Charming Landscapes and Regional Flavours: Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany and Liguria

Today, we’ll organise for you to see Bologna in the company of a private guide. Capital of Emilia-Romagna, Bologna is known as the ‘Red City’ thanks to the warm hue of its rooftops and the left-wing politics of its inhabitants. It also has a reputation as an intellectual city, home to one of Europe’s oldest universities and native city of Umberto Ecco. As you make your way through Bologna with your knowledgeable guide, you’ll see sights such as the Piazza Maggiore, the Farnese Palace, the Fountain of Neptune, the Stock Exchange, the Palazzo del Podestà and the Basilica of San Petronio: a church decorated with frescoes by Giovanni da Modena depicting Dante's Divine Comedy. After all that sightseeing, you’ll have the rest of the day to relax in Bologna and of course sample a plateful of pasta with authentic Bolognese sauce.

You’ll drive on to San Casciano in Val di Pesa today, around two hours away. This small town rests in the hills of Chianti between Florence and Siena, surrounded by enchanting rural landscapes dotted with countless internationally-recognised wine and olive oil producers. You’ll spend three nights in a beautiful property amid the vineyards that’s designed for one purpose: enjoyment. When you’re not out exploring your surroundings, relax in your spacious room, head to the onsite spa and enjoy some incredible food at the hotel restaurant.

On both side of the Arno’s calm waters, Florence’s palaces and museums intermingle with cafés, fountains and shady piazzas. You’ll discover this iconic city today during a two-hour private tour on the theme of Renaissance art, taking in the cathedral district, the Ponte Vecchio and the Piazza della Signoria before reaching this Medici city’s lesser known palaces. We’ll also provide you with queue-jumping tickets for the Uffizi Gallery, arguably Tuscany’s most famous museum whose collection features work by Sandro Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.

You’ll have today to explore the picturesque villages of Chianti. This region is home to many different towns that witnessed the conflicts between rivals Florence and Siena during the Middle Ages. Some of the most beautiful include Greve, Radda, Castellina, Volpaia, Gaiole and Monteriggioni. As you journey across verdant green hills from village to village, stop at local producers to sample their delicious wine, olive oil and other Tuscan treats.

Today you’ll swap countryside for coastline as you drive towards the beautiful Cinque Terre. Your base for three nights will be a charming guest house in the hills surrounding Levanto, in a village called Chiesanuova. There are fewer than 70 inhabitants in this medieval village, and the view from here is simply magnificent. After climbing the Ligurian path that leads to the hotel, all that’s left to do is soak up the scenery in this stunning part of Italy.

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cinque Terre National Park boasts a magical Mediterranean landscape where breeze-carved pines line the hills that descend into the sparkling water. Above all, this stretch of coastline is known for five beautiful villages: Monterosso, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Riomaggiore, all linked together by picturesque paths. While you’re here, we’ll arrange for you to take a private hike from Manarola in the company of a private guide, who will lead you along a route with a stunning panorama. We can also arrange for you spend an evening on a sunset cruise complete with a tasting of local produce.