Join 95.3 WBEV’s Wade Bates
October 28 – November 5th, 2025
For more complete trip information and to book your slot contact Hollie Schmitt
Memory Making Travel
(262) 707-3342
hollie@memorymakingtravel.com
HIGHLIGHTS… Montecatini Terme, Lucca, Family-Owned Winery Experience, Florence, Pisa, Cooking Class, Siena, Cheese Farm, San Gimignano
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
Day 1 – Overnight Flight
Days 2 – 8 Grand Hotel Francia and Quirinale, Montecatini Terme
9 Days• 10 Meals: 7 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners
On some dates alternate hotels may be used.
Day 1: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Overnight Flight Rolling landscapes, savory wines, delicious food and stunning architecture -find all of this and more in Tuscany. Unpack once on this journey among Italy’s most charming towns.
Day 2: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Montecatini Terme, Italy Your tour opens in the famous spa resort town of Montecatini Terme, nestled in the heart of the rolling hills of Tuscany. This evening, get to know your fellow travelers during a welcome dinner where regional foods and Italian wines kick off your adventure. (DJ
Day 3: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Lucca Enjoy a guided tour of Lucca, Tuscany’s best-kept secret. Discover Renaissance walls, Romanesque churches, and medieval streets flanked by towers. Explore the lively city center on your own and discover the piazza built on top of a Roman amphitheater. Make your way to a Tuscan winery and learn about the art of winemaking as you taste local varieties. (BJ
Day 4: Friday, October 31, 2025 Florence Welcome to Florence where an extensive walking tour showcases the beautiful “Cradle of the Renaissance.” Join a local Florentine guide and make your way through the city on foot. At the Piazza del Duomo, see the ornate fac;:ade of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the gilded bronze doors of the Baptistery dedicated to St. John. Take in views of the Piazza della Signoria and Santa Croce Square before enjoying the remainder of your time in Florence to explore this unparalleled city as you choose.* (BJ
Day 5: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Montecatini Terme Today, it’s your choice! Choose to relax in Montecatini, spending a morning at leisure -OR- set off for Borgo a Mozzano, where you will see the Ponte def Diavolo (Devil’s Bridge) and the nearby remains of the Gothic Line -the Germans’ last defense during WWII. Visit the Museum of Liberation and see authentic fortifications and bunkers. This afternoon, learn more about Montecatini’s history during a half-day guided walking tour and visit to the historic Tettuccio Spa,** (UNESCO) known for the health benefits in its mineral waters. (BJ
Day 6: Sunday, November 2, 2025 Pisa Explore historic sites in the ancient maritime Republic of Pisa, including the city center and the famous Piazza dei Miracoli, or “Field of Miracles” (UNESCO). Keep your camera handy at the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. This evening, travel to the quiet countryside to learn the secrets of traditional Tuscan cuisine. Partake in a cooking class, using local ingredients and culinary techniques that have been passed down for generations. Enjoy your freshly-prepared meal for dinner. (B, DJ
Day 7: Monday, November 3, 2025 Siena Travel south to Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage site where stunning Romanesque and Gothic architecture can be found on every corner. Walk the narrow medieval streets on a guided tour. Get to know the local lifestyle of a contrada (neighborhood) whose community museum is centered around the colorful Polio horse race. (BJ
Day 8: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 Cheese Farm Visit – San Gimignano Take in the rural atmosphere of a family-owned farm among the goats, cows, and organic gardens and sample their local products. Soak in breathtaking views as you travel to the hilltop village of San Gimignano, one of Tuscany’s most picturesque places. Explore this enchanting medieval town, from its famous 14 towers to its magnificent vistas overlooking vineyards. Enjoy free time and perhaps indulge in some gelato, before joining your travel companies for a farewell dinner. (B, DJ
Day 9: Wednesday, November 5, 2025 Montecatini Terme – Tour Ends Your journey comes to a close today. Depart with many fond memories of Tuscany. (BJ
Per Person Rates*:
Double $4,869; Single $5,069; Triple $4,839
Included in Price: Round Trip Air from OHare Intl Airport, Air Taxes and Fees/Surcharges, Hotel Transfers
Not included in price: Cancellation Waiver and Insurance of $549 per person
Upgrade your in-flight experience with Elite Airfare
Additional rate of: Premium Economy $1,890; Business Class $4,290
* Elite Air pricing (Premium Economy, Business Class or First class) is valid until 8 months prior to departure, after which rates are subject to change and will be quoted based upon availability. Refer to the reservation form to choose your upgrade option
* All Rates are Per Person and are subject to change
IMPORTANT CONDITIONS: Your price is guaranteed once deposit is received and booking confirmed by Collette. Your price is not subject to increase after the deposit is received and booking confirmed, except for charges resulting from increases in government-imposed taxes or fees. (See registration form for consent.)
IDENTIFICATION
Passports are required for this tour at your expense. Certain countries require that your passport be valid at least 6 months beyond the dates of your travel. You are strongly urged to contact the appropriate consulate for details. Visit www.travel.state.gov for the U.S. State Department for the latest details about passports and visa requirements.
IMPORTANT: We recommend that travelers take a photocopy of their passport and applicable visas. It should be packed separately from your actual passport and visa. We also recommend leaving a copy at home with your emergency contact.
Effective for travel in May 2025, all visitors who do not need a visa to enter Europe will be expected to apply for an ET/AS visa waiver, for a fee, when visiting a Schengen Area Country To identify Schengen Area Countries and to complete the ET/AS application, please visit https://www.etiasvisa.com/
Economy air rate and schedule are applicable for groups of 10 or more traveling on the same flights and dates.
A deposit of $698 per person is due upon reservation. Reservations are made on a first come, first served basis. Reservations made after the seat reduction date of April 22, 2025 are based upon availability. Final payment due by July 30, 2025. Deposits are refundable up until April 29, 2025.
PLEASE NOTE:
The overall activity level of this tour is a level 3. This means you’re an on the-go traveler. You don’t want to miss a thing, so walking and standing for longer periods of time (2-3 hours) isn’t a big deal. A moderately paced two and-a-half-hour walking tour, covering several miles, hills, and uneven surfaces, is no problem for you. Walking four miles over the course of a day is very doable, as is climbing into and out of various modes of transportation (tuk-tuk, cable car, zodiac, etc.). You can climb three flights of stairs easily and handle altitudes between 6,000 and 9,000 feet. Expect some longer days with early mornings or late nights balanced with free time to recharge or set out on your own adventure. This level is not a fit for travelers who require mobility assistance devices.
If you require any special assistance while on tour, please make us aware at time of reservation so the necessary request form can be sent to your attention.
In Italy, some of the most unique sightseeing can mean accessing locations that restrict tour bus circulation, especially in historic areas such as Lucca, Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano and Florence. In Florence you must be prepared to walk approximately 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) to complete the sightseeing with limited opportunities to sit. The full day walking tour takes place over flat but cobblestoned streets with narrow sidewalks which are often crowded. For your well-being, we recommend bringing comfortable walking shoes.
Days of features are interchangeable.
Most shops and businesses in Italy are closed on Sundays and on national/religious holidays.
**The interior of Tettuccio Spa is closed to visits during the months of November and December. They do not offer spa treatments like massages; this is a hydrotherapy center that offers healing waters.
*Due to the extensive walking required in Florence, free time will be limited to approximately 3 hours, during which, you may wish to visit the Academy or the Uffizi Museums. Both are closed Mondays, and both require advance reservations as tickets are often sold out on the day, or close to the day of visit. If you are interested, we recommend that you purchase tickets online, prior to departure, through the museum’s official website. You can expect your included walking tour to conclude by l:00
p.m. and you will meet again for departure to Montecatini around 4:00
p.m. If booking tickets for one of the above museums, allow yourselves 30 minutes to reach them from the end point of your walking tour and 30 minutes to return to the meeting point in the afternoon.
Most museums in Florence are closed on Mondays, including the Academy Gallery (Michelangelo’s David) and the Uffizi. Most museums in Florence require reservations to access. In order to reduce queuing, we suggest you reserve your ticket online prior to departure if you plan to visit the Academy Gallery or the Uffizi during your free time in Florence.
Single accommodations are limited and are available on a first-come, first served basis. Single rate subject to change based on availability.
To complete your tour, we include roundtrip airport-to-hotel transfers when purchasing our airfare with your tour. If you have arranged for your own air, we are pleased to provide you the option of purchasing these transfers. Please note that all transfers will leave at pre-scheduled times.
For air-inclusive reservations, the name provided at time of booking must match your government-issued ID that will be used during travel. Name changes are subject to penalties.
Air passengers will arrive and depart from Florence or Pisa airports.
Please be advised many airlines do not provide advance seat assignments until check-in at the airport. Advance seating will be subject to the airline’s terms and conditions.