Tuscany Italy chauffeured tour itinerary in 10 days
The Tuscany Tour of Italy starts and arrival in Florence.
People who travel to Italy make it a point to visit Tuscany. It is one of the important regions in Italy, popular for its art and architecture. Six localities of Tuscany have been declared as UNESCO protected sites, during the last three decades. Florence was declared as a UNESCO protected site in 1982, Siena in 1995, the Cathedral of Pisa in 1987, San Gimignano in 1990, Pienza in 1996 and the Val d'Orcia in 2004. Tuscany is very famous for its wines and it has nearly 120 protected reserves from where fine wine is produced. A tourist can also visit the marble quarries in Alpi Apuane, Garfagnana and Lunigiana (optional). This suggested tour itinerary emphasizes the Tuscan region of Italy, with visits of Florence, San Gimignano and Portoferraio. A winery tour in the Chianti area is included in this tour, as well as visits to famous attractions such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Tuscany provides an opportunity to view beautiful countryside and historic architecture while exploring the region where the Renaissance began more than 600 years ago.
This privately guided and chauffeured tour in Italy can be redesigned to suit your specific
interests, needs or timeframe. Unless you wish otherwise, your guide will take you to:
Florence - Pisa - Lucca - Viareggio - Piombino - Elba - Portoferraio - San Gimignano - Siena - Volterra - San Vivaldo - Chianti - Florence
Our suggested itinerary begins and finishes in Florence
1
Florence:
Your very own chauffeur picks you up from Florence airport. We start by visiting the Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square). The Cathedral is the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, built in 1436. Its exterior is covered with green, pink and white marble. The A La Carte Italy Tours' guide will explain how its construction took about 150 years. That cathedral has the world's largest brick dome. The bell tower is, in fact, an independent building, designed by Giotto in the Florentine Gothic style. Overnight in Florence / Fiesole / Chianti area.
2
Pisa:
In your comfortable A La Carte™ Italy Tour minivan, travel to Pisa. This is a calm and pleasant town recalling the past of the Pisan republic. The river system in Pisa prevented it from declining towards the end of the Roman Empire. We will focus on the Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Duomo is a medieval cathedral with massive bronze doors. Its golden ceiling, its medieval pulpit and its black and white marble interior are breathtaking. The round-shaped building nearby is the baptistery, with an octagonal font that contrasts with the large round interior space. The Leaning Tower was the campanile (bell tower for the cathedral). It started leaning shortly after its completion in 1173. It is the world's most famous leaning tower, but there are at least three dozen leaning towers all over the world. 3 nights in Pisa area.
3
Lucca:
We travel to Lucca. Composers Giacomo Puccini and Luigi Boccherini come from here. Lucca's Renaissance fortifications and gates allow for an interesting walk, commented by your A La Carte Italy Tours' guide. The Duomo houses the Holy Face of Lucca, a wooden representation of Christ of the cross, which is the object of an annual procession. We stroll through Lucca's streets. The San Michele in Foro church was built in 1070. Its facade has many sculptures, arcades and blind arcades. 2nd night in Pisa area.
4
Viareggio:
Today is a day tour to Viareggio, a fashionable seaside resort. This is quite a new city by Italian standards: it was founded in the 16th century. Architecture and local customs are hence quite different from other Italian towns. The Liberty style is the Italian equivalent of the Art Nouveau. Each summer, a Puccini festival takes place in Viareggio, in an open-air venue. Puccini's villa is now a museum and can be visited on this tour if you wish. Your A La Carte™ Italy Tour guide will offer you to sightsee or, if you prefer, to relax on the beach. 3rd night in Pisa area.
5
Elba:
Your A La Carte™ Italy Tour guide leads you to a boat in Piombino, an ancient Etruscan port. Short boat crossing to Elba Island. The island was under various ownerships over the centuries: Ligures, Romans, Pisans, the Visconti family, or the French (Napoleon was exiled there). Portoferraio is Elba's largest center. It was founded in 1548. Napoleon having being the island's most famous resident, a museum displays 200 works of art, Napoleon's personal effects, and other exhibits. Overnight in Portoferraio.
6
Elba:
Your A La Carte Italy Tours driver takes for a comfortable scenic drive around the island. Geology is key to Elba's development in the past. Copper and iron have been extracted from here for over 4 millennia. Its fauna and flora largely depend on the island's specific constitution. Spectacular, multicolored landscapes also result from the island's rich minerals. We catch a cable car (Cabinovia) from Marciana to Monte Capanne, the highest mountain on the island. From there, we are rewarded by a grand view over Elba, Tuscany and Corsica. 2nd night in Portoferraio.
7
San Gimignano:
Today we leave Elba Island and head inland into Tuscany and the Chianti area. When in Italy, it is a good idea to travel to the town of San Gimignano. The town dates back to the medieval ages and is small walled. The town of San Gimignano falls in the province of Siena, which is in North-Central Italy. The town is famous for its wine and architecture. San Gimignano is often referred to as ‘the town of towers’, as the town has been able to preserve 14 towers from the medieval times. These towers are of varying heights and also form the international identity of the town. The town has also many churches, such as the Collegiata and the Sant’Agostino. The heart of the town contains 4 Piazzas - Cisterna, Duomo, Pecori and Erbe. 3 nights in San Gimignano.
8
Siena:
We leave San Gimignano for the day on a private tour to Siena. It is the capital of the province of Siena. The historic center of Siena has been declared as the World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. The most famous structure of Siena is the main Cathedral or the Duomo. People travel from all parts of the world to have a look at the Duomo of Siena, which houses the works of artists like Nicola Pisano, Ghirlandaio, Ghiberti, Donatello and Jacopo della Quercia. The Piazza del Campo is a shell-shaped structure, which is also a major attraction for the travelers and is famous for hosting horse races. The Palazzo Pubblico is a great work of architecture. The Palazzo Pubblico also houses an important museum of Siena. 2nd night in San Gimignano.
9
Chianti:
30 miles away from San Gimignano lies Volterra, a town with origins back the Neolithic times. The Piazza dei Priori is one of the most attractive in Italy; it features the Palazzo dei Priori, designed in 1239 with a pentagonal tower and a glorious cross-vaulted council hall. The San Vivaldo monastery, in Montaione, was planned by the Franciscans to allow for a pilgrimage without going as far as Jerusalem. Finally, we conclude the day by a visit to the Chianti vineyards, and are introduced to local fines wines. 3rd night in San Gimignano.
10
Florence:
On this last day of your private tour with A La Carte Italy Tours, you have the opportunity to improve your knowledge of Florence. We visit the Palazzo Pitti, an early Renaissance residence of severe style, built by a banker. Nowadays, it is a large museum housing the Palatine Gallery, with over 500 Renaissance paintings by Raphael, Titian, Correggio, Rubens, and Pietro da Cortona. Drop-off at Florence airport. This is the end of your "Tuscany Tour.
Tour departures: on request - please book at least 3-6 months ahead
Tuscany tour of Italy in 10 days - prices
Type of Accommodation
If your party has 2-3 passengers price per person is
If your party has 4-6 passengers price per person is
Boutique
US$ 11,200
US$ 9,600
Luxury
(best available)
US$ 17,500
US$ 14,800
All
prices are per person in a twin / double room, and the currency is US dollars
To enquire or book this tour, please either fill out this form, or email us to tours@alcitalytours.com at least 3-6 months ahead. Thank you!
Our prices include:
private driver-guide all along during your travel in Italy
minivan (limousine) with A/C
luggage handling
domestic flights in Italy (if mentioned in the itinerary)
train rides 1st class (if mentioned in the itinerary)
all entrance fees
accommodation (2 categories to choose from: Boutique or Luxury)
if you select Luxury accommodation, you will also have the best available "room" in that establishment ("suites" or "apartments" upon request)
continental breakfasts
light lunches (lunch is usually kept light and short so we can sightsee more)
dinners in gourmet restaurants (for a Boutique tour); or in best overall restaurants (for a Luxury tour); in all cases, dinner is a la carte (you choose any three items)
1/2 bottle per person of best local wine at dinner
all taxes and tolls
or, if you prefer, please fill out the enquiry form
once you are satisfied with the suggested custom tour that we will design for you, we will ask you to pay a 20% deposit (usually between 3-12 months in advance)
the balance of the tour price is payable 60 days before the start of the tour
A La Carte Italy Tours accepts and MasterCard
Please do not send us your credit card details by email. In our correspondence, we will point you to a secure form.
Cancellations:
the 20% booking deposit is non-refundable
cancellations until 30 days before departure: 50% refund
cancellations until 3 days before departure: 20% refund
cancellations after 3 days before the tour: no refund
We will be happy to answer all your questions. There is no particular charge for a custom tour; if you wish a travel itinerary to suit a particular need, timeframe or interest, just ask us, and we will suggest a tour priced similarly to our advertised tours. Send us an email to tours@alcitalytours.com .
A La Carte Italy Tours offers exclusively private driver-guide tours. All our tours are custom-made to suit your needs, tastes and dates. On our tours, we never mix passengers who do not know each other. All our tours are run on an exclusive basis.
Tuscany Italy chauffeured tour itinerary in 10 days
and MasterCard 
