Watch our Online Travel Show about this tour and earn a $100 credit for your next booking with Holiday Vacations.
Tuscany & the Italian Riviera - WTAJ TV
Culture & History
Cinque Terre Rail Adventure
Tuscany Countryside & Wine Tasting
Volterra
Regional Cuisine
Morgan Koziar
Morgan Koziar
Morgan Koziar is the host of Studio 814, the weekday lifestyle show on WTAJ. Morgan joined the WTAJ team in 2018 after graduating from Slippery Rock University where she received her B.S. in Communications.
Discover Tuscany’s charming, picturesque countryside while staying in an upscale hotel for four nights and visiting breathtaking locations each day. Become immersed in history dating back to the 5th century with stops in the medieval hill towns of Volterra, Cortona, and San Gimignano. In Florence, visit the Duomo and the Galleria dell’Accademia, home to Michelangelo’s David, then tour Pisa and wander through the Field of Miracles to see its famous Leaning Tower. Spend two nights in the heart of the Italian Riviera, on the stunning Ligurian Coast, and explore the pastel-colored fishing communities of Cinque Terre. Enjoy a pleasant boat ride to quaint Portofino, the Pearl of the Italian Riviera, before our journey concludes in Milan.
Trip overview may vary by departure.
Highlights
Florence
Known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, this city was the world capital of art in the 15th century! On our walking tour, we admire one of the most famous sculptures in the world, Michelangelo’s David, and observe the architectural beauty of the Duomo. See how it dominates Florence’s skyline and view Giorgio Vasari’s fresco painting, Last Judgment, beneath the dome. We also spend time shopping at the famous Ponte Vecchio Bridge, a medieval arched bridge constructed of stone that was astonishingly spared during World War II.
Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre, meaning “Five Lands,” is a collection of five coastal villages perched on terraced hillsides high above the Ligurian coast. Together, they make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s famous for its natural and cultural history. Arrive by rail on the Cinque Terre Express to visit the villages of Riomaggiore, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare. Discover pastel and brightly painted buildings, picturesque harbors filled with traditional fishing boats, winding cliff pathways, and quaint, cobbled streets. During leisure time, you may enjoy walking along clear-water beaches or sipping a local dry white specialty wine from a patio overlooking the sea.
Portofino
Take a relaxing boat ride to the Pearl of The Italian Riviera. Located on its own peninsula, this popular resort town boasts bright vegetation, pastel-colored houses, high-end boutiques, and a small harbor. Time at leisure can be spent seeing the yellow-bricked Church of San Giorgio, the castle and hanging gardens at Castello Brown, the lighthouse beside the Gulf of Tigullio, and the 14th-century Gothic Oratory of Santa Maria Assunta.
Leaning Tower of Pisa & Field of Miracles
Known as the Piazza dei Miracoli in Italian, this iconic site is a stunning blend of history and architectural beauty with timeless white marble buildings, such as the Piazza del Duomo. At the heart of the square stands the worldfamous Leaning Tower of Pisa, one of Italy’s most significant landmarks that has captured attention around the globe for centuries due to its gravity-defying tilt.
- Day 1: Overnight flight to EuropeOur tour begins with an overnight flight to Italy.
- Day 2: Arrive in RomeUpon arrival, we are greeted by our Italian guide and begin the scenic journey through Tuscany’s famous landscapes to our home for the next four nights. Within the rolling hills of Chianti, it offers breathtaking vistas for us to soak in while relaxing. This evening, we get to know our fellow travelers over authentic Tuscan cuisine, complete with local wine.
Meals Included: Dinner
- Day 3: Volterra & San GimignanoToday we visit two of Italy’s best preserved medieval hill towns, both of which are surrounded by fortified walls and overlook rolling farmland. Pre-dating the Roman Empire, Volterra was once an important Etruscan city. Learn about its ancient history and see the more recent 12th-century Romanesque cathedral. In the afternoon we visit San Gimignano, famous for its medieval towers once used by feuding noble families. During our free time here, roam the quaint cobblestone streets and squares that make this ancient hill town so mesmerizing. Discover the tastes of the region with an included dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4: FlorenceThis morning we tour Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. Visit the Galleria dell’Accademia and view incredible works including Michelangelo’s David. Marvel at the Duomo, the largest brick dome ever constructed, and gaze upon Ghiberti’s bronze doors of the Baptistery, often called the Gates of Paradise. Take time to visit the iconic Ponte Vecchio Bridge with its unique hanging houses and shops or enjoy a fresh gelato. This evening offers a special treat, the winery at Castello di Verrazzano. Learn the history of celebrated navigator Giovanni da Verrazzano. We delight in an included dinner featuring a fantastic selection of wines for our sampling pleasure.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 5: CortonaAfter a splendid breakfast, we make our way to the hilltop town of Cortona. Our Italian guide will provide a fascinating tour of the medieval architecture of Piazza Garibaldi, sights and shops of the Via Nazionale, and Palazzo Casali, displaying relics from the Etruscan, Roman, and Egyptian civilizations. The afternoon is yours to enjoy the Renaissance churches, olive groves, and terraces that surround us in this picture-perfect town. Following an included dinner, we bid farewell to our time in Tuscany.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 6: Pisa & Ligurian CoastSay arrivederci to Tuscany as we travel north to Pisa, known for its opulent churches and palaces. Our guide introduces us to the area famously called "The Field of Miracles," where we see the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. We then have some time at leisure in the city before we continue our journey to our home for the next two nights, Santa Margherita Ligure, nestled along the Ligurian Coast.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 7: Cinque TerreToday we visit Cinque Terre, an Italian National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrive by rail on the Cinque Terre Express for a day of exploring cities on this rocky coastline along the Mediterranean Sea. Pastel colored buildings in the tiny fishing villages make for stunning pictures. Enjoy superb views of the distinctive terraced vineyards that produce local wine, the specialty here being dry whites. Our adventure begins at the quaint village of Riomaggiore, we continue on to Vernazza, and end our visit in Monterosso al Mare, with a lovely beach and beautiful lemon trees. We return to our hotel for an evening at leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast
- Day 8: Italian RivieraA short boat ride takes us to Portofino, known as the Pearl of the Italian Riviera. This enchanting fishing village with its picturesque harbor is frequented by some of Europe’s wealthiest and most discerning pleasure seekers. This afternoon, we travel to Milan for our overnight accommodations near the airport where we gather for a Farewell Dinner and toast our new friendships.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 9: Fly HomeAfter an included breakfast, we make our way home with fond memories of our Italian adventure.
Meals Included: Breakfast
What's Included
All Accommodations
- 4 nights in Chianti
- 2 nights along the Ligurian Coast
- 1 night near the Milan airport
Attractions & Highlights
- Tuscan countryside
- Volterra guided tour
- San Gimignano guided tour
- Florence guided city tour
- The Duomo
- Galleria dell’Accademia
- Michelangelo’s David
- Cortona guided tour
- Leaning Tower of Pisa & Field of Miracles
- Cinque Terre
- Boat ride to & from Portofino
- Ligurian Coast
13 Excellent Meals
- Daily European breakfasts
- Welcome & Farewell Dinners
- Dinner & wine tasting at Castello di Verrazzano
- Dinner on the Ligurian Coast
Learn more about what's included with the Holiday Advantage.
Altoona - WTAJ TV Station Lot
Cresson - McDonalds
Ebensburg - Walmart Supercenter
Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh International Airport