject to change at any time prior to receipt of the full deposit amount. Offer applies to new bookings only and is not transferable. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Offer may be withdrawn or amended at any time without notice. Additional restrictions may apply. Travel agent service & credit card fees are additional. All tours subject to availability at time of booking. For full terms & conditions, contact Wanderlust Travel Experts.
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