End of summer in Genoa and Tuscany
13 DAYS - AUG. 28 SEPT. 9, 2026
Cost per person
€5000 SHARING ROOM
Program
Aug 28, Fri - Day 1
Arrival at Pisa Airport Galileo Galilei and transfer to Casa Piero in Viareggio. The venue in Viareggio is a newly renovated, early twentieth-century town house with five en suites that's just a five-minute walk from the beach and right around the corner from the market and the city's best cafés and restaurants. Viareggio is a seaside resort in northern Tuscany boasting a two-mile-long esplanade lined with decorative Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings, historic cafés and fancy boutiques. Welcome aperitifs and dinner at Casa Piero.
Aug 29, Sat - Day 2
After an early breakfast we're off to Genova, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, a fascinating city which boasts Europe’s largest historical center, made up of a labyrinth of alleyways that open suddenly onto fabulous squares. Check into rooms and get a bite to eat oyo. Go on a walk to explore the city (approximately a 2-mile walk). The bustling Via XX Settembre, Genova's main shopping street, that leads to the grand Piazza De Ferrari, where the city's theater and Ducal Palace are found. We'll cross the building's lofty inner courtyards to reach the cathedral with its two great lion sculptures guarding its entrance. We will end the walking tour at the lively Porto Antico, the old harbor, a wonderful mix of Medieval buildings, tall palm trees and new, futuristic landmarks, including the 2nd largest aquarium in Europe. Dinner at one of the many outstanding restaurants found in town.
Aug 30, Sun - Day 3
After breakfast at the hotel go on a second walking tour of the city (approximately 2 miles). The elegant Via Garibaldi and Via Balbi, the city's two aristocratic avenues flanked by noble palazzi with grandiose courtyards and sumptuous interiors. Take an elevator to reach the Spianata Castelletto viewpoint offering spectacular views of the city and port. Free time in the afternoon to have lunch oyo and to explore the city further and do some shopping. Dinner at another of the city's fine restaurants.
Aug 31, Mon – Day 4
After breakfast at hotel return to Viareggio stopping en route at the very pretty town of Santa Margherita Ligure where we'll catch a ferry to the tiny and exclusive coastal town Portofino, that sits on its own peninsula. Walk up the 'Salita San Giorgio' that leads from the harbour, past the pretty San Giorgio church and Castello Brown, to reach the lighthouse for beautiful sea views. There'll be time either before or after Portofino and lunch oyo to have a stroll in Santa Margherita Ligure to admire this charming town. On returning to Viareggio have dinner out.
Sept 1, Tues - Day 5
After breakfast, go on a walk to explore Viareggio, the esplanade to admire the architecture, people watch, and window shop and the pier for a great view of the sea and the majestic mountain stretch rising in the background. In the afternoon take part in a fun, hands-on cooking class preparing a full-course, traditional Tuscan meal to have for dinner.
Sept 2, Wed - Day 6
After breakfast visit Forte dei Marmi, a town that could be considered Tuscany's Bel Air. For those who like shopping, you're in luck, as Wednesday is also market day in this chi-chi resort town. Lunch oyo. Free time in Viareggio in the afternoon to go shopping, visit the town's modern art museum, rent bikes and ride through Viareggio’s shady parks or have drinks at an outdoor café and people watch. Dinner at Casa Piero.
Sept 3, Thurs - Day 7
It's market day in Viareggio so after breakfast browse through the countless stalls that sell everything from fine linen clothes, leather goods, food products, to kitchenware and bed linens. If shopping is not your thing, spend a lazy morning at one of the private beach clubs on the coast with a gazebo and private changing room of your own. Sunbathe, stroll along the shore and enjoy a refreshing swim in the sea. Lunch oyo. Lunch oyo. Pietrasanta, a charming little town that attracts artists from around the world, will be our afternoon outing. Beautiful palazzi, churches and lively cafés overlook the vast, open central square that is frequently the site of whimsical sculpture exhibits. On returning to Viareggio have dinner in Casa Piero.
Sept 4, Fri - Day 8
After breakfast drive to La Spezia to catch a ferry to visit what is arguably the prettiest of all the coastal towns in Liguria. A colorful huddle of old fishermen's homes greet those who visit the picturesque, seaside town of Portovenere. Leisurely strolls through winding, narrow streets will disclose spectacular seascapes of emerald waters lapping along the town's rocky shoreline (approximately a one-mile, partly uphill walk). Lunch oyo. Enjoy a wine tasting en route back to Viareggio. Dinner in Casa Piero.
Sept 5, Sat - Day 9
After breakfast visit Florence, cradle of the Renaissance and a city that needs no introductions. Go on a walk to see some of the extraordinary art and architecture the city is packed with (approximately a three-mile walk). Lunch oyo. Dinner in Casa Piero.
Sept 6, Sun - Day 10
After breakfast visit Pisa to see what is perhaps one of Italy's most famous symbols, the Leaning Tower. Explore the majestic piazza made up of equally stunning white marble buildings that stand out against the square's green lawns. Be surprised to discover how many other noteworthy sights there are to see in this charming and lively university town. Lunch oyo. In the afternoon enjoy a second hands-on cooking class preparing a full-course meal to be had for dinner.
Sept 7, Mon - Day 11
After breakfast, visit the Cinqueterre, a Unesco World Heritage site, five ingenuously constructed fishing villages set amid a dramatic coastal scenery. Take a fast train to Monterosso, the town furthest from us and the biggest of all the Cinqueterre. After visiting this delightful village we'll catch a boat to admire the coastline getting off in Vernazza and lunch oyo. Board the ferry again to reach the town furthest south and then catch two trains back to Viareggio (approximately two miles will be covered on foot which will include steps going up and down). On returning to Viareggio have dinner in Casa Piero.
Sept 8, Tues - Day 12
After breakfast visit the endearing city of Lucca, hidden behind imposing Renaissance walls. Its cobbled streets, handsome piazzas and shady promenades make it a perfect destination to spend the day and with a ratio of 1 shop per every 3 inhabitants it's a great place for shopping. In the morning go for a walk to see the town's main sites (approximately a two-mile walk). After lunch oyo you can decide to go on an additional walk to explore the town further, or enjoy free time to either go shopping, ride bikes around the tree-lined city walls, or catch a museum. Return to Viareggio for farewell dinner.
Sept 9, Wed - Day 13
After breakfast departure from Pisa international airport.
Cost per person
€5000 SHARING ROOM
Gallery
FUN. REAL. ENLIGHTENING.
PRICE INCLUDES:
- ACCOMMODATION
- ALL TRANSPORTATION MENTIONED IN ITINERARY
- ENTRANCE FEES TO ALL ACTIVITIES MENTIONED IN THE ITINERARY;
- WALKING TOURS THROUGH ALL THE TOWNS;
- HANDS-ON COOKING LESSONS.
- ALL BREAKFASTS, DINNERS IN VILLA AND LUNCHES MENTIONED IN ITINERARY.
- WALKING TOURS THROUGH ALL THE TOWNS;
All rooms are double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and wifi.
Click here to see the gallery of Casa Piero in Viareggio
*All activities are subject to change on the basis of which options are deemed to be the most suitable in terms of current culinary standards, the weather conditions on a given day, and other relevant criteria.
Cost per person
€5000
SHARING ROOM
*at the moment this tour is only for people sharing a room
Tour available for maximum 10 people
All payments must be made by bank transfer or credit cards.
