Discover the beauty, history, and idyllic atmosphere of Tuscany and Cinque Terre during this immersive 8-day vacation. From Renaissance art to medieval towns and Italy’s mouthwatering cuisine, indulge in all this amazing area has to offer. Journey through the medieval town center of San Gimignano, explore the enchanting town of Pisa, and uncover the history of Siena.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Florence – Visit the Florence Cathedral
Your journey will begin when you land at Florence International Airport. A private transfer will greet and transfer you to your luxurious accommodation in the heart of the city. Upon your arrival, you will have some time to settle in and spend at your leisure. In the evening, you will indulge in an evening tour of the Florence Cathedral. The church will be beautifully illuminated under the night sky as you begin to tour with your guide. This introductory tour will immerse you in the history of the city.
What's Included:
Day 2
Florence – Amazing Renaissance Art
Day 3
Siena – Visit Piazza del Campo and Siena Cathedral
Day 4
Lucca – Discover San Gimignano
Day 5
Lucca – The Captivating City of Pisa
Day 6
Riomaggiore – Riomaggiore and Manarola
Day 7
Riomaggiore – Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare
Day 8
Riomaggiore – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Visit the beautiful Florence Cathedral and admire its intricate marble design
- Witness the stunning works of art in the Accademia Gallery, which will transport you back in time to the Renaissance
- Uncover the history of Siena and a city that is filled with historical buildings
- Journey through the medieval town center of San Gimignano and admire its history
- Discover the amazing city of Pisa and explore the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Enjoy two nights in Riomaggiore, which is the southernmost town of Cinque Terre
- Marvel at the Castle of Riomaggiore, which is an ancient castle that dates back to the 13th century
- Admire the panoramic sea views from Monterosso al Mare in Cinque Terre
Detailed Description
Tuscany and Cinque Terre are among the most beautiful places in all of Italy. Your journey to discover the best cities and towns in the area will begin when you land at Florence International Airport. Your first activity in the city will come in the form of an evening tour of the Florence Cathedral. The next morning, you will explore the art of Florence with visits to the Uffizi and Accademia Galleries. The following day, you will travel to your next Tuscan destination of Siena, where a tour of Piazza del Campo will immerse you in the culture and history of the city.
As the sun rises over Siena the next morning, you will begin the scenic ride to your next destination of Lucca. Along the way, you will stop in the charming town of San Gimignano to explore. Once your tour concludes, you will continue your ride through the region and arrive in Lucca. The next day, you will enjoy an excursion to the delightful city of Pisa.
You will then set your sights on the beautiful Cinque Terre region. Gorgeous landscapes will surround you as you traverse the winding roads en route to Riomaggiore. When you arrive, your guide will lead you on an afternoon tour of Riomaggiore and Manarola. The next day, you will explore the final three towns of Cinque Terre: Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare. As the day winds down, you will return to Riomaggiore for the final evening of your trip.
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.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.9 stars based on 5875 reviews.
Zicasso's travel agent created an itinerary and experience that was simply perfect. Every hotel experience, guide, and driver was excellent. She was kind, patient, knowledgeable, and made the perfect suggestions. I loved working with her! Thank you to our agent, the tour operator, and Zicasso for a wonderful trip!
Reviewed By Anita L.
The trip was wonderful. Zicasso's travel agent and her staff planned the perfect 10-day trip. The accommodations, the drivers, the guides, and the restaurant recommendations were perfect. The communication was excellent and timely. They went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and happy. The staff were very attentive and flexible, even when we wanted some small changes, such as pick-up times for the drivers. They adapted and made it all work. This travel agent is absolutely terrific.
Reviewed By Marci M.
Our Italy trip with Zicasso’s travel partner was nothing short of spectacular! Referred by a friend who had an amazing experience, we decided to give it a try and were not disappointed. Our agent was fantastic, always ready with answers to our questions and providing excellent support throughout our journey.
In Tuscany, we visited beautiful wineries and enjoyed a delightful lunch with the vintners, who were incredibly warm and welcoming. Her attention to detail was evident when she adjusted our plans due to weather changes and even checked in on us when we were slightly delayed for a tour.
Siena was breathtaking and our hotel in Rome was perfectly located, allowing us to walk to all the major sites. One of the highlights was a small boat tour around Capri from Amalfi—perfect weather and stunning waters made it unforgettable. The cooking class on the Amalfi Coast, set on the side of a cliff, was exceptional and having personal tours just for the two of us was an unexpected and delightful bonus.
We can't express enough how much we enjoyed our Italy trip. The travel partner exceeded our expectations and we highly recommend them for a truly memorable experience!
Reviewed By Kent S.
Zicasso’s trip coordinator and her team did a fantastic job, not only in planning the trip to meet our needs and wants, but also in personalizing it as needed. They were also available as we needed them to adjust things, such as pickups, and even made some dinner reservations for us. With our budget, they set us up in excellent hotels that fit our desire for the trip to be a wonderful anniversary getaway. Her staff were also very helpful. We would strongly recommend them for a trip to Italy!
Reviewed By Rajesh J.
Zicasso's travel planner and her staff did a perfect job for our family of six. She made our trip seamless!
Everything she planned was perfect and no detail was left out. I would use them again and again for my travels to Italy.
Reviewed By Sally F.
My first solo trip was something I had dreamed about for years. I wanted it to be more than sightseeing. I wanted adventure, comfort, safety, and freedom without the stress of planning it all alone. Through Zicasso, I was connected to two specialists and Zicasso's travel consultant stood out immediately. She delivered an itinerary that gave me everything I asked for and more: maximum cities, maximum fun, and maximum value, all without compromise.
Before deciding, I researched and compared tours, packages, and individual prices online. The travel consultant’s proposal came out on top for value and content. While the other agent offered fewer cities and activities at a higher price, her plan was ambitious without being overwhelming. She booked my trains, arranged private transfers where needed, and selected boutique-style hotels that exceeded expectations. I was honestly surprised at how good they were. I stayed at hotels in Interlaken, Florence, and Sorrento. Each was clean, comfortable, and perfectly located for exploring. I had prepared myself for budget trade-offs, but instead, I found thoughtfully chosen hotels that balanced affordability with real quality.
Every document, train ticket, and activity confirmation was uploaded into the app. It became my lifeline throughout the trip, with every detail at my fingertips. The structure gave me confidence, while still leaving me free to explore.
Switzerland came first: Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, and Zermatt. Each city felt like stepping into a postcard. Interlaken gave me the adrenaline rush of skydiving, while Zermatt charmed me with its close-knit magic and alpine beauty. Italy unfolded with equal ease: Lake Como, Venice, Florence, Sorrento, Amalfi, and Rome. Every destination felt curated, yet natural, from gondola rides in Venice to boat tours on the Amalfi Coast.
What I loved most was the balance between structure and freedom. Pre-booked activities and restaurant reservations gave me a strong framework, but I could just as easily decide to spend an afternoon wandering Florence, eating gelato, or sitting in a piazza. The rhythm of the trip was perfect, structured enough to tick off bucket-list highlights, yet relaxed enough to feel like a real vacation.
Food was freestyle, but memorable. Highlights included a Japanese-Peruvian restaurant in Zurich with its elegant Japanese-Peruvian flavors, a different Japanese restaurant, a restaurant in Como with its modern fusion menu, an Indian restaurant for comforting classics, and international favorites like those in one of the restaurants in Rome. Between those meals and plenty of gelato and crepes, every stop added its own flavor to the journey.
As a solo traveler, safety mattered. I felt comfortable walking around in the evenings and was usually back in my hotel by 1am to stay rested for the next day. What really gave me peace of mind was the travel consultant’s constant support. Communication was fast and responsive. I never had to wait long for answers, whether through the app or email. There was a moment when I made a mistake with the trains and missed an activity. She immediately stepped in and worked to reschedule it or secure a refund that same day.
Earlier in the planning process, I also had a card issue due to an address error. Even though policy would not normally allow it, she and her team patiently waited until I received the refund before finalizing the booking, just weeks before my trip. That flexibility and care spoke volumes.
The difference was clear. She used my budget to its fullest potential, giving me more destinations, more experiences, and better hotels than the alternative option. She managed to combine the efficiency of a fully organized tour with the freedom of independent travel. Everything was planned, yet everything was still mine to shape.
This trip was everything I wanted: good food, beautiful views, safety, and absolute reliability. It was an organized journey with freestyle flexibility, which is exactly what solo travelers dream of. The travel consultant’s planning let me chase adventure while always knowing I had a safety net. Switzerland and Italy gave me memories I will never forget, but it was the behind-the-scenes planning that made it possible. If you want a trip that is your way, your budget, your pace, but without the endless hassle of managing it yourself, the travel consultant at this agency is the person who can make it happen. My first solo trip became my dream trip and that is the highest praise I can give.
Reviewed By tasmia S.