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Palazzo Pfanner
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
Day one : Arrive in Tuscany You either join our flight at 08.25 from Heathrow arriving in Pisa at 11.45 or you make your own way either to Pisa for this time or directly to the hotel . At Pisa you are met by your small luxury coach and English speaking driver and tour escort who take you the hour and a half approximately to your hotel for the first three nights , the Villa le Barone at Panzano near Greve in Chianti . There is time to unpack and explore the hotel and its grounds as well as the country tracks nearby before dinner .
Day two : Visit to Villa Villamaggio and Badia a Coltibuono Today combines visits to Villa Villamaggio and Badia a Coltibuono with guided tours at both gardens . Villa Villamaggio was the home of the Gherardini family and Lisa Gherardini who is said to be the subject of da Vinci ' s Monna Lisa . Depending on the order of the visits and the timings , there will be time for lunch , probably in Radda in Chianti , a pretty town at the heart of the Chianti wine region , with a choice of small cafes and restaurants for lunch . Return to the hotel at about 18.00 hrs , in good time for dinner at the hotel .
Day three : Full day tour Villa Geggiano and Villa Chigi Seracini Departure this morning for a full day tour is at 9 :. 0 hrs . You visit two gardens today . One is Villa Chigi Saracini where you visit under your own steam , and the second garden is Villa Geggiano , now a national monument , where you have a guided tour . There will be free time for lunch in Castelnuovo Berardenga or Siena , depending on the times of the visits . You should arrive back to the hotel at 17.30 hrs in time to rest and change before dinner at the hotel .
Day four : Departure for Lucca and visit Villa Garzoni gardens en route You leave Greve this morning for your second stay of the tour , at the Bagni di Pisa near Lucca . En route we have included a visit of the gardens of Villa Garzoni , dating from 1652 and famous for the balustraded terraces , symmetrical staircases and water cascades , which make the most of the hillside location . Lunch is included at the Ristorante Garzoni . You arrive at the Bagni di Pisa mid to late afternoon , with time perhaps for a spa treatment or a swim in the hotel ’ s pool . Dinner is taken at the hotel .
Day five : Full day tour to Villa Grabau and Villa Oliva Today a local guide accompanies you on your visit to Lucca and the baroque gardens of Villa Pfanner and then nearby Villa Grabau and the gardens of the Villa Oliva . These two villas and their gardens near Lucca give you a flavour of the variety of the gardens in this area with both English-style parkland with rare trees and formal water features . Time in the day to have a light lunch ( under own steam ). Dinner is taken back at the hotel Bagni di Pisa .
Day six : Full day tour to Parco Villa Reale di Marlia and Villa Torrigiani Your guide accompanies you to two splendid gardens in the Lucca area again today . The Parco Villa Reale is a very large garden with numerous water features , gardens within gardens and an enormous amount to explore . Lunch is included at a local trattoria in between visits . Villa Torrigiani is very pretty , formal and ornate . You return to the hotel for dinner and your last night .
Day seven : Return to London from Pisa You have some time this morning to relax before heading back by your small coach to Pisa airport and your flight to London Heathrow which leaves at 18.05 .
Dates and prices This tour departs on the following dates from London for these prices per person sharing a double or twin room : 19 May 2019 £ 2,690 9 June 2019 £ 2,790 8 September 2019 £ 2,790
Supplements : Single supplement for use of double : £ 440 per person in May , £ 500 in June and £ 530 in September . Superior double or twin room at the Villa le Barone £ 30 per person per night Deposit payment : £ 300 per person
We include
• Flights with British Airways London Heathrow to Pisa in Euro traveller
• Transportation from Pisa airport and back to Pisa airport in a small coach for maximum 14 people with one piece of
luggage per person , English speaking driver / escort
• Entrance tickets to the gardens mentioned with guided visits of all except Villa Grabau .
• Three nights ’ dinner , bed and breakfast at the Villa le Barone in a classic double or twin rooms .
• Three nights ’ dinner , bed and breakfast at the Hotel Bagni di Pisa in double or twin rooms .
• Two lunches in local restaurants per person
Villa le Barone Panzano , Greve in Chianti This is a traditional hotel , once an aristocratic villa and now a 4 star hotel of less than 30 rooms , in its own grounds amid a typical Tuscan landscape of rolling fields and vineyards . There is a swimming pool and tennis court .
Hotel Bagni di Pisa San Giuliano Terme , near Lucca This is a 5 star spa hotel of about 60 rooms , situated on the edge of a small spa town . It is renowned for its spa facilities including a thermal pool and cave , yet its location near Lucca and Pisa make it an ideal base . There is an indoor and outdoor pool , spa and fitness centre .
Different travel arrangements If you want us to arrange flights on other dates and from UK regional airports or to extend your holiday with a stay elsewhere in Italy , just let us know . If you are not arriving from the UK , then we can give you a price that excludes flights and perhaps with extra transfers included . We will adjust the details and the price accordingly .
Phone 01392 441275 to make a reservation or to discuss your holiday plans 31