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Highlights of Tuscany

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10 days From £2,395 £2,295 per person
4.3 stars(196 reviews)
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Experience the unique essence of Tuscany’s celebrated medieval towns and Renaissance cities from the historic spa town of Montecatini Terme.

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Mobility Rating 2

2025 Tour code: TUS25

About the tour

Savour the glorious colours, aromas and flavours of Tuscany on a holiday that highlights the true beauty of the region. Discover the great Renaissance city of Florence, visit the Renaissance-era Villa Machiavelli, for a historical cellar visit followed by dinner, and explore the iconic monuments of Pisa.

On this sumptuous Tuscan escape we also explore the stunning sights of Siena, the ancient hill town of San Gimignano with its distinctive towers, and have the chance to circle beautiful Lucca on a gentle bike ride along its ancient walls - experiencing fabulous views across the terracotta rooftops.

Unforgettable experiences

A visit to the sumptuous Villa Machiavelli with dinner
A visit to the sumptuous Villa Machiavelli with dinner
This luxurious Renaissance-era villa was once home to the renowned political philosopher, Niccolò Machiavelli. We visit this home museum and its historical cellar visit, followed by drinks and dinner.
Discover the many wonders of glorious Florence
Discover the many wonders of glorious Florence
Known as the jewel of the Renaissance, Florence is a feast for the senses, bursting with great art, fabulous food markets, palazzo gardens, and glowing with the soft light of the serene Arno river.
Explore the beautiful medieval city of Lucca
Explore the beautiful medieval city of Lucca
Take a gentle bike ride along the ancient ramparts of this amazing city, above the terracotta rooftops, or wander the delightful street on foot, discovering ancient piazzas and exquisite churches, before lunch in a historic restaurant.
Visit the famous landmarks of Pisa
Visit the famous landmarks of Pisa
On a guided tour of one of Italy’s most well-known cities, we visit its iconic Leaning Tower and ornate Romanesque Cathedral, in the Field of Miracles, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Step back in time to unspoilt San Gimignano and Siena
Step back in time to unspoilt San Gimignano and Siena
Perfectly preserved, each of these renowned cities has a unique character. San Gimignano has an astonishing 14 towers rising up from a golden cluster of ancient buildings, while Siena is known for its exciting festival of bareback horseracing.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 – From London to the dynamic city of Turin

Our Tuscan getaway starts at London St Pancras, where we meet our Tour Manager and the rest of our group before joining the Eurostar service to Paris. Travelling in spacious Standard Premier Class, we're served a light meal at our comfortable seats.

Changing trains in Paris, we continue our journey in First Class rail across France, passing the Italian Alps to the elegant city of Turin, where we spend the night. After checking in to our hotel in the heart of Turin's historic centre, we gather for a three-course dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Includes
  • Dinner
  • Eurostar light meal
Day 2 - A morning in cultural Turin, the historic town of Montecatini Terme

After breakfast, your morning is free to explore the nearby attractions of Turin. This dynamic city is one of Italy's leading centres of business, finance and technology, but remains a showcase of fantastic Baroque, Renaissance and modern architecture. Our hotel is close to Porta Nuova, and a short walk away from a stylish pedestrian shopping quarter. Fringed by the Italian alps, Turin's wide boulevards and grand public squares are lined with enticing cafés and bars.

Shortly after midday, we are transferred to the railway station for our First Class journey to Florence, which takes us to the end of the afternoon. On arrival in Florence we are transferred to Montecatini Terme, our delightful base for the next seven nights. This picturesque spa town is set in glorious Tuscan countryside and is split into two parts. Our elegant hotel is in the lower part of Montecatini Terme, while on the hill above us is the Old Town of Montecatini Alto. After some free time to settle in and look around the neighbourhood, we gather for dinner at our hotel, renowned for its friendly family-run service and excellent facilities.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 – Exploring Montecatini Terme at leisure

There's nothing like the feeling of waking up in new and lovely surroundings, and today you are free to see more of Montecatini Terme independently. Our beautiful family-run hotel has been offering guests a warm welcome for many generations. Among the facilities are an inviting outdoor swimming pool and a sun terrace for warmer days.

You may wish to visit the 18th-century Terme Tettuccio, a drinking spa, where you can sample the different healing waters and look around its lavish Liberty architecture, marble-lined pools and fountains and Art Nouveau tiles.

Each year from April to October, the town hosts the Montecatini Opera Festival in various venues, including the spa complex. The historic quarter above us, Montecatini Alto, is an enchanting place to explore, and can be reached by a funicular railway, which runs late into the evening and offers wonderful views over the valley. Here are many delightful piazzas, pretty pavement cafés and two charming Romanesque churches - the Pieve di San Pietro and the Pieve del Carmine. Montecatini Alto offers an excellent choice of eating places, from relaxed osterias to traditional ristorantes.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 - A day in glorious Florence, the ‘Jewel of the Renaissance’

Today is a highlight of our holiday, as we travel by rail to the beautiful Renaissance city of Florence. We enjoy a guided tour of the city's treasures, including the iconic red-tiled Duomo, the Santa Maria Novella Church and the Ponte Vecchio, the legendary 14th-century bridge.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Apart from breathtaking buildings and pretty piazzas, the city is the world capital of Renaissance art, which you can find in its many galleries, churches and Medici palaces. If you're planning to visit the Uffizi gallery it is important to book ahead.

Another wonderful way to experience Florence is to make your way to a rooftop terrace for lunch or stroll across the river to the wonderful Boboli gardens, a peaceful green space with fantastic city views. Mercato di San Lorenzo is the city's largest market with fresh products, leather and local crafts, an indoor and outdoor dining area, and a Chianti wine booth. A place to warm up or cool down, depending on the season!

We make our return journey by train then walk the short distance back to our hotel where we dine together this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Discovering Lucca from its city walls, visiting Pisa’s Field of Miracles

This morning we travel by rail to the lovely walled-city of Lucca, where you are free to explore for two hours. Bicycle hire is included, with a choice of single, tandem, or four-seater bikes, and a gentle ride along the ancient ramparts is a wonderful way to see the city.

Lucca is also a pleasure to explore on foot, but do pick up a map at the Tourist Office where our day starts. The maze-like centre has an impressive Duomo, some unique churches, outdoor sculpture, and striking piazzas - a 'must see' is the Piazza Anfiteatro, which was once a Roman amphitheatre. The city also has a botanical garden and a tranquil ornamental garden at Palazzo Pfanner, both inside the city walls. We regroup for a leisurely 3-course lunch in a local trattoria.

This afternoon we continue by rail to Pisa, where we tour the famous Field of Miracles. Here, we see Pisa's iconic Leaning Tower, and the striking Romanesque Duomo - a cathedral which glows with white marble. We return to Montecatini Terme by train at the end of the afternoon, where you are free to dine independently.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 - San Gimignano, to Villa Machiavelli for a tour and dinner

Today starts with a coach excursion into the gorgeous Tuscan countryside, among ochre-coloured hills, dotted with cypresses and secluded farmhouses, to San Gimignano - an extraordinary medieval hill town. This perfectly-preserved town is known for its thirteen towers, one of which - Torre Grossa - can be climbed. The number of towers in San Gimignano has dwindled from around 65 in the middle ages, but the skyline is so unique that it has been dubbed 'the Medieval Manhattan'. We have free time over lunch and into the afternoon to explore this absolute gem of a Tuscan town.

Later this afternoon, we visit the gorgeous Renaissance-era Villa Machiavelli, once home to the famous political philosopher, Niccolò Machiavelli and now a 'home museum'. We look around the museum and the fascinating cellar of this historical home before indulging in drinks and dinner in a glorious alfresco setting.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 – A free day to explore Montecatini Terme, or beyond

Today is another chance to get to know Montecatini Terme at your own pace. If you haven't already discovered it, you could visit Montecatini Alto, the medieval old town. Here, you can admire views across the Tuscan hills and wander among the ancient townhouses, churches and medieval walls before choosing a café in which to enjoy lunch. Typical Tuscan cuisine is humble yet mouth-watering, even simple dishes are prepared with pride and great care. Try crostini di fegato, warm bread topped with chicken liver pate, or pasta drizzled with olive oil and shaved truffles, foraged from the surrounding hillsides.

Another appealing option is to make the most of the frequent rail service to visit the coastal resort of Viareggio (50 minutes), the buzzing city of Bologna (two hours), or possibly to revisit Florence or Lucca. Of course you may be content to simply relax and enjoy the facilities of our hotel. For dinner this evening you are spoilt for choice, in both Montecatini Alto or the town centre. Among the restaurants nearby is the highly-rated Bistrò Del Corso, run by a mother and daughter duo.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 8 – Discovering charismatic Siena

Another highlight of our holiday awaits today as we drive to medieval Siena, a charismatic Tuscan city where a labyrinth of narrow streets opens out onto sun-kissed piazzas. Starting at the Santa Barbara Fortress, a guided tour takes us past the Duomo, one of Italy's most magnificent, with statues by Donatello and Michelangelo and an elaborate mosaic floor. Our tour ends at the city's most famous sight, the incredible Piazza del Campo - a grand, shell-shaped piazza that's regarded as one of the continent's most beautiful medieval squares. This is the site of the world-famous Palio horse races, an extraordinary event which the city has celebrated since the 17th century, now held twice a year in July and August.

After our tour, there's time to wander Siena's ancient streets independently, and you may like to try some of the cured meats and cheeses that are popular here. Maybe opt for Siena's best-loved cheese, Pecorino, or finocchiona, a delicious local salami made with fennel. We return to our hotel at the end of the afternoon and this evening we gather for a special farewell dinner, to mark our last night in wonderful Tuscany.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9 - On our way home via the vibrant Côte d'Azur

Bidding farewell to Montecatini Terme this morning, our journey continues to France today. After an early breakfast we transfer by coach to the coastal town of Viareggio where we take our First Class seats for a scenic rail journey along the stunning Ligurian coastline, passing the pastel-coloured houses of the Cinque Terre and enjoying ever-changing scenery as we travel towards Ventimiglia, close to the French border.

On arrival in the border town of Ventimiglia, we continue by coach into France, driving along the superb French Riviera to the stunning Côte d'Azur. We spend the night in the town of Saint-Raphaël, overlooked by the striking coastal mountain range known as the Esterel Massif. After checking in to our hotel there's time to look around this attractive seafront town before gathering for a final dinner with fellow travellers.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 – Homeward bound

This morning we start our journey homewards and, as we travel by First Class rail to Paris, we have time to savour the new memories we've created on our Tuscan adventure. From the stylish city of Turin to the marvellous spa town of Montecatini Terme, the wondrous art and architecture of Florence and Lucca, the unique hilltop town of San Gimignano and stupendous Siena, to the glowing French Riviera, this holiday is certain to have warmed our spirits. In the French capital, we change trains for the Eurostar service, travelling in spacious Standard Premier Class with a light meal served at our comfortable seats. We arrive back in London St Pancras where we say goodbye to our Tour Manager and new friends before heading homewards.

Includes
  • Breakfast
  • Eurostar light meal

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

Grand Hotel Francia & Quirinale, Montecatini Terme

Grand Hotel Francia & Quirinale, Montecatini Terme

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Trains

Eurostar
Frecciargento
Frecciarossa
TGV
Trenitalia

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Reviews

4.3 stars4.3 / 5 · 196 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (99)
  2. 4 stars
    (68)
  3. 3 stars
    (21)
  4. 2 stars
    (4)
  5. 1 star
    (4)

John Thornton

4 stars

Submitted 2/Oct

The hotel was not of the standard we had had before. There were too many different tours all trying to have breakfast at the same time which meant the food was poor. The trains didn’t run on time and we had our booked seats changed so we were nolonger together as a group. So the experience was not of the standard we had experienced previously.

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Carol Laumer

3 stars

Submitted 28/Sep

It was a nice tour. Three suggestions: 1. The tour leader, David, should wear a colorful hat or carry something so he stands out in a crowd. We lost (and found) one of the ladies on our trip when she followed another group in a very crowded train station. 2. Two of the tour leaders who told us about specific areas were so hard to understand that we just looked at the sights. 3. How about a cheat sheet of things to do on the free days? The tour guide recommended a city to check out on the last day of the tour. It would have been nice to know that on the first day so on one of the free days that would have been an option.

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Clive Stokes

5 stars

Submitted 25/Sep

Very enjoyable trip, well organised and led by charismatic tour guide David.

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Ken and Janice Picking

5 stars

Submitted 25/Sep

Our Grand Tour of Tuscany with Great Rail Journeys was an absolute pleasure Excellent itinerary with comfortable hotels and of course lots of rail travel Highly recommended

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Cheryl Sherburne

5 stars

Submitted 21/Sep

Everything was well organized and our guide David was awesome! I loved the fact we stayed in the same hotel and made daily trips to visit several beautiful cities. It was wonderful.

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ELAINE TUCKER

4 stars

Submitted 21/Sep

The hotel was great and centrally located in Montecatini. I do feel that we should have had a 2 hour walking tour in Montecatini for us to have our bearings and hear about the town since we were there for 7 nights. My only other advice is to have included entrance in each visited location, ie the church in Florence, the tower of Pisa, the church in Siena just to mention a few. There wasn’t enough time for us to stand in line to purchase tickets and visit these sites. Otherwise, loved the trip and coordination of travel to each village in Tuscany!

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