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Overview Itinerary Reviews Hotels, flights & FAQ

Tuscany Walking Tour

with Rome extension

Duration: 11 or 13 days
Group size: 14-28
Reviews: 140

Life seems simpler in Tuscany.

In the land of cypress trees and Chianti, a leisurely stroll may not be the fastest way to get around, but it’s certainly the most preferred. On this walking tour of Tuscany, you’ll step into historic cities like Florence and Siena, and amble through charming hamlets like Montalcino and Cortona for an authentic glimpse into the heart of Italy.

Your tour package includes

9 nights in handpicked hotels
9 breakfasts
1 lunch
4 dinners with beer or wine
6 guided walks

Included highlights

Florence’s Duomo
Basilica of Santa Croce
Chianti Region wine tasting
Siena
Monteriggioni walk

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Day-by-day itinerary

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Florence today.

Montecatini3 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Florence & transfer to Montecatini

Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Italy! Arrive in Florence and transfer to your hotel in Montecatini to get settled in. Then, meet your fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 3: Free day in Montecatini

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a full free day in Montecatini or add an excursion.

Medieval Lucca & Farmhouse Lunch

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 4: Sightseeing tour of Florence

Included meal: Breakfast

Set off on a day trip to Florence, the city at the center of the Renaissance, for a tour led by your local guide.

• Visit the legendary Florence Cathedral, known as the Duomo

• Pass Giotto’s Campanile, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture

• Walk past Piazza della Repubblica to the medieval Ponte Vecchio

• Stroll along the Arno River and through the courtyard of the Uffizi Gallery to Piazza della Signoria, center of Florentine life

• Step inside the Basilica of Santa Croce, the burial site of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo

Siena3 nights

Day 5: Siena via Chianti

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Pass through the famous Chianti region and the village of Greve en route to Siena.

• Traverse the vineyards and farmlands of the Chianti region on a local walk

• Sample the area’s rich red wine over an included lunch and wine tasting

• Explore the main square and winding side streets in the village of Greve

Continue on to Siena and sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Day 6: Monteriggioni & Siena

Included meal: Breakfast

Today, explore the rolling hills of Monteriggioni and culturally rich streets of Siena.

• Embark on a scenic walk through the woods and countryside of Monteriggioni

• View the Romanesque church of Abbadia Isola

• Enjoy a guided tour of the UNESCO-listed historic center of Siena

• Pass Piazza del Campo

• Enter the Piccolomini Library and Siena Cathedral

Day 7: San Gimignano & Volterra

Included meal: Breakfast

Take a day trip to the medieval towns of San Gimignano and Volterra, where you’ll do some exploring.

• Enjoy a breathtaking view of the town as you walk into San Gimignano, a medieval hilltop city known for its towers

• Embark on an afternoon trip to Volterra, where you can visit the cathedral, Roman Theater ruins or local shops

Enjoy a free evening or add an excursion.

Tuscan Villa Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Montepulciano Region2 nights

Day 8: Cortona & Montepulciano

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy sweeping views of the Tuscan countryside as you enjoy guided walks in both Cortona and Montepulciano.

• Walk downhill from St. Margaret’s Church to explore the town of Cortona

• Transfer to the town of Montepulciano, where you’ll pass the cathedral and enjoy breathtaking views of the Tuscan hills

Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Day 9: Montalcino & Pienza

Included meal: Breakfast

Explore the scenic Montalcino area and the beautiful town of Pienza, nicknamed “the Pearl of the Renaissance.”

• Walk through the countryside of Montalcino, ending at the Abbey of Sant’Antimo, a Romanesque church surrounded by rolling hills

• Continue to Pienza, where you’ll have free time to see the cathedral and the town’s Gothic churches

Then, enjoy a free evening in the Montepulciano region or add an excursion.

Montepulciano Wine Tasting & Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Rome1 night

Day 10: Rome via Monte Amiata

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Leave the Montepulciano region for Rome, stopping in the Monte Amiata region on the way to visit the charming town of Abbadia San Salvatore.

This evening, enjoy an elegant, four-course farewell dinner. While you dine, you’ll be treated to some of opera's best-loved arias sung by professional tenors.

Please note: The opera performance is seasonal and runs from March through November. Dinner will take place at a local restaurant from December through February.

Flight Home

Day 11: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay to further explore the history of Rome on foot.

Extension to Rome

Only in Rome can you sip cappuccino at a cafe in front of the Pantheon, buy grapes at a centuries-old market, and have an audience with the pope—all in one morning. For a mix of spectacular art, grand history, and exuberant street life, no other city comes close.

Rome2 nights

Day 11: Walking tour of Rome

Included meal: Breakfast

Follow in the footsteps of the ancient Romans during a guided walking tour of the Eternal City.

• Soak up over 2,000 years of history in Imperial Rome, viewing the Arch of Constantine and the Arch of Titus

• Enter the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater of the Roman Empire

• Walk through the ruins of the Forum, once the setting of parades, elections, and trials

• Pass the Imperial Forums, Trajan’s Market, and Trajan’s Column as you stroll along Via dei Fori Imperiali

• Head to Piazza Venezia to see the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument and Mussolini's balcony

Enjoy free time in Rome or add an excursion.

Rome Home-Hosted Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 12: Free Day in Rome

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a full free day in Rome or add an excursion.

This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.

Iconic Sights: Vatican City

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 13: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

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Reviews

140

4.8 average

05/31/2019 by 4th time traveler Claudia B.

The tour was wonderful. . .better than expected. I traveled alone and was concerned that I might not fit in, but I was wrong! Georgio, our tour guide, was totally accommodating and made me feel welcome the entire trip. He has a complete understanding and knowledge of our exploratory visits. Georg...

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05/31/2019 by 2nd time traveler David W.

Wonderful tour and Giorgio was fantastic. Early hotels were average, but didn’t spend much time there. Good balance of walking, site seeing, and eating. Could use just a bit more free time getting to search out the local culture. Great surprise at the Florence WW Ii memorial, and Villa was wonderful...

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Tuscany May 2019

05/29/2019 by 2nd time traveler Kathleen P.

Tuscany is such a beautiful place our tour director,Giorgio, was marvelous and led us to a few off the beaten track places and eateries.Our bus driver, Antonio, was able to manovoer the Tuscan hills will great skill!. Another Go Ahead employee ,Jena, was super attentive to all in the group. I would...

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Go Ahead Tours replied on 05/29/2019

Dear Kathleen, Thank you very much for sparing a f...

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Good (between Average & Very Good)

05/29/2019 by 2nd time traveler Anonymous

In a phrase, too much time getting there, not enough time being there. The "walks" wasted a lot of time tromping through dirt paths focused on tripping or stepping in ruts and not on scenery. Hikes should have been limited to 20-30 minutes. Long enough to get a sense of "walking through Tuscany". Wh...

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Go Ahead Tours replied on 05/29/2019

Dear Traveler, Thank you for traveling with Go Ahe...

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Giorgio Chiriaco was an excellent tour director. He is such a nice, good natured, caring, patient person! He shared his own personal experiences in relation to eating establishments, wine choices, etc. So helpful. Recommend him to host any upcoming tours, for which he is available!

05/29/2019 by 2nd time traveler Donna S.

Because I am in my early 70’s, I found some of the walking tours very strenuous. Perhaps updating the promotional material to indicate the difficulty of walks and how fit a person should be to participate, would be helpful for other travellers!

Go Ahead Tours replied on 05/29/2019

Dear Donna, We are constantly collecting data on a...

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Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

Hotels, flights, & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Best Western Hotel President

This modern hotel is located near Termini Station. Guests enjoy free WiFi, a minibar, and laundry center. Nearby, you'll find Arcibasilica di San Giov...

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Hotel Corsignano

This comfortable hotel is located in the heart of Pienza. Guests enjoy a bar, relaxation room, and free Wi-Fi. Nearby, you’ll find the Pienza Duomo, P...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

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Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
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Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

In order to enter Italy, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for about 2.5 hours daily across uneven terrain, including unpaved paths and cobblestone streets, with some steep hills.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Walks on this tour

Depending on local weather conditions, seasons and trail closures, the activities and sequence of your included walks may change.
Chianti Region – 3 miles / 1 hour. A paved and gravel path that begins with a steep incline then continues on flat ground through vineyards and farms.
Montereggioni – 3–4 miles / 1.5 hours. A downhill hike on a gravel path through woods, wheat fields and farms.
San Gimignano – 2–2.5 miles / 1 hour. A gravel path up a small incline for views of surrounding countryside and town.
Cortona – 1–2 miles / 1 hour. An easy, downhill walk from St. Margaret’s Church through the town.
Montepulciano – 1.5–2 hours / 1 hour. A paved road through the Tuscan countryside with a few inclines and declines.
Montalcino – 4 miles / 2–2.5 hours. A walk through the countryside on a mainly flat gravel path with one steep downhill portion.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Florence and depart from Rome. When you first arrive, a representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport. Please remain in the arrivals lounge, as the representative may be escorting fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Arrival and departure transfers to and from the hotel and airport are included for those guests who have purchased air travel through Go Ahead Tours. For travelers who purchase their own airfare, transfers can often also be requested through Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
Light hiking boots or sturdy sneakers are recommended for the cobbled stones and uneven terrain.
You may want to consider packing a collapsible walking stick for more challenging walks.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis)

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to any of the countries on this tour.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

Tuscany is world-famous for its wine, oil, sauces, and pasta. Menus favor subtle, lighter pastas and desserts made with nuts, fruit, and honey. Try a dish featuring the region’s Chianina beef, perhaps the most prized breeds of cattle in all of Italy. For wine, popular Tuscan reds include Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which are primarily made from the Sangiovese grape. Well-known white wines are also made around the San Gimignano region.
For more authentic meals, try local trattorias, small restaurants set away from the main piazzas. A typical Italian meal includes wines and the occasional beer, followed by a few sips of after-dinner drinks like grappa or limoncello.

Electricity & air conditioning

Italy operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, F, or L plugs with two or three small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotel may provide hairdryers, irons and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

Italy is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm in Rome.

Currency

You will use the euro in Italy.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.