Treasures of Tuscany and the Italian Riviera

Upon your arrival, a warm welcome from your Guardian Angel and driver await. Transfer to your hotel set in a restored 8th-century buildings amid 140 hectares of vineyards occupying an ancient hamlet in the heart of Chianti Classico country. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax and enjoy your picturesque surroundings.

Enchanting Tuscany is famous for its picturesque landscapes of rolling hills and vineyards, well-reserved historic towns, and world-class art. It's a region rich in culture, and offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, history, and culinary delights.

Borgo San Felice

This morning you may opt to start your day with an unforgettable birds-eye view over Tuscany from a private hot air balloon (additional cost). You'll ascend into the sky for a one-hour flight filled with awe-inspiring views as the sun rises over the rolling hills, vineyards, and medieval towns that dot the region. Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a lavish breakfast showcasing the finest local produce and a toast with a glass of Prosecco.

A morning tour of nearby villages reveals the rich and often turbulent history of the picturesque Chianti region – said to be the most beautiful part of Tuscany. Soak up classic Tuscan panoramas as you travel by private vehicle past charming farmhouses, imposing castles and lush vineyards. This half-day excursion concludes with a stop for lunch at a winery.

Borgo San Felice | Meals: BL

Stroll along a gravel path lined with handsome cypress trees to the fabulously well-preserved Renaissance-era village of Pienza, a World Heritage Site. En route, visit a nearby farm for an insight into rural life and an introduction to cheese-making.

Born here in the 15^th century, Pope Pius II eventually rebuilt Pienza to be the perfect Renaissance town, a place built around - and for - its inhabitants. This afternoon is free to explore Pienza’s thoughtfully planned buildings, piazzas and streets.

Borgo San Felice | Meals: B

Visit the hilltop walled town of San Gimignano, famous for its fourteen towers and wonderful examples of both Romanesque and Gothic architecture. There’s time here for exploration at your own pace; why not inspect the magnificent frescoes inside the Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta or sample artisanal gelato whilst wandering the cobblestone streets?

Continue to the tiny fortified medieval village of Monteriggioni, where you can walk along the impressive circular ramparts that have withstood sieges since the Middle Ages.

Head to a local agriturismo farm for a unique experience with Tuscan produce. Engage in a guided tasting and discover the intricate process of obtaining saffron, a prized spice. The farm also produces delectable honey, extra-virgin olive oil, and Vernaccia, a notable white wine grape. After the tasting, return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Borgo San Felice | Meals: B

Travel to the Ligurian coast today, with a stop in another spectacular walled city: Lucca. Discover some of this city’s treasures, starting with a drink at a café and a chance to taste buccellato (a traditional fruit bread) or necci (chestnut flour rolled pancake). Admire the exquisite façade and bell tower of the Duomo di San Martino, before inspecting the lavishly decorated interiors of the Church of San Frediano. Enjoy a scenic walk or bike ride atop the city’s ancient walls before travelling to your waterfront hotel in Porto Venere.

Grand Hotel Porto Venere | Meals: B

This morning you will travel by private vehicle along the steep, winding roads to reach a mine high in the Alpi Appuane mountains, where pure white Carrara marble has been quarried since Roman times. The mountains between Porto Venere and Tuscany are renowned for producing the highly sought-after white Italian marble, cherished by iconic sculptors like Michelangelo and Bernini.

Grand Hotel Porto Venere | Meals: B

Be inspired by the beauty and character of Italy’s celebrated Cinque Terre, comprised of five villages built along steep coastal cliffs of Liguria. At one time only accessible by sea, its vineyards and fishing towns still strongly cling to their old customs and traditions.

Visit photogenic Vernazza, famed for its tall, colourful houses and a church clustered together at the head of a sheltered cove. In the tiny fishing village of Manarola, widely considered to be the most attractive village in the region, wander terraced vineyards to take in sweeping views of the Ligurian Sea. If time permits, continue to lively Riomaggiore, a medieval village whose brightly coloured buildings hug both sides of a narrow rocky valley.

The option to hike the Cinque Terre is also available. Starting in peaceful Corniglia, a town relatively untouched by tourism, you’ll traverse olive groves, vineyards and gardens to reach pretty Manarola. On arrival, you may consider a wine-tasting and a seafood lunch (payable locally) to finish off your hike.

Grand Hotel Porto Venere | Meals: B

Master the art of making pesto – a classic Ligurian dish – at a private cooking class located in a lovingly restored mill. Begin with a guided walk through the hop's plantation before diving into your private cooking session with a skilled chef. Savour your culinary creation paired with Corzetti pasta, cheeses and a refreshing craft beer.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy.

Grand Hotel Miramare | Meals: BL

A guided tour of Portofino today reveals a fabulous view of the Ligurian coast and harbour from the paved terrace outside the unassuming Church of Saint George. There’s time to browse the shops around the bustling Piazzetta before transferring to the ancient village of Camogli.

Be awed by the exquisite Baroque interiors hidden behind the simple façade of Camogli’s Basilica of Nostra Signora dell’Assunta, and peel back the village’s maritime history outside the weather-beaten watchtower at Dragone Castle.

Board a public ferry which traces the stunning western coastline of the Portofino peninsula to the tiny peaceful village of San Fruttuoso, known for its stunning natural beauty, with crystal-clear waters and lush green surroundings. Choose between visiting the carefully restored 13^th century abbey that overlooks the bay, a hidden gem that exudes a sense of tranquillity and serenity, or seek out the submerged bronze statue of Jesus known as “Christ of the Abyss” which lies about 300m offshore.

To experience Portofino and its surrounds like the jet set, upgrade to a private yacht) departing from the glamorous Portofino marina (additional cost). This circuit takes you westward towards Camogli, with opportunities to drop anchor at San Fruttuoso and Punta Chiappa. Return to Portofino in the afternoon for some free time.

Grand Hotel Miramare | Meals: B

Transfer privately to the airport for your onward flight.

Meals: B