Grand Tour of Tuscany
Small-Group Tour Vacation to Tuscany
Embark on our 9-day, small group Grand Tour of Tuscany and discover the must-sees and offbeat gems of Italy’s most popular region. From the rolling hills to the hustle and bustle of Florence, this favorite tour of Italy is sure to leave you in awe.
Join a small group limited to 12 guests for an intimate and slow-paced journey. We travel in style across Tuscany from the wine region of Val D’Orcia to the sandy beaches of Viareggio, from the unique atmosphere of Carrara’s marble quarries to the vibe of the Mediterranean coastline.
Visit Pienza, Montalcino, San Gimignano, Pisa, Lucca, Siena, the abbey of St. Antimo, and Pietrasanta. Skip the line at the Accademia Museum in Florence for a closer look at the original David by Michelangelo.
Indulge in refined and handpicked culinary delights, and experience the quintessential Tuscan countryside in a luxury villa surrounded by olive trees and vineyards.
The Grand Tour of Tuscany is a relaxed, fun, and engaging vacation full of contrasts and flavors of this fabled region of Italy.
If we could give our Grand Tour of Tuscany more than five stars, we would. Marco was an amazing tour manager for our eight day trip. We stayed in lovely hotels and villas, indulged in amazing food/wine, and saw the beautiful region of Tuscany. Although there were many highlights, our trip to the Carrara marble quarry and to one of the contrada’s Palio museum really stand out. I cannot say enough about Meet Piemonte’s service. This was our first “guided” multi-day tour, and we will be back for another with Meet Piemonte. Thank you Marco for an unforgettable trip.
Karen V. – May 2023
Read all reviews on Tripadvisor and on Google
Trip Highlights
Skip the line and visit Michelangelo’s David with an experienced guide
Cheese tasting in an organic farm in Pienza
Visit a Contrada Museum in Siena and learn about the Palio horse race
Private Carrara’s marble quarry tour with off-road vehicles
Lunch in a castle and Brunello di Montalcino wine tasting
Sample gastronomic specialties in a food tour of Lucca
Visit San Gimignano and Pisa
Choice of activities in the Tuscan countryside
Trip BASICs
9 days | 8 nights
From / To Florence (see below flight information)
Group size: 6-12 guests
Learn more about the perks of our Small Group Tours To Italy
Learn more about Meet Piemonte and the team of Tour Guides
2 nights
in Florence
Classicism and modernity meet at the Hotel Cerretani Firenze MGallery. Experience a stay in a Renaissance palace in the center of Florence, steps away from all major attractions.
4 nights
in Montalcino
An ancient Villa, caressed by the Tuscan sea breezes where to be welcomed as friends. Surrounded by Brunello vineyards, and centuries-old chestnut trees, here time stops.
2 nights
in Viareggio
Situated in the heart of Viareggio’s seaside Art Nouveau district, Hotel Plaza e de Russie is a sophisticated 5-star design hotel affiliated with the Relais & Chateaux association.
2023
May 5th — 13th : SOLD OUT
2024
April 13th — 21st : SOLD OUT
May 18th — 26th : OPEN
• 4480€ per person, double occupancy
• Single supplement on request
Day 1 – The Grand Tour of Tuscany begins in Florence
Meals included: none
Arrive on your own in Florence and check-in (from 2 pm) in your boutique 4-star hotel located steps away from Santa Maria Novella square, from the Cathedral, and from some of the finest shopping streets.
Enjoy a day at leisure to relax after a long flight or start to explore on your own the cradle of the Renaissance.
Late afternoon meet with our tour manager for a private reception and toast to the beginning of the Grand Tour of Tuscany. Tonight we suggest a stroll to the Ponte Vecchio for an unforgettable picture of the sunset over the Arno river. Dinner on your own.
Day 2 – Michelangelo’s David and Florence
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
After breakfast, meet an experienced local tour guide and skip the line to access the Accademia museum. We behold striking masterworks such as Michelangelo’s David and we walk through the lively streets of Florence, among stately palazzi, the open-air museum of Piazza della Signoria and much else.
A tasteful lunch with Florentine specialties is set at the end of the walking tour before departing for Val d’Orcia, one of the most picturesque wine regions in the world, located in southern Tuscany.
Late afternoon, check-in at the stunning Villa Le Prata, a hunting lodge built in 1860 by a local Count and, in more recent decades, the home residence of the Losappio family of Montalcino.
Staying at the villa is a highlight itself as guests feel at home rather than in a hotel. Antiques, wooden ceilings, Persian rugs, an outdoor infinity pool and postcard-like grounds make guests fall in love with Tuscany.
Tonight we celebrate the beginning of our Grand Tour of Tuscany with a traditional dinner prepared by the chef of Villa Le Prata and we toast with the full-bodied Brunello di Montalcino wine.
Day 3 – Val d’Orcia: Montalcino, Pienza and organic farms
Meals included: breakfast and light lunch
Enjoy breakfast at Villa Le Prata as you wake up surrounded by the fabled countryside of Val d’Orcia.
We take a walk in the quaint village of Montalcino, located a mile or so from our villa. Among the numerous wine shops, our tour manager provides orientation and restaurant suggestions for tonight’s dinner.
Then, our Grand Tour of Tuscany stops at an organic farm founded more than three centuries ago, located on a hill crest with breathtaking views over southern Tuscany.
We tour the estate among olive orchards, friendly animals and a bucolic atmosphere. Step inside the aging premises where the farm’s award-winning Pecorino di Pienza cheese is stored, then sit at the table and partake in a generous tasting of the products of the farm including a fresh seasonal salad and more.
A short drive takes us to Pienza, where we take a stroll up to the central piazza, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture and enjoy a gelato along the pedestrian narrow streets overlooking Val d’Orcia.
Return to the hotel to freshen up and rest before going out again for dinner on your own in Montalcino.
Day 4 – The Grand Tour of Tuscany arrives in Siena
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Our engaging local expert takes us on an informative walking tour of Siena . We bring up to life the intricate combination of history and local traditions that makes this city absolutely unique.
From banking to ancient pilgrim routes, Siena’s highlight is the sea-shell-shaped square of Il Campo, where, twice a year, the most famous horse race of Italy known as Palio, takes place.
There is no better way to understand the passion that locals have for this competition between city districts, than visiting the secret rooms where the supporters of one of these Contrada gather in preparation for the horse race.
This exclusive tour, usually not available to the public, takes us inside the church where horses get the blessing, the hall with the banners won in the previous years and the museum with the ornate costumes of the parade.
Return to the hotel for some time off. Tonight we dine at a well-established restaurant minutes away from the villa. We indulge in a delectable fine-dining experience where Tuscan dishes are prepared with a modern twist.
Day 5 – Lunch and Wine Tasting in a medieval castle
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
The last day at Villa Le Prata deserves a leisurely late morning so you can enjoy it at your own pace: maybe a walk on a gravel countryside path among olive trees and vineyards. Maybe you prefer to relax by the outdoor infinity pool or read a book in the shade of the main living room of the villa.
Around noon, we step inside the aging premises of a medieval castle where wine has been produced for centuries. Perched on a hill crest, il castello is surrounded by bountiful vineyards originally tended by Etruscans, which today lays within the limits of Brunello di Montalcino‘s DOCG appellation.
A tasteful lunch is paired with the wine tasting as we learn stories of the family who owned the castle in the past as well as the present life of this charming gem of the Tuscan countryside.
This afternoon the choice is yours to go back to the villa or explore with the tour manager the abbey of St. Antimo. Its early-medieval sculptures, evocative architecture and quiet surroundings provide an evocative journey back in time.
On the way to dinner, we take a secondary road for the quintessential views of Tuscany. A short and pleasant hike takes us to a countryside chapel for iconic pictures of the rolling hills and cypress trees of Val d’Orcia.
We continue to a nearby agriturismo for one more sun-kissed Tuscan dinner where simple and tasteful ingredients are cooked like grandma used to do.
Day 6 – Tour of Tuscany from San Gimignano to Viareggio
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
After breakfast, we say farewell to Val d’Orcia and drive toward the northern Mediterranean coast of Tuscany. Halfway through, we arrive at San Gimignano, an absolute must-see in Italy.
Follow your tour manager all the way up to the top of the city walls for an unforgettable view over central Tuscany.
Known for its slender towers and preserved medieval stone buildings, San Gimignano is also a favorite shopping opportunity for ceramics and other local handmade products.
Relax onboard our comfortable van or minibus as we drive to Viareggio. Check-in at five-star Plaza et de Russie Hotel, a Relais & Chateaux property, located on the famous sea-front promenade flanked by fashion shops.
Take off your shoes and enjoy a walk on the sandy beach of Viareggio, steps away from our hotel or enjoy an Italian aperitivo inspired by the movie La Dolce Vita.
Tonight we reserved a table for our small group in a historic trattoria known for seafood and fish, prepared with the freshest catch of the day.
Day 7 – Pisa and Carrara’s marble tour
Meals included: breakfast
Viareggio is about thirty minutes away from Pisa, once a powerful Maritime Republic. We take you to the famous piazza by skipping the crowds of tourists and help you get the classic, not-to-be-missed picture at the foot of the leaning tower.
We strive to turn the visit to this popular site, into an easy and safe experience. A surprise awaits for you in Pisa.
Next, we drive to the mountains, known as Alpi Apuane, in northern Tuscany where the finest marble on Earth has been quarried since Roman times.
Board a 4X4 vehicle and discover, with a local expert, the fascinating stories and hardships of Carrara’s marble quarries. Enjoy scenery of unparalleled beauty, surrounded by the brightness of the “white gold” and, in the distance, the Mediterranean coastline.
Lastly, we toast with a glass of Prosecco and a tasting of a local specialty, Colonnata’s cured lard, refined with herbs and salt for 6-10 months in marble cellars.
On the way back to Viareggio, we spend the evening in Pietrasanta, home of artists and local people for some free time among art galleries, shopping, and plenty of choices for dinner on your own.
Day 8 – Food Tour in Lucca and back to Florence
Meals included: breakfast, light lunch and dinner
After breakfast, we collect your luggage and we only drive 30 minutes or so to the city of Lucca.
Meet our passionate and knowledgeable local expert who will show us some of the highlights and hidden treasures of this wealthy community. Silk trade, pilgrims, and solid city walls made the fortune of Lucca which today is also a foodie destination.
We visit some bakeries for a tasting of local bread, then a local soup and many other specialties specific to northern Tuscany.
In the afternoon we arrive back in Florence, in the same centrally-located boutique hotel where the Grand Tour of Tuscany started, steps away from all major attractions.
Our Farewell dinner is held in a handpicked restaurant in the city for one last celebration until we meet again.
Day 9 – Arrivederci (or join the optional day trip to the Chianti wine region)
Meals included: breakfast
Today you can say arrivederci to Florence or decide to extend your stay with one more night by joining our Florence post-tour extension. This extra day includes a day trip to the iconic Chianti wine region with an exclusive lunch in a winery, paired with wine tasting.
Flights are not included. Before booking, read the following information:
Suggested arrival and departure airport: Florence.
Florence airport is located within a 15-20 minutes taxi ride from the city center. Other major airports within a 2-hour drive (or less) from Florence are Pisa and Bologna.
- Stay one extra night in Florence (at the end of the tour) at the same hotel
- Join a private day trip to the Chianti wine region on a van with driver/guide
- Visit two hilltop villages where Chianti Classico wine is produced
- Partake in a 4-course lunch paired with wine tasting in a family-owned winery
- Return to Florence late afternoon. Dinner on your own
Rate available on request
The rate includes: 1 night at MGallery Hotel Palazzo Cerretani (or similar) with breakfast, driver/guide as per program above for 8 hours, lunch and wine tasting (4 courses) in a boutique, family-owned winery
The rate does not include: Hotel city tax and anything else not mentioned in the field “the rate includes”
To save your spot, complete the form at the bottom of this page with any questions you may have. When you are ready to commit, you will receive via email the contract that you need to fill out with your information and sign electronically.
- The tour is confirmed with at least 6 participants
- A 30% down payment is required in order to confirm the reservation.
- The remaining balance is due 45 days before the tour.
Cancellation policy:
- There shall be a 250€ non-refundable processing fee (per person) on any cancellation request, regardless of the time frame within which the cancellation is submitted;
- From 90 days to 46 days before the performance of the Tourist Package, by paying a penalty equal to 30% of the price;
- From 45 days before the performance of the Tourist Package, by paying a penalty equal to 100% of the price
Read here the full terms and conditions.
The rate includes:
- 2 nights in central Florence (Hotel MGallery Cerretani or similar), breakfast and porterage included
- 4 nights in the Tuscan countryside (Villa Le Prata or similar), breakfast and porterage included
- 2 nights in Viareggio (Hotel Plaza e de Russie or similar), breakfast and porterage included
- private luxury minivan throughout the tour (as per itinerary), with permits and parking included
- tour manager for 9 days (fully-escorted tour and 24h assistance while on tour)
- Tickets and reservation to the Accademia Museum
- 3-hour tour guide service in Florence with headsets
- 1 light lunch in Florence, wine included
- Light lunch in an organic farm with cheese tasting
- 2-hour tour guide service in Siena with headsets
- Access to a Contrada Museum
- Lunch paired with wine tasting in a medieval castle
- Private excursion to a Carrara’s quarry
- Tasting of Colonnata’s cured lard and other specialties
- 2-hour tour guide service in Lucca and food tastings (lunch)
- 5 traditional dinners, wine included
- VAT 22%
- Tour Operator limited liability insurance
- Assistance throughout the planning process and travel tips
The rate does not include:
- Hotel City Tax (between 3 to 5€ per person per night)
- Personal travel insurance
- Airfare to/from Italy
- Airport transfers
- Florence post-tour extension (1 night in 4-star hotel, day trip with driver and tour guide to Chianti wine region, lunch paired with wine tasting)
- Any other meal, tasting, entrance fee, transfer, personal expense, tips and anything else not mentioned above in the field “The rate includes”. The wine included is the one presented during the meal or wine tasting and it is never unlimited. Any extra is at each guest’s discretion.
Meet Piemonte Tour Operator partners with Global Rescue to offer the world’s leading travel protection services. Medical and security emergencies happen. When they do, we rely on Global Rescue to provide our clients with medical, security, travel risk and crisis response services. Without a membership, an emergency evacuation could cost over $100,000. More than one million members trust Global Rescue to get them home safely when the unexpected happens. We highly recommend our clients enroll with Global Rescue.
Join Meet Piemonte on our Grand Tour of Tuscany and dive into this area’s breathtaking landscapes, rich history, delectable cuisine, and vibrant culture. Why choose Meet Piemonte to guide you through this famous and beloved Italian region?
Expert Knowledge: As an expert tour operator in Italy, we have an extensive understanding of Tuscany’s history, art, and cultural heritage. Our vetted local experts will provide in-depth insights into each location we visit, enriching your Tuscany travel experience and allowing you to appreciate the region’s nuances and hidden treasures.
Safety: Traveling and driving on your own on the winding roads of the rolling hills of Tuscany can be more challenging than expected, and safety and logistics can be complicated. Our Tuscany tour guides will do everything they can to accommodate you in this new area and make you feel safe.
Seamless Logistics: We will handle all the logistics of your Tuscany vacation, allowing you to relax and fully immerse yourself in the experience. From arranging luxury accommodations in boutique hotels and private transportation to coordinating activities and excursions, we take care of all the minute details so you don’t have to, ensuring a hassle-free and enjoyable Tuscany travel experience for all.
Local Connections: With a group size limited to only 12 guests, our escorted tour to Tuscany will introduce you to the warmth and hospitality of Tuscan locals. Whether it’s sharing conversations with friendly organic cheesemakers near Montalcino or engaging with passionate winemakers during Tuscany vineyard tours, you’ll have the opportunity to forge meaningful connections where large groups cannot go and gain a deeper understanding of Tuscan life.
Unparalleled Experiences: Tuscany boasts a myriad of unforgettable things to do. From exploring the wine region of Val D’Orcia to the museums of Florence to the adventurous drive to the quarries of Carrara’s marble and to savor mouthwatering culinary delights like Pecorino di Pienza, we will guide you to the most remarkable and authentic encounters that Tuscany has to offer.
Flexibility & Adaptability: Traveling is an ever-changing adventure, and unexpected situations may arise. On our luxury tour to Tuscany, we will be flexible and adaptable, ready to handle alterations or adjustments for even the most discerning travelers. With our flexible cancellation policy and partnership with Global Rescue, you can book ahead of time and enjoy your time in Italy, knowing that you’re covered. Your safety, comfort, and satisfaction are our top priorities.
So, why vacation to Tuscany with Meet Piemonte? Because together, we will unlock the wonders of this famed Italian region, immersing ourselves in its history, culture, and natural beauty. Our escorted tour to Tuscany will leave you with cherished memories and a deep understanding of Tuscany’s magical allure.
