30 May 2008, 7 nights

The beauty of springtime Tuscany. Relax for seven nights in the lovely spa-town of Montecatini Terme at the excellent four-star Hotel Nizza et Suisse, with some of the world's most fascinating cities within easy reach. Our half-board package includes guided tours of Pisa, Montecatini and the ancient hill-top town of Montecatini Alto, and an optional excursion package to Lucca and Florence at an exceptionally low price.

Our hotel, the friendly four-star Nizza et Suisse, is centrally situated at the heart of the spa area with parkland immediately opposite. All rooms have private facilities and are equipped with air-conditioning, minibar and satellite TV. This classically stylish hotel has a small swimming pool at the rear and a bar with outdoor terrace. We dine from the restaurant's selection of Tuscan and international cuisine on all evenings except Wednesday. Dinner is copious, commencing with a buffet salad, followed by soup, pasta, the meat or fish course and dessert.

Friday 30 May
We arrive in Pisa mid-morning after a two-hour flight from Liverpool airport, when we are met by our local guide for the short drive into the city centre. Our ninety-minute guided tour of the Campo dei Miracoli includes entrances into the Duomo and the Battistero and explanations about the other monuments of this unique World Heritage site, including the Leaning Tower. After time for lunch (not included) and individual exploration of Pisa, our coach will continue to Montecatini, about 50 minutes drive, arriving by 16.30.

Saturday 31 May
This morning we enjoy a short walking tour of the spas and parks of Montecatini Terme followed by a ten-minute funicular ride (cost of funicular not included) to the compact hill-top town of Montecatini Alto, set amongst glorious Tuscan hill scenery 300 metres above the spa town. Besides great views, Montecatini Alto boasts a beautiful old church, a typical town square, now lined with restaurants, and the remains of a hill-top castle.

The afternoon is at leisure. Sample the waters whilst listening to live music at the Terme Tetuccio, stroll in the parks, shop or visit the nearby stalactite caves.

Sunday 1 June
Day at leisure. Montecatini railway station is less than ten minutes walk from the hotel. From here regular trains depart to typical Tuscan cities such as Pistoia or Prato. Excursions can be booked to the Baroque gardens of Villa Garzoni, Leonardo's birthplace at Vinci, typical Tuscan villas such as the Medicean villa of Poggio a Caiano, to wine estates, or further afield to Chianti land, or to Siena and San Gimignano. Fifty minutes in the opposite direction is the coastal resort of Viareggio.

Monday 2 June
We recommend our excursion package to Lucca today and Florence on Wednesday at the additional cost of only £37pp. We arrive around 10.00 as a group in Lucca after a short train journey for a two hour guided tour after which the day is at our disposal to return to Montecatini whenever we wish.

Lucca old city is still contained within its ramparts and is little touched by 20th century planning. Famous for the Volto Santo (Holy Face), the miraculous crucifix worshipped in the cathedral of San Martino, the city provides some of the most beautiful examples of Pisan Romanesque architecture. We visit the Duomo, San Michele in Foro, and the Città Vecchia, whose central square is of unusual oval design as it occupies the site of the old Roman amphitheatre.

Tuesday 3 June
Day at leisure.

Wednesday 4 June
The second part of our excursion package takes us to Florence. Our two-hour guided tour explores many of the highlights of the city: from the bronze doors of the Baptistry, to the Duomo, one of the Christian world's largest cathedrals, the Piazza della Signoria with Michelangelo's statue of David, and finally to the Ponte Vecchio over the river Arno. The remainder of the day is free for individual exploration. If you would like to see the wonderful paintings of the Uffizi Gallery we recommend you ask us to book a timed entry ticket to avoid queues and frustration.

Dinner is not included tonight to allow you to dine out whether in Florence, Montecatini Terme, Montecatini Alto or another Tuscan town.

Thursday 5 June and Friday 6 June
A final day at leisure to enjoy glorious Tuscany before our morning return flight to Liverpool on 7 June.

Holiday price is £585pp sharing a twin/double bedded room, including flights from Liverpool airport, seven nights in the Hotel Nizza et Suisse (six nights half-board, one night bed and breakfast), excursions and entrance fees as indicated above and the on-site services of a Grosvenor Travel representative. Single supplement is £120. Deposit required with booking form £160pp. Lucca and Florence excursions £37 (combined).

All clients should ensure they have adequate travel insurance cover. We can provide travel insurance at £18pp for clients aged up to 65 at time of booking. (Certain medical conditions may require a premium to be paid). Premium of 2 x adult rate applies for adults aged 66 to 75, premium of 2.5 aged 76 to 79, and 3.5 aged 80 to 86. There is an excess on most policy categories which can be waived for payment of an additional £10pp (no age-related supplement). Annual insurance is also available.
This holiday will operate based on a minimum of 20 clients booking. Booking period is scheduled to close 15 October or sooner subject to demand.