TUSCANY VILLA VACATION & ROME in 12 days
Florence - 1 night
Podere Marcampo Volterra - 7 nights
Florence - 1 night
Rome - 2 nights
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$4734 + air
Single Room = $650 (2 nights in Florence, 7 nights at Marcampo, 2 nights Rome)
Enjoy an orientation stroll along the river and down the city's main drag. Then, enjoy a welcome dinner together at one of our favorite restaurants. Then, we will set up for seven nights at the modern 21st-century agriturismo resort near Volterra, Italy. This wonderful agriturismo “villa” comes complete with all the perks, such as modern rooms, WIFI, air conditioning, TV, and a private pool. This all sits smack-dab in the middle of a hilltop vineyard with broad sweeping vistas of the Tuscan countryside.
Each day, we will head out to explore the sites and experiences within driving distance. Day trips include visits to Volterra, Siena, Pisa, and Lucca. But one of the joys of staying in a villa is to experience la dolce vita, the sweet life of doing nothing! So, we will have chunks of unstructured time to sit by the pool, relax, walk in the countryside vineyards, and enjoy your vacation.
Back in Florence, enjoy a guided walk and tour of the Accademia Museum, home of Michelangelo's David statue. And wrap up our week in Tuscany with dinner in Florence.
It is a quick train ride down to Rome, where you'll spend two days visiting the Eternals City's major attractions, such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, St. Peter's Basilica, The Vatican Museum, the Pantheon, and more.
If you’ve been to Italy and seen the sights but were frazzled with a breakneck pace… this is the next vacation experience for you! You’ll feast on fine food, taste some wonderful wine, and experience charming villages and treasure-packed museums. My personal friends will serve as local guides, welcoming you with open arms to their hometown. If you are looking for a real vacation… consider joining me in Tuscany for this vacation experience.
Your Adventure Start Here!
DAY 1: FLORENCE
Let’s plan to meet in our hotel lobby at 4:00 p.m. for a welcome and introductions. Then we will head out on an introductory walking tour weaving together famous squares and quaint neighborhoods. Later, we will have dinner together at a favorite restaurant. Walking: moderate. Sleep for 1 night in Florence. Dinner.
DAY 2: THE AMERICAN CEMETERY & CHIANTI REGION
We will begin the day visiting the American Cemetery in Florence and remembering the young men and women who gave their lives to liberate Italy in 1943/44. Then we’ll travel La Strada di Chianti (the Chianti road), learning about this famous Tuscan wine. Enjoy lunch at a favorite cafe on the piazza. San Gimignano, a charming tourist town, will round out our day of sightseeing. Later, we will arrive at Agriturismo Podere Marcampo, and set up for the week in our own villa resort. Driving: 3 hours. Walking: moderate. Sleep for 7 nights at Podere Marcampo. Lunch.
DAY 3: MARCAMPO & VOLTERRA
We’ll spend most of the day winding down and relaxing at Marcampo. Enjoy a walking tour of the vineyard and winery of Podere Marcampo, followed by a tasting of their award-winning and locally produced wines. You’ll have time to sunbathe at the pool, slow down, read a book, and experience la dolce vita! Mid-afternoon, let's head into Volterra, a picture-perfect medieval hilltown, for an orientation walk followed by some free time to explore and have dinner on your own. Driving: 30 minutes. Walking: moderate.
DAY 4: SIENA
We will take a short ride to Siena to explore another facet of medieval history and grand-scale art. After an informative walking tour of the historic town center, you'll be cut loose on the world-famous Il Campo square to enjoy the afternoon and evening on your own. We will return to Marcampo around 10:00 p.m. Driving: 2.5 hours. Walking: moderate.
DAY 5: VOLTERRA
Meet our local guide in Volterra, for a walking tour covering the historical and cultural sites in town. Later, we will visit a local enoteca wine bar for a guided lesson on Tuscan wines, including tastings! Now that you've learned about Volterra experience it on your own for the evening. Driving: 30 minutes. Walking: light. Antipasti provided with the wine tasting.
DAY 6: PISA & LUCCA
Today we’ll visit Lucca, a semi-undiscovered traveler’s gem. Enjoy an orientation walking tour tracing the footsteps of Puccini (Lucca’s most famous son) through the cobbled streets and past Roman-era ruins. You’ll have some free time to shop, dine and explore the impressive fortified city walls on foot or by bike. If our timing is right, we'll arrive in Pisa about when tourists leave for the day. Explore the Field of Miracles, the Duomo, the Baptistry, and the famous leaning tower. The town of Pisa is delightful. We will give you an orientation walk through its historic central core and then cut you loose for several hours to explore on your own. Driving: 3 hours. Walking: moderate and at your pace.
DAY 7: VOLTERRA & COOKING EXPERIENCE
Cooking Lessons and mid-afternoon dining - Today, you’ll participate in a cooking lesson in the kitchen of Podere Marcampo. Once you’ve finished your kitchen work and completed the lesson, enjoy the fruits of your labor by feasting on what you’ve prepared. Driving: very little. Walking: your choice. The cooking class and mid-afternoon dining experience are about 4 hours.
DAY 8: TOUR GUIDES' CHOICE DESTINATIONS
Tuscany is loaded with charming hilltowns, seaside villages, and hidden Eutruscian and Roman sites. Today, join your Exploring Europe guide on an excursion visiting an off-the-beaten tourist path destination. Wherever we end up, there will be time to explore and have lunch or a snack. We'll wrap up our villa experience with dinner at a favorite restaurant tonight. Driving: 2-3 hours. Walking: moderate. Dinner.
DAY 9: FLORENCE
After breakfast, we'll say goodbye to our hosts at Podere Marcampo and travel to Florence. The highlight of today is a visit to experience Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the statue of David. You will have the afternoon to explore more of Florence on your own. Then we will top off our tour with a grand farewell feast, recalling tour memories and toasting new friends. Driving: 1.5 hours. Walking: moderate. Dinner. Sleep for 1 night in Florence.
DAY 10: ROME
We will take a fast train down to Rome this morning. Using David's Colosseum audio guide, enjoy a walking tour of the Colosseo and Roman Forum. Later, we will meet for a traditional Roman dinner. Walking: moderate. Dinner. Sleep for 2 nights in Rome.
DAY 11: ROME
Join a guided tour of the Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Basilica, followed by lunch on your own. Then enjoy an easy-paced walking tour of central Rome, visiting the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and more. You'll have the evening to enjoy dinner on your own. Walking: strenuous.
DAY 12: TOUR OVER AFTER BREAKFAST
It is simple to reach Rome's airport or train station by taxi or bus. Your guide will be happy to assist with your post-tour travel needs, leaving you comfortable and ready for the adventures ahead. Ciao e buon viaggio!
Itinerary specifics are subject to change.
Transportation is provided by a coach and/or minivan from your first hotel in Florence to your final hotel in Florence.
11 nights accommodation. Two nights in Florence, seven nights at Podere Marcampo outside Volterra, and two nights in Rome. All rooms have private en-suite baths, hair dryers, soaps, and lotions. Enjoy free WIFI, air conditioning, flat-screen TV, and exceptional 4-star quality.
All tips and gratuities to guides, drivers, and restaurant staff.
Guaranteed Small Group consisting of 8 -15 travelers.
All breakfasts and at least seven of your dinners or lunches.
Comprehensive Cooking Lesson at our villa, Podere Marcampo, with a member of the Ristorante Del Duca family.
Traditional dining experiences at some of David's favorite restaurants. Eating well is a priority on David’s tours and you’ll enjoy fine regional cuisine featuring the best the locale has to offer.
Home-styled and group-prepared meals at Marcampo – There are several kitchens and BBQ pits at Marcampo that are ideal for preparing simple group meals. Typically, we will make a stop for provisions at the local market at least once a day to pick up snacks, beverages, fresh fruits and vegetables, water, cheese, and all sorts of meats. Everyone chips in a few euros, or buys their own snack, and it makes for a perfect evening at Marcampo!
Water and our choice of wine are included with several group meals. Sodas, beer, and other drinks are your responsibility.
Tours and admissions to the following attractions, experiences, and sights:
- Rome walking tour
- Colosseum guided tour
- Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Basilica guided tour
- Florence introductory walking tour.
- The American Cemetery at Florence.
- Chianti region driving tour.
- Introductory walking tours in San Gimignano, Volterra, Siena, and Lucca.
- Many wine tastings and tour opportunities as noted in the itinerary.
- Guided tour of the Accademia in Florence, home of Michelangelo's David.
- and much more (itinerary specifics are subject to change)
A full-time Exploring Europe guide and local experts dedicated to bringing to life the art, history, and culture of the tour destinations.
David’s tour handouts are delivered electronically and detail each day’s historical and cultural experiences.
Free luggage tags and David’s custom-designed drawstring backpacks.
Our Unconditional Tour Price Guarantee, once locked in, will never change.
$50 Tour Alumni discount for each David McGuffin tour you’ve taken prior to this travel year.
Anything not listed above in the "inclusions" area is not included in the cost of your tour.
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Walking and Physical Activity: We have planned this trip to provide maximum tour experiences. The basic nature of Europe does require some degree of physical activity to get out and see the sights, especially in the big cities. To help you plan, we’ve included a daily projection of physical activity. Here is the key for our walking activity ratings:
Light – Walking done on level surfaces with some hills and elevation gains. Two miles or less of required walking during the day.
Moderate – Walking done on paved and gravel paths and cobbled city sidewalks. To enjoy the full tour experience, some uphill and downhill walking is expected, as is standing while viewing sights or museums. Four to six miles of walking per day.
Strenuous – Walking done on rugged and rocky paths and city-cobbled sidewalks. There will be steps and stairs. Up to three hours standing in museums or experience sites. Up to eight miles of walking per day.
Your Choice – No matter what your walking ability, we will help you find alternative ways to enjoy and experience all Europe has to offer. To get the most out of our tours, you should be able to operate at the light level every day with spurts of moderate and strenuous.
Now that you’ve decided to join this tour, we are sure you’ll have some questions. Don’t worry; we are here to help you through each aspect of your tour from start to finish.
David’s Video Series: The Best of Italy
David and his team have produced an episodic video series detailing many of the destinations on this tour itinerary. They are all neatly organized on his YouTube channel. Watch the complete series or view one episode at a time on his Best of Italy Playlist.
David’s 60 Seconds destination videos
Join David as he shares impromptu moments from his travels in Italy. Watching these short 60-second segments are a great way to experience David’s travel style and adventures. Watch David’s Explore Italy.
David's TRAVEL TALK TUESDAY almost-weekly broadcast and Video Series Blog.
Every week, when David is not traveling in Europe, he presents a LIVE broadcast on Zoom and Facebook. Check it out on Tuesdays at 7:30 PM Eastern Time.
Each Travel Talk Tuesday session is recorded. Watch them here.
David’s Blog Articles
David and his team have answered many travel-related questions, and they are all tucked away on his blog. But, no need to go there. Just type in a keyword in the search box at the top or bottom of this page (it’s the gray rectangle with a small magnifying glass icon), and you will get results for your query.
Please send us an Email or give us a call.
We are happy to answer your travel questions and give advice and suggestions. tours@davidmcguffin.com or 800-570-1351.