A Rennaissance Frame of Mind: 7 Days in Florence and the Tuscan Countryside

7 Day Tour of Florence

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Trip Map
Itinerary
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7 Days 6 Nights

Best Time: Jan-Dec

Local Cuisine & Wine

History Buffs

In this 7-day tour of Tuscany and beyond, prepare yourself for an esthetic experience like nowhere else. While you stay in Florence, meet Michelangelo's "David" and countless other masterpieces before eating with a local guide in the Santa Croce neighborhood. Travel to San Gimignano and take time for a wine tasting of its Vernaccia. In Siena, marvel at the sublime Piazza del Campo and the Palazzo Publico to learn how Florence's medieval rival lived. Take a day in the food capital, Bologna, before honing your skills with a cooking class back in Florence. After one week with UNESCO Heritage Sites, your mind, and bellies, will be full!

Ascend the incomparable dome of the Florence Cathedral, to see all the bell towers of the city.
Admire the medieval towers looking out over the rooftops of San Gimignano.
Enjoy the Panforte of Siena and other delicacies of this hill-top city.
Discover the foodie center of Italy in Bologna, and learn how it became that way.

Ascend the incomparable dome of the Florence Cathedral, to see all the bell towers of the city.
Admire the medieval towers looking out over the rooftops of San Gimignano.
Enjoy the Panforte of Siena and other delicacies of this hill-top city.
Discover the foodie center of Italy in Bologna, and learn how it became that way.

Piazza del Duomo

Churches & Monasteries

Uffizi Gallery

Museums & Galleries

Ponte Vecchio

Architecture

Galleria dell'Accademia

Museums & Galleries

Piazza Santa Croce

Churches & Monasteries

Piazza Signoria & Bargello

Historic Landmarks

Oltrarno & Piazzale Michelangelo

Cultural

Must see sights

Piazza del Duomo

Churches & Monasteries

Uffizi Gallery

Museums & Galleries

Ponte Vecchio

Architecture

Galleria dell'Accademia

Museums & Galleries

Piazza Santa Croce

Churches & Monasteries

Piazza Signoria & Bargello

Historic Landmarks

Oltrarno & Piazzale Michelangelo

Cultural

Starting from

$1995

per person

4.8 (365 reviews)

Not included

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Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Florence

Day 1

Arrive Florence

To Be Determined

Private Transfer from Florence Airport to Hotel

For your arrival in Florence, we will provide information on the customs and passport procedures. We will schedule a pick up for your flight's arrival time. You will be met in the arrivals hall inside the terminal by a driver holding a sign with your name on it. The transfer is for your party only - you will not be sharing a vehicle. The cost of the ride will be included in your itinerary package and you will be taken directly to your hotel. IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be aware the car service can fit up to 1 checked item of luggage and 1 personal item per person, such as a purse or small backpack. If you think you will have more baggage, please inform your travel consultant as this may result in an additional fee.

Day 1

Arrive Florence

To Be Determined:

Private Transfer to your Hotel

Afternoon/Late Afternoon:

Piazza del Duomo

Day 1

Arrive Florence

Day 1

Arrive Florence

To Be Determined

Private Transfer from Florence Airport to Hotel

Afternoon/Late Afternoon

Visit to the Duomo and the Piazza del Duomo

Discover the medieval marvel of the Duomo, Santa Maria del Fiore, with its iconic dome offering panoramic views of Florence. Founded in 1296, it aimed to be the world's largest church, showcasing unmatched Renaissance grandeur in Piazza del Duomo. While entry to the Duomo is free, dome access requires a reservation. Consider a Firenze Card for easy access to other sites.

Day 2

Florence

Day 2

Florence

Day 2

Florence

Day 2

Florence

Morning

Visit Italy's Greatest Display of Art at the Uffizi Gallery

As the capital of the Renaissance, it's only fitting that Florence should also host Italy's greatest art gallery at the Uffizi. It's understandably busy throughout the year, but it's nevertheless worth the crowds to see to see some of the most sumptuous masterpieces of Renaissance art, including Botticelli's Primavera and Venus, and works by Michelangelo and Da Vinci. If you're planning to visit other galleries and museums in Florence, then it's definitely worth investing in a Firenze Card, which gives you free entry and priority access to 72 venues in the city. At a minimum, you should book ahead for the Uffizi to avoid very long queues.

2:15 PM - 7:15 PM

Half Day Excursion to San Gimignano with a driver

Drive through the scenic Tuscan countryside to San Gimignano, one of the most charming and picturesque Tuscan hill towns with medieval towers built for the richest families of the time. You can choose to visit the Cathedral, climb the “Torre Grossa”, take pictures of the gorgeous landscape and enjoy a delicious gelato in the Cistern Square. IMPORTANT NOTE : This excursion does not include a guide.

Day 3

Florence

Day 3

Florence

Day 3

Florence

Day 3

Florence

Early Morning to Early Evening

Excursion to the Medieval Hilltop Town of Siena

For beauty and interest in Tuscany, only Siena comes close to Florence. Only an hour-and-a-half from Florence by train, it makes for a perfect day trip. The mesmerising brick-built medieval town with its narrow streets winding down into the valleys below was once a great regional power which rivaled Florence, and famously defeated the larger town in the legendary Battle of Montaperti. Its main square, the Campo, is one of the most satisfying urban spaces ever built, playing host to the annual Palio horse race in which each of the town's 17 contrade (i.e. city districts) participate. The traffic-free streets have been wonderfully preserved and its great Gothic buildings still exhibit the artistic masterpieces of the Sienese school of painting commissioned for them during the town's heyday in the 14th century.

Early Evening to Late Evening

Dining Out In Santa Croce

While the focal point of Santa Croce is its exquisite Franciscan basilica, there are a number of culinary gems scattered around the quarter demanding the attention of gourmands and casual foodies alike. With fresh, high-quality ingredients on offer at the nearby Sant’Ambrogio market and a treasure trove of historical architecture as a backdrop, this neighborhood has all the necessary requisites to be a culinary paradise. You can choose from dynamic restaurants with innovative menus serving a hip clientele, or more formal restaurants hewing closely to Florence's strict culinary mores of the past. You can also discover plenty of unpretentious traditional mom-and-pop trattorias serving regional classics such as ribollita and bistecca all Fiorentina.

Day 4

Florence

Day 4

Florence

Day 4

Florence

Day 4

Florence

Morning

Explore the Oltrarno District

Meaning literally "the other side of the Arno", Oltrarno is often the forgotten side of Florence, with tourists generally more focused on central Florence, but sometimes it's also worth venturing off the tourist trail! Oltrarno is one of Florence's most popular and trendiest neighborhoods and offers visitors a trove of cultural treasures. Just a short walk from the Ponte Vecchio brings you to the heart of this thriving neighborhood which is host to beautiful gardens and artistic churches. You'll also find the most famous viewpoint in the city - Piazzale Michelangelo.

Afternoon to Early Evening

Galleria dell'Accademia & North of the Center

Take the opportunity to visit Galleria dell'Accademia to see Michelangelo's statue of David and his unfinished Slaves, then pop by the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, the first grand palace built by the Medici family, followed by the Church of San Lorenzo to see more masterpieces by Michelangelo in the Medici Chapel and Old Sacristy. The Spedale degli Innocenti (Hospital of the Innocents) also contains a deeply moving museum dedicated to the social conditions in medieval Florence and the treatment of its unwanted children. We highly recommend the Firenze Card to facilitate easy entry into museums and galleries like Galleria dell'Accademia.

Early Evening/Evening

Concert Evening

Florence is well-known as the home of the Renaissance but many are unaware that it also lies at the heart of the Western musical tradition, as it was here that the first operas were performed in the mid-16th century. Today, the musical tradition remains strong, and you can see a performance in one of several theaters. Notable among them are the Teatro Niccolini, the oldest in Florence and one of the oldest in Europe, and the stunning Teatro della Pergola, one of the first theaters to use box seating. Famous Florentine festivals include Estate Fiesolana from mid-June to late August and the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (i.e. the Florence Musical May).

Day 5

Florence

Day 5

Florence

Day 5

Florence

Day 5

Florence

Morning to Early Evening

Excursion to Medieval City of Bologna

Located only a short train ride away, this off-the-tourist-radar city is one of Italy's best surprises. Apart from being the source of the inexpensive deli meat and the spaghetti dish, Bologna is probably best known as the home of the oldest university in the world. Its historic center contains two medieval towers that lean similarly to the tower in Pisa, one of which is still accessible and provides amazing views of the city. The main basilica, old town hall and other structures around the old town are equally awe-inspiring. The city is also rightly famous for its over 25 miles (40km) of covered walkways, which serve as the open-air salons of the city. That includes the longest portico in the world. At nearly 4 kilometers (2.5m) in length and with 666 arches, the Portico di San Luca leads up to the Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca, where you can enjoy another great view of the city, as well as of the surrounding countryside.

6:30 PM - 10:00 PM

Florence Sunset Food Tour

Set off as the sun dips over the horizon and be introduced to the very best restaurants and wine bars Florence has to offer on this guided 3.5-hour group tour. See the perfect cocktail being constructed then sip it down at aperitivo o’clock as you watch the world go by on the cobblestone Santo Spirito streets. Savour artisanal truffle cheese and cured local meats paired with the perfect local vino.

Day 6

Florence

Day 6

Florence

Day 6

Florence

Day 6

Florence

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Tuscan Cuisine Cooking Class

Tuscany is blessed with the perfect climate and location for food, producing a diverse bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables, wild game, beef & pork, and seafood. In fact, when you consider the quality of ingredients produced here, you understand why Tuscan cooking is not just about recipes, but about bringing out the best of the ingredients. Even within Italy, Tuscany is renowned for its cuisine. Taking a cooking class can introduce you to the magic, teaching you how to make traditional Tuscan starters, pastas, main courses, and deserts.

Late Afternoon

Explore Renaissance Villas in the Nearby Hills of Florence

The Medicis and other powerful families of Renaissance Florence constructed magnificent country villas in the foothills surrounding the city and surrounded them with elaborate gardens populated with rose bushes, manicured hedgerows, and citrus trees. You can explore these beautiful villas which are concentrated in an area just a short bus ride from the city center of Florence. The villas served several functions, first and foremost as country palaces demonstrating power and wealth. They were also recreational resorts for the leisure and pleasure of their owners; and, more prosaically, they were the center of agricultural activities on the surrounding estates.

Day 7

Depart Florence

Day 7

Depart Florence

Day 7

Depart Florence

Day 7

Depart Florence

Morning

The Quiet Mastery in San Marco Museum

The devil, they say, is in the details, but so are the better angels. Case in point, the faces of Fra Angelico's cherubs and saints (and sinners) at his former friary, the Museum of San Marco. An inspiration to the later giants of the Renaissance, Fra Angelico mastered light and human expression. Every character in his paintings is unique, and they express their joy, sorrow, or wonder uniquely. Even with the overwhelming number of masterpieces in Florence, a visit to San Marco merits a visit; the gentleness of Fra Angelico's work will bring you gentle down to earth, even as it lifts your heart.

To Be Determined

Private Transfer from Hotel to Florence Airport

A private transfer service will pick you up from the N/A and take you directly to Florence Airport. This is a private transfer for you and your travel party. You do not need to pay the driver as the cost of the transfer is included in your itinerary. IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be aware the car service can fit up to 1 checked item of luggage and 1 personal item per person, such as a purse or small backpack. If you think you will have more baggage, please inform your travel consultant as this may result in an additional fee.

Click to See Details

A Rennaissance Frame of Mind: 7 Days in Florence and the Tuscan Countryside

7 Day Tour of Florence

$1995

Secure Your Customizable Trip Enter your details to embark on a journey that can be tailored just for you.

Craft Your Own Itinerary Select your interests and destinations for a trip plan inspired by you.

Trip Map & Itinerary

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Private Transfer from Florence Airport to Hotel

Secure Your Customizable Trip
Enter your details to embark on a journey that can be tailored just for you.

Craft Your Own Itinerary
Select your interests and destinations for a trip plan inspired by you.