Tuscany is one of those bucket list travel destinations which has been at the top of my wish-list for years – and it totally lived up to the hype. It’s one of those gorgeous Italian regions which really has it all: beautiful cities, dramatic mountains and rolling hills – not to mention the world class food and wine! We packed a lot into our short trip, exploring everything from Florence’s historic streets to remote alpine trails and peaceful countryside drives. This guide covers it all, pulling out the highlights you can’t miss, practical tips and hidden gems to help you plan your own dreamy Tuscan adventure.
There are regular flights into Florence airport, which is a tiny little terminal you can pass through quickly. It is a short taxi ride from the city.
Tuscany is actually a destination where I have different accommodation recommendations based on where you are. In Florence an airbnb is best, in the Alps a small BnB style hotel is pretty much all there is available, and then down in the hills I would say a hotel is a good choice so you have somewhere to relax in between exploring.
We only had 4 days to play with so this itinerary is super fast paced. It would be more enjoyable to slow down and spread this itinerary over a week so you can take your time and relax along the way.
A rental car is essential. I recommend avoiding having the car while in Florence as there’s so many roads which you can get charged for driving on. Instead, pick up your rental once you have finished in the city and start driving out towards the countryside.
Day 1: Explore the city of Florence
Day 2: Hike through the Apuan Alps
Day 3 + 4: Wander the rolling Tuscan Hills
Florence is one of the most architecturally stunning cities I have ever visited, you literally walk around every corner and are blown away by what you see! Its small enough to be walkable and is jam packed with history, charm and absolutely delicious food. It is a destination that demands a few days to be fully experienced (it is a shame we had so little time!), here are my top recommendations for your visit.
We stayed at this gorgeous airbnb with a rooftop terrace overlooking the city. However if you prefer a hotel, these two more boutique hotels here and here would be my recommendations.
About an hour’s drive north of Tuscany are one of Italy’s best kept secrets, the Apuan Alps. Often overshadowed by the Dolomites or the rolling hills of Chianti, this small but beautiful mountain range offers a strikingly different landscape to the rest of Tuscany. Rugged limestone peaks and deep gorges with stunning sea views. Despite being dramatic and beautiful, the Apuan Alps remain largely unexplored by international visitors which makes them the dream destination for adventurous hikers looking to escape the crowds. Sadly we only had a day to explore the region, but I could have spent a lot longer there.
If you visit, my top recommendation would be to do the Monte Matanna peak trail. Its only about 4km long but it is a little spicy and the scenery is nothing short of incredible! The views are honestly out of this world. And the best bit? It starts and ends at a mountain refuge where we met a domesticated baby deer who loves cuddles – the dream!!!
Once you finish up in the mountains, drive south to the Tuscan hills. I recommend stopping off to break up the journey at either (or both):
There are very minimal options when it comes to accommodation in the mountains due to the lack of tourism. We stayed at this simple but practical bed and breakfast which ticked all our boxes and is super affordable.
About 2 hours south of Florence are the iconic rolling Tuscan hills. One of the most famous regions to explore is Val d’Orcia, a beautiful countryside area covered in golden fields, winding roads, quaint hilltop towns and of course, plenty of cypress trees. When people think of Tuscany, the landscapes of Val d’Orcia come to mind! It’s the perfect place to relax, explore, taste wine and take long lunches with gorgeous views. Here are my top recommendations for the region:
Palazzo Massaini
Panorama i Gladiatore
Chapel Vitaleta
Podere Belvedere
Poggio Covili viewpoint
Punto Panoramico Caprices en ZigZag
Cipressi di San Quirico d’Orcia
On your return journey back to Florence I recommend stopping off in San Gimignano. It was one of our absolute favourite villages we visited. Yes, it is busy, but it is totally worth braving the crowds as the architecture is absolutely stunning – including the numerous famous tall stone towers dotted throughout the medieval buildings.
I would recommend if you’re staying a few days to definitely head to a boutique hotel like this one or this one. We opted for this airbnb, which was absolutely stunning and had some of the best views in the area, but the lack of supermarkets and little breakfast cafes in the towns meant that we struggled for food in the mornings. It shouldn’t be an issue if you plan ahead, but we were flying by the seat of our pants and went a little hungry one morning!
Safe travels,
Zanna xx
Let me slide into your inbox. A monthly newsletter of all the good stuff – latest posts and videos, rants and rambles, recommendations and resources.
Website Designed by Brogan Daisy Digital © Zanna Van Dijk 2025
