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Our current booking conditions apply to all reservations and are available on request.Cover image: Lucca.102FUL25_Kexpanse of green lawn upon which rise three of Italy%u2019s most celebrated monuments: the Cathedral, the Baptistery, and of course the iconic Leaning Tower. Inside the cathedral, a masterpiece of Pisan Romanesque architecture, we can admire the ornate pulpit carved by Giovanni Pisano and the exquisite interplay of light that illuminates the nave. A short stroll brings us to the circular Baptistery, renowned for its remarkable acoustics and the softly patterned stonework that crowns its rotunda. We will have time to view the famous tower and explore the city before meeting for dinner in one of the nearby restaurants. (B, D) Day 5 Vinci & Tuscan Vineyard. This morning we drive into the Tuscan countryside towards Vinci, the town where Leonardo da Vinci was born in 1452. We will visit the Museo Leonardiano, Palazzina Uzielli and the Conti Guidi Castle which houses one of the broadest and most original collections devoted to Leonardo the engineer, the architect and the scientist, and to the history of Renaissance technology in general. We also visit the house where Leonardo was born surrounded by the centuries-old olive trees of Montalbano. After our visit we will make a stop at one of the Tuscan vineyards where we learn about the winemaking techniques and enjoy a tasting of some of the wines with a light lunch before returning to our hotel. The remainder of day will be at leisure before we meet for our farewell dinner. (B, L, D)Day 6 Viareggio to London. After breakfast we check out and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London. (B)GRAND HOTEL ROYAL, VIAREGGIO The Grand Hotel Royal in Viareggio is an elegant seaside retreat that blends timeless charm with modern comfort. Set along Viareggio%u2019s iconic promenade, the hotel offers views of the sparkling Tuscan coast and Tyrrhenian Sea with easy access to sandy beaches, boutique shops and lively caf%u00e9s. Inside the hotel guests are welcomed by classic Italian d%u00e9cor, spacious lounges, and an atmosphere that reflects the town%u2019s rich Belle %u00c9poque heritage. The 114 bedrooms are thoughtfully appointed with either a shower or bath, safe, minibar, satellite TV, hair dryer, complimentary tea/coffee making facilities, a heater/air-conditioning unit and complimentary Wi-Fi. All of the elegant rooms are furnished in a classic style and some rooms feature a private balcony overlooking the sea or the hotel%u2019s lush gardens. Guests can also unwind by the outdoor pool, stroll through the hotel%u2019s tranquil gardens, or enjoy refined dining with menus inspired by fresh Tuscan ingredients and coastal specialties. Guests can savour exquisite meals in the hotel%u2019s elegant restaurant or enjoy a relaxing aperitivo with sunset views. 2 Chester Close, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7BE+44 (0)20 7752 0000 | info@noble-caledonia.co.uk | www.noble-caledonia.co.ukPRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel %u2022 Five nights accommodation at the Grand Hotel Royal %u2022 Meals as indicated (B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner) %u2022 Wine, beer or soft drinks with each included lunch and dinner %u2022 Excursions as specified with local guide %u2022 1st Class tickets for Madame Butterfly at the Puccini Opera Festival %u2022 Noble Caledonia Tour Manager %u2022 Gratuities %u2022 Transfers %u2022 Airport taxes. Not Included: Travel insurance.PRICES PER PERSONBased on double occupancyDay 1 London to Viareggio, Italy. Fly by scheduled flight and on arrival, transfer to the Grand Hotel Royal in Viareggio for our five night stay. After some time to settle in we will meet this evening for dinner. (D)Day 2 Lucca. After breakfast we make our way inland to the lovely town of Lucca. Hidden behind imposing Renaissance walls the city boasts delightful, cobbled streets, handsome piazzas and shady promenades. Our guided tour will include the Basilica di San Frediano, the Roman amphitheatre and the San Martino Cathedral, the most important religious monument in Lucca. We will also visit the Puccini Museum located in the house where the composer was born in 1858 and which has been faithfully reconstructed containing furniture and paintings which belonged to the family. Also see many documents and the Steinway piano on which Puccini composed some of his masterpieces. After some time for lunch and further exploration of Lucca we will return to the hotel in the late afternoon with the remainder of the day at leisure. (B) Day 3 Torre de Lago & Puccini Opera Festival. This morning is free to relax in the hotel, visit the beach or explore Viareggio. Later this afternoon we will drive the short distance to Torre del Lago. Puccini originally visited the town in the summer of 1891 and in 1899 bought a house here where he wrote many of his works including La Boheme, Tosca and Madame Butterfly. Today we can explore the house which was his main residence until his death in 1924. Now a museum, it contains many of his manuscripts, paintings and furnishings as well as his Forster piano. After dinner in a local restaurant we will head to the Teatro Puccini for a performance of Madame Butterfly. (B, D)Madame Butterfly is a tragic opera set in Nagasaki, Japan, in the early 1900s. It tells the story of Cio-Cio-San, a young Japanese geisha (nicknamed %u201cButterfly%u201d), who enters into an arranged marriage with Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton, an American naval officer. Pinkerton treats the marriage casually, viewing it as temporary while he is stationed abroad whilst Cio-Cio-San gives up her family, converts to Christianity, and devotes herself to him. Shortly after the wedding, Pinkerton leaves Japan. Cio-Cio-San waits faithfully convinced he will return and gives birth to his son. When Pinkerton returns, with his American wife, they want to take the child back to America. Pinkerton, overwhelmed by guilt, cannot face Cio-Cio-San. When she learns the truth, she agrees to give up her son if Pinkerton comes to see her one last time. After saying goodbye to her child, she takes her own life. Pinkerton arrives too late, calling out her name as the curtain falls.Day 4 Pisa. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and relaxing morning for independent exploration. In the early afternoon we will drive to historic Pisa. Long celebrated as a maritime republic and centre of learning, Pisa today offers visitors a delightful blend of Medieval splendour and quiet Italian charm. We will arrive at the Piazza dei Miracoli, the %u2018Square of Miracles%u2019, a breathtaking The ItineraryClassic Double Room %u00a32995Partial Sea View Room %u00a33295Front Sea View Room %u00a33495Front Sea View Room with Balcony %u00a33695Classic Double Room for sole use %u00a33795Classic Double Room