Tuscany Round Trip: Vineyards & Culture

After your landing at the airport, your driver will be waiting for you and will take you directly to your hotel in the heart of the city. After checking in, the remaining day is entirely yours to immerse yourself at your own pace in the incomparable flair of the Tuscan capital.

Florence is a lively open-air museum. Use the afternoon for a first stroll to Piazza del Duomo and marvel at the majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, whose monumental dome by Brunelleschi dominates the skyline of the city. Stroll across the famous Ponte Vecchio with its traditional goldsmith workshops and feel the pulse of history at Piazza della Signoria.

Our tip: Visit the Galleria dell’Accademia to admire Michelangelo's world-famous sculpture of "David" in its original form. In the evening, an aperitif on one of the stylish rooftops of the city is recommended as the sun bathes Florence in a golden light.

The gentle clinking of espresso cups heralds the morning before your private driver takes you in a comfortable vehicle out of the city into the world-famous postcard scenery of the Orcia Valley. Your destination is the renowned estate Podere il Casale, which is picturesquely situated on a hilltop. This extraordinary estate combines an organic farm, vineyard, cheese dairy, and a top-class gourmet restaurant.

Upon arrival, a real insider adventure awaits you: Together with an experienced truffle hunter and his keen-nosed dogs, you embark on an exclusive expedition through the estate's woods and groves to track down the "black gold" of Tuscany. You will be rewarded afterward with an exquisite lunch on the panoramic terrace. Enjoy fresh pasta with your personally found truffle, complemented by a spectacular view over the gently rolling hills. In the afternoon, the estate’s organic cheese master will introduce you to the secrets of traditional Pecorino production, rounded off with a fine tasting directly in the aging cellars. In the evening, it's back to Florence to your booked hotel.

Today, your journey takes you about an hour south of Florence to a city that has preserved its medieval character as perfectly as hardly any other: Siena. The gothic beauty is an architectural masterpiece made of reddish-brown brick, divided into historic districts, and is world-famous for the legendary, emotional horse race "Palio," held twice in the summer in the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo.

To experience the city and the surrounding nature up close and away from the usual tourist paths, you will hop on quality bicycles today. Together with a private local guide, you will leisurely ride through the narrow, shady alleys of the old town, passing the imposing cathedral of Siena. Afterwards, the route will take you out through the historical city gates directly into the gentle countryside that surrounds Siena. Passing olive groves and ancient farms, you will enjoy Tuscany from a completely new, active, and refreshing perspective.

A day dedicated to ultimate wine enjoyment. Your private chauffeur will take you to the charming town of Montalcino, crowned by a powerful fortress. This region is the birthplace of Brunello di Montalcino, one of the most exclusive, complex, and long-lasting red wines in the world.

Just in time for lunch, you will arrive at a historic high-end winery housed in a former fortress. Here you will be welcomed for a private tour of the historic wooden barrel cellars, where you will be explained the strict philosophy behind this fine drop. During the subsequent lunch, perfectly paired Tuscan specialties will be served – accompanied by an exclusive vertical tasting of various Brunello vintages. The afternoon will be dedicated to relaxation: Your driver will take you on a panoramic tour through the vineyards, where you can stop at the most beautiful viewpoints in the region to quietly absorb this magical landscape. The trip will return to Florence, where you will spend your last night in the city.

After exciting days in the culture and vineyards of Tuscany, your journey today takes on a new maritime chapter. You will say goodbye to the inland and travel comfortably north with your private transfer to the picturesque region of Liguria. Your destination is the glamorous and deeply relaxed coastal town of Santa Margherita Ligure.

Even upon arrival, the change of scenery is noticeable: The warm terracotta of Tuscany gives way to the pastel-colored, elegant facades of the Riviera, and the scent of rosemary and cypress mingles with the salty sea breeze. Santa Margherita captivates with its palm-fringed harbor, turquoise water, and views of the Bay of Portofino. Use the free afternoon to stroll through the city's Mediterranean parks, taste freshly caught seafood in a fine osteria by the harbor, or simply celebrate the sweet idleness along the seafront.

Recommended hotel: CASTELLO DI CASOLE, A BELMOND HOTEL, TUSCANY - 3 NIGHTS

Today’s day is entirely devoted to the sparkling Ligurian Sea. In the morning you will board a private luxury yacht. Your experienced skipper warmly welcomes you before it’s time to set sail for an unforgettable journey along one of the most spectacular coastlines in Europe.

Your first destination is the historically significant Golfo dei Poeti – the "Gulf of Poets." This deeply indented, sheltered bay has enchanted world writers such as Lord Byron and Percy B. Shelley. From the water, you will glide past steep cliffs and hidden caves. Afterwards, your skipper will steer towards the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Portovenere. The entrance into the harbor is breathtaking: Before you rise the iconic, colorful tower houses, standing like a fortress directly on the quay, topped by the medieval church of San Pietro on the outermost rock. Enjoy the day on deck, swim in secluded bays, and let the fresh sea air waft around you.

Today, you will put on your hiking shoes to experience Liguria's unspoiled, wild nature up close. Together with a professional nature guide, you will embark on a guided hike through the protected national park of the region that lasts about three hours.

The narrow path winds through shady pine forests, past wild thyme, fragrant maquis bushes, and century-old stone terraces painstakingly built by hand. The absolute highlight of this tour is the repeatedly stunning views: On one side, the majestic mountains of the Ligurian hinterland rise up, while on the other side, the cliffs drop steeply, revealing the endless, sparkling Mediterranean Sea. Your guide will share his knowledge about the unique flora and fauna as well as the eventful history of the coastal villages with you. You will conclude the last evening of your journey in style at the hotel – with an excellent glass of Ligurian wine as the sun slowly sets into the sea.

One last breakfast with a view of the sparkling sea, then the circle of this exclusive journey closes. Your private transfer service will pick you up punctually at your hotel and take you along the picturesque coastal road to the airport in Genoa.

As your plane takes off and you fly towards home, you may catch one last breathtaking glimpse of the deep blue of the Ligurian Riviera and the distant hills of Tuscany from the window. You bid farewell to Italy – but the memories of flavor, elegance, and pure zest for life will accompany you for a long time.