Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Florence
You'll arrive in Florence and take public transport to your hotel in Montecatini Terme. Settle in this evening and get comfortable in your base for the week ahead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Individual airport transfer from Florence airport to hotel (subject to availability, additional charge)
- Day 2
Florence
Meet your guide in the morning, then take the train to Florence. Once there, you'll walk through the old town and learn about the Renaissance period and the city's artistic background. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is on the schedule, where you can see the famous dome up close. After that, head to Piazza della Signoria to check out the political center of the city. Later in the day, cross the Ponte Vecchio bridge for views of Florence and the Arno River below.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Florence old town with local tour guide
- Visit Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
- Explore Piazza della Signoria
- Walk across Ponte Vecchio
Landmarks/POIs Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore Piazza della Signoria Ponte Vecchio - Day 3
Pisa
Head to Pisa by train to skip the traffic hassles around the main sites. On the Campo del Miracoli you'll see the Leaning Tower of Pisa with its white Carrara marble, plus the Cathedral of Sant Assunta, the Baptistery, and the Camposanto Monumentale cemetery all grouped together on the same square.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Campo del Miracoli and Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Visit to Cathedral of Sant Assunta
- Visit to Baptistery
- Visit to Camposanto Monumentale cemetery
Landmarks/POIs Leaning Tower of Pisa Campo del Miracoli Cathedral of Sant Assunta Baptistery Camposanto Monumentale - Day 4
Montecatini Terme
This day is yours to do what you want. You could spend time at a local thermal spa if relaxing sounds good. Alternatively, there's an optional excursion available to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence if you're interested in art and culture. The gallery has impressive works from the 13th to 18th centuries, so it's worth considering if that appeals to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Grotta Giusti thermal spa (day ticket approximately €40, payable locally)
- Visit Excelsior thermal spa complex (approximately €22, payable locally)
- Excursion to Uffizi Gallery in Florence (€160 per person, minimum 6 people, includes train journey to/from Florence, admission and guided tour)
Landmarks/POIs Uffizi Gallery - Day 5
Lucca
Head to Lucca and explore this Italian city known for its preserved 4 km city wall. You'll visit the Cathedral of San Martino and the Church of San Michele in Forno. Piazza dell'Anfiteatro is also worth seeing, with its open space and historic character. Wander through the narrow streets to get a real feel for the local atmosphere and how people actually live in this part of Tuscany.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lucca
- Visit Cathedral of San Martino
- Visit Church of San Michele in Forno
- Explore Piazza dell'Anfiteatro
Landmarks/POIs Lucca City Wall Cathedral of San Martino Church of San Michele in Forno Piazza dell'Anfiteatro - Day 6
Montecatini Terme to Colle Val d'Elsa
Travel south through Tuscany along the Chiantigiana road, which winds between Florence and Siena through one of Europe's largest wine regions. Roll through rolling countryside with vineyards and farm estates as you make your way to Colle Val d'Elsa, arriving by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Travel through Chiantigiana wine region
Landmarks/POIs Chiantigiana - Day 7
Montalcino - Pienza - Siena
Start at the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore perched on a ridge with fields and cypress trees all around. Check out the frescoes and the cloisters, then head to the medieval town of Montalcino for lunch in the old streets. Finish in Pienza, a UNESCO site redesigned as a Renaissance town for Pope Pius II in the 1400s. Try the local Pecorino cheese while you're there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch break in Montalcino), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore
- Explore fresco paintings at Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore
- Visit to Abbey cloisters
- Visit to Montalcino
- Visit to Pienza
Landmarks/POIs Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore Montalcino Pienza - Day 8
Siena
Spend the day in Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its medieval brick buildings and the huge Piazza del Campo where horse races happen twice yearly. The cathedral stands out with its black and white marble, and walking through it shows off the intricate work inside. The whole city has a character you won't find elsewhere.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Siena
- Visit to Piazza del Campo
- Visit to Palazzo Pubblico
- Visit to Siena Cathedral
Landmarks/POIs Siena Piazza del Campo Palazzo Pubblico Siena Cathedral - Day 9
San Gimignano - Montecatini Terme
Start in Volterra, a quiet medieval town centered around Piazza dei Priori with old palaces including the Palazzo dei Priori. Then move on to San Gimignano, known as the 'city of towers' for its 13th century stone towers and medieval streets. End with wine tasting at a vineyard near San Gimignano with local food and homemade specialties before driving back to Montecatini for your final night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Wine tasting and homemade Italian delicacies at vineyard near San Gimignano)
Included Activities
- Visit to Volterra
- Visit to Piazza dei Priori in Volterra
- Visit to Palazzo dei Priori in Volterra
- Visit to San Gimignano
- Wine tasting at vineyard near San Gimignano
- Italian food at vineyard near San Gimignano
Landmarks/POIs Volterra Piazza dei Priori Palazzo dei Priori San Gimignano - Day 10
Departure from Florence
After breakfast, make your way to Florence airport for your return flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Individual airport transfer from hotel to Florence airport (subject to availability, additional charge)
