Best Day Trips from Rome to Tuscany

Staying a week or more in the Eternal City? Of course there is plenty to see and do in Rome but a longer stay can be a good excuse to escape to Tuscany. A few hours by bus is enough to reach the historic towns or the splendid countryside of the surrounding region.

If you don't feel like driving or looking for an alternative on your own, you can take advantage of the organised excursions that leave daily from Rome. Whatever your destination, this beautiful Italian region will not leave you indifferent.

The Val d'Orcia is the typical postcard of Tuscany. It lies south of Siena and is famous for its beautiful hills alternating with olive groves, medieval villages and vineyards. Since 2004 it has been a Unesco World Heritage Site and is therefore a must on any trip to the region.

• Montepulciano, a town known for the wine of the same name. Its heart is Piazza Grande which houses historic palaces and the cathedral with its unfinished façade. If you want to go back home with a good bottle, I recommend you to go to the wine shop La Dolce Vita (Via di Voltaia nel Corso 80).
• Pienza, the ideal city. By the will of Pope Pius II, it was razed to the ground and completely rebuilt. Therefore, today we can admire Renaissance buildings such as Palazzo Vescovile, the cathedral, Palazzo Piccolomini and other buildings. Pienza is also famous for its pecorino cheese. If you want to buy a wedge, you can buy one at the Caseificio di Mario (Corso Rossellino 16) or at the Taverna del Pecorino (Via Condotti 1).
• Montalcino, a charming fortified town. It was an important defensive stronghold on the border between the domains of Florence and Siena. The Rocca, a 14th century castle, is the silent witness of Montalcino's military past. The surrounding countryside produces Brunello, a ruby red wine with notes of vanilla, aromatic wood and undergrowth.

Tours usually include lunch with wine tasting, an expert guide and headphones so you won't miss any explanations.

• Price: around 120 €.
• Duration: approximately 12 hours

The two cities are not too far from Rome. The capital region borders Tuscany to the north and is only a 4-hour drive away.

The essentials of Pisa

The first snack on the route is Pisa, the city of Galileo. The bus usually drops travellers off near the Piazza dei Miracoli, a large space that houses the famous leaning tower, the cathedral and a cemetery.

The guide will explain the history of this place, which is not in the old town but on an esplanade outside the medieval walls. The stop in Pisa usually lasts an hour or a little more.

Express tour of Florence

After a short bus ride, you will arrive in the birthplace of the Renaissance: Florence. Normally, these tours include admission to the Galleria dell'Accademia. It's not as famous as the Uffizi but that doesn't mean it's not worth it.

Its most iconic work is Michelangelo's David sculpted in white Carrara marble (if you're wondering, yes, the statue in Piazza Signoria is a copy). Other pieces of art not to be missed are Botticelli's "Madonna with Bambino" and Paolo Uccello's "Tebaide". Of course, you will see the Piazza della Signoria, the Basilica of Santa Croce, the Boboli Gardens and the Duomo.

For lunch, you can take the opportunity to try a lampredotto, a tasty snack made with tripe and green parsley sauce. Personally, I recommend Il Cernacchino (Via della Condotta 38), 'L Trippaio di San Frediano (Piazza dei Nerli) or L'Antico Trippaio (Piazza De' Cimator).

• Price: about 200 €.
• Duration: about 12 hours

This tour departs early in the morning and heads towards the most famous medieval town in Tuscany: Siena.

The first stop is usually Piazza del Campo, the characteristic shell-shaped, russet-coloured square. These excursions usually include stops at the following points:

• Palazzo Pubblico, a monumental building in the central Piazza del Campo. It was built between the 13th and 14th centuries and has remained unchanged over the centuries. It is flanked by the slender Torre del Mangia which reaches a height of 87 metres.
• Basilica di San Domenico, built in Cistercian Gothic style and austere in appearance. Inside it preserves the head-reliquary of Saint Catherine of Siena.
• Duomo, the cathedral dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption. It has two peculiarities: the unfinished façade and the splendid Libreria Piccolomini decorated with frescoes by Pinturicchio and Raphael Sanzio.

After visiting the town, the minivan will take you to San Gimignano, the New York of the Middle Ages. Between the 13th and 14th centuries, wealthy families showed their economic power by erecting tall towers. The village is beautifully preserved.

Before returning to the capital, the vehicle will take you to a winery in the Chianti region. Here you will have the opportunity to taste wine and some varieties of extra virgin olive oil.

• Price: 250 € or a little more
• Duration: about 12 hours

It depends on the age and interests of your children. Personally, I don't think it's the best option. Although Tuscany is not too far from the Italian capital, the bus rides are long, as are the walks at each destination.

Also, some of these Tuscany excursions from Rome are focused on wine, so they are not the most suitable for children.

If you are travelling with your family, there are other interesting activities. You can opt for a bike tour in Rome, explore the gardens of Villa Borghese or buy tickets for the Catacombs of Rome. If you want to know more about this topic, I recommend you to read the post about the 10 things to do in Rome with kids.

In any case, on all the itineraries mentioned above you can take prams and the buses are equipped with child seats. If you need one, be sure to indicate this during the booking process.

These excursions can be divided into two types: those focused on the cities of art and those that focus on natural beauty and gastronomic offerings.

However, this does not mean that the latter do not include stops in historic towns such as Pienza and Montepulciano.

If you are thinking about a trip to Florence, Siena or other cities, you should visit the region in spring. So if you're looking for things to do in Rome in May, for example, you should consider booking this activity.

Winters are quite cold and summers are hot, so it's best to opt for the in-between season. In March the weather is not very stable - rains lurk - but April and May are characterised by sunny days and longer days.

Wine enthusiasts, on the other hand, prefer to take advantage of a visit to Rome during autumn to visit Tuscany. In the famous Chianti wine-growing area, the harvest period is between mid-September and mid-October. The leaves turn red, orange and yellow, adding a magical touch to the landscape.

If you are travelling to the capital in summer, I would recommend another option: an excursion to the Amalfi Coast from Rome. Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and the blue waters of the Gulf of Salerno are not too far from the Eternal City.

If you plan to visit Florence, the answer is yes. On 8 December the big trees in front of the Palazzo Vecchio and the Duomo and the rest of the city's festive lighting are switched on.

The most famous Christmas market is in Piazza Santa Croce and offers food, decorations, handicrafts and much more.

Piazza Santa Maria Novella hosts the Scottish market, a tribute to the twinning between the Tuscan capital and Edinburgh. In general, there are dozens of activities and events scheduled throughout the month. For more information, read the post on Florence at Christmas.

Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano and the other charming villages are also full of magic with Christmas lights. And when the cold weather sets in, there's another excuse to recharge your batteries with the local comfort food and wine.

Tuscany is a region with many differences within it. It produces a little bit of everything, from excellent gastronomy to clothes or designer products. Below is a short list of the best souvenirs:

• Cantucci, a crunchy, grainy biscuit usually eaten dipped in Vin Santo. You'll find them in many tourist shops and if you're not convinced, you can buy them even in the larger supermarkets.
• Leather goods (belts, wallets, shoes, etc.). In Florence you can shop at Benheart, Manninna or Missouri.
• Red or whitewine. The best are Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Vernaccia di San Gimignano and Sassicaia.
• Pecorino, a delicious cheese made from sheep's milk. You can also opt for other typical dairy products: Grande Vecchio di Montefollonico (long-ripened and hard), Abbucciato (with a particular aftertaste of hay), Caciotta and more.
• White or blacktruffles. If you go to Florence, you can play it safe by buying them at Le Delizie di Toscana (Via del Sole 27).
• Panforte, the typical sweet of Siena. It is made with dried and candied fruits, spices and honey. In the city of the Palio, you can buy it at Nocino (Via Aretina 13), Antica Drogheria Manganelli (Via di Città 71) or La Fabbrica del Panforte (Via Po 20).
• Finocchiona, a sausage with a long history. They are made with fennel seeds that give them a very original aroma.

Tuscany is a beautiful region and if you're travelling on your own, you're spoilt for choice. The list below brings together some of the towns you will fall in love with:

• Pitigliano, the town of tuff. It rises on a very suggestive rocky spur and a walk through its old town becomes a journey back in time. Nearby are the famous thermal baths of Saturnia.
• Capalbio, a charming village on the border between Lazio and Tuscany. Its medieval centre, countryside and sandy beaches have made it a favourite destination for the Italian jet set. One of its most famous attractions is the Giardino dei Tarocchi, a garden reminiscent of Barcelona's Park Güell.
• Volterra, a very ancient centre whose origins date back to Etruscan times. If you want to know more about this civilisation, you can visit the Museo Etrusco Guarnacci (Via Don Giovanni Minzoni). A ticket costs about €8.
• Porto Ercole, a beautiful seaside town on the Argentario promontory. If you go in spring or summer, you can sunbathe on three beaches: Le Viste, Spiaggia Lunga and Acqua Dolce.
• Loro Ciuffenna, known for hosting the oldest water mill in the region. It is very suggestive and if you want to stay for lunch, I recommend you to book a table at Il Cipresso (Via Alcide De Gasperi 28).