Discover Tuscany and more!

Sometime Again in the Future

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

We rescheduled this tour for November 2011 due to running out of time for the March dates advertised earlier.  NOTE:  VIDEO PREVIEW scheduled for February 2, 2011 at 1:30 p.m.  Call for details.

NEW cut-off dates for reservations:  MAY 2, 2011.  We MUST have your reservations by this date to make sure we have enough people to go.  TRANSFERS OUT OF EUGENE TO PORTLAND will be about $80 pp. extra round trip.

This tour will be escorted from Oregon and return.  Local Collette Tour Guides will conduct the tour once we arrive in Italy.

Highlights... Rome • Assisi • Basilica of St. Francis
• Montecatini Terme • Siena • San Gimignano • Winery Tour
• Florence • Tuscan Feast • Pitti Palace

• 8 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners

Day 1: Wednesday, November 02, 2011 Overnight Flight
Your adventure begins with an overnight flight to Italy. Rolling landscapes, savory wines, delicious food, and stunning architecture… this can only be Tuscany. On this special journey you will enjoy walking tours in Italy’s most charming towns, visit magnificent historic monuments and sample mouth-watering cuisine and wines.

Day 2: Thursday, November 03, 2011 Arrive Rome, Italy - Tour Begins
Your tour begins in Rome. Upon arrival, you may wish to sign up for an optional tour of Classical Rome or enjoy free time to explore on your own. This evening, get acquainted with your fellow travelers during a festive welcome dinner at a local restaurant where regional foods, traditional opera music and fine Italian wines kick off your Tuscan adventure. Today Dinner is included.

Day 3: Friday, November 04, 2011

Rome - Assisi - Montecatini Terme
LANGUAGE DISCOVERY: Today, your Tour Manager will help you discover the origin and history of the language(s) you will experience on your tour along with key words and phrases that will help you communicate with the locals. Travel north from Rome to the medieval walled city of Assisi, the birthplace of the patron saint of Italy, St. Francis. A local expert guides you on a tour of the magnificent Basilica of St. Francis and the historic old city. Continue on through beautiful Tuscany, ending in the famous spa resort town of Montecatini Terme, your home for the next six nights. Today Breakfast and Dinner are included.

Day 4: Saturday, November 05, 2011 Siena
Begin the day learning the traditional Italian techniques of leather making during a visit to the family-owned Pierotucci Leather Shop. Continue your journey through Tuscany’s low-lying hills and olive groves to Siena, one of Italy’s most beautiful cities. Embark on a lovely walking tour through Siena's narrow, Gothic streets and behold stunning palaces, mansions and the historic Piazza del Campo. Enjoy free time to soak up Siena’s captivating ambiance and perhaps have lunch in one of the city's cafes. Or, you may climb to the top of the Torre Del Mangia for a breathtaking view of Siena and the Tuscan countryside. Today Breakfast and Dinner are included.

Day 5: Sunday, November 06, 2011 San Gimignano
Discover the hilltop village of San Gimignano, one of the most picturesque places in Tuscany. Explore this enchanting medieval town, from its famous 14 towers to its magnificent vistas overlooking the vineyards of Tuscany. Enjoy free time for lunch and perhaps some famous Italian gelato before hitting some of the town’s great shops. Your day continues with a special visit to a Tuscan winery for the opportunity to sample a selection of the local wines that have made Tuscany so well-known. During your visit, learn about the art of winemaking and the process of making Italian olive oil. Today Breakfast is included.

Day 6: Monday, November 07, 2011 Florence
A cultural tour in the “Cradle of the Italian Renaissance” showcases the beautiful city of Florence. A local Florentine guide highlights many of the city’s priceless treasures, including the Academy Gallery* which houses Michelangelo’s monumental statue of David. At the Piazza del Duomo, which is the center of religious life in medieval Florence, you will see the impressive Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. You will also view the Church of Santa Croce and the burial places of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. The remainder of your day is at leisure to explore this unparalleled city. A delightful experience awaits you this evening when you attend a Tuscan feast featuring traditional cuisine and savory wines while overlooking the magical Tuscan countryside. Today Breakfast and Dinner are included.

Day 7: Tuesday, November 08, 2011
Montecatini Terme
Enjoy a day of leisure to relax and experience the local flavor. Take this opportunity to shop at the local boutiques and dine at one of the many fine local restaurants. Or perhaps you will choose an optional excursion to Pisa and Lucca. The ancient maritime Republic of Pisa is where you will find the Piazza dei Miracoli, the Cathedral or "Duomo," its historic Baptistery and the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa! Together they make up your Italian piazza. Your option continues with a journey to historic Lucca, one of the most charming old towns in Tuscany, to explore its gothic palaces, quaint shops, and bustling streets.
Today Breakfast is included.

Day 8: Wednesday, November 09, 2011
Depart Montecatini this morning for the Florence
Today you return to Florence and enjoy a guided tour* of the amazing Pitti Palace. See master works by artists such as Raphael, Rubens and Caravaggio in this impressive collection and also tour the staterooms of this former royal palace. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to independently explore the many treasures of this great city. Return to Montecatini for an evening at leisure. Today Breakfast is included.

Day 9: Thursday, November 10, 2011 Montecatini - Rome

Depart Montecatini this morning for the cosmopolitan capital of Italy, Rome! Upon arrival you will have an opportunity to enjoy an optional tour to Vatican City to visit the collections of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. This evening, join your fellow travelers and friends for a farewell dinner celebrating the end of a memorable trip to the unforgettable and ever-beautiful region of Tuscany.
Today Breakfast and Dinner are included.

Day 10: Friday, November 11, 2011 Rome - Tour Ends
Your tour ends today.
Today Breakfast is included.

***Click Here For: IMPORTANT RESERVATION INFORMATION

Included in Price: Air Taxes and Fees/Surcharges of $230 (subject to increase until paid in full), Hotel Transfers, Round Trip Air from Portland Intl Airport.
Click Here for Details
*Not Included in Price: Cancellation Waiver and Insurance of $200 per person.

Please Note:
• Passport is required.
• Air rate and schedule are applicable for groups of 10 or more traveling on the same flights and dates.
• To complete your vacation, we include roundtrip airport-to-hotel transfers when purchasing Collette airfare with your tour. If you have arranged for your own air, we are pleased to provide you the option of purchasing these transfers. Please note that all transfers will leave at pre-scheduled times.
• Single accommodations are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis.
• Please note that most shops and businesses in Italy are closed on Sundays and on National/Religious holidays.
• Breakfasts at the Hotel Minerva are Continental breakfasts.
• *The Pitti Palace and Academy Gallery are closed Mondays.
• Days of features are interchangeable.
• To truly experience the program and destination, you need to be able to participate in physical activities such as longer walking tours, walking over uneven terrain, climbing stairs and periods of standing. Some of the touring days may be longer, with select included activities occurring later in the evening. Some of the most unique sightseeing can mean accessing locations that restrict motorcoaches, especially in historic areas. For your comfort, we recommend bringing walking shoes.