Tuscan Villages (2022|23) - 8 days

Welcome to Tuscan Villages, a journey boasting Tuscany’s most amazing towns, villages, iconic landscapes and traditions that have profoundly influenced world culture, art, gastronomy and history through a lifestyle that blends passion with simplicity. Across 8 days, be treated to Tuscan gastronomic experiences, enjoy the thrill of a truffle hunt, marvel at its beautiful winding roads and fortified hilltop towns; meander the cobbled streets of secluded villages; visit castles; and discover unforgettable tastings in Italy’s most renowned wine regions.

Highlights and Inclusions

  • The complete Tuscan regional experience: Siena, Lucca and must-see villages, rural retreats and Tuscan gastronomic activities including truffle hunting, cooking class at a local’s home, winery lunches in Chianti and Montalcino and cheese farm visit and tasting.
  • 7 nights in exquisite 4 and 5-star hotels.
  • 7 breakfasts (B), 3 lunches (L), 1 dinner (D).
  • Guided sightseeing in Lucca, Siena and Volterra.
  • Lunch and tasting at a San Gimignano family winery.
  • Truffle hunting experience.
  • Tuscan cooking class at a local’s home.
  • Lunch and wine tastings in Tuscany’s renowned Chianti and Montalcino regions.
  • Cheese farm visit and tasting.
  • Alabaster stone crafting workshop.
  • Visit villages that rank amongst the best in Italy including Volterra, Pienza and Monteriggioni.
  • Entrance to Pisa’s Leaning Tower, Siena Cathedral and Piccolo Library and Abbey of Sant’Antimo.
  • Deluxe VIP transport.
  • Airport transfers on first and last day.
  • Note: hotel city taxes, if applicable, are not included.

Upcoming Departures

CommencesConcludesPrice (twin share per person)Price (single supplement)
FlorenceFlorence Tours from $5,790 USD
27 May 20233 June 2023$7,390 AUD$3,700 AUD
1 July 20238 July 2023$7,390 AUD$3,700 AUD
29 July 20235 August 2023$7,390 AUD$3,700 AUD
16 September 202323 September 2023$7,390 AUD$3,700 AUD
7 October 202314 October 2023$7,390 AUD$3,700 AUD
Commences: Florence Conclude: Florence Prices (twin share): Prices (single): Availability: Tours from $5,790 USD
Commences: 27 May 2023 Conclude: 3 June 2023 Prices (twin share): $7,390 AUD Prices (single): $3,700 AUD Availability:
Commences: 1 July 2023 Conclude: 8 July 2023 Prices (twin share): $7,390 AUD Prices (single): $3,700 AUD Availability:
Commences: 29 July 2023 Conclude: 5 August 2023 Prices (twin share): $7,390 AUD Prices (single): $3,700 AUD Availability:
Commences: 16 September 2023 Conclude: 23 September 2023 Prices (twin share): $7,390 AUD Prices (single): $3,700 AUD Availability:
Commences: 7 October 2023 Conclude: 14 October 2023 Prices (twin share): $7,390 AUD Prices (single): $3,700 AUD Availability:
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Day: 1 Florence

D

Welcome to Florence, the heart of Tuscany and the perfect starting point for your Tuscan experience. Transfer to your hotel and relax in readiness for tomorrow’s departure. If not partaking in our pre-tour Florence city break, we suggest a visit to Florence Cathedral, Accademia or Uffizi Galleries or simply stroll the streets and take advantage of Florence’s famous leather markets. In the evening, meet in the lobby for a tour welcome and dinner.

Overnight: Italy, Florence - L'Orologio Hotel Rating 
 4   or similar

Day: 2 Florence – Lucca – Pisa – Florence

B

Visit Lucca, famous for its historic centre, medieval towers and best-preserved ramparts in Italy. Enjoy a walking tour with a local guide with leisure time afterward to continue exploring the town’s maze of streets, people watch in its famous Piazzas (Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, Verdi, Napoleone and San Michele) or wander along its ancient walls. In the afternoon, visit Pisa to enter the Leaning Tower and the Piazza del Duomo before returning to Florence for an evening of leisure.

Overnight: Italy, Florence - L'Orologio Hotel Rating 
 4   or similar

Day: 3 Florence – San Gimignano – Chianti retreat

B, L

Depart for the Tuscan countryside to visit the multi-towered town of San Gimignano; a 12th century Romanesque church with famous frescoes; and the Piazza del Duomo that houses the Museo Civico and Palazzo del Popolo. Enjoy time to explore the town at your leisure including perhaps, climbing the stairs of one of the towers for a fantastic view. Afterward, enjoy a Tuscan lunch paired with local wine at a family winery, before checking into a wonderful Chianti retreat with an evening to relax in the property.

Overnight: Italy, Tuscany (Chianti) - Castel di Spaltenna Rating 
 4   or similar

Day: 4 Chianti retreat – Volterra – Monteriggioni – Chianti retreat

B

Visit the ancient village of Volterra, an important Etruscan city, featuring beautiful winding cobbled streets and artisan craftsmanship, particularly alabaster carvings. The walled mountaintop town’s history dates to before the 7th century BC and contains structures from the Etruscan, Roman and Medieval periods. Your local guide will provide a guided walking tour which includes a brief alabaster stone workshop to learn the secrets of carving the local stone. Afterward, enjoy free to time before continuing to the unique medieval walled town of Monteriggioni.

Overnight: Italy, Tuscany (Chianti) - Castel di Spaltenna Rating 
 4   or similar

Day: 5 Chianti region

B, L

Enjoy the entire day exploring the Chianti region, commencing with a hands-on cooking class in the home of a local, followed by lunch with local wine. In the afternoon, visit a Chianti winery for a tour and tasting before returning to your Chianti retreat.

Overnight: Italy, Tuscany (Chianti) - Castel di Spaltenna Rating 
 4   or similar

Day: 6 Chianti retreat – Siena – Montalcino retreat

B

This morning, enjoy a privately guided walking tour of Siena’s historic centre, declared a World Heritage Site for its preserved gothic appearance dating from the 12th to 15th century. The tour includes an explanation of Siena’s Contrade or family districts that have existed since the Middle Ages, as well as visits to Siena Cathedral and Piazza del Campo, that hosts the twice yearly Palio horse race. Afterward, enjoy time to explore Siena yourself before departing for the amazing Val d’Orcia, a region of Tuscany characterised by gentle cultivated hills, gullies and picturesque villages that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural landscape. Check-in to your magnificent retreat near Montalcino and relax and enjoy this rural paradise.

Overnight: Italy, Montalcino - Mastrojanni Relais Rating 
 4   or similar

Day: 7 Montalcino region

B, L

Visit Montalcino village with free time to discover and visit its quaint stores. Afterwards, continue to an acclaimed Montalcino winery for a tour, tasting and lunch. In the afternoon, visit the ancient Abbey of Sant’Antimo, with the monastery dating to the 9th century before returning to your hotel.

Overnight: Italy, Montalcino - Mastrojanni Relais Rating 
 4   or similar

Day: 8 Montalcino retreat – Pienza – Florence

B

Participate in the thrill of a truffle hunt on a farm in the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage listed region surrounding Pienza. Afterward, enjoy a truffle and cheese tasting and a quick visit to the town of Pienza, before returning to the Florence airport or train station for your ongoing journey.

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