All of Tuscany in One Day Tour

Pisa and as added value we reach the ancient port town of Pisa, the hometown of the great astronomerGalileo, where you can take a close up inspection of the Leaning Tower of Pisa – to see it first hand is breathtaking! We visit the Field of Miracles, Pisa’s centrepiece and stage set – home to the Duomo, the Tower and the Baptistery, all exquisite examples of Pisan Romanesque architecture built in the centuries before Pisa’s enemies, Florence and Siena, built their respective cathedrals.

The Leaning Tower is almost 56 meters tall (about 183 ft). Building began in the 1100s but took almost 200 years to complete! It leans at about 4 degrees, making it one of the most famous and iconic buildings not only in Italy but in the world. After restoration work ended in 2001 the tower was opened to the public and today can be climbed.

The “field” (indeed the surrounding area is covered in bright green grass) earned its romantic nickname from Italian poet Gabriele d’Annunzio and is testament to the power the city had long ago in the Middle Ages. A wonderful spot to soak in the elegant sights, take creative photographs or wander off down the local streets, the “Fields of Miracles” always succeeds in capturing the imagination of its numerous and passionate visitors.

From San Gimignano, we travel across some of the most beautiful and enchanting countryside with a patchwork of different panoramas scattered with hilltop hamlets, or little churches. The landscape of Chianti features in much Tuscan art of the Renaissance and it hasn’t changed much since then.

The gentle slopes are still clad with vineyards; olive groves abound; in July and some of August, witness the bursts of yellow from the fields ofsunflowers; in May, see brilliant red poppy fields; and in autumn the woodland, popular with mushroom-hunters, and vineyards color the landscape in red, orange and yellow.

The feeling that time has stopped is hard to avoid, especially when we see in the distance the town of Volterra, one of the first Etruscan settlements dating from around the eight century BC, with stunning views over the valley.

A short journey then takes us to a family run winery & farm set in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, among olive groves and rolling hills covered in vineyards with a marvelous panoramic view over the towers of the city of San Gimignano (rural Tuscany at its best). The farm’s 100 hectares of land is cultivated by means of organic agriculture, producing wine, extra virgin olive oil and even balsamic vinegar.

Here we will have a delicious and traditional Tuscan lunch of fresh homemade products straight off the farm, including handmade pasta and homemade cured meats, salad and typical local cheese, all served with a plenty of wine of the region: Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Chianti, Brunello and Vin Santo (dessert wine). This is a great opportunity to meet fellow English speaking travellers from around the globe and share your travel experiences over bottles of wine (the best way to do it!). The group that starts out in the morning as strangers will become friends during lunch and everyone will feel so happy when leaving the farm with glowing cheeks and laughter.

• Garlic bruschetta
• Handmade Pasta (Lasagna) & Traditional Soup (Ribollita)
• Garden salad
• Homemade Tuscan ham, salami and local artisan sheep milk cheese
• Cantuccini (almond biscuits) and Vin Santo (dessert wine)
• Water, plus several local wines with lunch
• Vegetarians and others with dietary requirements can be catered for.

After lunch we visit San Gimignano. Considered one of the most beautiful medieval hilltop villages in Italy, this Unesco World Heritage site is often nicknamed the “Manhattan of the Middle Ages” because its famously tall and narrow towers create a skyline that looks a bit like a modern city.

Here you have free time to roam the artisan shops along the cobble stone streets and small squares, try an award-winning gelato and walk among the towns famous medieval towers. Venture into centuries of rich and tumultuous history while climbing to the ancient fortress “La Rocca” to understand the town’s defensive strategy and experience the most spectacular views of the surrounding Tuscan landscape. Visit the Collegiata (or Duomo) of the town to see some of the most beautiful artworks by the likes of Benozzo Gozzoli and Domenico Ghirlandaio, Michelangelo’s master. Taste the best Gelato in the worlld since 2006.

After meeting your tour leader and taking the scenic drive from Florence, we arrive in Siena, while the town is still sleepy; the perfect time of the morning to wander around this beautiful town, rich in history, airy, easygoing and pedestrianized; Siena’s attraction lies in its hill top cityscape of ochre coloured buildings with red clay roofs and green shutters, its narrow medieval streets and proud traditions.

View Siena through through its gothic streets and squares, passing the oldest bank in the world, the site of the famous 600-year-old Palio horserace, to the Cathedral, where we admire the treasure chest of numerous works of art, including the unique inlaid marble floor. During your free time, wander Siena at your own pace, enjoy a drink in the beautiful Piazza del Campo while soaking up the sun, or window shop. This scenic drive takes us finally towards the coast to Pisa, our last destination for the day.