Top 7 Things to Do in Tuscany

Tuscany’s culinary traditions are a direct reflection of its landscape: rustic, honest, and made from the highest quality ingredients. To truly understand the region’s soul, you must taste it, from its hearty peasant soups to its world-class wines and olive oils.

The culinary secrets of Tuscany can take you into the private homes of grandmothers who have perfected dishes over generations or into restaurants where celebrated chefs are reimagining familiar flavors. On a private food tour, a local guide can lead you through the bustling Sant’Ambrogio Market in Florence, introducing you to vendors of artisanal cheeses, cured meats, and seasonal produce. These are just a few of the experiences that await you.

What to Expect

When indulging in Tuscany's culinary delights, you can anticipate:

• Authentic Dishes: Experience seasonal cuisine based on simple, high-quality local ingredients like vegetables and breads.
• Hands-On Classes: Learn the art of pasta making and other regional specialties in a rustic farmhouse setting, seeing how simple flour and eggs become delicate pappardelle to be served with ragù sauce.
• Exclusive Food Tours: Discover hidden eateries, vibrant local markets, and artisanal producers with an expert guide.
• Artisanal Tastings: Sample world-renowned olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and Pecorino cheeses.
• Hearty, Traditional Meals: Enjoy iconic dishes like Florentine steak and wild boar pasta, perfectly paired with local wines.

Best Places to Visit for Food

• Florence
• Siena
• Livorno
• Greve in Chianti
• San Gimignano

Enjoy our In-Depth Tour of Tuscan Gourmet Cuisine, which can be personalized just for you by our travel experts.

Cycling in Tuscany offers a glorious way to immerse yourself in its legendary landscape, traveling at a pace that allows you to engage all your senses. With routes ranging from leisurely rides to challenging expert trails, it is an exceptional and exhilarating way to explore.

Take to the quiet country lanes or cycle between famous medieval towns. Pedal through the Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in which every turn reveals a postcard-perfect scene of rolling green hills, cypress-lined avenues, and ancient farmhouses. Follow a route through the Chianti region, where challenging climbs are rewarded with breathtaking views of endless vineyards and the promise of a refreshing glass of wine at your destination.

What to Expect

When cycling in Tuscany, you can expect:

• Iconic Scenery: Ride through rolling hills, classic cypress-lined roads, vineyards, and olive groves.
• Routes for All Levels: Enjoy everything from leisurely rides on country lanes to challenging climbs in the mountains.
• High-Quality Rentals: Access excellent road bikes and e-bikes to make the famous hills more manageable.
• Charming Stops: Discover medieval hilltop towns, historic castles, and family-run cafes along your route.
• Total Immersion: Engage your senses with the sights, sounds, and smells of the Tuscan countryside.

Best Places to Visit for Cycling

• Volterra
• Radda in Chianti
• Castagneto
• Pietrasanta

Enjoy Tuscan trails on a Perfect Private Tour of Tuscany in Two Weeks.

The idyllic charm of Tuscany is captured in its historic villages, which crown hillsides and mountain slopes. Step back in time and discover a way of life that has remained unchanged for centuries. Wander the steep, cobblestone streets of Cortona, a town of ancient Etruscan origin made famous by the book, Under the Tuscan Sun, and feel its history in every stone. In Lucca, rent a bicycle and ride along the top of the perfectly preserved, tree-lined Renaissance-era walls that encircle the city.

In Montepulciano, descend into vast underground cellars that tunnel beneath grand Renaissance palaces. With a private guide, these ancient stones come to life with stories of warring medieval families, influential Etruscan leagues, and the powerful Medici dynasty that shaped so much of the region's destiny.

What to Expect

When exploring Tuscany's historic towns, you can expect:

• Preserved Architecture: Witness stunning examples of medieval and Renaissance buildings, walls, and towers.
• Atmospheric Streets: Get lost in a labyrinth of charming cobblestone lanes and hidden piazzas.
• Rich Historical Narratives: Uncover a deep history spanning from the Etruscans and Romans to the present day.
• Panoramic Views: Enjoy breathtaking vistas of the surrounding countryside from elevated hilltop positions.
• Authentic Culture: Experience the genuine pace of local life in towns that feel like living museums.

Best Places to Visit for Cultural Heritage

• Cortona
• Lucca
• Pitigliano
• Arezzo
• Montepulciano

Our Tuscany Tour of Medieval Cities and Renaissance Preserves is the perfect way to explore the region’s heritage and history.

Tuscany’s thermal baths, a well-kept secret beloved by locals, offer a chance to slow down and indulge in deep relaxation. Flowing from the ground for millennia, these naturally warm, mineral-rich waters represent an age-old tradition mixed with touches of modern luxury. Plunge into one of the region’s incredible natural spas, where silky blue water and inviting temperatures soothe the body and mind.

The most famous is Saturnia’s Cascate del Mulino, a stunning natural wonder where sulfurous water cascades over a series of white limestone terraces, creating dozens of small, warm pools. For a more exclusive experience, visit one of the elegant spa towns.

What to Expect

When visiting Tuscany's thermal baths, you can expect:

• Rejuvenating Waters: Soak in naturally warm, mineral-rich springs believed to have therapeutic properties.
• Stunning Natural Settings: Experience unique outdoor waterfalls and pools surrounded by scenic countryside.
• Luxury Spa Facilities: Enjoy modern wellness centers offering massages, mud baths, and other treatments.
• Deep Relaxation: Embrace the Italian art of slowing down in a serene and peaceful ambiance.
• An Ancient Tradition: Participate in a wellness practice that dates back to the Etruscans and Romans.

Best Places to Visit for Thermal Baths

• Siena
• Val d’Orcia
• Chianciano Terme
• Chianti
• Rapolano Terme

Let our experts customize a Historical Immersion Tour of Tuscany: Siena and Florence to include the region’s thermal baths.

The cities and towns of Tuscany are living works of art, but it is within their world-class galleries and museums that the region’s history as the Cradle of the Renaissance truly comes alive. This is where Western art was redefined and you can come face-to-face with its masterpieces. Florence is the undeniable epicenter. With a private guide and pre-booked tickets, you can bypass the long lines and stand in awe before Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia Gallery. Look up at the magnificent architectural feat of Brunelleschi’s Dome, which still dominates the Florentine skyline.

In Siena, proud Gothic heritage offers a stunning contrast, best seen in the vast Piazza del Campo and the striking black-and-white marble of its cathedral. From Etruscan mosaics in Volterra to the perfect Renaissance urban planning of Pienza, Tuscany offers an unparalleled journey through art history.

What to Expect

When discovering Tuscany's art and history, you can expect:

• Iconic Masterpieces: Come face-to-face with some of the world's most famous Renaissance art.
• World-Class Museums: Explore unparalleled collections at legendary institutions like the Uffizi and Accademia.
• Expert Art Guides: Gain deep insights into the art, artists, and their historical context with a private guide.
• Architectural Marvels: Witness groundbreaking architectural achievements from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
• Exclusive Access: Enjoy pre-booked, skip-the-line tickets to avoid crowds at major sites.

Best Places to Visit for Art and History

• Florence
• Siena
• Pisa
• Volterra
• Pienza

Embark on our Art Capitals of Italy Tour for an unprecedented look at the country’s treasures.

Hiking in Tuscany reveals ancient paths and hidden wonders. It provides an intimate and rewarding way to connect with the region’s diverse landscapes. The trails may wind through vineyards and rolling hills or weave into rugged mountains, providing a new perception of authentic Italy with every step.

This is a chance to slow down and absorb the scenery in a way that is impossible from a car. Follow a section of the Via Francigena, the ancient pilgrimage route that has guided travelers through Tuscany on their way to Rome for over a thousand years. For a more challenging trek, explore the forested trails of the Apuan Alps near Abetone, a dramatic mountain range offering a wilder side of Tuscany.

What to Expect

When hiking in Tuscany, you can expect:

• Diverse Trail Networks: Find paths for all abilities, from gentle walks through vineyards to strenuous mountain treks.
• Historic Routes: Walk along sections of ancient pilgrimage and trade routes like the Via Francigena.
• Immersive Nature: Discover a variety of landscapes, including rolling hills, dense forests, and rugged coastlines.
• Secluded Discoveries: Uncover hidden ruins, secluded chapels, and breathtaking, solitary viewpoints.
• A Peaceful Pace: Connect deeply with the natural beauty and serene ambiance of the Tuscan countryside.

Best Places to Visit for Trekking

• Abetone
• Forte Falcone
• Monte Amiata
• Val d’Orcia
• Garfagnana

Let our experts customize Zicasso’s One-Week in the Tuscan Countryside Tour to your preferences.

The best towns to visit in Tuscany for wine embody a historic connection to the vines and a contemporary appreciation for nuanced characteristics. Wine here is not just a drink; it is culture, history, and a way of life, and there is no better way to understand it than by visiting its source.

From Chianti Classico to Vino Nobile and the prestigious Brunello, Tuscany has an established tradition of the craft, with vineyards ranging from ancient family-run cellars to modern, architect-designed wineries. Journey through the Chianti Classico region and learn about the Sangiovese grape that forms the backbone of its famous wines. In the hilltop fortress town of Montalcino, taste the powerful and complex Brunello, a wine aged for years to achieve its legendary status.

What to Expect

When visiting Tuscany's wine regions, you can expect:

• World-Famous Wines: Taste celebrated varietals like Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, and Supertuscans.
• Exclusive Vineyard Tours: Enjoy private access to historic cellars and modern, state-of-the-art wineries.
• Stunning Scenery: Take in the iconic Tuscan landscape of rolling hills covered in perfectly manicured vines.
• Expert-Led Tastings: Learn about the winemaking process and the nuances of each wine from vintners and sommeliers.
• Gourmet Food Pairings: Indulge in exquisite lunches and dinners at which local dishes like vegetable and bread soup or Pappardelle al Cinghiale are perfectly matched with estate wines.

Best Places to Visit for Wine

• Montalcino
• Montepulciano
• Bolgheri
• San Gimignano
• Maremma

Zicasso’s Quintessential 10-Day Tuscany Food and Wine Tour will have you visiting renowned winemaking regions and enjoying the enticing aromas of a private kitchen.

Your unforgettable Tuscan adventure awaits. The region offers an iconic blend of rolling landscapes, Renaissance art, and world-class cuisine, and our travel specialists ensure you experience it all in comfort, style, and at your preferred pace. From a private tasting of Brunello in a Montalcino vineyard to a guided tour of Florence's Uffizi Gallery that avoids the crowds, every detail is tailored for a seamless, enriching, and unforgettable journey.

Let us craft your personalized Tuscany vacation. For more information and inspiration, take a look at our Tuscany travel guide or Zicasso’s Tuscany tours and vacations.