The landscape and history of Italy hint of adventure hidden in the hills of Tuscany and along the trails of Cinque Terre. Your custom tailored tour will introduce you to the everyday beauty of La Dolce Vita on the paths that crisscross the countryside. Uncover seductive wines in secluded vineyards and wander through shaded olive groves to reach pristine views of the Ligurian coast. Explore preserved medieval villages and climb to the top of antique towers as your active tour will embody...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Volterra – Welcome to the Charming and Historical Town of Volterra
Tuscany is famous for its lush rolling hills, vast vineyards, and towering cypress trees as country roads lead to enchanting preserved medieval towns. Your flight will arrive at Florence International Airport, and your private transfer will meet you at baggage claim to escort you into the Tuscan countryside. The sunlight spreads across the verdant olive trees as emerald vineyards blanket the hills as the scent of succulent oaks and herbaceous plains fill the air. Your guide will meet you at the head of a small trail that leads to Volterra as your transfer continues to town with your luggage. You will continue on the trail for an easy walk that will allow you to bask in the beauty of the landscape and stretch your legs after the flight.
Stone farmhouses rise out of the growing stalks, and your guide will have you grab a dangling olive to feel its plumpness and coarse texture. The town of Volterra rises above the cypress and oak trees on the hillside as you will reach the imposing walls that protect the medieval city, a structure matched in drama only by the remaining historical towers that create a stone skyline. Etruscans settled the province before the Romans overtook Tuscany in the 3rd century BC as the cobblestone lanes and studded walls were built between the 14th and 16th centuries. Wander through the Etruscan Museum for perspective on the 3,000-year-old history of settlements on the hillside with galleries that exhibit funerary urns, ceramics, and gold jewelry.
What's Included:
Day 2
Volterra – Delight in a Hike around the Tuscan Olive Groves and Vineyards
Day 3
Riomaggiore – Arrive in Cinque Terre and Venture along the Famous Paths
Day 4
Riomaggiore – Traverse the Trails of Portofino National Park and Portofino
Day 5
Colle – Enjoy the Village of Colle and the Towers of San Gimignano
Day 6
Siena – Discover Siena and Wander along Chianti during a Wine Tour
Day 7
Siena – Follow Via Romea around the Tuscan Countryside to Fonterutoli
Day 8
Siena – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Relish the fresh air and the enchanting landscape during magnificent hikes across the hills of Tuscany and coastal promontories of Cinque Terre
- Trek the paths of Portofino National Park to discover a lavish array of wild flora, from asparagus to strawberries, growing near the coastal cliffs
- Indulge in the creamy texture and abundant flavor of gelato on a private gelato tour in the historical town center of Siena
- Sample Tuscan wines on a private estate outside the city walls of Siena during a walking tour of city center and bordering countryside
- Enjoy the serene preserved medieval streets of Volterra and San Gimignano
- Delight in the sea breeze during a private boat ride along the Mediterranean Sea
- Trek portions of the historical Via Romea, a pilgrimage route that connects France to Rome
- Enjoy the stunning natural beauty of Tuscany when walking along the banks of the Cecina River
- Climb to the top of Torre Grossa in San Gimignano for an unadulterated panoramic view of central Tuscany
Detailed Description
Tuscany and Liguria entice visitors from across Italy and around the world with promises of ancient relics, medieval charms, and inspiring nature. Your 8-day tour will combine hiking and culture in a way that is perfect for explorers, adventurers, and history lovers. The journey will begin as your flight lands at Florence International Airport. Your private transfer will escort you to a trailhead to meet your guide. Stretch your legs and enjoy the fresh Tuscan air with an easy introductory walk along the countryside to the medieval hill town of Volterra, which enchants visitors with its ancient foundations and preserved antique district.
The next day, you will traverse the country trails outside of Volterra to visit the farmhouses, olive groves, cypress trees, and oak forests near the hamlet of Ulignano before returning to Volterra to enjoy the town’s traditions. The following day, you have a private transfer to the coastal town of Riomaggiore, one of the five towns of Cinque Terre. Explore the medieval seaside streets before you embark on the trails that connect each town along the shoreline. Board a private boat the next morning to reach the secluded Abbey of San Fruttuoso located inside Portofino National Park.
Wander the trails through the national park to enjoy the glorious views and wild flora before you reach the beautiful Italian Riviera town of Portofino. Continue the next day as you return to Tuscany to visit the town of towers at San Gimignano for a stroll along the medieval streets. Enjoy a panoramic view from Torre Grossa before you take the ancient trail Via Francigena to the town of Colle. The next day, you will venture to Siena for a full day tour of the medieval streets, the lavish Cathedral, the charming churches, and the delectable vineyards found on the outskirts of town.
Explore the Chianti Hills around the ancient pilgrimage route of Via Romea the next day and stop in the villages, hamlets, and towns that rise out of the countryside before you return to Siena. To conclude, your private transfer will meet you at your hotel in Siena ready to take you to Florence International Airport for your flight home. You could also extend your stay and continue your adventure through Italy at a pace that allows you to indulge in the sweet life of Italian culture and tradition.
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 5894 reviews.
The overall trip was great. The weather was terrific and the countries we visited had so much to see. Zicasso's tour company did a good job of balancing relaxation with fun. Each of the guides we had was so pleasant and shared so much information with us. They were very attentive to our needs.
Reviewed By Nisha V.
Wow, where to begin. This trip was an absolute dream.
When I first spoke to Zicasso’s travel consultant, I told her my main travel concern: traveling with nine- and 15-year-old boys as a single mom in Italy. I was excited to take the trip with them, but I really needed something that was meticulously planned to take away the nerves of having to navigate alone with two kids. She listened and executed the most beautiful trip.
She planned activities that captured the attention and imagination of a fourth grader and a teenager. And the experiences were unique. Probably the highlight of the trip was a truffle hunt with the hunter and his dog in the countryside outside of Florence. My oldest wants to move to Florence and start hunting! We had a personalized cooking class, a private Vespa tour of Rome, and a delicious and informative art and food tour, among other amazing experiences. As we were sending photos back home, I got so many requests for our itinerary because it was so special and unique. Both boys were hard-pressed to choose which part they liked best.
The hotels she selected were beautiful, comfortable, and right in the heart of the cities and attractions we wanted to see. When we encountered a small hiccup (by our hotel, not our travel agent), I contacted her and she responded right away, getting us a free room upgrade and free dinner! We felt very taken care of.
Aside from the amazing activities and locations we saw, the trip was fantastic because everything was so seamless. We always had a private driver arranged, pre-booked train tickets, and even someone to make sure we made it on time for our flight home. I never had to worry about a thing. It was also telling that every tour guide we interacted with had only glowing things to say about our travel agent and her keen attention to detail and organization.
If you're planning on visiting Italy, this travel company is the travel agency you need to select. It takes any of the stress and guesswork out of the travel process, and all you have to do is show up and enjoy.
Thank you so much! You helped us make some amazing memories!
Stephanie
Reviewed By Stephanie S.
This was possibly the best vacation we have ever taken. A fitting trip to mark our 25th anniversary, we will remember our days in Positano and Sorrento forever. Everything was perfect and the service and support were extraordinary.
Zicasso's travel specialist and the other people were always super-helpful and friendly. The hotels they chose for us in particular were exactly what we wanted. I can’t think of a single issue. Transport, transfers, etc., were perfect. The only bad part was that we had to return to normal life afterwards! We highly recommend our travel company to anyone! Grazie mille!
Reviewed By Mauro A.
We had a fantastic time and Zicasso's tour operator did an excellent job organizing every detail of our trip. Drivers and guides were always punctual, and the itinerary was perfectly balanced—full days, without ever feeling rushed.
Some real highlights for us were Herculaneum, the Pantheon, the Vatican, and our unforgettable Capri boat tour. Our guide brought Pompeii's history to life in a way that made it feel like stepping back in time and the Naples street food tour was delicious and nostalgic—her pizza fritta instantly took me back to the calzones I grew up with in Niles, Ohio. Our driver was with us for several days and made every transfer feel effortless.
There was a small hiccup at the very end with a trip planner, but it was minor compared to the overall quality of the trip. The organization, communication, and attention to detail throughout made this a truly memorable experience and we wouldn’t hesitate to book with this tour agency again. We had a fantastic time and the tour company did an excellent job organizing every detail of our trip.
Reviewed By James T.
I want to give a huge shoutout to Zicasso's trip coordinator. She was our coordinator through WhatsApp. She was always available, provided quick solutions and documents whenever we needed them. Given a few airline delays, we needed to adapt our itinerary rapidly and she always came in clutch.The itinerary was put together very fast, as we approached this travel company six weeks before our desired travel dates. We had an amazing time and all the activities were tailored to our interests. We would highly recommend them for any Italy travel.
Reviewed By Brad B.
It was very good and lived up to our expectations.
Reviewed By Sarpreet B.