Self-Drive Tuscany

Highlights

Staying at the charming hotel Villa il Palagio in the Chianti area, boasting a wide green park with an amazing outdoor swimming pool & bar for Villa Il Palagio’s guests to enjoy!

Chance of sampling several Slow Food Presidia products - high-quality, traditional foods and beverages at risk of “extinction” such as the Certaldo Onion, The Pienza Pecorino and many more!

Explore Montepulciano, a characteristic medieval city at a height of 605 metres above sea level offering amazing views over the surrounding hillsides!

Walk through the historical centre of Florence and explore the main hightlights such as Santa Croce church, the Baptistery, the Duomo and Giotto’s bell tower - during your private guided walking tour!

Take in the splendid views as you drive to San Gimignano, a UNESCO world heritage site, famous for the still intact medieval town and, then, to Siena, recognized by the UNESCO as a "heritage of the humanity"

Sample the Brunello, one of the best red wines in the world, and other wines of the Montalcino vineyards

Take part to a cooking class dedicated to the Tuscany tradition

7 days

From

AUD 3,171

per person, twin share

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All services are subject to availability.

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Overview

Kick off with a welcome dinner in the magnificent Florence, then overnight at your stunning Tuscan villa in the countryside. Visit the “Cradle of the Renaissance”, Siena, famous for the Palio horse race and enjoy a lunch with some of the traditional local produce such as the Certaldo onion (Slow Food Presidium), and the organic olive oil in the village of San Gimignano.

Drive through the Chianti Hills,Montepulciano and Montalcino, known all over the world for their prestigious wines and taste the delicious, authentic dishes of the regional cuisine eating at restaurants selected among those recommended by Slow Food in the “Osterie d’Italia” guide, small “trattorie” that still use fresh, local produce and traditional recipes for their dishes. Then, walk through Pienza, the perfect example of a renaissance city, famous for its Pecorino cheese. Visit a Pecorino cheese producer, learn something about the cheesemaking process, and sample the fare.

Slow Food is an organization that promotes local food and traditional cooking. It was founded by Carlo Petrini in Italy in 1986 and has since spread worldwide. Promoted as an alternative to fast food, it strives to preserve traditional and regional cuisine and encourages farming of plants, seeds, and livestock characteristic of the local ecosystem. It promotes local small businesses and sustainable foods. It also focuses on food quality, rather than quantity. It was the first established part of the broader slow movement. It speaks out against overproduction and food waste. It sees globalisation as a process in which small and local farmers and food producers should be simultaneously protected from and included in the global food system.

ENTIRE Cooling-Off Period
ENTIRE AUD Prices
ENTIRE Change of Mind
ENTIRE Industry Accredited
ENTIRE On Ground Support
ENTIRE Australian Owned

Inclusions

6 nights in Rignano Sull' Arno at Hotel Villa Pitiana - 4* or similar

Car Hire Credit of $700

Daily Buffet Breakfast

1 typical welcome dinner at the hotel

1 lunch at “Osterie d’ Italia” typical slow food restaurants in Florence or equivalent

1 light lunch in Pienza

1 lunch or dinner after cooking lesson

3 Guided Tastings of foods and/or wines from the Tuscany region

1 cooking class (morning or afternoon, upon availability of the venue)

1 half-day private guided tour of Firenze

Itinerary

Download Itinerary Expand All

Day 1 Arrival in Florence

Arrive in Florence Airport or Railway Station and pick up your car rental or meet your driver for your private transfer. Then, make your way to hotel in Chianti area with welcome dinner.

Overnight stay in Rignano Sull' Arno at Hotel Villa Pitiana or similar.

Dinner

Florence

Day 2 Florence

Morning departure for Florence by your rental car or by private limousine or van service. Private guided tour of Florence. Walk through the historical centre of this amazing city and visit the Santa Croce church (outside), known as the "Pantheon of Italian Glories" where many illustrious Italians such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Rossini and Machiavelli are buried. The visit also takes in the other religious buildings (the Baptistery, the Duomo and Giotto’s bell tower - outside) and the houses of power in the old city (the Piazza della Signoria).

Lunch at typical restaurant. Free afternoon to stroll along in Florence elegant streets. We then suggest a break at one of Florence’s oldest ice cream parlours, “Perché no!” that offers more than 33 different flavours and a precise selection of raw materials (including pistachios from Bronte, a Slow Food Presidium product, saffron and cardamom). Return to your hotel.

Overnight stay in Rignano Sull' Arno at Hotel Villa Pitiana or similar.

Breakfast, Lunch

Florence

Day 3 Rignano Sull' Arno Siena San Gimignano Rignano Sull' Arno

Morning departure by your rental car or by private limousine or van service. In the morning, we suggest to visit Siena at your leisure in the morning, one of the most important and most beautiful architecture in the city, including the Museum delle Contrade (each horse in the famous “Palio”, runs for a different Contrada or district).

We also suggest to sample of some delicious traditional desserts like the Panforte in one of the most famous pastry shops in town. Free time for shopping.

In the afternoon, to visit the famous towers and the San Gimignano 1300 Museum: storyboards, multi-media exhibits, street scenes and a ceramic recreation of the city as it was back in 1300. Return to the hotel.

Overnight stay in Rignano Sull' Arno at Hotel Villa Pitiana or similar.

Breakfast

Rignano Sull' Arno → Siena → San Gimignano → Rignano Sull' Arno

Day 4 Rignano Sull' Arno Radda in Chianti Greve in Chianti Rignano Sull' Arno

Morning departure by your rental car or by private limousine or van service. Entire day dedicated to discovering the Chianti hills along the Via Chiantigena (an ancient road connecting Siena with Florence crossing over the Chianti hills). Visit a winery in Radda in Chianti where you will meet the wine producer and visit to the cellars, at the end enjoy a wine tasting.

Proceed to Greve in Chianti where we suggest visiting the little historical town centre. Stopping at the historical butchers “Falorni” where since the 1729 they produce the specialties of the local [norcineria], the Prosciutto Saporito (Cured Ham) di Greve and all the cured products also in the various versions of pork from the Surrounding Senese hills as well as the wild boar, from the well-known Finocchiona to the Noble Salamis in Chianti, prepared with the noble parts of the pork, to the Salami to the Classical Chianti. Specialty: ‘Bistecca alla Fiorentina’ T-bone Florentine Steak, Italian veal. We suggest you to have a little tasting of salami. We also suggest lunch at Trattoria Mangiando Mangiando.

In the afternoon visit winery in Greve in Chianti for a wine and oil tasting. Return to the hotel

Overnight stay in Rignano Sull' Arno at Hotel Villa Pitiana or similar.

Breakfast

Rignano Sull' Arno → Radda in Chianti → Greve in Chianti → Rignano Sull' Arno

Day 5 Rignano Sull' Arno Montepulciano Pienza Rignano Sull' Arno

Morning departure by your rental car or by private limousine or van service. Departure for Montepulciano, one of the most characteristic and intact medieval cities in Italy which from a height of 605 metres above sea level offers amazing views over the surrounding hillsides. Explore the wonderful town centre of Montepulciano. Then, proceed to Pienza, the perfect example of a renaissance city, famous for its Pecorino cheese.

Visit a Pecorino cheese producer, learn something about the cheese-making process. Enjoy your light lunch with pecorino cheese and wine tasting. In the afternoon, we suggest to stop in Montalcino famous for its Brunello, one of the best red wines in the world. However Montalcino, is also a beautiful art city, which dominates 3,000 hectares of vineyards (1,500 for Brunello alone). Return to the hotel.

Overnight stay in Rignano Sull' Arno at Hotel Villa Pitiana or similar.

Breakfast, Lunch

Rignano Sull' Arno → Montepulciano → Pienza → Rignano Sull' Arno

Day 6 Cooking Class

Today in the morning or in the afternoon (according to venue availability) join a cooking class dedicated to the Tuscany tradition, followed by lunch or dinner.

Overnight stay in Rignano Sull' Arno at Hotel Villa Pitiana or similar.

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 Rignano sull'Arno

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and our services come to an end.

Breakfast

Florence

Accommodation

Hotel Villa Pitiana

Rignano Sull' Arno
Tuscan Holiday Villa, only 25 minutes far away from Florence, Villa Pitiana welcomes its guests in an uncontaminated place. As soon as you leave the main Valdarno road 69 and start climbing the hill from S. Ellero, you find yourself immersed in the countryside scenarios which made you select Villa Pitiana as the final destination of your journey.

Additional information

This package is excluded from the "CHANGE OF MIND" Portion of our Peace of Mind Booking Plan.
FLEXI CAR HIRE CREDIT: This self-drive package includes a $700 ($100/day) Flexi Car Hire Credit. This provides the flexibility of selecting a vehicle based on your own preferences and requirements. As each location has vehicle limitations, please speak to our team for options.
We work with a selection of hotels in each location. All bookings are subject to availability, which means our team will confirm your specific hotels upon confirmation and payment of deposit. The package price is based on 4-star accommodation.

Excluded

International airfares and taxes
Domestic airfares and taxes, unless otherwise specified in our holiday package
Visa expenses, processing and issuance fees
Meals other than as specified in our holiday package
Travel Insurance or expenses of a personal nature (mini-bar, phone call, laundry, etc.),
Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, hotel, restaurant or boat staff, etc.
Or any other travel expense that has not been included in our holiday package

FAQs

Who are Entire Travel Group?

Welcome to Entire Travel Group. We offer exceptional travel experiences across our extensive range of Entire Holiday Packages, Entire Group Journeys, Entire Rail Journeys, and Entire Cruise Journeys. With our industry-leading Peace of Mind Booking Plan, you can Book Now with flexibility and confidence.

Entire Travel Group is celebrating over 50 years of passionately delivering unique and memorable travel experiences. We are an Australian, family-owned, award-winning business with a friendly team ready to match your expectations to the perfect holiday experience.

Entire Travel Group used to be known by the individual brands shown in the footer of the website. The company has not changed, but we have amalgamated under one brand - Entire Travel Group.

For more details please visit - About Us | Entire Travel Group

Is Entire Travel Group Australian owned and operated?

Entire Travel Group is proudly Australian family owned and operated and as it stands today represents 50 years of experience, progress, and evolution. We proudly support the community with our long-term commitment to many important charity organisations. We were awarded the best operator in our class at the most recent National Travel Industry Awards.

Is Entire Travel Group industry accredited?

Entire Travel Group is both ATAS and CATO Accredited. ATAS is actively administered by the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA). The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) is the trade association representing the land supply sector of the Australian Travel Industry.

Does Entire Travel Group have industry awards?

Entire Travel Group was honoured at the 2023 National Travel Industry Awards with Most Oustanding Wholesaler - Product / Service.

As our team works tirelessly to deliver exceptional holiday experiences, it was exciting to have this acknowledged with the highest recognition. The award is also a testament to the quality of our partners around the globe, and we take this opportunity to thank them for their tremendous support of our customers.

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In some cases, we are the sole representative in Australia for the overseas travel operator. In other circumstances the product developed has been exclusively built for Entire Travel Group and can’t be found elsewhere.

What’s unique about Entire Travel Group Holiday Packages?

They are not group tours with set departures - they are pre-designed, purpose built, independent holiday packages full of unique and memorable experiences.
Our holiday packages have been exclusively built for us in collaboration with our handpicked suppliers, who also offer full on-ground support for the clients.
We are offering unique travel experiences which cannot be found elsewhere.
Many packages include our “Freedom of Choice” options which allow you to tailor the holiday experience. Like a sommelier matching wine to a meal, we have used our experience to carefully select and offer the right experiences in each location.
They include our Peace of Mind Booking Plan.
A wide selection of our packages are compliant with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Covid Safe Travels.

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Our Independent Holiday Packages are NOT group tours with set departure dates. Group Tours have specific set departure dates, and of course, you are travelling with unknown passengers in a coach. These tours are great for certain travellers and there are many reputable tour operators providing a wide range of options around the world.

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For more details please visit - Peace of Mind Booking Plan | Entire Travel Group

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Look for packages with our Peace of Mind Booking Plan logo on the website.

We understand that occasionally plans may change, so we give you the confidence to proceed with a cooling off period.
You may cancel for any reason within 7 days, where you will receive a 100% refund of your $100 per person deposit.

For more details please visit - Peace of Mind Booking Plan | Entire Travel Group

What is Freedom of Choice?

At Entire Travel Group we understand that our customers have their own personal tastes and interests - so throughout our packages look for “Freedom of Choice” which gives you the ability to tailor your holiday from the various experiences offered on selected days. Like a sommelier matching wine to a meal, we have used our experience to carefully select and offer the right experiences in each location.

The Freedom of Choice options are included in the package price, and the price remains the same regardless of the choice you make on each day.

Our Freedom of Choice program offers flexibility, by allowing you to choose from different options on pre-selected days in the itinerary.

Our per person price includes one tour on each Freedom of Choice day in the itinerary.
The price of the package remains the same regardless of the choice you make on each day.

For more details please visit - Freedom of Choice | Entire Travel Group

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Our team will contact our overseas suppliers and confirm all arrangements.
A Confirmation from our reservation system will be sent in the coming days.
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Can you book my international airfares?

On some Islands Holiday Packages (e.g. Fiji), it is practical to include flights, so where we have done this it is indicated by the plane icon.

However, on the majority of our Holiday Packages, we do not include international flights.

We found that many customers may prefer to:

Travel on a specific airline of their choice
Have the flexibility to book flights with Frequent Flyer points
Select flight dates that may be different to our Holiday Package start/end dates
Use a Travel Credit already held with the airline
Use their travel agent for this service

We are able to assist with flights on any Holiday Package, so please just notify us during the Book Now process or contact our team.

Should I take travel insurance?

Travel insurance is strongly recommended. During the Book Now process please confirm you require assistance, and our team will be in contact with you.

What should I do before travelling?

Before you travel it is your responsibility to ensure you have the appropriate documentation including visas. If you are travelling on a passport other than Australian or New Zealand, you will require a permit to re-enter Australia. It is your responsibility as the traveller and/or travel booker to meet all government entry requirements.

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On any page that has Book Now simply follow the booking process.
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Self-Drive Tuscany

Italy

From AUD 3,171

Make an enquiry

Self-Drive Tuscany (Tour code: 11602)

Highlights

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Book Now

Booking Summary

Due Now

Overview

Inclusions

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Florence

Day 2 Florence

Day 3 Rignano Sull' Arno Siena San Gimignano Rignano Sull' Arno

Day 4 Rignano Sull' Arno Radda in Chianti Greve in Chianti Rignano Sull' Arno

Day 5 Rignano Sull' Arno Montepulciano Pienza Rignano Sull' Arno

Day 6 Cooking Class

Day 7 Rignano sull'Arno

Accommodation

Hotel Villa Pitiana

Additional information

Excluded

FAQs

Who are Entire Travel Group?

Is Entire Travel Group Australian owned and operated?

Is Entire Travel Group industry accredited?

Does Entire Travel Group have industry awards?

Are the Entire Travel Group holiday packages exclusive?

What’s unique about Entire Travel Group Holiday Packages?

Why travel with Entire Travel Group?

How does the Peace of Mind Booking Plan work?

Is there a cooling-off period?

What is Freedom of Choice?

What is Book Now?

What forms of payment can be used at Entire Travel Group?

How secure is the Entire Travel Group's on-line payment portal?

Can you book my international airfares?

Should I take travel insurance?

What should I do before travelling?

How does a Travel Agent make a booking?

How do I contact Entire Travel Group?

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