The weather at this time of year should be warm to hot and mostly sunny. Some rain and thunderstorms can occur but mainly throughout the night. Smart casual attire would be the dress code in the evenings with shorts for walking.

Day 1 - Saturday 19th June 2010 - Travel to Italy.
Fly from Gatwick to Pisa and met on arrival by our private coach and tour leader for the transfer to our accommodation at La Sughera (approximately 40 minutes). The coach will stop at a supermarket en-route to enable you to buy provisions for picnic lunches etc.

Welcome reception in the evening followed by dinner prepared for us at La Sughera.

Day 2 - Sunday 20th June 2010 - Local walk and visit to Pisa.
Our first morning is spent on a guided walk exploring the countryside on and around the Badia di Morrona Estate. 8km Grade Easy.

Later on in the morning we travel by coach to Pisa in time for an optional lunch and a visit to the Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) that contains the Leaning Tower, Cathedral and Baptistry. Coach back to La Sughera in time to relax and swim before leaving for dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 3 - Monday 21st June 2010 - Boat trip along the Ligurian Coast.
An early start by coach to La Spezia where we take the boat along the Ligurian Coast and stop off and visit the villages of the Cinque Terra, including Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia and Riomaggiore. Wander through the narrow streets and browse around the fashionable shops. Plenty of time for an 'al fresco' style optional lunch en-route. Our coach will be waiting for us at La Spezia for the journey back to La Sughera.

This evening we stay on the estate for an evening barbeque with wine from La Badia.

Day 4 - Tuesday 22nd June 2010 - Volterra and La Badia.
A visit to the wonderful Etruscan hilltop town of Volterra which stands some 545m above sea level. We have plenty of time here to explore the town and have an optional lunch. A chance to visit the Estruscan Museum, the Roman Theatre, the Medici Fortress and the Communal Picture Gallery which houses the works of art by Rosso Fiorentino - the famous Descent from the Cross.

On our return we stop off for a tour of the winery and wine tasting at Badia di Morrona. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 5 - Wednesday 23rd June 2010 - Lucca and walking the walls.
Lucca, birthplace to Giacomo Puccini, is one of the largest walled cities and one of the most elegant in the region. In the morning we walk around the monumental tree-lined walls, the symbol of the city that encircle it and give its very special appearance. 4km Grade Easy.

Time for an optional lunch and to visit one of the many magnificent churches or piazzas or browse the many fashionable shops. Otherwise sit and have a glass of wine and watch the world go by. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 6 - Thursday 24th June 2010 - Siena and Wine tasting.
Today we go to Siena, home to the famous 'palio', the yearly horse race that takes place around the campo in July and August. This imposing square with its campanile (bell-tower) is well worth the visit as is the Duomo (cathedral). We have ample time to stroll around the excellent shops and enjoy an optional lunch.

In the afternoon we journey back to La Sughera with a stop for a winery tour and wine tasting at 'Casa Emma' a wine producing estate well known for its Chianti Classico.

Tonight we enjoy a pizza evening in the grounds of La Sughera, with wine from the Badia Estate.

Day 7 - Friday 25th June 2010 - Guided walk Rivalto-Poggio alla Nebbia-Chianni.
Depart for a 20 minute coach drive along beautiful country lanes to the high hilltop village of Rivalto for the start of the walk. From here we continue through the woods and over Poggio alla Nebbia to the wonderful village of Chianni and a welcome stop at a bar for refreshments. After a wander through the streets and a visit to the local church our coach will be waiting to take us back to La Sughera. 8km Grade Easy.

Plenty of time for relaxing before our farewell dinner party at a local village restaurant.

Day 8 - Saturday 26th June 2010 - Travel to UK.
Transfer by coach from La Sughera to Pisa Airport for our return flights to the UK.

Our group has exclusive use of two carefully refurbished Tuscan farmhouses called La Sughera where several past groups have stayed on this 1,000 acre Badia di Morrona Estate situated in the hills between Pisa and San Gimignano. The farmhouse has been divided into five spacious apartments each with its own private entrance, kitchen, lounge with dining area, open fire, central heating and satellite TV. All the properties are furnished to a good standard with a mix of antique and rustic furniture, and feature most unusual beamed or vaulted ceilings and terracotta floors. Most bedrooms have their own bathroom or are en-suite.

Set amid the olive groves is the delightful swimming pool with sun beds and umbrellas where you can relax or take a welcome dip after a day's activities. There are walks that can be taken around the estate with its abundance of wild flowers and bird song. The tranquillity of the estate provides a perfect base and setting for this holiday.

Substantial breakfast packs are provided in the apartments including tea, coffee, milk, fruit juice, rolls, butter, jam/honey, biscuits, eggs and fruit. Dinner is taken at local village restaurants on four of the evenings and on the three remaining evenings we dine in the grounds of La Sughera with a barbecue night, pasta night and also pizza evenings. House wine is included with dinner each evening.

For all our transport requirements we have our own private air-conditioned coach.

Please note that the following British Airways flight details are the latest known and are subject to confirmation and change by the airline. All times are local.

Outbound - Saturday 19th June 2010

Inbound - Saturday 26th June 2010

Holiday Highlights

• Exclusive use of La Sughera and facilities
• Boat trip and village stops along the Cinque Terre
• Visits to Lucca, Volterra, Pisa and Siena
• Wine tours and tastings
• Dinner parties at local village restaurants with 'special evenings' at La Sughera
• Easy/Moderate graded walks with emphasis on exploring

What the Full Price Includes

• Return Economy Class flights from London Gatwick or Manchester
• Welcome Reception
• Seven nights accommodation in a double/twin room with shared bathroom in the Tuscan farmhouse La Sughera
• Comprehensive continental breakfast packs provided in each apartment
• Dinner arrangements to include four dinner parties in local restaurants, three dinners at La Sughera
• House wine with evening meals
• Guided walks
• Two wine tasting tours
• Boat trip along the Ligurian coast
• Private coach and driver for airport transfers, walks, visits and dinner parties
• Accompanying Tour Leader
• Airport Taxes

What is not included

• Holiday Insurance
• Optional lunches and beverages where not stated
• Gratuities, which are entirely optional
• Any Government taxes or compulsory charges that may be introduced after the publication of this web page