8-Day Tuscany Vacation

Explore Tuscany at your leisure during this 8-day vacation from Gate 1 Travel. You’ll have a rental car and ample time to relax in the spa town of Montecatini, admire Renaissance architecture in Lucca, or sip red wine in the Chianti region. There’s no set itinerary, so we’ve added some suggestions below. This vacation includes:

• Round-trip airfare from New York City
• Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
• 5 nights of standard accommodations at Hotel Tuscany Inn, Grand Hotel Du Park Et Regina, Hotel San Marco, Grand Hotel Plaza, Puccini Hotel in Montecatini, or Hotel Minerva Palace Montecatini
• 1 night of standard accommodations at Hotel ibis Milano Malpensa Aeroporto in Milan Malpensa
• 7-day car rental: Economy manual (Fiat Panda or similar). Upgrade to other categories available.
• Car rental includes: unlimited mileage, third party liability insurance (RCA), collision damage waiver reduction (C.D.R.), theft protection reduction (T.P.R.), airport charges, and local taxes (VAT)
• Daily breakfast

Note: Hotel availability is specific to each departure and cannot be changed. Click here to view the current information on the hotels available for each departure date. Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted.

Below is a suggested itinerary. Once you check into your hotel in Montecatini, you’re free to explore Tuscany and create whatever itinerary you please, using Montecatini as your home base.

Days 1–3: Flight, Montecatini, Lucca, and Pisa

An overnight flight takes you to Milan, where you’ll pick up your rental car and cruise to your first destination, Montecatini. Travelers have trekked to Montecatini’s lush green hillsides for hundreds of years, finding solace in its healing waters. Here, Puccini penned bits of La bohème and Fellini filmed his masterpiece 8 1/2. You can take it easy in Montecatini, or cruise the hilly roads to nearby Lucca and Pisa.

• Legend has it that drinking the waters at Terme Tettuccio can heal the effects of overindulging in Tuscan red wine.
• Montecatini Alto: An old-fashioned red cable car chugs up the hillside to this rustic village, where you can see a medieval castle or nibble cialde, a waffle-like baked treat, at a sidewalk café.
• Walk the walls of Lucca for views of the Renaissance-era city’s piazzas and more than 100 churches.
• See the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to the 14th century. Pisa’s other landmarks include the ornate marble façade of the domed Pisa Cathedral, which was built in 1093.

Days 4–5: Florence, Chianti, and Greve

Florence is about 60 minutes east of Montecatini, so you can take a relaxing day trip to the city where Renaissance art was born. After marveling at Michelangelo’s David at the Galleria dell’Accademia, make your way to the vineyards of Chianti and Greve.

• The Florence Cathedral is topped with a striking red dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi.
• Sip chianti in the region that gave the wine its name.
• Gourmet food in Greve: This town is famous for its artisanal foods. Try pici al sugo d’anatra—thick noodles tossed in duck sauce.

Days 6–8: Siena, San Gimignano, Milan, And Departure

For the last few days of your Tuscany vacation, you can stroll amid olive groves in Siena and see medieval churches in San Gimignano. Siena is about 90 minutes southeast of Montecatini, so it’s easy to split your time between relaxing in Montecatini’s spas and checking out Siena’s piazzas. On day 7, head to Milan to check out one of the world’s most fashionable cities before you head home. The city has been an inspiration to artists for centuries, from Leonardo da Vinci to Dolce and Gabbana.

• Piazza del Campo is one of Italy’s most picturesque squares for its 14th-century fountain and Torre del Mangia. Climb its 500-some steps and you’ll be rewarded with a bird’s-eye view of the setting.
• Parma is on the way to Milan from Montecatini. Stop here to try authentic parmesan cheese.
• Tour a castle: Da Vinci helped design the Castello Sforzesco, which resembles a fortress with its red-brick walls and imposing ramparts. Inside, museums house Egyptian artifacts and Michelangelo’s final sculpture.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much would it cost to fly from an airport not listed as part of this deal? Airfare is available from the New York City metro area. The departure airport (JFK, EWR or LGA) will be advised at the time of booked based on availability. The supplemental fee to depart from a city that isn’t included is subject to departure date and availability at the time of booking.

2. Can we extend our trip before or after the promotional dates for the deal? Yes, you may extend your trip for a supplemental fee at the time of booking. Please call Gate 1 Travel for more information.

3. How do I find out if the dates I want to travel are available? The dates available are listed on each option.

4. What happens if I buy the Groupon and my travel dates are not available? You can either choose another date or be refunded by Groupon. We suggest calling Gate 1 Travel to redeem your vouchers as soon as possible so that you do not run into this problem.

5. Does my child need a Groupon voucher, and can they stay in my room? Each person, including children, will need a Groupon voucher in order to travel. Different occupancy arrangements may be requested with Gate 1 Travel at the time of reservation.

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