10 hours
Daily Tour
Chinese, English, Espanol, Francais, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Turkish
Four towns. Four stories. Four entirely different faces of medieval Tuscany (Italy). The hilltop towers of San Gimignano rising like a medieval Manhattan against the sky. The magnificent rivalry of Siena, eternal enemy of Florence. The quiet hilltop village where Leonardo da Vinci first opened his eyes to the world. And Certaldo – birthplace of Giovanni Boccaccio, the father of Italian prose, whose Decameron was written in the shadow of a plague and changed literature forever. This is Tuscany beyond the postcard.
“Well, Prince, Lucca is now no more than a family estate of the Bonapartes.” So begins Tolstoy’s War and Peace – and so begins our journey through three of Tuscany’s most captivating destinations. From the enchanting medieval walls of Lucca to the maritime grandeur of Pisa and the birthplace of the world’s greatest genius, this private day tour reveals a Tuscany beyond the postcard.
Your adventure begins as your private guide meets you at your hotel and you set off into the Tuscan hills - four extraordinary medieval towns await.
The hilltop village where the world's greatest genius was born on April 15, 1452. Visit the museum dedicated to Leonardo's extraordinary inventions and drawings - his flying machines, hydraulic systems and anatomical studies - and feel the quiet magic of the landscape that shaped his extraordinary mind.
Perched on its hill above the Val d'Elsa, Certaldo Alto is one of the most perfectly preserved medieval villages in Tuscany. This is where Giovanni Boccaccio was born and died - the father of Italian prose, whose Decameron gave the world 100 stories written in the shadow of the Black Death. Walk the cobblestone streets, visit his house and breathe in the atmosphere of a town that time forgot.
The medieval Manhattan of Tuscany. Once a prosperous city on the Via Francigena pilgrimage route, San Gimignano's wealthy families competed for prestige by building towers - 72 at its peak, 14 still standing today. A UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary beauty, the town is also home to the celebrated Vernaccia di San Gimignano - Italy's first DOC white wine.
Before there was Florence, there was Siena. For centuries the greatest rival to Medici power, this perfectly preserved medieval city gave the world some of its most extraordinary art and architecture. At its heart lies the Piazza del Campo - a shell-shaped medieval square so flawless it takes your breath away. This is where the legendary Palio horse race has thundered twice a year since the 13th century.
As the Tuscan light softens and the hills glow gold, we bring you back to Florence - the end of today's journey, but only the beginning of what Tuscany has to offer. We will be waiting to welcome you again and share even more of its wonders with you.
Due to ongoing road construction in Florence and restricted vehicle access in certain historic areas, we are unable to guarantee a car pick-up from all hotels. Our reservations team will contact you after booking to confirm the logistics. Depending on your location, your guide may meet you on foot or you may be asked to meet at a pre-arranged meeting point.
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