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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Tuscany: Florence, San Gimignano & Pisa

Ten-day Tuscan rail journey from London through Florence, Pisa, and Siena

Illustration of Tuscany: Florence, San Gimignano & Pisa

Great Rail Journeys' Tuscany tour spans ten days from London to the Côte d'Azur, with nine nights based in Montecatini Terme, a picturesque spa town in the Tuscan countryside. The journey opens with Eurostar Plus from London St Pancras, crossing France and the Alps by First Class rail to Turin. From Montecatini Terme, the group makes day trips by train and coach to Florence for a guided tour of the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio, to walled Lucca where you can cycle along the ancient ramparts, and to Pisa's Field of Miracles. A coach excursion ventures to medieval San Gimignano for a vineyard tour and dinner at the family-run Tenuta Torciano estate, while a separate day explores Siena's Piazza del Campo and Renaissance Duomo. The return leg travels by First Class train along the Ligurian coast, passing the Cinque Terre, to Saint-Raphaël on the Côte d'Azur before heading home aboard Eurostar. The tour suits history-lovers drawn to Renaissance Florence and medieval towns, food-and-wine travellers interested in estate dining, and those seeking guided comfort with a UK Tour Manager present throughout.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is substantial at GBP 480 (nearly 20 percent of the double price), reflecting the operator's premium positioning.
  • The group size can reach 30 travellers, larger than some boutique operators.
  • One day (Day 7) in Montecatini Terme is entirely free; dinner that evening is independent, not included.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Turin

    From London to Turin

    Your Tuscan holiday begins at London St Pancras as we join the Eurostar service to Paris, travelling in spacious Plus class with a light meal served at our seats. Changing trains in Paris, we continue by First Class rail across France, passing the Italian Alps on our way to Turin, where we spend the night. After checking in to our hotel in the heart of Turin's historic centre, we gather for a three-course dinner at a nearby restaurant. Note: on the 6th July departure, there is a longer connection time so lunch will be taken in Paris before the service to Turin.

    Meals: Eurostar light meal, Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Montecatini Terme

    A morning in cultural Turin, then on to Montecatini Terme

    After breakfast, the morning is free to explore Turin's Baroque and Renaissance architecture, wide boulevards and grand public squares. Shortly after midday, we walk to the railway station for a First Class journey to Florence, then transfer by coach to Montecatini Terme, our base for the next seven nights. This picturesque spa town is set in Tuscan countryside and split into two parts: the lower town (Montecatini Terme) and the hilltop Old Town (Montecatini Alto). Our beautiful family-run hotel has been welcoming guests for many generations. After free time to settle in, we gather for dinner at our hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Montecatini Terme

    Exploring Montecatini Terme at leisure

    A free day to explore Montecatini Terme independently. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool (usually open May to October) and a sun terrace. You may wish to visit the 18th-century Terme Tettuccio with its Liberty architecture, marble-lined pools and Art Nouveau tiles. From April to October the town hosts the Montecatini Opera Festival. The historic quarter of Montecatini Alto can be reached by funicular railway and offers idyllic piazzas, pavement cafés and two Romanesque churches.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4railovernight: Montecatini Terme

    A day in Florence, the 'Jewel of the Renaissance'

    Travel by rail to Florence for a guided tour including the iconic red-tiled Duomo, Santa Maria Novella Church and the Ponte Vecchio. The afternoon is free to explore at your own pace, visit the Uffizi gallery (book ahead), the Boboli gardens, or Mercato di San Lorenzo. Return by train to Montecatini Terme for dinner together.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Montecatini Terme

    Discovering Lucca and visiting Pisa's Field of Miracles

    Travel by rail to the walled city of Lucca for two hours of free exploration, with an included option to hire a bicycle (single, tandem or four-seater) for a gentle ride along the ancient ramparts. Highlights include the Duomo, Piazza Anfiteatro, botanical garden and Palazzo Pfanner. Regroup for a leisurely three-course lunch in a local trattoria. Continue by rail to Pisa for a guided tour of the Field of Miracles, including the Leaning Tower and Romanesque Duomo. Return to Montecatini Terme; dine independently this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  6. Day 6overnight: Montecatini Terme

    San Gimignano and dinner at Tenuta Torciano

    Coach excursion through the Tuscan countryside to San Gimignano, the extraordinary medieval hill town known as 'Medieval Manhattan' for its many towers (14 remain of the original ~65). Free time over lunch and into the afternoon to explore. Later, visit the Tenuta Torciano estate (in the same family since 1720) for a vineyard tour and a holiday highlight dinner paired with estate wines.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: Montecatini Terme

    Exploring Montecatini Terme or beyond at leisure

    Another free day. Options include exploring Montecatini Alto, or taking the frequent rail service to Viareggio (50 min), Bologna (2 hrs), or revisiting Florence or Lucca. Alternatively, relax at the hotel. Dine independently this evening in Montecatini Alto or the town centre.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8overnight: Montecatini Terme

    Discovering charismatic Siena

    Drive to medieval Siena for a guided tour starting at the Santa Barbara Fortress, passing the magnificent Duomo (with works by Donatello and Michelangelo), and ending at the Piazza del Campo, one of Europe's most beautiful medieval squares and site of the world-famous Palio horse races. Free time to wander Siena's ancient streets and sample local specialities such as Pecorino and finocchiona. Return to the hotel for a farewell dinner marking the final night in Tuscany.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9railovernight: Saint-Raphaël

    On our way home via the Côte d'Azur

    After an early breakfast, transfer by coach to Viareggio. Continue by First Class rail along the stunning Ligurian coastline, passing the Cinque Terre, towards Ventimiglia. Continue by coach along the French Riviera to Saint-Raphaël on the Côte d'Azur, overlooked by the Esterel Massif. After checking in, explore the seafront town before a final dinner with fellow travellers.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, begin the journey home from the Côte d'Azur by First Class rail to Paris. Board the Eurostar in Plus class, enjoying a light meal at your seat before arriving back at London St Pancras, where your Tuscan holiday concludes.

    Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar light meal

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Day 1: Depart London St Pancras aboard Eurostar Plus, crossing the Channel and the Alps by rail to arrive in Turin's historic centre for dinner.
  • Day 4Day 4: Guided tour of Florence includes the Duomo, Santa Maria Novella Church and Ponte Vecchio; afternoon free to visit the Uffizi gallery or Boboli gardens.
  • Day 5Day 5: Explore walled Lucca with an included option to cycle along the ancient ramparts, then continue by rail to Pisa's Field of Miracles for a guided tour.
  • Day 6Day 6: Coach excursion through Tuscan countryside to San Gimignano, the medieval hill town with 14 remaining towers; evening vineyard tour and dinner at Tenuta Torciano, a family estate since 1720.
  • Day 8Day 8: Guided tour of Siena begins at the Santa Barbara Fortress and concludes at the Piazza del Campo, one of Europe's most beautiful medieval squares and site of the Palio horse races.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 9 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Plus class travel (London St Pancras to Paris and return)
  • Eurostar light meals (outbound and return)
  • First Class rail travel throughout
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast each day
  • 1 lunch (in Lucca)
  • 6 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions
  • Bicycle hire option in Lucca (single, tandem or four-seater)

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. The price covers Eurostar Plus (London to Paris and return), TGV First Class (Paris to Turin), and all Italian rail services (Frecciargento, Frecciarossa, and Trenitalia regional trains), plus all coach transfers.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group from London through to the return journey, providing daily guidance and leading guided tours in Florence, Pisa and Siena.
What hotels are included?
Seven nights at the 4-star Grand Hotel Francia & Quirinale in Montecatini Terme, one night in a 4-star hotel in Turin, and one night in a 4-star hotel in Saint-Raphaël on the Côte d'Azur.
How many meals are included?
Breakfast each day (10 total), one lunch in Lucca, and six dinners. Eurostar light meals are included on the outbound and return legs.
When does the tour run?
Great Rail Journeys offers departures in April, May, June, August, September, October and November 2027.
How much walking is involved?
Guided walking tours in Florence, Lucca, Pisa and Siena involve city exploration. Lucca offers an optional bicycle ride along the ramparts. Most days include free time to explore at your own pace.

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