8-Nights Italy Tuscany & Cinque Terre Walking

8 nights from: Please call for rates

Immerse yourself in two of Italy's most enchanting regions on this perfectly paced walking adventure from Tuscany to the Italian Riviera. Follow scenic trails through Tuscan vineyards and cypress-dotted valleys, exploring historic hill towns and sampling fine Chianti wines. Marvel at the medieval wonders of Siena and San Gimignano with their ancient ramparts and towers. Then journey to Liguria's spectacular coast to hike cliff-side paths that connect the Cinque Terre's picturesque seaside towns. With fragrant lemon groves and stunning sea views, this is la dolce vita at its best!

Highlights:

• Explore hilltop towns in the heart of Chianti and follow dramatic coastal trails in the Cinque Terre
• Experience a "Gateway to the Middle Ages" through the splendor of Siena, San Gimignano, and Monteriggioni
• Sip fine wines, feast on regional culinary delights, and enjoy tranquil stays at charming hotels

The Leaning Tower is, of course, Pisa's main attraction. Even before three of its eight stories were constructed (building began in 1173 and continued until 1350), it had begun to lean. In 1990, the instability of the tower made it necessary to close it to visitors. Fortunately, an extensive program to rebalance the tower was successful in slowly righting the structure to its original degree of "lean." Now, thanks to modern engineering, the tower and its 294 stairs are once again open for climbing.

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Ashley Tweedy

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Jennifer Young with Vincent Vacations: Sprinkling Pixie Dust On Your Dream Vacation!

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Marla Finley

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Karen Barton

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The tower is on the Campo dei Miracoli, a large, grassy square that's a pleasant place to relax. While you're there, visit the Baptistry, which contains a beautiful baptismal font and pulpit by Nicola Pisano; the Romanesque Cathedral di San Zeno, with its silver altar and figures by Brunelleschi; and the Camposanto Cemetery. All in white, the medieval buildings and the wall of the cemetery form a beautiful thematic whole. Stop at the 16th-century church and Palazzo dei Cavalieri, the piazza and the National Museum of San Matteo (excellent collection of 12th- through 15th-century art). And if you have time, visit Pisa's other leaning tower at the Church of San Michele degli Scalzi: Completed in the 13th century, this seldom-visited tower is worth a look, too.

It's also fun just to walk around Pisa. The city is very compact, with many narrow streets and a great ambience. We suggest seeing it on a day trip from Florence, perhaps in combination with Lucca, just 13 mi/20 km northeast. Another possible stop is Pistoia, which has a cathedral and baptistery in the Pisan-Romanesque style and the Ceppo Hospital (L'Ospedale de Ceppo), which has a brightly painted and enameled terra-cotta frieze by Giovanni della Robbia. If you want to see Pisa and another town all in one day, get up very early.