Tuscany by Motor Rail Save s on Fuel, Road Tolls, Overnight Hotels on our 10 Day, 9 Night Motorail Tour to Tuscany Blessed with beauty, wine and an unparalleled artistic legacy, Tuscany with its rolling landscape has long been considered the embodiment of rural chic, while its cities harbour a significant slice of the world s Renaissance art. Florence, in itself, boasts more world-class art than many countries. Some people never venture beyond the region s crowded capital, but with some of Italy s most striking Gothic architecture (Siena), the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the walls of Lucca are all an easy trip away. Stupendous art, soul-aching countryside, stirring wine and lip-smacking cuisine is what this enviable region is all about. From the Etruscan marvels at Fiesole to the della Francesca s of Arezzo, from the towers of San Gimignano to markets of Pistoia, there are delights for even the most experienced travellers. TOUR DATES 12th to 21st June 2015 18th to 27th September 2015 Price 1699* Per Person Return P&O Ferry Crossing from Dover to Calais Alternative Crossings Available) Return Motorail Transportation for 1x Car & 2x people (s-hertogenbosch (Holland) to Livorno (Italy) Overnight 2-Berth Sleeper Cabin (each way) Breakfast & Upgrade to a la Carte Dinner on Train in each direction 7 Nights Accommodation at the 4 Star Hotel Borgo di Cortefreda in Tuscany 7 Breakfasts & 7 Dinners at the Hotel Welcome Drink on Arrival at the Hotel Detailed Road Book featuring Great Drives, Maps & Directions Commemorative Tour Rally Plate * Above prices are per person based on 2 persons occupying a car and room. Single room occupancy supplement available on request SAVE 200 IF YOU BOOK BEFORE 2015!
Tour Itinerary & Suggested Drives HARWICH/HOOK OR HULL/ROTTERDAM PASSENGERS Passengers booking these routes will depart on the day prior to the official start date of the tour and will arrive back in the UK the day after the official end date of the tour. DAY 1 04h20 - P&O Ferry crossing departs Dover Eastern Docks 07h10 - (local time) Ferry arrives in Calais followed by drive to 'shertogenbosh Auto Trein terminal - Mileage approx. 194 miles or (07h45 local time) Stena Ferry arrives in Hook of Holland followed by drive to 'shertogenbosh Auto Trein terminal - (Mileage approx. 70 miles) 10h00-12h30 - Car & Passenger check-in at the Auto Trein Terminal 14h21 - Train departs 'shertogenbosh 19h00 - Dinner in restaurant car (meal times are subject to change) DAY 2 - Breakfast on the train 10h00 - Train arrives in Livorno, Italy followed by Car & Passenger disembarkation. As check-in at the hotel is not until 15h00, why not take the short drive to Pisa for lunch and sightseeing (mileage approx 15 miles). Then travel from Pisa to Tavarnelle Val di Pesa and check-in at the hotel Borgo di Cortefreda. (Mileage 57 miles) DAY 3 The Day at Leisure OR Enjoy a wonderful day and scenic drives to San Gimignano, Monteriggioni and Siena. (Mileage approx. 94 miles) DAY 4 The Day at Leisure OR Day Excursion to the beautiful City of Florence. We do not recommend that you attempt to drive your car into the centre of Florence. Outside of Florence's city center are a few parking lots that are free and strategically connected by public transportation to Florence's historical centre. (Mileage approx.18 miles) DAY 5 The Day at Leisure OR - Enjoy one of Italy's most famous drives through the Chianti Wine Region. (Mileage approx. 60 miles) DAY 6 The Day at Leisure OR Enjoy a real 'Car Enthusiasts' tour to Modena, nr Bologna, the home of Ferrari & Lamborghini, where you can visit the respective museums and even take a factory tour! (Mileage approx. 209 miles) DAY 7 The Day at Leisure OR - Enoy the scenic drive from Siena to Grosseto and to the sea taking in some of southern Tuscany s most impressive vistas, as well as a roofless church and the lofty wine town of Montalcino. (Mileage approx. 155 miles) DAY 8 The final day at leisure to explore the beautiful Tuscan scenery
Tour Itinerary continued... DAY 9 Departing the Hotel after breakfast, today you will be heading back to Livorno for the journey back to Holland Milege approx. 58 miles 13h00-15h00 - Car & Passenger check-in at the Auto Trein Terminal 17h03 - Train departs 'shertogenbosh 19h30 - Dinner in restaurant car (meal times are subject to change) DAY 10 Breakfast on train 13h55 - Auto Trein arrives in 'shertogenbosch followed by Car & Passenger Disembarkation. Drive to European port (Dover / Hook of Holland) 18h30 - P&O Ferry crossing departs Calais - Mileage 194 miles 19h00 - P&O Ferry arrives Dover Eastern Docks
Hotel Borgo Di Cortefreda Your Hotel Nestled in the Tuscan hills and boasting sweeping views of the Chianti region, Hotel Borgo Di Cortefreda is steeped in history and offers an array of impressive facilities. You can sit by the hotel's outdoor pool and enjoy a beautiful panorama. Massages and sauna are bookable at reception. In the evenings, guests can enjoy a drink in the American bar and then dine in the restaurant, which serves local Tuscan specialities with a modern twist. Wine and oil tastings can be arranged as well as cooking lessons. Hotel Borgo Di Cortefreda is close to a host of Tuscan towns. The property is an excellent base to explore the natural and historical splendour of Volterra, San Gimignano, Siena and Florence.
Places to Visit Florence Florence's museums, palaces, and churches house some of the greatest artistic treasures in the world. The most popular and important sites in Florence include the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Uffizi, the Bargello, and the Accademia. The churches of Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce are veritable art galleries, and the library of San Lorenzo is a magnificent exhibition of Michelangelo's architectural genius. Wander some of the oldest streets in the city until you reach the Arno River, cross the Ponte Vecchio, and experience the "newest" area of Florence, the Oltrarno. Spend a day at the Boboli Gardens or climb the hill to the church of San Miniato al Monte to experience an enchanting view of Florence. Siena Siena is likely Italy's loveliest medieval city, and a trip worth making even if you are in Tuscany for just a few days. Siena's heart is its central piazza known as Il Campo, known worldwide for the famous Palio run here, a horse race run around the piazza two times every summer. Movie audiences worldwide can see Siena and the Palio in the James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace. Siena is said to have been founded by Senius, son of Remus, one of the two legendary founders of Rome thus Siena's emblem is the she-wolf who suckled Remus and Romulus - you'll find many statues throughout the city. Pisa Pisa is most famous for its Leaning Tower. Many visitors arrive into this university town and visit the Piazza dei Miracoli, or Square of Miracles, where the tower, the cathedral and baptistery form the city's main attraction. Around the square's perimeter you'll also find the Camposanto, Opera del Duomo museum and Museum of the Sinopie which we also highly recommend visiting. A few blocks away, the Piazza dei Cavalieri once was the heart of power in the city and later the headquarters of the Knights of St. Stephen. Today, it is a center of culture and learning as the famous Scuola Normale di Pisa has its base in the Palazzo della Carovana that faces onto the piazza.
About the Auto Slaap Trein 1. Check in: It s easy to find the Auto Slaap Trein (motorail) terminal, is right next to s'hertogenbosch station, It's well signposted. You'll met at the entrance, your ticket is checked. 2. Drop off: Drive round the corner, park up, drop off your passengers & overnight bags. The terminal has toilets, a waiting room with complimentary tea, coffee & squash and an outdoor seating area. 3. Loading the car: When you're ready, follow the directions of the loading staff up the ramp onto the car transporter. High vehicles go on the top & classic cars on the lower deck. On the train: handbrake on, leave it in 1st gear, and disable the alarm. Staff will secure the vehicle as you go back down the ramp to the terminal. 4. Boarding the passenger coaches: The passenger coaches arrive at platform 1, right next to the terminal, about 40-60 minutes before departure. Soap, towels & mineral water are provided, and in the 2-3 bed sleepers you're welcomed with a small complimentary bottle of fizzy that really gets the journey off to a good start.. Sleepers: Sleepers are ideal for couples or small families. This is a 2 or 3 bed sleeper in its daytime mode with beds folded away & sofa folded out. There are toilets at the end of the corridor. The same sleeper, in night mode with the beds folded out, each with crisp clean sheets & cosy duvets. The sleepers are carpeted, airconditioned and have a washbasin in each room. 4-berth: Couchettes are more basic than sleepers, but are ideal for families. In this picture the bunks are away. At night, an upper & lower bunk folds out from the wall on each side of the compartment. In couchette cars there are toilets & washrooms at the end of the corridor..
About the Auto Slaap Trein 6-berth: This is a 6-berth couchette compartment, in daytime mode. At night, upper, middle & lower bunks fold out from the wall on each side of the compartment. Sheets, pillow & blanket are provided for each berth. They are not air -conditioned, but the windows open for ventilation. Look, there's our car! Suddenly, the car transporter wagons are shunted past our sleeper window, as they are taken to the back of the train... All set to go: The car transporters have been loaded and attached to the back of the passenger coaches. The Auto Slaap Trein now awaits its departure time for Italy.. 5. Dinner in the dinning car: The basic Motorail fare includes a basic evening tray meal served in your compartment by the sleeper attendant, similar to a meal served on an airline. Meal Upgrade: However as a part of our package you are upgraded to a proper 3-course meal in the restaurant car as dinner is a highlight of the trip as dinner is normally served as you pass through the Rhine Valley. Your table is reserved with your name on it. The meal doesn't include drinks, but wine, beer or spirits are available, Travel tip: The 'wine offer' (14.50 ) is a great idea, it lets you sample a different wine with each course, from fizzy prosecco to a crisp dessert wine. Along the Rhine Valley: The Livorno train heads down the Rhine Valley in the early evening, past castles, Rhine river barges & vineyards. Pictured, above right: As the waiter brings dessert, the evening sun catches the famous Lorelei Rock, the stuff of German legend, on the far bank of the Rhine.The trains to Italy then pass through Switzerland, via the Gotthard route.
About the Auto Slaap Trein 6. Breakfast in your compartment: Next morning, a light breakfast is served in your compartment, included in the fare. 7. Buongiorno Italia! The Auto Slaap Trein arrives on time at Livorno. Passengers leave the train and walk via the subway to the unloading dock near platform 1. Over the next half hour, the car transporters are detached and shunted into the loading dock. Check Your Vehicle Dimensions 8. Unloading: After a short wait, your name will be called out for you to drive your car off the transporter. Within an hour of arrival, you'll be driving through the uncrowded back roads of Tuscany & Umbria.