Explore Tuscany Tour: Ancient Towns, Coastlines, Snorkeling & Trekking

What to expect on this itinerary
Step off the beaten path on your custom-tailored luxury vacation for a view of the unparalleled charms of Tuscany. From undulating open valleys to treasured shores, experience an unforgettable journey through the uncharted and overlooked splendors of Elba, Florence, and the surrounding beauty of Tuscany. The Mediterranean sun spreads over the rugged and lush niches of the Island of Elba. Emerald hills and cypress trees expand across the lengths of the horizon. Museums display breathtaking artwork. Ancient villages display remnants of their heritage along cobbled lanes and antique walls.
Customizable Itinerary
Seemingly Known
Culture is the root of all things in Tuscany, emanating from the cobblestone streets and cast across the landscape in vineyards and cypress trees. The emerald hillsides are as much a part of people’s lives as the traditional prosciutto made from boar as well as the unparalleled frescoes decorating secluded churches in medieval villages. When you arrive at Florence International Airport, your private transfer greets you and welcomes you to Italy. Soon you settle into your luxurious accommodation in the heart of Florence’s historic center, where the truth in the cultural base of Tuscany comes to life.
The scent of fresh pastries blends with the savory aroma of simmering sauces. Olive groves grow outside of the city, and the Arno River separates the city center from Oltrarno, connected by a series of bridges; including the Ponte Vecchio, the Old Bridge, lined with goldsmiths and jewelers. Florence has a tangible energy and remains one of the most visited cities in the world. And yet it can maintain pockets of uncharted beauty, alongside the breathtaking art of Michelangelo and Botticelli. The narrow streets of the Oltrarno intertwine sophisticated artisan shops, woodwork and ceramics, and the distinctive traditional flavors of Tuscany. Settling into Florence is emblematic of the surrounding region, filled with endless beauty any way you turn your head.
What's Included:
En Route to the Waters
Inside the Pearl of the Mediterranean
More than Unique
Active Elba
Taking in the Sights
Returning to Renaissance Streets
Back on Track
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy the cool waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the crystal clear view of the seafloor on a snorkel excursion
- Discover secluded beaches around the Isle of Elba, accessible only by sea routes
- Revel in the rugged and lush landscapes of Elba on a trekking excursion that leads you around the historic cities of the island
- Visit Napoleon Bonaparte’s villa overlooking Elba’s coastline
- Explore the quaint streets and powerful ancient walls of the Tuscan town of Volterra
- Wander through the exceptional historical streets and immerse yourself in the charming ambiance of Portoferraio, Elba’s main town
- Witness one of the largest collections of antique armor in the world at a private museum on the hills of Florence
Detailed Description
Discover Tuscany in a way you have never imagined before. On this 8-day customized best of Tuscany tour of the countryside and island life, you will experience luxury, charm, beauty, and a wealth of history of which only Italy can provide. Your journey begins in Florence, upon your arrival at Florence International Airport. Your private transfer greets you and quickly escorts you into the city where you can settle into your centrally located hotel. Become acquainted with Florence, a city known for its Renaissance art and unique ambiance similar to an open-air museum.
The following day, your private transfer will escort you to Volterra, an enchanting medieval town with ancient roots. After your exploration of Volterra, you continue westward to the port city of Piombino, where you board the ferry to Elba, an island paradise that is part of the region of Tuscany. You settle into the quiet town of Marciana Marina. Wake up to the elegant colors of the island with a private tour of Portoferraio and Napoleon Bonaparte’s historic villa.
In the evening, you can board a boat at the marina and venture out to sea for an indulgent sunset cruise around the island’s coastline. The following day, you can relax around the bay of Capo Sant’Andrea, enjoying the sunshine and even snorkeling in the clear waters. Your guide meets you the next day eager to take you out into the water for a private kayak excursion along the coastline, visiting secluded beaches or the graceful lighthouse.
Revel in an active day of hiking around the island, whether it’s exploring villages, archeological sites, or the panoramic views, the day is at your leisure. The next day, your private transfer leads you to the marina, where you board the ferry and return to mainland Italy. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore Tuscany, whether visiting medieval villages around Florence, wandering trough Pisa, or visiting unique museums. On your final morning in Tuscany, your private transfer meets you at the hotel and escorts you to Florence International Airport for your flight home.
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.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 437 reviews
We loved everything about our trip to Tuscany. We had great, comfortable hotels as bases to explore the beautiful countryside and towns. Our hotels had kind, welcoming staff. Zicasso's travel company provided helpful suggestions and reserved non-touristy restaurants and enjoyable, interesting activities: eating in Florence, wine tasting in Montalcino, and cheese making in Pienza.
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We had the pleasure of working with Zicasso’s travel agents to create the perfect Italian adventure. I had quite a few specific requests, from travel logistics to hotel preferences, and they were incredibly patient and collaborative, offering multiple variations of the itinerary until it matched exactly what we envisioned.
Our journey began in Venice, where we were seamlessly picked up by a private driver, transferred to a water taxi, and dropped directly at our hotel. After a wonderful stay, we were taken by private driver to the train station for our ride from Venice to Florence, our one and only train trip, as we opted (based on their smart recommendation) for private transportation for the rest of our travels to avoid potential delays and enjoy added convenience.
From Florence, we were driven into the Tuscan hills, where we experienced magical wine tastings, vineyard tours, olive oil tastings, and unforgettable meals with wine pairings.
Next, our private driver brought us to Pompeii, where we enjoyed a fascinating tour with our private guide, and then continued on to Rome. In Rome, we loved the private golf cart tour of the city’s major landmarks, as well as a delightful cooking class that was arranged for us; it was a real highlight!
Finally, we traveled by private driver to Sorrento. From there, we had a breathtaking driving tour of the Amalfi Coast, a lemon farm tour, and an amazing day trip to Capri. Every detail was thoughtfully planned and executed.
Summary:
Planning and Itinerary Creation: Zicasso’s consultants made the entire process easy and stress-free. They worked closely with us to perfect the itinerary and were always receptive to changes and feedback.
Hotels: My sister and I requested adjoining rooms and were provided with beautiful family suites throughout the trip. Each hotel was ideally located, comfortable, and well-appointed, with all the amenities we needed.
Transportation: Every transfer was smooth and punctual. The private drivers were professional, friendly, and knowledgeable. (A special shoutout to our driver in Florence/Tuscany – he was the best!)
Communication: Throughout our trip, the travel company’s team was always accessible. Whether we needed to make adjustments or had a question, they handled everything promptly, allowing us to relax and fully enjoy our vacation.
We spent just over two unforgettable weeks in Italy and it was absolutely perfect, all thanks to the hard work, attention to detail, and excellent communication from Zicasso’s travel company! I highly recommend them and would not hesitate to use them again for future adventures.
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My wife and I consulted with a handful of travel agencies in order to pick the right one for us to curate our dream honeymoon, and I could not be happier with our final decision to trust Zicasso’s tour company with this task.
Our travel agent was amazing throughout the process of building our itinerary, choosing experiences that fit exactly what we were looking for in an Italy honeymoon.
Start to finish, our overall experience was seamless. We decided to pack a lot into 10 nights, visiting Tuscany, Venice, Sorrento, and finishing the trip with one night in Rome. The tour company perfectly constructed our itinerary in a way that did not make our experience feel rushed in any of these locations. We had ample time to relax and explore these beautiful places on our own, while also fitting in world-class experiences specific to the region in which we were staying, all hand-selected by the tour company and their local expertise.
Every experience we had was incredible. From a private pasta cooking class and wine tasting in Tuscany to a limoncello tour in a quiet, picturesque village along the Amalfi Coast, each will be an experience my wife and I will never forget.
I would recommend this travel company to anyone visiting Italy for the first time or even those who have been to Italy, but want to experience breathtaking excursions curated by a local team of experts.
Our honeymoon was all we dreamed of and more, and I look forward to having the opportunity to use them for our next adventure.
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Zicasso’s tour operator planned the most amazing trip to Italy for us! My requirements were culture, romance, and relaxation. She delivered on every aspect. Although we missed our tour of the Vatican due to the Pope's funeral, my husband and I actually attended his funeral!! Our hotel, though planned many months before, was next to the basilica where Pope Francis was laid to rest. Talk about being a part of history!
We stayed in a beautiful converted villa to boutique hotel in Florence; got whisked away through the Tuscan countryside in a vintage Fiat 500; took cooking classes; sipped lovely wine, accompanied by excellent lunches on our winery tours; soaked in Italy's rich culture and museum scene; and even ticked the relaxation box by spending time by the pool, in the spa, and resting on our large deck overlooking the Amalfi coastline.
Every tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and personable, and it was evident they loved their jobs. Between memories of the boat ride along the Amalfi Coast, tips from the cooking classes I have already started using at home, and the cases of wine we are eagerly awaiting delivery of, my husband and I will forever hold Italy in our hearts and la dolce vita it provided us.
Talk with our tour operator; you will be glad you did!
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We had a fantastic experience for a first-time trip to Italy. I wasn't sure how this would be, considering I learned about Zicasso while trying to plan the trip myself. Zicasso put me in touch with a travel specialist and the whole team was incredibly responsive to my many, many questions. If they were ever annoyed, it didn’t show.
I really wanted a smooth experience for my family of five, including three teens, one of whom has Celiac. Our agent was great in helping plan out the experience we wanted. As you may know, it is challenging to find rooms for five in Europe, but the travel company found apartments (usually two bedrooms with a pull-out couch) in the heart of town. You can really customize what you do, but we elected to plan our own meals and handle some of our own transport. We did have one issue where the van driver taking us to the train failed to show. I got one with Uber and the travel company quickly (I mean before we got home quickly!) refunded that amount.
Our contact in Italy was amazing and patient. I can’t give her enough credit. Any time I was unsure of something, she was there. The tours were great, especially Florence and Rome. You may be able to find the companies online, but ours seems to have the connections to get the best guides.
As for meals, we didn’t have any issues. We used an app and got a few recommendations from the travel company and local guides. Even our wine-tasting tour out in Tuscany was accommodating.
I would use our travel company and Zicasso again. I think the only downside is we tried to cram a lot in and it was hot. I probably should have asked for one to two fewer or shorter walking tours, especially on days we switched cities. Otherwise, it was excellent.
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We just got back from an amazing two-week vacation with our children and our eight-year-old granddaughter. The travel specialists at Zicasso's tour company were incredibly knowledgeable, responsive, and professional. They took all of my ideas and managed to incorporate them seamlessly into our itinerary. I had quite a few requests and even made some last-minute changes, which they accommodated without any hesitation. One specialist, in particular, was exceptionally kind and helpful!
The organization of the trip was smooth and effortless. The transportation, drivers, and guides were all top-notch! We traveled in clean and well-maintained Mercedes vans, with well-dressed and personable drivers. The local guides were not only knowledgeable, but also spoke English clearly, sharing fascinating insights that allowed us to dive deeper into the history and culture. The hotels we stayed at ranged from good to very good. If I were to plan this again, I might choose a different location in Rome; the area was a bit congested and the hotel could use some upgrades, but it was conveniently situated.
The wine tastings were enjoyable and dinner at the vineyard was truly magical! Our standout activities were the cooking classes in Florence and Rome. The chefs were professional and imparted a lot of knowledge, giving us valuable skills to take home.
The highlight of our trip was definitely the private boat charter in Capri! We had a perfect day on a brand-new yacht, with an experienced captain and crew who took us to hidden caves away from the crowds, allowing us to swim in stunning locations. It was an absolutely fantastic trip!
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