Historical Immersion Tour of Stunning Tuscany

Church of San Biagio in Montepulciano, Italy

What to expect on this itinerary

Your customizable 10-day historical tour of Tuscany will lead you from Florence to Siena and from Chianti to the Val d’Orcia. This tour immerses you in celebrated artworks, notable grape varietals, antique defensive walls, and dramatic cathedral facades. Discover the authentic beauty of the countryside among rows of cypress trees and uncover the secrets of crafting handmade pasta.

Countries Visited

Italy

Places Visited

Florence, Chianti, Lucca, Val d’Orcia

Suggested Duration

10 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Florence – Fabulous Introductory Tour

Florence is a majestic city that is steeped in history. Your private transfer will greet you at Florence Peretola Airport upon your arrival in Tuscany and escort you to the comforts of your gorgeous hotel in the heart of the city. After settling into your accommodation, you will meet your guide in the lobby and set out on an introductory tour of Florence’s captivating history. This tour will lead you from the famous Ponte Vecchio to the renowned Duomo. The unreinforced brick dome stands at 376 feet tall.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Day 2

Florence – Renaissance History and Art

Day 3

Chianti – Wine Tour of Chianti

Day 4

Chianti – The History of Siena

Day 5

Val d’Orcia – Private Cooking Class

Day 6

Val d’Orcia – The Hilltop Villages of Val d’Orcia

Day 7

Lucca – Artisan Charm and Beauty at Volterra

Day 8

Lucca – The Architecture of Lucca

Day 9

Lucca – Venture to Pisa and Livorno

Day 10

Lucca – Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Embrace the sensational detail and impressive design of Michelangelo’s David when visiting the Galleria dell’Accademia
  • Witness the exceptional collection of artwork that is featured at the Uffizi Gallery, such as Titian’s Venus of Urbino
  • Wander among the dramatic architectural design of the Cattedrale di Pisa, which blends Pisan Romanesque and Gothic designs
  • Discover the history of Tuscan cuisine and the importance of continued culinary heritage during a cooking class with a master chef
  • Delight in the traditions of wines that have been crafted in the Chianti and Val d’Orcia regions
  • Find marvelous Etruscan remains and paintings from the 1st century BC inside the Town Museum of Montepulciano
  • Learn the preserved art of Alabaster carving during a private demonstration and workshop in the medieval town of Volterra
  • Enjoy an exclusive tour of the Bargello Museum to view the marvelous galleries that host work from master artists, including Donatello

Detailed Description

You will embrace remarkable heritage and culture during this 10-day historical Tuscany tour. With private transfers, luxurious accommodations, and specialist guides, this tour will immerse you in the elaborate past of one of Italy’s most iconic regions. You will have the ultimate experience of exploring secluded villages, charming landscapes, and opulent cityscapes. You will also experience the overlooked canals of Livorno, the celebrated wines of Montepulciano, the renowned list of Pisa’s Leaning Tower, and the ways in which the masters of Renaissance art in Florence continue to reflect the history of the city and greater Italy.

Your historical tour of Tuscany will begin with your arrival at Florence’s international airport, where your private transfer will meet you at baggage claim. You will have two nights in Florence, and your knowledgeable guide will provide an introductory tour of the majestic city that is known for its art, architecture, and culture. You will traverse the famous Uffizi and Accademia museums to view the work of master artists, such as Botticelli and Michelangelo. Two nights in the Chianti region will highlight the splendors of the Tuscan countryside, beginning by unveiling the specific flavors of Chianti wine that has made it popular over the centuries.

You will continue to the Val d’Orcia for two nights. You will learn the art of crafting handmade pasta under the guidance of a chef who is experienced in the traditions of Tuscany’s Cucina Povera. Outside of Pienza, you will visit a local farm to learn the steps to making the special cheese of the preserved town before partaking in an artisan workshop that will teach you about the preservation of local traditions.

Three nights in Lucca will begin with an artisan demonstration of carving alabaster before a guided tour has you traversing the ancient city of Volterra. A full-day tour of Lucca will take you along the famous walls and through the winding cobblestone lanes that surround the Torre Guinigi. Venturing to Pisa will highlight the beauty of Gothic and Romanesque designs in the former naval powerhouse, and your time exploring Livorno will shine a light on the grandeur of the seaside city.

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

The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 6825 reviews

kavita A.
Italy Tour Review: Rome, Venice, Tuscany, Chianti, Vespa Tour, Boat Ride, Cooking Class, 20 Days

Our trip was absolutely amazing and the planning done by Zicasso's travel company surpassed my expectations. The attention to detail was amazing: from excellent and punctual drivers to assistants who helped us with the water taxis in Venice to the lounge access for trains. It was truly white-glove service that made my trip seamless and allowed me to enjoy every moment because every detail was handled.

The excursions were fantastic. I especially enjoyed the cooking class at a farm in Tuscany and the Vespa tours in Rome. There was a nice mix of private excursions for the walking tours and boat rides, to a few shared excursions, such as the cooking class.

The hotels the travel company booked were chic, boutiquey Italian hotels and each had its own charm (from the former palace in Venice to the castle in Chianti), and we loved them. We would absolutely recommend to anyone booking a trip to Italy!

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Carles P.
Italy Travel Review: Assisi, Tuscany, 15-Day Trip

Zicasso's team was excellent with planning and execution of the itinerary to meet our specific needs.

I was able to add an additional city on short notice!

We had knowledgeable local city guides and all drivers were professional.

We had a wonderful family trip!

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Jeff S.
Italy, France Vacation Review: Rome, Florence, Venice, Paris, Bayeux, Normandy, 18 Nights

We had an excellent experience with Zicasso's travel company. We are a family of four and spent 18 nights going through Italy and France. We worked with the company to make arrangements to see the cities and sites we wanted to visit. They offered great options for hotels and activities. They stayed in close contact with us during the trip and made additional arrangements upon request. The company provided outstanding service making arrangements and during the trip. We were very satisified and have already recommended them to our friends.

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Dorothy K.
Italy Tour Review: Rome, Florence, Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius, Ancient Sites, Cooking Class, 1 Week

I can confidently say that Zicasso's travel specialist is truly dedicated to providing her clients a luxury experience. From the outset, we had a 20-minute call where she wanted to learn about our dream vacation and get to know us. She was attentive to every request we made and organized our itinerary accordingly. During the trip, she texted us daily to inform us about our drivers and guides for the next day. Additionally, she checked to ensure our trip was progressing smoothly.

Here are some highlights:

Rome: We were greeted at the airport by our agent, who expedited our passage through passport control. The following day, we started our exploration at the Vatican. Our agent had purchased our tickets in advance, allowing us to skip the line. She also planned the remainder of our self-guided tours of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and other ancient sights. We accomplished so much in just two days!

Florence: We took part in a pasta-making class with a chef who was fantastic! Her husband was also quite charming. Our experience there was truly wonderful. Special thanks to our driver, who was incredibly helpful and informative.

Sorrento (Amalfi Coast): We began with a visit to Pompeii, where our guide, also arranged by our agent, was spectacular! His passion and extensive knowledge made the experience enjoyable. Next, we had a fun blind wine tasting. When we arrived at our amazing hotel, we were greeted with a surprise.

While in Rome, we encountered a minor issue, which our agent resolved quickly. She even went above and beyond by ordering us a bottle of prosecco to celebrate. We also took a car tour of Positano and Ravello, guided by a local from Ravello who was informative, knowledgeable, and delightful. We loved her! Our day ended with a lovely sunset cruise off the coast! Both days had excellent drivers.

This trip was a dream come true for my husband and me. Without a doubt, our agent made it the luxurious experience we desired. I highly recommend her and her team!

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Laura M.
Italy Trip Review: Florence, Amalfi Coast, Uffizi Gallery, 9 Nights

The trip went very well! Our Zicasso travel specialist did a thorough job planning our vacation to Italy. We would definitely use her again.

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Margaret K.
Italy Vacation Review: Lake Garda, Verona, Milan, Boat Trip, Gastro Tour, 1 Week

Our trip was a 10 out of 10! There is no way it could have been any better. Zicasso's travel expert and the tour company's team were incredibly responsive (not that we had any issues) and the itinerary was so impeccably curated.

Every greeter, driver, and tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and professional, and hotels were immaculate. It was such a relief to know that every last detail was taken care of and we didn't have to worry about anything.

We highly recommend our travel company and would definitely use them again.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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