Tuscany’s timeless landscapes provide the perfect backdrop for endless magical experiences, from truffle hunting to scenic bike rides, wine tasting and explorations of picture-postcard towns and cities. Food is also an irresistible draw, and we can arrange an array of culinary workshops and fascinating insights into the lives of local producers. The possibilities are almost endless so, wherever your interests lie, we can recommend the best things to do in Tuscany to make your visit a truly memorable one.
TUSCANY WINE TASTING
Wine tasting usually forms an integral part of any visit to Tuscany. We can organise exceptional private wine tasting experiences at boutique Tuscan wineries that feel a world away from the mass-market estates that draw the crowds. One of the exclusive activities we can arrange takes you to a medieval vineyard in Chianti, home to century-old vines, where an expert oenologist will escort you on a fascinating private tour. Return to his boutique winery to learn the secrets of his craft before continuing on to a traditional converted farmhouse for a delicious Tuscan lunch, paired with the exceptional wines you have learned about along the way.
Another Red Savannah exclusive experience takes you to a Chianti winery with an intriguing history. Attached to a historic former monastery and Tuscan farmhouse, this exceptional estate has been managed by the same family for generations. The cellar at the family winery is housed in a former World War II bomb shelter, which you'll explore privately followed by tastings and a delicious lunch.
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E-BIKING
Exploring Tuscany on two wheels offers a wonderful immersion into the magnificent countryside of the region, allowing you to absorb the serenity and blissful landscapes of olive groves, cypress trees and endless vineyards. Many Tuscan landscapes are of course characterised by their rolling hills and this is where an e-bike comes into its own, allowing you to scale the undulating slopes with ease and enjoy ample time to admire the views. Our private e-bike adventures depart either directly from your villa or from a pre-planned meeting point, and are accompanied by expert guides who will ensure you do not miss a thing – including the best place for an authentic Tuscan lunch in a picturesque setting, which is the perfect reward for your endeavours.
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TUSCANY COOKING CLASS
Along with wine, delicious regional cuisine is another defining aspect of a visit to Tuscany, its natural bounty fuelled by a happy coincidence of geography and climate. Classic Tuscan dishes are based on cucina povera - peasant cookery - using the fruits of the land and sea such as beans, herbs and olive oil, as well as meat from verdant pastures and - near the coast - seafood. Wild boar stew, peposo, bistecca alla Fiorentina, ribollita and panzanella all use regionally produced ingredients.
If you are inspired to deepen your knowledge of Tuscan cuisine – and perhaps even acquire a new recipe or two to reproduce at home - we can arrange for an expert local chef to come to your villa to deliver an interactive cooking class. Hone your culinary skills in the privacy and comfort of your own villa (perhaps fuelled by a glass of wine or two), and then enjoy the fruits of your labour for dinner. Those travelling with children may wish to consider a pizza making class. Again, this can be organised at your villa and is the perfect opportunity to spend quality time together as a family.
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TRUFFLE HUNTING
Chianti conceals a rich bounty of truffles which thrive in optimum growing conditions in the region's dense oak and chestnut woodland. Our specialists can organise a morning with a local truffle hunter and his dog as they forage for the finest specimens. During the summer months you will be gathering Tartufo Nero - black truffles - noted for their deep, earthy flavour that intensifies on cooking. Autumn sees a proliferation of Tartufo Bianco - white truffles - a rarer, aromatic variety prized for using raw as a finishing touch on savoury dishes such as risotto, omelettes and pasta specialities. Whatever the season, you will gain an authentic insight into life in rural Tuscany, returning to the truffle-hunter’s home where a delicious truffle-based Tuscan lunch will be prepared for you.
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PRIVATE TOUR OF FLORENCE
Without doubt one of Italy’s most exquisite cities, a visit to Florence is an absolute must during a visit to Tuscany. We will arrange transport from your villa and introduce you to one of the best local guides who will help you uncover the city’s most iconic sights – in a carefully considered way allowing deeper insights away from the crowds. An early visit to the Duomo allows you to appreciate the beauty of this majestic cathedral in the serene morning light. Art lovers, meanwhile, may wish to consider our after-hours VIP visit to the Uffizi. Discover the rich craftsmanship of the city on a dedicated artisans tour, or embark on a culinary journey through the city taking in colourful markets, enotecas and artisanal gelato.
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A TOUR OF TUSCANY'S BEST WINERIES
In addition to wine tasting at your villa, we can arrange for our local expert to escort you an indulgent day taking in the best wineries to visit in Tuscany. Giorgio has exemplary insider knowledge and connections, allowing him to open doors to the best boutique wineries in the area, without a coach party in sight. Accompanied by Giorgio you will be able to meet local wine producers and gain a fascinating insight into their craft. As you would expect, the perfect spot for lunch will be selected and - with Giorgio providing the transport - you can also enjoy the full wine tasting experience without any concerns about driving home.
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CHEESE MAKING
Pecorino production in the Val d'Orcia has historic roots dating back to Etruscan times. The clay-rich, rocky landscape proved unsuitable for cattle farming or cultivation by early machinery and so sheep farming thrived, with the distinctive flora - wild fennel, aromatic grasses, clover and wormwood - infusing ewes' milk with a distinct regional flavour. The cheese provided both a livelihood and protein for rural workers before its popularity expanded beyond Tuscany to international shores. Yet only a small number of artisan cheesemakers remain in the region, crafting cheese utilising age-old traditions such as aging in oak barriques, wrapping in walnut leaves and storing in cavities in the tufa rock. Our specialists can arrange for you to meet one of these producers privately and explore their farm, stables and dairy, learning about the entire pecorino process, including the distinctive method of salting the cheese. Round off your experience with a delicious lunch at the farm.
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PRIVATE TOUR OF SIENA
Picturesque Siena always makes a striking first impression as you first step into the colossal Piazza del Campo, the city’s magnificent shell-shaped main square that dates back to medieval times. There is far more to Siena than just the Piazza, however, and our expert local guide will help you uncover the secrets of this storied city. Follow in the footsteps of pilgrims, artists and saints as you wind your way through narrow streets passing fortified houses, medieval towers, tiny piazzas and lesser-known churches displaying significant works of art. Your day in Siena can be entirely designed around your specific interests, so may also include the masterpieces in Palazzo Chigi Saracini, the frescoes in the crypt, or the treasures of Santa Maria Della Scala, a fascinating museum housed in one of the oldest hospitals of the western world.
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TUSCANY OLIVE OIL TOUR
Tuscany produces some of the finest olive oil in Europe, the variety of soil, olive trees and the optimum climate here coming together to produce extra virgin olive oils that are prized the world over. We can arrange for you to visit a small local farm that produces fine Tuscan olive oil, where you will learn about the process from harvest, pressing and extraction. Your visit will be followed by a guided tasting, allowing you to appreciate the subtle nuances of the olive oil produced here.
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DRIVE A FERRARI FOR A DAY
There are few experiences more iconic than getting behind the wheels of a Ferrari and driving it through unforgettable Tuscan landscapes. Collect your car in Florence and follow a beautifully designed GPS route taking in some of the most enchanting panoramas of the surrounding Tuscan countryside – without any concerns about going off piste. Whether your tastes lie in the classic or the contemporary, we can organise the perfect car for you, whether that is a sleek Ferrari 812 GTS, a prized 246 Dino or a thrilling SF90 Spider convertible.
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TUSCANY WILDLIFE BY NIGHT
Experience a different side of Tuscany on an immersive adventure into the rich woodlands of Mugello. Guided by an expert ranger, you will set out on an exploration by 4x4 into the untamed countryside, seeking out some of the nocturnal residents that can be found in the vast protected reserve. You may spot eagles and owls in the treetops above, and wild boars and foxes foraging in the surrounding undergrowth. Wolves can even be sighted in this region but, if you are not fortunate enough to glimpse one, your ranger will explain the important role these remarkable predators play in the ecological balance of the region.
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