Touchingly beautiful Tuscany

Route

Eight days of Tuscany as you want to see it. You start in Lucca, with a trip to Pisa and the Leaning Tower, take the train to Florence to explore the city without parking worries, drive through the villages of Chianti and finish with Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra, Pienza and Montepulciano.

Pace

City days alternate with time in the hills. Cycling on the ramparts of Lucca, strolling through Florence, lunching among the vineyards in Chianti and a glass of Vino Nobile on a terrace in Montepulciano.

Accommodation

You will sleep in a historic villa or agriturismo near Lucca, then in a hotel in Chianti among olive trees and vineyards.

Profile

For those who want to see and experience Tuscany. Art in Florence, medieval squares in Siena, wine in Chianti, and in between, simply enjoying that typical Tuscan light.

Day 1: Departure to Florence

Pick up your hire car at the airport and drive to the Lucca area. Here you will stay in a renovated historic villa or a charming agriturismo with a beautiful garden in the green hills near Lucca. In any case, you will have a beautiful view of the surrounding hills and the Tuscan countryside.

Day 2: Pisa and Lucca

Your day starts with a visit to Pisa. The highlights here are the “Piazza dei Miracoli” with the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and the Baptistery. Then you continue to the walled city of Lucca, with its picturesque squares and charming shops. Don't forget to have a coffee on the oval Piazza Anfiteatro or take a bike ride on the city walls!

Day 3: Florence

You will depart for Florence by train, without any parking stress. You will explore this beautiful city of the Medici family, Dante Alighieri, Michelangelo and Botticelli. You will stroll past beautiful shops, historic squares and magnificent palazzi, in the shadow of Brunelleschi's dome.

Day 4: The Chianti region

Along winding roads, you will discover Castellina, Gaiole and Greve in Chianti, in the famous wine region known for its excellent wine. You will stay in one of our hotels in the renowned and centrally located Chianti region.

Day 5: Siena

Siena awaits you, one of the most beautiful cities in Tuscany, with its impressive buildings grouped around the shell-shaped “Piazza del Campo”, where 17 “contrade” (city districts) compete against each other every year in the famous “palio”.

Day 6: San Gimignano and Volterra

Your first stop is San Gimignano, with its 13 tall towers and beautiful Piazza della Cisterna, which was the New York of the Middle Ages. Then you will visit Volterra, one of the most beautiful villages in Tuscany, situated on a hill, with its Etruscan city walls, impressive Roman theatre, and interesting Museo Guarnacci, with numerous remains from Etruscan civilisation.

Day 7: Pienza and Montepulciano

You will discover the “ideal town” of Pienza, the result of the harmonious collaboration between Pope Pius II and Bernardo Rossellino, a brilliant architect. Your last stop is the Renaissance town of Montepulciano, also known for its “vino nobile” and delicious cuisine, and definitely worth a visit.

Day 8: Return home

You will drive back to Florence Airport, where you will return your hire car and fly back home.

Activities

Walking

Tuscany is best explored on foot. Through the vineyards of Chianti, over the city walls of Lucca, or through the narrow streets of Florence and Siena. Up the hill, down the square, terrace in sight.

Swimming

Want to cool off? You can do so on the Tyrrhenian coast at Forte dei Marmi, in the warm springs of Cascate del Mulino, or simply in the swimming pool of your villa in the hills.

Road trip

Drive from Pisa to San Gimignano, from Siena to the villages in Chianti. Stop wherever you want: at a winery, a viewpoint or a small village that wasn't on your itinerary. That's exactly the point.

Frequently asked questions about this tour of Tuscany

Do I need a hire car for this tour of Tuscany?

Yes. A hire car gives you the freedom to drive between Lucca, the Chianti region, Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra and Montepulciano. Many charming villages and wineries are not accessible by public transport. For Florence, take the train: it's faster, easier and there's no parking stress.

When is the best time for a tour of Tuscany?

May, June and September are ideal: pleasant temperatures and less crowds in Florence, Pisa and Siena. In July and August, it gets warmer and popular places are busier. For those who want to hike, cycle or taste wine in Chianti, spring and autumn are the best times.

What makes this 8-day tour different from a longer trip to Tuscany?

This route focuses on the great classics at a logical pace: Lucca – Florence – Chianti – Siena. You stay longer in each region and avoid packing and unpacking every day. Fewer kilometres, more enjoyment. Perfect as a first introduction to Tuscany or as a short, intense cultural trip.