Day 1 Florence, ItalyWelcome to Florence

Tour begins: 6:30 PM, Helvetia & Bristol. A transfer is included from the Peretola Airport to the elegant Helvetia & Bristol. Join us this evening for a welcome reception followed by dinner.

Firenze - or Florentia, as it was once known - derives its name from the Latin word florere, meaning "to flourish," and the city that birthed the Renaissance has done exactly that. Michelangelo's legacy looms large here, and your morning begins with an early-opening private visit to the 15th-century Basilica di Santa Croce, home to frescoes and sculptures by Brunelleschi and Donatello, and the final resting place of legends like Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. Continue on a guided city tour, where the scent of leather drifts through artisan quarters, and the sound of ringing bells draws you to the Duomo, with masterpieces at every turn. A morning rich in discovery concludes with a guided visit to the Uffizi Galleries, home to The Birth of Venus and other treasures that deepen your appreciation for art, creativity, and the genius of the Renaissance. Enjoy a lunch of Florentine specialties before spending the rest of your day at leisure.

Begin your day exploring the Sienese countryside south of Florence with a local guide. Take in some of Tuscany's most beautiful landscapes - rolling hills, vineyards, and hilltop towns - and visit the Renaissance gem of Pienza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll the lush, manicured gardens of Palazzo Piccolomini, built in 1459 as a summer residence for Pope Pius II, with views of the sprawling hills of Orcia Valley. Join us for an apericena tonight in an ancient setting of the city with architecture dating to the 13th century.

Awaken in beautiful Siena; accompany your local guide to discover Siena's many architectural treasures on a walking tour - including its black-and-white Duomo, one of Italy's great cathedrals, with scenes inlaid in the marble floors and sculpture by Michelangelo. You'll see the Piazza del Campo - where the famous Palio bareback horse race has been held twice every year for centuries - Palazzo Salimbeni, Palazzo Tolomei, Torre di Mangia, Santa Maria della Scalla and more. Spend the afternoon exploring as you please, or join us at Palazzo Pubblico in Piazza del Campo to view the world's first secular fresco, Good and Bad Government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, followed by free time.

Travel to the walled town of Lucca for either a bicycle* tour led by a local guide or a guided walk. This medieval city's preserved Renaissance-era, red-brick walls block out traffic and modern distractions, fostering a peaceful atmosphere and original Roman street plan. Lucca, unlike many Tuscan towns, is topographically flat, making it a cyclist's dream; one of the best ways to explore this historically powerful and culturally rich city is by bicycle. If you choose, join your local guide and do just that - down its narrow lanes… across its ancient piazzas… and along the top of its massive walls. For lunch today, immerse yourself in a culinary experience at a family-owned winery and olive oil estate in the heart of the Tuscan hills, where you'll learn the art of fresh pasta-making, sample extra virgin olive oil, and taste local wines.

Weather permitting, ride a ferry along the coast to Vernazza, one of five remote fishing villages strung like jewels along the coast - Cinque Terre National Park, "the five lands." They're now linked to the outside world by rail, but for centuries were accessible only by sea… or on foot, the best way to appreciate life in what is truly a world of its own. Disembark for a walking tour of the village followed by lunch at a local trattoria. This afternoon, you'll have a choice of activities. You may either stay in Vernazza for free time to do as you wish, or embark by train to explore another village. Arrive in the town of Rapallo on the Italian Riviera for a two-night stay.

Take a private boat ride this morning to the fishing village of Portofino, long cherished by artists and writers drawn to its serene harbor, colorful façades, and Mediterranean charm. If you wish, make the steep climb to Castello Brown, where sweeping views of the harbor reward every step. This afternoon, enjoy a docent-led visit to 14th-century La Cervara Abbey, renowned for its gardens overlooking the sea, followed by lunch. Join us this evening for a farewell reception and dinner at your hotel.

Tour ends: Genoa. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Grand Hotel Bristol Resort & Spa to Genoa Airport or Genoa train station, or you can post-stay in Genoa (ask at booking). Allow three hours for flight check-in at the airport.