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Apr 27 - May 9, 2025
Italy
Italy: Classic Tuscany and the Treasures of Florence
Program No. 19715RSBLOG
Explore medieval villages, discover Renaissance architecture, visit ancient marble quarries and savor renowned wine and cuisine as you learn the timeless story of Tuscany and Florence.
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May 11 - May 23, 2025
May 25 - Jun 6, 2025
Sep 7 - Sep 19, 2025
Sep 14 - Sep 26, 2025
Sep 21 - Oct 3, 2025
Oct 19 - Oct 31, 2025
Nov 2 - Nov 14, 2025
DATES & PRICES
| Single Ldg | Standard |
|---|---|
|
Rooms, cabins or berths designated as single occupancy accommodations. |
Standard |
Apr 6 - Apr 18, 2025
Apr 27 - May 9, 2025
May 11 - May 23, 2025
May 25 - Jun 6, 2025
Sep 7 - Sep 19, 2025
Sep 14 - Sep 26, 2025
Sep 21 - Oct 3, 2025
Oct 19 - Oct 31, 2025
Nov 2 - Nov 14, 2025
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This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!
13 days
12 nights
23 meals
11B 5L 7D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
11
Uffizi, Free Time
Florence
12
Bargello, Orsanmichele, Free Time
Florence
At a Glance
For centuries, the verdant landscapes and medieval villages of Tuscany remained frozen in time. Scarcely changed in appearance, the entire region is a living cultural treasure today. In the hills of northern Tuscany and the plain of Florence, discover the unparalleled artistic genius that blossomed into masterpieces of marble, canvas and architecture whose brilliance transcends time and place.
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Walking up to five miles a day. Extended standing during site visits with limited or no public seating. Uneven terrain, limited public handrails, unavoidable stairs, marble and terracotta flooring, cobblestones, steep inclines, loose gravel, dirt paths, escalators. Elevator use is limited or restricted in historic sites. Expect crowded conditions in pedestrian centers and museums. Program-related travel and transfers will be via bus and regional train.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Visit the quarries of Carrara to learn why great sculptors and architects choose this marble.
- View the great masterpieces in Florence: works by Donatello, Brunelleschi, Ghiberti, Caravaggio, Cellini and Michelangelo’s iconic sculpture, "David."
- Visit a winery in the Tuscan countryside and explore San Gimignano, a beautiful walled medieval hill town with an unforgettable skyline.
General Notes
The program includes independent time to explore Lucca, Siena, and Florence and several meals on your own. The Group Leader will provide directions for self-directed excursions. Suggestions for free-time activities are provided in your Final Information Packet
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Umberto Cattani
Umberto Cattani is a licensed group leader in Florence, Carrara and the Cinque Terre, and has been working with the Trinity College for 15 years. After completing his studies in accounting, Umberto worked in Parma as a sales manager for a clothing manufacturer. At the start of the new millennium, he discovered his real passion for guiding, and completed the required courses in art history, archaeology and history to achieve his new goal. Umberto lives in Carrara with his wife and daughter.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Umberto Cattani
View biography
Umberto Cattani is a licensed group leader in Florence, Carrara and the Cinque Terre, and has been working with the Trinity College for 15 years. After completing his studies in accounting, Umberto worked in Parma as a sales manager for a clothing manufacturer. At the start of the new millennium, he discovered his real passion for guiding, and completed the required courses in art history, archaeology and history to achieve his new goal. Umberto lives in Carrara with his wife and daughter.
Linda Lorenzetti
View biography
Linda Lorenzetti is the president of a cooperative of professional group leaders that leads explorations of the city of Lucca and the Tuscan countryside. She has been leading Road Scholar field trips in Lucca since 1987 and never fails to enthusiastically showcase her native town. Linda got her degree in English literature from the Università di Pisa. She has worked for movie productions like The Portrait of a Lady and television programs such as The Today Show.
Lara Mattioli
View biography
Lara Mattioli is from Ancona, a city on the eastern Adriatic coast of Italy. She has an advanced degree in communications from the Università degli Studi di Macerata and has been working for many years as group leader in Italy and abroad. Lara studied and worked in Barcelona and Rio de Janeiro where she learned to speak Spanish and Portuguese fluently. When not leading Road Scholar programs in her beautiful country, she loves to travel and pursue her hobby of scuba diving.
Jane Bacon-Fiori
View biography
Jane Bacon is an associate of the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art. She edited theater books, popular history, novels, and travel books for the London publisher Eyre Methuen for several years before moving to Italy. Jane lives in the little-known corner of Tuscany called the Lunigiana, where she continues to teach, write, and study Anglo-American writers who spent most of their lives in Tuscany.
Suzanne Myers
View biography
Suzanne Myers originally hails from Lincoln, Nebraska and has been living in Florence since 2011. She has a BA in art history from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota and an MA in art history from Syracuse University. She works as a lecturer for several study away programs in Florence and as a licensed group leader. Suzanne specializes in Italian Renaissance art, but also loves to lecture on a wide range of subjects from the Medici family to the Black Death to Florentine fashion.
Eleanor Pieruccini
View biography
Eleanor was born in Vancouver, B.C. to Italian parents that had migrated from Lucca to Canada. She received her education there including a pianist's diploma and a university degree. She settled in Lucca where she met her husband and after running a few businesses together, studied to become a travel professional in Lucca and province. She loves Lucca and is proud to share her home. She has had the good fortune of living in two beautiful corners of the world — Vancouver and Lucca.
Olivia Fiori
View biography
Olivia Fiori has spent most of her life living in Tuscany apart from a period in England where she attended the University of London and earned a degree in French and Spanish literatures. During her childhood and since she returned to Italy, she has helped run her parents’ bed and breakfast, cooking many of the local dishes for their clients — in particular, those dishes of the so-called Cucina Povera which have now become part of the traditional Tuscan cuisine in many restaurants.
Marco A. Ceccarani
View biography
Marco Ceccarani, a native of Assisi, holds a PhD in humanities from the Università degli Studi di Perugia. His field of expertise includes medieval and Renaissance Italian civilization and literature. He has taught for several American universities in the United States and currently teaches in Florence for American university study away programs.
Monica Shenouda
View biography
Monica Shenouda, originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, now calls Florence home. She majored in French Literature at Swarthmore College, worked in New York City, and studied art history and architecture in Rome. She then went to the University of Virginia and earned a master’s in architectural history and a PhD in the art history and architecture. She did her research in Venice, the subject of her dissertation. Monica teaches for study abroad programs in Florence and Venice and works as a translator and editor.
Suggested Reading List
(20 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Italy: Classic Tuscany and the Treasures of Florence
Program Number: 19715
Light in the Piazza
From Amazon: Meg Johnson (Olivia de Havilland) is eager to discover the glories of Italy with her beautiful daughter Clara (Yvette Mimieux), who was mentally impaired in a childhood accident.
Florence: The Paintings & Frescoes, 1250-1743
From Amazon: A magnificent, never-before-published collection of every painting and fresco on display in the Uffizi, the Galleria Palatina of the Pitti Palace, the Accademia, and the Duomo, and more -- nearly 2,000 works of art -- all presented in a beautiful slipcased package.
Fodor's Florence 25 Best
From Amazon: Compact and affordable, Fodor's Florence's 25 Best is a great travel companion for travelers who want a light, easy-to-pack guidebook to one of Europe's most exciting cities. Recommendations, pull-out map, practical tips and phrases, gorgeous photos and maps, and trip-planning tools.
The Medici: Power, Money, and Ambition in the Italian Renaissance
From Amazon: A dazzling history of the modest family that rose to become one of the most powerful in Europe, The Medici is a remarkably modern story of power, money, and ambition. Against the background of an age that saw the rebirth of ancient and classical learning, Paul Strathern explores the intensely dramatic rise and fall of the Medici family in Florence as well as the Italian Renaissance, which they did so much to sponsor and encourage. Interwoven into the narrative are the lives of many of the great Renaissance artists with whom the Medici had dealings, including Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Donatello as well as scientists like Galileo and Pico della Mirandola. In his enthralling study, Strathern also follows the fortunes of those members of the Medici family who achieved success away from Florence, including the two Medici popes and Catherine de' Medici, who became queen of France and played a major role in that country through three turbulent reigns.
Siena: City of Secrets
From Amazon: Jane Tylus’s Siena is a compelling and intimate portrait of this most secretive of cities, often overlooked by travelers to Italy. Cultural history, intellectual memoir, travelogue, and guidebook, it takes the reader on a quest of discovery through the well- and not-so-well-traveled roads and alleys of a town both medieval and modern.
La Bella Figura, A Field Guide to the Italian Mind
From Amazon: You won’t need luggage for this hypothetical and hilarious trip into the hearts and minds of Beppe Severgnini’s fellow Italians. In fact, Beppe would prefer if you left behind the baggage his crafty and elegant countrymen have smuggled into your subconscious. To get to his Italia, you’ll need to forget about your idealized notions of Italy. Although La Bella Figura will take you to legendary cities and scenic regions, your real destinations are the places where Italians are at their best, worst, and most authentic: the highway, the airport, and the small town.
The Stones of Florence
From Amazon: Renowned for her sharp literary style, essayist and fiction writer Mary McCarthy offers a unique history of Florence, from its inception to the dominant role it came to play in the world of art, architecture, and Italian culture, that captures the brilliant Florentine spirit and revisits the legendary figures—Dante, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and others—who exemplify it so iconically. Her most cherished sights and experiences color this timeless, graceful portrait of a city that's as famous as it is alluring.
A Culinary Traveller in Tuscany
A Tuscany resident for 30 years, Elon presents 100 recipes from a hand-picked selection of favorite restaurants in this charming cookbook and travel guide. With 10 itineraries highlighting largely undiscovered regions of Tuscany, restaurants, trattorie, shops, wineries, olive oil producers, markets and food festivals.
The House of Medici: Its Rise and Fall
This well-researched and engaging book provides readers with a detailed chronicle of the Medici family's ascent to power in Florence during the 15th century. It explores the family's origins, their role as bankers, and the astute political maneuvers that allowed them to become the de facto rulers of Florence. The Medici's patronage of the arts, particularly their support for artists like Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci, is a central theme in the book, highlighting their significant impact on the Renaissance. Hibbert also delves into the tumultuous political landscape of Renaissance Italy, marked by power struggles, alliances, and rivalries between various city-states and noble families.
The Most Beautiful Villages of Tuscany
From Amazon: A celebration of one of the most rich and varied landscapes in Europe, here are thirty-six villages and towns from all over Tuscany chosen both for their intrinsic beauty and for the part they have played in Tuscan history. Stand at the edge of a Tuscan hill village and gaze across one of the most extraordinarily rich and varied landscapes in Europe. There are vineyards producing the finest wine, and miles of wild mountain scenery; almost any view will take in other villages, clustering around the upper reaches of some hill, or the russet roofs of a fortified town deep in a valley.
The Reluctant Tuscan: How I Discovered My Inner Italian
From Amazon: After years of working on a string of sitcoms, Phil Doran found himself on the outside looking in. Just as he and his peers had replaced the older guys when he was coming up the ranks, it was now happening to him. And it was freaking him out. He came home every night angry, burned-out, and exhausted. After twenty-five years of losing her husband to Hollywood, Doran’s wife decided it was finally time for a change—so on one of her many solo trips to Italy she surprised her husband by purchasing a broken-down 300-year-old farmhouse for them to restore. The Reluctant Tuscan is about the author’s transition from being a successful but overworked writer-producer in Hollywood to rediscovering himself and his wife while in Italy, and finding happiness in the last place he expected. In the witty tone that made him a success as a writer in Hollywood, The Reluctant Tuscan captivates those who simply love a good travel narrative as well as anyone who loves the quirky humor of Bill Bryson, Dave Barry, and Jerry Seinfeld.
Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture
"Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture" is a meticulously researched and beautifully written book that chronicles the brilliant mind and unwavering determination of Filippo Brunelleschi, the visionary architect behind the construction of Florence's iconic cathedral dome. King skillfully navigates the complexities of both the architectural and political landscapes of 15th-century Italy, offering a compelling narrative that unveils the challenges, innovations, and triumphs of this monumental undertaking. Through King's storytelling, readers gain a profound appreciation for the genius of Brunelleschi and the enduring legacy of his architectural masterpiece, which continues to awe and inspire to this day.
A Room with a View
From Amazon: Helena Bonham Carter plays a young, independent-minded, upper-class woman who is trying to sort out her feelings, divided between a free spirit (Julian Sands) she meets on vacation and the bookworm (Daniel Day-Lewis) to whom she becomes engaged back home. Funny, sexy, and sophisticated, this art-house hit features a sublime supporting cast and remains a touchstone of intelligent romantic cinema.
The Agony and the Ecstasy, A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo
From Amazon: Irving Stone’s classic biographical novel of Michelangelo—the #1 New York Times bestseller in which both the artist and the man are brought to vivid, captivating life. His time—the turbulent Renaissance, the years of poisoning princes, warring Popes, and the all-powerful de' Medici family… His loves—the frail and lovely daughter of Lorenzo de' Medici, the ardent mistress of Marco Aldovrandi, and his last love, his greatest love—the beautiful, unhappy Vittoria Colonna... His genius—a God-driven fury from which he wrested brilliant work that made a grasp for heaven unmatched in half a millennium... His name—Michelangelo Buonarroti. Creator of the David, painter of the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, architect of the dome of St. Peter's, Michelangelo lives once more in the tempestuous, powerful pages of Irving Stone's towering triumph. A masterpiece in its own right, this biographical novel offers a compelling portrait of one of the greatest artists the world has ever known.
Life Is Beautiful (La vita è bella)
From Google: A gentle Jewish-Italian waiter, Guido Orefice (Roberto Benigni), meets Dora (Nicoletta Braschi), a pretty schoolteacher, and wins her over with his charm and humor. Eventually they marry and have a son, Giosuè (Giorgio Cantarini). Their happiness is abruptly halted, however, when Guido and Giosuè are separated from Dora and taken to a concentration camp. Determined to shelter his son from the horrors of his surroundings, Guido convinces Giosuè that their time in the camp is merely a game.
Tuscany in Mind: From Byron and the Brownings to Henry James, D. H. Lawrence, Robert Lowell, and Penelope Fitzgerald--Two Centuries of Great Writers Seduced by Tuscany
From Amazon: Tuscany in Mind assembles a glittering mosaic portrait of an unforgettable place: Kinta Beevor • James Boswell • Elizabeth Barrett Browning • Robert Browning • Lord Byron • Bruce Chatwin • Ann Cornelisen • Charles Dickens • Sarah Dunant • Lawrence Ferlinghetti • Penelope Fitzgerald • E. M. Forster • Laura Fraser • Paul Gervais • Barbara Grizzuti Harrison • Robert Hellenga • William Dean Howells • Henry James • Erica Jong • D. H. Lawrence • David Leavitt and Mark Mitchell • Robert Lowell • Frances Mayes • Mary McCarthy • H. V. Morton • Eric Newby • Iris Origo • John Ormond • Elizabeth Romer • John Ruskin • Mary Shelley • Percy Bysshe Shelley • Kate Simon • Tobias Smollett • Matthew Spender • Stephen Spender • Mark Twain • Edith Wharton
Tea with Mussolini
From Google: In 1930s fascist Italy, adolescent Luca (Charlie Lucas) just lost his mother. His father, a callous businessman, sends him to be taken care of by British expatriate Mary Wallace (Joan Plowright). Mary and her cultured friends -- including artist Arabella (Judi Dench), young widow Elsa (Cher), and archaeologist Georgie (Lily Tomlin) -- keep a watchful eye over the boy. But the women's cultivated lives take a dramatic turn when Allied forces declare war on Mussolini.
Insight Guide Tuscany
An illustrated guide in the popular series, noteworthy for its maps and illuminating essays on history, art, food and culture.
The Renaissance: A Short History
From Amazon: The Renaissance holds an undying place in our imagination, its great heroes still our own, from Michelangelo and Leonardo to Dante and Chaucer. This period of profound evolution in European thought is credited with transforming the West from medieval to modern and producing the most astonishing outpouring of artistic creation the world has ever known. But what was it? In this masterly work, the incomparable Paul Johnson tells us. He explains the economic, technological, and social developments that provide a backdrop to the age’s achievements and focuses closely on the lives and works of its most important figures. A commanding short narrative of this vital period, The Renaissance is also a universally profound meditation on the wellsprings of innovation.
The Scribe of Siena: A Novel
From Amazon: Equal parts transporting love story and gripping historical conspiracy, debut author Melodie Winawer takes readers deep into medieval Italy, where the past and present blur and a twenty-first century woman will discover a plot to destroy Siena. Accomplished neurosurgeon Beatrice Trovato knows that her deep empathy for her patients is starting to impede her work. So when her beloved brother passes away, she welcomes the unexpected trip to the Tuscan city of Siena to resolve his estate, even as she wrestles with grief. But as she delves deeper into her brother’s affairs, she discovers intrigue she never imagined—a 700-year-old conspiracy to decimate the city.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
13 days
Program Begins
Lucca
Program Concludes
Florence
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
23
| 11B |
5L |
7D |
Activity Level
For centuries, the verdant landscapes and medieval villages of Tuscany remained frozen in time. Scarcely changed in appearance, the entire region is a living cultural treasure today. In the hills of northern Tuscany and the plain of Florence, discover the unparalleled artistic genius that blossomed into masterpieces of marble, canvas and architecture whose brilliance transcends time and place.)
Best of all, you'll...
- Visit the quarries of Carrara to learn why great sculptors and architects choose this marble.
- View the great masterpieces in Florence: works by Donatello, Brunelleschi, Ghiberti, Caravaggio, Cellini and Michelangelo’s iconic sculpture, "David."
- Visit a winery in the Tuscan countryside and explore San Gimignano, a beautiful walled medieval hill town with an unforgettable skyline.
General Notes
The program includes independent time to explore Lucca, Siena, and Florence and several meals on your own. The Group Leader will provide directions for self-directed excursions. Suggestions for free-time activities are provided in your Final Information Packet
Featured Expert
Umberto Cattani
Umberto Cattani is a licensed group leader in Florence, Carrara and the Cinque Terre, and has been working with the Trinity College for 15 years. After completing his studies in accounting, Umberto worked in Parma as a sales manager for a clothing manufacturer. At the start of the new millennium, he discovered his real passion for guiding, and completed the required courses in art history, archaeology and history to achieve his new goal. Umberto lives in Carrara with his wife and daughter.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Linda Lorenzetti
Linda Lorenzetti is the president of a cooperative of professional group leaders that leads explorations of the city of Lucca and the Tuscan countryside. She has been leading Road Scholar field trips in Lucca since 1987 and never fails to enthusiastically showcase her native town. Linda got her degree in English literature from the Università di Pisa. She has worked for movie productions like The Portrait of a Lady and television programs such as The Today Show.
Lara Mattioli
Lara Mattioli is from Ancona, a city on the eastern Adriatic coast of Italy. She has an advanced degree in communications from the Università degli Studi di Macerata and has been working for many years as group leader in Italy and abroad. Lara studied and worked in Barcelona and Rio de Janeiro where she learned to speak Spanish and Portuguese fluently. When not leading Road Scholar programs in her beautiful country, she loves to travel and pursue her hobby of scuba diving.
Jane Bacon-Fiori
Jane Bacon is an associate of the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art. She edited theater books, popular history, novels, and travel books for the London publisher Eyre Methuen for several years before moving to Italy. Jane lives in the little-known corner of Tuscany called the Lunigiana, where she continues to teach, write, and study Anglo-American writers who spent most of their lives in Tuscany.
Suzanne Myers
Suzanne Myers originally hails from Lincoln, Nebraska and has been living in Florence since 2011. She has a BA in art history from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota and an MA in art history from Syracuse University. She works as a lecturer for several study away programs in Florence and as a licensed group leader. Suzanne specializes in Italian Renaissance art, but also loves to lecture on a wide range of subjects from the Medici family to the Black Death to Florentine fashion.
Eleanor Pieruccini
Eleanor was born in Vancouver, B.C. to Italian parents that had migrated from Lucca to Canada. She received her education there including a pianist's diploma and a university degree. She settled in Lucca where she met her husband and after running a few businesses together, studied to become a travel professional in Lucca and province. She loves Lucca and is proud to share her home. She has had the good fortune of living in two beautiful corners of the world — Vancouver and Lucca.
Olivia Fiori
Olivia Fiori has spent most of her life living in Tuscany apart from a period in England where she attended the University of London and earned a degree in French and Spanish literatures. During her childhood and since she returned to Italy, she has helped run her parents’ bed and breakfast, cooking many of the local dishes for their clients — in particular, those dishes of the so-called Cucina Povera which have now become part of the traditional Tuscan cuisine in many restaurants.
Marco A. Ceccarani
Marco Ceccarani, a native of Assisi, holds a PhD in humanities from the Università degli Studi di Perugia. His field of expertise includes medieval and Renaissance Italian civilization and literature. He has taught for several American universities in the United States and currently teaches in Florence for American university study away programs.
Monica Shenouda
Monica Shenouda, originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, now calls Florence home. She majored in French Literature at Swarthmore College, worked in New York City, and studied art history and architecture in Rome. She then went to the University of Virginia and earned a master’s in architectural history and a PhD in the art history and architecture. She did her research in Venice, the subject of her dissertation. Monica teaches for study abroad programs in Florence and Venice and works as a translator and editor.
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Walking up to five miles a day. Extended standing during site visits with limited or no public seating. Uneven terrain, limited public handrails, unavoidable stairs, marble and terracotta flooring, cobblestones, steep inclines, loose gravel, dirt paths, escalators. Elevator use is limited or restricted in historic sites. Expect crowded conditions in pedestrian centers and museums. Program-related travel and transfers will be via bus and regional train.
Small Group
(13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(20 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
13 days
12 nights
What's Included
23 meals | 11B | 5L | 7D |
5 expert-led lectures
15 expert-led field trips
1 hands-on experience
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
11 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
Arrive Lucca, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Lucca
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hotel Ilaria
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 2:00 p.m. Transfer from Pisa airport to hotel is 25 miles (30-minute ride). The orientation walk in Lucca is less than 1 mile.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. You can also consult your list of suggested restaurants in your program materials.
Afternoon:
Check-in and settle in. At 4:30 p.m., we gather in the meeting room for an Orientation session. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Breakfasts will be buffets. Other included meals will be plated and served from a set menu unless indicated otherwise; water is included, other beverages will be available for purchase. Evenings at leisure offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable through personal independent exploration, attending performances or other events, or simply relaxing and making new friends among fellow participants. The Group Leader will always be happy to offer suggestions. Transportation will be provided primarily by motorcoach and regional train. Periods in the schedule designated as "Free time" and "At leisure" offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times might change due to local circumstances/conditions. We will alert you as quickly as possible in the event of changes. Thank you for being so understanding. Next, we will join our Group Leader in a welcome cocktail (or fruit juice).
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the full day ahead.
Day
3
San Martino, San Michele, Free Time, Welcome to Tuscany
Location:
Lucca
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Hotel Ilaria
Activity Note
Walking up to 5 miles throughout the day with extended periods of standing during site visits; mostly level urban stone sidewalks and streets, cobblestones, and gradual steps without handrails to reach the top of the Lucca walls.
Breakfast:
At the hotel restaurant.
Morning:
We will begin by meeting our local expert at the hotel and setting out on foot for a walking field trip to first visit the Basilica of San Martino and admire its marble façade decorated with Romanesque statues and motifs. In the Middle Ages, the city was a destination for pilgrims traveling to view relics housed within the basilica. Continue to other famous landmarks in Lucca. On our walk back to the hotel, the walk will conclude with a stroll along the wide walls that surround the city. A protective wall fortified the city from invaders when Lucca was a Roman colony. With urban expansion, the original walls were extended in the 17th century. Today, the 2.6 miles of the wall that encircle Lucca are a wide tree-lined path—the favorite promenade of residents of all ages.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for independent personal exploration to see and do what interests you most. You can also consult your suggested Free Time activities list in your program materials. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Before dinner, we gather in the hotel conference room to learn about the region of Tuscany through a presentation given by a local expert.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Walls of Lucca, Free Time, Tuscan Cuisine Lecture
Location:
Lucca
Meals:
B
Stay:
Hotel Ilaria
Activity Note
Walking up to 4 miles total throughout the day with extended periods of standing during site visits; cobblestones and mostly level urban stone sidewalks and streets.
Breakfast:
At the hotel restaurant.
Morning:
A local expert will meet us at the hotel and take us on a pleasant walk along some of Lucca's defensive walls. Along the way, we will learn how the walls were constructed over 500 years ago to defend the city from invaders and how they now serve a peaceful purpose as a favorite walking path for walkers and recreational bike riders. The high walls provide a wonderful panorama of the city.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for independent personal exploration to see and do what interests you most. You can also consult your suggested Free Time activities list in your program materials. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Before heading to dinner on our own, we gather in the hotel conference room for a local expert's illustrated presentation about rustic cooking in Tuscany.
Dinner:
On your own to sample the local cuisine.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Carrara Marble, Free Time, Italian Opera
Location:
Lucca
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Ilaria
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Coach to Carrara is 35 miles and takes about 1 hour. Short walk along a dusty dirt path with a slight incline from the coach drop-off area to the observation terrace overlooking the marble quarry. Walking up to 5 miles throughout the day with extended periods of standing during site visits; loose gravel, cobblestones, mostly level urban stone pedestrian-only sidewalks, and stairs in the center of Carrara.
Breakfast:
At the hotel restaurant.
Morning:
We will travel by motorcoach with a local expert on a field trip to a workshop in Carrara and its quarries perched above. We delve into the fascinating history of marble, tracing its roots to the depths of ancient times, and learn how generations of skilled artisans have honed their craft, transforming raw blocks of stone into works of enduring beauty that grace the world's most esteemed architectural wonders. A breathtaking panorama unfolds as we ascend by motorcoach to the quarries perched above the town. Here, in the heart of the quarries, we witness the evolution of excavation as mechanized equipment has revolutionized the process, juxtaposing tradition with technological prowess.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Carrara.
Afternoon:
Following our lunch, we coach back to Lucca. Free time. Take this opportunity for independent personal exploration to see and do what interests you most. You can also consult your suggested Free Time activities list in your program materials. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
On your own to sample the local fare.
Evening:
At a venue in the heart of Lucca, we will attend a captivating performance of opera arias by Giacomo Puccini, a treasured native son of Lucca. The live performance is with a solo artist with piano accompaniment, breathing life into Puccini's timeless masterpieces. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
6
Transfer to Siena, Castellina in Chianti, Siena's Duomo
Location:
Siena
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
NH Siena
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Coach to Siena is 95 miles, and takes about 2.5 hours with 2 stops along the way. Walking up to 4 miles throughout the day with periods of standing during site visits; uneven paths, loose gravel, cobblestones, mostly level urban stone sidewalks, pedestrian-only roads with inclines to the main square, and stairs to/from the Duomo. Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel restaurant.
Morning:
After breakfast, our bags are loaded onto the motorcoach and we check out of the hotel. Board the motorcoach to Siena, where along our scenic route, we traverse a picturesque landscape adorned with flourishing olive groves, bountiful orchards, and sprawling vineyards nestled amidst the breathtaking Chianti hills that surround Siena. Prepare to be captivated by the natural beauty that unfolds outside our windows, setting the stage for our days further into Tuscany. Our next destination is the hilltop town of Castellina in Chianti, a charming and picturesque enclave deep within the heart of Tuscany's renowned Chianti region.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Following lunch, we will have some time to independently explore Castellina before we continue by motorcoach to Siena, where we check into our hotel. After settling into our rooms, we will meet a local expert who will lead us on a walking field trip into the heart of Siena. Our first stop on this remarkable journey will bring us to the awe-inspiring Siena Cathedral, also known as the Duomo, a marvel adorned with intricate decorations. Prepare to be spellbound by the mesmerizing sight of the cathedral's floors, where carefully crafted inlaid marble showcases vivid depictions of revered religious and allegorical figures, unveiling captivating scenes that transcend time. Our immersive exploration will carry us to the renowned Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, a treasure trove of artistic wonders. Here, our senses shall feast upon the radiant masterpiece of Duccio's exquisite Maestà, a transcendent work that deftly captures the essence of grace and divine beauty. Marvel at the delicate strokes and profound symbolism that make this artistic gem a testament to human creativity throughout the ages.
Dinner:
At the hotel restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
7
Val d'Orcia, Pecorino Cheese, Tuscan Countryside, Pienza
Location:
Siena
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
NH Siena
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Coach through the Val d'Orcia is 100 miles, and takes about 3 hours with multiple stops throughout the day. Walking up to 3.5 miles throughout the day with periods of standing during site visits; uneven paths, cobblestones, mostly level urban stone sidewalks, pedestrian-only roads with inclines to the main square, and stairs to/from the town centers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel restaurant.
Morning:
As we traverse this idyllic countryside by motorcoach, let the knowledge of our local expert paint a vivid picture of the Val d'Orcia region's history, traditions, and the delicate art of winemaking that has flourished here for centuries. Be captivated by the mesmerizing sight of rolling hills adorned with meticulously tended vineyards, gracefully stretching as far as the eye can see, as we venture deeper into the Montepulciano region, where the essence of Tuscany truly comes alive.
Lunch:
At a local cheesemaker.
Afternoon:
As we embark on the coach ride back toward the captivating city of Siena, our journey takes a delightful detour through the charming town of Pienza. History and art intertwine here, creating a remarkable tapestry of the Renaissance era. It was within these very lands that Pope Pius II Piccolomini (1458-1464), a renowned humanist scholar and poet, was born. Transformed by his vision, Pienza became a living testament to the ideals of the Renaissance, with its streets and structures reflecting the pinnacle of artistic achievement. Nestled in the heart of Pienza, the magnificent palace of Pope Pius II stands as a testament to his grand ambitions, commanding the attention of all who visit the main piazza. In a gesture of self-reverence, the town itself was renamed after the esteemed pontiff, forever cementing his influence and contribution. The Group Leader will offer directions for exploring the lively main street and the vibrant village square on your own. Stroll along the quaint streets and be immersed in the captivating ambiance of this Renaissance gem. Following our visit to this enchanting town, we board our coach and return to the captivating city of Siena.
Dinner:
On your own to sample the local fare.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
8
Palio & Contrada Meeting Hall, San Gimignano, Agriturismo
Location:
Siena
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
NH Siena
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Coach to San Gimignano is 30 miles, and takes about 1 hour. Walking up to 5 miles throughout the day with periods of standing during site visits; uneven paths, cobblestones, mostly level urban stone sidewalks, pedestrian-only roads with inclines and descents, and stairs to/from the Collegiata.
Breakfast:
At the hotel restaurant.
Morning:
In a classroom session at the hotel, learn firsthand about the Palio, the race held twice in the summer months where each of the city's districts, called contrade, sponsor a horse to represent their neighborhood. A local expert explains how the shame of losing the Palio is enough to encourage cheating. Even though there is one race in July and another in August, the competitive spirit among the contrade manifests throughout the year. Set out on foot to get an intimate look at the pride and sense of community during an exclusive visit to a contrada meeting hall, chapel, and small museum.
Lunch:
At the hotel restaurant.
Afternoon:
Embark on a motorcoach excursion as we are transported to the storied city of San Gimignano, where the magic of the medieval era lingers in every corner. Our local expert will lead us on a remarkable journey, delving into this Etruscan town's captivating history and architectural marvels. Marvel at the well-preserved medieval aspect that permeates the streets, a testament to the city's rich heritage. Once a city adorned with an astonishing 77 towers, each vying for prominence in family rivalries, San Gimignano offers a glimpse into the fascinating dynamics of medieval society. Discover the intrigue behind these towering structures, symbols of power and status strategically built throughout the town. Leaving the captivating confines of San Gimignano, we embark on a short coach ride, venturing a few miles outside the town to an organic farm. Here, amidst the peaceful Tuscan countryside, we uncover the intricate process behind the production of extra-virgin olive oil, the cultivation of local wines, and the care and preservation of the cherished Chianina cattle. After our farm visit, we will relish a wine-tasting experience just before dinner. This delightful session will allow us to savor the local Chianti and Vernaccia varieties.
Dinner:
Enjoy a farm-to-table dinner at an agriturismo.
Evening:
Motorcoach back to the hotel.
Day
9
Italy Today, Piazza del Campo, Palazzo Pubblico, Free Time
Location:
Siena
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
NH Siena
Activity Note
Walking up to 5 miles throughout the day with periods of standing during site visits; cobblestones, mostly level urban stone sidewalks, pedestrian-only roads with inclines and descents, and stairs to/from the main piazza. Elevator available in the Palazzo Pubblico.
Breakfast:
At the hotel restaurant.
Morning:
In a classroom session at the hotel led by our Group Leader, we will delve into the intricate tapestry of Italian society, exploring its regional nuances and the profound influence of national institutions that continue to shape the lives of its residents with a lecture on Italy today. After a short break, we will meet for an expert-led city orientation walk that will end in the Piazza del Campo. This expansive square is honored to host the legendary Palio horse race, a spectacle that captivates spectators every July and August. After, we will continue to the Palazzo Pubblico, still serving as the town hall today. One of the rooms contains an influential fresco cycle depicting the Allegory of Good and Bad Government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti and a fresco of Guidoriccio da Fogliano on horseback. Scholars have long attributed the work to the 14th-century Sienese painter Simone Martini, and our local expert will explain the controversy concerning the fresco's reattribution to a much later artist. Our expert-led field trip will continue onto the collection in the Santa Maria della Scala museum complex. Once a sanctuary of solace and care for those in need, this historic institution has evolved into a repository of artistic treasures. Discover an unparalleled collection of Siena's most iconic works of the city's rich cultural heritage in this extraordinary complex.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for independent personal exploration to see and do what interests you most. You can also consult your suggested Free Time activities list in your program materials. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
10
Train to Florence, Accademia, Renaissance Art Lecture
Location:
Florence
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Berchielli
Activity Note
Getting on/off a train. Train to Florence is 65 miles, and takes about 1.5 hours. Walking up to 5 miles throughout the day with extended periods of standing during site visits; cobblestones and mostly level urban stone sidewalks. Sculptures at the Accademia are on the ground floor; elevator available to the paintings on the first floor. Hotel check-in from 2:00 p.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel restaurant.
Morning:
We leave our bags outside our rooms for transport to our awaiting hotel in Florence. With unburdened hands, we set forth on foot to the Siena train station, where a regional train will take us to Florence. Upon our arrival in Florence, a world of artistic wonder beckons. From the train station, we walk to the Galleria dell'Accademia, where the marvels of Michelangelo's immortal masterpiece, the David, eagerly await our gaze. Led by a knowledgeable local expert, our field trip through the sculpture collection unfolds in the museum's main hall, a sanctuary of artistic genius. In this hallowed space, the David stands as an enduring testament to Michelangelo's mastery, its chiseled form evoking a sense of awe and reverence. As we marvel at the grandeur before us, we are also drawn to the unfinished sculptures known as the Prisoners, each appearing to emerge from the marble that holds them captive. The journey within the Galleria dell'Accademia extends beyond these iconic pieces, offering a cornucopia of artistic delights. The museum houses many smaller collections, including a collection of early musical instruments and a painting gallery with works from the Middle Ages through the early 17th century.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we walk to our hotel near the Arno, checking into our rooms. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Renaissance art as we gather in the hotel's meeting room. Here, we will be joined by a local art historian whose expertise will unlock the secrets and beauty of this transformative historical period. Through a captivating illustrated presentation, we will shed light on the masterpieces that grace the renowned collection of the Galleria degli Uffizi.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
11
Uffizi, Free Time
Location:
Florence
Meals:
B
Stay:
Hotel Berchielli
Activity Note
Walking up to 4 miles total throughout the day with extended periods of standing during site visits; cobblestones and mostly level urban stone sidewalks and streets. Elevator available at the Uffizi.
Breakfast:
At the hotel restaurant.
Morning:
We set out on foot to the esteemed Galleria degli Uffizi for a timed and reserved entrance. Stepping through the doors, we will be enveloped in a world of artistic wonders during our self-directed journey in this world-renowned museum, where we can explore at our own pace. The arrangement of the works within the Uffizi follows a thoughtfully curated order, steering through a visual chronicle of artistic evolution. Witness the majestic progression from the intricate details of the International Gothic style to the audacious and innovative expressions of Baroque art. Glimpse the ethereal beauty of Botticelli's The Birth of Venus and Leonardo da Vinci's enigmatic Annunciation, delight in the vivid colors and dynamic energy of works by Michelangelo and Raphael, and marvel at the exquisite brushwork and emotive compositions that define the Baroque period, as exemplified by masterpieces crafted by luminaries such as Caravaggio and Artemisia Gentileschi. There is a coffee bar at the end of the corridor on the Second Floor (upper level) where you can relax and purchase refreshments while enjoying a commanding view of the bell tower of Palazzo Vecchio and the cupola of the Duomo.
Lunch:
On your own to sample the local cuisine.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for independent personal exploration to see and do what interests you most. You can also consult your suggested Free Time activities list in your program materials. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
12
Bargello, Orsanmichele, Free Time
Location:
Florence
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Hotel Berchielli
Activity Note
Walking up to 5 miles total throughout the day with extended periods of standing during site visits; cobblestones and mostly level urban stone sidewalks and streets. Elevator available at the Bargello.
Breakfast:
At the hotel restaurant.
Morning:
We join our esteemed local expert for a captivating walk through the centro storico, immersing ourselves in the essence of Renaissance Florence. With each step, we will unravel the layers of history that permeate the city, setting the stage for an unforgettable exploration of architectural and sculptural wonders. Our exploration begins with an expert-led visit to the exterior of Orsanmichele, an architectural gem that bears witness to the Renaissance's transformative power. Here, we will observe the intricate details and awe-inspiring sculptures that adorn this sacred space, paying homage to the artistic brilliance of the era. Among them are replicas of masterpieces crafted by Donatello, such as Donatello's St. George and Andrea del Verrocchio's Christ and St. Thomas. Continuing our journey, we find ourselves at the renowned Bargello National Museum, a treasure trove of artistic masterpieces. Marvel at the mesmerizing competition pieces that once ignited fierce rivalry between Filippo Brunelleschi and Lorenzo Ghiberti for the coveted north doors of the Baptistery and admire the sublime sculptures that bear the unmistakable touch of Michelangelo, Giambologna, and Benvenuto Cellini, their craftsmanship resonating through the ages.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like in Florence.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for independent personal exploration to see and do what interests you most. You can also consult your suggested Free Time activities list in your program materials. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Recap your adventures and share your favorite memories with your fellow participants over our plated farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departures in the morning.
Day
13
Program Concludes, In Transit From Program
Location:
In Flight
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s Transportation Information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel restaurant; for those with early departures, the hotel will prepare a bag breakfast with a fruit, a roll or pastry, fruit juice, and water to take away. This concludes our program.
Morning:
Transfer to airport. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
23 Meals
11 Breakfasts
5 Lunches
7 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Nov 02, 2025 - Nov 14, 2025
- Apr 06, 2025 - Apr 18, 2025 (Lucca to Florence)
- Apr 27, 2025 - May 09, 2025 (Lucca to Florence)
- May 11, 2025 - May 23, 2025 (Lucca to Florence)
- May 25, 2025 - Jun 06, 2025 (Lucca to Florence)
- Sep 07, 2025 - Sep 19, 2025 (Lucca to Florence)
- Sep 14, 2025 - Sep 26, 2025 (Lucca to Florence)
- Sep 21, 2025 - Oct 03, 2025 (Lucca to Florence)
- Oct 19, 2025 - Oct 31, 2025 (Lucca to Florence)
- Nov 02, 2025 - Nov 14, 2025 (Lucca to Florence)
Participant Reviews
Based on 31 Reviews
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Enjoyed it very much. Group leader was excellent. Group really blended together
— Review left October 8, 2024
I could not possibly have had a more enriching, more meaningful, more delightful experience. A couple of weeks before the trip I began to worry that my expectations were too high, but that was needless–I loved every day of it! Group Leader, Bianca, is fantastic at managing both the big picture and the details as well as inevitable teeny glitches. She added a great deal to the trip with her experience, knowledge and good humor despite our group sometimes seeming a bit like herding cats. I'd sign up for another tour with her no matter where it is. The sessions with local experts were outstanding: good speakers with deep knowledge in their areas and obvious, contagious passion (yes, all of them!)
The food was--well it's ITALY!! The food was terrific, fresh, sometimes amazing, always too much but we ate it all, anyway. Accommodations were great and it was nice being in different types of hotels in each city: intimate boutique hotel in Lucca, corporate in Siena, old-European elegant in Firenze.
Some days there wasn't quite as much free time as I had anticipated, but it didn't matter. My friend and I just walked even more, wandered where we could, saw art, shops, sights, talked with locals, left those encounters with hugs, kisses, smiles and warm feelings. We crashed every night saying how fun the day was.
I'm extremely glad I chose RS for this trip; they are great at communicating, organizing, supporting and follow-thru. I would never have seen/done/gone to as much on my own and feel this was truly a comprehensive, wonderfully exhausting trip. I'd do it all again in a heartbeat, and in fact, am planning to return next year for a similar adventure.
— Review left September 29, 2024
The Road Scholar tour to Tuscany is highly recommended. The excellent instructors provided unique perspectives which let us appreciate what we were seeing and experiencing.
— Review left May 26, 2024
Excellent trip from start to finish. Every detail was well planned and thought out for maximum appreciation.
Can't wait for my next trip with Road Scholar.
— Review left May 7, 2024
The Classic Tuscany and the Treasures of Florence was fantastic! Our two guides Lara and Barbara were attentive, kind, and knowledgeable. They had everything ready for visitors at all of our locations and events. Presentations and events both connected and complimented the next. It was brilliant throughout with experts instructing us at each church and museum. I highly recommend Road Scholar to those who wish to continue their education while enjoying the delights Italy has to offer. In addition, I signed up for other travel events through Road Scholar. Once again, many thanks to Lara Mattioli and Barbara Gigi! They were awesome!
— Review left April 29, 2024
My trip was even better than I had expected. My fellow travelers were welcoming and made the trip a joy. The sites we visited were fascinating and the lectures were a huge plus to the overall experience.
— Review left April 29, 2024
Our Tuscany trip was a phenomenal experience from start to finish. Our guides Barbara and Lara were so kind and attentive. Not only did we learn a lot, and enjoy so much wonderful food, we made many new friends from the fellow travelers. We can't wait to schedule our next trip with Road Scholar.
— Review left April 28, 2024
For anyone who loves Renaissance art and architecture and the beautiful landscape of Tuscany, this is the trip for you. It is a fantastic combination of scenery, art, architecture, and food. I came away with a much richer understanding of the culture and history of this part of Italy. I am eager to learn more and visit again and again.
— Review left November 30, 2023
A dream trip for someone interested in witnessing the beauty and culture of Tuscany, exploring the region's deep history, and coming face to face with the centuries old architecture and amazing artistic treasures that abound.
— Review left November 27, 2023
Taking this tour with Road Scholar is one of the best decisions I ever made!
— Review left November 18, 2023
The Classic Tuscany & the Treasures of Florence was my first Road Scholar Trip and it exceeded my expectations on every level.
Bianca, our Group Leader, was exceptional! Bianca's knowledge and expertise of knowing all of the in's and out's of the areas we traveled combined with her great sense of humor and light hearted manner made for an incredible and unforgettable experience. All details of our trip were handled with such grace and ease. Thank you so much Bianca for making my first trip over the top!
The tour guides and lecturers for each of the areas we visited were also amazing - more that I could have hoped for. They added context to all of the sights we toured so that the experiences were so much more meaningful and alive. I loved the way they wove their information with wonderful stories and humor.
The Classic Tuscany & the Treasures of Florence was a perfect blend of the historical cities and all they had to offer combined with the beauty and richness of the Tuscany countryside and smaller towns. I could not have asked for a better first experience.
— Review left October 30, 2023
This trip was absolutely excellent! Everyone was caring, experience, fun and professional. Worth every bit of the cost of the trip if not more. I will travel exclusively with Road Scholar from here forward.
— Review left October 18, 2023
Another really good trip with RS. Yes, it's "let's go" pacing, so be prepared! But you'll enjoy it, too.
A good mix of attendees, a varied schedule of art/history/food/in-house lectures/LOTS of field trips to interesting places and people. The lecturers and guides ranged from very good...to outstanding. Accommodations did as well.
We also enjoyed the balance of time with the group and free time to either kick back or explore on our own.
And a shout-out to the bus drivers who safely steered us up (and down) a mountain of pure marble, through cities of pure traffic pandemonium, along winding country roads.
A bit of advice: pack light, but bring 2 pair of shoes good for cobblestones, etc.
— Review left October 12, 2023
Our program included the arts, history, cuisine both rustic and current, and visits to multiple fascinating destinations over the course of our tour.I can't say enough about how enjoyable it was!
— Review left October 2, 2023
The Tuscan trip was delightful. Full of good information, low guide to guest ratio and wonderful people to travel with. This was my first trip abroad and I am ready to go again. I would definitely use Road Scholars in the future.
— Review left September 29, 2023
The incredible art was the major highlight, but we also enjoyed the visit to the Carrara marble quarry, the World War II memorial, the opera singing, and the wine and cheese tastings.
— Review left June 2, 2023
We knew nothing about Italy before this, and found it to be a wonderful sampling of Tuscany and everything it has to offer. The itinerary focused on architecture, history, and food. The locations, the destinations, and the guides were EXCELLENT. Lucca is an old walled city of walkable neighborhoods, Sienna has a cathedral that rivals St. Peter's, and our visit to Florence had us right in the middle of things. We couldn't get enough: Carrara marble, farm-to-table beef, wineries, olive groves, cheese farms, mountain-top towns, cathedrals, hot springs, markets, opera, pizza & pasta, lamb, risotto, and pastries. Road Scholar was doting, and very responsive to our travel needs (including a pending transit strike). Bianca couldn't have been more helpful. We were very sorry it ended. This was our second Road Scholar trip, and we're fans.
— Review left November 7, 2022
- we started our trip in buffalo, NY with a delayed flight to Chicago due to mechanical problems and missed our connection
- after 1 hr on hold on the EMERGENCY line and about 1 more hr speaking with Heidi, she said we had new flights
- after another hr with Heidi we were assured we had flights and got further instructions
- we had an unplanned overnite, therefore, in Chicago
- we received emails stating flights were CONFIRMED,
- arriving at UA Chicago the next morning, we got boarding passes for Frankfort
- arriving in Frankfort, after no sleep due to screaming child, we were told to pick up boarding passes by Heidi for "confirmed flight"
- at desk were informed we had NO FLIGHT, they told us to go to gate
- at gate they said we had NO FLIGHT and they couldn't help,
- another call to RS emergency number
- we were told to go out of security to United desk
- after walking again a long distance, United desk person got us tickets
We missed Orientation, dinner and ONE night stay in Lucca, WHICH WE PAID FOR, INCLUDED IN THE TOUR
The day before we were scheduled to leave an email was received
- our flights home were cancelled
- we were rescheduled for FOUR day later
- went through the same process as our arrival flights, speaking to RS emergency number
- they insured us our flights were CONFIRMED
- we had no flights, nothing CONFIRMED
- got flight to Frankfort
- had to spend ONE UNPLANNED night in Frankfort
- we missed Thursday tour, dinner and A NIGHT IN FLORENCE, WHICH WE PAID FOR AS PART OF OUR TOUR.
Your literature states that if we book flights through RS they would help us if there was a problem. Heidi and others were very nice, however flights that were listed CONFIRMED in their emails WERE NOT.
We had no flights and had to do everything on our own.
I am requesting CASH REIMBURSEMENT, NOT CREDIT as we do not plan on travelling with RS and therefore can not use credit.
The actual tour was mostly fine, see review in evaluation sent by RS
c buckley
— Review left October 23, 2022
As a single, recently widowed traveler, I was welcomed by the trip leader and other participants. I am no longer hesitant to travel by myself after going on this Tuscany adventure.
— Review left October 17, 2022
Classic Tuscany and the Treasures of Florence was a fabulous combination of history, culture, landscape, art, and food. It was nice to base ourselves in a few key locations for several days and take field trips into the countryside or to the Cararra marble quarry. The experts were all very enthusiastic about their subject matter and made the presentations both educational and fun. In many cases, we had access to places that the average tourist would not. Road Scholar also provided good prep materials and gave us sufficient time to explore each city on our own. Since Pisa is not included in the tour, we arrived three days early to see the Field of Miracles in Pisa and take a day trip to the Cinque Terre before meeting up with the group in Lucca. I highly recommend this tour if you want to experience the best of Tuscany.
— Review left October 9, 2022
Excellent program with Road Scholar quality. This was our fifth tour and we loved it. It is strenuous. At the end of the day, your feet will be tired and your head full. But you will experience the art, culture, food, wine, people, beauty of Tuscany and Florence. Accommodations are centrally located to allow walking to most all sites. Group leader and instructors were extremely knowledgeable. Highly recommend!
— Review left October 8, 2022
It was my first tour. I went places I would not have thought of going or could not have arranged myself, I learned about the cities, I met funny and interesting people, I ate food I never would have picked from a menu and loved it. It ws well worth the price and I will go again on a Road Scholar tour.
— Review left June 11, 2022
Road Scholar provided a memorable pilgrimage to Florence and Tuscany. A brilliant itinerary with the perfect balance of learning, experience, camaraderie, wine, and fun. All in all, a magical and transformative journey.
— Review left May 21, 2022
GREAT PROGRAM. Tuscany is a wonderful region. This RS program does an excellent job in introducing Americans to the places, the food and the culture of Tuscany.
— Review left October 6, 2021
I thought this was a great tour - It's my third RS program and my favorite! It balanced out time spent in the city as well as the countryside. There was so much amazing history and included activities that were fun to do in a group- such as cheese tasting and wine tasting. I loved the field trips and the pace of the trip. I would highly recommend this
— Review left February 4, 2020
Loved every minute! great people with whom to travel, terrific guides, and of course, the food and wine!
— Review left January 13, 2020
All the hype about Tuscany is true, so much so that the crowds can be a little much. Road scholar's expertise, guides and leaders mitigated much of the unpleasantness with timing tours and visits that avoided the crush. We saw and learned so much! Oh did I mention the wonderful food and wine? I may have just contributed a little to the crowds but if you are with Road Scholar you will be in good hands
— Review left October 28, 2019
Loved everything about the trip including our tour guide Laura. The excursions were interesting, inspirational, and tasty. I enjoyed the cheese tasting, wine pairing with lunch, and visit to the modern farm. The hotels were beautiful with plentiful breakfast options. Florence satisfied my desire to see some beautiful classic art and to extend our trip to include tree more days there. Top notch!
— Review left October 27, 2019
If you want to learn about Italy, past and present, then this trip is for you.
— Review left May 27, 2019
I just returned from my first Road Scholar tour, and it was fantastic! I can't say enough wonderful things about every aspect of my experience on the "Classic Tuscany and the Treasures of Florence" trip! I also want to mention that traveling as a single person went really well, and I felt very welcome by all of the members of my group.
— Review left May 11, 2019
It's been almost a month since returning from Italy. Everyday I think about the beautiful places visited, incredible guides, delicious food and the lively spirit of the tour. Just the right number of people, just the right amount of activity. I'm a morning person so I just loved the early mornings, delicious breakfasts and never hurried. Whether we were off on a bus excursion or walking tour I was ready to go... full of anticipation and excitement and never disappointed. I enjoyed every single adventure, everyday. The guides, there were many specialists and all were outstanding. The food, we had a nice variety of restaurants and wonderful meals, loved eating the regional foods. Some days I was so stuffed and tired that I just fell into bed..only to do it again the next day. Always plenty wine and olive oil. The trip was definitely fast paced with multiple activities each day, lots of walking but a perfect fit for me. I loved the mix of Lucca first, traveling through the country side with stops at the most beautiful small villages, everyone unique so I never felt like we were repeating ourselves. Great balance of art and culture. I also appreciated the free time to explore on our own. Last, Bianca was superb, a professional in every way, very nice women, in another life I would like to be friends. Jules is a jewel, helpful, pleasant and so accessible. Thank you for a wonderful trip.
My only negative comment is regarding the air travel, there was a strike in Italy which challenged our arrival, the group leaders were very supportive but the guy at the other end of the emergency call line was not helpful..he actually created more anxiety and stress, he got us involved in a crazy cycle of phone calls with no assistance, he was frustrated as well.. Wonderful trip. Good job Road Scholar. Sue
— Review left May 2, 2019
