Tuscany Tours

Group Tours: Florence, Siena and the Tuscan Countryside

Every Tuscany tour begins in Florence — the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and the most visited city in beautiful Tuscany. Tuscany boasts the highest concentration of Renaissance art globally, and Florence is just what every art lover has dreamed of — Michelangelo and Galileo are buried in Florence's Basilica di Santa Croce, and the renaissance art of the Uffizi Gallery is extraordinary. Join a guided walking tour of Florence with a knowledgeable local guide who brings the rich history of this extraordinary city to life — visiting the Galleria dell'Accademia to see Michelangelo's David up close, the Florence Baptistery, and discovering the stories of the artists who shaped Tuscany's cultural legacy. The Tuscan countryside surrounding Florence is among the most beautiful in all of Italy — rolling hills dotted with cypress trees, vineyards, olive groves, and medieval villages. Siena, San Gimignano, and Pisa are popular excursion destinations from Florence on any Tuscany trip. Siena is Tuscany's second great city — visiting the Duomo in Siena is one of the greatest experiences in all of Tuscany, and a local guide will introduce you to the city's extraordinary history and the famous Palio horse race. Travelers loved staying in centrally located hotels on previous Tuscany tours and found the knowledgeable local tour guides just what they needed for an entire trip through beautiful Tuscany.

Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera and Amalfi Coast

Tuscany group tours naturally extend to the Italian Riviera and Cinque Terre — some of the most spectacular coastal landscapes along the Mediterranean sea. Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of five colorful cliffside villages, just a short train ride from the Tuscan border — walk the hiking trails between the villages, taste local wines and great food at a local restaurant, and discover why Cinque Terre has become one of Italy's most beloved destinations. The Italian Riviera — Portofino, Rapallo, and the Ligurian coast — is another wonderful addition to any Tuscany itinerary. The Amalfi Coast is frequently combined with Tuscany tours for travelers who want to experience the very best of Italy in one unforgettable trip. Our Tuscany group tours give fellow travelers a wonderful balance of guided tours and free time. Group size on our small group tours is kept intimate — small-group tours usually include 6–8 people for a more immersive experience — making for a great group dynamic and new friends at every destination. Fellow travelers on our Tuscany group tours consistently say the tour exceeded their expectations and they had a wonderful time.

Cooking Class, Olive Oil and Tuscan Hills Wine Tasting

A cooking class in Tuscany is one of the most popular and memorable experiences on any Tuscany tour — Tuscany offers hands-on cooking classes with local chefs, and you can learn to roll the perfect pici in cooking classes at a working farm or agriturismo in the Tuscan hills. Culinary tours in Tuscany may include shopping at local markets and pasta-making classes. A cooking demo or full cooking class is included on many of our small group Tuscany tours — hands-on cooking classes often include multiple wine pairings with meals. Tuscany offers world-class tours ranging from cultural excursions to culinary getaways. Olive oil is as important as wine in beautiful Tuscany — experience olive oil tastings alongside wine in Tuscany, and learn the cold-pressing traditions of olives practiced in the Tuscan hills for centuries. The Chianti region is home to some of Tuscany's most famous wineries — Chianti is one of 11 DOCG-protected wine varietals in Tuscany, and intimate tours often visit boutique organic wineries for tastings. Wine tasting in Montepulciano and Montalcino is another essential experience — wine lovers can explore highly acclaimed estates in the Val d'Orcia region. Exploring wines directly at estate cellars is available in Tuscany. Explore the picturesque town of Castiglione d'Orcia — a charming town overlooking the rolling hills and vineyards of the Val d'Orcia UNESCO World Heritage landscape.

Small Group Tours and Gothic Line in Tuscany

Our small group Tuscany tours are designed for travelers who want a more intimate and personalized experience of beautiful Tuscany — with a maximum group size ensuring every guest receives personal attention from their tour guide and local guide throughout the entire trip. The Gothic Line — the World War II defensive line through northern Tuscany near Lucca — is a fascinating and lesser-known part of Tuscany's rich history explored on specialized small group Tuscany tours. Lucca is one of Tuscany's most charming quaint towns — a beautifully preserved medieval city surrounded by perfectly intact Renaissance walls. A walking tour of Lucca with a knowledgeable local guide is a wonderful experience on any Tuscany trip — exploring the piazzas and charming town streets at a relaxed pace. Our tour leader and tour director handle all logistics throughout the entire trip. San Gimignano's towers of San Gimignano rise dramatically above the vine-covered Tuscan countryside — one of the most memorable experiences on any Tuscany trip. Local music in the piazzas of Siena, San Gimignano, and Lucca adds a wonderful atmosphere — the Tuscan sun, the rolling hills, and the sound of local music make every evening in Tuscany a beautiful experience. New friends are made at every charming town, from Lucca to San Gimignano, from Siena to the rolling hills of the Val d'Orcia. Strenuous walking on uneven terrain in Tuscany's medieval villages requires comfortable walking shoes. A day-trip to Pisa — a short train ride from Florence — and a bus driver and local tour guides handling all logistics ensure every towns visited on your Tuscany trip is a great trip from start to finish.