Your customizable 10-day historical tour of Tuscany will lead you from Florence to Siena and from Chianti to the Val d’Orcia. This tour immerses you in celebrated artworks, notable grape varietals, antique defensive walls, and dramatic cathedral facades. Discover the authentic beauty of the countryside among rows of cypress trees and uncover the secrets of crafting handmade pasta.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Florence – Fabulous Introductory Tour
Florence is a majestic city that is steeped in history. Your private transfer will greet you at Florence Peretola Airport upon your arrival in Tuscany and escort you to the comforts of your gorgeous hotel in the heart of the city. After settling into your accommodation, you will meet your guide in the lobby and set out on an introductory tour of Florence’s captivating history. This tour will lead you from the famous Ponte Vecchio to the renowned Duomo. The unreinforced brick dome stands at 376 feet tall.
What's Included:
Day 2
Florence – Renaissance History and Art
Day 3
Chianti – Wine Tour of Chianti
Day 4
Chianti – The History of Siena
Day 5
Val d’Orcia – Private Cooking Class
Day 6
Val d’Orcia – The Hilltop Villages of Val d’Orcia
Day 7
Lucca – Artisan Charm and Beauty at Volterra
Day 8
Lucca – The Architecture of Lucca
Day 9
Lucca – Venture to Pisa and Livorno
Day 10
Lucca – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Embrace the sensational detail and impressive design of Michelangelo’s David when visiting the Galleria dell’Accademia
- Witness the exceptional collection of artwork that is featured at the Uffizi Gallery, such as Titian’s Venus of Urbino
- Wander among the dramatic architectural design of the Cattedrale di Pisa, which blends Pisan Romanesque and Gothic designs
- Discover the history of Tuscan cuisine and the importance of continued culinary heritage during a cooking class with a master chef
- Delight in the traditions of wines that have been crafted in the Chianti and Val d’Orcia regions
- Find marvelous Etruscan remains and paintings from the 1st century BC inside the Town Museum of Montepulciano
- Learn the preserved art of Alabaster carving during a private demonstration and workshop in the medieval town of Volterra
- Enjoy an exclusive tour of the Bargello Museum to view the marvelous galleries that host work from master artists, including Donatello
Detailed Description
You will embrace remarkable heritage and culture during this 10-day historical Tuscany tour. With private transfers, luxurious accommodations, and specialist guides, this tour will immerse you in the elaborate past of one of Italy’s most iconic regions. You will have the ultimate experience of exploring secluded villages, charming landscapes, and opulent cityscapes. You will also experience the overlooked canals of Livorno, the celebrated wines of Montepulciano, the renowned list of Pisa’s Leaning Tower, and the ways in which the masters of Renaissance art in Florence continue to reflect the history of the city and greater Italy.
Your historical tour of Tuscany will begin with your arrival at Florence’s international airport, where your private transfer will meet you at baggage claim. You will have two nights in Florence, and your knowledgeable guide will provide an introductory tour of the majestic city that is known for its art, architecture, and culture. You will traverse the famous Uffizi and Accademia museums to view the work of master artists, such as Botticelli and Michelangelo. Two nights in the Chianti region will highlight the splendors of the Tuscan countryside, beginning by unveiling the specific flavors of Chianti wine that has made it popular over the centuries.
You will continue to the Val d’Orcia for two nights. You will learn the art of crafting handmade pasta under the guidance of a chef who is experienced in the traditions of Tuscany’s Cucina Povera. Outside of Pienza, you will visit a local farm to learn the steps to making the special cheese of the preserved town before partaking in an artisan workshop that will teach you about the preservation of local traditions.
Three nights in Lucca will begin with an artisan demonstration of carving alabaster before a guided tour has you traversing the ancient city of Volterra. A full-day tour of Lucca will take you along the famous walls and through the winding cobblestone lanes that surround the Torre Guinigi. Venturing to Pisa will highlight the beauty of Gothic and Romanesque designs in the former naval powerhouse, and your time exploring Livorno will shine a light on the grandeur of the seaside city.
Starting Price
$4,500 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 5854 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.
