Embark on an unforgettable 8-day adventure through the enchanting Tuscany region and discover the hidden gems of Italian history, cuisine and countryside. This tour will take you to some of the most stunning locations in Italy, including Florence, Chianti, Pievascola, San Gimignano, Volterra, Siena, and Montepulciano. Get ready to indulge in mouth-watering local delicacies, explore ancient historical treasures and unwind in peaceful rural havens.
Itinerary Highlights
Explore historical towns and cities
Local Tuscan cooking class
Chianti tasting
Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites
Winery visits
What’s included
Private tours for most included activities
Meet & greet airport service
Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
Expert guides in each destination
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
07
Nights
Price Guide
$POA
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Day 1
Fly to Florence
Day 1
Arrive Florence
Upon arrival at Florence Airport, your local representative will wait in the arrivals hall for your private transfer to your luxurious hotel in the heart of the city on Piazza della Republica.
Day 2
The Uffizi Gallery and Florence’s Lesser Visited Gems
Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel, and enjoy a walking tour of Florence with your local English-speaking guide. This tour will include visits to the Uffizi Gallery, which houses some of the world’s most important art treasures, and the Church of Santa Croce, where many famous Florentines, such as Michelangelo and Galileo, are buried.
In the afternoon, explore some of Florence’s lesser-visited gems (3 hours). Walk by the impressive Duomo on to the lovely Piazza Santissima Annunziata, where the Spedale degli Innocenti, Europe’s first orphanage and a masterpiece of Classical design, is fronted by Brunelleschi’s colonnade. The Convent of San Marco is a delight with its frescoed monk cells, whilst the Scalzo Cloisters with frescoes by Andrea del Sarto depict scenes from the life of John the Baptist.
Day 3
Learn the Art of Tuscan Cuisine
It is often argued that Italy has the finest cuisine in the world; today, you can learn the skills of the Tuscan kitchen with a private hands-on cookery lesson at an important culinary institute with English-speaking instruction. Your morning begins at the Mercato Centrale where your chef will explain how to select the best produce before returning to the kitchen for a hands-on lesson and enjoying the fruits of your labour for lunch. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.
Day 4
Florence – Chianti – Pievascola
Depart Florence today with your driver-guide and head into the famous Chianti region of Tuscany. Visit some lovely hilltop towns, such as Greve and Castellina, and enjoy two wine tastings at local vineyards. Renowned for its art, history and evocative landscapes, Tuscany is a region where the past and present merge in pleasant harmony. Hill towns gaze across the countryside from high, many encircled by Etruscan walls and slender cypress trees. In the countryside, among the vineyards and olive groves, there are hamlets and farmhouses, as well as fortified villas and castles that symbolize the violence and inter-communal strife that tore Tuscany apart in the Middle Ages. Stop for a ‘refuel’ of local Tuscan wine before heading to your beautiful hotel in the Tuscan countryside.
Day 5
Siena, San Gimignano & Monteriggioni
Today, your English-speaking local guide will meet you at your hotel for a 3-hour walking tour of Siena. The scenic Tuscan town of Siena was built on three hills and is enclosed by a set of walls and gates. Visit the Piazza del Campo, one of Italy’s finest main squares, and see the Palazzo Pubblico, which has served as Siena’s Town Hall since the 1300s. Siena’s Duomo is one of the finest Gothic cathedrals in Italy and well worth a visit; here, you can see the brilliant frescoes by Pinturicchio that adorn the Piccolomini Library.
This afternoon enjoy an excursion with private vehicle and English-speaking driver-guide to explore the countryside and visit San Gimignano, where you may wish to visit the Collegiata containing 15th-century frescoes, the Palazzo del Popolo, now the municipal museum containing Renaissance paintings, and the Church of Sant’Agostino, or wander the narrow cobbled streets with your driver-guide who will know where to go for the best local wild boar salami and Vernaccia white wine! Time permitting, enjoy a stop in Monteriggioni, a delightful example of a fortified medieval village.
Day 6
Tuscany – At Leisure
Today is a chance to relax and enjoy your fantastic surroundings.
Day 7
Montepulciano, Montalcino and Wine Tasting
Your English-speaking driver-guide will meet you this morning for a full-day excursion to some of Tuscany’s most picturesque towns, Montepulciano and Montalcino, and to enjoy wine tastings.
Montepulciano is an archetypal Tuscan hilltop town set 605 metres above sea level and offering superb views over the surrounding countryside. Inside the ancient city walls and fortifications, you will find winding streets and a wealth of Renaissance-style palazzi and churches. Montalcino, famous for the Brunello wine, is everything you hope for in a Tuscan hilltop town: winding narrow streets and charming flower-covered houses.
Vineyard Visit & Tastings: Today, you will visit a renowned wine estate with its various vineyards, a medieval castle whose origins can be traced to the ancient Etruscans, the Glass Museum, and the famous enoteca, where you will be able to taste some of the area’s most celebrated wines.
Day 8
Fly home
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Price Guide $POA
When to travel
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If you’re planning a trip to Italy, it’s important to consider the weather to ensure that you have an enjoyable experience. The best time to visit Italy in terms of weather is during the months of April to June and September to October, when the weather is mild and pleasant. However, if you’re looking for a winter getaway, January can be a good time to visit as long as you’re prepared for cooler temperatures. In Italy, January is typically one of the coldest months of the year, with average temperatures ranging from 3°C to 12°C depending on the region.
In January, Italy experiences cold and wet weather. The average temperature during this month is around 5°C, with lows of 1°C and highs of 8°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically colder than the south, and snowfall is common in the mountainous areas. It's important to bundle up and dress warmly if you plan on traveling to Italy in January.
In February, Italy experiences cold weather with occasional rainfall. The average temperature during this month is around 7°C, with lows of 4°C and highs of 10°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically colder than the south, and snowfall is still possible in the mountainous areas. It's important to dress warmly and bring rain gear if you plan on traveling to Italy in February.
In March, Italy experiences a transition from colder weather to milder temperatures. The average temperature during this month is around 10°C, with lows of 7°C and highs of 14°C. The northern regions of Italy are still slightly colder than the south, but the temperature is generally pleasant across the country. Rainfall is common during this month, so it's important to bring rain gear if you plan on traveling to Italy in March.
In April, Italy experiences mild and comfortable weather. The average temperature during this month is around 14°C, with lows of 10°C and highs of 18°C. The northern regions of Italy are still slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature is pleasant across the country. Rainfall is still possible, but it is less frequent than in March. April is a great month to visit Italy if you're looking for mild weather and fewer crowds.
In May, Italy experiences mild and pleasant weather with plenty of sunshine. The average temperature during this month is around 18°C, with lows of 13°C and highs of 22°C. The northern regions of Italy are still slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature is comfortable across the country. Rainfall is less frequent, and the days are longer, making it a great time to explore Italy's many outdoor attractions. May is a popular month to visit Italy, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
In June, Italy experiences warm and sunny weather with longer days. The average temperature during this month is around 23°C, with lows of 18°C and highs of 27°C. The northern regions of Italy are still slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature is comfortable across the country. Rainfall is less frequent, and the days are longer, making it a great time to explore Italy's many outdoor attractions. June is a popular month to visit Italy, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
In July, Italy experiences hot and sunny weather with long days. The average temperature during this month is around 28°C, with lows of 22°C and highs of 32°C. The northern regions of Italy are slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature can be quite high across the country. Rainfall is rare during this month, and the days are long, making it a great time to enjoy Italy's many outdoor attractions. July is a popular month to visit Italy, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
In August, Italy experiences hot and sunny weather with long days. The average temperature during this month is around 29°C, with lows of 23°C and highs of 33°C. The northern regions of Italy are slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature can be quite high across the country. Rainfall is rare during this month, and the days are long, making it a great time to enjoy Italy's many outdoor attractions. August is a popular month to visit Italy, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
In September, Italy experiences comfortable and mild weather with fewer crowds. The average temperature during this month is around 23°C, with lows of 18°C and highs of 27°C. The northern regions of Italy are slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature is comfortable across the country. Rainfall is still possible, but it is less frequent than in July and August. September is a great month to visit Italy if you're looking for mild weather and fewer crowds.
In October, Italy experiences cooler weather with occasional rainfall. The average temperature during this month is around 17°C, with lows of 12°C and highs of 21°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically cooler than the south, and rain is common across the country. October is a great month to visit Italy if you're looking for fewer crowds and cooler weather. It's important to bring warm clothes and rain gear if you plan on traveling to Italy in October.
In November, Italy experiences cooler and wetter weather as winter approaches. The average temperature during this month is around 12°C, with lows of 8°C and highs of 16°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically cooler than the south, and rain is common across the country. November is a great month to visit Italy if you're looking for fewer crowds and cooler weather. It's important to bring warm clothes and rain gear if you plan on traveling to Italy in November.
In December, Italy experiences cold and wet weather as winter sets in. The average temperature during this month is around 8°C, with lows of 4°C and highs of 11°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically colder than the south, and snowfall is common in the mountainous areas. It's important to bundle up and dress warmly if you plan on traveling to Italy in December. December is a popular month to visit Italy, especially during the Christmas season, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
Add on’s
This Tuscan itinerary has many add-on holiday options; for example, you could head to Amalfi Coast, located in Campania. The Amalfi Coast is known for its breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea, colourful houses built into the cliffs, and delicious seafood. Another popular destination is Venice, a city built on water famous for its canals, gondolas, and historic architecture. Rome, the capital of Italy, is also a must-visit destination for history buffs and art enthusiasts alike. The city is home to iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Vatican, as well as countless museums and art galleries. Other popular destinations include the Italian Lakes region, known for its picturesque scenery and charming towns, and the island of Sicily, which has a unique culture and cuisine.
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