Tuscany

11 nights

Florence

Day 1 – 3 · Stop 1 of 4

Florence

Wander the cradle of the Renaissance: climb Brunelleschi's dome, lose yourself in the Uffizi and browse the Oltrarno's workshops, all on foot.

  • Stand face to face with Botticelli at the Uffizi
  • Climb Brunelleschi's dome for the best view in town
  • Meet Michelangelo's David at the Accademia
  • Watch artisans at work across the Arno in Oltrarno
  • Graze your way through the Mercato Centrale

Getting there · Day 1

Zurich → Florence

Open route in Maps
  • Your car

    Zurich → Florence

    589 km · 7 h

    About €90–145 in fuel and tolls

Stay

A place to stay in Florence

We don't have places of our own here yet. Search the whole town on the booking site.

Sight · Day 1

Giotto's Tower

Take in one of the sights that make this place special.

No booking needed. Just go when you like.

Sight · Day 2

Climb Brunelleschi's Dome

Climb 463 steps between the dome's two shells, passing close under its frescoes, to a terrace with views across Florence. Entry is by timed reservation.

Get tickets ahead to skip the queue, then go any time it's open.

Food & drink · Day 2

Tasting at Mercato Centrale

Browse the food stalls of Florence's central market, then share small plates of lampredotto, pasta and cheese upstairs in the food hall.

No booking needed: drop in while it's open.

Museum · Day 2

Uffizi Gallery

Walk through one of the world's great collections, with Botticelli's Birth of Venus, Leonardo and Caravaggio along corridors overlooking the Arno. Timed tickets sell out in season.

Get tickets ahead to skip the queue, then go any time it's open.

Museum · Day 2

Michelangelo's David at the Accademia

See Michelangelo's David up close at the end of a long gallery lined with his unfinished Prisoners. A visit takes about an hour.

Get tickets ahead to skip the queue, then go any time it's open.

Saturnia

Soak in warm sulphur springs flowing year-round over travertine terraces, then wander a quiet village on Etruscan foundations.

  • Soak in the Cascate del Mulino hot springs
  • Spend a spa day at Terme di Saturnia
  • Trace the Etruscan walls to the Porta Romana

Getting there · Day 3

Florence → Saturnia

Open route in Maps
  • Your car

    Florence → Saturnia

    162 km · 2 h 30 min

    About €25–40 in fuel and tolls

Stay

Hotel Saturno Fonte Pura

A Hotel in Saturnia, a comfortable base for exploring the area. See rooms, photos and availability on the booking page.

Sight · Day 4

Etruscan walls and Porta Romana

Stroll the quiet village, following old walls to the Roman gate on a road laid out over Etruscan foundations.

No booking needed. Just go when you like.

Hot springs · Day 5

Cascate del Mulino hot springs

Sit in natural pools of warm sulphur water tumbling over travertine by an old mill. Free and open all day; go early.

No booking needed. Just go when you like.

Isola del Giglio

Hop on the ferry to a granite island: dive superb waters, hike between terraced vines and wander a walled hilltop village.

  • Wander the medieval walls of Giglio Castello
  • Unwind on the sands of Campese beach
  • Circle the island by boat
  • Hike the coast to Punta del Capel Rosso

Getting there · Day 6

Saturnia → Isola del Giglio

  • About 2 h of travel
Open route in Maps (2 legs)
  • Your car

    Saturnia → Porto Santo Stefano

    53 km · 1 h

    About €10–15 in fuel and tolls

  • Ferry

    Porto Santo Stefano → Isola del Giglio

    15 km · 1 h

    About €10-16 per person, €30-60 with a car, one way

    Book on Maregiglio

    Book on Toremar

Stay

Le poste di Simplicio

A B&B in Isola del Giglio, a comfortable base for exploring the area. See rooms, photos and availability on the booking page.

Hike · Day 7

Coastal hike to Punta del Capel Rosso

Follow the path along the island's wild southern tip to its red-and-white lighthouse.

No booking needed. Just go when you like.

Walk · Day 7

Medieval walls of Giglio Castello

Lose yourself in the alleys of the walled hilltop village, ringed by towers and looking over both coasts of the island.

No booking needed. Just go when you like.

Monte Argentario

Dive, swim and sail around a rugged former island tied to the coast by sandbars, between the harbours of Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole.

  • Sail around the promontory and its sea caves
  • Swim in the clear water of Cala del Gesso
  • Stretch out on Feniglia's beach and dune forest
  • Paddle a sea kayak along the coast
  • Hike up to Punta Telegrafo for the views

Stay

Hotel La Caletta

  • Sea view
  • Wi-Fi

A Hotel in Monte Argentario, a comfortable base for exploring the area. See rooms, photos and availability on the booking page.

Hike · Day 10

Hike to Punta Telegrafo

Hike to the promontory's highest point through scented Mediterranean scrub, with views out to the Tuscan islands.

No booking needed. Just go when you like.

Diving · Day 11

Guided dive with Argentario Divers

Head out by boat with a local dive centre for a guided dive in clear water. Equipment hire and beginner courses are usually available.

Run by Argentario Divers. Book a place ahead: the times depend on them.

Getting home · Day 12

Monte Argentario → Zurich

Open route in Maps
  • Your car

    Monte Argentario → Zurich

    762 km · 8 h 30 min

    About €115–190 in fuel and tolls