TUSCAN VILLA VACATION & ROME in 12 days
Enjoy an orientation stroll along the river and down the city’s main drag. Then, enjoy a welcome dinner together at one of our favorite restaurants. Then, we will set up for seven nights at the modern 21st-century agriturismo resort near Volterra, Italy. This wonderful agriturismo “villa” comes complete with all the perks, such as modern rooms, WIFI, air conditioning, TV, and a private pool. This all sits smack-dab in the middle of a hilltop vineyard with broad sweeping vistas of the Tuscan countryside.
Each day, we will head out to explore the sites and experiences within driving distance. Day trips include visits to Volterra, Siena, Pisa, and Lucca. But one of the joys of staying in a villa is to experience la dolce vita, the sweet life of doing nothing! So, we will have chunks of unstructured time to sit by the pool, relax, walk in the countryside vineyards, and enjoy your vacation.
Back in Florence, enjoy a guided walk and tour of the Accademia Museum, home of Michelangelo’s David statue. And wrap up our week in Tuscany with dinner in Florence.
It is a quick train ride down to Rome, where you’ll spend two days visiting the Eternals City’s major attractions, such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, St. Peter’s Basilica, The Vatican Museum, the Pantheon, and more.
If you’ve been to Italy and seen the sights but were frazzled with a breakneck pace… this is the next vacation experience for you! You’ll feast on fine food, taste some wonderful wine, and experience charming villages and treasure-packed museums. My personal friends will serve as local guides, welcoming you with open arms to their hometown. If you are looking for a real vacation… consider joining me in Tuscany for this vacation experience.
Your Adventure Starts Here!
| PRICE FROM | DATES | |
|---|---|---|
| $4929 + air | May 22-Jun 2, 2026 |  |
| $4929 + air | Sep 3-14, 2026 | |
Florence – 1 night
Podere Marcampo Volterra – 7 nights
Florence – 1 night
Rome – 2 nights
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Single Room Additional Cost ~$675
ITINERARY
DAY 1: FLORENCE
Let’s plan to meet in our hotel lobby at 4:00 p.m. for a welcome and introductions. Then we will head out on an introductory walking tour weaving together famous squares and quaint neighborhoods. Later, we will have dinner together at a favorite restaurant. Walking: moderate. Sleep for 1 night in Florence. Dinner.
DAY 2: THE AMERICAN CEMETERY & CHIANTI REGION
We will begin the day visiting the American Cemetery in Florence and remembering the young men and women who gave their lives to liberate Italy in 1943/44. Then we’ll travel La Strada di Chianti (the Chianti road), learning about this famous Tuscan wine. Enjoy lunch at a favorite cafe on the piazza. San Gimignano, a charming tourist town, will round out our day of sightseeing. Later, we will arrive at Agriturismo Podere Marcampo, and set up for the week in our own villa resort. Driving: 3 hours. Walking: moderate. Sleep for 7 nights at Podere Marcampo. Lunch.
DAY 3: MARCAMPO & VOLTERRA
We’ll spend most of the day winding down and relaxing at Marcampo. Enjoy a walking tour of the vineyard and winery of Podere Marcampo, followed by a tasting of their award-winning and locally produced wines. You’ll have time to sunbathe at the pool, slow down, read a book, and experience la dolce vita! Mid-afternoon, let’s head into Volterra, a picture-perfect medieval hilltown, for an orientation walk followed by some free time to explore and have dinner on your own. Driving: 30 minutes. Walking: moderate.
DAY 4: SIENA
We will take a short ride to Siena to explore another facet of medieval history and grand-scale art. After an informative walking tour of the historic town center, you’ll be cut loose on the world-famous Il Campo square to enjoy the afternoon and evening on your own. We will return to Marcampo around 10:00 p.m. Driving: 2.5 hours. Walking: moderate.
DAY 5: VOLTERRA
Meet our local guide in Volterra, for a walking tour covering the historical and cultural sites in town. Later, we will visit a local enoteca wine bar for a guided lesson on Tuscan wines, including tastings! Now that you’ve learned about Volterra experience it on your own for the evening. Driving: 30 minutes. Walking: light. Antipasti provided with the wine tasting.
DAY 6: PISA & LUCCA
Today we’ll visit Lucca, a semi-undiscovered traveler’s gem. Enjoy an orientation walking tour tracing the footsteps of Puccini (Lucca’s most famous son) through the cobbled streets and past Roman-era ruins. You’ll have some free time to shop, dine and explore the impressive fortified city walls on foot or by bike. If our timing is right, we’ll arrive in Pisa about when tourists leave for the day. Explore the Field of Miracles, the Duomo, the Baptistry, and the famous leaning tower. The town of Pisa is delightful. We will give you an orientation walk through its historic central core and then cut you loose for several hours to explore on your own. Driving: 3 hours. Walking: moderate and at your pace.
DAY 7: VOLTERRA & COOKING EXPERIENCE
Cooking Lessons and mid-afternoon dining – Today, you’ll participate in a cooking lesson in the kitchen of Podere Marcampo. Once you’ve finished your kitchen work and completed the lesson, enjoy the fruits of your labor by feasting on what you’ve prepared. Driving: very little. Walking: your choice. Cooking class and Mid-afternoon dining experience, about 4 hours.
DAY 8: TOUR GUIDES’ CHOICE DESTINATIONS
Tuscany is loaded with charming hilltowns, seaside villages, and hidden Eutruscian and Roman sites. Today, join your Exploring Europe guide on an excursion visiting an off-the-beaten tourist path destination. Wherever we end up, there will be time to explore and have lunch or a snack. We’ll wrap up our villa experience with dinner at a favorite restaurant tonight. Driving: 2-3 hours. Walking: moderate. Dinner.
DAY 9: FLORENCE
After breakfast, we’ll say goodbye to our hosts at Podere Marcampo and travel to Florence. The highlight of today is a visit to experience Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the statue of David. You will have the afternoon to explore more of Florence on your own. Then, we will top off our tour with a grand farewell feast, recalling tour memories and toasting new friends. Driving: 1.5 hours. Walking: moderate. Sleep for 1 night in Florence. Dinner.
DAY 10: ROME
We will take a fast train down to Rome this morning. Using David’s Colosseum audio guide, enjoy a walking tour of the Colosseo and Roman Forum. Later, we will meet for a traditional Roman dinner. Walking: moderate. Dinner. Sleep for 2 nights in Rome.
DAY 11: ROME
Join a guided tour of the Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by lunch on your own. Then enjoy an easy-paced walking tour of central Rome, visiting the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and more. You’ll have the evening to enjoy dinner on your own. Walking: strenuous.
DAY 12: TOUR OVER AFTER BREAKFAST
It is simple to reach Rome’s airport or train station by taxi or bus. Your guide will be happy to assist with your post-tour travel needs, leaving you comfortable and ready for the adventures ahead.Ciao e buon viaggio!
Itinerary specifics are subject to change.
PLEASE NOTE: The Holy Jubilee Year will bring millions of visitors to Rome and The Vatican in 2025. We expect overcrowded attractions, long wait times in queues, and restricted availability for group reservations. Visiting the Colosseum, the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica are essential elements of our tours in Rome, and we will make every effort to book these attractions for our groups. However, it may not be possible. If this is the case, we will notify you at least three weeks before your tour begins and suggest booking these destinations as individual entrances. See here for our independent booking suggestions. Thank you for understanding as we manuver the unprecedented crowds in Rome.
INCLUSIONS
Transportation is provided by a coach and/or minivan from your first hotel in Florence to your final hotel in Florence.
11 nights accommodation. Two nights in Florence and seven nights at Podere Marcampo outside Volterra, and 2 nights in Rome. All rooms have private en-suite baths, hair dryers, soaps, and lotions. Enjoy free WIFI, air conditioning, and exceptional quality.
All tips and gratuities to guides, drivers, and restaurant staff.
Guaranteed Small Group consisting of 8 -15 travelers.
All breakfasts and at least six of your dinners or lunches.
Comprehensive Cooking Lesson at our villa with a Del Duca family member.
Traditional dining experiences at some of David’s personal favorite restaurants. Eating well is a priority on David’s tours and you’ll enjoy fine regional cuisine featuring the best the locale has to offer.
Home-styled and group-prepared meals at Marcampo – There are several kitchens and BBQ pits at Marcampo that are ideal for preparing simple group meals. As needed, we will stop for provisions at the local market to pick up snacks, beverages, fresh fruits, vegetables, water, cheese, and meats. Usually, everyone chips in a few euros or purchases their own snack, making for a perfect pot-luck meal at Marcampo.
Water and our choice of wine are included with several group meals. Sodas, beer, and other drinks are your responsibility.
Tours and admissions to the following attractions, experiences, and sights:
- Florence introductory walking tour.
- The American Cemetery at Florence.
- Chianti region driving tour.
- Introductory walking tours in San Gimignano, Volterra, Siena, Lucca, Pisa, and more.
- Several wine tastings and tour opportunities as noted in the itinerary.
- Guided tour of the Accademia, home of Michelangelo’s David, and historic Florence.
- Entry into the Colosseum in Rome.
- Entry into the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chaple, and St. Peter’s Basilica.
- and much more (itinerary specifics are subject to change).
PLEASE NOTE: The Holy Jubilee Year will bring millions of visitors to Rome and The Vatican in 2025. We expect overcrowded attractions, long wait times in queues, and restricted availability for group reservations. Visiting the Colosseum, the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica are essential elements of our tours in Rome, and we will make every effort to book these attractions for our groups. However, it may not be possible. If this is the case, we will notify you at least three weeks before your tour begins and suggest booking these destinations as individual entrances. See here for our independent booking suggestions. Thank you for understanding as we manuver the unprecedented crowds in Rome.
A full-time Exploring Europe guide and local experts dedicated to bringing to life the art, history, and culture of the tour destinations.
David’s tour handouts are delivered electronically and detail each day’s historical and cultural experiences.
Free luggage tags and David’s custom-designed drawstring backpacks.
Our Unconditional Tour Price Guarantee, once locked in, will never change.
$50 Tour Alumni discount for each David McGuffin tour you’ve taken prior to this travel year.
EXCLUSIONS
TERMS & CONDITIONS
CANCELLATION POLICY
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS:
Deposits- Deposits for tours are fully refundable for 30 days from your initial application and deposit date, unless otherwise noted. If you book a tour less than 90 days before its departure date, full payment is due immediately, and the entire tour cost becomes non-refundable after seven days. After these dates, deposits are not refundable and will be forfeited if you cancel your tour reservation.
Payments- Tour payments are due in full 90 days before your tour departure date. If you find you must cancel between 90-0 days before your tour departure, please contact us immediately. We will work with you to transfer your payments to another tour departing within 18 months. We strongly recommend that everyone purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers tour cancellations, emergency medical, and other unexpected events.
Cancellations will be effective when the written notification is received at David McGuffin›s Exploring Europe by mail, e-mail, or fax.
SIGN UP BY EMAIL OR POST
If you do not want to sign up online:
You may download a tour application and send it to us with payment.
-OR-
You may return it by:
- FAX 1-800-570-1351
- Email – info@davidmcguffin.com
- email – take a photo of the form with your smartphone and attach it to an email
- TXT – take a photo with your smartphone and TXT to 904-612-8149
KEY TO WALKING & ACTIVITY
Light – Walking done on level surfaces with some hills and elevation gains. Two miles or less of required walking during the day.
Moderate – Walking done on paved and gravel paths and cobbled city sidewalks. To enjoy the full tour experience, some uphill and downhill walking is expected, as is standing while viewing sights or museums. Four to six miles of walking per day.
Strenuous – Walking done on rugged and rocky paths and city-cobbled sidewalks. There will be steps and stairs. Up to three hours standing in museums or experience sites. Up to eight miles of walking per day.
Your Choice – No matter what your walking ability, we will help you find alternative ways to enjoy and experience all Europe has to offer. To get the most out of our tours, you should be able to operate at the light level every day with spurts of moderate and strenuous.
PRE-TOUR RESOURCES
DAVID’S AUDIO & E-PRINT PDF DESTINATION GUIDES
David has a complete PDF and Printable Guidebook for all destinations on his Essence and Best of Italy tours. You’ll also find downloadable AUDIO WALKING TOURS for Rome’s Colosseum and the Roman Forum. https://davidmcguffin.com/dg-italy/
DAVID’S VIDEO SERIES: THE BEST OF ITALY
David and his team have produced an episodic video series detailing many of the destinations on this tour itinerary. They are all neatly organized on his YouTube channel. Watch the complete series or view one episode at a time on his Best of Italy Playlist.
DAVID’S 60 SECONDS DESTINATION VIDEOS
Join David as he shares impromptu moments from his travels in Italy. Watching these short 60-second segments are a great way to experience David’s travel style and adventures. Watch David’s Explore Italy.
DAVID’S TRAVEL TALK TUESDAY ALMOST-WEEKLY BROADCAST AND VIDEO SERIES BLOG.
Every week, when David is not traveling in Europe, he presents a LIVE broadcast on Zoom and Facebook. Check it out on Tuesdays at 7:30 PM Eastern Time.
Each Travel Talk Tuesday session is recorded. Watch them here.
DAVID’S BLOG ARTICLES
David and his team have answered many travel-related questions, and they are all tucked away on his blog. But, no need to go there. Just type in a keyword in the search box at the top or bottom of this page (it’s the gray rectangle with a small magnifying glass icon), and you will get results for your query.
PLEASE SEND US AN EMAIL OR GIVE US A CALL.
We are happy to answer your travel questions and give advice and suggestions. tours@davidmcguffin.com or 800-570-1351.
Testimonials & Reviews of our ITALY Tours
I’m quite pleased with my first experience with David McGuffin tour company. The itinerary was spot on - from sites (expected tourist highlights to less known treasures) to hotels (especially Barr Na Straide) & restaurants (Rinuccini❣️) to planned time balanced with free time. And our guide David Grey was THE BEST! David is respectful, thorough, flexible, & a wealth of knowledge and all the while just being plain fun. As my late mother would say, “he’s a keeper.”
We were a family of 5 with three adults and two children 7 and 9. In London we had great food, site seeing and special moments like tea at Harrods, seeing Wicked live and a trip to Harry Potter WB studio experience as well as a trip to Abbey Road for a photo moment. We rode The Eye, boats, busses and the subway. John and Audra guided us expertly . On to Paris via train and more wonderful sites and food. We absolutely loved the Eiffel Tower both from the top and from the river. Spectacular experience of seeing the lights coming on at dusk. Took a cooking class and it was fantastic. The macarons were delicious. Lots of walking. This hotel was convenient to transportation but room too small for a family. All the hotels had delicious breakfasts. Flew to Rome and the hotel there was very nice. Very hot here but enjoyed all the sites and food. No water in Trevi Fountain but lots of other things to enjoy. Had a wonderful memorable time. Came home exhausted but with lots of lasting memories. Thanks to David, Leslie John and Audra for a trip of a lifetime.
The trip to Ireland was just GREAT. David McGuffin Exploring Europe really provides a very nice itinerary and very comfortable everything, very nice hotels, great food, highlighted places and experiences. The part I liked best was David the personal full time tour guide, he was exceptional. The company took care of all of the details like where to go, where to stay, all attraction payments, the beautiful motorcoach. All we had to do is relax and enjoy. And what a great group of people. It couldn't have been better!
My wife and I traveled to Italy last month for David’s “Essence of Italy” tour and we had a great time. Traveling with David and Charlotte was so much easier not having to worry about our hotel, food, and transportation arrangements.
Due to the Jubilee and the Pope’s death, Rome was extremely crowded. We missed the Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter’s Basilica because of the Conclave. We plan on returning to Rome with David to see these sites.
The train ride to Cinque Terre was fun with a lot to see. Once there, we were able to visit a few of the five villages using local trains. The views of the mountain villages next to the ocean were fantastic.
Our next stop was to the hilltown of Volterra in Tuscany. Now I know why David calls Volterra one of his favorite places. It’s really beautiful and has a lot of history. We would never have thought of visiting some of the locations David took us.
We finished our trip visiting Siena and Florence. The museums, Cathedrals, and famous historical sites were great to see.
Traveling with David, Charlotte and our group was very enjoyable. We have already booked our next trip with David in 2026.
Essence of Italy 10 days our first David McGuffin Tour and we were thankful to have David and Charlotte with us on this tour. Rome was quite the experience 2 full days of site seeing with the Vatican, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain to name a few all so beautiful, but a little over whelming with the crowds.
Our hotels in every location were quaint and lovely! Not having A/C is some of them was an adjustment , I definitely recommend you bring the portable fan that David mentions to bring we used it.
We really enjoyed our small group 10 people including our guides it was perfect. We had so much fun at our group dinners having a guide for the restaurants was definitely a plus, as well as what food to order.
Cinque Terre- Monterosso was my favorite village and Volterra the Tuscany area was also a favorite of ours! The tour guides in Rome (Guilai was amazing) and Volterra were informative and enjoyable as well as David and Charlottes information on each area.
We packed just like David suggested and we didn’t have any issues or problems handling our own luggage but we did do laundry once while there. David’s tour prep instructions were spot on.
We had the most enjoyable time making new friends and seeing beautiful Italy our next adventure is hopefully Greece!
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