Tailormade tour Under the Tuscan Sun Tuscany in depth fly-drive tour Italy

After collecting your hire-car on arrival at Pisa airport, drive to Lucca. Lucca is distinctive due to the well-preserved Renaissance walls that surround the town centre, all topped with pathways and rows of trees. Spend your first morning taking in the extraordinary shape of the town via these pretty pathways, with the Appuan Alps and Apennines as your backdrop. The former of these two sets of mountains is known for the particularly dramatic jagged form of its rocks, as well as the high-quality marble that is sourced there. The evidence of Lucca’s history continues inside its walls. The Guinigi Tower is all that remains of the Case Guinigi, a complex of mansions and towers that once belonged to the Guinigi family. This tower is now topped with seven holm-oaks, ensuring that it blends in with the green outer walls. From the top of this tower, visitors can appreciate the town’s unusual shape, the rolling green countryside, and the dynamic mountains more fully. Lucca is also the proud owner of a 459-arch aqueduct, designed by Lorenzo Nottolini, which extends over 3km and once brought water to Lucca from the mountains. The Duomo di San Martino dates from the 6th century, and still bears something of the style of its ancient beginnings, though it was added to in the Romanesque style in the 11th century. In the centre of the town, the Piazza del Mercato preserves the shape of the amphitheatre which once sat in its place. The local speciality olive oil, olio d’oliva lucchese, can be tasted in various localities in the town.

Situated just on the outskirts of Florence, Villa la Massa is ideally placed for exploration of Tuscany’s capital and occupying a peaceful location on the banks of the River Arno. On your full day here, explore Florence. Visit the 13th century Gothic cathedral with its iconic red dome, the hexagonal baptistery with its famous golden Gates of Paradise, and the cathedral’s museum, beautifully grand, before delving into Florence’s artistic heritage. Numerous art galleries and art museums line the streets of Florence; the Palazzo Pitti gallery is housed in a vast Renaissance palace, while the Uffizi Art Museum and the Bargello sculpture gallery have gained international repute. The various churches and monasteries in and around Florence also exhibit many examples of Florentine painting from all ages. The Ponte Vecchio is a mediaeval bridge that supports a row of jewellery shops. The artistic highlight of a visit to Florence, however, is Michelangelo’s original ‘David’, which is on display at the Galleria dell’Accademia. To finish off the day in the city, perhaps dine either at La Cucina, or at the double Michelin-starred Enoteca Pinchiorri.

It's an easy drive south out of Florence today and from the Arno valley you are soon in the hills of the Chianti region, and their shades of green from oak, cypress, pine and olive trees. You pass through pretty villages, the patchwork of vineyards and will glimpse ruined fortifications on hillsides.

You have two more days based here in the Chianti region allowing for a combination of relaxing at your hotel, perhaps exploring the nearby countryside on foot, or continuing your exploration of the region by car, perhaps visiting the Castello di Brolio, the wine villages of Gaiole and Radda, nearby Volterra or the enclosed mediaeval town of San Gimignano. There are also private gardens and wineries in the area.

From Chianti we suggest a slight detour to the eastern part of Chianti to visit Arezzo. Arezzo is home to the mediaeval Piazza Grande. Here, sip coffee in a pavement café while watching the artists at work. Twice a year, a historic joust takes place in this square, accompanied by costumed parades and competitions, which casts a becoming medieval light back on the town. As you relax in the square, you can observe the attraction of the back of the Santa Maria dell Pieve, its large bell tower, and the 4 layers of arches that define its façade. On Sundays, the streets of Arezzo bustle due to the Antiquary Market. The windows of the Duomo San Donato are still covered with glass dating back to medieval Italy; this imposing building, grand despite its minimalist exterior detail, has a warm regal charm that suits the Arezzo atmosphere. If time permits, continue your tour of the town to the mediaeval fortress, the Roman Amphitheatre, and the early Renaissance frescos in the Church of San Francesco. Your next stop for two nights is outside Cortona on the Barachi wine estate. On the full day in this region, you could tour the vineyards owned by the Barachi, rest by the pool and enjoy the fine dining at the hotel. Cortona itself is an historic centre with very important Etruscan remains. Or, just to the south there are two options, but not in Tuscany! Here you are right on the border with Umbria, so two excursions for today are in the neighbouring province. Perugia is one option and Lake Trasimeno is the other.

The drive from Cortona to Montalcino is beautiful. You pass through the hills and fields of southern Tuscany before they suddenly become vineyards too. There are two notable stops you can make today: the first is Montepulciano and the second is Pienza. Then you reach Montalcino itself. This is a quintessential Tuscan small town: perched on a hilltop, with a beautiful castle at its highest point, and with a famous wine that takes its name. You have a full day here which can be spent sightseeing in Montalcino, seeking out the best wine-tasting spots and choosing fine ceramics in the shops. Brunello di Montalcino is a wine known for its notes of spice, earth, leather, raisins, cedar, and cherry (afforded by its content of Sangiovese grapes). The Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona is situated in a much more secluded location and should be open for wine-tasting sessions. On occasion, to add an element of eccentricity to your trip, you will be able to visit the estate’s wolves. The 12th century Castello Romitorio offers tastings of the Brunello wines, as well as tours of the vineyards, farm house, fortress, and art gallery. You may wish to plan for your stop in Montalcino to fall on a Sunday, to allow you to witness the morning Gregorian chant mass at the Abbazia di Sant’Antimo. This moving and captivating tradition is an experience of a lifetime, the chants acoustically enhanced by the curved stone walls, but you may also wish to remain in the abbey after the service to witness the building at its most peaceful. In the evenings, dine at your hotel and enjoy some more of the Brunello wine out on the terrace under the stars.

Your final stop on this touring holiday takes you to Tuscany’s coast, cradled between the blue of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the vibrant green of dense pine forests. Castiglione della Pescaia gets its name from its origins as a mediaeval fortress and a large fishery, and sits at the mouth of the Fiume Bruna, now lined with harboured ships, small businesses, and cafes. The pastel-coloured buildings, winding grape vines, and solid oak trees give Castiglione della Pescaia the nickname of ‘Switzerland of the Maremma’. The beaches are known for being some of the cleanest in Tuscany, with tranquil clear waters and silky stretches of golden sand. In the town, the Palazzo Centurioni, possibly dating back to the 15th century, is the oldest building and was formerly the ancient tribunal house. The Chiesa di Sant’Battista dates back to the 16th century and now houses some incredibly valuable relics associated with the city’s patron saint. Perhaps spend a day further inland in Grosseto, exploring the awe-inspiring Scavi Archeologici di Roselle, or simply watching the world go by on the Piazza Dante.. Alternatively, wander inland into the rare ecosystem of the Riserva Naturale Diaccia Botrona for long walks beside the marshlands and reservoirs, or to watch the birdlife, from herons and kingfishers to haughty pink flamingos. On the last weekends of June, July, and August, Castiglione della Pescaia really comes alive with La Notte Bianca. Featuring late night music, art exhibitions, sailing tournaments, and dance competitions, it is the most thrilling time to be in Castiglione della Pescaia.

A short route from Castiglione della Pescaia to Pisa can be taken inland, but we would highly recommend the longer, more scenic coastal road. Use this final drive to commit to memory the delights of the natural landscape you have witnessed on your trip, passing rolling vineyards, deep blue seas, and those iconic hilltop Tuscan villages.