Tuscany

Located in the central region of Italy, Tuscany is a world-renowned destination that captivates travellers with its history, architecture and cuisine.

Tuscany is a region in central Italy known for its extraordinary range of cultural, culinary, and natural treasures that have made it one of the world's most celebrated regions. Its capital, Florence, is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance and boasts some of the world’s most recognisable art and architecture, including Michelangelo’s "David" statue, Botticelli’s works in the Uffizi Gallery and the magnificent Duomo basilica. In addition to Botticelli and Michelangelo, other legendary artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Donatello also hail from the region.

Beyond Florence, Siena offers stunning architecture and hosts the famous Palio horse race, San Gimignano is a beautiful medieval walled city, Pisa is known worldwide for its emblematic leaning tower and Lucca showcases remarkably well-preserved Renaissance walls. The bucolic Tuscan countryside, with its cypress-lined roads, rolling hills, medieval towns like Volterra and golden wheat fields, has inspired countless artists and continues to draw visitors seeking that perfect pastoral beauty.

Of course, one cannot talk of Tuscany without mentioning its renowned gastronomy. The region is famous for its hearty, rustic cuisine featuring excellent olive oil, bistecca alla fiorentina, pecorino cheese, ribollita soup, and simple dishes that showcase high-quality local ingredients. Tuscany also produces some of Italy's most prestigious wines, including Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and the bold, rich Super Tuscans. The dramatic vineyard landscapes, particularly in Chianti, have become iconic images of Italian wine country.

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Florence
Santo Spirito
This basilica boasts some of the best in Renaissance interior design, courtesy of Brunelleschi.
Authentic Italian Gelato
Try real-deal Gelato – we promise you’ll never look at frozen treats the same way again!
Chianti Wine Tasting
Experience the smells and tastes of a collection of Chianti wines.
Italian Cantucci
Step into a local restaurant's kitchen and watch a baking demonstration of homemade cantucci.
Finocchiona
Sample a deliciously fennel-spiced salami, Finocchiona.
Trattoria
Visit an authentic Italian trattoria, and taste one of their seasonal soups or stews.

Related Tours

Tuscan Truffle Hunt: Small Group Excursion from Florence

Truffles hold a very special place in Italian culture, not just as a culinary delicacy but also as a symbol of tradition, luxury, and regional pride. Tuscany in particular is renowned for producing some of the world's finest truffles, with its climate, soil, and terrain creating ideal conditions for these prized fungi. Our truffle hunting excursion from Florence offers you a unique and authentic way to experience Tuscan gastronomy at its finest, introducing you to passionate local experts for a practical demonstration of this centuries-old ritual, followed by a delicious lunch made from the spoils of your truffle quest.

On your 5-hour private truffle hunting experience, you will:

  • Embark on a truffle hunting adventure in the heart of Tuscany;
  • Enjoy convenient pick up and drop off from your hotel in Florence;
  • Sit back, relax and take in scenic views of the rolling Tuscan hills;
  • Learn the history of truffle hunting in Tuscany and its enduring cultural significance;
  • Meet a crack team of truffle hunters and their four-legged friends at a rustic local farmhouse;
  • Uncover the techniques used to sniff out top-notch truffles and see how many your group can dig up;
  • Find out about the different truffle varieties in Tuscany and what makes them special;
  • Indulge in a gourmet 4-course lunch where the truffles take centre stage;
  • Accompany your feast with a fantastic Tuscan wine pairing.

Step off the well-trodden streets of Florence and into the culinary heart of Tuscany with an immersive truffle hunting excursion that blends rustic tradition with gourmet indulgence. Your tour begins with a convenient pickup directly from your hotel, followed by a scenic drive through the rolling Tuscan hills that sets the stage for an experience few travellers get to enjoy. 

At a charming farmhouse tucked into the countryside, you’ll be welcomed by a group of seasoned tartufai (the Italian term for truffle hunters) and their remarkably skilled dogs, whose keen noses lead the way in this centuries-old pursuit. As you follow them into the woods, you’ll gain a crash course in the history and cultural importance of truffle hunting in Tuscany, learning the secrets of how these rare treasures are tracked, unearthed, and prepared. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of brushing aside the soil to reveal one of the most coveted ingredients in Italian cuisine.

You will then make your way back to the farm, where your discoveries will be transformed into a feast. You’ll enjoy a decadent four-course lunch based around the truffles you and your group helped find, each dish paired thoughtfully with superb Tuscan wines. It’s a chance to savour the land’s bounty at its freshest, while soaking in the tranquil atmosphere of the Italian countryside.

This 5-hour journey offers more than a taste of Tuscany: it’s a glimpse into a way of life where food, land, and tradition are deeply intertwined. This is a rare opportunity for foodie travellers to go beyond the table and experience one of Italy's most revered gastronomic rituals from the ground up.

Private Wine Tour of Chianti & San Gimignano from Florence

Experience a luxury private day tour of wine tastings and sightseeing in the beautiful Tuscan region of Chianti just outside of Florence famous for its world-class wines, rolling vineyards, and idyllic medieval towns. On your private tour, you will:

  • Enjoy the personalised attention of your private English-speaking guide, and luxury private transport with hotel pick-up and drop-off in central Florence included.
  • Admire the scenic views of Tuscany as you drive along panoramic roads. 
  • Enjoy an all-inclusive day of wine tastings and food pairings and a delicious three-course Tuscan lunch at a classic winery.
  • Visit one of Chianti’s finest vineyards and learn all about the local Vernaccia grape and winemaking process. Enjoy spectacular views from the tasting terrace. 
  • Enjoy wine tastings and food pairings of Chianti Riserva is an atmospheric medieval castle. 
  • Explore the picturesque, medieval UNESCO World Heritage town of San Gimignano, try the best local gelato, wander the romantic cobbled streets and admire the breathtaking vistas of the Tuscan hillside from the city walls.
  • Indulge in a delicious, authentic three-course Tuscan lunch, with expertly paired wines, in a family-run Chianti farm near San Gimignano.
  • Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, stunning views and a guided tour of the winery, with the option to purchase your favourite wines. 
  • Finally, sit back and relax to enjoy the stunning views on the drive back to Florence.

Enjoy a relaxing and beautiful day of wine tasting and sightseeing in the stunning region of Chianti, not far from Florence, on this full-day private tour.

With luxury private transport and your English speaking private guide, be picked up from your Florence hotel and enjoy the breathtaking views of the rolling Tuscan countryside as you drive out to Chianti. You’ll visit Chianti’s finest vineyard to learn all about the Vernaccia grape and the winemaking process from grape to bottle, and the very strict Italian laws governing wine production – with different labels for the different standards of wine. You’ll be able to taste the difference between the table wines (tavernello) and the finest DOCG and Riservas.

Enjoy your first wine tasting and food pairings in the cellars of a spectacular medieval castle and then explore the stunning medieval town of San Gimignano – now a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site, in the heart of Chianti. Here you’ll be able to spend some free time exploring and shopping, admire the 14-15th century frescoes and walk around the city walls with panoramic views of the Tuscan hillside.

Then make your way to a local, family-run Chianti winery where you’ll be given a tour and shown how to expertly match your wines with your three-course, authentic Tuscan lunch!

Finally enjoy a relaxing, scenic drive back to Florence. 

Small Group Wine Tour of Chianti from Florence: San Gimignano & Vineyards

Experience a luxury, all-inclusive, small-group tour of wine tasting through the Tuscan countryside with your expert English-speaking guide. 

On your small group tour, you will:

  • Enjoy an all-inclusive, small group tour of wine tasting through the Tuscan countryside, with return private transport
  • Enjoy the expert attention of your English-speaking guide and wonderful scenic drives across the Tuscan landscape.
  • Visit a famous vineyard in the heart of Chianti, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the winemaking process and learn all about the famous Vernaccia grape.
  • Explore an organic winery, with three tastings included, alongside delicious local food pairings of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, fresh bread, olives, and pecorino cheese!
  • Visit the idyllic UNESCO-listed town of San Gimignano, the most attractive medieval village in the heart of the Chianti wine region. 
  • Visit a second winery for another guided wine tasting, and enjoy an authentic, delicious three-course Tuscan lunch.
  • Take the opportunity to purchase some of your favourite Tuscan wines of the day. Shipping available.
  • Enjoy a scenic drive back to Florence, with a stop off at the beautiful panoramic vista at Piazzale Michelangelo. 

Enjoy a leisurely and luxurious day of wine tasting and sightseeing in the beautiful Chianti region of Tuscany. With plenty of wine tastings and food pairings, tours of Chianti’s finest vineyard, two different wineries and the idyllic medieval town of San Gimignano, you’ll learn all about the winemaking process and the famous Vernaccia grape on this relaxing, tasty and fascinating day trip.

On this small-group tour, you’ll be met by your expert English-speaking guide in Florence and be taken around the rolling hills of Tuscany by an air-conditioned private 8-seater minivan. Your first stop is a tour of one of the finest vineyards in the heart of Chianti. You’ll get an up-close look at the production and ageing process of Chianti wines and an in-depth explanation from a wine expert.

Afterwards, you will visit an organic winery where you will enjoy the first wine tasting – which includes three wines produced by the winemaker, and paired with fresh local bread, green olives, pecorino cheese, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Enjoy a scenic drive and arrive for a guided tour of San Gimignano, the most attractive medieval village in the heart of the Chianti wine region – and UNESCO-listed world heritage site. After an orientation tour of this picturesque town, enjoy free time to wander around, try the best local gelato, admire 14th- to 15th-century frescoes, and wander around the city walls for stunning views across the Tuscan countryside.

Next, you’ll drive to a second local winery for a delicious, authentic three-course Tuscan lunch, combined with another guided wine tasting. Here, you’ll also have the opportunity to purchase and ship Tuscan wines worldwide.

Then it’s time to drive through the beautiful, rolling green hills of Tuscany back to Florence – with a stop off at Piazzale Michelangelo, the most romantic square in Florence with a breathtaking panoramic view over the city called the Cradle of the Renaissance. 

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