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First Class Hotels / Agriturismo
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Rome (FCO)
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Rome (FCO)
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Arrival and departure as detailed in the itinerary
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17
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Luxury Minibus
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1
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1
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4/12
Dates
The same itinerary, with a minimum of 6 participants, can also be offered as a private tour at no additional cost. Your private trip combines comfort, exclusivity, and exceptional value—ensuring an unforgettable Italian experience crafted just for you. Request your private tour using the form below (end of the page), or contact us at: info@greattoursofitaly.com
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Available PackagesSaturdayMarch 20, 2027SundayMarch 28, 2027EUR 3450
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Available PackagesSaturdayApril 3, 2027SundayApril 11, 2027EUR 3450
This 9-day handcrafted tour invites you to uncover the true soul of Tuscany — from rolling vineyards and medieval hill towns to family-run kitchens and private tastings. With no more than 20 guests, every experience is personal, meaningful, and beautifully unrushed. Scheduled to depart on a Saturday and return on the following Sunday. Our tour begins in Rome and proceeds throughout the region of Tuscany, there is a visit to Cinque Terre, and the tour ends in the Roman Castles (a summer residence to the Pope). The day trips will have comfortable morning departures from one home-based location in the Chianti region to each of the other cities listed in the itinerary below. During this marvelous tour, you will enjoy ROME, “The eternal city”, FLORENCE, “The birthplace of the Renaissance” as well as many picturesque villages such as SIENA, MONTALCINO, PIENZA, MONTEPULCIANO, SAN GIMIGNANO, LUCCA, PISA, ORVIETO, CINQUE TERRE, and the ROMAN CASTLES.
You will also enjoy hand-selected local restaurants with authentic regional dishes, some of the best wine tastings in the area, experience a fun cooking class, and of course some free time for shopping or enjoying the sights at leisure.
Expect to be surprised by the many villages and enchanting landscapes of this area, that are always charming in their natural simplicity.
Highlights
- 9 Day Tour – Rome, Florence, Montalcino, Siena, San Gimignano, Montepulciano, Lucca, Pienza, Orvieto, Cinque Terre and Roman Castles
- Start in Rome (FCO) – End in Rome (FCO)
- 17 Meals to include – 8 buffet breakfasts, 2 lunches, 7 dinners, 1 cooking class, 1 winery
Upon arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo Da Vinci Airport, meet our tour director and tour driver. Airport transfers from the airport will leave at 9:30 am, 12:30 pm, or 3:00 pm to your hotel. In the afternoon meet your travel companions before leaving for a comfortable sightseeing bus tour of Rome’s city center. Sights include views of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, St. Peter’s Square, the Circo Massimo, and Via Veneto. The tour will be followed by a special welcome dinner at one of Rome’s lively restaurants.
Hotel: Belstay Roma Aurelia, or similar (1 night)
After breakfast, drive towards Tuscany, passing through the landscapes of gently rolling, vine-clad hills arriving in Siena. In Siena, take a tour with a local guide through the city center to admire the elaborately carved Gothic Cathedral, Town Hall, and the famous Piazza Del Campo, the site of the spectacular Medieval-style horse race. In the afternoon we’ll enjoy a short ride to our hotel in the Chianti area. Tonight, dinner will be served at a local restaurant/hotel.
Hotel: Villa San Lucchese Hotel, San Leonino or similar (6 nights)
Drive through beautiful southern Tuscany and enjoy some free time in Montalcino, Pienza, and Montepulciano. These villages are known worldwide for their high-quality red wine production, and the famous cheese “Pecorino di Pienza”. Later, enjoy a wine tasting and dinner at a family run vineyard. In the evening, return to our hotel.
Today, go to Florence, the splendid capital of Tuscany and the birthplace of the Renaissance. Follow our local guide to see the marble-clad Cathedral and Baptistery where Ghiberti’s ‘Gates of Paradise’ have been recreated in all their glory. Next, go to the political heart of the city, Signoria Square, which remains an open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces to this day. The tour will end by seeing the Santa Croce church where the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo are kept. In the afternoon there will be free time to enjoy Florence at leisure or learn the secrets of traditional Florentine leatherwork. Dinner will be served at one of Florence’s amazing restaurants.
Experience a three-hour cooking class with a professional chef and learn how to make some of Tuscany’s traditional dishes. Lunch will consist of delicious food prepared by us during the cooking class. After lunch, drive to the most picturesque of Italy’s perfectly preserved medieval towns, the hilltop of San Gimignano. Visit the city center with some free time to enjoy the town at your own pace and do some shopping.
In the morning, follow our local guide for a light walking tour of Lucca city center. Admire the 14th-century San Martino Cathedral and Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, built on the site of an ancient Roman arena. Then we make our way to Pisa to view the famous “Leaning Tower”. To top off this wonderful experience, we’ll enjoy lunch at an Osteria or dinner at an Agriturismo (farm to table) with Tuscany’s regional specialties.
Travel to the coastal region of Liguria for a full-day excursion through the colorful villages of Cinque Terre which are built on rugged cliffs overlooking the sea. See the terraced vineyards sustained by dry walling, an example of innovative engineering to respond to difficult terrain. Weather permitting, travel between the villages by boat to admire Cinque Terre’s sweeping coastal views (if rough seas prevail, a minibus will escort you through some of the villages). Tonight, dinner will be served in the hotel.
Leave the region of Tuscany to reach the gorgeous hilltop town of Orvieto. You’ll have time to enjoy this beautiful city at your own pace. In the afternoon, make our way towards our destination, the hilltops of the Castelli Romani (a group of villages where the Pope spends his summers). Here, enjoy a farewell dinner in the hotel’s restaurant to celebrate the success of your vacation .
Hotel: Castel Vecchio, Benito al Bosco, or similar (1 night)
Arrivederci Roma! Our airport transfers arrive to Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo Da Vinci Int. Airport (FCO) at 7:00 am and 9:30 am.
What's included
Experiences
- Rome: comfortable sightseeing minibus tour of Rome city center
- Siena: Walking tour *(WLG)
- Florence: Walking tour *(WLG)
- Tuscany: Cooking class of typical tuscan menu, lunch included
- Tuscany: Wine tasting
- Lucca: Walking tour *(WLG)
- *(WLG) = With local guide and wireless headsets
Optional Experiences
- Cinque Terre: boat cruise tickets
Overall Trip Rating:
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By Paul B.(United States (US))October 7, 2025 Wedding anniversaryI did not take a Great Tours of Italy tour, but my parents did, and they had a fantastic time. I am writing this review since I myself received excellent customer service from the Great Tours of Italy team while my parents were on tour. My parents were on a trip for their wedding anniversary, and I contacted Great Tours of Italy to help me arrange something special for them. The whole experience was utterly impressive. Francesco and his colleagues gave truly professional, dedicated, and personal service that you rarely see in companies anymore. I am confident that their dedication to excellence must also be reflected in their tours, so I'll keep them high on my list for any future tours for myself! -
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By Randie(Italy)October 7, 2025 Tuscany tourWe really enjoyed the Tuscany tour. Our guide, Ilaria, and driver, Simone, looked after us all brilliantly. Accommodations were fabulous, the bus was very comfortable and we had many wonderful meals included. I would highly recommend this tour.
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By Tara Williams(Italy)September 10, 2025 AmazingTook my mom on the Tuscany tour for her first time to Italy & it was beyond amazing! Absolutely loved the hotels & great locations! Obviously the food was excellent. Great Tours of Italy is definitely the way to go to see as much as possible of Italy. Even the time on the bus was so nice to see all the beautiful countryside.
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By Carol K. May 30, 2025 Wonderful tripMy trip was wonderful. I especially liked the smaller group where it was easier to meet people and get to know the staff. The scenery was very nice and the atmosphere on the bus was laid back. It was relaxing. The food was delicious and well prepared. I enjoyed the presentation of the appetizers, entrees, and desserts. I liked seeing the countryside as I traveled to the different excursions. It showed me the picture of Tuscany and Italy as a country that I wanted to know Overall, I enjoyed the sights and have recommended Great Tours of Itlay to my family and friends.
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By Carolyn and Bob May 18, 2025 cultural visits and wine tastingsThis Tuscany tour was such a delight from start to finish. We loved the balance between cultural visits and wine tastings at lovely local vineyards. The countryside views were magical, and the food was unforgettable. Our guide made the whole experience smooth and fun. A must-do for anyone who loves good wine, charming towns and authentic Italian atmosphere.
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By Laura N.(United States (US))April 17, 2025 Very warmLoved getting off the beaten path. Went to areas during the slightly off season with little crowds. We truly had lovely local guides and meals that reflected the region. We had a cooking lesson and lunch in a rural area. Very warm and welcoming not like some other “cooking” venues I have been on.
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By Diane Schullen(Italy)October 15, 2024 Second tourWe were on our 2nd tour with Great Tours of Italy and I can't say enough about the professionalism, knowledge and integrity we experienced with them. Every single day was exceptional and we came away knowing so much more about each destination we visited. They truly are the best in the business. Shout out to our tour bus driver and tour guide for the absolutely wonderful experience while touring beautiful Italy. Thank you Great Tours of Italy.
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By Diane(United States (US))September 20, 2024 Natural BeutyThe hotels exceptional. Tour manager excellent, personable, great communicator. Local guides excellent as welll...interesting and knowledgable . The sites we traveled to were all excellent choices Ratio of free time was great ... Group of 20 a good size (wouldnt go larger) Buses comfortable , sound system excellent. Our 2nd Great Tours of Italy ...we will be booking more. Highly recommend
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By Judith(Italy)June 26, 2024 Great Tours of Italy tour was everything we expectedGreat Tours of Italy tour was everything we expected
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By Carry & Laura(Italy)June 21, 2024 Learn, eat, sleep and repetMy Sister and I went on the Great Tuscany and Cinque Terre with Great Tours of Italy and it was the best decision for us! Great Tours of Italy is wonderful with everything to feel safe and secure and the knowledge of the tour guide and bus driver to all the staff. People will say why take a tour with a group of people when you could just go alone? Now, from our experience, I can say there is absolutely no way we could ever have seen everything we saw, learned everything we learned or managed such an experience-rich trip like the one we had. . Have a great time on your tour you won’t be disappointed.
Guests stay in first-class hotels/Agriturismo, featuring:
- Rome (1 night): Belstay Roma Aurelia or similar
- Chianti Region (6 nights): Villa San Lucchese Hotel, San Leonino, or similar
- Roman Castles (1 night): Castel Vecchio, Benito al Bosco, or similar
All hotels are carefully selected for comfort, local charm, and strategic access to regional highlights.
Yes. Arrival transfers from Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) run at 9:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 3:00 pm on Day 1.
Departure transfers to FCO run at 7:00 am and 9:30 am on Day 9.
The tour covers iconic Tuscan, Umbrian, and Ligurian destinations, including:
Rome, Siena, Chianti, Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano, Florence, San Gimignano, Lucca, Pisa, Cinque Terre, Orvieto, and the Roman Castles (Castelli Romani).
Guests will enjoy:
- A sightseeing tour of Rome
- A Tuscan cooking class with lunch
- A wine tasting at a family-run vineyard
- A full-day excursion to Cinque Terre
- Multiple walking tours of historic towns
These curated activities offer authentic cultural immersion.
The boat cruise is weather permitting.
If sea conditions do not allow navigation, the visit will be conducted via minibus between selected villages.
Tickets for the boat cruise are an optional experience, payable on-site.
Guests enjoy free time on several days for shopping, photography, or exploring independently—particularly in Florence, San Gimignano, Orvieto, and various Tuscan hill towns.
Minor adjustments may occur due to local events, weather conditions, or operational reasons. Any changes will maintain or enhance the overall quality of the experience.
While children are welcome, the itinerary is designed primarily for adults who appreciate history, culture, food, and a relaxed travel pace.
