Tuscany Escape, Self-Drive

Tuscany is brimming with secluded valleys, magnificent rolling hills and majestic medieval villages boasting bustling restaurants, piazzas and ancient narrow cobble-stoned streets. Its rich landascape is complemented by towns overflowing with Reinassance art and architecture. Proud of its olive oil, there’s acclaimed gastronomy and, perhaps the best-know wine area, Chianti, is stunningly beautiful with gentle hills clocked by olive groves and vineyards and ancient castles and grand palazzi which have been magnificently restored as impressive hotels.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Florence: a living city with an eclectic cultural life that embraces opera, classical music and contemporary art. Also known as the cradle of the Renaissance, is one of Europe’s great art cities.

Pisa: one of Italy’s most visited cities, a vibrant college town, home of the world famous Leaning Tower, a unique masterpiece located in Piazza dei Miracoli, accompanied by the Cathedral and the Baptistery. Learn about its peculiar history and discover Pisa and its marvellous artistic attractions.

Siena: one of the best preserved medieval towns in Italy, honouring the Gothic architecture with its one of a kind main square, Piazza del Campo.

Chianti: a unique landscape, which has always been considered the heart of Tuscany, and which is famous all over the world for its renowned wines.

Day 1: ARRIVAL FLORENCE / CAR HIRE PICK-UP (15km – 30min)

Welcome to Italy! Upon arrival at Florence airport, you will reach the car hire office to collect your car. After that, drive to your hotel for check-in. Take some time to wander through the oldest streets of the city, including the Arno River and the famous Ponte Vecchio.

Overnight in Florence.

Day 2: FLORENCE

Breakfast at the hotel. For your first day in Florence we suggest visiting Accademia and Uffizi Galleries. Begin with a visit to the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo’s David, one of the most iconic symbols of Florence. Admire this masterpiece up close and learn about its historical significance and artistic brilliance. Explore other highlights of the gallery, including Michelangelo’s unfinished works, to gain deeper insights into his creative process. After your visit, enjoy free time to wander Florence’s charming streets and savor a delicious local lunch. In the afternoon, continue your exploration of the city’s historical highlights. Marvel at Brunelleschi’s Dome and the Baptistery’s golden ‘Gates of Paradise’ in Piazza del Duomo. Stroll through the Uffizi Courtyard and discover the charm of the Ponte Vecchio. Cap off your day with a visit to the Uffizi Gallery, one of the world’s most renowned art museums. Admire masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. Don’t miss Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus and Primavera, which are among the gallery’s most celebrated works.

Overnight in Florence.

Day 3: FLORENCE – PISA – FLORENCE (170km – 2.5hrs)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we suggest visiting Pisa, one of the most visited cities in Tuscany, famous for its Leaning Tower. The beautiful Piazza dei Miracoli is one of the most beautiful monuments in the world. Take your time to admire the exterior of the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral, and the Monumental Cemetery, each showcasing Pisa’s rich history and architectural beauty. While the interiors of the Cathedral are open to visitors, be sure to check availability if you wish to explore inside. As you wander the square, take in the atmosphere of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and capture memorable photos of the Leaning Tower, one of the most recognized symbols of Italy. Don’t miss the chance to learn about Pisa’s role as a center of knowledge and culture, home to the prestigious Scuola Normale Superiore, one of Europe’s most esteemed institutions of higher learning.

Overnight in Florence.

Day 4: FLORENCE – CHIANTI AREA – GAIOLE IN CHIANTI (70km – 1hr)

Breakfast at the hotel, after check-out, you will departure to the Chianti area, one of the most prestigious DOCG areas where the Chianti Classico is produced. Here, along the famous wine route “Chiantigiana”, hills of vineyards and olive groves are a perfect background of your journey. You will recognize the symbol of the Gallo Nero (black rooster) among the countryside and hilltop towns you will see here and there, many of which owe their names to Chianti, such as Greve in Chianti. Stop in a typical Chianti village, where you'll have some free time to discover the town and with its lovely gourmet or souvenirs shops. You will enjoy a wine tasting and light lunch in a local winery. At the end of the day, reach the second hotel for check-in.

Overnight in Gaiole in Chianti.

Day 5: GAIOLE IN CHIANTI

Breakfast at the hotel. Today is reserved for exploring the area on your own.

Overnight in Gaiole in Chianti.

Day 6: GAIOLE IN CHIANTI – SIENA – SAN GIMIGNANO – GAIOLE IN CHIANTI (120km – 2.5hrs)

Enjoy the breakfast at the hotel and head out in your rental car to visit Siena, a powerful city-state that became an important cultural and art centre during the Roman and Renaissance periods. Between narrow alleys and noble palaces, over the highest hill of the three hills of Siena, we suggest a nice walk from Salimbeni square, where there’s the oldest bank of Europe (Monte dei Paschi di Siena) and shortly after the majestic Duomo of Siena, one of the most impressive examples of Italian Gothic architecture.  Moreover, do not miss Piazza del Campo, one of the most famous squares in the world for its peculiar shell-shape and artistic and architectural beauty. Piazza Del Campo is also home of the centuries-old horse race competition, named “Palio”, that takes place there twice a year. From Siena, hop back in your car and continue your drive for a quick 45 minutes to San Gimignano. This quintessential village is comprised of medieval buildings perched atop one of the iconic Tuscan hills. Located in the Elsa Valley, the area is known for producing Vernaccia di San Gimignano, a white wine with floral and fruity notes. However, San Gimignano is most famous for the 13th-century walls that encircle it as well as its medieval plazas, churches, and stone towers dominating the skyline. It's for these reasons that the town is a UNESCO World-Heritage Site. After exploring the village and before continuing on, be sure to pop in at one of San Gimignano's famous gelaterias. They have an earned reputation for producing some of the best gelato in the world.

Overnight in Gaiole in Chianti.

Day 7: GAIOLI IN CHIANTI – CAR HIRE DROP-OFF / DEPARTURE FLORENCE (85km – 1.5hr)

Breakfast at the hotel and day at leisure. In the afternoon you will reach the car hire office at the airport to delivery your car.

Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Italy. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sun glasses, a hat, and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.