"Italy may not initially seem as exotic as some destinations, but it’s a great place to have an adventure nonetheless. While the cities of Rome, Venice, and Milan are exciting and packed with 5-star attractions, I think 'la dolce vita' can be best experienced by taking a more leisurely sojourn in Italy’s beautiful countryside. And which region better evokes the romance of Italy with amazing scenery, food and wine than Tuscany? Over the span of several trips, I have enjoyed the region from its best-known city, Florence, to tiny hill-towns scattered among the grapevines, olive groves, and tilled fields. While I love the cities and towns for their concentration of culture and history, I’ve had the most fun wandering the roads, enjoying the rural charms of the area. The ideal trip to Tuscany combines both aspects of the region!

Wandering around the countryside sounds idyllic, but in reality, it can be a bit challenging; so I recommend “Tuscan Dreaming”, a trip which allows a fair amount of time and a variety of ways to sample and savor all of the delights of the area around Florence. The trip starts and ends in that uniquely fabulous city, a “must-see” destination, while also including a 5-night stay in a rustic Tuscan farmhouse, allowing the opportunity to slow down and explore the landscape on foot, by bike, or on horseback. There is even a pool and hot tub to come back to everyday in which you can refresh yourself before you spend the evening enjoying the local wine and food. There are 2 day-excursions included while you are based at the farmhouse. One day, you’ll go to Siena, which is famous for its Duomo (cathedral) and the beautiful piazza in which the city hosts the famous Palio – or horserace. Another day, you will get to visit San Gimignano, one of my favorite towns in Italy. Rounding out this great trip is a overnight stay in Volterra, a city which is a bit off the main tourist trail. I particularly enjoyed the Etruscan museum and wandering up and down its market streets. My fondest memory? I chose to spend a leisurely afternoon enjoying a multi-course, classic Tuscan lunch, complete with local Vin Santo and dipping biscuits to finish it off. Luckily, I was able to recover from the after-effects of the meal with plenty of walking afterwards!"
- Laura Smith-Moritz

Day 1 - FLORENCE :
Arrive in Florence and check in to hotel. Time to relax or begin exploring this fascinating city.

Day 2 - VOLTERRA:
Travel to Volterra, an ancient town encircled by medieval ramparts and perched high on a rocky plateau. We spend two nights in a simple but atmospheric converted monastery.

Day 3 - VOLTERRA:
A full day to explore this lovely town.

Day 4 - TUSCAN FARMHOUSE:
Transfer to our farmhouse hotel in the heart of the Tuscan landscape, our base for the next 5 nights.

Day 5-8 - TUSCAN FARMHOUSE:
On one day we travel to San Gimignano, famous for its 14 towers and beautiful 13th century town square. On another day we enjoy a day trip to Siena, one of Italy’s most enchanting cities. The other two days are spent hiking amongst the beautiful Tuscan hills or, if you prefer, relaxing at the farmhouse. There is a lovely pool for you to enjoy.

Day 9 - FLORENCE:
Travel to Pisa and visit the famous Leaning Tower, Cathedral and Baptistry, before returning by train to Florence.

Day 10 - FLORENCE:
The capital of Tuscany and the heart of Renaissance Italy, Florence is packed with world famous museums, art galleries, cathedrals, piazzas and churches. We have a full day to discover the artistic and architectural wealth of the city.

Day 11 - FLORENCE:

GET A QUOTE | CONTACT US | FIND A STORE

Top