Overview
Features
Itinerary
Overview (Return to top)
Delight your senses with a combination of ancient grandeur, seaside splendor, and traditional Italian life on this unforgettable journey to Tuscany. Charming Lucca, set in a valley and surrounded by hills, is imprinted with Ligurian, Etruscan, and Roman history. Walk atop Lucca’s 16th-Century walls that enclose the city and admire the view of its ancient buildings. Experience Siena as you wander its narrow, cobbled streets, and marvel at its architectural gems. See Pisa’s famed Leaning Tower and the Piazza del Duomo. Journey to the Renaissance capital of Florence for a full day, exploring its priceless art, stately palaces, and gorgeous cathedrals. Discover the artistic heritage of Carrara and watch as art comes alive before you eyes. Journey to the sea and walk along beautiful beaches in the coastal town of Viareggio. Experience history as you stroll through ancient towns and admire the famous Tuscan landscapes while discovering for yourself the allure of this beautiful region.
Priced from $2,495 plus air
Alumni Holidays, Inc.
For reservations or additional information, contact:
Jan Breitman [jbreitman@alumni.iastate.edu]
Iowa State University Alumni Association
Phone: (515) 294-6526 direct or (877) ISU-ALUM toll-free
Fax: (515) 294-9402
Features (Return to top)
Transportation:
• Round-trip scheduled jet service to Florence, Italy*
• Round-trip motorcoach transfers between the airport and Lucca, including baggage handling at the hotel
*Provided for air package participants only.
Accommodations:
• Seven nights in Lucca at the first-class Ilaria Hotel
Meals:
• Enjoy an extensive meal program, including seven breakfasts, four lunches, and five dinners, in addition to in-flight dining service. Tea or coffee is included with all meals, plus wine with dinner. Take advantage of leisure time to try the local cuisine independently.
• Sample authentic regional specialties at featured local restaurants
• Attend a special welcome reception
• Gather for a farewell reception and graduation ceremony, followed by a farewell dinner at the hotel
Also included:
• Informative educational programs, presented by local experts, will enhance your insight into the region
• All excursions
Itinerary (Return to top)
Day 1
Depart your gateway city for Florence, Italy.
Day 2
Upon arrival, transfer to Lucca and the Ilaria Hotel.
This evening, attend a welcome reception and dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 3
Education Focus: The Magnificent Tuscan Landscape of Lucca.
Excursion: Highlights of Lucca. Explore Lucca, once a fortress with massive walls. Its Roman legacy is still evident in its narrow streets. Visit Lucca’s 11th-Century Romanesque cathedral containing one of the most famous relics of medieval Europe, a carving said to be a true portrait of Christ.
Independent Exploration: The afternoon is at your leisure.
Local Flavor: Enjoy a delicious dinner at a restaurant in Lucca.
Day 4
Educational Focus: The Tuscan Countryside.
Excursion: Sienna. Embark on a walking tour of this magical city, a UNESCO World Heritage List site. Visit the Gaia Fountain with its stunning bas reliefs and the Mangia Tower, which stands 300 feet tall and houses a vast collection of magnificent art works. Then continue to the Duomo, a cathedral begun in the 12th Century and considered to be one of Italy’s greatest cathedrals, home to masterpieces by Michelangelo and Donatello.
Local Flavor: Savor lunch at a restaurant in Siena.
Day 5
Educational Focus: A Contemporary View of Italy.
Excursion: Pisa. Travel to Pisa and see the Piazza del Duomo, a UNESCO World Heritage List site, with its iconic Leaning Tower, Duomo, and Baptistry. Pisa is also home to Italy’s most prestigious university and many Italian notables.
Local Flavor: Enjoy a delicious wine tasting and lunch at a local winery.
Independent Exploration: The afternoon is at your leisure.
Educational Focus: Renaissance Art.
Day 6
Excursion: Florence. Visit Florence, the heart of Tuscany and the soul of the Renaissance. Spend the morning on an educational exploration of the city’s architecture and art, much of it inspired by and created under the patronage of the Medici family. See one of their impressive homes, the Old Palace, and admire the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.
Independent Exploration: Explore this UNESCO World Heritage List city before returning to the hotel this evening.
Day 7
Educational Focus: When Marble Comes Alive.
Excursion: Carrara and Viareggio. Today’s visit begins at a local quarry with a museum whose exhibits showcase the marble industry. Watch a demonstration by a local sculptor, then see the town’s Duomo, constructed in a variety of styles, including Romanesque and Gothic. Its rose window is considered to be a marble masterpiece. Then visit the beautiful coastal town of Viareggio, the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian. Stroll the soft, sandy beaches and listen to the palms swaying above as you admire this picturesque town.
Educational Focus: Meet the People.
Day 8
Independent Exploration: Today is at leisure to explore, shop, or relax.
Tonight, gather with fellow travelers for a farewell reception and graduation ceremony at the hotel, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 9
Transfer to the airport for the return flight(s) to your gateway city.
