The Villages of Tuscany

Day 1 : Florence > Lucca

Arrive in Florence airport where you will be met and trasnferred to Lucca.

Day 2 : Lucca

Today you will enjoy a private cooking class with local chef. Your chef will talking along the historic centre where you will buy ingredients and learn about the local cuisine. After the cooking class you will enjoy your freshly prepared lunch. In the afternoon you will meet your guide for a private guided tour.

Lucca is a fascinating Renaissance town hidden behind imposing Renaissance walls, its cobbled streets, handsome piazzas and shady promenades make it a perfect destination to explore by foot.

Day 3 : Lucca > Pisa > Lucca

After breakfast you will be picked up for a half day excursion to Pisa. Start from Piazza dei Miracoli with its marble architecture and neat grass lawns. Your guide will accompany you on your visit to the precious interiors of the Cathedral di Pisa, a masterpiece of Romanesque art. Once outside you can admire the Baptistery, the Monumental Graveyard and, finally, the world famous Leaning Tower.

After you will drive to a Fattoria (Farmhouse), where you will visit the olive oil mill, the wine cellars and the aromatic garden before enjoying an olive oil tasting paired with cheeses.

Driving back to Lucca you can stroll through Villa Torrigiani and Villa Reale di Marlia, before returning to your hotel.

Day 4 : Lucca > Volterra > Bolgheri > Castagneto Carducci > Lucca

This morning you will drive for a full day excursion to Volterra a village built on a hill between the Era and Cecina valleys. This historic village was built by ancient Etruscans around the 13th century, where you can enjoy the picturesque atmosphere.

Your guide will take you around the main sites while explaning Volterra’s fascinating history. The village has been known for centuries for the manufacture of alabaster whose artifacts are some of the most important products of Italian craftsmanship.

In the heart of the city: Piazza San Giovanni with the Cathedral and the Baptistery, are important examples of local medieval architecture. Outside the historic center you can admire the splendid Roman Theatre and the riuns of the Etruscan Acropolis .

Time at leisure for lunch on your own , then you will reach the Tyrreanian coast and the amazing villages of Bolgheri and Castagneto Carducci. Bolgheri , a fascinanting old hilltown, which rose up around a medieval castle, exerts an undying charm. Not far from the coast, the town is nevertheless buried deep in a countryside rich with vines and olive groves, while the town centre shows an admirable harmony of architecture. Next you will visit the medieval village of Castagneto Carducci before returning to Lucca.

Day 5 : Lucca > Bagno Vignoni > Pienza

This morning you will be transferred to Pieza, located in the enchanting Orcia Valley. Make a stop in Bagno Vignoni, known for its hot springs.

Pienza, a wonderful Renaissance jewel where you have time at leisure to stroll through the narrow streets, view the marvelous Palaces and squares and the many shops full of gastronomic specialties.

Day 6 : Pienza > Arezzo > Cortona > Pienza

This morning you will be picked up from your hotel in Pienza for a full day excursion to the medieval city of Arezzo. Meet your guide and explore main sites and the history – from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance – in the footsteps of the great Italian artists such as: Cimabue to Piero della Francesca and Lorenzetti to Vasari.

After your tour, enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure in Cortona or Arezzo before transferring back to Pienza.

Day 7 : Pienza > Montepulciano > San Quirico D’Orca > Montalcino > Pienza

Today you will be driven to medieval city of Montepulciano. Time at leisure to enjoy a walk through the historic centre.

Later drive to a historic winery, where you will have a guided visit and a wine tasting. Continue your journey and make a short stop at the historic village of San Quirico d’Orcia on the way to Montalcino.

In Montalcino you can stroll through local shops and restaurants before joining a wine tasting at a local winery. Transfer back to Pienza.

Day 8 : Pienza > Florence

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Florence where arrangements end.