Itinerary
- Day 1
Rome to Florence
You'll leave Rome and head north through Lazio and Umbria, taking time to stop in Orvieto where the Gothic duomo is the main draw of this hilltop city. From there, continue on to Siena to see the Piazza del Campo before arriving in Florence for a two-night stay. This day covers quite a bit of ground as you move through central Italy, so most of your time will be spent traveling between these stops.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental breakfast at hotel)
Optional Activities
- Visit Orvieto's Gothic duomo
- Explore Orvieto's medieval streets and local wine bars
- Visit Siena's Piazza del Campo
- Explore Florence's historic city center on first evening
Landmarks/POIs Orvieto Cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta) Piazza del Campo - Day 2
Florence
Start with a guided tour through Florence's cobbled streets, where you'll learn about the city's architecture and history from your guide. After the tour wraps up, the rest of the day is yours to do what you want. You can visit museums to see Renaissance paintings and sculptures, wander through neighborhoods to find local restaurants, or just walk around and see where your feet take you. There's plenty to see without needing a packed schedule.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental breakfast at hotel)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Florence
Optional Activities
- Cross Ponte Vecchio bridge
- Visit the Uffizi Gallery
- Explore Piazza della Signoria
- Visit local markets
- Dining at local restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Ponte Vecchio Uffizi Gallery Piazza della Signoria - Day 3
Florence to Pisa
Head out from Florence and drive through Tuscan countryside toward La Spezia, where you'll get a train ticket for Cinque Terre. You can visit any or all of the five villages at your own pace, spending as much or as little time as you like in each one. Later, you'll make your way to Pisa for an overnight stay. The flexibility here means you control how much time you spend exploring each village versus traveling between them.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental breakfast at hotel)
Included Activities
- Return train ticket from La Spezia to all Cinque Terre villages
Optional Activities
- Visit Riomaggiore
- Visit Manarola
- Visit Corniglia
- Visit Vernazzo
- Visit Monterosso
- Beach visit in Monterosso
- Explore Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa
- Stroll along the Arno River
- Visit Camposanto Monumentale
- Visit historic churches in Pisa
- Dining at local restaurants in Pisa
Landmarks/POIs Riomaggiore Manarola Corniglia Vernazzo Monterosso Piazza dei Miracoli Camposanto Monumentale - Day 4
Pisa to Montepulciano
You have the morning free in Pisa to photograph the leaning tower and see the city before departing. Then you'll travel through Tuscany, passing through Lucca with its city walls and medieval center, then Volterra perched on a hilltop. Finally you'll arrive in Montepulciano for a two-night stay. This day moves through several different towns, each with its own character, so you're seeing quite a variety of Tuscan landscapes and architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental breakfast at hotel)
Optional Activities
- Photograph the Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Walk along Lucca's city walls
- Visit Piazza dell'Anfiteatro in Lucca
- Visit Cathedral of St Martin in Lucca
- Visit Museo Etrusco in Volterra
- Admire Palazzo Incontri-Viti in Volterra
- Relax at Piazza San Giovanni in Volterra
- Evening walk through Montepulciano's medieval streets
Landmarks/POIs Leaning Tower of Pisa Lucca city walls Piazza dell'Anfiteatro Cathedral of St Martin (Cattedrale di San Martino) Museo Etrusco Palazzo Incontri-Viti Piazza San Giovanni - Day 5
Montepulciano
Your morning is relaxed in Montepulciano, giving you time for an espresso and pastry at a local café before heading out. You'll explore the Val d'Orcia region, stopping first in Pienza, a Renaissance town with architectural highlights. Next comes a winery visit with a tour and tasting of local wines. After that, you'll go to Bagno Vignoni, an ancient spa village with natural thermal pools. By evening you'll return to Montepulciano to stay the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental breakfast at hotel)
Included Activities
- Montepulciano winery visit and tasting
Optional Activities
- Walk to Piazza Grande from town center
- Admire Palazzo Comunale
- View panoramic vistas over Val d'Orcia from Piazza Grande
- Visit Pienza duomo
- Visit Diocesan Museum in Pienza
- Explore Pienza's Renaissance architecture
- Visit Bagno Vignoni archaeological park
- Explore Bagno Vignoni's ancient spa
- Evening sunset walk through Montepulciano
Landmarks/POIs Piazza Grande Palazzo Comunale Val d'Orcia Pienza Cathedral Diocesan Museum Bagno Vignoni - Day 6
Montepulciano to Rome
You'll travel south from Tuscany into the Maremma region to explore Etruscan heritage, including Sovana's necropolis and the carved Via Cava. Then you'll stop at Capodimonte on Lake Bolsena where you can relax or take a boat tour if you want. From there, you'll head through Lazio back toward Rome, arriving around 7pm. This day wraps up the trip as you journey back south through different regions with stops along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental breakfast at hotel)
Optional Activities
- Visit Etruscan Necropolis in Sovana
- Walk along Via Cava ancient road
- Explore Sovana medieval hamlet
- Stroll along Capodimonte waterfront
- Explore Rocca Farnese fortress
- Take a boat tour on Lake Bolsena
Landmarks/POIs Sovana Etruscan Necropolis Via Cava Capodimonte Lake Bolsena Rocca Farnese
