Tuscany is one of Italy's best-known regions and one of the easiest to do badly. Here's the honest 7-day deep-Tuscany plan.
Best 7-day Tuscany base-and-spoke
- Day 1-3: Florence — Uffizi, Accademia, Duomo, Oltrarno wandering. Stay in Oltrarno for the food, Santa Croce for sights.
- Day 4: Day-trip to Lucca + Pisa (1h 30min train; Lucca is the hidden-gem hill town).
- Day 5: Day-trip to Siena (1h 30min by bus; full day for the Campo and cathedral).
- Day 6: Day-trip to San Gimignano + Volterra (rental car or tour).
- Day 7: Day-trip to Chianti — wineries (driver service essential).
Alternative: stay in agriturismo
- Day 1-2: Florence
- Day 3-7: Agriturismo (rural farmhouse) base in Chianti or Val d'Orcia. Day-trips to Siena, San Gimignano, Pienza, Montalcino.
Best for: Couples, food-focused, anyone with rental car.
What to skip
- Pisa for more than 2-3 hours: Tower + lunch is enough.
- Coastal Tuscany on a 7-day inland trip: Different region.
- Day-trip to Cinque Terre: 4h+ each way; needs 2-night dedicated stay.
- Trying to add Rome: 1h 30min train but you'll feel rushed.
Best season
April-June and September-October. Avoid August (heat, Italians on holiday, restaurants closed). Olive harvest (October-November) is special if you can pre-arrange agriturismo participation.
Cost reality
€200-€350/day comfortable. Agriturismo with car can be cheaper than Florence hotels for couples. Wine tastings €30-€80 per winery.
For full Italy trips see 7-day Italy.