Tuscany is not only wonderful cities of art and ancient villages, but it is a land with a deep and unique wine and food tradition. Among typical dishes and excellent wines, perfumes, flavours and aromas, it is possible to organise itineraries and routes focused on discovering the recipes and wines produced in the region: just think of the famous Chianti hills.
Here are all our tips for organising itineraries and food and wine tours in Tuscany!
Itinerary through the hills of Chianti Classico - 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, it is 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; we continue by car to Greve in Chianti, the home of wine: here we recommend a visit to the vineyards and a stop in the cellars for wine and cheese tasting. We recommend the Azienda Agricola Montefioralle, 1 km from the centre of Greve. Also not to be missed is a stop at theAntica Macelleria Falorni, a Tuscan butcher's shop opened in 1729.
Day 2 continues to Panzano In Chianti, where we visit the medieval town centre, stopping at theAntica Macelleria Cecchini, a real institution.
In the afternoon we reach Volpaia, where we recommend a visit to the castle cellars with wine tasting (€30.00 per person); the day ends in Radda in Chianti: dine here at La Loggia Del Chianti.
Day 3 you reach Castellina in Chianti. Enjoy a walk, visit the Rocca and stop for lunch atOsteria Pastececi. In the afternoon reach Castelnuovo Berardenga, where you can end the weekend admiring the Chianti from above, climb the Clock Tower (€2.00) and dine at La Taverna della Berardenga.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Chianti: villages, attractions and itineraries
One-day itineraries: If you only have one day, we recommend opting for a guided tour from Florence or a fun Vespa tour from Siena. Both solutions include wine tasting, cured meats and visits to wine cellars!
Main stops/countries: 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 cured meats
Distance / route duration: 116 km / 3 days
Where to stay: we recommend the Certosa di Pontignano Residenza d'Epoca, now a 3-star hotel. For an experience among the vineyards, Azienda Agricola Terre Di Melazzano in Greve in Chianti or Agriturismo Borgo Castelvecchi in Radda in Chianti. To sleep in a villa, Villa Vistarenni in Radda in Chianti, 4-star hotel
Itinerary in the Val d'Orcia - 3 days / 50 km
The Val d'Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a land of villages , medieval castles, vineyards, cypress avenues and farmhouses. It lies between the provinces of Siena and Grosseto, reaching close to the border with Umbria and northeast to Monte Amiata. Among its typical products are wines, pecorino cheese from Pienza, pici, Val d'Orcia snails and Chianina beef!
Day 1 starts in Pienza, where you can visit the Duomo and taste the famous pecorino cheese! For lunch, we recommend the Taverna del Pecorino. Continue on to San Quirico d'Orcia, stopping 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 chiocciole, the village's typical dish.
Day 2 you reach Bagno Vignone: a few hours of relaxation in the spa before visiting the Poggio Grande winery, which organises visits and tastings of Val d'Orcia wine. From here it is a short drive to 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 Monticchiello along the scenic Strada dei Cipressi (SP 88). Visit to the historic centre and lunch at Osteria La Porta. Then by car along Via di S. Bartolomeo to Montepulciano; visit the historic centre with the Duomo and the Museo Civico Pinacoteca Crociani, then wine tasting at De' Ricci Cantine Storiche, where you can sample the famous Montepulciano wine. For dinner we recommend one of the village's most famous establishments, theOsteria Acquacheta.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Val d'Orcia: villages, attractions and itineraries
One-day itineraries: if you only have one day at your disposal, we recommend visiting 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 stops/countries: Pienza, San Quirico d'Orcia, Bagno Vignone, Rocca d'Orcia, Castiglione d'Orcia, Monticchiello, Montepulciano
Local products and typical dishes: Montepulciano wine, snails from San Quirico d'Orcia, Pecorino cheese from Pienza, handmade pici, Chianina meat
Distance/duration of itinerary: 50 km / 3 days
Where to stay: the area is rich in agritourisms. 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 in Pienza, in an ancient convent
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.
Inthe morning, join an excursion in search of truffles, organised by Truffle in Tuscany. You will be accompanied by an expert guide and his truffle dog (bookings and info on the official website). At the end, you can also enjoy a home-made lunch with traditional Tuscan recipes.
Inthe afternoon, take part in a visit to a winecellar with a tasting of wines and typical products. We recommend the Pietro Beconcini Agricola winery, not far from San Miniato. Alternatively, you can explore the village, strolling through the historic centre and visiting the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and San Genesio, the Tower of Frederick II or Palazzo Grifoni.
Main stop-offs/cities: San Miniato
Local products and typical dishes: white truffle, Tuscan wines and cured meats
Distance/duration of itinerary: one day
Where to stay: in the centre of San Miniato at the Hotel San Miniato or in an agriturismo at the Azienda Agrituristica Marrucola with swimming pool
The Valtiberina Food Trail - 1 day / 27 km
Photo by Davide Mauro. The Valtiberina is the valley of the Tiber river, in the Tuscan part it includes the municipalities of Anghiari, Badia Tedalda, Caprese Michelangelo, Monoterchi, Pieve Santo Stefano, Sansepolcro and Sestino. This is an area where you can savour the authentic flavours of the countryside, with local and km0 products, such as oil, honey, cheese or the delicious truffles.
Themorning starts in Anghiari, a medieval village surrounded by olive groves. After a walk through the village, you reach Monterchi, less than 15 min by car. This is a place that mainly produces maize and its main dish is polenta. A festival is dedicated to it in autumn, in any case you can taste it at theEnoteca Al Travato.
In the afternoon we reach Sansepolcro, best known for its excellent pasta! A visit to the Co-Cathedral Basilica of San Giovanni Evangelista and the Sansepolcro Civic Museum is very interesting.
We end the day with an excellent plate of homemade pasta or a nice meat dish.
Main stops/cities: Anghiari, Monterchi, Sansepolcro
Local products and typical dishes: Valtiberina oil, honey, cheeses, truffles
Distance/duration of itinerary: 1 day / 27 km total
Where to sleep: we recommend sleeping in Sansepolcro. In the centre at the Enoteca & Locanda Guidi, in agriturismo at Casa Donella
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 passes through the municipalities of Vecchiano, San Giuliano Terme, Calci, Buti and Vicopisano. You will pass through a landscape rich in terraced olive groves, with wonderful farmhouses and characteristic villages.
In the morning you start inCalci, in Valgraziosa, surrounded by olive groves 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 Monti Pisani, to admire a unique panorama. Lunch at the Tuscan restaurant Il Conventino. After lunch, we recommend a visit to theAzienda Agricola Elter Francesco, an oil producer, which organises tastings and guided tours.
Afternoon drive to Agnano, home to one of the oldest villas in Tuscany, owned by Lorenzo il Magnifico. From here, stop at Ascano, to admire the aqueduct that runs across the plain, and then on to San Giuliano Terme, where you can relax in the thermal baths of Bagni di Pisa.
Main stops/countries: Calci, Agnano, Ascano, San Giuliano Terme
Local products and typical dishes: extra virgin olive oil
Distance/duration of itinerary: 1 day / 20 km
Where to stay: near Calci is Agriturismo Villa Rosselmini. For a relaxing stay, the Bagni di Pisa hotel offers wonderful rooms in addition to the spa
The wines of Montalcino and Montepulciano - 1 day / 36 km
Brunello and Vino Nobile, respectively from Montalcino and Montepulciano, are two of Tuscany's most famous wines. The two villages are located on the edge of the Val d'Orcia and can easily be visited in one day.
Westart in Montalcino, the town of Brunello. The medieval historic centre is surrounded by ancient walls and there are numerous wine shops. We recommend theEnoteca Grotta del Brunello for a glass of wine accompanied by a platter of cold cuts and typical local products.
In theafternoon you reach Montepulciano, which takes about 45 minutes by car. This is where Vino Nobile, one of the most famous wines in the world, is produced! Enjoy a stroll through the centre, visiting the Cathedral and admiring the Palazzo Comunale from the outside, and then join a visit to the cellars of De' Ricci Cantine Storiche in Montepulciano.
For dinner, we recommend theOsteria del Borgo, with a splendid view of the hills and over 600 labels of wine!
SEE ALSO: Montepulciano: what to see, where to eat and what to do in the evening
Guided tours and lunch in a castle: If you want to find out more about the famous Brunello di Montalcino, we recommend a wine tour from Siena with tastings and a visit to 3 Brunello wineries. For a unique experience, choose the Brunello wine tasting tour with a dedicated sommelier and lunch in a Tuscan castle.
Main stops/countries: Montalcino, Montepulciano
Local products and typical dishes: Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Itinerary distance/duration: 1 day / 36 km
Where to stay: just outside the historic centre of Montepulciano is the Agriturismo Fontecastello or the Agriturismo Godiolo, with adjoining wine cellar
