Mingle with the workers in the Carrara quarry where Michelangelo chose the marble for his masterpieces Pietà and David and discover how marble is used locally to age lard.

After departing from the pier, you will drive inland towards the Apuan Alps, which gleam year-round as if cloaked in snow. The color comes from the exposed bright-white marble on the quarried faces of the mountains. The amount of marble found here is staggering, even though it has been quarried for more than 2,000 years.

Upon arriving, you will meet the some of the workers that quarry the famed Carrara marble using enormous bulldozers and metal cables with diamond cutting edges. It is a fascinating process that the workers will describe in detail while recounting the history of this extraordinary quarry. As you will discover, it is a dangerous, physically demanding profession, but one that the workers take great pride in.

The raw marble is transported throughout the world for a variety of purposes. In the nearby village of Colonnata, the marble is fashioned into vats used to produce lard. The quarry workers once consumed the lard for its high-energy content, but today the pork fatback is thinly sliced and served raw as an antipasto.

While visiting Colonnata, you will see how the lard is seasoned with garlic, rosemary and other herbs and aged up to a year in the marble vats. As you will discover by tasting, the creamy white lard is melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for a panoramic driving tour through Florence with occasional stops for closer views of the must-see landmarks. You will ride around the city in a double-decker bus that offers 360º from the top. As an alternative, you can sit in the shaded lower deck. Either way, commentary will describe the points of interest and give you a clear understanding of their significance. UNESCO deemed the historic center of Florence a World Heritage site because of its artistic and cultural importance over the centuries, so there is plenty to see. The bus will stop at the shop-lined Ponte Vecchio bridge that spans the Arno River, the museum within the Palazzo Strozzi and Santa Maria Maggiore, which is among the oldest and most beautiful churches in Florence. For the ultimate view of the city, you will pause at Piazzale Michelangelo, a hilltop terrace with a bronze replica of Michaelangelo’s David.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride around Florence on the top of a double-decker bus or in the shaded lower deck.
• Hear enlightening commentary that describes the upcoming landmarks.
• Take the opportunity to stop at the most intriguing attractions for a closer look.
• See landmarks as diverse as the Ponte Vecchio bridge and the museum in Palazzo Strozzi.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

See Florence’s highlights at your own pace by riding a double-decker bus around town, hopping on and off whenever you please at the attractions you find most intriguing. After departing from the pier, you will settle in for a leisurely and immensely scenic drive through the Tuscan countryside and on to Florence. In time, you will stop in historical St. Croce Square, a wonderfully atmospheric gathering place where you can easily walk to landmarks such as Santa Croce Basilica. Built in the late 13th century, the church contains the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo, so it will be well worth visiting. You might also want to stroll over to the iconic Ponte Vecchio bridge that spans the Arno River and then linger over a Tuscan lunch before beginning the Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour. Then, using the complimentary bus pass, you can explore the sites in Florence that are most appealing to you. More than 12 designated stops are available on the bus route. Simply hop on one of the buses and then hop off when it reaches an attraction that interests you. For instance, you might hop off near Michelangelo’s exquisite statue of David in the Accademia Gallery, and see masterpieces from artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Caravaggio in the Uffizi Gallery. Nature lovers will enjoy the Boboli Gardens behind the Pitti Palace during the sightseeing route, You will also learn all about Florence's history with an audio-guided walking tour of the historic center.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See the highlights of Florence from a double-decker bus that offers unobstructed views.
• Stop along the way for photos and closer looks at the most iconic attractions.
• Enjoy a guided walking tour through some of the most important sites.
• Take comfort in knowing that the bus is open air rather than completely enclosed.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Experience compelling Tuscan art and history on this guided walking tour of scenic and off-the-beaten-path Lucca. Upon arrival in this quaint city, founded in 180 BC by the Romans, you’ll walk along the town’s massive red-brick walls, built between 1504 and 1645 and among the best-preserved Renaissance-era defenses in Europe. Admire the Piazza Anfiteatro, once the Roman amphitheater and today a charming elliptical square surrounded by sand-colored houses. Visit the extraordinary Duomo di San Martino, a cathedral that holds exquisite paintings by Tintoretto and Ghirlandaio as well as the Volto Santo, a 13th-century wooden effigy believed by medieval pilgrims to have been carved by Christ’s follower Nicodemus at the time of the Crucifixion. Conclude your tour with time at your leisure, perhaps browsing for handicrafts along Via Fillungo, the town’s principal shopping street, or continuing your exploration of unspoiled and magnetic Lucca.

Discover the marvels of Pisa, including its renowned Leaning Tower, during this tour of the city’s most celebrated sites. Begin at the UNESCO World Heritage site Campo dei Miracoli, or Field of Miracles, and learn the medieval masterpieces found here, anchored by the Leaning Tower, date from Pisa’s Golden Age as a maritime power from the 11th to the 13th century. Hear the tower started listing after a mere three stories had risen due to the unstable soil found beneath the Campo dei Miracoli, and that by the time it was completed in 1350, it was too late to rectify it.

Tour the dignified duomo, or cathedral, whose multi-level colonnades and subtle interplay of marble and stone make it the archetype of the Pisan Romanesque style. Inside the vast interior, appreciate the soaring granite columns, lovely mosaics and an intricate pulpit carved by Giovanni Pisano. See the elaborate circular baptistery, acclaimed for its superior acoustics, and during time on your own perhaps walk to the Camposanto, a palatial cemetery of covered galleries containing tombs, sculptures, frescoes and domed chapels. As you wander and shop in Pisa’s historic heart, contemplate the enduring legacy of the miraculous Italian Renaissance.

One of the most pristine areas in the Mediterranean, the Cinque Terre consists of five miles of rocky coastline nestled between two promontories. It is named for the five small neighboring towns - Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Manarola, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. The towns, terraced along the coastal cliffs, are all quite similar in appearance, with dry-laid stone walls, winding footpaths, hillsides dotted with vineyards, and perhaps most famously, breathtaking views of the sea. The towns couldn't be more delightful or unspoiled, which earned Cinque Terre the distinction of being both a National Park and UNESCO protected territory.

This tour also includes a short cruise to Vernazza, one of the most popular villages of the five. It's located along the Vernazzola stream and clings spectacularly to the rocky face of a cliff. Narrow, steep paths descend toward the main road, which leads to a charming waterside square. Here, you can take in the local atmosphere and gaze upon the typical tower-shaped houses. There are also many other architecturally elaborate buildings decorated by portals and porticos, which serve as a reminder of Vernazza's prosperity under Genoese domination. menos

Cruise to the sublime village of Portovenere, part of the UNESCO World Heritage site designation of this stretch of the Ligurian coast due to its outstanding beauty and traditional way of life, which has barely changed over the centuries. Once you arrive in marvelous Portovenere, you’ll understand why it’s considered one of the Italian Riviera’s most scenic fishing villages. Along with your guide, make your way to the Carugio, a narrow lane lined with fashionable shops and charming, earth-toned architecture. Follow the street to a breathtaking square and a Gothic church named for Saint Peter, the Chiesa di San Pietro. Learn the ancient church, which proudly overlooks the glittering sea, was modified in the 13th century, when its distinctive black and white stripes were added. On the Calata Doria, the village’s quay, look up at tall houses looming above that were originally built as defense towers. You’ll revel in more than two hours to shop and explore Portovenere, perhaps visiting the Romanesque Chiesa di San Lorenzo or ascending to the remains of the Castello Doria for magnificent views of the village and the luxuriantly green island of Palmaria.

Indulge in time entirely on your own in resplendent Florence, allowing for ample exploration at your pace. Enjoy a picturesque drive of approximately 2 ½ hours through Tuscany’s legendary landscapes. Founded by Romans, Florence came under the rule of the Medici family in the 15th century, who later became the Grand Dukes of Tuscany. This was the period when the city was an economic power and at the height of its glory in art, culture and politics. Florence still retains an extraordinary wealth of artistic and architectural treasures, including the glorious Uffizi gallery, magnificent Sante Croce church, and Ponte Vecchio, the city’s oldest bridge. Once in Florence, you will have approximately three to four hours to explore at your leisure. A Florentine tour escort will accompany you on the bus and will be happy to assist in your planning.

Gain an understanding and appreciation of the far-reaching influence of Andrea Bocelli’s family, beginning with a concert by artists that study with Andrea’s son Matteo. The performance will be held in Villa Bertelli, a stately 19th-century residence in the seaside Tuscan town of Forte dei Marmi. Matteo inherited his father musical genes, having performed as a singer and pianist on his own and with his father. Matteo is also a skilled vocal coach, which you will recognize as soon as his students begin to sing.

At the nearby Alpemare Beach Club, which the Bocellis completely renovated, you will be treated to a tasting of wines from the Bocelli vineyards. The wines will be paired with a Tuscan appetizer, a perfect way to whet your appetite for the seafood lunch that will follow. The views will be as inspired as the cuisine, as the beach club overlooks a pristine stretch of sand and offers panoramic views of the majestic Apuan Alps.

OVERVIEW

Explore the medieval town of Sarzana before settling in at a traditional restaurant for a classic lunch made with ingredients sourced from throughout Tuscany. As you meander through the ancient atmospheric streets of Sarzana, which perches on the fertile plain of the Magra River, you will behold some of the most spectacular architecture in the Liguria region. Landmarks include two fortresses, the remains of defensive walls built about 200 years later and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, which supposedly contains the oldest painted wooden cross in Italy. The Bonaparte family famously has deep ties to Sarzana and Napoleon sought asylum there, You might discuss some of these architectural treasures over a multi-course Tuscan lunch at one of Sarzana’s most popular restaurants. The dishes may include a vegetable quiche, tagliatelle pasta with pesto sauce and a hearty roasted pork loin.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover the charms Sarzana, a medieval town with outstanding architecture.
• See the remnants of the town’s fortified defensive walls and its imposing fortresses.
• Savor a traditional Tuscan lunch at an atmospheric restaurant downtown.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Head inland to the medieval town of Pontremoli for an enlightening walk along its cobblestone streets before dining at an atmospheric restaurant. Pontremoli means “trembling bridge” in Italian, a reference to its still-standing Roman bridge that spans the River Magra. The city is one of the northernmost points in Lunigiana, a mountainous territory within several regions, the most influential being Tuscany. It may not be as well-known as other northern Tuscan towns, and that lack of commercialization is much of its charm. Pontremoli exudes history but not just from one time period. As you walk through the pedestrian-friendly city center, you will see baroque palaces, the rococo Nostra Donna church and an archaeology museum that holds an invaluable collection of prehistoric sandstone sculptures. During lunch, you will likely be served testaroli, an ancient type of pasta that originated in Lunigiana. It is traditionally made with only three ingredients – water, salt and flour – and topped with pesto.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through the heart of Pontremoli, an alluring medieval town in the Lunigiana territory.
• See a mix of architecture that reflects the history of Pontremoli.
• Enjoy a traditional lunch with dishes said to have originated in Lunigiana.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Spend an enlightening day at a farm in Tuscany that produces a multitude of organic foods, many of which will be used as ingredients in your lunch. As an introduction to the artisanal practices at the Diacceroni farm, you will see how honey is produced and sample several varieties of the natural sweetener, which may include an amber chestnut honey and a floral-flavored acacia honey. Similarly, you will discover how the farmers use traditional methods to grow and harvest the crops. In preparation for the afternoon cooking class, you will gather a selection of fresh vegetables and herbs from the farm’s fields and gardens. You will then use those ingredients to concoct your delicious four-course lunch under the chef’s watchful eye. The dishes will be thoughtfully paired with organic wines. Afterwards, you’ll spend some time with a wine expert and agronomist who will talk with you about environmental ethics and biodiversity

HIGHLIGHTS

• Gain insight into the organic methods used at a traditional Tuscan farm.
• See how organic honey, vegetables and wine are produced.
• Join a hands-on cooking class and prepare your four-course lunch.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.