"Its so hard to pick just one! Tasting the food and walking in the small walled towns dating back centuries.". This was our first trip overseas and the first tour we've taken. Wonderful tour of Tuscany. This tour was fantastic with gorgeous places to visit, amazing sights to see, perfect pacing, tranquil (and mostly spectacular) hotel rooms, authentic and delicious meals and wine, genial and fun- loving fellow travelers, and the very talented, personable, and well organized tour guide, David. Great hosts and delicious food.". "Traveling through Tuscan region snd seeing all the olive trees and grape vines. All of these wonderful things would not have happened without our leader David, and our bus driver, Rudolfo. Making new friends (Colleen, Chris, Bonnie, Mary, Tony, Sarah, Mario, Mara & more). Florence Itinerary: Where to Go in 1 to 4 Days by Rick Steves "So manythe beautiful Tuscan countryside, great food, great group, great guide, great wine and our stay at La Moscadella!". If traveling from Lucca to Pisa upon departure, Pisa's airport has a train that offers an easy connection to and from the Pisa Centrale train station. Overall, the tour was nice. "It is hard to choose because there are so many, but the Isabella Experience at La Moscadella was a big beautiful wow.". A little too much art and churches for me. Most of the hotels were wonderful (more on that later). Again the performance brought me even deeper to the Tuscany Italian experience.". "Experiencing the beauty of the Val dOrcia and staying at La Moscadella.". It was my first time in Italy. "Staying at Isabellas and seeing the Tuscan countryside. I really appreciate the attention to cultural experiences and meeting the local residents. The Etruscan archeological site and Etruscan Museum were unexpected and fascinating. Then we'll get to know each other over an aperitivo of Tuscan drinks and appetizers before setting you free to enjoy the city's evening ambiance and a light meal on your own. It was rigorous, but evenly paced and informative. I enjoyed the in-depth focus on Tuscany, an enchanting area of a beautiful country. It was a great mix of guided and free time. I've been to Italy four times and this trip surpasses them all by far. Our tour guides were knowledgeable, kind, and fun. Unfortunately, we caught Covid three days in and that ended our tour. Our own tour guide was excellent - well informed, enthusiastic and with a broad level of interests and expertise. Loved that place!". What a setting for the history, the drama, and circumstances that has affected world history.". The guide was perfect, funny, smart, and all around wonderful. I loved the history and preservation of them.". Wine tour, tasting and light lunch. We suggest arriving a day or two before your tour begins to allow ample time to get over jet lag and be well-rested for the first few days of your tour. "There are so many, but I loved making pici with Isabella! "My tour guide, Francesco was my wow moment. We saw, and learned so much about the culture and history and food. Light walking: 24 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Housed in a 13th-century palace (and 18th-century prison! Tuscany Itinerary: Where to Go in Tuscany by Rick Steves Carry/roll your luggage over uneven pavement (possibly several blocks) and up stairways to reach your hotel, then up several flights of stairs to reach your room. We felt immersed in Italian culture, history and life by having an extraordinary guide and incredible local guides. ", Overall tour was great do in large part to our guide, Francesco, "Not so much a wow moment but enjoyed Elba and was surprised by the American WW2 cemetery". Guide David Tordi excellent. "I'm unable to come up with a specific "wow" moment. I felt truly immersed in the culture, history and people of Tuscany. Lisa's personal stories brought Italian culture and society to life. The hotels were mostly outstanding. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and caring. Aside from that personal "wow," we thought the hotel rooms and setting of Gargonza and Moscadella in the Italian countryside were the finest we have experienced on any tour.". I had at least one a day! "Visiting the Hermitage archaeological site in Pienza that was owned and cared for by a local family, then visiting their family farm where the young guide and his grandfather showed us their animals, and how they produce wine and olive oil.". It blew me away. Absolutely made the trip for us!". Our tour guide Lisa was also fantastic. Also a fine jumping-off point for exploring the Tuscan countryside with a driving tour of the Crete Senesi region. This was our 4th Rick Steves tour (all have been in Italy) and like the others, we had an amazing experience. Our stay in Gargonza, a true Tuscan hilltop castle. It was such a joy having the entire "village" to ourselves and the rooms were wonderful. "Wowed" by what I learned of the culture and history of Tuscany. "seeing my covid test turn positive, haha. Considering the state of "high anxiety" most of us have lived through over the past 2+ years, it was great to be back out in the world. We have been to Rome, Florence and Venice already and now want to concentrate on Tuscany (minus Florence) and the Cinque Terre. Meals were very good. The meals; traveling companions; and tour sites were wonderful. Positive with a good balance between planned activities and free time. Siena Red-brick hilltop city known for its medieval pageantry, Palio horse race, proud spirit, and a stunning traffic-free main square great anytime but best after dark. The beach day on Elba Island was relaxing and needed. "Staying in Gargonza and Castelmuzio and visiting Pienza and Volterra all count as "wow" moments. I would like to get peoples opinions on the itineray I'm thinking of. It's a breeze to reach the Florence or Pisa airports by train. Excellent tour. Strenuous walking: 28 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. We also had a wow moment when after a sensational meal at La Moscadella, our guide David performed beautiful music for us along with his band mate. The available time there will be 02:00 hours. It became very clear how important this was to his family.". Very well organized. We enjoyed our tours in each city and the hotels we stayed in. Depending on the length of your trip, and taking geographic proximity into account, here are our recommended priorities: 3 days: Florence Lucca is the city of my family. For all of the details on everything described here, check out our Rick Steves Florence & Tuscany guidebook. with regard to this site were enlightening & more often funny. My husband passed away 5 years ago this December and then Covid hit so I have missed traveling. This was my first RS tour and first time to Tuscany my experience exceeded my expectations; the itinerary, all the guides, people and places we went, the food! Individually the places where we ate and stayed were first rate with all of the qualities one could ask for. Just when I thought I had seen it all, more gorgeous sites to behold. "My "Wow" moment was visiting the Val D'Orcia, the activities on the itinerary and staring out of the bus window at the landscape. Much much more.". Thoroughly enjoyable. The crowds in Rome and Florence were hard to get through. From the Mediterranean to the Alps, from fine art to fine pasta, experience it all with Rick Steves! "There were so many. This should be included in every tour.". Every other part of the tour was perfect. Our fellow tour members added so much to the experience with their wonderful questions and helpful suggestions. I cannot imagine having has a better experience. He was very knowledgeable, looked after our welfare, shared his story with us, and serenaded us. Tour offered a great balance between planned activities and free time! Bus: 3 hours. ", As usual, great guides, well placed hotels, countless treasures for the eye. Elba considers the season over October 1 and many things were shut down and service at the hotel was lacking. After orientation and transportation lessons, be able to navigate towns and cities on your own. ", "La moscatella, beauty of Elba island, too many to name". "So many to choose from! "La Moscadella Hotel in Castelmuzio. Amazing! In Lucca, we enjoyed Silvana and Manuele perform a selection of arias by the composer, Puccini.". "Elba and the ferry ride were unexpectedly enjoyable. The tour exceeded our expectations. The provided meals on this tour weren't memorable either, with a couple of exceptions. Lisa was a great guide. We'll begin our day at Florence's famed National Museum of Bargello. Soak up the Tuscan sun and fall in love with everything about this beautiful region. Just amazing. Everything was perfect from the time we arrived until the time we left. Today we'll head out to one of our favorite Tuscan hill towns: spirited Siena. David never disappoints. "All the hilltop towns! Terrific. It came back on the same day all nicely ironed, folded in a wicker basket with a ribbon tied around it. Seeing Michelangelo's David is always stunning and our local guide Lucia was incredible at bringing out all the details in the exquisite sculpture. We rarely opened our wallets, just for an occasion cold drink. Words fail! David, our tour guide, was a superb leader ensuring everyone's needs and concerns were met. "I have to say that our 3 day stay in La Moscadella was superb. Moderate walking: 26 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. What an unexpected emotional moment.". After checking into our hill-top hotel, we'll finish our day enjoying a traditional Italian apericena together. Bus: 2 hours. She also completely managed all of the unknowns of the trip. The itinerary was very inclusive taking us to places that showed the true Italy. The trip was wonderful. We had opportunities to meet locals and be welcomed into their homes. Francesco did a great job! It helped that he was also a sommelier! Sleep near Pitigliano. I thoroughly visiting Santa Giulia for our wine tasting and lunch as well as Isabellas family farm and winery and learning about the process of making olive oil. We learned so much about Tuscany and really enjoyed every minute of our educational experience. There was less time on the bus on this tour than on previous tours which was by design and why I chose this tour. Fellow travelers, local guides, accommodations, variety of sights and guide, David were exceptional. The countryside with all the spring wildflowers was beautiful and unusual. Ray and Cathy promise to never kill the pasta again. His leadership was competent, helpful, informative, and cheerful throughout our journey. "One of the wow moments was the cooking class then eating what we made after. We thoroughly enjoyed the various towns we visited, even those that we had seen on previous tours. I've come away enriched and so much more appreciative of the gifts shared by Italy with the rest of the Western world. Rewarding to learn history and culture of each village. "I have many WOW moments but one that stands out was being at Ponte Vecchio during sunset. Will definitely sign up for another RS Tour! Our room was magnificent! The pillows were wanting in several hotels, especially Florence. I really enjoyed every minute of this trip.". "Our tour was a series of WOW moments! There will be plenty of time to kick back and relax before a leisurely dinner. On our Best of Tuscany in 11 Days tour among other things you'll need to happily, "Stay at the Villa - facilities and staff were amazing". I enjoyed the things we saw and did, and we had a great group of people on our tour. I see many more RD tours in my future! (And getting to eat the efforts of our labors afterwards. "Seeing the Duomo in Florence. Francesco was amazing, I loved the variety of accommodations, I loved the content learned and the food and wine were fantastic. Perfect about of scheduled activities and on your own time. My first time in Europe, my first formal tour of any kind; it was FANTASTIC. The guide was excellent, Vanessa (Princess Peachy). So much more than I ever expected. Our adventure begins in Florence, the capital of Tuscany. The accommodations, destinations, and our tour director, David, were all outstanding. We followed Ireland with a Tuscany tour. Any time between April and October is a good time to visit Tuscany. The tour was flawless. No bus. See our FAQ | Email tour@ricksteves.com Best of Tuscany in 11 Days Tour from $3,895 per person + air Single Supplement $775 See Dates & Prices One wow moment came when we had an amazing pasta making class by Isabella at La Moscadella. We also loved the Island of Elba and our stay in Lucca". The countryside was stunning, food and wine outstanding. Every day, something was exceptional. The travel agenda, accommodations, wine and food choices left very little to be desired. The castle was almost exclusively our playground to explore and relax. This was my first tour of any kind. The small group tour worked very well for the sites we visited. Sleep in the Chianti countryside. "Seeing Siena and learning more about its history and traditions". Tuscany is an incredible region of Italy. You'll have some free time to wander around Siena's charming streets or relax with a drink and a view along the famous Campo. ", It was a wonderful Tour! "There are so many.. the emersion in tradition and culture to pick one.. Read more $2,995 to $3,595 + Air Best of Venice, Florence & Rome in 10 Days Tour 2024 Rick Steves Italy (2023 Travel Guide) Paperback - Folded Map, November 15, 2022. After a break for lunch, we'll meet our coach and driver and embark on a scenic journey over the hills of Chianti, ending at our family-owned countryside hotel. Join us for the Best of Tuscany in 11 Days! For a first-ever tour, the itinerary was pretty flawless. Wow!". Our guide was amazing ,she took us to many places we would not have been able to see on our own. While Elba was relaxing and the rest welcome, the hotel staff was surly, and unfriendly. "In retrospect, Nikko's tour of the medieval/Etruscan ruins discovered on his family property in Pienza literally blew us away. Through the various health issues he had to deal with, especially the Covid concerns, he never wavered. It was springtime and just beautiful in the valleys and rolling hills. The locations we visited, the accommodations in which we stayed, and the food & special events we attended, not to mention the people we met along the way, proved to be an incredibly beautiful experience. I found the monastery experience lacking; too much time on frescos and not enough on the life of monks. Sorry, two "wow" moments.". We visited many different places, saw lots of art and architecture, and experienced Italy's tuscany region. Roll your way through the Chianti hills sipping wine and strolling through Siena. Outstanding primary guide (Francesco), and excellent 'local' guides. "I didnt have a wow moment but I did have a lot of memorable moments". He was very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and patient. So many "wow" moments! Grazie e ciao! "The beauty of the Tuscan countryside was breathtaking, so definitely a series of wow moments, but as an avid Puccini opera fan, I have to say the private concert of Puccini opera selections by Silvana Froli in Luca was a personal highlight.". ", Great venues, great group, fabulous tour guide, "La Moscadella venue. We could not have wished for a better tour guide than Francesco. Also having a lovely meal with a dear friend in the Piazza dellAnfiteatrosipping wine, eating excellent pasta, and listening to the nearby musicians. We'll end our morning with a visit to an impressive mosaic workshop, where we'll learn how local artisans keep this Renaissance art form alive. Thought the Best of Tuscany tour was well organized and our primary tour guide, Francesco, superlative with his infectious enthusiasm and good humor. He is very informative and knows his history, add to that a great sense of humor and patience. And he constantly reminded people of the importance of mask wearing. The extended stay at the Moscadella villa was incredible. We loved the tour of Tuscany! For some people, a tour like this eliminates an item on a bucket list. We had a great time and found Francesco and his partnerTrina to be wonderful tour guides. "There were so many! Now more than ever, you can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling through Italy. Unbelievably beautiful. "There were too many "wow" moments to choose just one favorite! Food and lodgings were excellent. Delightful. Going on the Rick Steve's Tour is just so easy. It was magical! 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | CST# 2086743 | I felt like we were in safe hands w Mario & Francesco at the helm. "Learning that Christians had been forbidden from banking in early history. I can't choose one above the others.". Several of our tourists missed parts of the tour because they couldn't do the walking/hiking. Absolutely beautiful.". This morning we'll head to Tuscany's picturesque Val d'Orcia region and visit the town of Pienza. After free time for lunch, we'll meet a local guide for a walking tour including a visit to an alabaster workshop. Also, the unexpected Roman ruins in Volterra.". "The view from Volterra, and every expansive panorama from the higher points of Tuscany. Strenuous walking: 28 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. "Climbing up to the Medici fortress on the island of Elba and gazing at the gorgeous view of the city and the water beyond.". The Tuscan countryside is beautiful and visiting the hill towns was fun. Although we had been to Tuscany a few times before, this tour gave us the opportunity to see areas that were new to us (Pitigliano, Elba, Gargonza, and Castelmuzio) as well as to re-connect with special places like Siena, Volterra and Lucca. I saw things I never would have found on my own. "My favorite "wow" moment happened the evening we were treated to a mini- Puccini concert in Lucca with the lovely soprano, Silvana. My wife and I both got covid because a person on the tour refused to test and was sure her sniffles were just a cold. By far my favorite thing about the tour was THE PEOPLE! "There was just so many to choose just one. Visiting the mosaic workshop, the alabaster workshop, the Accademia and the Bargello for starters. "So many "wow" moments. Opera performance in Lucca. We immediately knew we were going to have a blast. It was the first guided tour we have ever been on and it was so fun. Francesco was fantastic as were all the local guides. David is an excellent tour guide! I loved the smaller group of seasoned travelers. Sleep in Lucca. It was our first time in Italy and the tour provided a great foundation for future exploration! Each stop also had local guides that really enhanced the experience as well! Montepulciano Rugged town crowning a ridge, with dreamy vistas of the countryside and wine-tasting in inviting cantinas; makes a good home base for drivers. Overall, the tour was decent but not our favorite. "Just realizing we were where we were and getting to experience Florence and Tuscany.". "Our favorite "Wow" moment was during our "on your own" time when we caught a bus to Fiesole. He was very friendly, knowledgeable, patient, & fun to be with. This was a tour with a fantastic guide, very skilled bus driver, and a very nice group of fellow tour members. The sun-soaked hill towns of central Italy offer what to many is the quintessential Italian experience: sun-dried tomatoes, homemade pasta, wispy cypress-lined driveways following desolate ridges to fortified 16th-century farmhouses, atmospheric enoteche serving famously tasty wines, and dusty old-timers warming the same bench day after day whil. Very informative, first hand view of the local community and an outstanding guide and facilitator. No bus. Delightful, well organized, excellent guides and very knowledgeable and passionate about their country. To help you plan your sightseeing, I've listed my ideal itineraries for Florence, whether you're going for one day, two days, or more. Every days itinerary was varied and interesting and we met many local people. Each day, and every moment was more spectacular than the next thanks to the outstanding people at RS. It was so refreshing to spend time in some of the loveliest countryside in Italy. It literally took my breath away.". It was my honeymoon. My early morning walk around Castello di Gargonza. We had been to the major cities before so I was really looking forward to experiencing the interior. I had been to most of the towns on previous tours of Italy, but they are different each time. His overviews of each area given to us on the bus rides and while we were at each venue gave us a more in-depth look at the places we visited. The group got along well and everyone cooperated. Francesco was a great guide. The other members of the group were seasoned travelers and it went so smoothly. But that is me. "Gargonza and Casa Moriccciani the best food, the best hospitality of any place we stayed, I felt like they treated us like we were family, the views were fantastic both places were my WOW moments". "My Wow moment was seeing Michelangelos David, the beautiful Tuscan country side and seeing Voltaire and Lucca. Following some free time, it's onto a family-run Brunello winery for lunch, tasting their delicious homemade prosciutto, and sipping their fine wine. Tuscany itinerary - Rick Steves Travel Forum Our Villa at La Moscadella Hotel was 5 star. He was detailed and in so many ways made the experience unique for all of us. Excellent guides, nice fellow travelers, and what a place! With a local guide, we'll introduce you to the city's treasure-filled Duomo and learn the story of Siena's medieval city-state rivalry with Florence. Even the weather was cooperative. The hermitize (discovered by Isabella's father-in-law) in Pienza would be next - awe inspiring. Loved all the wine tastings, "Our hotel room in ValD' Orcia was phenomenal. Next, our bus driver, Mario, was super! He was personable & very responsible - not drinking wine at meal stops and sometimes not eating lunch for fear of becoming sleepy at the wheel. Not an activity per se, but an ancient Etruscan village we were thrilled to stay in. A fun Italian memory! What a delight!". Definitely my favorites.". We loved the very active pace and felt overall the opportunity presented a great value. Most days are moderately paced with 28 miles of walking, including some hills and stairs. Our tour guide David is one the best. Tuscany Itinerary - Rick Steves Travel Forum Seeing the caves dug out of the hillside and the images that had been carved into the walls, some early Christian, like the six-fingered Madonna, and others pre-Christian, like the mermaid. This feeling remained throughout the entire tour. ", "The stay at Castello di Gargonza was fascinating. Bus: 2 hours.
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