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Planet Rail · Tailor-made escorted/self-guided tour

The Flavours of Tuscany

Eurostar and rail through France and Italy to coastal Tuscany wine region

Illustration of The Flavours of Tuscany

Planet Rail's The Flavours of Tuscany is an 8-day tailor-made escorted and self-guided tour that weaves together rail travel, wine, and Tuscan countryside. The journey opens with Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, followed by TGV through France to Turin, where you spend one night in a five-star hotel. Day 2 takes you by InterCity train south along the coast to Campiglia Marittima, where you are met and driven to Castagneto Carducci, a medieval hilltop village near the sea where you remain for six nights at a four-star hotel. The following days unfold at a leisurely pace: a guided wine tasting and cypress-lined exploration of Bolgheri, a thermal springs visit, a cooking lesson in a farmhouse near Lucca, a farm visit to learn cheese making near Volterra, and a full day at leisure to pursue optional activities like cycling or coastal exploration. You have a hire car for the Tuscan portion, allowing independent exploration of villages, wineries, and countryside. The tour suits food-and-wine enthusiasts, couples, and history lovers drawn to Etruscan and Medieval heritage. The itinerary balances guided cultural experiences with unstructured time and returns to the UK by Economy flight from Pisa.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price covers the package; check with Planet Rail whether any rail fares (especially the Eurostar and TGV) require separate booking or validation.
  • Day 8 return to the UK is by Economy Class flight from Pisa; a 'no fly' return journey option is available.
  • Single supplement is applicable but the amount is not stated in the operator's pricing; confirm this cost before booking.
  • Several optional experiences are payable locally (Guinigi Tower entrance in Lucca, cycle hire in Cornia Valley), and on some dates the farm visit may offer a shepherding experience instead of cheese making.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Turin – Grand Hotel Sitea (5 star)

    By rail to Turin

    Depart from London St Pancras by Eurostar to Paris in Standard Premier Class (1st class for leisure travellers), then transfer by private taxi to Gare de Lyon and continue by TGV through France to Turin, Italy. Make your own way to the Grand Hotel Sitea (5 star) for the night.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Castagneto Carducci – Relais dei Molini (4 star)

    Turin to the heart of Tuscany

    Morning free to explore Turin – visit Piazza Castello, the Egyptian Museum and the cathedral housing the Shroud of Turin. Depart by InterCity train in First Class, skirting the shoreline to Campiglia Marittima on the Tuscan coast. Met by Luca, owner of the Relais dei Molini, and transferred to Castagneto Carducci. Dinner in a traditional local restaurant.

    Meals: Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Castagneto Carducci – Relais dei Molini (4 star)

    Bolgheri and its wines

    Collect hire car and explore the Bolgheri Doc wine region. Visit the village of Bolgheri and its famous cypress avenue (Viale dei Cipressi). Stop at a local winery for a guided visit and wine tasting. Return to Castagneto Carducci for a traditional lunch with locals featuring homemade pasta and wild boar sauce. Afternoon at leisure to explore the medieval village and visit a local liquor producer (family business over 200 years old).

    Meals: Lunch

  4. Day 4overnight: Castagneto Carducci – Relais dei Molini (4 star)

    Calidaro Thermal Springs

    Visit the Calidaro Thermal Springs, where hot water at 36°C flows into a natural swimming pool. Admission is included. The springs have been used since Etruscan and Roman times. Rest of the day at leisure.

  5. Day 5overnight: Castagneto Carducci – Relais dei Molini (4 star)

    Lucca and its culinary traditions

    Drive to Lucca, a charming walled medieval city. Enjoy an authentic Tuscan cooking lesson at Mrs Teresa's rustic rural farmhouse, sourcing fresh ingredients from the orchard and cooking traditional Tuscan dishes for lunch. Afternoon free to explore Lucca's cobbled streets, piazzas, churches and city walls. Optional: climb the Guinigi Tower for views over the city (payable locally).

    Meals: Lunch

  6. Day 6overnight: Castagneto Carducci – Relais dei Molini (4 star)

    A day at leisure

    Free day to explore the surrounding area. Options include heading to the coast and towns of Campiglia Marittima or Suvereto, exploring the parks of the Cornia Valley (cycle hire available), visiting local wineries or the nearby wine museum.

  7. Day 7overnight: Castagneto Carducci – Relais dei Molini (4 star)

    Fattoria Lischeto and Volterra

    Drive to the walled town of Volterra. Visit the Lischeto Farm to learn about traditional sheep breeding and cheese production, make your own cheese, and enjoy lunch using farm produce. On some occasions a 'shepherding' experience is available. Afternoon free to explore Volterra's Etruscan, Roman, Medieval and Renaissance heritage and its traditional alabaster crafts. Farewell dinner in Castagneto Carducci.

    Meals: Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8

    Homeward bound

    Return hire car; Luca transfers you to Pisa airport for an Economy Class flight to a regional UK airport of your choice (subject to availability).

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris in Standard Premier Class, then TGV through France to Turin.
  • Day 2InterCity train skirting the shoreline to Campiglia Marittima on the Tuscan coast, met by the hotel owner and transferred to Castagneto Carducci.
  • Day 3Explore the Bolgheri Doc wine region, visit the famous cypress avenue (Viale dei Cipressi), and taste wines at a local winery.
  • Day 5Cooking lesson at a rustic farmhouse near Lucca where you source fresh ingredients from the orchard and prepare traditional Tuscan dishes for lunch.
  • Day 7Visit Lischeto Farm to learn sheep breeding and cheese production, make your own cheese, and enjoy lunch with farm produce.

Included

  • First Class rail travel between London and Campiglia Marittima (Standard Premier service on Eurostar)
  • 7 nights' accommodation with breakfast each day, including 1 night in Turin at the Grand Hotel Sitea (5 star) and 6 nights at the Relais dei Molini (4 star) in Castagneto Carducci
  • 5 days' car hire in Tuscany
  • 2 dinners during stay in Castagneto Carducci
  • Wine tasting at a Bolgheri vineyard and lunch in Castagneto Carducci
  • Entrance to Calidaro Thermal Springs
  • Cookery class in Lucca, including lunch
  • Visit to Lischeto Farm cheese factory, including lunch
  • Economy Class flight from Pisa to a regional UK airport of your choice (subject to availability)
  • Private taxi transfer between stations in Paris

Not included

  • Single supplement (applicable but amount not stated)
  • Guinigi Tower entrance fee (payable locally)
  • Cancellation, medical and travel insurance (available from the Travel Trust Association)
  • Cycle hire in Cornia Valley (if chosen)
  • Additional nights in hotels (available on request)

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Planet Rail includes First Class rail travel from London St Pancras by Eurostar to Paris (Standard Premier, 1st class for leisure), TGV through France to Turin, and InterCity train to Campiglia Marittima on the Tuscan coast.
Is this an escorted tour?
It is described as a tailor-made escorted/self-guided tour. You are met at the coast by the hotel owner and transferred to your base, and you have a guide for the cooking class in Lucca and farm visit in Volterra. Other days (such as Day 6) are free to explore independently.
What hotels are included?
One night at the Grand Hotel Sitea (5 star) in Turin, and six nights at the Relais dei Molini (4 star) in Castagneto Carducci. Breakfast is included each day.
When does the tour run?
Planet Rail offers tailor-made departures up to mid-May (excluding Easter and Italian Bank Holidays) and from the beginning of October.
How much walking is involved?
You walk through medieval towns like Lucca and Volterra and can optionally climb the Guinigi Tower. Most days involve car-based exploration of the wine region, thermal springs, and countryside.
What is not included in the price?
Single supplement, travel insurance, the Guinigi Tower entrance fee, cycle hire in Cornia Valley, and additional hotel nights. The Pisa airport return flight is included, but optional extensions (such as the vintage steam train to Siena and Val d'Orcia) are not.

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