Tuscany & Sardinia
Tuscany & Sardinia
Tuscany & Sardinia
14 Days
Visiting: Florence, Siena & San Gimignano, Pisa & Lucca, Olbia, La Maddelena, Alghero, Castelsardo & Tempio Pausania, Free Time, Costa Smeralda – The Emerald Coast
Tour operator:
Tour code:
l-w14ts
Tour Overview
Expect breathtaking landscapes, rich history and unique culture as we explore the best of stunning Tuscany and beautiful Sardinia.
Itinerary
Day 1
Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to northern France for an overnight stay.
Day 2
We travel through France and into Italy, reaching our overnight hotel in the Parma area in time for dinner.
Day 3 Florence
Location: Florence
We head south into Tuscany and to the historic city of Florence – also known as the ‘Cradle of the Italian Renaissance’. A local guide will show you the highlights of the city during our guided walking tour; at the Piazza del Duomo, which is the centre of religious life in medieval Florence, you will see the impressive Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the gilded bronze doors of the Baptistery dedicated to St John.
We continue to our hotel in Montecatini Terme for a two-night stay.
Day 4 Siena & San Gimignano
Location: Siena & San Gimignano
Explore the varied Tuscan landscape on our full-day optional excursion.
First, we head to Siena, which is regarded as the most charming medieval city in Italy. Built on three hills and surrounded by well-preserved walls, Siena is brimming with fine examples of Gothic architecture. A local guide will lead you along a maze of streets until you reach the Piazza del Campo in the heart of the city, known worldwide for the famous Palio horse race.
The journey continues through the afternoon as we visit San Gimignano, famous for its towers which earned the city the nickname of ‘Manhattan of the Middle Ages’.
Day 5 Pisa & Lucca
Location: Pisa & Lucca
After leaving Montecatini, we travel to Pisa, a vibrant city animated by the rich history exuding from its walls. Piazza dei Miracoli is a wide expanse of green lawn on which stands four world-famous masterpieces of medieval art: the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Camposanto, the Baptistery, and the Duomo. Why not learn more about the city’s fascinating history on our optional walking tour?
We continue to Lucca, home of the 45-metre-high Guinigi Tower. The imposing walls of Lucca, standing 12 metres high and 4 kilometres long, feature a beautiful tree-lined avenue – perfect for strolling along and admiring the stunning city views.
Later in the afternoon, we head to Livorno, where we will board the overnight ferry to Sardinia.
Day 6 Olbia
Location: Olbia
This morning, we disembark in Olbia and enjoy a guided walking tour of the city. Piazza Margherita, in the heart of Olbia, invites you to linger under the shade of trees. From here, we recommend visiting the granite-paved Corso Umberto – the promenade of Olbia which boasts many shops, cafés and boutiques.
We later head to our hotel for a five-night stay.
Day 7 La Maddelena
Location: La Maddelena
Join our optional excursion by coach to the harbour town of Palau, where we board the ferry to La Maddalena. The island of Caprera, connected by a bridge to La Maddalena, is the true enchantment of the Archipelago National Park. Giuseppe Garibaldi’s home and burial place is definitely worth a visit, not just for historical curiosity, but for the pleasant atmosphere that emanates from a place that was certainly much loved. The island is home to a succession of picturesque bays and beaches.
There will be time at leisure for lunch, followed by a scenic drive along one of the most beautiful, panoramic roads in Europe to La Maddalena’s ancient harbour. La Maddalena is the only inhabited town on the archipelago. The historic centre is a delightful maze of narrow streets sloping down to the sea. Enjoy some time at leisure before we sail back to Palau and return our hotel.
Day 8 Alghero
Location: Alghero
This morning, we head to Alghero, nicknamed ‘Little Barcelona’, on our optional excursion. The seaside village of Alghero is the capital of the Riviera del Corallo, which is renowned for the largest amounts of precious red coral. The Capo Caccia promontory and its lighthouse constitute one of the icons of the city.
Day 9 Castelsardo & Tempio Pausania
Location: Castelsardo & Tempio Pausania
Our included excursion takes us first to Castelsardo, a small town situated on the summit of a rocky promontory in a strategic position dominating the harbour. The castle and fortifications were built in during the 12th century. Today, it is considered an important commercial centre for characteristic craftsmanship.
Afterwards, we enjoy some time in the stone town of Tempio Pausania, which is known for the extraction and transformation of cork and granite – there is even a museum dedicated to cork machines!
Day 10 Free Time
Location: Free Time
Enjoy a leisurely day in resort to relax and explore at your own pace.
Day 11 Costa Smeralda – The Emerald Coast
Location: Costa Smeralda – The Emerald Coast
Today, we explore the beauty of the Costa Smeralda in north Sardinia. This wild and undulating region has one of the most indented coastlines of the island. It is a succession of pink granite headlands, covered with maquis scrub and overlooking the emerald-coloured waters from which it takes its name.
We later head to Olbia port and board the ferry for the overnight sailing to Livorno.
Day 12
We disembark in Livorno and head north through Italy to our overnight hotel in central France.
Day 13
We continue to into northern France and to our overnight hotel.
Day 14
Return home.
Accommodation
You will stay for two nights at the 3-star Hotel Piccadilly, or similar, in Montecatini Terme. On Sardinia, you will stay for five nights at the 3-star Pausania Inn in Tempio Pausania, or similar.
On overnight sailings, accommodation will be in a two-berth en suite inside cabin. Meals are not included on board the ship.
Overnight stays in France and northern Italy will be in city-style hotels.
Check out our Q&As
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How long has the tour company been trading?
40 years
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Sole use of your own room on all Single Traveller holidays: means you still get your privacy and time out from the group.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Battlefield Tours - Will it be possible to visit a particular cemetery whilst on the tour?
Please contact us and we will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
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