This is a land of gentle rises and fecund meadows, where grapes grow fat in the summer sun and Italian nobles retire to enjoy the countryside. It’s a place of fine art and delectable food, cosmopolitan cities and entrancing towns, timeless history and endless culture. It’s a region of untrammeled natural beauty and unbounded imagination, the home to some of the great minds and great landscapes in the world. This is Tuscany, and there’s nowhere else quite like it.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
The Magnificent Villas of Tuscany
This morning is left to your own devices. You can enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a cappuccino while you watch the traffic pass in one of Florence’s many piazzas or set out on a shopping expedition for some of the city’s best wares, like fine leather goods and jewelry. After a delicious lunch, you’ll head out to the Tuscan countryside to take in some of the most majestic country villas in Italy. You’ll start by walking along the famed double lane of cypresses that leads to the entrance of the splendid Villa Torrigiani, decorated with classical statues and dramatic balustrades that recall the splendor of Tuscany’s past.
Continue on to Villa Reale, whose renowned garden features the unique and unforgettable Teatro di Verdura – literally, the “Greenery Theatre” but perhaps most eloquently translated as “A Curtain of Green.” This performance space has been designed into the hedges and topiary that fill the gardens. The tour concludes at the most iconic of Lucchese villas, the stunning Villa Mansi, which is now the site of an excellent museum.
What's Included:
Day 2
Hiking the Arresting Alps
Day 3
A Tour of Chianti, Italy’s Wine Capital
Day 4
Around Fantastic Florence
Day 5
Visiting the Very Best Tuscan Towns
Day 6
A Day of Indulgence in the Heart of Italy
Day 7
Hitting the Streets of Italy’s Most Fashionable City
Day 8
Saying Arrivederci
Trip Highlights
- Marvel at the spectacular country homes of the central Italian elite, from Lucca to Mutigliano
- Enjoy an excursion to the heart of Italy’s famed wine region, where you’ll learn all about the history of Italian wine making and get a taste of the best vintages from the best wineries
- Walk the streets of famous Florence, the chief city of the Italian Renaissance and one of the greatest cities in the world for art lovers, from the rich offerings of the Accademia to the incredible paintings in the Uffizi
- Revel in the unparalleled comfort and relaxation at Bagni di Pisa, where you’ll enjoy soothing therapeutic waters and the splendor of a former villa turned into a world-class spa
- Explore the finest fashion houses and the best small boutiques of the renowned avenues of chic and tony Milan, one of the few world cities that drives the global fashion scene
Detailed Description
Nowhere says splendor quite like the famed hills of Tuscany, the home to scintillating countryside and some of the country’s best-loved cities. This nine-day trip will give you the chance to see the best of this arresting area, from the streets of Florence to the magnificent country villas of Lucca, showing you the best food, art and culture around.
Discover the art of the Italian Renaissance as you perambulate through Florence, where you’ll find the astounding Santa Maria del Fiore and the sublime works of Michelangelo on prominent display in the Accademia. Visit the villas of the Italian nobility around Lucca and Mutigliano and enjoy the sumptuous wines of the spectacular Chianti region. You’ll even get the chance to spend a day in the lap of luxury, as you revel in the setting and the services of a world-class spa in the delightful town of Bagni di Pisa.
From the paintings of the Renaissance to the celluloid of today’s silver screen, Tuscany is synonymous with Italian allure and countryside charm. Visit for the sunsets or the light as it mingles with the crisp Italian air over the tranquil peace of an olive grove. Come for the incomparable cuisine, known the world round for its comforting delicacies. Stop by for the culture that has been cultivated for centuries, from big cities to tiny towns. Why ever you choose to visit, you’ll find you have a much bigger problem finding a reason to leave.
Starting Price
$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.9 stars based on 5621 reviews.
My husband and I went through Zicasso to plan our honeymoon to Italy and Greece. This was the best decision ever! We worked closely with our travel specialist to plan our trip and she was absolutely phenomenal. This was our first international trip outside of the US, so we were a bit nervous at first! However, our specialist ensured every aspect of the trip was organized and that we were taken care of every step of the way.
The biggest relief was transportation. We did not have to give a second thought as to how we were getting places; we had drivers set up at every destination and for nearly every activity. Also, we had 24/7 support if anything were to go wrong, which gave us peace of mind.
If you are hesitant to use Zicasso for your next trip, I want you to know that I was too, but it was the best decision! We were able to personalize and tailor our trip to our needs without the hassle of dealing with the details.
Reviewed By Grace B.
I was very pleased with the entire planning of the trip. The communication with Zicasso's tour company was excellent. The meals that were pre-arranged by them were fantastic and we probably would not have found them on our own.
Reviewed By komal P.
The trip was amazing all around. Incredible. The service and itinerary were perfect. We highly recommend Zicasso's travel company.
Reviewed By Mitch A.
Our trip was absolutely amazing! This was the trip of a lifetime. Zicasso and our trip planner were incredible. He was repeatedly helpful, offering personalized attention to our needs. He booked amazing tours for us and seemed to really grasp what we wanted. Everything was incredible.
Reviewed By Helena H.
It was a great pleasure working with Zicasso's tour agency. Our travel designer and her staff were attentive to the kind of trip we wanted and planned a great itinerary. The hotels, restaurants, and drivers were all top-notch. For us, the acid test was the quality of the guides, and they excelled there as well. We would happily have them plan another trip for us.
Reviewed By Robert K.
My husband and I had a great time on our trip to the northeast Adriatic Coast of Italy. We have very specific tastes as far as where we like to stay and the private tours we like to have during the trip. Zicasso's travel company did a great job, giving us fantastic hotels, and all of our tour guides were top-notch.
Reviewed By Danielle S.