Small group tour vacation to Tuscany
The Grand Tour of Tuscany is a 9-day small-group tour vacation that combines the must-sees with offbeat gems of the most fabled region of Italy.
Join a small group limited to 12 guests for an intimate and slow-paced journey to experience the essence of Tuscany as no other large group would ever do.
Stay in stunning boutique hotels including the luxury Villa Le Prata where you will feel at home surrounded by olive trees and vineyards.
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.
Drive on private off road vehicles to a Carrara’s marble quarry, indulge in refined culinary experiences, and take in the quintessential atmosphere of Tuscany. See on our blog why our small group tours are different.
- small group 6-12 guests only
- 9 days / 8 nights. From/to Florence
- Feel at home in the stunning Villa Le Prata in the countryside of Montalcino
- Skip the line and visit Michelangelo’s David with an experienced local guide
- Visit a Contrada Museum in Siena and learn about the Palio horse race
- Carrara’s marble quarry tour onboard 4X4 vehicles
- Cheese tasting in an organic farm in Pienza
- Lunch paired with Brunello di Montalcino in a medieval castle
- Experience the old-fashioned La Dolce Vita in a luxury hotel on the beach of Viareggio
- Sample gastronomic specialties in a food tour of Lucca
May 5th – 13th 2023 : SOLD OUT
April 13th – 21st 2024 : OPEN
Day 1: Saturday April 13th 2024
Tour starts in Florence at 6pm with an orientation meeting.
- 1 night at MGallery Palazzo Cerretani or similar hotel in central Florence
- 4 nights at Villa Le Prata in Montalcino
- 2 nights at Relais & Chateaux Hotel Plaza et de Russie in Viareggio or similar hotel
- 1 night at MGallery Palazzo Cerretani or similar hotel in central Florence
Day 9: Sunday April 21st 2024
The tour ends in Florence. Guests can book our Florence extension with one extra hotel night and a day trip to the Chianti wine region (see next tab)
- Stay one extra night in Florence at the same hotel
- Join a 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 winery
- Return to Florence by 6pm and enjoy dinner on your own
Rate: from 480€ per person (double occupancy). Single supplement 160€
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”
- 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.
The Customer has the right to withdraw, without providing any reason, under the following conditions:
- 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
- COVID CLAUSE: any payment previously sent to Meet Voyager (except for the 250€ processing fee) can be fully refunded only in case of new travel restrictions (lockdowns or border closure) imposed by local Governments (in Europe or in the Country of origin of Customers) as a consequence of the spread of the COVID pandemic. Alternatively, the Customer can ask to Meet Voyager, in writing, to hold that sum for future travel dates.
- Meet Voyager is not responsible for costs associated with testing positive to Covid-19 before, during or after the tour and for any delays or change of travel plans or quarantine caused by the results of such testings or by the lack of proof of tests or vaccination required to travel
Read here the full terms and conditions.
Tuscany tour
Mary Ann B. – September 2022
“The trip was flawless and we were able to experience meals and activities that normally we would not have been able to do on our own. The villa in Tuscany was out of this world, the highlight of the trip, I felt to be in a movie. My least favorite thing was Pisa simply because I visited it before and I don’t like crowds. I highly recommend the tour if you like late mornings and a relaxed schedule, exactly the opposite of what big bus tours would do.”
Trip of a lifetime in Northern Italy
Tom L. – May 2022
“This is our second tour with Marco and he has made both (the other trip was to the Amalfi coast) trips an amazing experience. Many ”wow locations” and off the beaten path destinations that take you away from the “touristy” spots and connect you with the real people and culture of the Italian regions. His tours are small (we had 6 people) and in both trips made amazing friends along the way.”
Professionalism, quality, value
Bill L. – September 2021
“My wife and I have never been to Europe and Italy was on top of our bucket list. Marco Scaglione of Meet Piemonte made our dream trip to Italy a reality. His guidance, knowledge and experience was top notch! He planned our trip with such care and precision; he provided the perfect balance of activities and free time. Every guide that Marco arranged was an incredible wealth of knowledge! It was a magical trip! He is a master of his craft!”
Read all reviews on Tripadvisor and on Google
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 toast with our tour manager to the beginning of the Grand Tour of Tuscany during an orientation meeting. Tonight we suggest a stroll to the Ponte Vecchio for an unforgettable picture of the sunset over the Arno river. Dinner on your own.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
After breakfast, meet an experienced local tour guide and skip the line to access theAccademia 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.
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.
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 and we indulge in a delectable fine-dining experience where Tuscan dishes are prepared with a modern twist.
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 hillcrest, il castello is surrounded by bountiful vineyards originally tended by Etruscans, which today are included 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.
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.
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. Depending on availability, tickets to climb the tower are included.
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.
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.
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.
Book now your Grand Tour of Tuscany
- May 5th-13th 2023: SOLD OUT
- April 13th-21st 2024: OPEN
- 4395€ per person, double occupancy
- EARLY BIRD: 150€ off per person book by March 31st 2023 (4245€ per person, double occupancy)
- single supplement on request
For private departures, please fill in the form below or send an email to info@meetpiemonte.com
- 8 nights in double room, 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
- Excursion on 4X4 vehicle 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
- Pisa’s leaning tower tickets (subject to availability)
- VAT 22%
- Tour Operator limited liability insurance
- Assistance throughout the planning process and travel tips
- 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.
