Explore Tuscany Tour: Ancient Towns, Coastlines, Snorkeling & Trekking

What to expect on this itinerary
Step off the beaten path on your custom-tailored luxury vacation for a view of the unparalleled charms of Tuscany. From undulating open valleys to treasured shores, experience an unforgettable journey through the uncharted and overlooked splendors of Elba, Florence, and the surrounding beauty of Tuscany. The Mediterranean sun spreads over the rugged and lush niches of the Island of Elba. Emerald hills and cypress trees expand across the lengths of the horizon. Museums display breathtaking artwork. Ancient villages display remnants of their heritage along cobbled lanes and antique walls.
Customizable Itinerary
Seemingly Known
Culture is the root of all things in Tuscany, emanating from the cobblestone streets and cast across the landscape in vineyards and cypress trees. The emerald hillsides are as much a part of people’s lives as the traditional prosciutto made from boar as well as the unparalleled frescoes decorating secluded churches in medieval villages. When you arrive at Florence International Airport, your private transfer greets you and welcomes you to Italy. Soon you settle into your luxurious accommodation in the heart of Florence’s historic center, where the truth in the cultural base of Tuscany comes to life.
The scent of fresh pastries blends with the savory aroma of simmering sauces. Olive groves grow outside of the city, and the Arno River separates the city center from Oltrarno, connected by a series of bridges; including the Ponte Vecchio, the Old Bridge, lined with goldsmiths and jewelers. Florence has a tangible energy and remains one of the most visited cities in the world. And yet it can maintain pockets of uncharted beauty, alongside the breathtaking art of Michelangelo and Botticelli. The narrow streets of the Oltrarno intertwine sophisticated artisan shops, woodwork and ceramics, and the distinctive traditional flavors of Tuscany. Settling into Florence is emblematic of the surrounding region, filled with endless beauty any way you turn your head.
What's Included:
En Route to the Waters
Inside the Pearl of the Mediterranean
More than Unique
Active Elba
Taking in the Sights
Returning to Renaissance Streets
Back on Track
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy the cool waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the crystal clear view of the seafloor on a snorkel excursion
- Discover secluded beaches around the Isle of Elba, accessible only by sea routes
- Revel in the rugged and lush landscapes of Elba on a trekking excursion that leads you around the historic cities of the island
- Visit Napoleon Bonaparte’s villa overlooking Elba’s coastline
- Explore the quaint streets and powerful ancient walls of the Tuscan town of Volterra
- Wander through the exceptional historical streets and immerse yourself in the charming ambiance of Portoferraio, Elba’s main town
- Witness one of the largest collections of antique armor in the world at a private museum on the hills of Florence
Detailed Description
Discover Tuscany in a way you have never imagined before. On this 8-day customized best of Tuscany tour of the countryside and island life, you will experience luxury, charm, beauty, and a wealth of history of which only Italy can provide. Your journey begins in Florence, upon your arrival at Florence International Airport. Your private transfer greets you and quickly escorts you into the city where you can settle into your centrally located hotel. Become acquainted with Florence, a city known for its Renaissance art and unique ambiance similar to an open-air museum.
The following day, your private transfer will escort you to Volterra, an enchanting medieval town with ancient roots. After your exploration of Volterra, you continue westward to the port city of Piombino, where you board the ferry to Elba, an island paradise that is part of the region of Tuscany. You settle into the quiet town of Marciana Marina. Wake up to the elegant colors of the island with a private tour of Portoferraio and Napoleon Bonaparte’s historic villa.
In the evening, you can board a boat at the marina and venture out to sea for an indulgent sunset cruise around the island’s coastline. The following day, you can relax around the bay of Capo Sant’Andrea, enjoying the sunshine and even snorkeling in the clear waters. Your guide meets you the next day eager to take you out into the water for a private kayak excursion along the coastline, visiting secluded beaches or the graceful lighthouse.
Revel in an active day of hiking around the island, whether it’s exploring villages, archeological sites, or the panoramic views, the day is at your leisure. The next day, your private transfer leads you to the marina, where you board the ferry and return to mainland Italy. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore Tuscany, whether visiting medieval villages around Florence, wandering trough Pisa, or visiting unique museums. On your final morning in Tuscany, your private transfer meets you at the hotel and escorts you to Florence International Airport for your flight home.
Starting Price
$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 1213 reviews
We had a wonderful trip. We started off dealing with a canceled train on the arrival day due to a strike, but you had back-up train tickets even before we arrived in Rome. The drivers were all on time and very courteous. The drivers in Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast were exceptional. The driver from Naples to Sorrento was very nice and helpful; however, his car smelled of smoke and was not very clean. The hotels in Florence and Rome were great, but the Sorrento hotel was not as nice. You spoiled us with the standards in Florence and Rome.
Our one suggestion for Capri involves time management. While no one can predict the crowds, I would suggest notifying your travelers that getting to Anacapri will take a long time, either by taxi or bus. Our group from the boat took an hour and 20 minutes to get to Anacapri by bus. The trip back to Marina Grande was an hour. There are no direct buses to and from Anacapri and Marina Piccola. My wife and I then walked to Marina Piccola since waiting for a bus would have made us late for the boat. The others in the group waited for taxis in Anacapri and we still beat them back to the boat, even though we walked from Marina Grande to Marina Piccola. Four hours is just not enough time to go up to Anacapri to ride the chair lift and get back. This was the only time we felt rushed during our trip.
We would like to thank you for a wonderful trip and would recommend your agency to others.
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Zicasso's travel agency far exceeded our expectations. We had our five-year-old and 11-year-old children with us, so the tour guides and walking needed to be kid-friendly.
Our hotel in Rome was wonderful, the location was perfect, and they had good A/C and a breakfast buffet. There were plenty of great restaurants within easy walking distance, as well as the Vatican.
Our tour guide for the Colosseum and Roman Forum was great. Pompeii was amazing. Our tour guide was basically a celebrity down there and knew exactly how to take us around the ruins without ever waiting.
Tuscany was our favorite by far. We did a cheese-making experience and lunch that was super-cool. The kids got to play with the farm animals and the owners were so attentive and interesting. We did a cooking class with a chef that was the kids' favorite thing on the entire trip. I would make a point to book this experience; the kids still talk about it and wear the aprons around the house. The resort in Tuscany was nice. We had our own private pool, plus the resort pool, and could easily walk to a small local town with some great food.
Venice was good, but probably our least favorite on the trip. You have to walk a ton, which was difficult for the kids, but it's still worth experiencing.
We travel a bunch and I would highly recommend using Zicasso's travel partner.
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Overall, the trip was great. We loved the Amalfi Coast trip with our driver and our guide. Our guide was great. I highly recommend her! The boat ride to Capri was in just the right-sized boat, with 12 people. We liked our hotel location, which was right by the town. But note that a third of the hotel was closed, so the dining area is now just a small alley on the side of the hotel. We loved the proximity to the beach area.
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The trip was perfect. We only booked everything about two to three weeks prior to our vacation. To make it more difficult, we are a family of five. Zicasso's tour company took care of everything! We didn't have to stress over any details. The hotels were better than expected and the excursions were beyond expectations.
The two highlights for our family (kids 17, 14, and 12) were the private cooking lesson and the private boat tour of Capri and the Amalfi Coast.
The cooking class with a local at her home was a night to remember. (Amazing family and the view was perfection.) Even my kids said it was perfect. We cooked, we ate, we laughed, and had a magical evening, all with the picturesque backdrop of the Amalfi Coast beneath us.
The boat ride was equally spectacular. We enjoyed the day swimming in the sea and touring all of the grottos and legends of the area. I couldn't have asked for a more relaxing way to see the sites.
The trip was a little more than I originally wanted to spend, but was well worth every penny at the end of the day. I've already forgotten the cost, but will savor the memories with my family forever. The tour company really did an excellent job of planning every detail to ensure we had an amazing time. The regular communication and check-ins provided a stress-free vacation.
Another really nice touch was the chaperone to and from the boat docks in Capri to the hotel. She was lovely and extremely helpful. Overall, I was extremely happy with the experience and would reach out to them again when traveling to Italy.
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My first solo trip was something I had dreamed about for years. I wanted it to be more than sightseeing. I wanted adventure, comfort, safety, and freedom without the stress of planning it all alone. Through Zicasso, I was connected to two specialists and Zicasso's travel consultant stood out immediately. She delivered an itinerary that gave me everything I asked for and more: maximum cities, maximum fun, and maximum value, all without compromise.
Before deciding, I researched and compared tours, packages, and individual prices online. The travel consultant’s proposal came out on top for value and content. While the other agent offered fewer cities and activities at a higher price, her plan was ambitious without being overwhelming. She booked my trains, arranged private transfers where needed, and selected boutique-style hotels that exceeded expectations. I was honestly surprised at how good they were. I stayed at hotels in Interlaken, Florence, and Sorrento. Each was clean, comfortable, and perfectly located for exploring. I had prepared myself for budget trade-offs, but instead, I found thoughtfully chosen hotels that balanced affordability with real quality.
Every document, train ticket, and activity confirmation was uploaded into the app. It became my lifeline throughout the trip, with every detail at my fingertips. The structure gave me confidence, while still leaving me free to explore.
Switzerland came first: Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, and Zermatt. Each city felt like stepping into a postcard. Interlaken gave me the adrenaline rush of skydiving, while Zermatt charmed me with its close-knit magic and alpine beauty. Italy unfolded with equal ease: Lake Como, Venice, Florence, Sorrento, Amalfi, and Rome. Every destination felt curated, yet natural, from gondola rides in Venice to boat tours on the Amalfi Coast.
What I loved most was the balance between structure and freedom. Pre-booked activities and restaurant reservations gave me a strong framework, but I could just as easily decide to spend an afternoon wandering Florence, eating gelato, or sitting in a piazza. The rhythm of the trip was perfect, structured enough to tick off bucket-list highlights, yet relaxed enough to feel like a real vacation.
Food was freestyle, but memorable. Highlights included a Japanese-Peruvian restaurant in Zurich with its elegant Japanese-Peruvian flavors, a different Japanese restaurant, a restaurant in Como with its modern fusion menu, an Indian restaurant for comforting classics, and international favorites like those in one of the restaurants in Rome. Between those meals and plenty of gelato and crepes, every stop added its own flavor to the journey.
As a solo traveler, safety mattered. I felt comfortable walking around in the evenings and was usually back in my hotel by 1am to stay rested for the next day. What really gave me peace of mind was the travel consultant’s constant support. Communication was fast and responsive. I never had to wait long for answers, whether through the app or email. There was a moment when I made a mistake with the trains and missed an activity. She immediately stepped in and worked to reschedule it or secure a refund that same day.
Earlier in the planning process, I also had a card issue due to an address error. Even though policy would not normally allow it, she and her team patiently waited until I received the refund before finalizing the booking, just weeks before my trip. That flexibility and care spoke volumes.
The difference was clear. She used my budget to its fullest potential, giving me more destinations, more experiences, and better hotels than the alternative option. She managed to combine the efficiency of a fully organized tour with the freedom of independent travel. Everything was planned, yet everything was still mine to shape.
This trip was everything I wanted: good food, beautiful views, safety, and absolute reliability. It was an organized journey with freestyle flexibility, which is exactly what solo travelers dream of. The travel consultant’s planning let me chase adventure while always knowing I had a safety net. Switzerland and Italy gave me memories I will never forget, but it was the behind-the-scenes planning that made it possible. If you want a trip that is your way, your budget, your pace, but without the endless hassle of managing it yourself, the travel consultant at this agency is the person who can make it happen. My first solo trip became my dream trip and that is the highest praise I can give.
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We had a wonderful trip! Everything went perfectly! All our guides were great and always on time to the meeting point. Our two favorite guides were in Venice and Florence.
Our guide in Florence went above and beyond, making our tour exactly what we were looking for. He was so knowledgeable, I don't know how he keeps all those details in his head. He gave us such insights into the history and artworks we saw. My husband is a painter and really enjoyed his information on so many of the little details.
We also really enjoyed the visit to the fabric weavers very much!
All the hotels were fabulous and in perfect locations.
We also loved our cooking class in Portofino.
Our boat ride in Cinque Terre was wonderful.
I will definitely be recommending Zicasso to my friends! Thank you for a wonderful trip!
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