Tuscany is not only wonderful cities of art and ancient villages, but it is a land with a deep and unique food and wine tradition . Among typical dishes and excellent wines, aromas, flavors and aromas, it is possible to organize itineraries and itineraries focused on discovering the recipes and wines produced by the region: just think of the famous Chianti hills.
Here are all our tips for organizing itineraries and food and wine tours in Tuscany !
Itinerary in the Chianti Classico hills – 3 days / 116 km
Chianti is an area between Florence and Siena and between Arezzo and the Pisa hills. Closely linked to Chianti Classico wine, and rich in villages, ancient traditions and unique typical products.
Day 1 we start from Impruneta , the first small village starting from Florence, where you can visit the Basilica; continue by car to Greve in Chianti , the home of wine: here we recommend visiting the vineyards and lingering in the cellars for wine and cheese tasting. We recommend the Montefioralle farm, 1 km from the center of Greve. A stop at the Antica Macelleria Falorni, a Tuscan butcher’s shop opened in 1729, is also not to be missed.
Day 2 continue towards Panzano In Chianti , where you can visit the medieval historic center with a stop at the Antica Macelleria Cecchini, a real institution.
In the afternoon we reach Volpaia, where we recommend visiting the cellars of the castle with tasting (€ 30.00 per person); the day ends in Radda in Chianti : dine here at La Loggia Del Chianti.
Day 3 we reach Castellina in Chianti . Enjoy a walk, visit the Rocca and stop for lunch at Osteria Pastececi. In the afternoon reach Castelnuovo Berardenga , where you can end the weekend admiring the Chianti from above, climbing the Clock Tower (€ 2.00) and having dinner at La Taverna della Berardenga.
SEE ALSO : What to see in Chianti: villages, attractions and itineraries
One day itineraries: if you have only one day available, we recommend that you opt for a guided tour from Florence or a fun Vespa tour from Siena. Both solutions include wine tastings, cold cuts and a visit to the cellars!
- Main stages / villages : Impruneta, Greve in Chianti, Panzano in Chianti, Volpaia, Radda in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti, Castelnuovo Berardenga
- Local products and typical dishes : Chianti Classico wine, extra virgin olive oil, Tuscan cheeses and salami
- Route distance / duration : 116 km / 3 days
- Where to sleep: we recommend the Certosa di Pontignano Residenza d’Epoca, used as a 3-star hotel. For an experience among the vineyards, Terre Di Melazzano Farm in Greve in Chianti or Borgo Castelvecchi Farm in Radda in Chianti. To sleep in a villa, Villa Vistarenni in Radda in Chianti, 4 star hotel – compare accommodations on booking
Itinerary in the Val d’Orcia – 3 days / 50 km
Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a land of villages, medieval castles, vineyards, cypress avenues and farmhouses . It is located between the provinces of Siena and Grosseto, coming near the border with Umbria and north east up to Monte Amiata. Among its typical products we find wines, pecorino di Pienza, pici, snails from Val d’Orcia and Chianina!
Day 1 we start from Pienza , where you can visit the Duomo and taste the famous pecorino! For lunch we recommend the Taverna del Pecorino. Continue towards San Quirico d’Orcia, making a stop at the Chapel of the Madonna di Vitaleta and the famous Cypresses of San Quirico d’Orcia. Then visit the village, with the Horti Leonini gardens and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, without forgetting to taste the snails, the typical dish of the village.
Day 2 you reach Bagno Vignone : a few hours of relaxation in the spa before visiting the Poggio Grande winery, which organizes visits and tastings of the Val d’Orcia wine. From here in a short time you reach the Rocca di Tentennano di Rocca d’Orcia , and then Castiglione d’Orcia , with a visit to the Rocca Aldobrandesca and the small museum Sala d’Arte San Giovanni. For dinner we recommend Il Cerchio Delle Streghe.
Day 3 in Monticchielloalong the scenic Strada dei Cipressi (SP 88). Visit to the historic center and lunch at Osteria La Porta. Then by car along Via di S. Bartolomeo up to Montepulciano; visit the historic center with the Duomo and the Civic Museum Pinacoteca Crociani, then tasting at the De ‘Ricci Cantine Storiche, where you can taste the famous Montepulciano wine. For dinner we recommend one of the most famous places in the village, the Osteria Acquacheta.
SEE ALSO : What to see in Val d’Orcia: villages, attractions and itineraries
One day itineraries: if you have only one day available, we recommend that you visit the Val d’Orcia with a tour from Florence with wine tasting and a visit to the hills and villages of Pienza and Montepulciano, or a wine tour from Siena. Both tours last a full day, departing in the morning and returning in the evening.
- Main stages / villages : Pienza, San Quirico d’Orcia, Bagno Vignone, Rocca d’Orcia, Castiglione d’Orcia, Monticchiello, Montepulciano
- Local products and typical dishes : wine from Montepulciano, snails from San Quirino d’Orcia, Pecorino di Pienza, handmade pici, Chianina meat
- Route distance / duration : 50 km / 3 days
- Where to sleep: the area is full of farmhouses. Near Pienza we recommend Relais Val d’Orcia, in San Quirico d’Orcia the Hotel Palazzo Wellness & Relais. In Bagno Visconti the 5-star ADLER Spa Resort THERMAE. For a step back in time, Relais Il Chiostro di Pienza, in an ancient convent – compare the best accommodations on booking
Discovering the white truffle of San Miniato – 1 day
San Miniato is a medieval village located in the heart of the Via Francigena, in the province of Pisa. It is known for being the home of the prized white truffle .
In the morning take part in an excursion in search of truffles , organized by Truffle in Tuscany. You will be accompanied by an expert guide with his truffle dog (reservations and info on the official website). At the end it is also possible to enjoy a homemade lunch with traditional Tuscan recipes.
In the afternoon take part in a visit to the cellarwith tasting of wines and typical products. We recommend the Pietro Beconcini Agricola winery, not far from San Miniato. Alternatively, you can discover the village, walking in the historic center and visiting the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and San Genesio, the Tower of Federico II or Palazzo Grifoni.
- Main stages / villages : San Miniato
- Local products and typical dishes : white truffles, Tuscan wines and cold cuts
- Route distance / duration : one day
- Where to sleep: in the center of San Miniato at the Hotel San Miniato or in a farmhouse at the Marrucola farm with swimming pool – compare the accommodations on booking
The Strada dei Sapori della Valtiberina – 1 day / 27 km
Photo by Davide Mauro. The Valtiberina and the Tiber valley , in the Tuscan part, includes the municipalities of Anghiari, Badia Tedalda, Caprese Michelangelo, Monoterchi, Pieve Santo Stefano, Sansepolcro and Sestino. It is an area where you can savor the authentic flavors of the countryside , with 0 km and locally produced products, such as oil, honey, cheeses or delicious truffles.
In the morning we leave from Anghiari , a medieval village surrounded by olive groves. After a walk in the village, you will reach Monterchi , less than 15 minutes by car. This and place mainly produces corn and its main dish is polenta. In autumn a festival is dedicated to it, in any case you can taste it at the Enoteca Al Travato.
In the afternoon we reach Sansepolcro , known above all for its excellent pasta! Very interesting is the visit to the Co-Cathedral Basilica of San Giovanni Evangelista and the Sansepolcro Civic Museum.
End the day with an excellent homemade pasta dish or a nice meat dish.
- Main stages / villages : Anghiari, Monterchi, Sansepolcro
- Local products and typical dishes : Valtiberina oil, honey, cheeses, truffles
- Distance / duration of the itinerary : 1 day / 27 km in total
- Where to sleep: we recommend sleeping in Sansepolcro. In the center at the Enoteca & Locanda Guidi, in the farmhouse at the Casa Donella – compare the best accommodations on booking
Monti Pisani Oil Road – 1 day / 20 km
Photo by Gianni Careddu. If you want to follow an itinerary dedicated to oil, the top is the Monti Pisani Oil Road. This itinerary follows the piedmont road and crosses the municipalities of Vecchiano, San Giuliano Terme, Calci, Buti and Vicopisano. You will cross a landscape full of terraces planted with olive trees , with wonderful farmhouses and characteristic villages.
In the morning we leave from Calci , in Valgraziosa, surrounded by olive trees and ancient mills. Here, a visit to the Certosa di Calci is not to be missed.
Continue by car to the Belvedere Monte Serra, right at the foot of the Pisan Mountains, to admire a unique panorama. Lunch at the Tuscan restaurant Il Conventino. After lunch, we recommend that you reach the Elter Francesco farm, oil producer, which organizes tastings and guided tours.
In the afternoon we go to Agnano , where there is one of the oldest villas in Tuscany, owned by Lorenzo the Magnificent. From here make a stop in Ascano , to admire the aqueduct that runs through the whole plain, and then arrive at San Giuliano Terme , where you can relax in the thermal baths of Bagni di Pisa.
- Main stages / villages : Calci, Agnano, Ascano, San Giuliano Terme
- Local products and typical dishes : extra virgin olive oil
- Distance / duration of the itinerary : 1 day / 20 km
- Where to sleep: the Agriturismo Villa Rosselmini is located near Calci. For a relaxing stay, the Bagni di Pisa hotel in addition to the spa offers wonderful rooms – compare the best accommodations on booking
The wines of Montalcino and Montepulciano – 1 day / 36 km
Brunello and Vino Nobile, respectively from Montalcino and Montepulciano, are two of the most famous wines of Tuscany . The two villages are located on the borders of the Val d’Orcia and can easily be visited within a day.
It starts from Montalcino , the city of Brunello. The medieval old town is surrounded by ancient walls and inside there are numerous wine bars. We recommend the Enoteca Grotta del Brunello for a glass of wine accompanied by a platter with cold cuts and typical local products.
In the afternoon you reach Montepulciano, by car it takes about 45 min. Here the Vino Nobile is produced, one of the best known in the world! Enjoy a walk in the center, visiting the Cathedral and admiring the Town Hall from the outside, and then take part in a visit to the cellars of De ‘Ricci Cantine Storiche in Montepulciano.
For dinner we recommend the Osteria del Borgo, with a splendid view of the hills and over 600 wine labels!
SEE ALSO : Montepulciano: what to see, where to eat and what to do in the evening
Guided tours and lunch in the castle: if you want to find out more about the famous Brunello di Montalcino, we recommend a wine tour from Siena with tastings and visit 3 Brunello producers. For a unique experience, choose the Brunello wine tasting tour with a dedicated sommelier and lunch in a Tuscan castle.
- Main stages / villages : Montalcino, Montepulciano
- Local products and typical dishes : Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
- Route distance / duration : 1 day / 36 km
- Where to sleep: just outside the historic center of Montepulciano is the Agriturismo Fontecastello or the Agriturismo Godiolo, with an adjoining cellar – compare the best accommodations on booking
