Farmhouse in green rolling fields surrounded by cypress trees in swirling mist

Luxury hotel holidays to Tuscany

Luxury holidays to Tuscany: luxury hotel holidays, touring holidays and special interest holidays

An Expressions tailor-made holiday in Tuscany allows you to appreciate its classical landscape of rolling hills and vineyards dotted with olive and cypress trees, its misty green-grey mountains that are never too far distant, and hill-top towns of rich brown and gold stone houses. This combines with the beauty of the works of art contained in the towns and villages throughout Tuscany to create an inspirational union of the spirit and the senses. There is an intrinsic comfort in the supposed contrast between the delicacy of a Botticelli and the heartiness of Ribollita soup, yet both are typical of this fascinating region. As birthplace of the Renaissance, the impact of Tuscan and particularly Florentine traditions and culture on European heritage is fundamental to our way of life. In addition to the obvious attractions of the scenery of Chianti and the art cities of Florence and Siena, there are the less well-known regions south of Siena with its moon-like landscape of hills, the patchwork vineyards of Montalcino, the coastal marshlands of the Maremma, the spas of Montecatini and Saturnia, the islands of Elba and Giglio, and the Casentino with the source of the Arno and abundant mushroom crops. Wherever you travel on holiday in Tuscany, you will be inspired by the beauty of your surroundings and the way of life, which is quintessentially that of Italy too.

Gardens of Tuscany

Tuscany is also a region famous for its villas and gardens, many of which date from the Renaissance times and are renowned for the way that garden design developed in the Western world. Expressions Holidays offers a small group tour visiting the gardens of Tuscany on selected dates in the year.

Cultural tour of the medicis

For a more in-depth look at the artistic heritage and culture in Tuscany, enjoy a four-night cultural break following in the footsteps of the Medicis. Visit the statues, tombs, and palaces in Florence, and the Medici villas in the surrounding towns and villages.

Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be

● Single centre or multi-centre
● Long or short stays
● Combine a number of different hotels in different regions
● Utilise a variety of transport arrangements to Italy and within Italy, combining flights, hire-car, rail, ferries and private transfers

Our special interest holidays to Tuscany

● Wine tours for small groups
● Wine-tasting for individuals
● Garden tours for small groups
● Cultural tours for individuals
● Cookery holidays for individuals and small groups
● Visits to local music festivals
● Private guided sightseeing
● Painting, photography and flower arranging
● Spa holidays
● Family holidays

Included in all our holidays

● Concierge service
● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday

Call us on 01392 441245

Here you will find a few more details of sightseeing, highlights, local festivals and things to do in Tuscany during your Italian Expressions holiday.

Highlights of Tuscany

Famous vineyards producing wines of Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Alabaster is produced in Volterra. Gold and silver are worked in Florence and the Ponte Vecchio is lined with jewellery shops. Marbled paper and stationery is a speciality of Florence. Ceramics and hand-painted majolica from raw terracotta from Impruneta to the glazed pottery of Siena are to be found throughout Tuscany. Lucca has traditionally produced silk and hand-woven fabrics. Leather goods including shoes, handbags and belts are to be found from market stalls to designer shops such as Gucci and Ferragamo. Interesting markets include the Mercato dell' Antiquariato which sells furniture from antiques to bric-a-brac in Arezzo on the first weekend of every month, in Pisa on the second weekend and in Lucca on the third weekend. The 'wild' Maremma is known for its long-horned white cattle and cowboys (butteri) and natural springs including Saturnia.

Cultural highlights of Tuscany

As birthplace of the Renaissance, Tuscany contains a wealth of treasures: Giotto`s Campanile and Brunelleschi`s Dome in Florence, the Tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo in Florence`s Santa Croce, Botticelli`s `Birth of Venus` and `Primavera` and the portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Urbino by Piero della Francesca in the Uffizi, Michelangelo`s `David` in the Accademia, the architecture of the Piazza della Signoria in Florence, `The Tuscan Maremma` painting by Giovanni Fattori in the Palazzo Pitti in Florence, the Piazza del Campo in Siena, `The Legend of the Cross` frescoes by Piero della Francesco in Arezzo, `The Creation` fresco by Bartolo di Fredi in the Collegiata in San Gimignano, Romanesque church of the Collegiata in San Quirico d`Orcia, 14th Century Fortezza of Montalcino, Renaissance masterpiece of the church of Madonna di San Biagio at Montepulciano, the abbey-church of Sant`Antimo, mediaeval Lucignano and the towers of San Gimignano, the Etruscan Museum in Cortona.

Festivals in Tuscany

Many of Tuscany`s festivals resound with the flamboyance of the Renaissance and keep Tuscans and visitors alike in touch with the region`s rich history. Others are linked to Tuscany`s hearty traditions of eating and drinking. The most famous is Siena`s Palio which takes place on 2 July and 16 August each year. Others include the Sagra del Tordo (Festival of the Thrush) in Montalcino on the last Sunday in October when there is an archery contest and charcoal-grilled thrush are a delicacy. In Florence, Calcio in Costume (a football match played in mediaeval costume) takes place in June. Pisa has the Giocco del Ponte (Game of the Bridge), a mock battle in Renaissance dress also held in June. Viareggio celebrates Carnival on Shrove Tuesday with a huge display of flamboyant floats. In May and August Massa Marittima holds the Falcon Contest.

Gastronomy in Tuscany

Simple country food is at the heart of Tuscan cooking. Regional dishes include Bruschetta (bread or ciabatta toasted and rubbed with garlic, olive oil and salt), Ribollita (bean, cabbage and bread soup), Pasta with hare or wild boar sauce, Porcini mushroom and truffle dishes, Bistecca all Fiorentina (thick cut of sirloin and fillet beef), Cantucci (almond and honey biscuits) served dipped in Vin Santo, Panforte (chocolate, nut and spice cake). Pecorino cheese made from sheep's milk. Local wines include the white Vernaccia di San Gimignano and the Bianco di Pitigliano. Famous reds include Chanti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Vin Santo made from semi-crushed grapes left for several months is an excellent dessert wine.

Tuscany travel information

Tuscany is reached very easily from the UK by air and rail. We can arrange for you to travel by train with overnight stops. Some clients choose to take their own car all the way.

By air

Fly to Pisa (daily flights with British Airways from Heathrow), Bologna (daily flights with British Airways from Gatwick) or Florence (daily flights with British Airways from London City). Rome is also recommended for the hotels in southern Tuscany - there are numerous flights by British Airways from Heathrow as well as some regional departures. Most of the hotels in Tuscany are no more than two hours' drive from one of the airports.

Car hire

We include a hire-car with all our holidays to Tuscany (except the Florence and Pisa city centre hotels) as you really do need a car to make the most of your holiday in this region. However, if you want to combine a stay in Florence with a stay in the country then you do not need the car during your time in Florence. In this case, we arrange for you to drop off or to collect your car in Florence at the beginning or end of your stay there.

Rail travel

Tuscany is easily accessible by train from London by taking the Eurostar to Paris, and then the overnight sleeper service to Milan. You change trains in Milan and can be in Florence by about 09.00 hrs. From here you can take another train, depending on your destination, or collect a hire-car which is the most practical way to explore the Tuscan countryside.

Self-drive

With your own car Tuscany can be reached comfortably with two overnight stops from the UK. For example, you could overnight in Alsace and the Italian Lakes and then return via Lake Geneva and the Champagne region. Ask us for advice and let us make these arrangements for you.

Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be

Our special interest holidays to Tuscany

Included in all our holidays

● Concierge service
● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday

Call us on 01392 441245

Here you will find a map of Tuscany showing the locations of the hotels that we offer

Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be

Our special interest holidays to Tuscany

Included in all our holidays

● Concierge service
● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday

Call us on 01392 441245

Tuscany field with small white chapel flanked by cypress trees with mountains behind

TUSCANY TO THE AMALFI COAST FLY-DRIVE TOUR

12-night fly-drive touring holiday from Tuscany to the Amalfi Coast with stays in Chianti, Frascati and Positano. From £4,220 per person.

EXPLORE SOUTHERN TUSCANY RAIL-DRIVE TOUR

8-night touring holiday by train and hire-car via Switzerland to Florence, Chianti, Cortona. Return with an overnight stop in northern Italy or Switzerland. From £3,050 per person.

Green hills with cypress trees and orange coloured farmhouse in Tuscany

FLORENCE AND TUSCANY BY RAIL TOUR

10-night rail and car touring holiday of Tuscany by train and car via Switzerland to Florence and the Chianti region. From £2,770 per person.

Ornate mural in white on grey stone of a wall in Florence

TUSCANY AND UMBRIA TOUR BY RAIL AND CAR

9-night touring holiday with an overnight stop each way, train to Florence return, then hire-car for touring and stays in Chianti and Umbria. From £2,610 per person.

Roman columns and stone arches around pool at Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli near Rome

THE HEART OF ITALY: TUSCANY, UMBRIA, AND LATIUM FLY-DRIVE TOUR

9-night fly-drive touring holiday exploring three regions at the Heart of Italy: Tuscany, Umbria and Latium, staying in Chianti, the Umbrian countryside and near Frascati. From £1,995 per person.

Turquoise pond with jets of water from fountains with terraced stone landscape and trees at Villa d'Este Tivoli near Rome

TUSCANY TO THE ALBAN HILLS NEAR ROME FLY-DRIVE TOUR

10-night fly-drive touring holiday from Tuscany through Umbria to Latium with stays in the Chianti region, Orvieto and near Frascati. From £2,595 per person.

Small colourful boats in harbour water with houses of red and ochre in Portofino

ROMANTIC INTERLUDES ITALIAN FLY-DRIVE TOUR

9-night fly-drive touring holiday from the Ligurian Riviera, to Tuscany staying in Chianti and on the coast. From £3,940 per person.

Village of Barolo in middle of rows of green vineyards in Piemonte

VINEYARDS OF BAROLO AND BRUNELLO FLY-DRIVE TOUR

8-night fly-drive touring holiday including stays near Alba in Piemonte and Montalcino in Tuscany, with time to explore the vineyards of Barolo and Brunello. From about £2,890 per person.

GARDENS OF TUSCANY TOUR

6-night garden tour of Tuscany for small groups of up to 14 people in Chianti and Lucca areas reflecting the diversity of Tuscan villas and their gardens. From about £3,230 per person.

Outline against sky of the towers and houses of the Tuscan town of San Gimignano

WINE TOUR OF TUSCANY

4-night wine tour of Tuscany, in particular Chianti and Brunello, for a small group accompanied by an experienced wine and food expert, staying in Radda-in-Chianti, including visits and wine-tasting. From £3,450 per person.

Winding road through green fields lined with cypress trees in Tuscany and red poppy

TUSCANY BY CAR SELF-DRIVE TOUR

13-night self-drive holiday to Tuscany for a week’s stay with overnight stops in France, Italy and Switzerland both ways. From about £2,460 per person.

Scattered tall cypress trees lining track through fields in Tuscany

UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN TUSCANY IN DEPTH FLY-DRIVE TOUR

14-night fly-drive touring holiday including Lucca, Florence, Chianti, Cortona, Montalcino and the Maremma. From £4,220 per person.

TUSCAN GARDEN HOLIDAY FOR INDIVIDUALS

6-night holiday for individuals to Tuscany to visit the iconic gardens of Chianti and Lucca areas. Stay in 2 different locations and we include a hire-car. Local garden notes provided. Local garden guides optional. From £2,060 per person.

Cluster of tall cypress trees together in middle of green rolling Tuscan fields

TUSCANY BY TRAIN HOLIDAY

9-night holiday by train and car to Tuscany with rail travel on Eurostar and overnight stops each way with 7 nights in the Chianti region of Tuscany with a hire-car. Stay 4-star charming hotel. From £2,740 per person.

Statue of David with the terracotta cupola of the cathedral in Florence

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF MICHELANGELO HOLIDAY

6-night holiday following in the work of Michelangelo in Florence and Rome, and visit places associated with the great artist and his works of art in both cities. From £1,680 per person.

Tuscan farmhouse surrounded by cypress trees standing in green field with mists

COOKERY AND WINE HOLIDAY IN TUSCANY

5-night Tuscan cookery and wine fly-drive luxury holiday based in the Chianti region. From about £2,490 per person.

Relais Villa Belpoggio Tuscany dining terrace outdoor breakfast table fruit toast

COOKERY HOLIDAY IN TUSCANY

4-night cookery holiday in Tuscany with hands-on cookery lessons with visits to local market, and pasta-making or a visit to an organic farm. From £1,860 per person.

FOOD AND WINE HOLIDAY IN TUSCANY’S CHIANTI

5-night food and wine luxury holiday at the 5-star Borgo San Felice, with Michelin-starred restaurant, in the Chianti classic region in Tuscany. Dinner with wine, wine-tasting and half-day cookery included. From £1,990 per person.

Stone carving of the emblem of the house of Medici on side of wall of building in florence

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MEDICIS HOLIDAY

4-night cultural break exploring the history of the Medici family in and around the city of Florence. You stay in a 5-star hotel on the River Arno just outside Florence and explore, with our guidance notes, in the city itself and by hire-car visiting the Medici villas. From £1,760 per person.

PAINTING HOLIDAY IN TUSCANY

6-night fly-drive luxury painting holiday in Tuscany’s Chianti countryside with three 3-hourly lessons from local painter included. From £1,990 per person.

Statue of composer Puccini in front of punk and green building in Lucca

PUCCINI OPERA FESTIVAL HOLIDAY

4-night opera holiday to the Puccini Opera Festival in Torre del Lago, with four nights at a luxury hotel nearby, hire-car and second sector seats included. From £1,680 per person.

TUSCAN COAST AND COUNTRYSIDE TWO CENTRE HOLIDAY

8-night two-centre fly-drive holiday combining the Tuscan coast and the countryside. Stay in two luxury hotels. From £2,770 per person.

TUSCANY AND UMBRIA FOOD AND WINE HOLIDAY

6-night fly-drive luxury holiday to Tuscany and Umbria for an authentic cookery and wine-tasting experience. From about £2,440 per person.

Hotel Borgo San Felice Tuscany courtyard bench flowers growing up wall

WINE-TASTING HOLIDAY IN CHIANTI

4-night wine-tasting holiday to Tuscany’s Chianti region including a wine-tasting of three regional wines at your hotel and an olive oil tasting. You stay at a 5-star hotel with Michelin-starred restaurant in amongst its own vineyards and we include a hire-car so that you can explore on your own too. From £1,920 per person.

Augustus Hotel Tuscany exterior hotel entrance walkway hotel building lawns trees

AUGUSTUS HOTEL AND RESORT Tuscany

A 5-star beach hotel with a country feel, with 75 bedrooms in two buildings, extensive gardens, restaurants, bar, pool and private beach with beach service, in exclusive Forte dei Marmi on the Tuscan coast.

BAGNI DI PISA Tuscany

This is a splendid spa resort and 5-star hotel, with thermal pools, cosmetic and medical spa treatments, gardens and choice of rooms. Very close to Lucca and the Tuscany coast.

BELMOND CASTELLO DI CASOLE Tuscany

A supremely comfortable and luxurious 5-star hotel with 39 rooms set on a Tuscan country estate with rooms in a mediaeval castle and the estate buildings. Outstanding quality of surroundings and activities.

Villa San Michele Tuscany entrance drive way hotel building

BELMOND VILLA SAN MICHELE Tuscany

This is a delightful, historic and atmospheric 5-star hotel with 45 comfortable rooms, set in a 14th century building on a hillside overlooking Florence. Fine-dining, swimming, and cultural activities are available here.

Borgo Pignano exterior of hotel building shown with lawn in front and vines growing up building

BORGO PIGNANO Tuscany

A delightful 4-star hotel with 14 luxury bedrooms in an 18th century villa as well as self-catering houses on an extensive estate in Tuscany with organic farmland, olives and vines. Lots of local experiences and activities on the estate.

BORGO SAN FELICE Tuscany

A 5-star hotel and Relais & Chateaux member occupying the hamlet of a wine estate with 30 rooms and 30 suites, Michelin-starred restaurant, wine shop and wine-tasting on-site. Swimming, cycling and walking.

BORGO SANTO PIETRO Tuscany

A sumptuously furnished, luxurious 5-star boutique hotel of just 20 rooms and suites located in a country estate about 20 miles from Siena. Michelin-starred restaurant, exquisite gardens, estate activities.

Cala del Porto Tuscany exterior hotel building pool sun loungers umbrellas

CALA DEL PORTO RESORT Tuscany

A traditionally furnished, boutique 5-star hotel with 40 rooms, some with sea view, in an elevated position overlooking the sea and the marina of Punta Ala. There is a beach club and restaurant on the beach.

CASTEL MONASTERO Tuscany

Resplendent in its history from the Middle Ages, this fortified hamlet is now a 5-star resort-hotel with 74 rooms and suites in the Tuscan countryside near Siena. Hearty Tuscan cuisine and authentic local experiences.

Castello Banfi Tuscany exterior path way lined with shrubs and flowers

CASTELLO BANFI IL BORGO Tuscany

A luxurious boutique hotel with just 14 rooms and suites on a prestigious wine estate near Montalcino. Delightful gardens, swimming pool with vineyard views, restaurants and wine boutique.

Castello di Velona Tuscany exterior pool in foreground hotel in background

CASTELLO DI VELONA RESORT Tuscany

A 5-star luxury thermal spa and wine resort with 45 rooms located in a converted fortified settlement dating from the Middle Ages, perched on a hill overlooking Brunello vineyards.

COMO CASTELLO DEL NERO Tavarnelle, Tuscany

Historic, 5-star, castle-hotel with 50 rooms on a wine estate in Chianti, Tuscany. Spa, Michelin-starred restaurant, tennis, pool. Tuscan experiences and activities.

Grand Hotel Continental Tuscany entrance large stone doorway

GRAND HOTEL CONTINENTAL Siena

An historic palazzo situated within the ancient city walls, this 5-star hotel has 51 individually furnished rooms and suites, with views of Siena. Enjoy a drink in the courtyard Lounge Bar before dinner.

Principe di Piemonte Tuscany exterior hotel building corner of street

GRAND HOTEL PRINCIPE DI PIEMONTE Tuscany

A grand hotel dating from 1925 situated on the seafront promenade in Viareggio, this 4-star hotel has 106 rooms, decorated in a variety of styles. There is a 2 Michelin star restaurant and private beach service can be booked.

GROTTA GIUSTI Tuscany

This is a 4-star hotel and thermal resort situated in a 19th century villa, now with 64 rooms and suites. Bathrooms have running thermal water. Spectacular large thermal pool and grotto. Nutrition progammes.

HOTEL BYRON Tuscany

This is a charming, stylish, relaxed boutique 5-star hotel with 29 rooms in an aristocratic villa on the seafront in Forte dei Marmi, in its own gardens. Some rooms with sea view. Art exhibitions held here.

HOTEL LE RENAIE Tuscany

A charming, family-run 3-star hotel in the countryside 3 km from San Gimignano with a great local restaurant, pretty garden and swimming pool. Tremendous value. Just 25 rooms.

Exterior view of the entrance to the hotel with the Italian flag hanging outside and potted plants

HOTEL SAN LUCA PALACE Tuscany

Located in an historic town mansion, this is a 4-star boutique hotel with 26 rooms and suites, located within the town walls of Lucca. Excellent ambience and location.

HOTEL VILLA LA PRINCIPESSA Lucca

An historic 4-star villa hotel in countryside just 4 kms from Lucca. 41 rooms and suites, pool and restaurant. Historic botanical park surrounds the hotel.

Il Faconiere Tuscany exterior hotel front trees and potted plants

IL FALCONIERE Tuscany

A country boutique 4-star hotel, Relais & Chateaux member, with just 22 rooms in a villa and cottages. One Michelin-starred restaurant, own vineyard, cooking classes, spa.

View of the hotel from the pool with sun loungers around the pool

IL PELLICANO Tuscany

In a secluded location with terraces descending to the sea, this is a 5-star luxury hotel with 50 rooms and suites, Michelin-starred restaurant, spa and tennis court. One of the best in Italy.

Exterior of hotel and greenery with pool infront

L'ANDANA Tuscany

This 5-star hotel with just 33 rooms stands in a country estate, with Michelin-starred restaurant, a couple of miles from the sea. Golf, cycling and wine appreciation all possible.

PALAZZO LEOPOLDO Tuscany

A boutique hotel in an historic town mansion in the centre of Radda, 4-star hotel, with 46 rooms and suites furnished cosily and traditionally with lots of Tuscan features.

Relais dell'Orologio Pisa door hotel entrance traditional architecture

RELAIS DELL'OROLOGIO Tuscany

This is a luxury boutique 5-star hotel in an historic town house in Pisa, located in the historical centre. Cosy lounge for afternoon tea, and garden area.

View of the exterior of the Relais La Suvera with a stone building with arched window and greenery outside

RELAIS LA SUVERA Tuscany

A unique opportunity to stay in an Italian stately home, now a 5-star hotel with 36 rooms and sumptuous suites, historic ambience and fine dining. A living museum in the Tuscan countryside.

Exterior of hotel with white flowers infront, shutters on windows and wall lamps glowing

RELAIS VILLA BELPOGGIO Tuscany

An historic home from home historic residence, 4-star standard, with just 10 rooms and suites near Arezzo. Beautiful garden, views, pool and authentic cuisine served inside or on the terrace.

Large thermal pool with stone building behind

TERME DI SATURNIA Tuscany

An exclusie 5-star spa resort in southern Tuscany, with 124 rooms and a park of hot springs and thermal pools. Golf, tennis and cycling also available. A unique spa experience.

VILLA LA MASSA Tuscany

An historic villa on the banks of the River Arno just outside Florence, now a 5-star hotel with 41 delightful rooms and suites. Pool, restaurant and shuttle service to the centre of the city.

View of the exterior of the hotel with leafy vines growing over the front

VILLA LE BARONE Tuscany

This is a charming 4-star hotel with 28 rooms housed in a genuine Renaissance villa in the Chianti countryside, full of character and personal service. Traditional restaurant, cosy rooms and beautiful gardens with views.