The Best of Tuscany in One Day Trip from Florence - Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano plus lunch and wine tasting at a Chianti winery
Join us on a full-day guided tour of Tuscany and appreciate the architecture, cuisine and history of this sun-drenched region in all its glory.
What's included?
- Air-conditioned coach travel
- Guided walking tour of Siena with entrance fee to the cathedral
- Hearty farmhouse lunch – veggie and gluten-free options available
- Wine tasting of four varieties
- Maps of and information about all the towns visited
Highlights
- Guided walking tour through the medieval city of Siena
- Traditional Tuscan lunch and informal wine tasting at a Chianti vineyard (not included in the tour option without lunch)
- Free time in the hilltop town of San Gimignano
- Scenic drive to historic Pisa to explore its hidden corners and iconic tower
Full Itinerary
Depart Florence
We will meet at the front of Santa Maria Novella train station at 7:45am, ready for an 8.00am start. After meeting your expert guide, an air-conditioned coach will whisk you away to the first stop on our jam-packed itinerary.
View Siena
View Siena through the eyes of a local as you join a guided walking tour through the medieval city made up of yellow-ochre buildings, terracotta rooftops and green shutters. Learn about the world’s oldest bank, see the Piazza del Campo - the site of the 600-year-old Palio horse race - and admire the interior of the Duomo, a treasure chest of artworks. Afterwards, enjoy Siena at your own pace with free time for shopping or relaxing in an open-air cafe.
A Tuscan Lunch at a Chianti Vineyard
Next we stop at an organic, family-run wine estate – the highlight of our Tuscany tours! You will take part in an informal wine tasting lesson, trying Chianti, Vernaccia and Tuscan dessert wine, Vin Santo. Next enjoy traditional local lunch with plenty of wine, and soak in the idyllic location overlooking stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Take the opportunity to meet fellow travellers while feasting on fresh, organic farm food, including homemade pasta, cured meats (homemade prosciutto and salami), local cheeses, a real garden salad and Tuscan biscotti (if the tour option without lunch is chosen, this part of the tour is not included but there will be more time spent in San Gimignano).
Don't forget your camera - the view from the winery is jaw dropping!
San Gimignano
After lunch we visit the enchanting hilltop town of San Gimignano where you have free time to roam the picturesque streets and squares. Maybe browse the local shops, try an award winning gelato or walk among the town’s famous medieval towers.
Scenic Country Drive & Pisa
A scenic drive through iconic Tuscan countryside will take you to your final stop, Pisa. Here, take a closer look at the iconic Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and the Baptistery. A brief tour of the historic heart of Pisa will show you another side of the city.
Upgrade to include skip-the-line entry to the Leaning Tower
Return to Florence
You will be dropped off in Florence at around 8.30pm with a camera full of pictures, a stomach full of hearty Tuscan food and a host of new friends.
Know before you go
- Due to uneven and steep surfaces, we are unable to accept wheelchair users or those with walking difficulties on our Tuscany tours.
- Children under the age of 8 years are not permitted to climb the leaning tower of Pisa.
- When the Duomo of Siena is closed for religious services, Santa Maria della Scala museum will be visited instead.
- Vegetarian option is available, but we regret that gluten free or other alternative dietary requirements cannot be catered for
Reviews of this experience
Leave a review2,929 total reviews
Amazing!!
by: Lauren Allen on Walkabout
We had a wonderful tour today with our guide, Tony, and driver, Igor! We learned so much about the Tuscany region and really enjoyed the added comedy throughout the journey. We would highly recommend this day trip to see the beautiful wonders of Tuscany with a fantastic lunch! Thank YOU!
Amazing!!
by: Lauren Allen on Walkabout
We had a wonderful tour today with our guide, Tony, and driver, Igor! We learned so much about the Tuscany region and really enjoyed the added comedy throughout the journey. We would highly recommend this day trip to see the beautiful wonders of Tuscany with a fantastic lunch! Thank YOU!
Crash course in Tuscany
by: Marie Del Vecchio on Walkabout
Loved our trip with tour leader Alessandro and driver Guiseppe. Alessandro is so passionate about his work. He talked to us not just about the places we were visiting but also Italian culture, the language, the different regional foods, and tips for us tourists in general. I really loved going to Siena although since it was a Sunday we didn't get to go in the cathedral. Heard all about the Palio race and then saw it on the new Stanley Tucci show! It was not crowded when we were there early in the day/. Had a wonderful cappuccino in the piazza. San Gimignano was my favorite. Did my leather and ceramic shopping there and had the world famous gelato. Beautiful little old town. And of course Pisa is just a bucket list item. So glad we did the optional tower climb. So weird to be inside with the floors sloping! But the highlight of the day was probably the wonderful agritourism farm where we had lunch. The cheeses and wines were outstanding and the scenery was epic. I would heartily recommend this tour if you are not interested in driving out into the countryside by yourself. If you could ask for Alessandro, I would.
A Perfect Day in Tuscany Thanks to Mirarella!
by: Amanda Kay on Walkabout
Our guide, Mirarella, made this tour unforgettable. She was kind, incredibly knowledgeable, and brought Tuscany’s history to life at every stop. After I hit my head early in the day, she went above and beyond to make sure I was okay and even brought me ice. Her care and professionalism made all the difference. Highly recommend this tour—and especially Mirarella!
What a great day
by: Georgi Lisev on Walkabout
Molto grazie, Mirela. That was one wonderful day fill with very interesting stories from you and great views from Tuscany. When we get back to Italy and book a tour we hope to have you or other equally great guide.
Love it
by: Ивелина Иванова on Walkabout
Molto grazie, Mirela, for making our day so smooth and interesting. Love all the stories and information you have shared with us. We had a wonderful day in Tuscany. This was the best organised trip we have ever had.
Tuscany Day Tour
by: Rhonda Baskins on Walkabout
We had a wonderful day with Mano as our tour guide. He is very knowledgeable, personable and has a great sense of humor. We learned so much history going back to medieval times. The local passion of Siena’s annual horse races, Palio di Siena, a competition between city districts, was particularly interesting. The lunch and wine tasting at Fattoria Poggio Alloro was delicious and fun. Shopping and gelato in Siena and San Gimignano were another highlight. Thank you Mano for guiding and entertaining us on this amazing tour.
Tuscany Day Tour
by: Daniel Becker on Walkabout
We had an amazing day exploring Tuscany. Our Guide was Mirela and she was incredible. She was very helpful, smart, and a clear communicator. I would absolutely recommend this tour and be ready for a full day of walking!
Tuscany Day Tour
by: Daniel Becker on Walkabout
We had an amazing day exploring Tuscany. Our Guide was Mirela and she was incredible. She was very helpful, smart, and a clear communicator. I would absolutely recommend this tour and be ready for a full day of walking!
Best day ever with Mirela!
by: Reagan Vechinski on Walkabout
Mirela was our incredible guide for the day. Her extensive knowledge of the area and quick wits led us to have the best day! We will be sure to recommend this tour to our friends and family!
Frequently Asked Questions
DO YOU DO HOTEL PICK-UPS OR DO YOU HAVE A CENTRAL MEETING POINT?
We do not organise hotel pick-ups for difficulties with parking and scheduling, but our meeting point at Florence's main train station is very central and should be easy to get to. Many hotels are located within easy walking distance of the train station, otherwise a taxi (you could ask your hotel to book it for you) would be the fastest option, dropping you off right at our meeting point.
CAN WE CLIMB THE LEANING TOWER OF PISA? IS IT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE TOUR?
When you make a reservation you will have the chance to upgrade your tour to include entry to the Leaning Tower before you proceed to the payment stage. Remember that children under the age of eight are not permitted to climb the tower.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
We suggest comfortable clothing and above all, comfortable shoes for walking. In the summer months please remember that you are expected to cover your shoulders to visit inside churches, but if you are dressed for a hot day don't worry, you will be given a disposable paper cape for the Cathedral in Siena.
HOW MUCH TIME DO WE SPEND ON THE BUS?
We have arranged an itinerary so that you will cover as much of Tuscany as possible but without spending too long on the bus. The longest ride of the day is through beautiful Tuscan scenery and lasts about an hour and a half.
DOES YOUR BUS HAVE A WASHROOM?
Our bus does not have a washroom. However the day is very well divided that you are never too far from washrooms. In the morning it takes just over an hour from Florence to Siena, then just forty minutes from Siena to the wine estate. After lunch we go to San Gimignano (only ten minutes drive) and from there to Pisa which takes one and a half hours. After Pisa it's just over an hour to Florence, depending on traffic.
DO YOU CATER FOR PEOPLE WITH FOOD ALLERGIES/VEGETARIANS?
Definitely! If you would prefer an alternative to the menu we have chosen, please tell your tour leader and he/she will telephone ahead to arrange it.
IS THE TOUR SUITABLE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN?
The thing to remember is that it is a long day (12 hours) and the city visits can be tiring for children. We have had occasional problems in the past when tired children have become fractious and noisy during the bus rides and disturbed the other passengers. So the decision has to be yours because you know your children! We reserve the right to ask you to leave the tour if in the tour leader's opinion your child disrupts the tour. We suggest to parents of very young ones that they use a back pack type of baby carrier rather than a stroller/pram because of the many steps, steep slopes and uneven surfaces in the medieval towns that we visit. It's also much quicker getting on and off the bus!
CAN WE GET OFF IN PISA?
If you have plans to stay in Pisa, you can bring your luggage with you (there is plenty of space on the coach) and collect it at the end of the tour, before the rest of us head back to Florence.
WE HAVE A FLIGHT/TRAIN TO CATCH FROM PISA AFTER THE TOUR. HOW CAN WE GET THERE?
If you have to get to the airport at Pisa, it's about fifteen minutes by taxi – the tour leader can help organise a taxi for you. If you are traveling by train, Pisa Centrale station is a ten minute taxi ride or bus ride away.
CAN WE CLIMB THE LEANING TOWER OF PISA? IS IT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE TOUR?
When you make a reservation you will have the chance to choose the tour option that includes the entry to the Leaning Tower before you proceed to the payment stage. Remember that children under the age of eight are not permitted to climb the tower.
WE ARE CATCHING A TRAIN AFTER THE TOUR, CAN WE BRING OUR LUGGAGE WITH US?
Our tours leave from and return to the main railway station in Florence, so if you are travelling on by train, bring your luggage with you in the morning and take the train in the evening directly after the tour. You will save both time and money by not having to use the luggage deposit! We recommend that you book any rail travel from Florence after 9pm to allow time for any traffic delays. We cannot be held responsible for any loss or extra expense incurred in the unlikely case of delays due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control.
