Italy · Wine & Beer

Tuscan Hills Full-day Tour: Val D’orcia, Montalcino, Montepulciano & Pienza With 2 Wine & Cheese Tastings

12 Hours Round trip from Florence Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Full-day tour through the UNESCO-listed Val d’Orcia
  • 02 Visit Pienza, Montalcino, and Montepulciano
  • 03 Enjoy Brunello wine tasting in Montalcino
  • 04 Taste Vino Nobile in Montepulciano
  • 05 Sample Pienza pecorino cheese
  • 06 Travel through classic Tuscan hill and vineyard scenery
  • 07 Free time to explore historic town centers
  • 08 Roundtrip coach travel from Florence

Leave Florence behind for a full-day journey through the rolling landscapes of Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and discover some of Tuscany’s most celebrated hill towns. Explore Pienza, Montalcino, and Montepulciano, where Renaissance beauty, medieval streets, and vineyard views come together in one memorable day.

Along the way, enjoy time at your own pace in each town and experience the region through its flavors, with wine tastings in Montalcino and Montepulciano plus a tasting of Pienza’s famous pecorino cheese. From Brunello di Montalcino to Vino Nobile, this tour offers a delicious introduction to the heart of Tuscan culture.

Enjoy some free time to explore the first “ideal city” of the Renaissance period that dominates the valley from up above, giving you an incomparable sight of the surrounding hills.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 12 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Not included
Transport Not included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Florence, Montepulciano, Pienza, Montalcino, Val d'Orcia
Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Florence - Piazzale Montelungo

Pienza

The first stop of the day is the town of Pienza, around one hour and a half from Florence. Enjoy some free time to explore the first “ideal city” of the Renaissance period that dominates the valley from up above, giving you an incomparable sight of the surrounding hills. Start the tour from the heart of the historic center: Piazza Pio II with its honey-colored buildings, the Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta, and Palazzo Piccolomini.

Montalcino

Then you will head to Montalcino, the Medieval town par excellence dominated by its massive fortress. In just about thirty minutes you will reach the hometown of Brunello and you will have some free time to explore the most authentic borgo of Val d’Orcia. Breathe in the peaceful atmosphere and step back to the past while taking a stroll down its steep alleys. Think about having a coffee in Piazza del Popolo to recharge your batteries before visiting the Temple of Brunello. 

Montepulciano

Next up is a unique experience inside the monumental complex of the former convent of Sant’Agostino, which now houses the Temple of Brunello: an interactive museum where you can unveil the secrets of Montalcino's famous red wine and its hometown through an immersive path. Start a multi-sensory journey through local history and culture to discover the pillars of the production of one of the most renowned wines of Italy, Brunello di Montalcino. But that’s not all! Top off the visit tasting the famous Tuscan Brunello to finally understand why it's addressed as the King of Sangiovese wines. You will find waiting for you in the cloister of the Temple a sumptuously laid table, so get ready to taste a delicious lunch made of gourmet dishes accurately paired with three glasses of local wine. Let the chef’s creativity inspire you as the explosion of flavors perfectly combines with the richness of the best Tuscan wines.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Florence 5 cities · 12 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Roundtrip journey by fully-fitted GT Coach
  • Expert multilingual escort
  • Free visit of Montalcino, Pienza and Montepulciano
  • Visit to a wine cellar in Montalcino with tour of the wine cellars and tasting of the world-famous Brunello
  • Visit to a winery in Montepulciano with tasting of the “Vino Nobile”
  • Pienza'pecorino cheese tasting
  • Possibility of buying wine and cheese at a very competitive price
  • Possibility to retrace the Gladiator's Walk

What's Not Included

  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Know before you go

  • Comfortable shoes are recommended
  • Please note that the given order of the visits may change
  • We regret to inform that this tour is not suitable for guests with wheelchairs or with impaired mobility
  • English and Spanish are always guaranteed. In order to confirm the excursion in Italian, German, Portuguese or French a minimum of 4 pax is required

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Florence, IT
Tour start
Florence, IT
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 12 hours finish where they began, in Florence.

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