See Italy Like No One Else. The Real Italy, unseen by the throngs of tourists from cruise ships & big buses. Open my heart and you will see, engraved inside of it Italy Robert Browning Dear friend and fellow traveler, I would like to extend my personal invitation for you to see the real Italy, unlike most tourists who only visit for a day. Join me on the trip of a lifetime, and one you won t soon forget. If you ve ever been to Italy, then you can relate to the above sentiment ~ Italy is a place that, once you ve been, it never quite leaves you. It becomes part of your very being, always there, whispering to you like a long-lost friend, wanting you to stop in for a visit. And if you ve never been, then you only have to imagine places like the city on the hill that is Monteriggioni, the Duomo of Florence, or the taste of a true Tuscan wine, to awaken inside of you the part that longs to see and experience a place where history is so alive, it speaks to you from every plaza, every church and even the very stones beneath your feet.
Frances Mayes in Under the Tuscan Sun, wrote,...most trips have an underlying quest. We re looking for something. What? Fun, escape, adventure-but then what? Everyone travels for different reasons, but my question for you would be what are you looking for? And, no matter what the answer to that may be, I can guarantee one thing-this trip can be life changing. To experience another culture, to open your eyes to another part of the world, to step in another s shoes, if even for a few days, changes you even if only a little. Remember Robert Browning, from the beginning of the letter? Open my hear and you will see, engraved inside of it Italy. Come, if you dare, and you may just leave with a little bit of Italy etched on your soul as well. I do look forward to traveling with you to Italy. Please drop me a line with any questions you may have! Sincerely, ~ Mark Story, Program Director, Story Land & Sea Tours Host of Mark Story World Adventures SMALL GROUP TOUR
Signature Tuscan Postcard Tour Small Group: 10 Days, 9 Days Land / 8 Nights Discovering the essence of Italy can be challenging ~ we ve taken the work out of it and kept all the pleasure ~ the Signature Tuscan Postcard Tour features regional cuisine and wine in the setting of order-as-you-like dining experiences. Scenic landscapes that beg for a movie set. Culinary and wine experiences that rival the world s top destinations. Scenes that cry to be photographed. It s a beautiful journey to experience. Discovering a unique tour of Tuscany for travelers looking for more than the usual is Story Land & Sea s Signature Tuscan Postcard Tour. The trip features in depth and after hours experiences at Tuscan landmarks, delicious culinary experiences and regional varietals of wine. It s the perfect expedition for the Italian enthusiast, wine connoisseur, foodie, or traveler simply seeking the authentic. All in a group of 6 to 16 guests.
Transatlantic Flight Tonight, Enjoy Your Transatlantic Flight Flights from USA ~ Arrange your air to depart from the USA, Canada or Australia in order to arrive Italy the date following published tour date (example: Day 1: May 16 Tour commences in Italy on Day 2: May 17). We can provide you with an air-inclusive vacation package if you like ~ contact Reservations on 1 (877) 865-6711. We very much encourage trip cancellation and interruption insurance. Florence, Italy Welcome to Florence, Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance City: Florence Region: Toscana Included Dining: Welcome Dinner Exclusive: Story Land & Sea Original Experiences (cont.)
Upon arrival at Florence airport, transfer by taxi or optional arrival transfer to our hotel located in the very heart of Firenze. Our tour commences with an orientation walkabout at 3pm. Florence is the city of arts and the birthplace of the Renaissance and the family Medici. Though you may check-in and drop bags at the hotel, your rooms are guaranteed ready by 2PM. 3:00PM INCLUDED HOST ORIENTATION WALKABOUT You will join the Tour Captain for the included Florence Orientation Walkabout through the cobblestones streets to become familiar with the location around our hotel, in the very heart of Florence. Find out where the major landmarks are located, ATM machines and other helpful sites ~ Hey, is that the Arno River? Admission and tour of Palazzo Vecchio Walking Level: Light, Leisurely Pace: Volume: Light INCLUDED WELCOME DINNER TONIGHT Tonight, Florence welcomes us with a variety of regional culinary tastes, beverages and ample portions of fine local wines from Toscana and Chianti..
Medici Florence & the Medici Family Legacy Optional Dining: Join your Tour Captain for optional dinner in Florence tonight. Story Land & Sea Exclusive: FLORENCE MEDICI EXPERIENCE Discovery in Florence Florence boasts a variety of fine sights to see, including Santa Maria del Fiore, the Baptistery's Bronze "Gate of Paradise," Giotto's Bell Tower and more, but on this itinerary get ready for everything Medici! The Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens delight and inspire while the mystery and romance of the family Medici springs to life. A great morning tour allows you to enjoy the afternoon for shopping and sightseeing on your own. INCLUDED GUIDED TOUR WITH OUR LOCAL GUIDE. Today ENJOY ADMISSION & SIGHT- SEEING to: SPECIAL ACCESS: Admission and tour of Pitti Palace ~ The palazzo was built for the Pitti family in 1457, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and built by his pupil Luca Fancelli. We enjoy a full tour of the grounds and palace. FEATURING: Boboli Gardens ~ These gardens, housed on the grounds of the Pitti, are one of the most largest and elegant Italian style gardens in existence. Walking Level: Moderate, Leisurely Pace; Volume: Moderate to Ample.
Story Land & Sea Exclusive: Sunset over Florence San Lorenzo Market Day at San Lorenzo We will visit the market to select only the freshest ingredients for today's class. Following the market visit in the morning, we proceed to the school where we will learn to prepare the typical Italian dishes under the guide of the chef. Enjoy the fruit of your labor paired with perfect wine before continuing with the balance of the day at leisure. Just before sunset, consider an optional walk up to Piazzele Michelangelo for an outstanding perspective of sunset over Florence. It's truly a beautiful perspective. Ah! Firenze!
Cinque Terre Exploring the Five Lands Optional Dining: With Tour Captain Exclusives: Classic Perspectives Experience FULL DAY TOUR: Enjoy our day trip to the Cinque Terre We'll explore the five towns of the Cinque Terre on a full day's excursion. Return to Florence for overnight. Optional dining with the Tour Captain or explore on your own. Tuscan Countryside Wine Estate Visit, Tour & Tasting Included Dining: Enjoy an included dinner on the grounds of the villa with your Tour Captain. Exclusive: This is a highlight of the day as we tour a traditional Tuscan winery complete with tastings paired with cuisine from the region. "When I'm in Tuscany, my heart is free. My passion soars. It's My Tuscany.
Culinary Culinary Delight: At our Tuscan Villa Optional Dining: Tonight, enjoy a delightful dinner on the grounds. Exclusives: Learn the Skill of Cooking. STORY EXCLUSIVE: Enjoy learning about the skill of cooking Tuscany-style. Discover the very best of Italy's countryside right with cuisine and wine paired perfectly as you experience our authentic private cooking experience in Tuscany. Enjoy a wine tasting with a sommelier, try fresh Tuscan produce from an organic Tuscan farm and then prepare and eat your Italian meal. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure. Siena Story Land & Sea Immersion Experience: Taste of Siena Story Land & Sea Exclusive: Walking tour beginning in the impressive Piazza del Campo, in the heart of Siena Deeper into Tuscany along the Wine Road we are bound for Siena in the heart of Tuscany today. STORY EXCLUSIVE: Enjoy a walking tour as we begin in the impressive Piazza del Campo, in the heart of Siena. The piazza is in the shape of the letter "D," and is divided into cloves to mimic the mantle of the Virgin Mary to whom the city honors. The tall tower, or Torre del Mangia, caps the Palazzo Pubblico, Siena's town hall. Return to the villa for a night of leisure..
Lucca Included Dining: Dinner Tonight Story Land & Sea Sightseeing Immersion: This morning we arrive Lucca to enjoy a tour and then the afternoon by bicycle throughout the inviting flat landscape that is Lucca. If 'biking' is not your game, no worries, you can enjoy Lucca this afternoon at your own pace. Lucca is perched on the river Serchio and is the capital city of the Province of the same name. Its most notable feature is its intact Renaissance-era city walls that enclose its rectangular grid which is the original Roman street plan for the city. Traces of the amphitheater are found in the Piazza dell'anfiteatro and the city boasts a rich history. Story Way Dining: Tonight we enjoy a Farewell Dinner to celebrate our time together and plan for more adventures. Accommodation: Hotel Alla Corte Degli Angeli or Similar Italy! Arrividerci! Tour Ends Today or Extend Your Journey with more time in Lucca or After breakfast, check-out and transfer by train to Florence SMN and onward taxi to airport at own expense or extend to other locales in Italia! We offer a departure transfer from Lucca by driver as well please inquire with reservations.
All Full Breakfasts with Italian Coffee and Cappuccino. 4 Italian dining events with regional wine and cuisine in the traditional Italian style. Dinners include bottled laaqua naturale & frizzante water, coffee, soda and/or regional wine. Welcome Dinner in Florence kicks-off the tour and Farewell Dinner in Lucca, caps with the perfect finale experience. Baggage handling, hotel taxes, hotel service charges (items of a personal nature not included). Gratuities are included for your Tour Captain, Local Guides and Drivers. All Sightseeing and Admissions described in itinerary Small Group Tour Information YOUR DELUXE TRUE SMALL-GROUP TOUR INCLUDES: Wireless headsets to hear your guide clearly and distinctly in select public places select itineraries. Deluxe, air-conditioned mini-coaches with panoramic windows and comfortable seating. Certain departures include Eurostar 1 st Class Rail Travel with Reserved Seats Services of English-speaking Tour Captain and Italian authorized local Story Land & Sea Certified Guides. Classic Budget Hotel properties with authentic Italian architecture, private baths, non-smoking & located in the hearts of the cities. 10 Days Round-Trip Air (not included), 9 Days Land, 8 Nights Hotel Accommodations. Extend your tour with 4 days, 3 nights on the Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast or other exciting destination. Inquire with reservations. Tour Begins: Florence, Italy. Optional Arrival Transfer is available. Please inquire with reservations: We will pick you up at the Florence Airport and transfer you to the heart of Florence. Tour Ends: Lucca, Italy. Optional Departure Transfer is available. From Lucca hotel to Florence Airport. Inquire with reservations. Walking Tour: We walk a lot on this trip. This tour is designed to immerse yourself in the Italian culture, life and history. In order to achieve this we walk at a leisurely, enjoyable pace. Our hotels are located in the hearts of each city and therefore reliance on motorized transfers is minimal. Dates & Rates: Tour price is per person based on double occupancy. Solo supplement applies for a private room to yourself. Triple occupancy is available at double occupancy per person rate.