May 28, Sun - Day 4

Take part in a fun, hands-on cooking class preparing lunch and prep cooking for dinner. Free time in the afternoon to explore the town. Stroll down the esplanade lined with decorative Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings and fancy boutiques to admire the architecture and window shop. Stop at a historic café and people watch while sipping on a drink. Relax on the beach sunbathing and go for a swim in the sea. Walk down the pier for a great view of the sea and majestic mountain stretch rising in the background. Rent bikes and ride through Viareggio's shady parks or on one of the town's many bike trails. These are just some of the many activities you experience during your stay in Viareggio. In the evening, enjoy a fish and seafood dinner in a restaurant overlooking the sea.

May 29, Mon - Day 5

After breakfast visit the amazing, late baroque gardens of Villa Reale in Marlia with a stately, French-inspired rectangular pool, a Pan grotto, a nymphaeum, an English-style park and a most original, trimmed boxwood theater with terracotta statues depicting performers. After lunch enjoy wine tasting in a local winery. Return to Viareggio for dinner.

May 30, Tues - Day 6

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. After lunch 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. Free time to go for a stroll, shop, ride a bike or go for a dip in the sea before dinner. 

May 31, Wed - Day 7

After breakfast enjoy a second hands-on cooking class preparing a full-course meal to have at lunch. Overshadowed by the nearby Cinqueterre, Portovenere, our afternoon destination, is arguably the prettiest fisherman's town on the Ligurian coast. Dinner back at villa.

June 1, Thurs - Day 8

It's market day in Viareggio so spend the morning browsing through the countless stalls that sell everything from fine linen clothes, leather goods, food products, to kitchenware and bed linens. For those who'd rather not spend the morning at the market they can either go to the beach or go on a joy ride through the countryside and visit the medieval village of Camaiore, then continue the drive uphill for a sweeping, birdseye view of the coast and surrounding mountains.The third and last cooking class will take place after lunch preparing a full-course meal to be had at dinner.

June 2, Fri - Day 9

After breakfast drive to Siena just short of two hours away. Go on a walking tour of this lovely city Siena, full of spectacular art treasures. The splendid Romanesque-Gothic cathedral and the magnificent, shell-shaped main square, where every year the Palio horse race takes place, an event which dates back to the 6th century. After lunch drive through the soft rolling hills of what is considered the quintessential Tuscan countryside. Visit San Gimignano, one of the best preserved Medieval towns in Europe nicknamed 'The Medieval Manhattan' due to its many towers. On returning to Viareggio have farewell dinner in a country tavern nestled in the mountains that boasts a breathtaking view.

June 3, Sat - Day 10

Departure. After breakfast transfer to Florence international airport